Most people don't realize Skype was shut down in May 2025 — and if you're still searching for it, you're already behind. The good news? There are at least a dozen solid alternatives that can call real landlines and mobile numbers worldwide. This article breaks down the best options, what they actually cost, and which one makes sense depending on whether you're an individual or running a business.
Key Takeaways
- Skype was sunset in May 2025; Microsoft migrated users to Teams, but Teams Phone requires a paid add-on to call landlines
- Browser-based VoIP services like GlobCall start at $0.02/min to the US and Canada — no app download required
- For businesses, per-minute pricing with a shared team balance almost always beats per-seat subscriptions when call volume is unpredictable
Why Calling Landlines Is Harder Than It Looks
Free calling apps only work when both sides are on the same app. The moment you need to call a regular phone number — a landline in Germany, a mobile in the Philippines, your mum's home phone in the UK — you're in paid territory. Every single service on this list charges something for that. The difference is how they charge you, and by how much.
Some use subscriptions. Some use credits. Some bundle landline calling into a plan you probably don't need. Knowing which model fits your situation saves real money.
The 6 Best Skype Alternatives for Calling Landlines in 2026
1. GlobCall
GlobCall is a browser-based calling service — no app, no install, just open a tab and call. Rates start at $0.02/min to the US and Canada, $0.03 to UK landlines, $0.04 to Germany, and $0.05 to Australian landlines. For individuals, it's one of the cheapest pay-as-you-go options available right now.
For business, you get local numbers in 100+ countries, a shared team balance, and unlimited team members with no seat fees. Check the full rates page if you want to compare specific countries.
2. Microsoft Teams Phone
When Skype shut down, Microsoft pushed everyone toward Teams. Teams itself doesn't call landlines — you need the Teams Phone add-on, which starts around $8/user/month on top of your Microsoft 365 subscription. That's fine if your team already lives in Teams. If you're a solo user or a small business without a Microsoft ecosystem, it's overkill. Read our full Teams Phone alternative breakdown if you're currently being migrated off Skype.
3. Google Voice
Google Voice works well for US-based users calling US numbers. Internationally, it's more limited than most people expect. You can make calls from a browser, which is handy, but the rate coverage and country availability lag behind dedicated VoIP services.
It's solid for domestic use, less so if you're regularly calling India from the US or dialling into Europe. See our Google Voice comparison for a side-by-side.
4. Viber Out
Viber lets you call landlines and mobiles through its "Viber Out" credits system. Rates are competitive in some regions, less so in others. The app works well on mobile; browser-based calling is limited. If you're calling the Philippines or Eastern Europe frequently, Viber Out is worth a look — but check current rates before assuming it's cheaper. Our Viber alternative page has the details.
5. Rebtel
Rebtel uses a local access number approach to route international calls cheaply. It's been around for years and has a loyal user base, particularly for calls to Latin America and parts of Asia. Setup is slightly clunky compared to pure VoIP. Still, if you're making long calls to Mexico or Brazil regularly, the per-minute rates can be very competitive. More detail in our Rebtel comparison.
6. Vonage
Vonage sits more in the business-phone category. It has strong features — local numbers, IVR, call routing — but it's priced accordingly. If you're a small team making occasional international calls, the monthly fees may not make sense. Scaling a contact centre is where it earns its keep. Check our Vonage alternatives page for a frank comparison.
Pay-As-You-Go vs. Monthly Plan: Which Actually Costs Less?
The answer depends almost entirely on your call volume. Most people overestimate how many minutes they actually use per month.
If you're making 20–30 minutes of international calls a week, a pay-as-you-go VoIP service will almost always beat a $15–25/month subscription. At $0.02/min, 120 minutes of calls to the US costs $2.40. A subscription for the same calls would run you six to ten times more.
Once call volume climbs — say, a sales team hitting 500+ minutes of outbound calls monthly — a flat plan starts making more sense. Our pay-as-you-go vs. subscription breakdown goes deep on the math. The short version: most individuals and small businesses are better off with credits-based pricing. You only pay for what you use.
Call Quality and Reliability: What Actually Varies
Call quality across modern VoIP services is less of a differentiator than it was five years ago. On a decent broadband connection, most services deliver acceptable quality. What actually varies is:
- Codec support — some services use better compression for low-bandwidth situations
- Routing infrastructure — cheap wholesale routes sometimes introduce latency or echo
- Browser vs. app — browser-based calling has improved dramatically and is now reliable on Chrome and Edge
Spotty internet is the real enemy. That's not a service problem — that's physics. For tips on calling reliably from a browser, our guide on browser-based international calling is worth reading before you commit to anything.
What Businesses Should Look For Beyond Per-Minute Rates
Rate per minute matters. It's not the only thing that matters.
For a business, you also need to think about whether you can get a virtual phone number in the countries you're serving. A local number in Germany or Australia dramatically increases answer rates — customers don't pick up foreign numbers.
You'll also want to know whether adding team members costs extra (per-seat fees add up fast), whether there's a shared balance or each user needs their own account, and how billing works at scale. GlobCall's business model — shared balance, no seat fees, local numbers in 100+ countries — was built around exactly those pain points. Details on the business features page.
If you're running a Shopify store and need a phone number for customer trust, there's a separate guide on adding a phone number to your Shopify store that covers your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I call landlines for free on any of these services?
No. Calling a real landline or mobile number always costs something — even on services marketed as "free." What's free is app-to-app calling when both parties use the same platform. The moment you dial a regular phone number, you're using the public telephone network, and someone's paying for that. The goal is to pay as little as possible per minute.
Do I need to download anything to use GlobCall?
No. GlobCall runs entirely in your browser. Open the site, add credits, and call. No app, no plugin, no installation. It works on Chrome, Edge, and most modern browsers. If you want to know more about no-download calling options, this guide covers it.
What's the cheapest way to call India from the US in 2026?
VoIP services with per-minute pricing to India typically charge between $0.08 and $0.15/min. GlobCall rates India at $0.08/min — significantly cheaper than most carrier international plans. See the full breakdown in our India calling cost guide.
Is Microsoft Teams a real replacement for Skype?
For video calls and messaging within an organisation, yes. For calling external landlines and mobiles cheaply? Not really — not without the Teams Phone add-on, which costs extra and still doesn't match the per-minute rates of dedicated VoIP services. Our what to use instead of Skype page compares the real options.
How do I know which service has the best rates for my specific country?
Look up the per-minute rate for your destination country on each service's rate page. Don't assume — rates vary wildly. Nigeria, the Philippines, and parts of Southeast Asia tend to be expensive across most platforms. Always compare before you load credits. Our international calling rates explained guide shows you what to watch for.
The Bottom Line
Here's a quick summary of what actually matters when picking a Skype replacement for landline calls:
- Skype is gone — it shut down in May 2025, and Teams Phone isn't a free like-for-like replacement
- Free doesn't mean free — every service charges for calls to real phone numbers; the question is how much
- Pay-as-you-go beats subscriptions for most individuals and small teams
- Businesses need more than rates — local numbers, shared billing, and no per-seat fees matter more at scale
- Browser-based calling is reliable in 2026 and removes the friction of app installs entirely
Ready to make your first call? Try GlobCall now — two clicks, no download, and rates from $0.02/min.
