10 Best Alternatives to Skype for International Calls After Its Shutdown
At a glance
Compare 10 best alternatives to Skype for international calls and video conferencing after its shutdown, including Zoom, WhatsApp, FaceTime and more.
10 Best Alternatives to Skype for International Calls After Its Shutdown
Since launching in 2003, Skype was beloved by hundreds of millions of users worldwide for nearly 20 years — and it has finally announced the end of its service. Many people who used it to stay in touch with family abroad, run business meetings, or video-call a child studying overseas now find themselves needing to find a new alternative.
This guide takes a deep dive into 10 of the best international calling and video calling services that can replace Skype. We'll look closely at each service's core features, pricing structure, pros and cons, and which situations each one fits best.
Why do you need a Skype alternative?
Skype was once synonymous with internet calling. Free PC-to-PC calls, cheap international rates, and reliable video call quality changed how the world communicated. But after Microsoft's acquisition, it gradually lost its competitive edge, and as services like Zoom and Teams grew rapidly after the pandemic, its user base shrank significantly.
Here's what users need most after Skype's shutdown:
- Free voice and video calls: free 1:1 and group calls over the internet
- Calling regular phone numbers internationally: cheap calls to landlines and mobile numbers
- Cross-platform support: usable on PC, Mac, smartphone, and tablet
- Messaging and file sharing: text chat and file transfer
- Reliable call quality: uninterrupted HD voice and video
Let's take a detailed look at each alternative service, one by one.
1. Zoom — the undisputed leader in video conferencing
Overview
Zoom established itself as the most widely used video conferencing platform in the world through the pandemic era. It started as an enterprise video conferencing solution, but it's now also a strong alternative for individual users' international calls.
Key features
- HD video calls: supports video calling at up to 1080p quality
- Large group meetings: up to 100 participants even on the free plan
- Screen sharing: share presentation materials or documents in real time
- Virtual backgrounds: AI-based background replacement and blur
- Recording: save calls locally or to the cloud
- Live captions: AI-based live captions and translation support
- Zoom Phone: a VoIP service that lets you call regular phone numbers
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Basic (Free) | $0 | Unlimited 1:1, 40-minute group limit |
| Pro | $13.33/mo | 30-hour group calls, 5GB cloud recording |
| Business | $18.33/mo | Up to 300 people, admin features |
| Zoom Phone | From $10/mo | Calling regular phone numbers |
Pros
- Reliable call quality with low latency
- Intuitive user interface
- Rich set of extra features (whiteboard, breakout rooms, etc.)
- Works on nearly every device
- Proven reliability in business/education settings
Cons
- The free plan's 40-minute group call time limit
- Optimized more for meetings than everyday personal calls
- Zoom Phone's international calling rates are relatively high
- Without an account, you can only join meetings, not host them
Recommended for
Best suited for anyone who needs a video call with many people joining at once, like a business meeting or a family gathering. It particularly excels for regular video meetings with overseas business partners.
2. Google Meet — the best pick for Google ecosystem users
Overview
Google Meet is Google's video conferencing service, and anyone with a Google account can use it easily. It took its current form after merging the old Google Hangouts and Google Duo, and its perfect integration with Gmail is a major strength.
Key features
- Google Calendar integration: generate a meeting link directly from your calendar
- Gmail integration: start a video call directly from an email
- Live captions: automatic captions powered by Google AI
- Noise cancellation: AI-based background noise removal
- Live streaming: Google Workspace users can live-stream
- Gemini integration: automatic AI meeting notes and summaries
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Free (personal) | $0 | 24-hour 1:1, 60-minute group |
| Google Workspace Starter | $7.20/mo | 24-hour group calls, recording |
| Google Workspace Business | $14.40/mo | Up to 500 people, extra features |
Pros
- Ready to use instantly with just a Google account
- Works directly in a web browser, no app install needed
- Perfect integration with the Google ecosystem (Gmail, Calendar, Drive)
- The free plan offers 60 minutes for group calls (20 minutes longer than Zoom)
- Light on resources, runs smoothly even on older devices
Cons
- A Google account is required
- Limited ability to call regular phone numbers
- Fewer extra features compared to Zoom
- Some advanced features require a paid Workspace plan
Recommended for
If you already use Gmail and Google Calendar, this is the service you can switch to most naturally. Since it needs no special installation and just a shared link, it also works well for calling family abroad who aren't very comfortable with digital devices.
3. WhatsApp — the most-used messaging app in the world
Overview
WhatsApp is a messaging app used by more than 2 billion people worldwide, with an especially dominant share in Europe, South America, Southeast Asia, and India. It's operated by Meta (formerly Facebook) and offers end-to-end encryption by default.
Key features
- Free international voice and video calls: free worldwide calling with just an internet connection
- Group video calls: up to 32 people simultaneously
- End-to-end encryption: all messages and calls are encrypted
- Status: a story feature that disappears after 24 hours
- Channels: broadcasting for one-to-many communication
- Web/desktop app: usable on PC as well
- File sharing: transfer files up to 2GB
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Personal use | Completely free | All features free |
| WhatsApp Business | Free | For small businesses |
| WhatsApp Business API | Usage-based | For large enterprises |
Pros
- Completely free international voice/video calls
- The most widely used app worldwide, so there's a high chance the other person already has it
- Strong security through end-to-end encryption
- Low data usage (can even hold calls on slow internet)
- Intuitive, simple interface
Cons
- Requires a phone number since it's number-based
- The desktop app needs a mobile connection (gradually improving)
- Large-group video call quality is lower than Zoom's
- Privacy concerns around Meta's data collection
Recommended for
The best choice for anyone who wants to make everyday free calls with family or friends living abroad. It's an essential app if you frequently contact people in regions with high WhatsApp adoption, like Europe or Southeast Asia.
4. FaceTime — the best choice for Apple device users
Overview
FaceTime is Apple's video calling service, usable on Apple devices like iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. It's been continually developed since its first launch in 2010, and now even Android and Windows users can join via a FaceTime link.
Key features
- HD video and voice calls: the highest-quality calls between Apple devices
- FaceTime Link: non-Apple users can join through a web browser
- SharePlay: watch movies, listen to music, or share your screen together during a call
- Spatial Audio: immersive sound based on participants' positions
- Portrait mode: background blur effect
- Group FaceTime: video calls with up to 32 people at once
- Live Captions: real-time caption support
Pricing
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| All features | Completely free |
FaceTime has no separate paid plan — Apple device users can use every feature for free.
Pros
- Top-tier call quality between Apple devices
- Completely free, no ads
- Perfect integration with the Apple ecosystem
- End-to-end encryption
- Intuitive user experience
- Can start FaceTime directly from your Contacts
Cons
- You need an Apple device to start a FaceTime call
- Non-Apple users can only join via a link (with limited functionality)
- Can't call regular phone numbers
- On Windows, only the web browser version is supported
Recommended for
The best option if both you and the person you're calling use Apple devices. If your family abroad uses an iPhone or iPad, you can enjoy the easiest, highest-quality video calls.
5. Viber — a hidden gem, strong for international calling
Overview
Viber is a messaging app with over a billion users worldwide, especially popular in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Similar to Skype, it offers calling to regular phone numbers (Viber Out), making it a great alternative for international calling.
Key features
- Free voice/video calls: free between Viber users
- Viber Out: cheap international calls to regular phone numbers
- Group calls: video calls with up to 20 people, voice calls with up to 250
- End-to-end encryption: all calls and messages encrypted
- Communities: a feature for large-scale group communication
- Sticker market: a wide range of emoticons and stickers
- Viber Business: messaging for business use
Pricing
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Viber-to-Viber calls | Free |
| Viber Out (US) | ~$0.01/min |
| Viber Out (Korea) | ~$0.03/min |
| Viber Out (Japan) | ~$0.03/min |
| Monthly subscription plan | From $4.99, varies by country |
Pros
- Cheap international calling through Viber Out (similar to Skype Credit)
- Number-based, so contacts sync automatically
- Strong security through end-to-end encryption
- A variety of country-specific monthly subscription plans
- Low data consumption
Cons
- Relatively fewer users in Korea
- Contains ads
- Desktop app has more limited functionality than mobile
- Video call quality is somewhat lower than Zoom or FaceTime
Recommended for
A great alternative for anyone who needs cheap international calling similar to Skype Credit. Viber Out is especially useful when the person you're calling can only receive a regular phone call, not an internet call.
6. Line — essential for contacting Japan and Asia
Overview
Line is a messaging app developed in Japan, with an overwhelming market share in Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, and Indonesia. It's evolved well beyond a simple messenger into a comprehensive platform covering news, shopping, payments, and games.
Key features
- Free voice/video calls: free calling between Line users
- Line Out: cheap international calls to regular phone numbers
- Group calls: voice calls with up to 500 people, video with up to 200
- Timeline: a social feed feature
- Line Pay: mobile payments
- Stickers: tens of thousands of character stickers
- Line VOOM: a short-form video platform
Pricing
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Line-to-Line calls | Free |
| Line Out Free | Free (limited time after watching an ad) |
| Line Out credit | From $1.00, varies by country |
| Line Out 30-day plan | From $3.99, varies by country |
Pros
- Essential for contacting Japan (Japan's national messenger)
- Cheap international calling through Line Out
- A rich library of stickers and emoticons
- A wide range of extra services (news, shopping, etc.)
- Supports large group calls
Cons
- Small user base outside Japan/Southeast Asia
- The app tends to be heavy (due to its many extra features)
- End-to-end encryption isn't on by default (requires manually enabling Letter Sealing)
- Fairly ad-heavy
Recommended for
An essential app if you have family or friends living in Japan, or need to contact Japanese business partners. Also useful for reaching people in Thailand, Taiwan, and Indonesia.
7. KakaoTalk — the default way Koreans communicate
Overview
KakaoTalk is South Korea's national messaging app, used by more than 95% of domestic smartphone users. It's the most basic tool for contacting Koreans living abroad or communicating with contacts back in Korea.
Key features
- Voice Talk: free voice calls between KakaoTalk users
- Face Talk: free video calls between KakaoTalk users
- Group calls: video calls with up to 8 people, voice calls with up to 50
- Live Talk: a live streaming feature
- KakaoTalk Channel: business communication
- Gift: sending mobile gifts
- KakaoPay: mobile payments and money transfers
Pricing
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Voice Talk/Face Talk | Free (data usage only) |
| KakaoTalk free calls | Free when the other person is also a KakaoTalk user |
Pros
- Already installed on almost every Korean's phone
- Free international calling via Voice Talk/Face Talk
- An experience optimized for Korean users
- A wide range of extra services (taxi, shopping, banking, etc.)
- Light data usage
Cons
- Very few users outside Korea
- Group video calls are limited (up to 8 people)
- No option to call a regular phone number
- The PC version's video calling functionality is limited
Recommended for
The most natural choice for anyone abroad who wants to stay in touch with family and friends back in Korea. There's no need to install a separate app — Voice Talk and Face Talk in the KakaoTalk you already use are more than enough for international calling.
8. Telegram — security and functionality at once
Overview
Telegram is a messaging app growing rapidly worldwide thanks to its powerful security features and rich functionality. It now has over 900 million monthly active users, and it's especially popular among IT professionals, the cryptocurrency community, and privacy-conscious users.
Key features
- Voice/video calls: supports 1:1 and group calls
- Secret Chat: end-to-end encryption plus auto-deletion
- Group video calls: up to 1,000 participants (including viewers)
- Channels: broadcasting messages to unlimited subscribers
- Bots: automation and integration with various services
- File sharing: transfer files up to 4GB (for free!)
- Cloud storage: unlimited storage for messages and media
- Multi-device: connect from several devices at once
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic (Free) | $0 | Includes nearly every feature |
| Telegram Premium | $4.99/mo | 4GB→8GB files, faster downloads, extra emoji, and more |
Pros
- Nearly every feature is free
- Free file transfer up to 4GB (best in class)
- Fast and lightweight app
- Strong security (Secret Chat)
- Endless extensibility through the bot ecosystem
- Multiple devices connected simultaneously
Cons
- Regular chats aren't end-to-end encrypted (stored on the server)
- Video call quality lower than dedicated services
- No option to call a regular phone number
- Privacy settings need careful attention, since your phone number can be exposed
Recommended for
A good fit if you share large files often, or want a range of features while still valuing privacy. Also useful for participating in overseas IT communities or technical collaboration.
9. Discord — the undisputed leader in community-based communication
Overview
Discord started out as a voice chat platform for gamers, but has since expanded into a communication tool for a wide range of communities — study groups, business teams, hobby clubs, and more. Its always-on voice channel feature, in particular, is unmatched.
Key features
- Voice channels: an always-open voice room (join/leave freely)
- Video calls: 1:1 and group video calls
- Screen sharing: share your game or work screen in real time
- Servers (communities): run topic-based communities
- Threads: split conversations by topic
- Bot integration: thousands of automation bots
- Stage Channels: large-scale voice events
- Forum channels: structured discussions
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Voice/video calls, 720p screen share |
| Nitro Basic | $2.99/mo | Larger file uploads, custom emoji |
| Nitro | $9.99/mo | 4K screen share, server boosts |
Pros
- Always-open voice channels (feels like being in the same room)
- Optimized for community management
- Excellent screen sharing feature
- Low-latency voice quality
- The free plan already offers plenty of functionality
Cons
- Somewhat overkill for ordinary 1:1 international calling
- The other person also needs a Discord account
- Can't call a regular phone number
- Fairly heavy on device resources
- The interface can feel complex at first
Recommended for
Ideal for anyone who wants to hang out and call while gaming with friends abroad, or needs regular community-based communication. Nothing beats Discord if you want to stay constantly in touch with people abroad who share your interests.
10. Signal — the choice for privacy-first users
Overview
Signal is a messaging app operated by the nonprofit Signal Foundation, offering best-in-class security and privacy. The Signal Protocol, its encryption technology, has been recognized as so strong that it's even been adopted by WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger.
Key features
- End-to-end encrypted calls: all voice/video calls are encrypted
- Group calls: group video calls with up to 40 people
- Disappearing messages: automatically deleted after a set time
- Screen security: a screenshot-blocking feature
- Relay calls: hides your IP address
- Minimal-collection philosophy: collects as little metadata as possible
- Open source: transparency through publicly available code
Pricing
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| All features | Completely free (funded by donations) |
Pros
- Best-in-class security and privacy
- Completely free, no ads, no tracking
- Transparent operation through open source
- Lightweight yet reliable call quality
- Rich privacy features like disappearing messages
Cons
- A relatively small user base
- Can't call a regular phone number
- Fewer extra features (limited stickers, emoji, etc.)
- Requires a phone number (when creating an account)
Recommended for
The best choice for anyone for whom security and privacy matter most. Strongly recommended if you're worried about eavesdropping or data leaks in sensitive business conversations or personal international calls.
Full comparison table
| Service | Free calls | Landline calling | Max video participants | Encryption | Key strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zoom | Yes | Paid | 100 | Partial | Video conferencing |
| Google Meet | Yes | No | 100 | Partial | Google integration |
| Yes | No | 32 | E2E | Global user base | |
| FaceTime | Yes | No | 32 | E2E | Apple ecosystem |
| Viber | Yes | Paid | 20 | E2E | Cheap international calling |
| Line | Yes | Paid | 200 | Optional | Essential for Japan |
| KakaoTalk | Yes | No | 8 | Partial | Essential for Korea |
| Telegram | Yes | No | 1,000 | Optional | Large file transfer |
| Discord | Yes | No | 25 | Partial | Community |
| Signal | Yes | No | 40 | E2E | Best-in-class security |
Level up your international calling setup with eSIM
Every service above shares one thing in common: a stable internet connection is essential. No matter how great a calling app you install, it's useless if you have no Wi-Fi abroad, or if data roaming charges are too costly to bear.
This is exactly where eSIM becomes a powerful solution.
Why eSIM helps with international calling
- Cheap local data: use the internet at your destination's local data rates, enabling free calls through the apps above.
- No physical SIM swap needed: keep your existing number active while using a local data eSIM on the side.
- Instant activation: install it before you leave, and you can start using the internet the moment you land.
- Multi-country support: some regional plans let a single eSIM work across multiple countries.
Finding the best eSIM on esimoa
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- Compare plans from 10+ eSIM carriers
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- User reviews and ratings
If you want uninterrupted calls while abroad, check out an eSIM suited to your destination on esimoa first.
Recommendations by situation
"I video call family abroad every day"
Recommended: WhatsApp or FaceTime Low data usage means you can call daily without worrying about the cost.
"I have regular meetings with an overseas business partner"
Recommended: Zoom or Google Meet Professional video conferencing features, recording, and screen sharing are all available.
"I need to call a regular phone number internationally"
Recommended: Viber Out or Line Out Make international calls at cheap rates, similar to Skype Credit.
"Security matters most to me"
Recommended: Signal Offers best-in-class end-to-end encryption.
"I keep in touch with people in Japan/Thailand"
Recommended: Line The most widely used messenger in those countries.
"I call family back in Korea"
Recommended: KakaoTalk Voice Talk/Face Talk Free calling right away, no extra app install needed.
Wrap-up
Skype's shutdown marks the end of an era, but fortunately, there are already plenty of alternatives that offer even more functionality and convenience. Choosing a service that fits your usage patterns and the environment of the person you're calling can give you an even better international calling experience than Skype ever did.
And whichever service you choose, a stable internet connection abroad is essential. Compare the best eSIM plan for your destination on esimoa, and enjoy uninterrupted communication anywhere you go!
