Skype Alternatives for International Calls
Skype is shutting down in May 2025, as Microsoft shifts its focus to Teams. But Microsoft Teams isn’t a full replacement—it’s designed for WiFi-based business collaboration, not everyday international calls.
If you rely on Skype to call abroad, now is the time to find an alternative. This guide explores the best options, from basic VoIP apps that only support app-to-app calls to more capable services like Yolla that let you call mobiles and landlines worldwide.
Why You Need a Skype Alternative for International Calls
Not every call is a quick chat. People call internationally to book flights, manage finances, or handle work commitments. A good calling app should work in any situation, not just when both users are online.
Free apps like WhatsApp and Telegram limit calls to their own platform, which won’t help if you need to reach a real phone number or someone with no internet. Others come with hidden fees, poor call quality, or unreliable connections. If you need clear, low-cost calls to any number worldwide, choosing the right alternative is key.
Want to know the best way to stay connected internationally? Check out our guide on how to make international calls for everything you need to know.
Yolla: The Best All-in-One Solution for International Calls
Staying connected across borders shouldn’t be a hassle, but traditional phone providers make it expensive—charging up to $5 per minute for international calls. Free calling apps might seem like a good alternative, but they only work if both people are using the same app.
That’s where Yolla changes the game. It lets you call for free when both parties use Yolla, and it keeps costs low when you need to reach mobiles and landlines. Whether it’s a quick chat with family, an important business call, or handling travel arrangements, Yolla gives you a simple, reliable way to stay in touch—without the hefty price tag.
Download Yolla today and see for yourself!
Why Use Yolla?
🤩Free Calls to Other Yolla Users
Chat with anyone who has Yolla at no cost. Just tap “Free Call” and connect over WiFi or mobile data.
🎁Earn Bonus Credit by Inviting Friends
Share Yolla with friends, and when they top up for the first time, you both get a $3 bonus. The more friends you invite, the more credit you earn!
👌Affordable Calls to Any Phone
Reach anyone, anywhere—whether they have Yolla or not. Skip expensive international rates and enjoy lower costs without extra fees.
🤗Keep Your Own Number
Your regular phone number appears when you call, so your friends, family, and colleagues always recognize who’s calling.
💬Send Text Messages Worldwide
More than just a calling app—send SMS to people in over 150 countries, even if they don’t use Yolla.
🤝Easily Send Mobile Credit
Help friends and family stay connected by sending mobile credit to over 100 countries in just a few taps.
Get Started with Yolla
- Download Yolla on iPhone or Android.
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- Sign up and add credit or choose a Yolla minute bundle for discounted rates.
- Start calling internationally at the lowest prices!
Need to call a landline? Learn more about calling landlines internationally.
Skype Alternatives Compared: Which One Is Right for You?
Not all calling apps work the same way. Some only offer free calls between users on the same app, while others allow calls to mobile and landline numbers—but often at a higher cost. To make it easier to compare your options, we've split our breakdown into two tables.
Table 1: Skype Alternatives: Who They’re Best For & Calling Capabilities
The first table focuses on who each app is best for, whether they support real phone calls, and their pricing options.
|
Service |
Best For |
Can Call Mobiles & Landlines |
Free Calls |
Paid Options |
|
|
Personal calls, travelers |
No |
Yes (app-to-app only) |
No |
|
Viber |
Free calls between Viber users, occasional mobile/landline calls |
Yes (Viber Out only) |
Yes (app-to-app only) |
Yes (Viber Out credits) |
|
Microsoft Teams |
Business communication, Microsoft 365 users |
Yes (Teams Phone add-on) |
No |
Yes (Teams Phone add-on) |
|
Zoom |
Business meetings, video conferencing |
Yes (Zoom Phone subscription) |
No |
Yes (Zoom Phone subscription) |
|
Google Meet |
Virtual meetings, Google Workspace users |
No |
Yes (app-to-app) |
No |
|
FaceTime |
Apple users, personal video calls |
No |
Yes (app-to-app) |
No |
|
Telegram |
Privacy-focused messaging and calls |
No |
Yes (app-to-app) |
No |
|
Signal |
Privacy-focused users, secure communication |
No |
Yes (app-to-app) |
No |
|
Google Voice |
U.S. users needing a single phone number |
Yes (U.S. only) |
Yes (U.S. only) |
Yes (International calling requires credit) |
Table 2: Skype Alternatives: Platforms, Pros & Cons
The second table highlights platform availability, key advantages, and potential drawbacks. Use these tables to find the best alternative for your needs.
|
Service |
Platform Availability |
Pros |
Cons |
|
|
iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac |
Free, encrypted, widely used |
No landline or mobile calling, call quality depends on internet |
|
Viber |
iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac |
Free in-app calls, paid landline/mobile option |
Paid landline/mobile calls, requires prepaid credits |
|
Microsoft Teams |
iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac |
Great for businesses, integrates with Microsoft 365 |
No free mobile/landline calls, requires complex setup |
|
Zoom |
iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac |
High-quality video, business-friendly |
No free landline/mobile calls, costly subscriptions |
|
Google Meet |
iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac |
Browser-based, integrated with Google services |
No direct calling to landlines or mobiles, requires setup |
|
FaceTime |
iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac |
Easy to use, high-quality calls |
Apple-only, no landline or mobile calling |
|
Telegram |
iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac |
Encrypted, multi-device support |
Cannot call landlines/mobiles, requires internet |
|
Signal |
iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac |
Secure, private, free app-to-app calls |
Cannot call landlines/mobiles, requires internet |
|
Google Voice |
iPhone, Android, Web |
Calls to landlines/mobiles, free U.S. calls |
Limited availability outside U.S., Google account required |
Why Yolla Is the Best Choice for International Calls
Most calling apps have big limitations—they either can’t call real phone numbers, charge higher rates, or focus on business meetings, not personal calls.
What Makes Yolla Different?
- Call any number worldwide: Mobile, landline, or VoIP—no app required for the person receiving the call.
- Lower rates: Cheaper than Viber Out and Google Voice, with no extra fees.
- Free Yolla-to-Yolla calls: Like WhatsApp, but with the option to call real phone numbers too.
- Simple pricing: Pay-as-you-go or minute bundles—no forced subscriptions.
- Clear, reliable calls: No lag, no dropped calls, just high-quality audio.
Key Takeaways
- Yolla is the best low-cost option for calling mobile and landline numbers worldwide.
- WhatsApp, Telegram, and FaceTime only work if both users have the app—you can’t call real numbers.
- Viber Out and Google Voice let you call landlines and mobiles but cost more than Yolla.
- Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Google Meet are built for business, not personal calls.
Try Yolla today and start calling internationally at the best rates!
Don’t Take Our Word for It – Here’s What Our Users Say
Finding the right Skype alternative isn’t just about features—it’s about real people finding real solutions. With Skype shutting down, users have turned to Yolla and are seeing the difference firsthand. Here’s what they’re saying:
Better Than Skype? Yolla Users Think So.
✅Cheaper than Skype
"At first, I thought Yolla was expensive, but after a few months, I realized it’s actually cheaper than Skype because there’s no connection fee per call."
✅Calls Landlines and Mobiles Easily
"We were looking for an app to call landlines and mobiles internationally after Skype closed, and Yolla was the best option."
✅Better Call Quality
"Every call is the same excellent quality. No lag, no issues, just clear conversations."
✅Simple and Fast Setup
"Yolla makes adding credit and calling easy—no complicated subscriptions or restrictions like Skype and other apps."
Not sure which Skype alternative is best for you? Check out our Skype Alternatives guide for a full breakdown.
Final Thoughts on Choosing a Skype Alternative
If you’ve relied on Skype for years, its shutdown might feel like the end of an era. But it’s also an opportunity to switch to a better, more affordable way to stay connected. While free apps like WhatsApp and FaceTime are fine for chatting with friends who also use the app, they don’t help when you need to call a mobile or landline anywhere in the world.
That’s where Yolla stands out. As well as its free Yolla-to-Yolla calling features, it ensures you can reach anyone, anywhere, without limitations. Thousands of users have already made the switch from Skype to Yolla—and they’re not looking back.
Why wait? Download Yolla today and start making international calls with ease!
