Looking for a better way to make international calls than Skype? This guide compares the best Skype alternatives in 2025, including free and paid options for individuals and businesses. Find the perfect VoIP solution for your needs! (Includes international calling, video conferencing, and more.)
Why Consider Skype Alternatives for Business and Personal Phone Calls?
Skype’s “Skype to Phone” feature lets users call landlines and mobile numbers globally, but it’s not always the best choice. Inconsistent call quality, variable pricing, and a lack of robust business-grade features have led many users to search for better VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) solutions. Furthermore, Microsoft’s focus on Teams integration raises questions about the long-term support and development of Skype. Whether you need a cheap VoIP solution for international calls or a reliable VoIP for small business communication, this guide has you covered.
For those seeking reliable, cost-effective, and feature-rich alternatives for making phone calls, here are the best options for 2025.
Top Skype Alternatives with Phone Call Capabilities
1. Google Voice Overview: Free VoIP for US & Canada Calls
Google Voice is a versatile, free VoIP service providing a free US phone number and incredibly affordable international calling rates. It’s an excellent Skype alternative for individuals and small businesses seeking a low-cost, reliable communication platform.
Key Phone Call Features:
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Free Calls: Make free calls to any number in the US and Canada.
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Low International Rates: Extremely competitive rates (e.g., starting at $0.01/minute to the UK).
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Voicemail Transcription: Read your voicemail messages as text.
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Call Forwarding: Forward calls to any connected device.
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Call Screening: Know who is calling before you answer.
Pricing:
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Free for calls to the US and Canada.
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Pay-per-minute charges for international calls.
Best For: Individuals, freelancers, and small businesses needing a free VoIP solution with low international calling rates.
2. Zoom Phone: Best for Businesses Needing Integrated Video Conferencing and VoIP
Zoom Phone is a cloud-based phone system built on the popular Zoom video conferencing platform. It extends Zoom’s capabilities into a full-fledged business-grade VoIP service, making it ideal for businesses that rely heavily on video meetings and need seamless phone integration.
Key Phone Call Features:
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Unlimited Regional Calling: Unlimited calls within selected regions (check Zoom’s website for specifics).
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Call Routing: Advanced call routing features, including IVR (Interactive Voice Response).
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Call Recording: Record calls for training and compliance.
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Local and Toll-Free Numbers: Available in multiple countries.
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Video Conferencing Integration: perfect union of phone and meeting.
Pricing:
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Metered Plan: Starting at $10/user/month (pay for what you use).
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Unlimited US/Canada Calls: $15/user/month.
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Pro and business plan are available for bigger companies.
Best For: Growing businesses and organizations that need a scalable VoIP solution with tightly integrated video conferencing.
3. Viber: The Best Option for Cheap International Calls & Travel
Viber is a popular messaging app that also includes “Viber Out,” a feature allowing for very cheap international calls to mobile and landline numbers worldwide. It is a great alternative if you want international calls to friends and family.
Key Phone Call Features:
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Free Viber-to-Viber Calls: Completely free VoIP calls to other Viber users.
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Viber Out: Low-cost calls to non-Viber numbers.
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Group Voice Calls: Support for up to 40 participants.
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Avalable on every device.
Pricing:
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Free for Viber-to-Viber calls.
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Viber Out: Rates start as low as $0.019/minute (varies significantly by destination country).
Best For: Travelers, expats, and individuals making frequent international calls to non-Viber users.
4. WhatsApp: Best for Encrypted VoIP Calls and Simple Communication
Primarily a messaging app, WhatsApp also offers free, end-to-end encrypted VoIP calling. One of the most used calling/chatting apps worldwide. While business integration is limited, third-party VoIP providers can offer solutions.
Key Phone Call Features:
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End-to-End Encrypted Calls: Ensures privacy and security for your calls.
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Free VoIP Calls: Make calls to other WhatsApp users worldwide for free.
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Group Calls: Voice and video calls with multiple participants.
*International calls through internet.
Pricing:
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Free for VoIP calls (data charges may apply).
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WhatsApp Business API pricing varies based on the chosen provider.
Best For: Individuals prioritizing privacy and secure communication, and small businesses with a WhatsApp-centric customer base.
5. RingCentral: A Comprehensive Business Phone System for Enterprises
RingCentral is a leading cloud-based VoIP platform offering enterprise-grade calling and a wide range of advanced communication tools. It’s a robust business phone system solution.
Key Phone Call Features:
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Unlimited Calling: Unlimited US/Canada calls on higher-tier plans.
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Auto-Attendant: Automated call routing and receptionist features.
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Call Analytics: Detailed call reports and analytics.
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CRM Integrations: Connects with popular CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, Zoho).
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Global Coverage: Available in over 100 countries.
Pricing:
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Starts at $19.99/user/month (Essentials plan).
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Higher-tier plans offer more features and unlimited calling.
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Free trial available.
Best For: Medium and large businesses needing a comprehensive, scalable, and feature-rich VoIP phone system.
6. CallHippo: Best for Startups and Remote Teams Needing Global Reach
CallHippo provides virtual phone numbers and cloud-based communication tools designed for businesses of all sizes, with a strong focus on startups and remote teams. They are best options for call centers in the list.
Key Phone Call Features:
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Local Numbers: Get local numbers in over 50 countries.
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Call Forwarding: Easily forward calls to different team members or devices.
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Call Analytics: Track call performance and metrics.
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IVR: Interactive Voice Response for efficient call routing.
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Unlimited Calling: Available on select plans.
Pricing:
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Basic Plan: $16/user/month.
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Unlimited US/Canada Calling: $40/user/month.
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Different Plans are avaliable
Best For: Startups, small businesses, and call centers needing global communication tools and virtual phone numbers.
Link to CallHippo Website
7. Vonage: The Customizable Enterprise VoIP solution
[Image Vonage call settings] Alt Text: call settings on Vonage business.
Vonage offers great, bussiness-grade VoIP solution that comes with flexibe prices.
Key Phone Call Features:
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Unlimited calls on select plans.
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Virtual numbers are avaliable in a plethora of countries.
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Great CRM Integrations
Pricing:
* Starts at $19.99/user/month
* Additional Fees may be added.
Best For:
Enterprises looking for high-quality solutions.
Link to Vonage Website
Skype vs. Alternatives: Feature Comparison Table
Skype vs. Alternatives: Feature Comparison
| Platform | Phone Call Option | Pricing | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skype | Skype to Phone | $3.59 – $9.59/month | Casual users, occasional international calls |
| Google Voice | Free US/Canada calls | Free + per-minute rates | Individuals, small businesses (US/Canada) |
| Zoom Phone | Unlimited regional calls | $10 – $15/user/month | Growing businesses, video-centric teams |
| Viber | Viber Out | Free + per-minute rates | Travelers, international callers |
| VoIP + Business API | Free + API costs | Privacy-focused users, WhatsApp-based businesses | |
| RingCentral | Unlimited calls (higher plans) | $19.99 – $49.99/user/month | Medium/large businesses, enterprise-grade |
| CallHippo | Global numbers, unlimited on plans | $16 – $40/user/month | Startups, remote teams, call centers |
| Vonage | Unlimited Regional calls | $19.99 – $39.99/user/month | Growing and large enterprises |
How to Choose the Best Skype Alternative for Your Phone Calls
Selecting the right Skype alternative involves considering these key factors:
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Cost: Do you need a completely free VoIP option (like Google Voice for US/Canada calls), or are you willing to invest in a premium, business-grade service (like RingCentral or Zoom Phone)? Carefully consider international calling rates.
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Call Quality & Reliability: For mission-critical business communication, prioritize services known for excellent call stability, such as Zoom Phone and RingCentral.
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Essential Features: Identify must-have features: call recording, call analytics, auto-attendants, CRM integration, IVR, virtual numbers, voicemail transcription.
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Ease of Use: For individual use, Viber and WhatsApp offer simple, intuitive interfaces. Business solutions often require more setup and configuration.
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Scalability: Can the solution grow with your needs? Startups might benefit from CallHippo’s flexible plans, while larger enterprises might prefer Vonage or RingCentral’s comprehensive offerings.
Conclusion: Upgrade Your Communication in 2025
While Skype’s phone call feature was once a popular choice, 2025 offers a range of superior alternatives. Whether you need a free VoIP service (Google Voice, Viber), a business phone system (RingCentral, Zoom Phone), a solution for cheap international calls (Viber Out), or a privacy-focused app (WhatsApp), there’s a perfect fit for your needs. Explore the options above to find the best Skype alternative for your individual or business communication requirements.
Ready to improve your phone call experience? Try one of these top-rated Skype alternatives today!
@nislija
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