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.

 

[gargamon]

14 hours ago, topt said:

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

Only available in the US. You have to ”trick” them into thinking you're in the US, on many different levels. That's why I stated, if you're clever, you can get GV. Well worth the effort IMO.

[Digitalbanana]

23 hours ago, novacova said:

It might work.

Not exactly a ringing endorsement. Is Viber still going and working? Last time I had it the app stole all my credit one day so never again for me.

[lamyai3]

On 12/29/2024 at 10:27 AM, dddave said:

Any alternatives for calls to land lines and mobiles not on a messaging platform?

 

Did you find anything? Looking here as well for calls to UK, with credit based top up rather than subscription.

 

[cliveshep]

LINE - so long as both parties have internet both video and voice calls are unlimited and it's totally free. Best is, unlike my experiences with Skype years ago - it doesn't hang or freeze. My kids in the UK have it, it works world wide, and we do regular messaging and video calls, you can attach files, videos, pictures, you name it, works on smart phones and if you got it on your phone you can install on your pc and use your phone to log in so you got big screen access. Cannot speak too highly of LINE as being user friendly.

[scubascuba3]

17 minutes ago, cliveshep said:

LINE - so long as both parties have internet both video and voice calls are unlimited and it's totally free. Best is, unlike my experiences with Skype years ago - it doesn't hang or freeze. My kids in the UK have it, it works world wide, and we do regular messaging and video calls, you can attach files, videos, pictures, you name it, works on smart phones and if you got it on your phone you can install on your pc and use your phone to log in so you got big screen access. Cannot speak too highly of LINE as being user friendly.

Thread is about calling a landline or mobile, Line is useless for that 

[cliveshep]

21 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Thread is about calling a landline or mobile, Line is useless for that 

Useless for a landline but NOT for a mobile with internet connection.

[topt]

On 1/15/2025 at 8:39 AM, cliveshep said:

Useless for a landline but NOT for a mobile with internet connection.

Is that not the same for any mobile communications app - including probably Skype........

 

However as already pointed out to you the whole point is to replace Skype Out as moving from a simple top up as needed to a subscription model which was a relatively cheap and useful way to call fixed line nos. in your home country - think financial institutions and government departments. 

[topt]

On 1/15/2025 at 2:28 AM, lamyai3 said:

 

Did you find anything? Looking here as well for calls to UK, with credit based top up rather than subscription.

 

No I am looking also although I still have enough credit for a bit.

[Mike_Hunt]

Try Signal. 

[topt]

18 hours ago, Mike_Hunt said:

Try Signal. 

This suggests not - 

https://www.reddit.com/r/signal/comments/1e1l97f/calling_landline_possible/?rdt=64118

 

[norfolkandchance]

Just found this on the Skype App.

[scubascuba3]

2 hours ago, norfolkandchance said:

Just found this on the Skype App.

Isn't that what the thread is about plus the other one last month or so

[norfolkandchance]

Yes. There seems to be different rates on the App and Website. I'd rather pay 3.99 then 7.99.