Skype alternative.

[gemima]

I downloaded Zadarma to try it out - will do so in the coming weeks and revert - it has rates similar to what I got with skype.

 

[harryopal1]

Do any of these Skype alternatives offer being able to buy credit when you choose rather than being stuck with the auto top up credit systems?

 

[gemima]

Do any of these Skype alternatives offer being able to buy credit when you choose rather than being stuck with the auto top up credit systems?

Zadarma seems to allow this - they also have plans but I'm looking for a credit based system (like skype) because I only use it to call my mother. I'll use it for the next call I make to her and report back.

 

[marcus]

Do any of these Skype alternatives offer being able to buy credit when you choose rather than being stuck with the auto top up credit systems?

The alternatives I mentioned in my post no.7 (see repeated link below) did let you buy credit whenever you wanted (I just don't know now as the last time I bought credit (US$5 or US$10) was some 8 years ago and the last time I made a call was some 4 years ago - I still have remaining credit) . If I am not mistaken I used : EasyVoip , Discount Calling ,Frynga , discountvoip.co.uk , ...

All rates voip comparator

 

[harryopal1]

Thank you Gemima and Marcus. I opened the Zadarna website and it seems there is an annual fee but I am not sure if this is or isn't an auto renewal. I will check out EasyVoip. Thanks again.

 

[gemima]

Thank you Gemima and Marcus. I opened the Zadarna website and it seems there is an annual fee but I am not sure if this is or isn't an auto renewal. I will check out EasyVoip. Thanks again.

You can open a free account with Zadarma and then just pay for top up credits. You dont need to accept auto renewal (its an option when you top up).

 

[gemima]

You can open a free account with Zadarma and then just pay for top up credits. You dont need to accept auto renewal (its an option when you top up).

I did my first call with zadarma and it was good. Less than 1 cent (euros) per minute to call a landline in Europe and good call quality. Very happy with it so far.

 

[Minuteman]

Well, I've had a look at a few options and looks like that Viber may do the job. Might give it a go soon. Thanks for all the replies. Cheers.

 

[WhyMe]

I actually moved to MS Teams and waiting to see how the Skype number and calls thing will work out.

 

[John indonesia]

You can open a free account with Zadarma and then just pay for top up credits. You dont need to accept auto renewal (its an option when you top up).

Searching for this on playstore brought up Yolla.
Has anyone tried it?

 

[John indonesia]

I will also give numero a try
Installed - It wants $4/month for a local number - You must buy a number before you can buy a plan
It says I can have 148 minutes to a UK landline or 208 mins to a mobile for $2 - 30 days validity

6$/month in total

 

[John indonesia]

I actually moved to MS Teams and waiting to see how the Skype number and calls thing will work out.

I tried this but it refused to allow me to sign in.

 

[John indonesia]

Viber
57 countries unlimited @Rp90,000/month
UK 100 mins @28,000/month

This might be a good option when Skype gets killed off

 

[Wally]

Viber
57 countries unlimited @Rp90,000/month
UK 100 mins @28,000/month

This might be a good option when Skype gets killed off

I have subscribed to Viber but have not used it yet

 

[Banana72]

Bumping this thread...
So what would be the top 2 recommendations? I'm not using the Skype (US number) much except to get the OTP/verification, or to call 1800 numbers which is quite rare maybe 2-3 times a year if that.

So I welcome any input...I think I paid about $5.95/mth for my Skype number. Would be awesome if I can keep that number if I decided to move to MS Teams...

 

[harryopal1]

Bumping this thread...
So what would be the top 2 recommendations? I'm not using the Skype (US number) much except to get the OTP/verification, or to call 1800 numbers which is quite rare maybe 2-3 times a year if that.

So I welcome any input...I think I paid about $5.95/mth for my Skype number. Would be awesome if I can keep that number if I decided to move to MS Teams...

With Gemima's recommendation I switched to Zadarma. While the concept is similar to Skype the set up process is entirely different. Due to my general incompetence it took me many hours to get set up. Initially with having to buy a number but Gemima pointed out that this is not necessary. You can set up and simply buy credit instead of committing to a monthly fee. At first I found the Zadarma set up a bit like trying to learn to fly a plane without an instructor until I started using the Chat support. Unlike Skype whose support once taken over by Microsoft became very difficult, Zadarma has an excellent chat service which walked me through my confusion and I finally got set up with Zadarma on my laptop and mobile phone. With Zadarma it is very easy to check what your calls are costing. Microsoft were pushing for me to sign up with their Team alternative. I once was being auto billed by Skype and it was made very difficult to swap to just buying credit and I had to actually cancel my credit card to stop the Skype auto credit. More recently Skype had dropped simply buying a credit top up and only offered auto billing. I don't know what Microsoft's Team offers but I now have a positive dislike of dealing with Micosoft. Everything became much harder with Skype once Microsoft took over.
When I cancelled purchasing a number with Zadarma I got an instant refund to my credit.
I have now made calls with both my mobile and laptop and found the clarity of the calls with Zadarma much better than Skype. I acknowledge that may be due to different atmospheric conditions but so far so good.

 

[Wally]

I tried this but it refused to allow me to sign in.

Same too. I tried to sign in to Teams using my Skype ID but couldn't. It asked me to change my password using the authenticator. But the authenticator asked me to authenticate myself using the authenticator I couldn't use. In the end I gave up and loaded Viber, which seems to work OK

 

[Saudade]

I downloaded Zadarma to try it out - will do so in the coming weeks and revert - it has rates similar to what I got with skype.

Gemina, I download viber but no try yet, please would be possible you elaborate a little bit if you know, which are the differences between Zadarma and Viber? terimakasi.
I have been using skype since probably 20 years plus ago and I was very happy and satisfied, sad they are closing, for me it was perfect and soooo cheap!

 

[gemima]

Gemina, I download viber but no try yet, please would be possible you elaborate a little bit if you know, which are the differences between Zadarma and Viber? terimakasi.
I have been using skype since probably 20 years plus ago and I was very happy and satisfied, sad they are closing, for me it was perfect and soooo cheap!

I used Viber years ago and hated it (but I'm sure it a lot better now). I have done a little research and it seems like they basically do the same stuff as Skype did but Zadarma is able to do a lot more (e.g. it can be used to run call centres internationally - they work with a lot of business users).

Because of my past dislike of Viber I switched to Zadarma and I have found it to be great so far. I put in a 10 usd top up to call my mother for about an hour once a week (to her landline) and i've spent less than a euro in a month of using it. It cheap - calls dont drop out and the quality of the line seems to be very good.

If you sign up to zadarma - you dont need to use the complicated subscriptions - you can just top up and make calls (from phone/ computer)

Id say Viber might be easier to use but since I havent used it in 10+ years I wont comment on the useability nowadays.

 

[Banana72]

Interesting...so this Zadarma, you can still have your 'own' number...correct...like if I try to log in to a website and it asked for a two way notification/sending OTF, etc.