Calling a landline in Germany costs as little as $0.04 per minute with the right VoIP service in 2026 — or as much as ten times that if you're using your mobile carrier's international add-on. Skype was shut down in May 2025 and migrated to Microsoft Teams, leaving millions of users scrambling for a replacement that can actually reach landlines. This article compares five solid alternatives, breaks down their real per-minute rates for key European countries, and tells you exactly which one fits your situation.
Key Takeaways:
- GlobCall.com charges $0.03/min to UK landlines and $0.04/min to Germany — no subscription required.
- Most "free" calling apps (WhatsApp, Messenger) can't call landlines at all — you need a VoIP service with PSTN access.
- For business users, shared-balance VoIP with no per-seat fees cuts costs significantly versus per-user subscriptions.
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Why Skype's Shutdown Left a Gap for Landline Calls
Skype didn't just disappear quietly. It took hundreds of millions of users' calling credit, contacts, and call history with it, all migrated to Microsoft Teams in May 2025. Teams handles video meetings well enough. But for simple outbound calls to European landlines? It's overkill, and the pricing isn't transparent.
Most people reaching for a Skype alternative land on WhatsApp or Viber first. Those work fine for app-to-app calls. They can't dial a landline in France or Spain. For that, you need a service with real PSTN connectivity and, ideally, per-minute rates that don't quietly eat your balance.
If you're figuring out what to use instead of Skype for international calls, the landline problem is the first filter to apply.
The 5 Best Alternatives for Calling European Landlines in 2026
Here's the honest comparison. Five services, real rates, no fluff.
1. GlobCall.com
GlobCall runs entirely in your browser — no app install, no SIM card needed. You top up a balance and pay per minute. UK landlines cost $0.03/min, Germany $0.04/min, France and Spain fall in a similar range. There's no monthly fee and no minimum spend. For a user making occasional calls abroad, that's hard to beat.
For businesses, it gets more interesting. You can add unlimited team members sharing one balance, with local numbers available in 100+ countries. No seat fees. That model works well for small teams that don't make calls constantly — here's how teams share one phone balance across members.
You can also try a free 60-minute call before you spend anything.
2. Microsoft Teams Phone (Skype's Successor)
Teams Phone is where Skype users ended up by default. It can call landlines, but you need a Calling Plan add-on on top of your Teams subscription. In practice, that means $8–$15/user/month before you've made a single call, plus per-minute charges for countries outside your plan.
For a solo user calling European relatives a few times a month? It's expensive and clunky. For a large enterprise that's already committed to Microsoft 365, it makes more sense. Worth reading the Teams Phone alternative breakdown if you're weighing this seriously.
3. Rebtel
Rebtel has been around since 2006 and still offers landline calling via a local access number system. Rates to Europe are competitive, often $0.03–$0.06/min depending on the country. The catch: their interface is dated, the app requires a phone number to sign up, and the local access number model can be confusing if you just want to click and call.
It's a reasonable option if you're calling the same few European numbers repeatedly. See the Rebtel alternative comparison for a deeper breakdown.
4. Vonage (Now Part of Ericsson)
Vonage targets businesses. Their international rates are competitive on paper, but the pricing structure is layered — per-seat plans, add-on features, annual contracts if you want the best rates. Calling a UK landline through Vonage's standard plan can cost more than you'd expect once you factor in the seat fee baked into the monthly cost.
Honest take: Vonage works well for mid-size companies with predictable call volumes. It's not the right tool if you want simple pay-as-you-go access to European landlines. The Vonage alternatives page lays out who it's actually suited for.
5. Google Voice
Google Voice is US-centric. It lets you call US numbers free, and international calls are cheap — but the service is officially available only in the US, and calling European landlines from outside the US gets complicated fast. Rates to UK landlines run around $0.01/min when it works, which sounds great until you hit the geographic restrictions.
If you're based in the US and calling European landlines occasionally, it's a legitimate option. For European users or distributed teams, Google Voice's limitations make it a poor fit.
How Do European Landline Rates Actually Compare?
Real numbers matter more than marketing copy. Here's what GlobCall charges for the countries most people ask about:
| Country | GlobCall Rate |
|---|---|
| UK landline | $0.03/min |
| Germany landline | $0.04/min |
| France | Check /rates |
| Spain | Check /rates |
| Poland | Check /rates |
Mobile numbers in Europe typically cost slightly more than landlines — worth checking before you dial. For context on what drives those price differences, this breakdown of VoIP rates to landlines explains the mechanics clearly.
The broader comparison of international calling rates is also worth a read if you're deciding between pay-as-you-go and a subscription model.
Pay-As-You-Go vs. Subscription: Which Actually Costs Less?
For occasional callers to Europe, pay-as-you-go wins almost every time. If you're spending $4/month on calls to European landlines, a $15/month subscription plan is a bad deal. The math is obvious once you say it out loud.
Subscriptions start making sense when you're making more than 200–300 minutes of international calls per month per user. At that volume, per-minute rates on a plan can undercut pay-as-you-go rates by 30–50%. Most individuals don't hit that threshold.
For businesses, the pay-as-you-go vs. subscription breakdown is worth reading before you sign anything. And if you're on a per-seat pricing model right now, this article on why seat-based pricing costs more than it looks might change how you approach it.
Can You Call European Landlines Without an App or SIM Card?
Yes. Browser-based VoIP makes this straightforward. GlobCall works entirely in Chrome, Firefox, Safari — no download, no SIM required. You log in, enter a number, and call. That's it.
This matters more than it sounds. If you're traveling in Europe, roaming rates from a US or UK carrier can be brutal. A browser-based call at $0.03–$0.04/min to a local landline costs a fraction of what your carrier would charge. The full picture on calling internationally without a SIM is covered in this FAQ.
For UK-based readers, there's also a useful comparison of VoIP vs. carrier add-ons for international calls from the UK worth bookmarking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still use Skype to call European landlines in 2026?
No. Skype was officially shut down in May 2025. Microsoft migrated users to Teams. Teams can call landlines through its Calling Plan add-on, but it requires a separate subscription and isn't designed for simple pay-as-you-go international calls. You'll need a dedicated VoIP service for that.
Which service has the cheapest rate for UK landline calls?
GlobCall charges $0.03/min to UK landlines with no monthly fee. Google Voice is cheaper at around $0.01/min but is restricted to US-based accounts. For most users outside the US, GlobCall's $0.03 rate with no geographic restrictions is the practical low-cost option.
Do any of these services work without downloading an app?
GlobCall works directly in your browser — no app, no install. Microsoft Teams and Rebtel both require app downloads. Google Voice has a web interface but carries account restrictions. For the fastest setup with zero friction, browser-based is the way to go.
Is it safe to use VoIP for calling banks or embassies in Europe?
Yes, as long as you're using a reputable service. VoIP calls to landlines connect via the standard phone network — the recipient can't tell the difference. If you're calling European banks or government offices from abroad, this FAQ on calling banks internationally covers what to expect.
The Bottom Line
Skype's gone and it's not coming back. Here's what actually matters in 2026:
- Most "free" apps can't call landlines — WhatsApp, Messenger, and FaceTime are app-to-app only
- GlobCall hits $0.03/min for UK landlines and $0.04/min for Germany with no subscription required
- Teams Phone works but it's expensive for casual users who just want to call a European number occasionally
- Rebtel and Vonage are solid for specific use cases, especially if you have predictable high-volume calling
- Browser-based VoIP means zero app installs and no SIM card required, which matters when you're traveling or working across multiple devices
If you're ready to stop overthinking it, make your first call at GlobCall.com/call — two clicks, no download, and you can test it with a free 60 minutes before spending anything.
