Skype replacements

[Clayton]

Now that Microsoft is about to shutdown Skype , many of us that have used Skype to call Internationally to Airline call centres, banks, hotels will need a reliable high quality service that has zero or minimal charges.

I need to select something pretty soon, as I will need to book a few complex itineraries with Aeroplan and BA in a few weeks. Looking forward to hearing what others are using.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Good question, me too!

The only other alternative I have ATM is a cheap calling card, about 1c a minute to call the US and other main countries. But skype was easier!

 

[p--and--t]

I have to keep reminding myself that Belong gives me free calls to many countries with my cheap annual package.

I also use Whatsapp a lot for agents and companies that have mobile numbers.

 

[SYD]

I have to keep reminding myself that Belong gives me free calls to many countries with my cheap annual package.

I also use Whatsapp a lot for agents and companies that have mobile numbers.

Yes, a surprisingly large number of service providers are now on WhatsApp but can’t 100% rely on that.

Amaysim also has free calls from Oz to OS (starting with 28 Countries with $30 pm plan and then upwards of 40+ countries).

For $20 you can buy a 12mth 100 mins/100 SMS roaming bundle. Unused credit rolls over if you renew. It’s a cracker of a plan used in conjunction with one or more seperate data eSIM when travelling.

That’s where I landed after starting this thread. But there where other app suggestions that I never got around to exploring further.

Thread 'Best options for making cheap calls/text when overseas?'

Aug 11, 2023

So what are peeps doing these days for cheap calls/text back to Oz, or local/international calls/text while you’re travelling OS?

Background. Since 2019 I’ve had the Optus $50 plan that included roaming data, unlimited calls & text when OS (to/from select countries) and calls/text from Oz to OS (35 countries). Alas, that plan has been phased out and apart from calls/text from Oz to OS - moving forward any calls/text (and data) are an additional fee for service (see #1 below). My current intention is to use the eSIM in my phone for roaming data and the Optus SIM will roam and receive txts...

• SYD
• Replies: 64
• Forum: International Roaming & Internet Access

 

[Quickstatus]

Google Voice?

 

[jgm]

Viber looks like it may be the answer.

 

[Daver6]

I've not digged into it, but can't you just use Teams to make those calls to landlines instead?

 

[flyingsal]

This article has many options including some I'd never heard of. The Best Skype Alternatives (2025) - thinglabs

 

[dajop]

I've not digged into it, but can't you just use Teams to make those calls to landlines instead?

From Microsoft:

 

[p--and--t]

Viber looks like it may be the answer.

I deleted Viber ages ago. Got thoroughly sick of the constant false alerts all day and all night about buying stickers and other cough

 

[SYD]

This article has many options including some I'd never heard of. The Best Skype Alternatives (2025) - thinglabs

Some others from this now dated article I posted in the other thread.

The 8 Best Free Calling Apps (Unlimited Calls With Wi-Fi)

Need to make cheap calls while on Wi-Fi? Check out these iPhone and Android apps that offer free calling and texting.

www.makeuseof.com

 

[Thibault]

I've been using Crazytel recently and the service has been great and it's based in Australia.

Completely free to set-up - can call other crazytel numbers completely free of charge.
They have their app on Iphone and Android which is an easy SIP portal.

Also possible to buy an australian landline number for a dollar a month and their international rates are pretty good - need to top up to be able to call internationally.

Otherwise, I also suggest to have a look at Boost Mobile - lots of international destinations included over Telstra's network.
Similar with Amaysim, Lebara & co.

 

[asterix]

I've been using Crazytel recently and the service has been great and it's based in Australia.

Completely free to set-up - can call other crazytel numbers completely free of charge.
They have their app on Iphone and Android which is an easy SIP portal.

Also possible to buy an australian landline number for a dollar a month and their international rates are pretty good - need to top up to be able to call internationally.

Otherwise, I also suggest to have a look at Boost Mobile - lots of international destinations included over Telstra's network.
Similar with Amaysim, Lebara & co.

I use Crazytel, I purchased a local Sydney number and forward my Boost mobile to it all the time, as long as I've got data I can receive calls on my mobile.

 

[kpc]

Thread bookmarked for future reference

 

[SYD]

I use Crazytel, I purchased a local Sydney number and forward my Boost mobile to it all the time, as long as I've got data I can receive calls on my mobile.

What's it like calling an OS number when OS? What rates does it charge ie the same Oz to OS or are there separate rates?

When I go to the Crazytel website it list calling costs to countries but I figured that was from Oz?

 

[anat0l]

Google Voice?

Not available for Australian users.

 

[Thibault]

What's it like calling an OS number when OS? What rates does it charge ie the same Oz to OS or are there separate rates?

When I go to the Crazytel website it list calling costs to countries but I figured that was from Oz?

As it’s a VOIP internet service, the costs will always be as if you are currently in Australia.

Good thing about them is that they provide their app with all pre-loaded settings - making it a very easy process to get it up running.

Other VOIP providers could also work if users are able to set it up themselves with a few settings to change to make it work.

 

[anat0l]

Viber looks like it may be the answer.

Looks like this might be an option, but I'm not happy about that.

I've not digged into it, but can't you just use Teams to make those calls to landlines instead?

From what I could tell, only those who have Teams Business or Team Academic (from the relevant O365 subscription) and who have purchased the relevant add on can call landlines or mobiles from Teams.

If you don't have a O365 subscription, or, like me, you merely have a Personal O365 subscription, the version of Teams in those does not have the capability to purchase the add on.

 

[SYD]

As it’s a VOIP internet service, the costs will always be as if you are currently in Australia.

Yeah, that's what I figured. But it's quite an extensive list and could be a fallback for calling more esoteric places not covered by Amaysim.

Good thing about them is that they provide their app with all pre-loaded settings - making it a very easy process to get it up running.

Other VOIP providers could also work if users are able to set it up themselves with a few settings to change to make it work.

The obvious downside to a purely VoIP service is the need for data / wifi. Fine if you're in a hotel with good service but to use it on the go would require and eat into any data eSIM / SIM service you're using.

 

[Thibault]

Yeah, that's what I figured. But it's quite an extensive list and could be a fallback for calling more esoteric places not covered by Amaysim.

The obvious downside to a purely VoIP service is the need for data / wifi. Fine if you're in a hotel with good service but to use it on the go would require and eat into any date eSIM / SIM service you're using.

Absolutely.
However, as we are on a Skype replacement thread - I assumed that readers would have known that the service needs data to function.