Skype, once an indispensable tool for online conferences, will simply disappear in 2025 - Microsoft is ending its support worldwide. Earlier, in July 2021, Skype for Business Online also ceased to operate. This means that companies and users who used Skype for video conferencing and messaging need to look for a replacement for the service right now, otherwise there is a risk of encountering problems in organizing work processes. According to Microsoft, the service may stop working as early as May 2025, so there is little time left to choose alternative solutions. In this article, we will consider several solutions that can replace Skype for Business on the Russian market.
7 Russian analogues of Skype
We have compiled a selection of some currently popular solutions that can be considered as a replacement for Skype.
eXpress
One of the alternative solutions to Skype is the eXpress platform — a corporate super app that combines a messenger with chats, calls and video conferencing, SmartApps applications and various chatbots for process automation.
This is a Russian development that is not inferior to Skype in functionality. eXpress is included in the register of domestic software and fully complies with the standards of Federal Law No. 152-FZ "On Personal Data", which allows both businesses and government agencies to use the service.
More about the functions offered by eXpress:
- Chats, channels, tags, threads, reactions
- Calls and video conferences for 250+ participants
- Conference planning with the creation of an event in the calendar
- Videoconferencing functions: video conference recording, screen sharing, hand raising, background blurring, guest mode for inviting third-party users without installing the application.
- Flexible audio and video settings for calls and conferences
- Integration with corporate systems
- File sharing
- Installing eXpress using the “Federation” model means that different organizations can connect to a common network to exchange data, communicate via messenger, and participate in video conferences, while maintaining control over their own data and systems
- Role model for flexible user access management
- Catalog of universal bots for automating various business processes
Pricing and licenses
eXpress is aimed at medium and large companies that prioritize the security of corporate communications. There are 2 tariff plans with cost calculation based on the number of users. For example, under the "eXpress Annual SmartApps" tariff, you can purchase licenses with all the classic corporate features and access to graphical mini-applications. The developer also offers a free public version for all users with limited functionality.
TrueConf
TrueConf is a Russian video conferencing platform that is suitable for large and medium-sized companies. Users of the service note the high quality of video communication and various functions for online meetings.
Features of the service:
- support for video conferencing in 4K resolution;
- broadcasting of online events;
- screen sharing;
- annotations and drawing on top of the screen;
- meeting and webinar recording;
- integration with corporate systems and applications;
- there are products for meeting rooms.
Pricing and licenses
There are several pricing plans, ranging from a free version with restrictions on the number of participants and functionality to premium plans for large organizations that support up to 1000 participants in a conference.
Squadus from «MyOffice»
MoiOfis is developed by the Russian company "New Cloud Technologies". The Squadus platform, which is part of the MyOffice product portfolio, has chats, channels, discussions, as well as calls and video conferences and capabilities for collaborative work on documents.
Features of the service:
- support for collaborative work on documents through built-in tools for editing files;
- the basic version does not have video call recording functions;
- modern data protection that meets the requirements of Russian jurisdiction;
- guest mode for inviting third-party users to the platform without installing the solution;
- there is a VKS waiting room.
Rates and licenses
The platform offers flexible rates for different types of business: from basic plans for startups to corporate solutions with a large number of users.
Yandex Telemost
Yandex Telemost is a platform for organizing online conferences with a simple set of functions for this kind of service. The solution is aimed at corporate users who value connection quality and security.
Features of the service:
- high-quality video conferences with the ability to record;
- screen sharing in 4K;
- integration with other Yandex 360 services;
- up to 40 people in a video conference can use the service for free;
- automatic addition of a meeting to Yandex Calendar;
- if the participants use the Yandex ecosystem;
- the paid plan includes broadcasts for up to 10,000 viewers.
Prices and licenses
For small and medium-sized businesses, the Comfort plans will be sufficient, offering enough functionality for most tasks. Large organizations should pay attention to the Premium plan. Everything depends on the size of the company, the required functionality and the volume of meetings. For small teams, the free version may be suitable, where the maximum number of meeting participants does not exceed 40 people.
VK Teams
VK Teams is another option for companies that are looking for an alternative to Skype and are already using or planning to use other VK services. The service includes communication and collaboration features such as chats, channels, audio and video calls, as well as the ability to integrate with other services.
Features of the service:
- support for individual and group video calls with the ability to share a screen, manage the actions of participants, and record calls;
- there is no ability to schedule a video conference;
- users write that there is a slight desynchronization between the mobile and desktop versions;
- a simple interface similar to Microsoft Teams;
- the ability to integrate with mail, cloud storage and other corporate systems.
Prices and licenses
VK Teams offers a free plan with basic features and paid plans with advanced features, such as increasing the number of participants in conferences, integration with corporate services and additional security.
TeleBoss
TeleBoss is a solution for large organizations that need to manage large-scale video conferencing. In addition to corporate calls, the platform is used in online education to conduct various webinars.
Features:
- high quality video communication;
- organization of conferences and webinars for a large number of participants;
- there is real-time analytics on viewers
- integration of a payment widget for selling goods and services directly during the broadcast;
- interactive interaction with the audience through reactions, polls and tests;
- simultaneous demonstration of two screens.
Prices and licenses
There is a tariff for small businesses with video conferences for up to 100 participants and an Enterprise tariff for large companies with connection of up to 200 participants.
SaluteJazz
SaluteJazz is a fairly new communication solution that is actively developing on the Russian market. The platform is aimed at different groups of clients — small and medium businesses, corporations, government agencies and individuals.
Distinctive features of the platform:
- meeting recording;
- demonstration of several screens;
- waiting room;
- "Raise hand" function;
- closed meetings;
- automatic creation of meeting results with a brief content;
- chat and reactions;
- 3D-space for meetings.
Prices and licenses
SaluteJazz offers several pricing plans. For small teams, there are tariffs with a limit on the number of VKS participants (for example, up to 100) and standard video calling and chat functions. For larger organizations with a large number of users and high functionality requirements, there are more expensive tariffs that include analytics of participant behavior, interaction with the audience through surveys and reactions.
