Buyer's guide Calling & video apps
The best Skype alternatives in 2026, by what you used Skype for
Microsoft retired Skype on May 5, 2025, and Microsoft Teams Free is what replaced Skype: Skype accounts now sign in to Teams Free, which has no paid calling plans to phone numbers, per Microsoft's support page.[1] No single app does all of Skype's jobs: WhatsApp is the best Skype alternative for most people, and calls to landlines and mobiles need a pay-as-you-go service such as TwinPhone, Rebtel or Yolla. Prices and limits on this page were checked on October 25, 2026.
After Skype is published with support from TwinPhone; rankings reflect our criteria. Ratings are editorial scores out of 10, not user reviews. Methodology and disclosure.
Top 10 Skype alternatives, October 2026
Editorial scores out of 10 · how we rate
-
Free voice and video calls with family and friends who already use WhatsApp.
- Free calls
- Groups up to 32
- E2EE always on
- 3B+ monthly users
-
Calling landlines and mobiles in other countries from a browser or phone.
- 145+ countries
- US/Canada $0.02/min
- $10 minimum top-up
- Numbers from $3.19/mo
-
Free
-
Free
-
Free; paid plans
-
Free; Viber Out paid
-
Free; Pro $16.99/mo
-
Free in the US
-
From 1.21¢/min
-
From 1.1¢/min
What is the best Skype alternative? Quick answer by use case
- Best overall, and for free video calls with family: WhatsApp is the best free alternative to Skype for most people, with voice and video calls of up to 32 people, always end-to-end encrypted, on an app more than 3 billion people use monthly; Signal allows 75 people per group call, and FaceTime suits families who all use Apple devices (Android and Windows users can join by link).[19][8][25][38]
- Calling landlines and mobiles abroad: free apps cannot dial phone numbers, so you need a pay-as-you-go service. TwinPhone, our #2, calls 145+ countries from a browser or its apps; Rebtel and Yolla are cheaper on most routes, and per-minute rates from the US to Mexico ranged from about 1.1¢ to 4¢ in October 2026 (rate table).[9][32][10]
- Group meetings: Google Meet and Microsoft Teams Free each host 100 people for 60 minutes at no cost, while Zoom's free Basic plan ends meetings at 40 minutes (October 2026).[21][4][27]
- A number people can call: Skype Numbers ended in May 2026; Google Voice gives US personal accounts a free US number, and TwinPhone rents US and Canadian numbers from $3.19 a month (details).[1][30][12]
- Private or open source: for a secure Skype alternative, Signal encrypts every call and message end to end by default and is run by a nonprofit; for an open source Skype alternative, Jitsi Meet runs in the browser with optional end-to-end encryption, and guests don't need an account. Neither calls phone numbers.[26][39]
- Work and small teams: Microsoft points small businesses to Teams Essentials with Teams Phone; Zoom Workplace Pro costs $16.99 per user per month, and paid Google plans raise Meet to 1,000 participants. See Skype for Business alternatives.[1][27][21]
- Old Skype chats: Microsoft began deleting Skype data on April 1, 2026, and the export window closed on June 15, 2026 (timeline).[1]
Compare the best Skype alternatives
One table for all 10 ranked apps and 4 more we considered: free calls, group size, calls to phone numbers, the cheapest published rate, numbers, encryption, platforms and what you need to sign up. Checked October 25, 2026.
| # | App | Best for | Rating | Free app-to-app calls | Group video limit | Calls landlines / mobiles | Cheapest published rate | Phone number | End-to-end encryption | Platforms | Account needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  WhatsApp |
Free family calls; best overall | 9.0/10 | Yes | 32 | No | n/a | No | Yes: Always on | iOS And Win Mac Web | Phone number |
| 2 |  TwinPhone |
Calling phones abroad | 8.3/10 | No: Calls phones only | No video | Yes: 145+ countries | US & Canada 2¢/min | Yes: US/Canada from $3.19/mo | No: TLS + SRTP in transit | Web iOS And | Email or Google |
| 3 |  Microsoft Teams (free) |
Keeping Skype contacts | 8.2/10 | Yes | 100 (60 min) | No: Old Skype Credit only | n/a | No | — Not verified | Win Mac iOS And Web | Microsoft account |
| 4 |  Signal |
Private, encrypted calls | 7.9/10 | Yes | 75 | No | n/a | No | Yes: On by default | iOS And Win Mac Lin | Phone number |
| 5 |  Google Meet |
Browser video calls | 7.8/10 | Yes: Video, in browser | 100 (60 min for 3+) | No | n/a | No | Partly: App calls only | Web iOS And | Google account to host |
| 6 |  Viber |
App calls plus paid calls to phones | 7.6/10 | Yes | 60 | Yes: Viber Out (paid) | — Not verified | No | Partly: 1:1 only | iOS And Win Mac Lin | Phone number |
| 7 |  Zoom |
Scheduled group meetings | 7.2/10 | Partly: 40-minute limit | 100 (40 min) | Partly: Zoom Phone add-on | Zoom Phone US & CA $16/user/mo | Partly: With Zoom Phone | Partly: Optional, off by default | Win Mac Lin iOS And Web | |
| 8 |  Google Voice |
A free US number | 7.0/10 | Not app-to-app | No video | Yes: US/Canada free | US & Canada free | Yes: Free US number | No | Web iOS And | Google account + US number |
| 9 |  Rebtel |
Frequent calls to one country | 6.9/10 | Yes: Rebtel to Rebtel | No video | Yes: Pay as you go or Unlimited | Mexico landline 1.21¢/min | — Not verified | — Not verified | iOS And | — Not verified |
| 10 |  Yolla |
Small top-ups | 6.8/10 | Yes: Yolla to Yolla | — Not verified | Yes: 190+ countries | Mexico from 1.1¢/min | No: Caller ID only | — Not verified | iOS And Web | — Not verified |
| — |  BOSS Revolution |
Low flat rates from the US | Not rated | Yes: Over Wi-Fi | — Not verified | Yes: Pay as you go or plans | Mexico 1.9¢/min | No | — Not verified | iOS And Web | Account (US-focused) |
| — |  Talk360 |
Calling people who have no internet | Not rated | — Not verified | — Not verified | Yes: Prepaid credit | — Not verified | — Not verified | — Not verified | iOS And | Phone number |
| — |  Telegram |
Large group calls | Not rated | Yes | 200 | No | n/a | No | Yes: 1:1 and group calls | iOS And Win Mac Lin Web | Phone number |
| — |  FaceTime |
Apple-only families | Not rated | Yes: Apple devices | 32 | No | n/a | No | Yes | iOS Mac | Apple Account |
✓ yes · ◐ partly or paid add-on · ✗ no · n/a not applicable.
* — means the vendor doesn't publish the value in a form we could verify; Viber Out, Google Voice international and Talk360 rates load only in calculators.
Cheapest published rate: the lowest per-minute price or plan we found for a call from the US, checked October 25, 2026. Rebtel and Yolla prices can vary with your location and currency. Full rates by country are in the rate table.
Sources by row: WhatsApp [19] [20] [8]; TwinPhone [9] [10] [11] [12]; Microsoft Teams (free) [1] [4] [3]; Signal [25] [26]; Google Meet [21] [22]; Viber [23] [24]; Zoom [27] [28]; Google Voice [29] [30]; Rebtel [31]; Yolla [32]; BOSS Revolution [33] [34]; Talk360 [35]; Telegram [36] [37]; FaceTime [38].
Best Skype alternatives in 2026: 10 apps rated
A Skype alternative (also called a Skype replacement or Skype substitute) is any app that does one of the three jobs Skype did: free app-to-app voice and video calls, chat, or paid calls to ordinary phone numbers. No single app replaced all three, so most people now pair a free calling app with a pay-as-you-go service for phones. 5 of our 10 picks can call landlines and mobiles (TwinPhone, Viber (Viber Out), Google Voice, Rebtel and Yolla), and Zoom can with its paid Zoom Phone add-on; the other alternatives to Skype only call people who use the same app. WhatsApp ranks first overall because it is free, encrypted and already on most of your contacts' phones; TwinPhone ranks second because our criteria weight calls to phone numbers, the job Skype Credit did and Teams Free dropped (how we rate).
1. WhatsApp — Best overall Skype alternative
9.0/10Excellent · editorial ratingEditorial rating 9.0 out of 10
Why we picked it
WhatsApp is the best Skype alternative for most people: voice and video calls are free between WhatsApp users, groups hold up to 32 people, calls are always end-to-end encrypted and more than 3 billion people use it monthly (Meta, April 2025). It cannot call ordinary phone numbers.[19]
- Price
- Free (mobile data may apply)
- Free tier
- Free calls; groups up to 32
Compare specs: calls to phones, number, encryption, platforms and account in the comparison table.
Pros
- Free voice and video calls, end-to-end encrypted by default
- Group calls with up to 32 people
- 3 billion+ monthly users (Meta, April 2025), so many contacts already have it
Cons
- Can't call landlines or mobiles that don't have WhatsApp
- Needs a mobile phone number to sign up
- No Linux app
2. TwinPhone — Best for calling phones abroad
8.3/10Very good · editorial ratingEditorial rating 8.3 out of 10
Why we picked it
TwinPhone calls landlines and mobiles in 145+ countries from a web browser or its iOS and Android apps. Calls to the US and Canada cost $0.02/min and other rates vary by country (the Philippines is $0.36/min); there are no free minutes, the minimum top-up is $10 and credit does not expire.[9]
- Price
- From $0.02/min (US & Canada); pay as you go, $10 minimum top-up
- Free tier
- Free signup, no free minutes
Compare specs: calls to phones, number, encryption, platforms and account in the comparison table.
Pros
- Calls landlines and mobiles in 145+ countries
- Works in a desktop browser (WebRTC), plus iOS 17+ and Android apps
- Per-minute billing with no subscription; credit does not expire
- Sign-up needs only an email address or Google account
- Optional US, Canada or Puerto Rico number from $3.19/month that receives calls and texts
Cons
- No free minutes: calling needs a $10 top-up
- Not end-to-end encrypted (TLS and SRTP in transit only)
- Numbers only in the US and Canada, and they can't send texts
- Higher rates than Rebtel, Yolla and BOSS Revolution on most routes we checked (Philippines $0.36/min)
- No video, no app-to-app chat and no emergency calls
3. Microsoft Teams (free) — Best for keeping your Skype contacts
8.2/10Very good · editorial ratingEditorial rating 8.2 out of 10
Why we picked it
Microsoft Teams (free) is where Skype accounts now sign in: group meetings hold up to 100 people for 60 minutes and 1:1 calls can run up to 30 hours, but the free version has no paid calling plans to phone numbers.[1]
- Price
- Free with a personal Microsoft account
- Free tier
- Meetings: 100 people / 60 min; 1:1 up to 30 h
Compare specs: calls to phones, number, encryption, platforms and account in the comparison table.
Pros
- Sign in with your Skype account; contacts and chats carried over for eligible users
- Free group meetings with up to 100 people for 60 minutes
- Free 1:1 calls up to 30 hours
Cons
- No paid calling plans to landlines or mobiles on the free version
- No phone numbers: Skype Number subscriptions all ended in May 2026
- Group meetings stop at 60 minutes
4. Signal — Best for private, encrypted calls
7.9/10Good · editorial ratingEditorial rating 7.9 out of 10
Why we picked it
Signal encrypts every call and message end to end by default, holds group calls of up to 75 people and is free, run by a nonprofit; it cannot call phone numbers.[25]
- Price
- Free (nonprofit, donation-funded)
- Free tier
- Everything free; groups up to 75
Compare specs: calls to phones, number, encryption, platforms and account in the comparison table.
Pros
- End-to-end encryption for all calls and messages by default
- Group calls with up to 75 people
- Free and run by a nonprofit; desktop apps include Linux
Cons
- Can't call regular phone numbers
- Normal signup still needs a phone number (usernames can hide it)
- No web app; desktop apps link to your phone
5. Google Meet — Best for browser video calls
7.8/10Good · editorial ratingEditorial rating 7.8 out of 10
Why we picked it
Google Meet runs in a web browser: anyone with a Google account can host up to 100 people for free, meetings of three or more stop at 60 minutes, and 1:1 calls are not capped at 60 minutes.[21]
- Price
- Free with a Google account
- Free tier
- 100 people; 60 min for 3+; longer 1:1 calls
Compare specs: calls to phones, number, encryption, platforms and account in the comparison table.
Pros
- Runs in any modern browser; guests join by link without an account
- Free meetings for up to 100 participants
- 1:1 calls aren't capped at 60 minutes
Cons
- Free meetings with three or more people end at 60 minutes
- No calls to phone numbers on personal accounts
- Link-based meetings aren't end-to-end encrypted by default
6. Viber — Best for app calls plus paid calls to phones
7.6/10Good · editorial ratingEditorial rating 7.6 out of 10
Why we picked it
Viber combines free Viber-to-Viber calls (groups up to 60) with paid Viber Out calls to landlines and mobiles; Viber Out rates are shown only in a JavaScript calculator, so we do not quote them.[23]
- Price
- Free app; Viber Out credit or plans (rates vary by country)
- Free tier
- Free Viber-to-Viber calls; groups up to 60
Compare specs: calls to phones, number, encryption, platforms and account in the comparison table.
Pros
- Free Viber-to-Viber voice and video calls
- Viber Out calls landlines and mobiles (pay as you go, country plans or World Unlimited)
- Group calls with up to 60 people
Cons
- Viber Out rates are hidden in a calculator, so we can't quote them
- Group calls and Viber Out calls aren't end-to-end encrypted
- Needs a mobile phone number; desktop apps link to your phone
7. Zoom — Best for scheduled group meetings
7.2/10Good · editorial ratingEditorial rating 7.2 out of 10
Why we picked it
Zoom's free Basic plan allows 100 participants but ends every meeting, including 1:1 calls, at 40 minutes; calling phones needs the paid Zoom Phone add-on ($16–$18 per user per month for US and Canada).[27]
- Price
- Free Basic; Pro $16.99/user/mo (monthly); Zoom Phone US & CA from $16/user/mo (annual)
- Free tier
- 100 people; 40 min per meeting (incl. 1:1)
Compare specs: calls to phones, number, encryption, platforms and account in the comparison table.
Pros
- Free meetings for up to 100 participants
- Apps for every major platform, including Linux
- Zoom Phone adds a real number and phone calling for US & Canada
Cons
- Every free meeting ends at 40 minutes, including 1:1 calls
- Calling phones costs $18/user/month (or $16 billed annually) for US & Canada
- End-to-end encryption is optional and off by default
8. Google Voice — Best for a free US number
7.0/10Good · editorial ratingEditorial rating 7.0 out of 10
Why we picked it
Google Voice gives personal accounts in the US a free US number and free calls to the US and Canada; sign-up needs an existing US phone number, and international rates are shown only in a calculator.[29]
- Price
- Free US number and US/Canada calls; international calls prepaid per minute
- Free tier
- Free US number; free calls to US/Canada
Compare specs: calls to phones, number, encryption, platforms and account in the comparison table.
Pros
- Free US phone number for personal accounts
- Free calls to the US and Canada
- Works on the web, iPhone and Android
Cons
- Personal accounts are available in the US only and need an existing US number
- International rates load in a calculator, so we don't quote them
- Calls aren't end-to-end encrypted
9. Rebtel — Best for frequent calls to one country
6.9/10Fair · editorial ratingEditorial rating 6.9 out of 10
Why we picked it
Rebtel sells pay-as-you-go calls from 1.21¢/min (Mexico landlines) and monthly Unlimited plans for single countries from $3 (Mexico), through iOS and Android apps.[31]
- Price
- Pay as you go from 1.21¢/min; Unlimited plans from $3/mo (Mexico)
- Free tier
- Free Rebtel-to-Rebtel calls; 1-week trial on some plans
Compare specs: calls to phones, number, encryption, platforms and account in the comparison table.
Pros
- Low pay-as-you-go rates (India 2.89¢/min, Mexico mobile 2.42¢/min)
- Country Unlimited plans from $3/month (Mexico); Global Unlimited $14/month for 47 countries
- Can connect over local phone lines when you have no internet
Cons
- Mobile apps only, no video
- Philippines mobiles cost 19.24¢/min
- Prices can vary by your region and currency
Sources: [31]
10. Yolla — Best for small top-ups
6.8/10Fair · editorial ratingEditorial rating 6.8 out of 10
Why we picked it
Yolla calls 190+ countries with top-ups from $4; Mexico starts at $0.011/min and India at $0.0239/min, and it has no number for receiving calls.[32]
- Price
- Pay as you go from $4 top-ups; Mexico from $0.011/min
- Free tier
- Free Yolla-to-Yolla calls
Compare specs: calls to phones, number, encryption, platforms and account in the comparison table.
Pros
- Small top-ups from $4
- Low rates to Mexico ($0.011/min) and India ($0.0239/min)
- Web calling as well as iOS and Android apps
Cons
- Philippines landlines cost $0.18/min
- Minute bundles auto-renew unless you cancel
- No number to receive calls
Sources: [32]
Also considered
4 more apps fit a narrower group of people than our top 10; their specs are in the comparison table:
- BOSS Revolution: US-focused; flat per-country rate table. Free app-to-app over Wi-Fi; $2 credit for new accounts (until Jan 31, 2027). Compare specs[33][34]
- Talk360: Recipient needs no app or internet; rates only in a calculator. One free 1-minute trial call. Compare specs[35]
- Telegram: Large group calls; regular chats not E2EE by default. Free calls. Compare specs[36][37]
- FaceTime: Fits Apple-only families; Android and Windows users can only join by link. Free between Apple devices. Compare specs[38]
Calling landlines and mobiles abroad after Skype
Skype alternatives for phone calls to another country must connect to the phone network, because WhatsApp, Signal and FaceTime only reach people using the same app. Skype Credit can no longer be bought or topped up, so this is the main gap Skype left.[1] Services that publish per-minute rates include Rebtel (country Unlimited plans from $3 a month), Yolla (top-ups from $4), BOSS Revolution (US-focused, $2 credit for new accounts until January 31, 2027) and TwinPhone (browser or app, 145+ countries, $10 minimum top-up).[31][32][34][9] Read how international calls worked on Skype, or compare international calling rates.
| Provider | India | Mexico | Philippines | UK | Canada | Germany |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TwinPhone[10] | 8¢ / 8¢ | 4¢ / 2–4¢ | 36¢ / 36¢ | 6¢ / 12¢ | 2¢ / 2¢ | 17¢ / 22¢ |
| Rebtel[31] | 2.89¢ (both) | 1.21¢ / 2.42¢ | 13.19¢ / 19.24¢ | 2.42¢ | — | 1.21¢ / 3.63¢ |
| Yolla[32] | from 2.39¢ | from 1.1¢ | 18¢ / 14.4¢ | 6¢ / 10¢ | — | 7.5¢ / 12¢ |
| BOSS Revolution[33] | 3.3¢ | 1.9¢ | 13¢ | 2¢ | — | 2¢ / 3¢ |
| Google Voice[29] | — | — | — | — | Free | — |
| Viber Out[23] | — | — | — | — | — | — |
TwinPhone's rates are higher than Rebtel's, Yolla's and BOSS Revolution's on most of these routes, except Canada; TwinPhone's full per-country rate list covers every destination it calls. TwinPhone and Yolla also work in a desktop browser. Rebtel and Yolla prices can vary by your location and currency. Google Voice and Viber Out rates load inside calculators we could not read, so we don't quote them.
Keeping a number people can call, like your Skype Number
Skype Numbers ended in May 2026 and could not be ported out after that, so you need a new number.[1] In the US, Google Voice gives personal accounts a free US number.[30] TwinPhone rents US, Canadian and Puerto Rico numbers from $3.19 a month that receive calls and texts but can't send them; incoming calls cost 2¢ a minute.[12][13] Zoom Phone includes a number for $16–$18 per user per month.[28] How to replace your Skype Number.
What replaced Skype? Microsoft Teams Free, and the shutdown dates
Microsoft replaced Skype with Microsoft Teams Free. It announced the change on February 28, 2025, retired Skype on May 5, 2025, and asked users to sign in to Teams Free with their Skype account so their contacts and chats would move over.[2][1] Skype ran for about 22 years (2003–2025); NPR reported about 36 million users in 2023, down from about 40 million in early 2020.[7]
- Microsoft announces it will retire Skype in May 2025.[2]
- Skype calling and Skype Number subscriptions stop auto-renewing; new purchases of Skype Credit, Numbers and subscriptions end.[1]
- Skype is retired. SMS, call forwarding, voicemail, Skype Credit gifting and caller ID setup stop the same day.[1]
- Existing Skype caller ID setups are shut down.[1]
- The Skype minutes included in Microsoft 365 Personal and Family are removed.[1]
- Microsoft starts deleting Skype data.[1]
- The Skype subscription service ends; remaining subscriptions are converted to Skype Credit, or refunded on request.[1]
- All Skype Number subscriptions end, and porting a Skype Number out is no longer possible.[1]
- Last day to request a copy of Skype history through Microsoft's export portal.[1]
Microsoft's support page still contains an older line saying Skype data is available "until January 2026". The same page gives June 15, 2026 as the export deadline, so we use the later date.
Skype and Skype for Business are both retired. skype.com now redirects to the Teams Free page. Skype for Business was a separate product: Skype for Business Online was retired on July 31, 2021, and Skype for Business Server 2015 and 2019 reached end of support on October 14, 2025.[5][6] For the full story of your chats, contacts, credit and number, see what happened to Skype.
Skype Credit. Microsoft no longer sells Skype Credit, and auto top-up has ended. Microsoft says remaining credit can still be used for calls through the Skype Dial Pad inside Teams Free; we could not independently confirm the Dial Pad still works in October 2026.[1][3] Subscriptions that ran past May 1, 2026 were converted to Skype Credit, and Microsoft says you can ask Skype support for a refund instead.[1]
Is Teams Free a good Skype replacement?
Teams Free is a good Skype replacement for chat and video calls with people who moved over with you: group meetings hold up to 100 people for 60 minutes, and 1:1 calls can run up to 30 hours.[4] It is not a replacement for Skype calling to phone numbers. In Microsoft's words, "Microsoft Teams does not support paid calling plans on the free version of Teams"; Microsoft points small businesses to Teams Essentials with Teams Phone instead.[1] Keep Teams Free if your Skype contacts are there, and add a separate service if you used Skype to call phones. More detail: Skype vs Microsoft Teams.
Apps like Skype for iPhone, Android, PC and Mac
The best Skype alternative for iPhone, Android or a Windows PC is usually the app similar to Skype that your contacts already have, because WhatsApp, Signal, Viber, Zoom and Teams Free all run on all three. FaceTime is the exception: it is Apple-only.[38] For a Skype alternative for Linux, Signal, Viber, Telegram and Zoom have Linux desktop apps.[26][23][40]
| Device | Free calls | Group meetings | Calling phones |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone / iPad | FaceTime, WhatsApp, Signal | Google Meet, Zoom, Teams Free | TwinPhone (iOS 17+ app), Rebtel, Yolla |
| Android | WhatsApp, Signal, Viber | Google Meet, Zoom, Teams Free | TwinPhone, Rebtel, Yolla |
| Windows PC | WhatsApp, Signal, Viber | Teams Free, Zoom, Google Meet (browser) | TwinPhone (browser), Yolla (web) |
| Mac | FaceTime, WhatsApp, Signal | Zoom, Teams Free, Google Meet (browser) | TwinPhone (browser), Yolla (web) |
| Linux | Signal, Telegram, Viber | Zoom, Google Meet (browser) | TwinPhone (browser) |
| Browser only | Google Meet, WhatsApp (web) | Google Meet, Jitsi Meet, Teams Free (web) | TwinPhone, Yolla, Google Voice (US) |
Compare Skype vs Zoom and other video calling apps like Skype, or see apps that still make free calls.
How to switch from Skype now that the export window has closed
Switching from Skype in late 2026 is mostly about rebuilding, not exporting: Skype data is being deleted and the export window has closed (see the dates). This checklist covers what you can still do.
- Sign in to Teams Free with your Skype account. Your chat and call history stays there only if you used Skype between December 2024 and February 2025 and then used Teams Free before December 1, 2025.[1]
- Don't count on an export. The old export link now redirects to a Teams data-export page; we couldn't verify whether it still returns anything after June 15, 2026.
- Save the contacts you still need. Copy them from Teams Free or your phone's address book before you stop using Teams.
- Use or refund leftover credit through the Skype Dial Pad or Skype support (how).
- Pick one free app for app-to-app calls. Choose what most of your contacts use; WhatsApp alone has more than 3 billion monthly users (Meta, April 2025).[8]
- Add a paid service if you call phones. Compare rates for the countries you call in the rate table.
- Get a new number if people called your Skype Number (options), and update banks, family and services.
- Tell your contacts. Send your new app handle and number to everyone who used to reach you on Skype.
How we chose and rated these Skype alternatives
We scored each app from 0 to 10 on 4 criteria: fit for Skype's jobs (35%), cost and free tier (25%), reach (25%) and privacy and account (15%); the rating is the weighted total. Teams Free, which every Skype account now opens, already covers app-to-app calls and chat, so the jobs it dropped, calls to landlines and mobiles and a number people can call, count for more under fit. That is why WhatsApp ranks first and TwinPhone second: TwinPhone covers the dropped jobs from any browser but loses points for having no free minutes or video.
Every price, limit and date comes from the vendor's own pricing, help or rate pages, or from Microsoft for Skype facts, read on October 25, 2026; anything we could not verify is shown as "—". Ratings are editorial judgments, not lab tests or user reviews. We re-check everything quarterly; the next review is due in January 2027. Scores by criterion: how we rate apps and source prices.
Skype alternatives: frequently asked questions
Answers to the questions people ask most about replacing Skype, grouped by topic, with a separate section on TwinPhone, the service that supports this site. Prices and dates were checked on October 25, 2026; the numbers in brackets link to the sources.
Skype shutdown and accounts
Does Skype still exist?
No. Microsoft retired Skype on May 5, 2025, and skype.com now redirects to Microsoft Teams Free, where Skype accounts sign in.[1] Microsoft began deleting Skype data on April 1, 2026.[1] The only Skype feature Microsoft still describes is the Skype Dial Pad inside Teams Free for leftover Skype Credit.[3]
More: Skype shutdown dates
When did Skype shut down?
Skype shut down on May 5, 2025, about 22 years after it launched in 2003; Microsoft had announced the retirement on February 28, 2025.[2][7] Microsoft began deleting Skype data on April 1, 2026, and the last Skype Number subscriptions ended in May 2026.[1] The last day to request a Skype data export was June 15, 2026.[1]
Why did Skype shut down?
Microsoft said it retired Skype "to streamline our free consumer communications offerings" and to focus on Microsoft Teams (free), in an announcement on February 28, 2025.[2] Skype had also been losing users: NPR reported about 36 million in 2023, down from about 40 million in early 2020.[7] Microsoft moved Skype accounts to Teams Free on May 5, 2025.[1]
More: Skype shutdown timeline
How many people used Skype before it shut down?
About 36 million in 2023, down from about 40 million in early 2020, according to NPR, which did not say whether those were daily or monthly users.[7] Skype ran for about 22 years, from 2003 until Microsoft retired it on May 5, 2025.[7] WhatsApp, our top pick to replace it, had passed 3 billion monthly users by May 2025.[8]
More: Skype shutdown timeline
What replaced Skype?
Microsoft Teams Free replaced Skype on May 5, 2025: Skype users sign in with their Skype account, and contacts and chats moved over for eligible users.[1] Teams Free hosts group meetings of up to 100 people for 60 minutes, but it has no paid calling plans to landlines and mobiles.[4][1] For phone calls, see the Skype alternatives for calling phones abroad.
Is Microsoft Teams free?
Yes. Microsoft Teams Free costs nothing with a personal Microsoft account and hosts group meetings of up to 100 people for 60 minutes and 1:1 calls of up to 30 hours.[4] Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscribers can hold group calls of up to 30 hours with up to 300 people.[1] Microsoft says the free version has no paid calling plans to landlines and mobiles.[1]
Can Microsoft Teams Free call landlines and mobiles?
No. In Microsoft's words, "Microsoft Teams does not support paid calling plans on the free version of Teams", so Teams Free calls only other Teams users.[1] The one exception Microsoft describes is the Skype Dial Pad for leftover Skype Credit, which we could not confirm still works in October 2026.[3] Microsoft points small businesses to Teams Essentials with Teams Phone instead.[1]
Can I still access my old Skype chats and contacts?
Only through Teams Free, and only if you used Skype between December 2024 and February 2025 and then used Teams Free before December 1, 2025.[1] The Skype export portal accepted requests until June 15, 2026, and Microsoft has been deleting Skype data since April 1, 2026.[1] Some data never moved to Teams Free, including chats with work or school Teams accounts.[1]
More: How to switch
Can I still use my Skype Credit to make calls?
Microsoft says leftover Skype Credit can still be spent through the Skype Dial Pad in Teams Free, but no new credit can be bought and auto top-up has ended.[1][3] We could not confirm that the Dial Pad still works in October 2026. Subscriptions that ran past May 1, 2026 were converted to Skype Credit, or refunded on request through Skype support.[1]
More: Skype Credit details
Choosing a Skype alternative
What is the best Skype alternative?
WhatsApp is the best Skype alternative for most people in October 2026: free voice and video calls for groups of up to 32, end-to-end encryption by default and more than 3 billion monthly users.[19][8] WhatsApp cannot call landlines or mobiles, so people who used Skype Credit also need a pay-as-you-go service.[19] TwinPhone ranks second in our list for that job, from $0.02 a minute to the US and Canada.[10]
More: All 10 apps rated
Is there a free Skype alternative?
Yes, for app-to-app calls: WhatsApp (groups of 32), Signal (75), Google Meet and Teams Free (100 people for 60 minutes) and Zoom Basic (100 people for 40 minutes) are all free in October 2026.[19][25][21][4][27] Calls to phone numbers usually cost money.[1] Google Voice's free US and Canada calls, for personal accounts in the US, are the main exception.[30]
More: Comparison table
Is WhatsApp free for international calls?
Yes. WhatsApp voice and video calls are free between WhatsApp users in any country, over Wi-Fi or mobile data, and group calls hold up to 32 people.[19] WhatsApp passed 3 billion monthly users by May 2025, so most contacts abroad already have it.[8] Unlike Skype, WhatsApp cannot call landlines or mobiles that don't have the app.[19]
More: WhatsApp review
Can WhatsApp call landlines?
No. WhatsApp calls reach only people who have WhatsApp installed, and in October 2026 it sold no calling to landlines or mobiles.[19] To reach an ordinary phone, use a pay-as-you-go service such as Rebtel, Yolla, BOSS Revolution or TwinPhone; on the routes we checked, calls from the US started at about 1.1¢ a minute (Yolla to Mexico).[32] The rate table compares six countries.
Is Viber free?
Viber-to-Viber voice and video calls are free, with group calls of up to 60 people.[24] Calls to landlines and mobiles through Viber Out are paid, with pay-as-you-go credit, country plans or World Unlimited.[23] Viber shows Viber Out rates only in a calculator, so we don't quote them.
More: Viber review
Is Zoom a good replacement for Skype?
For scheduled meetings, yes; for long casual calls, less so. Zoom's free Basic plan hosts 100 people but ends every meeting, including 1:1 calls, at 40 minutes.[27] Zoom Pro costs $16.99 per user per month billed monthly, and Zoom Phone adds calls to phone numbers for $16–$18 per user per month.[27][28]
More: Zoom review
Is Rebtel free?
Only between Rebtel users: Rebtel-to-Rebtel calls are free, and calls to landlines and mobiles are paid.[31] In October 2026 Rebtel charged 2.89¢ a minute to India and 1.21¢ to Mexican landlines, and its Mexico Unlimited plan cost $3 a month.[31] Some Rebtel plans start with a one-week free trial.[31]
More: Rebtel review
Is Talk360 free?
No, apart from one free 1-minute trial call for each newly registered phone number.[35] Talk360 charges per minute by destination, shows the price before the call and deducts credit only when the call connects.[35] The person you call needs no app or internet, but Talk360 shows its rates only in a calculator, so we don't quote them.[35]
More: Also considered
What is the best free video call app?
For family and small-group calls, WhatsApp: free video calls with up to 32 people, always end-to-end encrypted.[19] For bigger groups, Google Meet and Teams Free host up to 100 people for 60 minutes and Zoom Basic 100 people for 40 minutes, all free in October 2026.[21][4][27] FaceTime suits families who all use Apple devices, with up to 32 people per call.[38]
More: Comparison table
Which Skype alternative allows the largest free group calls?
Calling phones abroad and costs
How do I make international calls now that Skype is gone?
If the person you're calling uses the same app, call free over the internet with WhatsApp, Viber, Signal or FaceTime.[19] To reach a landline or mobile, use a pay-as-you-go app such as Rebtel, Yolla, BOSS Revolution or TwinPhone; calls from the US to Mexico started at about 1.1¢ a minute in October 2026.[32] Teams Free, where Skype accounts moved, has no paid calling plans to phone numbers.[1]
How much does it cost to call internationally?
On the routes we checked in October 2026, calls from the US cost from about 1.1¢ a minute (Yolla to Mexico) to 36¢ (TwinPhone to the Philippines).[32][10] Calls to Canada are free with Google Voice for US personal accounts and cost 2¢ a minute with TwinPhone.[30][10] Prices differ by country and between landlines and mobiles, so check the rate table for your route.
More: Rate table
How can I call internationally for free?
Call app to app: WhatsApp, FaceTime, Viber, Signal and Google Meet calls are free in any country when both people use the same app.[19][38][25] Calling an ordinary phone abroad is almost never free; in October 2026 rates from the US to Mexico started at about 1.1¢ a minute.[32] Talk360 gives one free 1-minute trial call, and BOSS Revolution gives new accounts $2 of calling credit until January 31, 2027.[35][34]
More: Rate table
What can I use instead of Skype to call landlines?
A service that connects to the phone network: Rebtel, Yolla, BOSS Revolution, TwinPhone, Viber Out, Talk360 or, for personal accounts in the US, Google Voice.[31][32][33][10] TwinPhone and Yolla also call landlines from a desktop browser, the way Skype did on a computer. WhatsApp, Signal and FaceTime cannot call landlines.[19]
Can Google Voice call internationally?
Yes, but only for personal accounts in the US: calls to the US and Canada are free for almost all numbers, and international calls are prepaid per minute.[30] Google shows international rates only in a calculator, so we don't quote them.[29] Google Voice also gives US personal accounts a free US phone number.[30]
More: Google Voice review
How much does it cost to call India from the US?
From about 2.4¢ a minute in October 2026: Yolla starts at 2.39¢, Rebtel charges 2.89¢ and BOSS Revolution 3.3¢.[32][31][33] TwinPhone charges 8¢ a minute to Indian landlines and mobiles.[10] Rebtel's India Unlimited plan costs $14 for 30 days, and TwinPhone publishes a guide to the apps that call India from the US with per-minute costs.[31]
More: Rates by country
What is the cheapest way to call Mexico from the US?
Per minute, Yolla (from 1.1¢) and Rebtel (1.21¢ to landlines, 2.42¢ to mobiles) were the lowest we found in October 2026, followed by BOSS Revolution at 1.9¢.[32][31][33] Rebtel's Mexico Unlimited plan costs $3 a month.[31] TwinPhone charges 4¢ to landlines and 2–4¢ to mobiles, and its guide explains how to dial Mexico from the US.[10]
More: Rates by country
How much does it cost to call the Philippines from the US?
BOSS Revolution charges 13¢ a minute, Rebtel 13.19¢ to landlines and 19.24¢ to mobiles, and Yolla 18¢ to landlines and 14.4¢ to mobiles (October 2026).[33][31][32] TwinPhone charges 36¢ a minute, the highest rate we found.[10] From the US, dial 011, then 63 and the number without its leading 0, as TwinPhone's Philippines calling guide explains.
More: Rates by country
How much does it cost to call the UK or Canada from the US?
What is the cheapest way to call a landline abroad?
On the routes we checked in October 2026, Yolla and Rebtel were usually cheapest per minute: Yolla from 1.1¢ to Mexico and 2.39¢ to India, and Rebtel 1.21¢ to landlines in Mexico and Germany.[32][31] BOSS Revolution was cheapest to the UK, at 2¢, and to the Philippines, at 13¢.[33] If you call one country often, a monthly plan such as Rebtel's $3 Mexico Unlimited can cost less than paying per minute.[31]
More: Rates by country
Phone numbers
Can I get a phone number like a Skype Number?
Yes, but not your old one: Skype Numbers ended in May 2026 and can no longer be ported out.[1] Google Voice gives US personal accounts a free US number, TwinPhone rents US and Canadian numbers from $3.19 a month, and Zoom Phone includes a number for $16–$18 per user per month.[30][12][28]
More: Number options
Can I get a Skype phone number for free?
No. Microsoft stopped selling Skype Numbers on April 3, 2025, and all Skype Number subscriptions ended in May 2026.[1] The closest free option is a Google Voice number, which is available only to personal accounts in the US.[30]
More: Number options
What happened to my Skype Number, and can I keep it?
Skype Numbers stopped renewing on April 3, 2025, Swedish Skype Numbers were terminated on December 31, 2025, and all remaining Skype Number subscriptions ended in May 2026.[1] Microsoft no longer accepts port-out requests, so a Skype Number cannot be kept or moved to another provider.[1] A new number is the only option, for example a free Google Voice number in the US or a TwinPhone US or Canadian number from $3.19 a month.[30][12]
More: Number options
Privacy and security
What is the most secure Skype alternative?
Signal: it encrypts every call and message end to end by default, is run by a nonprofit and allows group calls of up to 75 people.[25] WhatsApp calls are also always end-to-end encrypted, for groups of up to 32.[19] Calls to ordinary phone numbers leave the internet for the phone network, so TwinPhone, for example, encrypts them only in transit, with TLS and SRTP.[9]
More: Signal review
Is there an open source Skype alternative?
Which Skype alternatives work without a phone number?
TwinPhone signs up with an email address or Google account, Zoom with an email address and Teams Free with a Microsoft account.[9] Google Meet and Jitsi Meet guests join by link, while the host signs in.[21][39] WhatsApp, Signal, Viber and Telegram need a phone number to register; the comparison table lists the account each app needs.
More: Account needed, by app
Devices
Which Skype alternative works on iPhone, Android and PC?
WhatsApp, Zoom, Teams Free, Viber and Signal have apps for iPhone, Android and Windows, and Signal, Viber, Telegram and Zoom also run on Linux.[20][26][40] FaceTime works only on Apple devices, although Android and Windows users can join a FaceTime call by link.[38] TwinPhone has iPhone and Android apps and runs in a desktop browser on Windows, macOS, Linux and ChromeOS.[17]
More: Apps by device
How do I make free international calls from an iPhone or Android phone?
Use the same calling app as the person abroad and call over Wi-Fi or mobile data: WhatsApp runs on iPhone and Android and holds 32 people per call.[19] FaceTime is free between Apple devices, also for up to 32 people, and Signal and Viber are free app to app on both systems.[38][25][23] Calls to an ordinary phone number abroad are paid; on the routes we checked in October 2026 they started at about 1.1¢ a minute.[32]
More: Apps by device
Can I call phones from my computer's browser like Skype?
Yes. TwinPhone calls landlines and mobiles from a desktop browser in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Brave or Safari, from $0.02 a minute to the US and Canada.[17][10] Yolla also calls phones from a browser, and Google Voice does for US personal accounts.[30] WhatsApp and Signal desktop apps only call people who use the same app.
Business
Is Skype for Business still available?
What should a small business use instead of Skype?
Microsoft points small businesses to Teams Essentials with Teams Phone, because Teams Free has no paid calling plans.[1] Zoom Workplace Pro costs $16.99 per user per month billed monthly, and Zoom Phone US & Canada Unlimited adds a number with calling for $16 to $18 per user per month.[27][28] Free meetings of three or more people stop at 60 minutes on Google Meet and Teams Free and at 40 minutes on Zoom Basic.[21][4][27]
More: Work and small teams
TwinPhone FAQ
What is TwinPhone?
TwinPhone is a pay-as-you-go calling service, run by hrhelperg s.r.o. in Prague, that calls landlines and mobiles in 145+ countries from a web browser or its iPhone and Android apps.[9] Calls to the US and Canada cost $0.02 a minute, and TwinPhone also rents US and Canadian numbers from $3.19 a month that receive calls and texts.[10][12] TwinPhone ranks second in our list, and After Skype is published with support from TwinPhone.
More: TwinPhone review
How much does TwinPhone cost per minute to India, Mexico, the Philippines and the UK?
TwinPhone's rates table on October 25, 2026 listed India at 8¢ a minute to landlines and mobiles, Mexico at 4¢ to landlines and 2–4¢ to mobiles, the Philippines at 36¢, and the UK at 6¢ to landlines and 12¢ to mobiles.[10] Calls to the US and Canada cost 2¢ a minute.[10] TwinPhone costs more than Rebtel, Yolla and BOSS Revolution on most of these routes, and its live per-country rate list shows the price for every destination before you dial.
More: Rate table
Does TwinPhone need an app, or can I call from the browser?
No app is needed: TwinPhone runs in a browser tab in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Brave or Safari on Windows, macOS, Linux and ChromeOS.[17] There is also an iPhone app for iOS 17 or later and an Android app on Google Play, with the same balance and numbers on every device.[17] The person you call needs no app or internet connection, because the call ends on the ordinary phone network.[9]
More: Apps by device
Can I get a US or Canadian number with TwinPhone?
Yes. TwinPhone rents US and Canadian numbers, with Puerto Rico under US numbering, from $3.19 a month, up to 3 per account, and they work from anywhere with an internet connection.[12] The numbers receive calls and texts, and each answered incoming minute costs 2¢ from your balance.[13] TwinPhone does not offer UK, EU, Australian or Japanese numbers.[12]
More: Number options
Do TwinPhone credits expire?
No. TwinPhone says calling credit never expires, and there is no subscription for outbound calls.[11] Calls are billed by the minute, rounded up, with a one-minute minimum and no connection fee, and unanswered calls are free.[11] The only recurring charge is a rented number, from $3.19 a month, as TwinPhone's billing help page explains.[11]
More: TwinPhone review
What is the minimum top-up on TwinPhone?
The minimum top-up is $10; TwinPhone sells top-ups of $10, $25, $50 and $100.[11] TwinPhone says $10 lasts about 500 minutes of calls to the US or Canada.[11] Unused credit can be refunded within 14 days if no more than 30% of it was spent.[9]
More: TwinPhone review
Does TwinPhone support SMS?
Only incoming texts: a rented TwinPhone number in the US, Canada or Puerto Rico receives SMS, but it cannot send any, and there is no send button in the app or the browser dialer.[14][12] Texts from US and Canadian senders arrive, while texts from phones in other countries often do not.[9] Telegram refuses to send verification codes to virtual numbers, including TwinPhone numbers.[9]
More: Number options
Is TwinPhone end-to-end encrypted?
No. TwinPhone encrypts call signalling with TLS and the audio with SRTP while it travels over the internet, but calls are not end-to-end encrypted, because they end on the ordinary phone network.[9] For end-to-end encrypted calls, both people need the same app, such as Signal or WhatsApp.[25][19] TwinPhone says it does not record personal calls.[9]
More: Comparison table
Which countries can TwinPhone call?
TwinPhone says it calls landlines and mobiles in 145+ countries and shows each destination's per-minute rate before the call connects.[10] Sign-up is closed from Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria, and from 36 more countries and territories that TwinPhone lists as high fraud risk.[18] TwinPhone cannot call emergency numbers such as 911, 112 or 999.[9]
More: Rate table
How is TwinPhone different from Skype Credit?
Both are prepaid balances for calling phone numbers, but Skype Credit can no longer be bought, while TwinPhone sells top-ups from $10 that never expire.[1][11] Microsoft says leftover Skype Credit can only be spent through the Skype Dial Pad in Teams Free; it cannot be moved to Teams.[3][16] Unlike Skype, TwinPhone has no video or app-to-app chat and its numbers cannot send texts; TwinPhone compares the two on its Skype alternative page.
More: Skype Credit details
Is TwinPhone free?
No. Signing up for TwinPhone is free and needs no card, but there are no free minutes or free calling credit: calls to phone numbers need a top-up of at least $10.[15][11] Calls cost 2¢ a minute to the US and Canada, and every other country has its own rate.[10] For free calls, both people need the same app, such as WhatsApp or FaceTime.[19]
More: TwinPhone review
Ask AI about these Skype alternatives
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Walters, G.. (2026, October 25). The best Skype alternatives in 2026, by what you used Skype for. After Skype. https://bestskypealternative.com/Last verified: . Prices and limits change, so please quote them with this date and link to the page, not to a copy.
Sources
- Microsoft Support: Skype is retiring in May 2025: What you need to know (no visible update date). Accessed October 25, 2026.
- Microsoft 365 Blog: The next chapter: Moving from Skype to Microsoft Teams (Jeff Teper) (February 28, 2025). Accessed October 25, 2026.
- Microsoft Support: Make a call with Skype Dial Pad in Microsoft Teams (personal). Accessed October 25, 2026.
- Microsoft: Microsoft Teams (free). Accessed October 17, 2026.
- Microsoft Learn: Skype for Business Online retirement. Accessed October 25, 2026.
- Microsoft Learn: Skype for Business Server 2019 lifecycle. Accessed October 25, 2026.
- NPR: Skype shutting down (May 5, 2025). Accessed October 25, 2026.
- TechCrunch: WhatsApp now has more than 3 billion users a month (May 1, 2025). Accessed October 25, 2026.
- TwinPhone: llms.txt (official product facts). Accessed October 25, 2026.
- TwinPhone: International calling rates. Accessed October 25, 2026.
- TwinPhone Help: How does TwinPhone billing work? (September 27, 2026). Accessed October 25, 2026.
- TwinPhone Help: Which countries can I get a phone number in? (September 27, 2026). Accessed October 25, 2026.
- TwinPhone Help: Do incoming calls cost money on TwinPhone? (September 27, 2026). Accessed October 25, 2026.
- TwinPhone Help: Can I send text messages from TwinPhone? (September 27, 2026). Accessed October 25, 2026.
- TwinPhone Help: Can I call a phone from my browser for free? (October 11, 2026). Accessed October 25, 2026.
- TwinPhone Help: What replaced Skype for calling phone numbers? (September 27, 2026). Accessed October 25, 2026.
- TwinPhone Help: Does TwinPhone work on iPhone, Android and Linux? (September 27, 2026). Accessed October 25, 2026.
- TwinPhone Help: Is TwinPhone available in my country? (October 11, 2026). Accessed October 25, 2026.
- WhatsApp: Calling. Accessed October 25, 2026.
- WhatsApp: Download. Accessed October 25, 2026.
- Google Workspace: Google Meet. Accessed October 25, 2026.
- Google Meet Help: Google Meet Help (article 13396001). Accessed October 25, 2026.
- Viber: Viber and Viber Out. Accessed October 25, 2026.
- Viber Help Center: Viber Help Center. Accessed October 17, 2026.
- Signal: Signal blog (group call limit update). Accessed October 17, 2026.
- Signal: Download Signal. Accessed October 25, 2026.
- Zoom: Plans and pricing. Accessed October 25, 2026.
- Zoom: Zoom Phone pricing. Accessed October 25, 2026.
- Google Voice: Calling rates. Accessed October 25, 2026.
- Google Voice Help: Google Voice Help Center. Accessed October 25, 2026.
- Rebtel: Calling rates (country pages for India, Mexico, Philippines, UK, Germany). Accessed October 25, 2026.
- Yolla: Call rates (country pages for India, Mexico, Philippines, UK, Germany). Accessed October 25, 2026.
- BOSS Revolution: International calling rates (US). Accessed October 25, 2026.
- BOSS Revolution: International calling. Accessed October 25, 2026.
- Talk360 Help: How does Talk360 work? (June 2, 2026). Accessed October 25, 2026.
- Telegram: Telegram FAQ. Accessed October 25, 2026.
- Telegram: Group calls made easy (E2EE group calls) (April 30, 2025). Accessed October 25, 2026.
- Apple Support: iPhone User Guide: Make a Group FaceTime call. Accessed October 25, 2026.
- Jitsi: Jitsi Meet. Accessed October 17, 2026.
- Telegram: Telegram apps. Accessed October 25, 2026.
Gladstone Walters
Editor, After Skype
I'm Gladstone Walters, and I live in the United Kingdom. I write and maintain the After Skype guides. Every price, limit and date here comes from the vendor's own pricing, help or rate pages; I note the day I read each one and put a dash wherever I can't verify a number. I use TwinPhone, this site's sponsor, to call phones abroad and have reviewed it on Trustpilot, so I hold it to the same criteria as every other app and list its weak points next to its strengths.
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