For years, Skype was the go-to for affordable international calls. But with its legacy service being phased out and a strong push towards Microsoft Teams, many are now searching for reliable and cost-effective Skype alternatives for international calls. The landscape has shifted, leaving users in need of a new solution for calling landlines and mobiles across the globe. Fortunately, the market is filled with excellent options, from simple pay-as-you-go services to comprehensive business platforms.
This guide breaks down the top contenders to help you find the perfect fit. With the details of the Skype shutdown becoming clearer, understanding how modern VoIP for international calls works is more important than ever. We'll compare each service on pricing, call quality, and key features to help you stay connected without breaking the bank.
1. CallSky
Best for: Occasional callers and small businesses seeking a simple, no-subscription solution.
CallSky emerges as a strong Skype alternative focused purely on high-quality international voice calls. It completely ditches the subscription model, offering a transparent pay-as-you-go system where you only pay for the minutes you actually use. This is a significant advantage for users who make international calls sporadically and don't want to be tied to a monthly fee. You can make calls directly from your web browser, eliminating the need to download another app, which simplifies the process for quick, one-off calls. The service supports over 180 countries, with clear per-minute rates displayed before you connect.
The platform is built on a robust infrastructure that routes calls through multiple carriers, aiming for high clarity and reliability. For businesses, CallSky offers team accounts with shared credit pools and basic analytics, providing a straightforward way to manage international calling expenses without the complexity of a full-blown business phone system.
- Pricing model: Pay-as-you-go (per-minute).
- Call quality: Generally high, with a focus on clear voice connections.
- Supported countries: 180+ countries.
- Pros:
- No subscription required; you only pay for what you use.
- Works directly in a web browser—no app download necessary.
- Competitive per-minute rates and transparent pricing.
- Cons:
- Lacks features like video calling or text messaging.
- Native Android app is still under development.
2. Viber Out
Best for: Existing Viber users and those needing flexible monthly plans for specific countries.
Viber Out is the paid calling feature within the popular Rakuten Viber messaging app. It allows users to call any landline or mobile number worldwide, even if the recipient doesn't have the Viber app installed. This makes it a highly convenient option for the millions already using Viber for free app-to-app communication. The service offers two primary pricing structures: "World Credit" for a pay-as-you-go experience, and monthly subscription plans that provide a set number of minutes (or unlimited calling) to specific countries. This flexibility caters to both occasional and frequent callers.
The call quality is generally reliable, leveraging your device's internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data). With its deep integration into a well-known messaging platform and support for a vast number of countries, Viber Out stands as a formidable Skype alternative, especially for personal use.
- Pricing model: Pay-as-you-go ("World Credit") and monthly subscriptions.
- Call quality: Good and reliable over a stable internet connection.
- Supported countries: Most countries worldwide.
- Pros:
- Flexible pricing with both pay-as-you-go and subscription options.
- Seamlessly integrated into the popular Viber messaging app.
- The person you are calling does not need the Viber app.
- Cons:
- Per-minute rates can be higher for some destinations compared to other services.
- Finding the best plan requires navigating different subscription options.
3. WhatsApp
Best for: Free calls to other WhatsApp users.
WhatsApp is the world's most popular messaging app, and its voice and video calling features are entirely free. This makes it an unbeatable option if the person you're calling also has the app installed on their smartphone. The platform offers end-to-end encryption for all communications, ensuring your conversations are private and secure. Call quality is excellent over a strong Wi-Fi or mobile data connection, and it supports group voice calls with up to 32 participants, making it great for staying in touch with family or small teams.
However, WhatsApp's major limitation as a Skype alternative is its inability to call traditional landline or mobile numbers. It operates within a closed ecosystem; both the caller and the recipient must have the app and an internet connection. This means it cannot replace Skype for reaching contacts who aren't on WhatsApp or for calling businesses with landline numbers.
- Pricing model: Free (uses your internet data).
- Call quality: Excellent over a stable internet connection.
- Supported countries: Worldwide, wherever the app is available.
- Pros:
- Completely free for all voice and video calls to other users.
- End-to-end encryption for secure conversations.
- Extremely popular, meaning many of your contacts likely already use it.
- Cons:
- Cannot call landline or mobile numbers; both parties must have the app.
- Entirely dependent on an internet connection for both the caller and receiver.
4. Rebtel
Best for: Frequent callers who can benefit from unlimited plans.
Rebtel is an established player in the international calling space, known for its focus on providing reliable connections without necessarily needing an internet connection. It achieves this through a clever system that can connect your call over local phone lines, which can be a lifesaver in areas with poor data coverage. This unique feature sets it apart from many purely VoIP-based competitors. The service offers several pricing options, including pay-as-you-go credits and "Unlimited" subscription plans that offer limitless calling to specific countries for a flat monthly fee.
The "Unlimited" plans provide excellent value for users who frequently call a particular destination. Call quality is consistently high, whether you're using VoIP over Wi-Fi or their local number connection method. Rebtel's long-standing reputation and flexible calling options make it a very dependable Skype alternative.
- Pricing model: Pay-as-you-go and monthly unlimited subscriptions.
- Call quality: Very good, with an option to call over traditional phone lines.
- Supported countries: Over 50 countries included in various plans.
- Pros:
- Option to make calls without an internet connection via local access numbers.
- "Unlimited" plans offer great value for heavy callers to specific countries.
- Transparent pricing with no hidden fees.
- Cons:
- Pay-as-you-go rates may not be the cheapest for all destinations.
- The best value is tied to their subscription plans.
5. Google Voice
Best for: U.S.-based users needing a free local number and affordable international rates.
Google Voice is a versatile and powerful service, especially for users based in the United States. It provides you with a free U.S. phone number that can be used for calls, texts, and voicemail. Calls to numbers within the U.S. and Canada are almost always free, which is a major perk. For international calls, Google Voice operates on a simple pay-as-you-go model with competitive per-minute rates. You simply add credit to your account and call any landline or mobile number worldwide.
The service integrates seamlessly with the Google ecosystem and offers excellent call quality. However, its biggest limitation is that signing up for a new Google Voice number is restricted to users in the U.S. While users elsewhere can sometimes use the service for outbound calls, its core features are U.S.-centric. Understanding how VoIP technology powers services like Google Voice is key to grasping its capabilities.
- Pricing model: Free for U.S./Canada calls; pay-as-you-go for international.
- Call quality: Excellent, backed by Google's infrastructure.
- Supported countries: Most countries worldwide for outbound calls.
- Pros:
- Provides a free U.S. phone number with voicemail and texting.
- Free calls to the U.S. and Canada from virtually anywhere.
- Competitive and transparent international pay-as-you-go rates.
- Cons:
- Account registration and getting a number is limited to U.S. users only.
- Less focused on international bundles compared to competitors.
6. TextNow
Best for: Budget-conscious users in the U.S. and Canada seeking free calling options.
TextNow offers a unique proposition: free, ad-supported calling and texting to numbers in the U.S. and Canada. Users are given a real phone number that they can use over Wi-Fi. For international calls to other countries, TextNow operates on a pay-as-you-go basis, where users can add credits to their account to call landlines and mobiles at competitive rates. The app also allows you to earn credits by completing offers or watching ads, providing a way to make some international calls for free.
The service is heavily focused on the North American market, and while its international rates are affordable, the primary draw is its free U.S./Canada calling. Call quality can be variable and depends heavily on the strength of your Wi-Fi connection. For those looking for the absolute cheapest way to call internationally and are willing to engage with ads, TextNow presents a viable, budget-friendly option.
- Pricing model: Free ad-supported calling (U.S./Canada); pay-as-you-go for international.
- Call quality: Decent, but can be inconsistent depending on network conditions.
- Supported countries: Worldwide for outbound calls.
- Pros:
- Completely free calling and texting to the U.S. and Canada.
- Option to earn credits for international calls through in-app activities.
- Low per-minute rates to many popular countries.
- Cons:
- The free service is supported by intrusive ads.
- Call quality can be less reliable than paid competitors.
7. Vonage
Best for: Businesses and residential users needing a full-featured VoIP phone system.
Vonage is one of the oldest and most well-known names in VoIP, offering comprehensive phone solutions for both residential and business customers. It's less of a direct, lightweight Skype alternative and more of a complete phone service replacement. For international calling, Vonage offers specific subscription plans that include a bucket of minutes to certain countries or unlimited calling to a list of destinations. This is ideal for users who need a dedicated phone line with a predictable monthly bill for their global calls.
The service provides excellent call quality and a host of advanced features like call waiting, voicemail-to-email, and a virtual receptionist for business users. However, this robust feature set comes at a higher price point, typically involving a monthly subscription fee. Vonage is best suited for those who need the reliability and features of a traditional phone service but delivered over the internet, rather than for users seeking a simple pay-as-you-go app.
- Pricing model: Monthly subscriptions with international calling plans.
- Call quality: Excellent and highly reliable.
- Supported countries: Plans typically cover 60+ countries for landlines and 10+ for mobiles.
- Pros:
- Provides a full-featured, reliable phone service replacement.
- Predictable monthly billing with international calling plans.
- Strong feature set for both residential and business users.
- Cons:
- Requires a monthly subscription, making it more expensive for occasional use.
- Less flexible than pay-as-you-go alternatives.
Comparison of Top Skype Alternatives
| App | Pricing Model | Landline Calls | Mobile Calls | Free Option |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CallSky | Pay-as-you-go | Yes | Yes | No |
| Viber Out | Subscription & PAYG | Yes | Yes | App-to-app calls only |
| Free (Data Usage) | No | No | Yes (app-to-app only) | |
| Rebtel | Subscription & PAYG | Yes | Yes | No |
| Google Voice | Pay-as-you-go | Yes | Yes | Calls to U.S./Canada |
| TextNow | Ad-supported & PAYG | Yes | Yes | Calls to U.S./Canada |
| Vonage | Subscription | Yes | Yes | No |
The Final Verdict: Which Skype Alternative Is Right for You?
Choosing the right Skype replacement depends entirely on your calling habits. The market for Skype alternatives for international calls is diverse, offering a solution for every type of user, from the occasional caller to the global enterprise. There's no single "winner," but there is a best choice for your specific needs.
If you make frequent, lengthy calls to the same country, a subscription service like Rebtel or Vonage could offer the best value with unlimited plans. For U.S.-based users, Google Voice is an incredibly powerful and cost-effective tool. If everyone you call is on WhatsApp, then you may not need to look any further.
However, for those seeking the flexibility and simplicity that made Skype popular in the first place—without being tied to a subscription—a pay-as-you-go service is the clear winner. CallSky stands out in this category by offering a straightforward, browser-based solution with competitive rates and no monthly commitments. It's an excellent, no-frills choice for anyone who wants to pay only for the international calls they actually make. If you're looking for ways to make free international calls, some of these apps offer limited options, but a dedicated calling service often provides better quality and reliability.