With Skype you can not only have voice chats on your computer – just like telephone, only for free – but also make real phone calls at much lower rates, using the SkypeOut service and paying with Skype credit. Besides voice chats, Skype also includes standard IM functionalities (written conversations, emoticons, user avatars and so on) and also lets you have group video conferences.

Improved video interface

These video calls are precisely the main focus on Skype's latest version. The program's interface has been completely redesigned with video conferences on mind. This means it's been made wider so that video fits in perfectly with your written chat, your contact list and a toolbar to manage conversation. The new interface is transformed when you make a call, getting rid of all the clutter, so you just see the video images, and controls. Group video is still being tested in this version, and it's pretty cool.

The sound quality during our testing was perfect: loud and clear. Video sometimes appeared a bit pixelated, but nothing we couldn't really deal with. There was also one nice detail, and that's the ability to see your own video image built-in on your contact's video, and the option to take a snapshot of your own image.

Facebook integration

The other major development is Facebook integration. This is a pretty big thing, as not only does it give you your news feed in the app - anyone can do that - but adds call and sms buttons to any of your friends who share their contact numbers. If you’ve paid for Skype minutes, you can call your Facebook friends, and if they’re also signed in to Skype you can call them for free. One of the best new features is the automatic call recovery - drop a call and it’s put in pause. Restarting it is now really easy.

Skype 5 features a complete interface overhaul that now focuses more on video chats, and also adds some handy improvements to the way you communicate online.

Download Skype 5.9.0.115 in Softonic

Multiple protocols and devices

Known variously as Gtalk, Google Talk, Gchat and Gmail Messenger, this compact, functional app is all you need when it comes to staying in contact with your Gmail friends. Not only does Google Talk support Google accounts, it also supports a variety of other protocols and apps. In other words, you can log in with accounts from Jabber, Pidgin, Miranda, Psi and Trillian.

As well as supporting lots of protocols, Google Talk is also available for lots of devices, so even if you are chatting on your desktop, you'll be able to keep in touch with your friends on Android, iPhone and Blackberry. Even though not explicitly supported, you'll also be able to use Google Talk on Mac and Linux, as long as you use the browser version.

Nice layout, easy to use

Google Talk is an attractive app and very easy to use, although its bright, almost childlike appearance is looking a bit old-fashioned these days. There are various themes available from the Settings options, although they have more impact on the window layout and are not strictly "skins". You'll also be able to choose your status, picking from Available, Busy, and Idle, as well as custom messages and the option to show your current music track. Google Talk also notifies you when you receive new emails.

Adding and chatting with contacts with Google Talk couldn't be easier. Double click a name to start a conversation, and a new chat window will appear. If you see a little telephone or video camera icon beside the contact's name, they are also available for phone or video chats, but you'll need the Video and voice plug-in to do this.

Google Talk has many of the features that you'd expect from an IM client. You can add, block, rename and remove contacts, send smileys, and customize the way you see your friends online. If you look under the more technical settings, you'll also be able modify notifications and connect to the service using a proxy. It's not overrun with options, but most people seem to appreciate the resulting simplicity and light resource use.

The downside

Even though Google Talk is the go-to IM app for thousands of people, long term users can't help feeling that Google Talk is pretty low on Google's list of priorities. It works perfectly and is a great app, but that's because it was well made and ahead of its time when it first came out.

Google Talk hasn't been updated in what seems like years and, with the exception of the VoiP features added in recent times, the program feels a little bit forgotten. This has no impact on usability for Gmail users, but it does feel like Google Talk could do with a little more loving care.

If you're a Google User who wants to IM, you'd be mad to use anything but Google Talk.

Download Google Talk 1.0.0.105 in Softonic

Skype is one of the most popular VoIP clients out there, allowing you to call people all over the world for free or at low cost. Having multiple Skype accounts is useful for lots of things - distinguishing between work and personal life, for example - but you can't open more than one on a computer at any given time.

SkypeLauncher puts an end to this by allowing you to sign into as many Skype accounts as you want at the same time, so you'll be able to monitor all of your phone calls, no matter which account you are signed into. To use SkypeLauncher, just add all the accounts you want to sign into. You'll be able to modify these accounts at any time, adding new ones and removing ones you don't need any more.

SkypeLauncher is easy to use on a basic level, but it does offer lots of advanced settings that the average user isn't likely to bother with. If you need more information before jumping in, read the FAQ on the SkypeLauncher website and be aware that changing too many options could render the software unusable!

If you have multiple Skype accounts that you want open at once, try SkypeLauncher.

Download SkypeLauncher 1.6.5 in Softonic

Skype for Business has the same features as the general public release, with the exception of a few details. In fact, the average user is unlikely to notice anything difference - only the Skype administrator will really see how it differs.

Skype for Business is easy to install, as it comes in an MSI file which is perfect for an extended number of computers. Above all, it offers more flexibility network administrators. From the Skype Manager homepage, you'll be able to log into your company account and manage the service from there. Employees using the service are known as Members, and they'll be able to join your network with new or existing Skype accounts.

Some of these features, for example, include allocation of credit, so your employees can call non-Skype numbers, or the disabling of calls to personal numbers. You can pay by a variety of methods, and can enable or disable auto-recharge. Once you've purchased credit, you can set about assigning features to different members. These features include call forwarding, subscriptions, voicemail and online numbers.

When it comes to the everyday basics of using Skype, you'll find that Skype for Business has all of the same features as the standard version. To find out more about them, read our Skype review!

Skype for Business is convincing. Average users get the service they are used to, while Skype administrators get flexible, professional control over use.

Download Skype for Business 5.5.32.124 in Softonic

VOIP Stunt is certainly one of the most eye-catching of the Skype copycats out there, due to the fact that it’s very, very cheap. It’s so cheap, in fact that it offers free calls from your PC to landlines in a wide range of countries, including the UK, Germany, France, Spain, Canada, Australia and the US. This of course, is even cheaper than calling with Skype, which applies an, albeit small, call charge. Even for those countries where calls to landlines aren’t free, the call charge with VOIP Stunt is generally cheaper than Skype.

Before you start ditching Skype and switching to this app, there are a couple of points you should consider. For starters, to use VOIP Stunt you need to have credit in your account in order to make calls, even free ones. While it may sound like a bit of a scam, the minimum top-up is only about $12, and credit remains in your account for 120 days, so it’s possible to make infinite calls to landlines (in the countries listed) while only paying this nominal fee every four months. Nevertheless, the service is still effectively a subscription-based system, but then the developers do have to make their money from somewhere.

It’s also worth noting that VOIP Stunt contains nowhere near the amount of features that Skype comes with. This means no instant messaging, no video conferencing and only a limited range of settings. This said, if you’re busy chatting away all night with your friends and family for nothing then you can quite easily forgive the application these shortcomings.

Download VOIP Stunt 4.02.487 in Softonic

For example, you may want to connect your personal account and your business account at the same time which you can do with Multi Skype Launcher if you have more than one webcam and microphone.

Before using Skype Multi Launcher, you have to configure it. The first step is to add several accounts with the Add button. To connect to one of them, select it and click Launch. Multi Skype Skype Launcher will then automatically connect as many accounts as you've added simultaneously.

Note that Skype Multi Launcher does not alter any of Skype's files - it is simply a patch which modifies the application's behavior and can be removed easily by uninstalling it as you would any other program.

Multi Skype Launcher is an excellent solution for anyone that needs to connect two Skype accounts.

Download Multi Skype Launcher 1.8 in Softonic

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If you're a Google Talk fan, like me, then the first good thing is that Gizmo5 and Google Talk are now connected. This means that Gizmo5 users can now send instant messages to Google Talk users but unfortunately, you can't call them although the developers promise that it's coming soon. To send Instant Messages, simply click on the IM icon next to your contacts name and you can instantly text other Gizmo5 users. One great feature of Gizmo5 is that you can perform free mobile phone and landline conference calling although you have to setup the system beforehand with the Gizmo5 FreeConferenceCall utility which can be tricky due to a few complicated configuration options. Another interesting feature is that Gizmo5 includes Asterisk PBX Support which means that you can now log into your virtual office with Asterisk PBX software. This basically means that you can receive calls and access your Gizmo5 phone wherever you are in the world. I also like the fact that it includes a free recorder which is something lacking in Skype.

Easy to use and integration with GTalk makes this a nice little app although it's calling rates need to be a lot more competitive before it can compete with Skype.

Download Gizmo5 4.0.0.386 in Softonic

The Skype Office Toolbar allows you to access the popular VOIP service directly from Microsoft Office applications, providing you with the use of all its many features.

The program is also great for quickly sending Word, Excel and Powerpoint documents toyour Skype contacts. You can even see when the author of a document is online and start communicating with them using Skype.

Download Skype Office Toolbar 1.1.0.10 in Softonic

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On the one hand, you can manage your contacts, visualize if they are connected or not, to send a text message to them or call to them in a few simply clicks. On the other hand, the program includes a typical numeric keypad that allow you to call to any telephone in the world - mobile or fixed.

Obviously, all the services are free as far as PC-to-PC calling is concerned although calling phones is not. Your account can be magaed from the keypad, cimilar to that in Skype, where you can modify your account details, change your state and conect to the Nikotel homepage.

This is a slick looking VOIP program that if it can reduce calling fees, could eventually give the big boys a run for their money.

Download Nikotel 2.1 in Softonic