Skype Alternatives: What is the Best Replacement?

Microsoft is shutting down Skype in May 2025, leaving millions searching for a new way to make international calls, hold business meetings, and stay connected. While Microsoft recommends switching to Teams, this may not work for everyone. Skype is popular for its simplicity, cross-device compatibility, and affordable international calling—features that Teams doesn’t fully replace.

This guide breaks down the best Skype alternatives for different needs, whether you use Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android. We’ll cover the top options for personal calls, business communication, and government use. Whether you need free video calls, budget-friendly international calling, or a reliable team chat app, we’ll help you find the best replacement for Skype.

Why is Skype Being Retired?

Skype has been a popular choice for international calls, business meetings, and personal messaging, but Microsoft has decided to retire it in May 2025. Instead, they are encouraging users to switch to Microsoft Teams, a platform designed for work and collaboration.

According to Microsoft, this change will help them focus on a single communication tool and improve their services. However, it also means that some of Skype’s most important features will no longer be available, which could make it harder for some users—especially those who rely on Skype to call family and friends abroad.

Key Features Skype Users Will Lose

Affordable Calls to Any Phone: Many rely on Skype Credit for cheap international calls to both landlines and mobiles. 

Simple & User-Friendly: Skype is built for casual use, unlike Microsoft Teams, which is designed for business.

Call Without Internet: Skype enables calls even when the recipient has no internet or app. Additionally, features like call forwarding kept users connected offline—Teams does not offer these useful features.

Flexible Payments: Skype offers pay-as-you-go and subscriptions, while Teams does not support these paid calling options.

Here’s what will happen next:

• Skype Credit and subscriptions will no longer be sold to new users.
• Current users can continue using their balance until their next renewal period.
• After May 5, 2025, Skype will stop working, and users will need to switch to another app.

Microsoft will let Skype users log into Teams to keep their chats and contacts, but since Teams is built for business, it may not suit those needing simple, affordable international calls. If you need to call landlines and mobiles, even in areas with poor internet, better alternatives exist.

Yolla: The Best Option?

If you are looking for a Skype alternative that lets you call any phone number worldwide, Yolla is one of the best choices. Unlike many apps that need both people to be online, Yolla allows you to call landlines and mobile phones, even if the person you are calling does not have internet.

With Yolla, you can stay in touch with family and friends, make business calls, or contact banks, hotels, and airlines in other countries. It is simple, reliable, and affordable.

Learn how to make free international landline calls easily.

Top 6 Reasons to Choose Yolla

1. Free Calls Between Yolla Users: If both you and the person you are calling have Yolla, you can make free calls using WiFi or mobile data. This means you can talk as much as you want without paying.
2. Earn Free Credit by Inviting Friends: When you invite friends to Yolla, and they buy credit, you also get free credit. This allows you to call internationally without spending your own money.
3. Low-Cost Calls to Any Number: If you need to call someone who does not have Yolla, you can still reach them at cheap international rates. You can call both mobile numbers and landlines without needing the other person to download an app.
4. Choose the Caller ID That People See: Yolla allows you to use different phone numbers when making calls. This means you can show your personal number, business number, or another number that people recognize.
5. Call People Even If They Have No Internet: If the person you are calling has no internet or a weak connection, you can still reach them with Yolla. This is useful for people living in places where WiFi and mobile data are not always available.
6. Send International SMS and Top Up Mobile Numbers: Yolla is not just for calling. You can also send text messages to any mobile number worldwide and send mobile top-ups to phones in over 140 countries.

Download Yolla today!

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Looking for a Skype alternative that works anywhere? Yolla offers free and affordable international calls—even when the other person has no internet. 

Read more about the best international calling apps.

What to Look for in a Skype Alternative?

The best Skype replacement depends on your needs. Do you need free calls between app users, cheap international calls, strong security, or a way to call people who don’t have internet? Here are some key things to consider:

1. Works on Many Devices

A reliable Skype alternative should work on Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android so that you can stay connected no matter what device you use. This ensures flexibility and ease of communication, whether you're calling from a computer or a mobile phone.

2. Free and Affordable International Calling

If you used Skype to call landlines and mobile numbers, it’s important to find an app that allows both free and low-cost calls. Some apps let you make free calls between users of the same app, while others offer affordable international rates to reach people who don’t have an internet connection or a smartphone.

3. Clear Video and Audio Quality

A good alternative should provide high-quality sound and video, especially for long-distance conversations. Whether you need crystal-clear audio for international calls or reliable voice quality in areas with poor internet, choosing a service that maintains strong connections is essential.

4. Security and Privacy

If you’re making personal or business calls, security matters. A strong alternative should offer private and secure communication, protecting conversations from unauthorized access. Some apps provide end-to-end encryption, ensuring messages and calls remain confidential.

5. Reliable for Different Needs

Some people may need a service that supports large team meetings, especially for work and business discussions. Others may just want a simple and cost-effective way to stay in touch with family and friends, or to call landlines and mobiles directly without needing an internet connection. The best alternative should suit your specific needs, whether for personal use, professional calls, or staying connected across borders.

Best Skype Alternatives: Full Overview

Users need a new way to make calls, hold meetings, and stay connected. Below is a detailed breakdown of the best Skype replacements, covering who they are suited for, what they offer, and what they lack.

Service	Platform	SMS (Any Mobile)	Video Calls	Wi-Fi Calls	Mobile/Landline Calls	International Calls (Any Phone)
Yolla	iPhone, Android	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes (190+ countries)
WhatsApp	iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac	No	Yes	Yes	No	No
Viber	iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac	No	Yes	Yes	Viber Out only	No
Microsoft Teams	Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android	No	Yes	Yes	No	No
Zoom	Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, Web	No	Yes	Yes	No	No
Google Meet	Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, Web	No	Yes	Yes	No	No
FaceTime	Mac, iPhone	No	Yes	Yes	No	No
Telegram	iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac	No	Yes	Yes	No	No
Signal	iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac	No	Yes	Yes	No	No
Google Voice	iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac	No	No	Yes	U.S. and Canada only	U.S. and Canada only

While apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, and Telegram require both users to have internet, Yolla allows you to call any number directly.

Learn more about the benefits of WiFi calling. 

Microsoft Teams: Business, Academia, Enterprise, Team Collaboration

Microsoft Teams is designed for business communication, offering video meetings, chat, and file sharing. It’s a strong alternative for companies already using Microsoft 365.

Good For:

• Business & Enterprise Use: Great for team collaboration.
• Online Meetings & Video Conferencing: Supports large teams.
• Work Messaging & Document Sharing: Integrates with other work tools.

Downsides:

• Not For Personal Use: Too complex for casual calls.
• No Way To Call Landlines Or Mobile Numbers: Users must have the app and internet, making it difficult to reach banks, airlines, or people without a smartphone.
• No Caller ID Control: Recipients might not recognize who is calling.

Works best on: Windows PCs, also available on Mac, iPhone, and Android.

Zoom: Video Calls, Team Meetings, Online Classes

Zoom became popular for online meetings, virtual events, and video calls. It’s widely used for business, education, and remote work.

Good For:

• Video Meetings & Online Classes: Great for large groups.
• Screen Sharing & Recording: Useful for work and presentations.
• Works Across Multiple Platforms: Available on Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, and browsers.

Downsides:

• Time Limit On Free Calls: Calls end after 40 minutes unless you pay for a premium plan.
• High Power Usage: Can slow down older computers and phones.
• No Way To Call Mobile Or Landline Numbers: Recipients must have an internet connection, making it difficult to reach businesses, banks, or services that only have phone numbers.
• No SMS Or Mobile Top-Ups: Unlike Yolla, Zoom does not offer text messaging or mobile top-ups.

Works Best On: Windows and Mac, also widely used on iPhone and Android.

Google Meet: Work Meetings, Google Users, Simple Video Calls

Google Meet is a basic video calling app that integrates with Google services (Gmail, Calendar, etc.).

Good For:

• Easy-To-Join Meetings: Works in a browser, no download needed.
• Team Calls & Business Use: Integrates with Google Workspace.
• Large Group Video Calls: Allows up to 100 participants for free.

Downsides:

• Time Limit On Free Meetings: Calls end after 60 minutes unless you upgrade.
• No Way To Call Landlines Or Mobile Numbers: You cannot reach hotels, taxis, or businesses that only have phone numbers.
• No Free App-To-App Calls: Unlike Yolla, Google Meet does not allow free calls between users.
• No SMS Or Mobile Top-Ups: Cannot send text messages or recharge mobile numbers.

Works Best On: Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android.

FaceTime: Personal Video Calls for Apple Users

FaceTime is Apple’s built-in video and voice calling app, available on iPhones, iPads, and Macs.

Good For:

• Free & Pre-Installed: No need to download an app.
• High-Quality Video & Audio: Provides smooth, clear calls.
• Group Calls: Allows up to 32 participants in a FaceTime chat.

Downsides:

• Limited To Apple Devices: Cannot call Android, Windows, or landline users.
• No Way To Call Landlines Or Mobile Numbers: You must rely on the recipient having an internet connection and an Apple device.
• No SMS Or Mobile Top-Ups: Unlike Yolla, FaceTime does not allow international text messaging or phone credit top-ups.
• No Caller ID Control: People must have your Apple ID to see who is calling.

Works Best On: Mac and iPhone (not available on Windows or Android).

Telegram: Secure Messaging, Group Chats, Encrypted Calls

Telegram is a messaging app that supports voice and video calls with end-to-end encryption.

Good For:

• Free Voice & Video Calls: Uses WiFi or mobile data.
• Secure Messaging: End-to-end encryption for privacy.
• Large Group Chats: Can create large group conversations and channels.

Downsides:

• No Mobile Or Landline Calling: Recipients must have an internet connection and the app.
• No Caller ID Control: Unlike Yolla, Telegram does not let you choose which number is shown to the recipient.
• No SMS Or Mobile Top-Ups: Cannot send international texts or recharge mobile numbers.

Works Best On: iPhone, Android, Windows, and Mac.

Signal: Secure & Private Communication

Signal is a privacy-focused messaging app with fully encrypted voice and video calls.

Good For:

• Highly Secure: All messages and calls are encrypted for complete privacy.
• No Ads Or Tracking: No data collection, keeping conversations private.
• Works On Multiple Devices: Available on iPhone, Android, Windows, and Mac.

Downsides:

• No Mobile Or Landline Calling: You cannot reach businesses, banks, or people who don’t have the app.
• No Caller ID Control: Signal does not let you show your real number when making calls.
• Cannot Send SMS Or Top-Up Mobile Numbers: Signal does not offer international texting or mobile recharges.

Google Voice: Personal Calls in the U.S. & Canada 

Google Voice is a VoIP app for calling landlines and mobile numbers, but it is mainly available in the U.S. and Canada.

Good For:

• Free Calls To U.S. & Canada Numbers: No charge for domestic calls.
• Voicemail Transcription & Call Forwarding: Converts voicemails to text and forwards calls to other devices.

Downsides:

• Limited To Certain Countries: Not available worldwide, making it difficult for international travelers or users outside North America.
• No Caller ID Control: Google Voice does not allow you to choose which number appears when making calls.
• Cannot Send SMS Or Top-Up Mobile Numbers Outside The U.S.: Google Voice does not support international texting or mobile credit top-ups.

Works Best On: Android and Windows

And Then There’s Yolla… The Ultimate Skype Alternative

Most apps only let you call other users or rely on WiFi. Yolla is different—it lets you call any number, anywhere, including landlines and mobiles. No hidden fees, no restrictions—just easy, affordable connections in 190+ countries. Need to call an airport, hotel, taxi, or bank? Yolla ensures you can always get through.

Learn more about how Yolla works. 

What Users Say About Yolla

Still not convinced? Here’s what real Yolla users have to say about using Yolla and switching from Skype:

“With Skype closing down and moving to Teams, we were looking for a service to call international landlines from mobiles, and found it with Yolla! Fingers crossed the SUPERB service continues.”

“So far so good as a replacement for Skype. Outbound calling, subscription plans, and customer support have been much better than Skype, so I’m happy.”

“I recently used the Yolla app for an international call, and I was impressed! The call quality was excellent, and I appreciate the transparency in pricing—no hidden fees. It made connecting with family abroad incredibly convenient.”

The Bottom Line? Yolla Just Works

Call anyone, anywhere—no restrictions. Free app-to-app calls, low-cost international rates, and no need for the other person to have internet. Plus, earn free credit, send SMS, and top up mobiles. Yolla does what others can’t. Try it today.

Make the Switch Before Skype Closes

With Skype shutting down in May 2025, now is the time to find a reliable alternative. Whether you need international calling, business communication, or free app-to-app calls, your choice depends on what features matter most to you.

Many apps only allow WiFi-based calls between users, but Yolla goes further—letting you call landlines, mobiles, and even people without internet. With low rates, free Yolla-to-Yolla calls, SMS, and mobile top-ups, it’s the best option for staying connected without limitations.

Instead of waiting until the last minute, start transitioning now. 

Try Yolla today and experience hassle-free international calling before Skype disappears.

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