Skype Shut Down: 7 Best Alternatives for International Calling in 2025

If you relied on Skype to call family abroad, contact clients internationally, or reach your bank’s customer service line, you’ve probably noticed something: Skype calling is gone.

In May 2025, Microsoft officially discontinued Skype’s dial pad feature for calling traditional phone numbers. While you can still use Skype for video calls between app users, the ability to call landlines and mobile numbers—the feature millions depended on—is dead.

For digital nomads working from Thailand, expats managing property in their home country, or remote teams spread across continents, this isn’t just inconvenient. It’s a crisis.

The good news? Better alternatives exist. This guide reveals the 7 best Skype replacements for international calling in 2025, with honest pros and cons for each.

Why Skype Shut Down (And Why It Matters)

Microsoft didn’t provide a detailed explanation, but the writing was on the wall. Skype struggled to compete with modern VoIP solutions like WhatsApp, Zoom, and browser-based calling platforms.

The problem with Skype’s shutdown:

15+ years of users suddenly scrambling for alternatives
No direct migration path to another service
Remaining Skype credit became worthless
Landline calling—critical for banks, government offices, and businesses—stopped working

If you’re reading this, you’re probably one of those scrambling users. Let’s fix that.

What You Actually Need in a Skype Alternative

Not all international calling services are created equal. Based on our experience (and feedback from hundreds of digital nomads), here’s what matters:

Must-have features:

Calls to landlines and mobile numbers (not just app-to-app)
No geo-restrictions (works from Bali, Lisbon, or anywhere)
Transparent pricing (no hidden fees or surprise charges)
Reliable audio quality (for important calls to banks, clients, lawyers)
Easy setup (you need to call NOW, not after a 3-day verification process)

Nice-to-have features:

Virtual phone numbers (for receiving calls/SMS)
SMS/2FA support (critical for banking while traveling)
Team features (if you have a distributed team)
No subscriptions (pay only for what you use)

Now let’s compare the alternatives.

The 7 Best Skype Alternatives for 2025

1. NomaPhone - Best for Digital Nomads

What it is: Browser-based international calling. No app, no downloads, no verification hoops.

Pricing:

USA/Canada: $0.03/min
UK: $0.03/min (landline), $0.06/min (mobile)
India: $0.08-0.09/min
Credits never expire

Why it’s #1 for nomads:

Works anywhere you have internet (no geo-restrictions like Google Voice)
Browser-based = no app to manage
30 seconds from landing page to first call
Built by a telecommunications engineer who lived the nomad life
Transparent pricing (no hidden fees)
SMS/2FA support with virtual numbers

Best for: Digital nomads, expats, remote workers who call traditional phone numbers from abroad

Drawbacks: Not free (but very affordable). Requires internet connection.

Try it: Join the NomaPhone waitlist and get $10 in bonus credits.

2. Google Voice - Best for US Residents Only

What it is: Google’s VoIP service with free US/Canada calling.

Pricing:

Free for US/Canada calls
International: $0.01-0.20/min depending on country

Pros:

Free domestic calling
Integrates with Google Workspace
Voicemail transcription

Cons:

Only available to US residents (dealbreaker for nomads)
Requires US phone number for verification
Doesn’t work well from abroad (VPN workarounds unreliable)
Some banks block Google Voice numbers for 2FA

Best for: US-based users calling within North America

Why it’s not ideal: If you’re in Bangkok calling your US bank, Google Voice either won’t work or requires sketchy VPN setups.

3. Rebtel - Best for Unlimited Plans

What it is: App-based calling with unlimited subscription options.

Pricing:

Pay-per-minute: varies by country
Unlimited plans: $12-25/month for specific countries

Pros:

Unlimited calling plans if you call one country frequently
Works offline with local access numbers
Magic numbers (save international contacts as local numbers)

Cons:

Requires app installation
Subscription model (not ideal for occasional callers)
Quality varies depending on your internet

Best for: People who make daily calls to 1-2 specific countries

4. Viber Out - Best for Existing Viber Users

What it is: Viber’s paid feature for calling non-Viber numbers.

Pricing:

Pay-as-you-go from $0.019/min
Monthly plans available

Pros:

Works with existing Viber contacts
HD voice quality
SMS support

Cons:

Requires app installation
Both parties need good internet for app-to-app calls
Landline calling requires credits
Some countries have restrictions

Best for: People already using Viber for messaging who occasionally need to call landlines

5. WhatsApp Business - Best for Free App-to-App

What it is: WhatsApp with business features.

Pricing: Free for app-to-app calls

Pros:

Completely free
End-to-end encryption
Everyone already has it

Cons:

Cannot call landlines or traditional phone numbers
Both parties need the app and internet
Not viable for calling banks, government offices, or clients without WhatsApp

Best for: Casual calls to friends/family who have smartphones and WhatsApp

Why it’s limited: Great for personal calls, useless when you need to call your property manager’s office landline in Mumbai.

6. Zoom Phone - Best for Business Teams

What it is: Zoom’s business phone system.

Pricing: $15-20/user/month

Pros:

Integrates with Zoom meetings
Advanced business features (call routing, analytics)
Reliable quality

Cons:

Expensive for individuals
Subscription required
Overkill for personal use

Best for: Remote teams of 10+ people needing a full business phone system

7. Traditional Calling Cards - Best for… Nobody

What it is: Remember those PIN codes you’d dial?

Pricing: Varies wildly

Pros:

Works without internet

Cons:

Terrible user experience (dial access number, enter PIN, dial destination)
Hidden fees everywhere
Expiring balances
Quality often terrible

Best for: Honestly, there’s almost no reason to use calling cards in 2025 unless you have literally no internet access.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	NomaPhone	Google Voice	Rebtel	Viber Out	WhatsApp
Browser-based	✓	Partial	✗	✗	✗
No geo-restrictions	✓	✗ (US only)	✓	✓	✓
Calls landlines	✓	✓	✓	✓	✗
SMS/2FA	✓	✓	Limited	✓	✗
No subscription	✓	✓	✗	✓	✓
USA rate	$0.03/min	FREE*	Varies	$0.019/min	FREE**
Virtual numbers	✓	✓	✓	✗	✗

*Free only for US residents
**Free only app-to-app, can’t call landlines

Real-World Scenario: Why Browser-Based Wins

Meet Sarah, a digital nomad working from Lisbon.

She needs to call her accountant in New York about her tax returns. The accountant’s office only has a landline.

WhatsApp: Can’t call landlines. ✗

Google Voice: She’s British, not American. Can’t sign up. ✗

Rebtel app: Not installed on her current laptop. Would need to download, verify, add payment info. 20+ minutes. ✗

NomaPhone: Opens browser, enters email, calls in 30 seconds. ✓

This is why browser-based calling matters. No apps to manage, no verification hoops, no geo-restrictions.

How to Choose the Right Alternative for You

Choose Google Voice if:

You’re a US resident
You primarily call within US/Canada
You’re okay with app-based calling

Choose Rebtel if:

You call one country daily (parents, partner, etc.)
Unlimited plans make sense for your usage
You don’t mind app installations

Choose NomaPhone if:

You’re a digital nomad or expat
You need to call landlines (banks, offices, government)
You want browser-based convenience
You call multiple countries occasionally
You need SMS/2FA for banking abroad

Choose Viber Out if:

You already use Viber for messaging
Occasional landline calls only

The Cost Reality: What You’ll Actually Pay

Let’s compare a realistic scenario: Calling USA from Thailand, 100 minutes/month

Service	Monthly Cost	Notes
International roaming	$150-300	$1.50-3/min typical rate
Google Voice	Can’t use	Not available outside US
NomaPhone	$3	$0.03/min × 100 min
Rebtel unlimited	$12	If you max out the plan
Viber Out	$1.90	$0.019/min × 100 min

Winner: Viber Out is cheapest by cents, but NomaPhone wins on convenience (no app) and reliability (carrier-grade quality).

What Happens to Your Skype Credit?

If you had Skype credit when the service shut down, you have two options:

Use it in Microsoft Teams (if you have Teams Free)
Request a refund through Microsoft support

Microsoft extended the ability to use Skype credits through Teams Free until the balance runs out, but you can’t add more credit. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.

Setting Up Your Skype Alternative in 5 Minutes

Here’s how to switch from Skype to NomaPhone:

Join the waitlist at nomaphone.com
Get your $10 beta credits (first 50 signups get $10 total value)
Open your browser when NomaPhone launches (Q1 2026)
Enter email and start calling - no verification, no wait

In the meantime:

Export your Skype contacts (if you still have access)
Document important international numbers
Test your internet connection quality

The Future of International Calling

Skype’s shutdown signals a broader shift. The future of international calling is:

Browser-based (no apps to manage)
Transparent (clear pricing, no hidden fees)
Flexible (pay-per-use, not subscriptions)
Accessible (works from anywhere)

This is exactly what NomaPhone is built for.

Common Questions About Skype Alternatives

Q: Can I port my Skype number to another service?
A: No. Skype numbers are proprietary and can’t be ported. You’ll need a new number with your alternative service.

Q: What if I need to call emergency services?
A: VoIP services (including all Skype alternatives) are NOT for emergency calls. Always use your local mobile carrier for 911/112/999.

Q: Do these services work on hotel/cafe WiFi?
A: Yes, but quality depends on connection strength. NomaPhone and other browser-based services generally perform better than apps on restricted networks.

Q: Can I receive calls with these services?
A: Most services offer virtual phone numbers for receiving calls. NomaPhone includes virtual numbers for USA, UK, India, and other major countries.

Take Action: Don’t Wait for Another Service to Shut Down

Skype’s shutdown taught us one lesson: relying on a single provider is risky.

The best time to find a Skype alternative was before it shut down. The second best time is now.

Next steps:

Choose your alternative based on your situation (see comparison above)
Test it with a low-stakes call first
Migrate your important contacts
Delete Skype (RIP)

If you’re a digital nomad, expat, or remote worker who needs reliable international calling that works from anywhere, join the NomaPhone waitlist and get early access plus $10 in bonus credits.

No app required. No geo-restrictions. No BS.

Built by nomads, for nomads. NomaPhone launches Q1 2026.