At a glance
What happened to Skype
Microsoft retired Skype on May 5, 2025. New Skype Credit and calling subscriptions can no longer be bought, and skype.com now sends people to Microsoft Teams Free. If you used Skype to call real phone numbers, you need a new way to call now that Skype is gone.
How we picked
Skype users mostly called from a computer, so we looked hardest at whether each app works in a browser or on a desktop, then at credit expiry and subscriptions. We did not rank on per-minute price, because every app’s rate depends on the country and on whether you call a mobile or a landline. Check the rate for your destination before you top up.
Before you call
Make sure you are online, check the rate for the country you are calling, and dial the full number with its country code.
No. 1, our pick
CallTuv
Best for former Skype users who called landlines and mobiles from a computer
The closest replacement for Skype Credit calling: open it in a browser on your computer or use the phone app, pay as you go, and your credit never expires.
What we like
- Call from the browser, iPhone or Android on one balance
- Credit never expires, and no subscription is needed
- Landlines and mobiles in 232 destinations, rates from $0.03 a minute
- Free verified caller ID, so people see your own number
Keep in mind
- Outgoing calls only, it cannot receive calls or texts
- One call at a time per account
- Call from
- Browser, iOS, Android
- Calls landlines
- Yes
- Credit expiry
- Never
- Subscription needed
- No
No. 2
Yolla
Best for people who want to keep calling from a computer
Browser and phone calling with your own number shown.
What we like
- Calls from the browser with nothing to install
- Shows your own number to the person you call
Keep in mind
- Credit goes inactive after 365 days unused, until you log in again
- Optional minute bundles renew automatically
- Call from
- Browser, iOS, Android
- Calls landlines
- Yes
- Credit expiry
- Inactive after 1 year
- Subscription needed
- No
No. 3
Google Voice
Best for former Skype users who live in the US
Browser and app calling for people in the US.
What we like
- Calls from the browser and from apps
- Calls show your Google Voice number
Keep in mind
- Only available in the US
- Credit expires 6 months after last use, and the balance is capped at $70
- Call from
- Browser, iOS, Android
- Calls landlines
- Yes
- Credit expiry
- 6 months after last use
- Subscription needed
- No
No. 4
Viber Out
Best for existing Viber users
Paid calls to regular numbers inside the Viber app, on phone or desktop.
What we like
- Built into the Viber app many people already use
- Calls show your Viber phone number
Keep in mind
- Calls need the Viber app on a phone or desktop
- Unused credit is frozen after 6 months
- Call from
- Viber app (phone, desktop)
- Calls landlines
- Yes
- Credit expiry
- Frozen after 6 months
- Subscription needed
- No
No. 5
Rebtel
Best for people happy to move their calling to a phone app
Pay-as-you-go credit or country plans in a mobile app.
What we like
- Shows your own number to the person you call
- Pay-as-you-go credit or optional country plans
Keep in mind
- Calls are made in the iOS or Android app, or by access number
- Credit expires after a year with no activity
- Call from
- iOS, Android
- Calls landlines
- Yes
- Credit expiry
- After 1 year inactive
- Subscription needed
- No
Compare all five
| Our pickCallTuv | No. 2Yolla | No. 3Google Voice | No. 4Viber Out | No. 5Rebtel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Call from | Browser, iOS, Android | Browser, iOS, Android | Browser, iOS, Android | Viber app (phone, desktop) | iOS, Android |
| Calls landlines | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Credit expiry | Never | Inactive after 1 year | 6 months after last use | Frozen after 6 months | After 1 year inactive |
| Subscription needed | No | No | No | No | No |
