SKYPE Alternative?

[dddave]

The CC I had on record with Skype expired.  I entered a new card but was unable to top-up my Skype credit, no top-up option.  Contacted CS and was told Skype is no longer accepting "new" customer payment. No way to continue to use Skype.  Any alternatives for calls to land lines and mobiles not on a messaging platform?

[scubascuba3]

There was a thread on Skype a week or so ago, you could probably find it in the right section. Some suggestions were Yolla and localphone.com

 

You can do monthly subscription with Skype just can't buy credit

[novacova]

Line or FaceTime, free.

[scubascuba3]

Just now, novacova said:

Line or FaceTime, free.

He said landline and mobiles

[novacova]

9 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

He said landline and mobiles

Oh yes, completely unaware Skype could be used on a landline. Personally haven’t used a landline in at least twenty years 

[KannikaP]

I have a $90 Microsoft 365 subscription which includes 100 minutes a month to almost ANY phone number, landline or mobile, for up to 6 people. Very useful for calling my Banks in UK, or Government departments when I want to hide my location.

[topt]

9 hours ago, novacova said:

Oh yes, completely unaware Skype could be used on a landline. Personally haven’t used a landline in at least twenty years 

he meant to call a landline or mobile number using Skype...........usually from either pc/mobile or tablet......

[novacova]

7 minutes ago, topt said:

he meant to call a landline or mobile number using Skype...........usually from either pc/mobile or tablet......

There are so many other options to call using a valid number via phone app or eSIM, Skype seems a bit archaic even for this old relic. 

[biervoormij]

If you find an alternative that you like can you please share it?

 

I don't make many international calls but was always nice to have a cheap way to place calls anywhere in the world. I hope the free calling of 800 numbers keeps working even if I use up all of my credit.

 

I also have a skype phone number and hope this keeps without a calling subscription. I use it for one time passwords for my banking but may need to find a different way to get these.

[scubascuba3]

7 hours ago, novacova said:

There are so many other options to call using a valid number via phone app or eSIM, Skype seems a bit archaic even for this old relic. 

Skype is a phone app, esim won't be much use, any other ideas?

[gargamon]

Google voice, if you're clever enough to set it up. Free calls to any north America number and cheap calls to overseas. No subscription required.

[topt]

2 hours ago, gargamon said:

Google voice, if you're clever enough to set it up. Free calls to any north America number and cheap calls to overseas. No subscription required.

A quick online search last night and that was the only option being mentioned for a sort of pay as you go option as per Skype Credit although there must be others?

Unfortunately it is Google but that's my issue.......

[biervoormij]

5 hours ago, gargamon said:

Google voice, if you're clever enough to set it up. Free calls to any north America number and cheap calls to overseas. No subscription required.

Do you have any tips about how to get Google voice to work while in Thailand? Everything I have read is that you have to be in the US to get it working.

[novacova]

17 minutes ago, biervoormij said:

Do you have any tips about how to get Google voice to work while in Thailand? Everything I have read is that you have to be in the US to get it working.

Try setting the region to the US on both the phone settings and the App Store settings. Then use a vpn set for a US connection and turn off location. Put the phone in airplane mode and make the call over WiFi. It might work. Ideally google voice should be set up in the US, then when outside the US don’t update the app and don’t update the annual OS version 

[gargamon]

1 hour ago, biervoormij said:

Do you have any tips about how to get Google voice to work while in Thailand? Everything I have read is that you have to be in the US to get it working.

I did mine over 10 years ago so maybe it's changed. Your google account needs to be associated with the US. I added a new one that I use only for GV. You'll need someone in the US with a US phone number not already associated with google to accept the verification code. Probably need to VPN to the US to activate. There's probably more recent explanations. Google it.

 

You can update the app anytime after it's working. 

[topt]

7 hours ago, gargamon said:

Google it.

Quick search suggested not available in the UK - so that knocks that out for me. I need to find an alternative......

[Dutchjohn]

Try "webcall direct". Very cheap calls no need vor vpn.