Replacement for Skype (to call UK only)

[Cardano]

Teams is only VOIP for calling other parties that have Teams installed. It does not allow any subscription based calls to non-Teams mobiles or landlines. Teams works exactly the same as calling on  Line, Facebook, Instagram, etc. etc.

If you want something similar to Skype for calling mobiles and landlines then there are a few options including Mytello, Talk 360 and Yolla all are subscription based and offer cheap rate calls.

[topt]

3 hours ago, Briggsy said:

Skype did not appear to take my $3.59 this month.

From the other thread -

https://aseannow.com/topic/1353194-skype-to-be-shutdown-in-may/page/10/#comments

Quote

Existing calling and Skype Number subscriptions will continue to automatically renew until 3 April 2025. After May 2025, those with active Skype Credits and subscriptions can continue to enjoy these paid features and use the Skype Dial Pad from the Skype web portal and within Teams Free. 

So presume due after the 3rd or not?

[Briggsy]

9 hours ago, topt said:

From the other thread -

https://aseannow.com/topic/1353194-skype-to-be-shutdown-in-may/page/10/#comments

So presume due after the 3rd or not?

Correct. My monthly subscription was due on 8 April.

[Briggsy]

That's it for me. I just tried to call a landline in the UK and my service has been switched off. I tried to add credit but it wouldn't seem to let me. I will have a play around and see what I can come up with.

[KhunHeineken]

No need to start a new thread. 

 

Viber is the new Skype. 

 

https://www.viber.com/en/

 

[scubascuba3]

1 hour ago, KhunHeineken said:

No need to start a new thread. 

 

Viber is the new Skype. 

 

https://www.viber.com/en/

 

but needs a subscription? unlike Skype, Yolla and Mytello?

[KhunHeineken]

22 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

but needs a subscription? unlike Skype, Yolla and Mytello?

Not correct. 

 

They offer "World Credit" for infrequent use, which is similar to "Skype Credit."  You can also do free video and voice calls, similar to Skype. 

 

Here are the plans / rates / minutes / costs to the UK.  Is $1.99USD a month for 100 minutes to the UK really going to break the bank?  Or, is $5.99USD for unlimited minutes to many countries in the world, including Thailand, really so bad? 

 

https://account.viber.com/en/call-united-kingdom

[scubascuba3]

1 hour ago, KhunHeineken said:

Not correct. 

 

They offer "World Credit" for infrequent use, which is similar to "Skype Credit."  You can also do free video and voice calls, similar to Skype. 

 

Here are the plans / rates / minutes / costs to the UK.  Is $1.99USD a month for 100 minutes to the UK really going to break the bank?  Or, is $5.99USD for unlimited minutes to many countries in the world, including Thailand, really so bad? 

 

https://account.viber.com/en/call-united-kingdom

what do you get for credit? good deal vs Yolla or Mytello?

[KhunHeineken]

21 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

what do you get for credit? good deal vs Yolla or Mytello?

People used different features of Skype for different reasons. 

 

Some only used the free voice and video calls to friends and family.  Others used the paid calls feature. Many used Skype for both. 

 

Many alternatives to Skype have been put forward over various threads.  Some of the alternatives require a monthly subscription, others do not even offer a subscription and you have to continually by credit as you use minutes. 

 

Some members are infrequent paid call users, some members are frequent paid call users, and some members are heavy paid call users.  Call costs / subscription costs vary between all the Skype alternatives. 

 

I have put forward Viber as a "one stop shop" alternative to Skype.  My reason for this is Viber has free voice and video calls just like Skype, it also has has paid calls in minutes and paid calls unlimited subscriptions.  Open the Viber program / app and it's all in one place, just like Skype. 

 

Yolla does not offer an unlimited subscription.

 

Mytello does not offer voice / video calls. 

 

Viber offers everything that Skype does, all in the one place, just like Skype. 

 

Whilst Yolla and Mytello will suit some, but not others, if people are looking for the closest product on the market to Skype, then I suggest they take a look at Viber.  

[scubascuba3]

14 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

People used different features of Skype for different reasons. 

 

Some only used the free voice and video calls to friends and family.  Others used the paid calls feature. Many used Skype for both. 

 

Many alternatives to Skype have been put forward over various threads.  Some of the alternatives require a monthly subscription, others do not even offer a subscription and you have to continually by credit as you use minutes. 

 

Some members are infrequent paid call users, some members are frequent paid call users, and some members are heavy paid call users.  Call costs / subscription costs vary between all the Skype alternatives. 

 

I have put forward Viber as a "one stop shop" alternative to Skype.  My reason for this is Viber has free voice and video calls just like Skype, it also has has paid calls in minutes and paid calls unlimited subscriptions.  Open the Viber program / app and it's all in one place, just like Skype. 

 

Yolla does not offer an unlimited subscription.

 

Mytello does not offer voice / video calls. 

 

Viber offers everything that Skype does, all in the one place, just like Skype. 

 

Whilst Yolla and Mytello will suit some, but not others, if people are looking for the closest product on the market to Skype, then I suggest they take a look at Viber.  

Per the op, Viber doesn't seem a good option for occasional calls and buying credit

[KhunHeineken]

36 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Per the op, Viber doesn't seem a good option for occasional calls and buying credit

I posted the same thing on all the Skype threads.  

 

Simply pointing out that Viber is the closest product to Skype that I could find.  It offers all the feature that Skype does, in the one program / app.  

 

Some of the threads, such as yours, have been more specific in the requirement/s, but thought I would put forward Viber on your thread also, as the general theme to most of these Skype threads seems to be looking / deciding on a Skype alternative. 

[falangUK]

Tested Yolla as a quick replacement. Works fine — not perfect, but decent.

 

Pros:

* Clear call quality
* 0330 numbers: 5p/min
* UK landlines (e.g. 01254): 9p/min

** I was able to add my UK mobile number in the Yolla settings, so it shows up as the caller ID when I make calls. That’s really useful for things like contacting banks or services that recognise your number.
* Easy to top up and use
* Top up $4 and get $3 extra with a referral link
 

Cons:

* More expensive than Skype overall
* 0845 numbers: 28p/min — much higher than what Skype charged

 

I didn’t use the referral myself, but happy to share mine if anyone wants it 
I’m guessing we’re not allowed to post referral links here, but happy to DM it if anyone wants.
 

[topt]

1 hour ago, falangUK said:

* 0330 numbers: 5p/min
* UK landlines (e.g. 01254): 9p/min

Did you miss off a decimal point? That seems dearer than using a Thai sim with one of the cheaper rates they have - or am I missing something.

Skype to most landlines in the UK was less than 1p per minute?

[scubascuba3]

7 hours ago, topt said:

Did you miss off a decimal point? That seems dearer than using a Thai sim with one of the cheaper rates they have - or am I missing something.

Skype to most landlines in the UK was less than 1p per minute?

Unless the from claim below is misleading

[falangUK]

17 hours ago, topt said:

Did you miss off a decimal point? That seems dearer than using a Thai sim with one of the cheaper rates they have - or am I missing something.

Skype to most landlines in the UK was less than 1p per minute?

 I tested with DTAC (Thai SIM) and it was a lot more expensive than Yolla — especially for UK landlines and 0330 numbers. I don’t have the exact figures, but it definitely wasn’t anywhere near 5p or 9p per minute.

Can you share the Thai SIM rates and which network you’re using? Would be useful to compare.

[falangUK]

10 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Unless the from claim below is misleading

Screenshots attached — these are the actual rates I got when I tested:

Yolla call rates from Thailand to UK (tested):

* 0330 numbers: 5p/min
* Landlines (e.g. 01254): 9p/min
* 0845 numbers: 28p/min

Unless the *"from"* price shown in the app is misleading, these are the real charges I was billed.

Why don’t you just punch in a few numbers yourself — 0330, 01254, 0845 — since you already have the app installed? It’ll show you the current rates instantly.
 

[Upnotover]

30 minutes ago, falangUK said:

 I tested with DTAC (Thai SIM) and it was a lot more expensive than Yolla — especially for UK landlines and 0330 numbers. I don’t have the exact figures, but it definitely wasn’t anywhere near 5p or 9p per minute.

Can you share the Thai SIM rates and which network you’re using? Would be useful to compare.

True using 00600 prefix.....

[topt]

28 minutes ago, falangUK said:

 I tested with DTAC (Thai SIM) and it was a lot more expensive than Yolla — especially for UK landlines and 0330 numbers. I don’t have the exact figures, but it definitely wasn’t anywhere near 5p or 9p per minute.

Can you share the Thai SIM rates and which network you’re using? Would be useful to compare.

According to the Yolla web page you should be able to call UK landlines from $0.06 per minute.........which is about 4p/5p?

Unless the web site is telling porkies not sure why your numbers are that much higher. No idea however about 0330 numbers.

 

These 2 seem cheaper - 

Mytello

https://www.mytello.com/en_TH/rates/cheap-calls-to-the-uk

LocalPhone

https://www.localphone.com/call/united_kingdom

 

Thanks @Upnotover for that example 

[scubascuba3]

45 minutes ago, topt said:

According to the Yolla web page you should be able to call UK landlines from $0.06 per minute.........which is about 4p/5p?

Unless the web site is telling porkies not sure why your numbers are that much higher. No idea however about 0330 numbers.

 

These 2 seem cheaper - 

Mytello

https://www.mytello.com/en_TH/rates/cheap-calls-to-the-uk

LocalPhone

https://www.localphone.com/call/united_kingdom

 

Thanks @Upnotover for that example 

Yolla only seems good if you want your personal telephone number to show on the person you're calling screen, i would prefer my uk mobile number to show when calling, can't do that with mytello and localphone

[SMIAI]

^^ Misleading statement with regard to Localphone. Someone who doesn't use any of the services, shouldn't be making statements about them. You can show your U.K. mobile number when using Localphone.

Similarly with Yolla. Recommending them without using nor knowing anything about the service.

 

[Pi Tao]

I'm French.

Now i use Rebtel.

5€ by month, unlimited mobile , and house phone for France.

It' s also possible to buy credit.

[soi3eddie]

Bye bye Skype. Just opened the Skype app on my phone. Only Teams now. Deleted the app and that's that. Applied for Zoom with inbound UK number today.