Skype alternative.

[Minuteman]

I just recieved notice this morning from Skype that they will be shutting down in May. I use Skype for making calls to landline numbers in the US and Europe. Is anyone on here using an alternative cost effective source?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Shadrach]

I just recieved notice this morning from Skype that they will be shutting down in May. I use Skype for making calls to landline numbers in the US and Europe. Is anyone on here using an alternative cost effective source?
Thanks in advance.

I just received something similar. When I tried to use my account, it didn't work. I still had $9.00 in it. I tried to check in but they made it so difficult I couldn't do it. Well I guess they are going to keep my money?
Just think, if they get to keep everyones $, they're making out like Highway Bandits!

 

[Vulgarian]

I just recieved notice this morning from Skype that they will be shutting down in May. I use Skype for making calls to landline numbers in the US and Europe. Is anyone on here using an alternative cost effective source?
Thanks in advance.

I'm in the same boat, Minuteman, and I'm looking for a replacement too. Don't take this as a recommendation (I haven't used it yet), but Viber seems to offer this functionality - https://account.viber.com/en/

 

[Shadrach]

I'm in the same boat, Minuteman, and I'm looking for a replacement too. Don't take this as a recommendation (I haven't used it yet), but Viber seems to offer this functionality - https://account.viber.com/en/

Thanks, but I use WhatsApp now, since I got a Smartphone.

 

[Vulgarian]

WhatsApp doesn't solve the problem of calling international landlines, specifically. Viber Out seems to.

 

[harryopal1]

Began using Skype at the outset and found it very good. Then when Microsoft took over found it difficult to even check my account. I had been using auto debit and felt that I was having credit wiped some months. Actually there had been an email saying that as I had not been using Skype for a month my credit would be erased. In fact I had been using Skype almost every week. Very difficult to finally get to talk to someone to sort that out. I decided to stop using auto credit and just top up as needed but then could not find a way of doing this. I finished up cancelling the lodged credit card to stop auto credit. More recently the means of just buying credit as needed ceased and with auto credit being the only option. Glad to say I didn't go for that as now with Skype cancelled all together they doubtless would have helped themselves to whatever credit was left. It seems like so many big IT providers they are great at making it easy for payments but extremely difficult for cancellations. I now just use WhatsApp on my laptop for international calls although setting up new WhatsApp contacts seems needlessly complicated.

 

[marcus]

... Is anyone on here using an alternative cost effective source? ...

In the link below you will find many cheap VOIP providers (you can choose which has the cheapest cost to call a specific country - doesn't matter from where) .

I myself used some 3 of them until some 8 years ago , but I am not sure if they are still operating . Usually many (if not all) can operate with the "mobilevoip" app (the app is still available at Google Play store , 4.7*) .

All rates voip comparator

 

[pantaiema]

Have you had a look on 'myTello' ?

https://www.mytello.com/en_ID/

Rates - We connect you worldwide starting from 166 Rp per minute. - mytello

Here you find our rates to more than 227 countries. Top rate ✓ best calling quality ✓ free start credit & free trial call ✓

www.mytello.com

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I haven't used 'mytello' personally, but I have used similar services in the past to make international call from different countries to ID.

Example of Call rate per minute to Landline
from ID to Europe DE, UK, FR, Es, etc : Rp163
from ID to US : Rp163
from ID to AU: Rp 278
rounded at 700 Rp per call.

Some may question the need for services like 'Skype' or 'Mytello', etc when WhatsApp call is widely available. However, if you need to call government offices or banks for customer support from abroad, you will likely have to dial a landline, as they may not support WhatsApp calls.

 

[Shadrach]

Have you had a look on 'myTello' ?

https://www.mytello.com/en_ID/

Rates - We connect you worldwide starting from 166 Rp per minute. - mytello

Here you find our rates to more than 227 countries. Top rate ✓ best calling quality ✓ free start credit & free trial call ✓

www.mytello.com

Their review

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I haven't used 'mytello' personally, but I have used similar services in the past to make international call from different countries to ID.

Example of Call rate per minute to Landline
from ID to Europe DE, UK, FR, Es, etc : Rp163
from ID to US : Rp163
from ID to AU: Rp 278
rounded at 700 Rp per call.

Some may question the need for services like 'Skype' or 'Mytello', etc when WhatsApp call is widely available. However, if you need to call government offices or banks for customer support from abroad, you will likely have to dial a landline, as they may not support WhatsApp calls.

This is the one thing about WhatsApp I dislike. You can only call people in your contact list, that has a WhatsApp account also. What's the difference if it's all free? I guess if someone is not on my contact list, then I could just put them on my list, then call? I'll have to try this if I need to.
It was rude of Skype to just cut me off from my account even when I still have $ paid credit on it? So that means I lose my $10. Well multiply that by 1000's, and it looks like someone gets a lot of Free Money!
Isn't this somehow Criminal?

 

[Vulgarian]

I'm trying to find a way of phrasing this politely, but I'm struggling. Do you think the entire internet is talking to you? Specifically?

It's not.

Your hot takes are not required in every thread. Especially ones where facts are the goal and you don't have them.

 

[fastpitch17]

I received the notification of Skype ending service in April 3, 25 also. Been using it for 14 years now. Since here have been using it to contact family and Government agencies in the US. At first just used the credit I kept in hand and calls from here to the US were only .015$ per minute. Skype ended up always denying my payment for top up so I went to a monthly call package that was quickly approved for payment. I didn't mind since calls to US Government offices could easily get you over an hour on hold.

One can use WhatsApp or Messenger to contact anyone with those apps on their cell phone or computers but kind lines are a no go. With the current admin in the US I can foresee problems where I may need to contact Government land lines and with all the cuts, be in hold even longer. So, I will need to find something to get through to land lines.

If I remember correctly, there were a series of numbers one could add before the number being called through Telkomsel but if that is still in effect I can imagine it being expensive, especially if you are paying for dead time waiting on hold.

 

[John indonesia]

Have you had a look on 'myTello' ?

https://www.mytello.com/en_ID/

Rates - We connect you worldwide starting from 166 Rp per minute. - mytello

Here you find our rates to more than 227 countries. Top rate ✓ best calling quality ✓ free start credit & free trial call ✓

www.mytello.com

Their review

Trustpilot Login - Connect and share your reviews

Join the conversation. Read and write reviews on Trustpilot. Log in now via email or Facebook.

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I haven't used 'mytello' personally, but I have used similar services in the past to make international call from different countries to ID.

Example of Call rate per minute to Landline
from ID to Europe DE, UK, FR, Es, etc : Rp163
from ID to US : Rp163
from ID to AU: Rp 278
rounded at 700 Rp per call.

Some may question the need for services like 'Skype' or 'Mytello', etc when WhatsApp call is widely available. However, if you need to call government offices or banks for customer support from abroad, you will likely have to dial a landline, as they may not support WhatsApp calls.

I tried this and it worked. I put 100k on it but it now rejects my login.
It's hard to recommend this site

 

[pantaiema]

I tried this and it worked. I put 100k on it but it now rejects my login.
It's hard to recommend this site

Thank you for sharing your personal experience. In my previous post, I wasn’t making a recommendation, as I clearly mentioned that I haven’t tried it myself. I have used a similar service in the past, but those providers are no longer available. The service like this will come and go as their service are also depending on their relationship with the local phone network providers.

Personally, I am interested in learning from others' experiences as well. If those who have tried 'mytello' service share their experiences, we can all benefit from their insights. I am also interested in other alternative.

Additionally, just to help set expectations, the call quality for a call like this is usually not as good as a regular phone call within Indonesia or an international phone call using a regular connection.

 

[scouser59]

I set up viber as my skype substitute ,call quality ok skype about same , I noted some lag otherwise good .

 

[Jaime C]

That’s strange. We use Skype for texting each other, with occasional calls, in the US and Indonesia. I haven’t gotten any notifications that it was stopping service next month.

 

[Shadrach]

That’s strange. We use Skype for texting each other, with occasional calls, in the US and Indonesia. I haven’t gotten any notifications that it was stopping service next month.

When I try to open my account, which I've had for years. It goes to a window asking for to verify my Microsoft account. Then it says I'm blocked, or the service is not working. This has never happened before. I didn't receive any notification of them closing, but it won't open?

 

[fastpitch17]

That’s strange. We use Skype for texting each other, with occasional calls, in the US and Indonesia. I haven’t gotten any notifications that it was stopping service next month.

This is what was sent:

Dear Skype user,​ In order to streamline our consumer communications offerings, we will be retiring Skype in May 2025. As part of this change, we want to keep you informed about important updates to your Skype paid services and how these changes may affect you.

Please read on for detailed information about the updates and what they mean for your services. Subscriptions & Automatic Top-Ups: Existing subscriptions will continue to automatically renew until April 3, 2025. After this, all subscriptions will be retired and no longer be available for purchase, renewal, or reactivation. Automatic top-ups will end on April 3, 2025. Skype Number: Your Skype Number subscription will continue to automatically renew until April 3, 2025 and will remain active until the end of your next renewal period. To port your Skype Number, please contact your new provider directly. Learn more Skype Manager: Skype Manager users can purchase and renew paid products, including automatic credit top-ups, until April 3, 2025. After this date, only existing credit balances can be allocated to group members for calling. For SMS services: SMS services will be discontinued on May 5, 2025. Skype Dial Pad: After May 5, 2025, the Skype Dial Pad will be available to remaining paid users from the Skype web portal and Teams, where you will continue to be able to use your subscription or Skype Credits. Terms of Use: Skype paid products are subject to the Microsoft Services Agreement. Thank you for being part of Skype​ We want to express our deepest gratitude for your support over the years. Skype has been an integral part of countless meaningful moments, and we are honored to have been part of your journey. Learn more about Skype retirement here. With gratitude, The Skype Team

 

[Jaime C]

When I try to open my account, which I've had for years. It goes to a window asking for to verify my Microsoft account. Then it says I'm blocked, or the service is not working. This has never happened before. I didn't receive any notification of them closing, but it won't open?

I use Skype multiple times a day. A month ago I was forced to upgrade to a newer version, but once I switched, no need to login.

 

[Shadrach]

I use Skype multiple times a day. A month ago I was forced to upgrade to a newer version, but once I switched, no need to login.

I just deleted my old Skype account and to start over I had to create a Microsoft account. When I open Skype I don't see any window on how to place a call. I'm afraid to put $ into a Microsoft account if Skype is going to shut down in a month. Any suggestions?

 

[Banana72]

Dang it last year i had a choice between google number and skype...should've went with google. I hate starting over with a new number (for receiving otp, call US, etc). haven't used it much lately with only about 20 bucks in the credit.