United News of Bangladesh

Skype offers video and voice calling features. These calls can be one-to-one or connect a group. This free software has some paid features too. Millions of people around the world use Skype for personal, professiona and business uses. However, as Skype is shutting down in May 2025, users are looking for reliable communication alternatives. Here are the 10 best Skype replacements, offering high-quality calls, messaging, and collaboration features to suit different needs. Exploring Top 10 Skype Alternatives to Use After May 2025  . Microsoft Teams Microsoft Teams is a collaboration platform developed by Microsoft, designed to support video conferencing, chat, and file sharing for businesses and organizations. It is available for free with limited features or as part of the Microsoft 365 suite with paid plans starting from $4/user/month.  The download size varies but typically is around 300 MB. Teams integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365 apps, like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, enabling real-time collaboration. Key features include HD video calls, live transcription, file storage, and virtual whiteboards.  It supports up to 100 participants on the free plan. The app's pros include its security, collaboration tools, and integration with Microsoft products. However, its cons include a steep learning curve for new users and the necessity of a Microsoft account. Read more: Elon Musk reacts to 'Bengali' Signboard at London Station Zoom Zoom is a video conferencing software developed by Zoom Video Communications, primarily used for remote meetings, webinars, and online events. The app is available for free, with a 40-minute limit on group meetings, and paid plans start at $14.99/user/month.  The download size is around 20-300 MB, depending on the platform. Zoom offers high-quality video and audio, virtual backgrounds, breakout rooms, and cloud recording. It supports up to 1,000 participants with paid plans.  Pros include its ease of use, reliable performance, and third-party integrations. However, security settings are not maximized by default, and free users face meeting time limits. Despite occasional connectivity issues, Zoom remains one of the most popular video conferencing platforms. Slack Slack, developed by Salesforce, is a communication and collaboration platform designed for teams and businesses. It offers free and paid plans starting at $7.25/user/month. The download size is approximately 300 MB.  Read more: Understanding Zero-Click Hacks: The Growing Cyber Threat to WhatsApp Users Slack is known for its organized channels, real-time messaging, voice, and video calls. It also integrates with over 2,600 apps, including Google Drive, Zoom, and Microsoft 365. Key features include screen sharing, file sharing, and advanced search capabilities.  The app’s pros are its team-centric features and integrations, while its cons include a limited message history on the free plan and expensive pricing for large teams. Slack is best suited for team communication and project management in collaborative environments. WhatsApp WhatsApp, developed by Meta (formerly Facebook), is a free messaging platform that allows users to send text messages, voice notes, and make voice and video calls. Available for Android, iOS, and desktop (via web or app), it supports group chats and media sharing, offering end-to-end encryption for secure communication.  The app is lightweight, with a download size of approximately 60-200 MB. WhatsApp is popular for both personal and business use, offering WhatsApp Business for small businesses to engage with customers. While it is free for personal use, WhatsApp Business and its API come with additional features for enterprise-level communication, available at custom pricing.  Read more: YouTube Video Script Writing: Some Effective Tips and Tricks Pros include free calls, group video chats with up to 32 participants, and its cross-platform availability. Cons include the need for a phone number, limited desktop functionality, and a 32-participant group call limit. Google Meet Google Meet, a product of Google, is a video conferencing tool that offers both free and paid plans. Free accounts allow meetings of up to 100 participants with a 60-minute duration limit. The app integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace apps such as Gmail, Calendar, and Drive, enhancing productivity.  Available for Android, iOS, and web browsers, Google Meet’s download size is around 30MB. The service includes HD video conferencing, real-time captions, smart screen sharing, and live AI transcription. Paid plans start at $6 per user/month and offer additional features like longer meeting durations, more participants, and cloud storage.  Pros include strong security, ease of use, and integration with Google services. Cons include a meeting limit on free plans, fewer features compared to Zoom or Microsoft Teams, and occasional browser freezing. Read more: How to Protect Your YouTube Channel from Getting Hacked Viber Viber, developed by Rakuten, is a free messaging app offering voice, video calls, and messaging services. Available on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux, it is a great alternative to Skype for international communication. Viber’s download size is approximately 120MB.  It allows free app-to-app communication and provides low-cost international calls via Viber Out. The app offers group chats, file sharing, stickers, and end-to-end encryption, ensuring secure communication.  Pros include its free voice and video calls, cross-platform support, and privacy features like self-destructing messages. However, Viber is not as widely used as WhatsApp or Skype, and calls to non-Viber numbers require credits. The free version also includes ads, and a phone number is required for registration. Jami Jami, an open-source and decentralized communication platform, provides free voice, video calls, and messaging. It is available for Android, iOS, Windows, Linux, and macOS, with a download size of around 50-150 MB.  Read more: Best Free Online Scriptwriting Courses Developed by Savoir-faire Linux, Jami allows direct calls between users via peer-to-peer networking, which enhances privacy. It supports HD video calling, instant messaging, file sharing, and group chats.  One of Jami’s key features is its focus on privacy, with no need for personal information, and all communication is end-to-end encrypted. While Jami is free, it is not as fully-featured as some Skype alternatives. The lack of server-based calls may affect call quality in some cases, and it lacks some collaborative tools. FaceTime FaceTime, developed by Apple Inc., is a free video and audio calling app exclusive to Apple devices. It integrates seamlessly with iPhone, iPad, and Mac, allowing users to make high-quality calls using only a phone number or email address.  FaceTime supports group video calls with up to 32 participants and provides features like SharePlay for collaborative experiences, spatial audio for natural-sounding conversations, and Portrait Mode with video effects. Read more: How to Increase YouTube subscribers for free? The app is free for Apple users, and FaceTime links allow cross-platform access for Android and Windows users via a browser. However, FaceTime is limited to Apple users, lacks built-in chat or collaboration features, and requires a strong internet connection for optimal performance. Jitsi Jitsi, an open-source platform, offers free and secure video conferencing without the need for account creation. Developed by Jitsi, it is available for web, mobile, and desktop platforms, allowing for unlimited participants and no time limits.  The download size varies depending on the platform, but it is lightweight and runs directly in a web browser. Jitsi supports end-to-end encryption, screen sharing, and remote desktop control, making it ideal for secure business and personal meetings.  While Jitsi is free and highly flexible, it lacks built-in scheduling or meeting management features and may depend on third-party integrations for cloud recording. It also requires self-hosting for full customization, which may limit some users. Read more: How To Be A Popular Instagram Influencer Signal Signal is a free, privacy-focused messaging and calling app developed by the Signal Foundation. It offers end-to-end encrypted voice, video, and text communication, ensuring complete privacy for users. Unlike Skype, Signal does not track or collect user data and is funded by donations.  The app is available on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux, with a download size varying by platform (around 100-200MB). Key features include encrypted messaging, high-quality voice and video calls, self-destructing messages, and secure group chats.  Pros include strong encryption, no ads or tracking, and open-source transparency. However, it requires a phone number to sign up, has limited cloud backup options, and lacks business or API features. Despite a smaller user base, it remains a top choice for privacy-conscious users. Webex Webex, developed by Cisco, is a cloud-based communication platform designed for professional use, offering messaging, voice, and video services. It provides a free basic plan for individuals, with paid plans starting at $13 per month for businesses.  Read more: 7 Top AI Writing Tools, Software to Generate Human-Like Text Webex includes features like meeting transcripts, hand gesture recognition, background noise cancellation, and screen sharing. It is well-suited for enterprises, offering advanced collaboration tools and AI-powered features. The platform's seamless integration with other Cisco products makes it ideal for large-scale teams.  However, Webex's pricing is higher than some competitors, and occasional lag or freezing can occur. While the free plan supports basic meetings, businesses will need a paid plan for more comprehensive features.  Wrapping Up Transitioning from Skype is essential as it nears retirement, and there are plenty of alternatives to explore. Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Google Meet are ideal for professional use, while platforms like Signal and WhatsApp offer more secure and accessible options for personal communication. Choose the one that best suits your needs. Read more: Best Free Websites to Improve English Writing Skill

There is some guarded hope for a resolution to the crisis at the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), after agitating students seemed prepared to sit for discussions with Education Minister Dipu Moni over an online platform like Zoom. This was after the education minister urged the protesting students once again to sit with her for talks to resolve the current standoff, moving away from their hunger strike. “Students can hold a discussion with us even during the hunger strike if they wish as it is the only way to reach a solution,” the minister said after holding a meeting with a delegation of teachers from SUST at her residence at 6:05pm. She went on saying, “Due to some family obligations, I’m unable to go to Sylhet at the moment but the door is always open for the students for discussions. A delegation team from the ministry will go to SUST if they want.” She also said the police action on the students was really unfortunate. “We never expect this type of incident”. Later, in response to the minister’s call, the students said they want to sit for discussions with her on an online platform. “If she can’t come to Sylhet, we’re ready to have discussions.” Earlier in the day, the students brought out a symbolic coffin procession on the campus.  Around 8pm, they lit candles at Golchattar as part of their protests. Meanwhile, 17 of the 24 students – already on hunger strike since Wednesday afternoon – were hospitalised. On Friday, Education Minister Dipu Moni talked to the students and said she wanted a solution to the crisis as soon as possible. On Monday, the students wrote an open letter to President Abdul Hamid, chancellor of the university, demanding the immediate removal of VC Farid Uddin Ahmed. The students also turned down the notice of shutting down the university for an indefinite period and the directive to leave their dormitories. Currently, the students are staying on the campus. SUST was supposed to shut down following a clash on the campus between police and the protesting students on January 16. The students were asked to leave the dormitories by 12pm the next day.

Zoom’s astronomical growth is tapering off along with the pandemic, raising questions about whether the videoconferencing service’s immense popularity will fade as more people return to classrooms, offices and other places that have been off limits for the past year.

2020 was like a vertigo-experience for all of us—sometimes it felt like living secluded, confined in the idea of a fictitious border at the edge of the world, and harking back to those memories we have made before the pandemic tumbled upon us.

Zoom’s videoconferencing service remains a fixture in pandemic life, but its breakneck growth is showing signs of tapering off as investors debate whether the company will be able to build upon its recent success after a vaccine enables people to intermingle again.

Zoom, currently the world’s most popular video calling service, has become a household name in many parts of the globe including Bangladesh during the pandemic of COVID-19. 

Singapore has suspended the use of Zoom for online education after hackers hijacked a lesson and showed obscene images to students.