Buyer's guide Calling & video apps
The best Skype alternatives in 2026, by what you used Skype for
Microsoft retired Skype on May 5, 2025, and Microsoft Teams Free is what replaced Skype: Skype accounts now sign in to Teams Free, which has no paid calling plans to phone numbers, per Microsoft's support page.[1] No single app does all of Skype's jobs: WhatsApp is the best Skype alternative for most people, and calls to landlines and mobiles need a pay-as-you-go service such as TwinPhone, Rebtel or Yolla. I re-checked every price and limit on this page on October 25, 2026.
After Skype is published with support from TwinPhone; rankings reflect my criteria. Ratings are editorial scores out of 10, not user reviews. Methodology and disclosure.
Top 10 Skype alternatives, October 2026
Editorial scores out of 10 · how I rate
-
Free voice and video calls with family and friends who already use WhatsApp.
- Free calls
- Groups up to 32
- E2EE always on
- 3B+ monthly users
-
Calling landlines and mobiles in other countries from a browser or phone.
- 145+ countries
- US/Canada $0.02/min
- $10 minimum top-up
- Numbers from $3.19/mo
-
Free
-
Free
-
Free; paid plans
-
Free; Viber Out paid
-
Free; Pro $16.99/mo
-
Free in the US
-
From 1.21¢/min
-
From 1.1¢/min
What is the best Skype alternative? Quick answer by use case
- Best overall, and for free video calls with family: WhatsApp is the best free alternative to Skype for most people, with voice and video calls of up to 32 people, always end-to-end encrypted, on an app more than 3 billion people use monthly; Signal allows 75 people per group call, and FaceTime suits families who all use Apple devices (Android and Windows users can join by link).[14][7][20][33]
- Calling landlines and mobiles abroad: free apps cannot dial phone numbers, so you need a pay-as-you-go service: TwinPhone, my #2, calls 145+ countries from a browser or its apps, while Rebtel and Yolla are cheaper on most routes (see Skype alternatives for international calls).[8][26][27]
- Group meetings: Google Meet and Microsoft Teams Free each host 100 people for 60 minutes at no cost, while Zoom's free Basic plan ends meetings at 40 minutes (October 2026).[16][4][22]
- A number people can call: Skype Numbers ended in May 2026; Google Voice gives US personal accounts a free US number, and TwinPhone rents US and Canadian numbers from $3.19 a month (details).[1][25][11]
- Private or open source: for a secure Skype alternative, Signal encrypts every call and message end to end by default and is run by a nonprofit; for an open source Skype alternative, Jitsi Meet runs in the browser with optional end-to-end encryption, and guests don't need an account. Neither calls phone numbers.[21][34]
- Work and small teams: Microsoft points small businesses to Teams Essentials with Teams Phone; Zoom Workplace Pro costs $16.99 per user per month, and paid Google plans raise Meet to 1,000 participants. See Skype for Business alternatives.[1][22][16]
- Old Skype chats: Microsoft began deleting Skype data on April 1, 2026, and the export window closed on June 15, 2026 (timeline).[1]
Compare the best Skype alternatives
One table for all 10 ranked apps and 4 more I considered: free calls, group size, calls to phone numbers, the cheapest published rate, numbers, encryption, platforms and what you need to sign up. Checked October 25, 2026.
| # | App | Best for | Rating | Free app-to-app calls | Group video limit | Calls landlines / mobiles | Cheapest published rate | Phone number | End-to-end encryption | Platforms | Account needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  WhatsApp |
Free family calls; best overall | 9.0/10 | Yes | 32 | No | n/a | No | Yes: Always on | iOS And Win Mac Web | Phone number |
| 2 |  TwinPhone |
Calling phones abroad | 8.3/10 | No: Calls phones only | No video | Yes: 145+ countries | US & Canada 2¢/min | Yes: US/Canada from $3.19/mo | No: TLS + SRTP in transit | Web iOS And | Email or Google |
| 3 |  Microsoft Teams (free) |
Keeping Skype contacts | 8.2/10 | Yes | 100 (60 min) | No: Old Skype Credit only | n/a | No | — Not verified | Win Mac iOS And Web | Microsoft account |
| 4 |  Signal |
Private, encrypted calls | 7.9/10 | Yes | 75 | No | n/a | No | Yes: On by default | iOS And Win Mac Lin | Phone number |
| 5 |  Google Meet |
Browser video calls | 7.8/10 | Yes: Video, in browser | 100 (60 min for 3+) | No | n/a | No | Partly: App calls only | Web iOS And | Google account to host |
| 6 |  Viber |
App calls plus paid calls to phones | 7.6/10 | Yes | 60 | Yes: Viber Out (paid) | — Not verified | No | Partly: 1:1 only | iOS And Win Mac Lin | Phone number |
| 7 |  Zoom |
Scheduled group meetings | 7.2/10 | Partly: 40-minute limit | 100 (40 min) | Partly: Zoom Phone add-on | Zoom Phone US & CA $16/user/mo | Partly: With Zoom Phone | Partly: Optional, off by default | Win Mac Lin iOS And Web | |
| 8 |  Google Voice |
A free US number | 7.0/10 | Not app-to-app | No video | Yes: US/Canada free | US & Canada free | Yes: Free US number | No | Web iOS And | Google account + US number |
| 9 |  Rebtel |
Frequent calls to one country | 6.9/10 | Yes: Rebtel to Rebtel | No video | Yes: Pay as you go or Unlimited | Mexico landline 1.21¢/min | — Not verified | — Not verified | iOS And | — Not verified |
| 10 |  Yolla |
Small top-ups | 6.8/10 | Yes: Yolla to Yolla | — Not verified | Yes: 190+ countries | Mexico from 1.1¢/min | No: Caller ID only | — Not verified | iOS And Web | — Not verified |
| — |  BOSS Revolution |
Low flat rates from the US | Not rated | Yes: Over Wi-Fi | — Not verified | Yes: Pay as you go or plans | Mexico 1.9¢/min | No | — Not verified | iOS And Web | Account (US-focused) |
| — |  Talk360 |
Calling people who have no internet | Not rated | — Not verified | — Not verified | Yes: Prepaid credit | — Not verified | — Not verified | — Not verified | iOS And | Phone number |
| — |  Telegram |
Large group calls | Not rated | Yes | 200 | No | n/a | No | Yes: 1:1 and group calls | iOS And Win Mac Lin Web | Phone number |
| — |  FaceTime |
Apple-only families | Not rated | Yes: Apple devices | 32 | No | n/a | No | Yes | iOS Mac | Apple Account |
✓ yes · ◐ partly or paid add-on · ✗ no · n/a not applicable.
* — means the vendor doesn't publish the value in a form I could verify; Viber Out, Google Voice international and Talk360 rates load only in calculators.
Cheapest published rate: the lowest per-minute price or plan I found for a call from the US, checked October 25, 2026. Rebtel and Yolla prices can vary with your location and currency. The services that call phones are summarized under calling phones abroad.
Sources by row: WhatsApp [14] [15] [7]; TwinPhone [8] [9] [10] [11]; Microsoft Teams (free) [1] [4] [3]; Signal [20] [21]; Google Meet [16] [17]; Viber [18] [19]; Zoom [22] [23]; Google Voice [24] [25]; Rebtel [26]; Yolla [27]; BOSS Revolution [28] [29]; Talk360 [30]; Telegram [31] [32]; FaceTime [33].
Best Skype alternatives in 2026: 10 apps rated
A Skype alternative (also called a Skype replacement or Skype substitute) is any app that does one of the three jobs Skype did: free app-to-app voice and video calls, chat, or paid calls to ordinary phone numbers. No single app replaced all three, so most people now pair a free calling app with a pay-as-you-go service for phones. 5 of my 10 picks can call landlines and mobiles (TwinPhone, Viber (Viber Out), Google Voice, Rebtel and Yolla), and Zoom can with its paid Zoom Phone add-on; the other alternatives to Skype only call people who use the same app. WhatsApp ranks first overall because it is free, encrypted and already on most of your contacts' phones; TwinPhone ranks second because my criteria weight calls to phone numbers, the job Skype Credit did and Teams Free dropped (how I rate).
1. WhatsApp — Best overall Skype alternative
9.0/10Excellent · editorial ratingEditorial rating 9.0 out of 10
Why I picked it
WhatsApp is the best Skype alternative for most people: voice and video calls are free between WhatsApp users, groups hold up to 32 people, calls are always end-to-end encrypted and more than 3 billion people use it monthly (Meta, April 2025). It cannot call ordinary phone numbers.[14]
- Price
- Free (mobile data may apply)
- Free tier
- Free calls; groups up to 32
Compare specs: calls to phones, number, encryption, platforms and account in the comparison table.
Pros
- Free voice and video calls, end-to-end encrypted by default
- Group calls with up to 32 people
- 3 billion+ monthly users (Meta, April 2025), so many contacts already have it
Cons
- Can't call landlines or mobiles that don't have WhatsApp
- Needs a mobile phone number to sign up
- No Linux app
2. TwinPhone — Best for calling phones abroad
8.3/10Very good · editorial ratingEditorial rating 8.3 out of 10
Why I picked it
TwinPhone calls landlines and mobiles in 145+ countries from a web browser or its iOS and Android apps. Calls to the US and Canada cost $0.02/min and other rates vary by country (the Philippines is $0.36/min); there are no free minutes, the minimum top-up is $10 and credit does not expire.[8]
- Price
- From $0.02/min (US & Canada); pay as you go, $10 minimum top-up
- Free tier
- Free signup, no free minutes
Compare specs: calls to phones, number, encryption, platforms and account in the comparison table.
Pros
- Calls landlines and mobiles in 145+ countries
- Works in a desktop browser (WebRTC), plus iOS 17+ and Android apps
- Per-minute billing with no subscription; credit does not expire
- Sign-up needs only an email address or Google account
- Optional US, Canada or Puerto Rico number from $3.19/month that receives calls and texts
Cons
- No free minutes: calling needs a $10 top-up
- Not end-to-end encrypted (TLS and SRTP in transit only)
- Numbers only in the US and Canada, and they can't send texts
- Higher rates than Rebtel, Yolla and BOSS Revolution on most routes I checked (Philippines $0.36/min)
- No video, no app-to-app chat and no emergency calls
3. Microsoft Teams (free) — Best for keeping your Skype contacts
8.2/10Very good · editorial ratingEditorial rating 8.2 out of 10
Why I picked it
Microsoft Teams (free) is where Skype accounts now sign in: group meetings hold up to 100 people for 60 minutes and 1:1 calls can run up to 30 hours, but the free version has no paid calling plans to phone numbers.[1]
- Price
- Free with a personal Microsoft account
- Free tier
- Meetings: 100 people / 60 min; 1:1 up to 30 h
Compare specs: calls to phones, number, encryption, platforms and account in the comparison table.
Pros
- Sign in with your Skype account; contacts and chats carried over for eligible users
- Free group meetings with up to 100 people for 60 minutes
- Free 1:1 calls up to 30 hours
Cons
- No paid calling plans to landlines or mobiles on the free version
- No phone numbers: Skype Number subscriptions all ended in May 2026
- Group meetings stop at 60 minutes
4. Signal — Best for private, encrypted calls
7.9/10Good · editorial ratingEditorial rating 7.9 out of 10
Why I picked it
Signal encrypts every call and message end to end by default, holds group calls of up to 75 people and is free, run by a nonprofit; it cannot call phone numbers.[20]
- Price
- Free (nonprofit, donation-funded)
- Free tier
- Everything free; groups up to 75
Compare specs: calls to phones, number, encryption, platforms and account in the comparison table.
Pros
- End-to-end encryption for all calls and messages by default
- Group calls with up to 75 people
- Free and run by a nonprofit; desktop apps include Linux
Cons
- Can't call regular phone numbers
- Normal signup still needs a phone number (usernames can hide it)
- No web app; desktop apps link to your phone
5. Google Meet — Best for browser video calls
7.8/10Good · editorial ratingEditorial rating 7.8 out of 10
Why I picked it
Google Meet runs in a web browser: anyone with a Google account can host up to 100 people for free, meetings of three or more stop at 60 minutes, and 1:1 calls are not capped at 60 minutes.[16]
- Price
- Free with a Google account
- Free tier
- 100 people; 60 min for 3+; longer 1:1 calls
Compare specs: calls to phones, number, encryption, platforms and account in the comparison table.
Pros
- Runs in any modern browser; guests join by link without an account
- Free meetings for up to 100 participants
- 1:1 calls aren't capped at 60 minutes
Cons
- Free meetings with three or more people end at 60 minutes
- No calls to phone numbers on personal accounts
- Link-based meetings aren't end-to-end encrypted by default
6. Viber — Best for app calls plus paid calls to phones
7.6/10Good · editorial ratingEditorial rating 7.6 out of 10
Why I picked it
Viber combines free Viber-to-Viber calls (groups up to 60) with paid Viber Out calls to landlines and mobiles; Viber Out rates are shown only in a JavaScript calculator, so I do not quote them.[18]
- Price
- Free app; Viber Out credit or plans (rates vary by country)
- Free tier
- Free Viber-to-Viber calls; groups up to 60
Compare specs: calls to phones, number, encryption, platforms and account in the comparison table.
Pros
- Free Viber-to-Viber voice and video calls
- Viber Out calls landlines and mobiles (pay as you go, country plans or World Unlimited)
- Group calls with up to 60 people
Cons
- Viber Out rates are hidden in a calculator, so I can't quote them
- Group calls and Viber Out calls aren't end-to-end encrypted
- Needs a mobile phone number; desktop apps link to your phone
7. Zoom — Best for scheduled group meetings
7.2/10Good · editorial ratingEditorial rating 7.2 out of 10
Why I picked it
Zoom's free Basic plan allows 100 participants but ends every meeting, including 1:1 calls, at 40 minutes; calling phones needs the paid Zoom Phone add-on ($16–$18 per user per month for US and Canada).[22]
- Price
- Free Basic; Pro $16.99/user/mo (monthly); Zoom Phone US & CA from $16/user/mo (annual)
- Free tier
- 100 people; 40 min per meeting (incl. 1:1)
Compare specs: calls to phones, number, encryption, platforms and account in the comparison table.
Pros
- Free meetings for up to 100 participants
- Apps for every major platform, including Linux
- Zoom Phone adds a real number and phone calling for US & Canada
Cons
- Every free meeting ends at 40 minutes, including 1:1 calls
- Calling phones costs $18/user/month (or $16 billed annually) for US & Canada
- End-to-end encryption is optional and off by default
8. Google Voice — Best for a free US number
7.0/10Good · editorial ratingEditorial rating 7.0 out of 10
Why I picked it
Google Voice gives personal accounts in the US a free US number and free calls to the US and Canada; sign-up needs an existing US phone number, and international rates are shown only in a calculator.[24]
- Price
- Free US number and US/Canada calls; international calls prepaid per minute
- Free tier
- Free US number; free calls to US/Canada
Compare specs: calls to phones, number, encryption, platforms and account in the comparison table.
Pros
- Free US phone number for personal accounts
- Free calls to the US and Canada
- Works on the web, iPhone and Android
Cons
- Personal accounts are available in the US only and need an existing US number
- International rates load in a calculator, so I don't quote them
- Calls aren't end-to-end encrypted
9. Rebtel — Best for frequent calls to one country
6.9/10Fair · editorial ratingEditorial rating 6.9 out of 10
Why I picked it
Rebtel sells pay-as-you-go calls from 1.21¢/min (Mexico landlines) and monthly Unlimited plans for single countries from $3 (Mexico), through iOS and Android apps.[26]
- Price
- Pay as you go from 1.21¢/min; Unlimited plans from $3/mo (Mexico)
- Free tier
- Free Rebtel-to-Rebtel calls; 1-week trial on some plans
Compare specs: calls to phones, number, encryption, platforms and account in the comparison table.
Pros
- Low pay-as-you-go rates (India 2.89¢/min, Mexico mobile 2.42¢/min)
- Country Unlimited plans from $3/month (Mexico); Global Unlimited $14/month for 47 countries
- Can connect over local phone lines when you have no internet
Cons
- Mobile apps only, no video
- Philippines mobiles cost 19.24¢/min
- Prices can vary by your region and currency
Sources: [26]
10. Yolla — Best for small top-ups
6.8/10Fair · editorial ratingEditorial rating 6.8 out of 10
Why I picked it
Yolla calls 190+ countries with top-ups from $4; Mexico starts at $0.011/min and India at $0.0239/min, and it has no number for receiving calls.[27]
- Price
- Pay as you go from $4 top-ups; Mexico from $0.011/min
- Free tier
- Free Yolla-to-Yolla calls
Compare specs: calls to phones, number, encryption, platforms and account in the comparison table.
Pros
- Small top-ups from $4
- Low rates to Mexico ($0.011/min) and India ($0.0239/min)
- Web calling as well as iOS and Android apps
Cons
- Philippines landlines cost $0.18/min
- Minute bundles auto-renew unless you cancel
- No number to receive calls
Sources: [27]
Also considered
4 more apps fit a narrower group of people than my top 10; their specs are in the comparison table:
- BOSS Revolution: US-focused; flat per-country rate table. Free app-to-app over Wi-Fi; $2 credit for new accounts (until Jan 31, 2027). Compare specs[28][29]
- Talk360: Recipient needs no app or internet; rates only in a calculator. One free 1-minute trial call. Compare specs[30]
- Telegram: Large group calls; regular chats not E2EE by default. Free calls. Compare specs[31][32]
- FaceTime: Fits Apple-only families; Android and Windows users can only join by link. Free between Apple devices. Compare specs[33]
Calling landlines and mobiles abroad after Skype
Skype alternatives for phone calls to another country must connect to the phone network, because WhatsApp, Signal and FaceTime only reach people using the same app. Skype Credit can no longer be bought or topped up, so this is the main gap Skype left.[1] Services that publish per-minute rates include Rebtel, Yolla, BOSS Revolution and TwinPhone.[26][27][29][8] Read how international calls worked on Skype, or compare per-minute rates by country.
Keeping a number people can call, like your Skype Number
Skype Numbers ended in May 2026 and could not be ported out after that, so you need a new number.[1] In the US, Google Voice gives personal accounts a free US number, and paid virtual numbers cover other countries: see how to replace your Skype Number.[25]
What replaced Skype? Microsoft Teams Free, and the shutdown dates
Microsoft replaced Skype with Microsoft Teams Free. It announced the change on February 28, 2025, retired Skype on May 5, 2025, and asked users to sign in to Teams Free with their Skype account so their contacts and chats would move over.[2][1]
Teams Free works well for chat and video calls with people who moved over with you, but it doesn't replace Skype calling to phone numbers: in Microsoft's words, "Microsoft Teams does not support paid calling plans on the free version of Teams".[1] Keep Teams Free if your Skype contacts are there, add a separate service if you used Skype to call phones, and compare the two in Skype vs Microsoft Teams.
- Microsoft announces it will retire Skype in May 2025.[2]
- Skype is retired. SMS, call forwarding, voicemail, Skype Credit gifting and caller ID setup stop the same day.[1]
- Microsoft starts deleting Skype data.[1]
Every other date, from the end of Skype Numbers to the June 15, 2026 export deadline, is in the full Skype shutdown timeline.
Skype for Business was a separate product and is retired too: Skype for Business Online closed on July 31, 2021, and Server 2015 and 2019 reached end of support on October 14, 2025 (Skype for Business alternatives).[5][6]
Skype Credit can no longer be bought, and Microsoft says leftover credit still works for calls through the Skype Dial Pad in Teams Free (what happened to Skype Credit).[1][3]
Apps like Skype for iPhone, Android, PC and Mac
The best Skype alternative for iPhone, Android or a Windows PC is usually the app similar to Skype that your contacts already have, because WhatsApp, Signal, Viber, Zoom and Teams Free all run on all three. FaceTime is the exception: it is Apple-only.[33] For a Skype alternative for Linux, Signal, Viber, Telegram and Zoom have Linux desktop apps.[21][18][35]
| Device | Free calls | Group meetings | Calling phones |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone / iPad | FaceTime, WhatsApp, Signal | Google Meet, Zoom, Teams Free | TwinPhone (iOS 17+ app), Rebtel, Yolla |
| Android | WhatsApp, Signal, Viber | Google Meet, Zoom, Teams Free | TwinPhone, Rebtel, Yolla |
| Windows PC | WhatsApp, Signal, Viber | Teams Free, Zoom, Google Meet (browser) | TwinPhone (browser), Yolla (web) |
| Mac | FaceTime, WhatsApp, Signal | Zoom, Teams Free, Google Meet (browser) | TwinPhone (browser), Yolla (web) |
| Linux | Signal, Telegram, Viber | Zoom, Google Meet (browser) | TwinPhone (browser) |
| Browser only | Google Meet, WhatsApp (web) | Google Meet, Jitsi Meet, Teams Free (web) | TwinPhone, Yolla, Google Voice (US) |
Compare Skype vs Zoom and other video calling apps like Skype, or see apps that still make free calls.
How to switch from Skype now that the export window has closed
Switching from Skype in late 2026 is mostly about rebuilding, not exporting: Skype data is being deleted and the export window has closed (see the dates). This checklist covers what you can still do.
- Sign in to Teams Free with your Skype account. Whether your chats are still there depends on when you last used Skype and Teams Free (which Skype accounts kept their history).[1]
- Don't count on an export. The old export link now redirects to a Teams data-export page, and I couldn't verify whether it still returns anything after June 15, 2026 (what happened to Skype data).
- Save the contacts you still need. Copy them from Teams Free or your phone's address book before you stop using Teams.
- Use or refund leftover credit through the Skype Dial Pad or Skype support (how to use or refund Skype Credit).
- Pick one free app for app-to-app calls. Choose what most of your contacts use; WhatsApp alone has more than 3 billion monthly users (Meta, April 2025).[7]
- Add a paid service if you call phones. The services that publish per-minute rates are listed under calling landlines and mobiles abroad.
- Get a new number if people called your Skype Number (how to get a second phone number), and update banks, family and services.
- Tell your contacts. Send your new app handle and number to everyone who used to reach you on Skype.
How I chose and rated these Skype alternatives
I scored each app from 0 to 10 on 4 criteria: fit for Skype's jobs (35%), cost and free tier (25%), reach (25%) and privacy and account (15%); the rating is the weighted total. Teams Free, which every Skype account now opens, already covers app-to-app calls and chat, so the jobs it dropped, calls to landlines and mobiles and a number people can call, count for more under fit. That is why WhatsApp ranks first and TwinPhone second: TwinPhone covers the dropped jobs from any browser but loses points for having no free minutes or video.
I read every price, limit and date on the vendor's own pricing, help or rate pages, or on Microsoft's pages for Skype facts, on October 25, 2026; anything I could not verify is shown as "—". I compared published limits and prices; I did not run call-quality tests, so the ratings are editorial judgments, not lab tests or user reviews. I re-check everything quarterly; the next review is due in January 2027. Scores by criterion: how I rate apps and source prices.
Skype alternatives: frequently asked questions
Answers to the questions people ask most about replacing Skype, grouped by topic, with a separate section on TwinPhone, the service that supports this site. I checked prices and dates on October 25, 2026; the numbers in brackets link to the sources.
Skype shutdown and accounts
Can I still use Skype in 2026?
What replaced Skype?
Microsoft Teams Free replaced Skype on May 5, 2025: Skype users sign in with their Skype account, and contacts and chats moved over for eligible users.[1] Teams Free has no paid calling plans to landlines and mobiles, so for phone calls see the Skype alternatives for calling phones abroad.[1]
Choosing a Skype alternative
What is the best Skype alternative?
WhatsApp is the best Skype alternative for most people in October 2026: free voice and video calls for groups of up to 32, end-to-end encryption by default and more than 3 billion monthly users.[14][7] My pick for most people is WhatsApp for those reasons, but it cannot call landlines or mobiles, so people who used Skype Credit also need a pay-as-you-go service.[14] TwinPhone ranks second in my list for that job, from $0.02 a minute to the US and Canada.[9]
More: All 10 apps rated
Is there a free Skype alternative?
Yes, for app-to-app calls: WhatsApp (groups of 32), Signal (75), Google Meet, Teams Free and Zoom Basic (100 people each) are all free in October 2026.[14][20][16][4][22] Calls to phone numbers usually cost money, and Google Voice's free US and Canada calls for personal accounts in the US are the main exception.[1][25]
Privacy and security
What is the most secure Skype alternative?
Signal: it encrypts every call and message end to end by default, is run by a nonprofit and allows group calls of up to 75 people.[20] WhatsApp calls are also always end-to-end encrypted, for groups of up to 32.[14] Calls to ordinary phone numbers leave the internet for the phone network, so TwinPhone, for example, encrypts them only in transit, with TLS and SRTP.[8]
More: Signal review
Is there an open source Skype alternative?
Which Skype alternatives work without a phone number?
TwinPhone signs up with an email address or Google account, Zoom with an email address and Teams Free with a Microsoft account.[8] Google Meet and Jitsi Meet guests join by link, while the host signs in.[16][34] WhatsApp, Signal, Viber and Telegram need a phone number to register; the comparison table lists the account each app needs.
More: Account needed, by app
Devices
Which Skype alternative works on iPhone, Android and PC?
WhatsApp, Zoom, Teams Free, Viber and Signal have apps for iPhone, Android and Windows, and Signal, Viber, Telegram and Zoom also run on Linux.[15][21][35] FaceTime works only on Apple devices, although Android and Windows users can join a FaceTime call by link.[33] TwinPhone has iPhone and Android apps and runs in a desktop browser on Windows, macOS, Linux and ChromeOS.[13]
More: Apps by device
TwinPhone FAQ
What is TwinPhone?
TwinPhone is a pay-as-you-go calling service, run by hrhelperg s.r.o. in Prague, that calls landlines and mobiles in 145+ countries from a web browser or its iPhone and Android apps.[8] Calls to the US and Canada cost $0.02 a minute, and TwinPhone also rents US and Canadian numbers from $3.19 a month that receive calls and texts.[9][11] TwinPhone ranks second in my list, and After Skype is published with support from TwinPhone.
More: TwinPhone review
Does TwinPhone need an app, or can I call from the browser?
No app is needed: TwinPhone runs in a browser tab in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Brave or Safari on Windows, macOS, Linux and ChromeOS.[13] There is also an iPhone app for iOS 17 or later and an Android app on Google Play, with the same balance and numbers on every device.[13] The person you call needs no app or internet connection, because the call ends on the ordinary phone network.[8]
More: Apps by device
What is the minimum top-up on TwinPhone?
The minimum top-up is $10; TwinPhone sells top-ups of $10, $25, $50 and $100.[10] TwinPhone says $10 lasts about 500 minutes of calls to the US or Canada.[10] Unused credit can be refunded within 14 days if no more than 30% of it was spent.[8]
More: TwinPhone review
Is TwinPhone end-to-end encrypted?
No. TwinPhone encrypts call signalling with TLS and the audio with SRTP while it travels over the internet, but calls are not end-to-end encrypted, because they end on the ordinary phone network.[8] For end-to-end encrypted calls, both people need the same app, such as Signal or WhatsApp.[20][14] TwinPhone says it does not record personal calls.[8]
More: Comparison table
Is TwinPhone free?
No. Signing up for TwinPhone is free and needs no card, but there are no free minutes or free calling credit: calls to phone numbers need a top-up of at least $10.[12][10] Calls cost 2¢ a minute to the US and Canada, and every other country has its own rate.[9] For free calls, both people need the same app, such as WhatsApp or FaceTime.[14]
More: TwinPhone review
Ask AI about these Skype alternatives
Open a pre-filled prompt that summarizes this page and cites it for prices and dates: ChatGPT · Claude · Perplexity · Google AI Mode · Grok · Microsoft Copilot.
Cite this page
APA style:
Walters, G.. (2026, October 25). The best Skype alternatives in 2026, by what you used Skype for. After Skype. https://bestskypealternative.com/Last verified: . Prices and limits change, so please quote them with this date and link to the page, not to a copy.
Sources
- Microsoft Support: Skype is retiring in May 2025: What you need to know (no visible update date). Accessed October 25, 2026.
- Microsoft 365 Blog: The next chapter: Moving from Skype to Microsoft Teams (Jeff Teper) (February 28, 2025). Accessed October 25, 2026.
- Microsoft Support: Make a call with Skype Dial Pad in Microsoft Teams (personal). Accessed October 25, 2026.
- Microsoft: Microsoft Teams (free). Accessed October 17, 2026.
- Microsoft Learn: Skype for Business Online retirement. Accessed October 25, 2026.
- Microsoft Learn: Skype for Business Server 2019 lifecycle. Accessed October 25, 2026.
- TechCrunch: WhatsApp now has more than 3 billion users a month (May 1, 2025). Accessed October 25, 2026.
- TwinPhone: llms.txt (official product facts). Accessed October 25, 2026.
- TwinPhone: International calling rates. Accessed October 25, 2026.
- TwinPhone Help: How does TwinPhone billing work? (September 27, 2026). Accessed October 25, 2026.
- TwinPhone Help: Which countries can I get a phone number in? (September 27, 2026). Accessed October 25, 2026.
- TwinPhone Help: Can I call a phone from my browser for free? (October 11, 2026). Accessed October 25, 2026.
- TwinPhone Help: Does TwinPhone work on iPhone, Android and Linux? (September 27, 2026). Accessed October 25, 2026.
- WhatsApp: Calling. Accessed October 25, 2026.
- WhatsApp: Download. Accessed October 25, 2026.
- Google Workspace: Google Meet. Accessed October 25, 2026.
- Google Meet Help: Google Meet Help (article 13396001). Accessed October 25, 2026.
- Viber: Viber and Viber Out. Accessed October 25, 2026.
- Viber Help Center: Viber Help Center. Accessed October 17, 2026.
- Signal: Signal blog (group call limit update). Accessed October 17, 2026.
- Signal: Download Signal. Accessed October 25, 2026.
- Zoom: Plans and pricing. Accessed October 25, 2026.
- Zoom: Zoom Phone pricing. Accessed October 25, 2026.
- Google Voice: Calling rates. Accessed October 25, 2026.
- Google Voice Help: Google Voice Help Center. Accessed October 25, 2026.
- Rebtel: Calling rates (country pages for India, Mexico, Philippines, UK, Germany). Accessed October 25, 2026.
- Yolla: Call rates (country pages for India, Mexico, Philippines, UK, Germany). Accessed October 25, 2026.
- BOSS Revolution: International calling rates (US). Accessed October 25, 2026.
- BOSS Revolution: International calling. Accessed October 25, 2026.
- Talk360 Help: How does Talk360 work? (June 2, 2026). Accessed October 25, 2026.
- Telegram: Telegram FAQ. Accessed October 25, 2026.
- Telegram: Group calls made easy (E2EE group calls) (April 30, 2025). Accessed October 25, 2026.
- Apple Support: iPhone User Guide: Make a Group FaceTime call. Accessed October 25, 2026.
- Jitsi: Jitsi Meet. Accessed October 17, 2026.
- Telegram: Telegram apps. Accessed October 25, 2026.
Gladstone Walters
Editor, After Skype
I'm Gladstone Walters, and I live in the United Kingdom. I write and maintain the After Skype guides. Every price, limit and date here comes from the vendor's own pricing, help or rate pages; I note the day I read each one and put a dash wherever I can't verify a number. TwinPhone supports this site, so I hold it to the same criteria as every other app and list its weak points next to its strengths.
Gladstone on Trustpilot (opens in a new tab)Reviewed and updated · Next review January 2027 · Author page · Methodology