Skype for Web has been around for as long as I can remember. It’s quick, convenient, and the preferred way to use Skype on Linux for many users. But these days, you aren’t limited to the web version. You can also install Skype as a snap, or with the official deb package. Install Skype Snap The quickest way to install the Skype snap is with the following command: sudo snap install skype By default, snap installs the latest stable version. If you want Skype Preview (the bleeding edge version) instead, you can specify the insider channel like so sudo snap install skype --channel=insider/stable For users that aren’t comfortable with the terminal, it’s also possible to install Skype from the Ubuntu Store. Launch the Ubuntu Software app and search Skype. Change the channel if you want, click on Install, and enter your password for authentication. After installing Skype, you can search and open it from the Applications menu, or directly from the terminal by entering skype Install Skype with Deb Package If you’re not a fan of snap, you can install Skype through a deb package. As the file is portable, this method is also useful for installing Skype on offline systems. First, download the deb package from the Skype Downloads page. As usual, installing via the terminal will be quicker. sudo apt install ./skypeforlinux-64.deb If the file is in a different directory, specify the full file path like so sudo apt install /home/anup/Downloads/skypeforlinux-64.deb Alternatively, you can install the deb package graphically. Right-click it and select Open With Another Application > Software Install. Click on Install in the Ubuntu Software window and enter your password to authenticate. Afterward, you can launch Skype from the Applications menu. Disabling Skype at Startup By default, Skype launches at boot. You can change this behavior if you want by altering a couple of settings. First, launch Skype and go to Tools > Settings > General. Toggle off the Automatically Start Skype option there. Then, search and open Startup Applications Preferences and uncheck the Skype entry there. Updating/Removing Skype As snaps auto-update, you don’t have to worry about updating the Skype snap in the future. And if you ever want to remove it, you can use sudo snap remove skype The .deb version is a different story. In this case, you’ll have to open the .deb file in the Ubuntu Software app again. There, you’ll be able to remove the current installation. After uninstalling Skype, you can repeat the same steps described above to install the newer version.