Alternatives to Skype for Making Regular Calls?

illumination on 20/08/2018 - 13:43
Last edited 20/08/2018 - 14:45

I'm wanting to find an alternative to Skype (that is obviously cheaper but still reliable - we're on Ozbargain after all :D) for making regular calls.

Skype is obviously hugely popular and when there are 50% off Skype GCs at Woolies/Coles/Aus Post, it makes the effective cost of all calls 50% off + extra discount for paying with discounted eGCs.

Even after factoring the 50% off, are there any other services any of you are aware of that are even cheaper?

My situation is I now live in Singapore so I'm actually looking for the cheapest way to call Australia, but would also like the flexibility of knowing I have some cheap way of calling in other countries too. I also have a limited number of minutes in Singapore (trying to be cheap here with my phone plan too but it's harder than Australia) so even being able to call Singapore cheaply from this service would be cool.

I've looked at:

  • RebTel
  • LINE (small number of free minutes to multiple countries)
  • Viber

Seems like Skype is still generally cheaper. Does anyone have any other alternatives or ideas?

Sorry let me clarify. I'm referring to making calls to regular numbers. Not calls between users using the same app like you can on Whatsapp.

Mobile Skype

Comments

  • mysterytal on 20/08/2018 - 13:47
    +1

    My options are Google Duo, Skype, Messenger, Vyke and CallApp before using the actual phone to make a call.

    • illumination on 20/08/2018 - 20:22
      +1

      Google Duo

      Looks like it's for video calling and the other party needs to also be using it?

      Skype

      Yep! We all know this one :)

      Messenger

      As in Facebook? Can't call normal phone numbers though

      Vyke

      This looks like it's an option.

      CallApp

      This looks like an alternative to TrueCaller? Doesn't look like it's for making calls to regular numbers.

  • HighAndDry on 20/08/2018 - 13:49
    +2

    Whatsapp, Wechat.

    • illumination on 20/08/2018 - 14:19

      Nah. I'm talking about calls to regular numbers. Think of calling a bank.

      Otherwise, yes these are obvious choices.

      • ausmechkeyboards on 20/08/2018 - 17:11

        WeChat does normal calls too now IIRC, pretty cheap as well

        • illumination on 20/08/2018 - 20:22

          Ah cool. Will look into it.

  • JimmyF on 20/08/2018 - 13:58
    +9

    I'm assuming you want to call landline numbers in OZ and not people. If so, have a look at some VOIP plans and install a VOIP client on your phone. Something like this $0/month, 10c per call

    https://www.mynetfone.com.au/whirlpool/VoIP/Plans/WhirlpoolS…

    • bluesky on 20/08/2018 - 17:31
      +3

      OP, some elaboration on the Mynetphone WhirlpoolSaver plan in case it helps. I remember using this plan to call AUS landline from overseas; it was billed as a local call (10c), and I could talk as long as I like. I have not used it in this fashion for some years now, ever since I have a Skype subscription. But I think it still works the same. When you access the Mynetphone account, it is local to Aus, so the VOIP calls to Aus landlines are local calls.

      What's more - I have a few $ credit with them for years. And now and then, I could still use it for SMS - they did not expire my credit.

    • PlasticSpaceman on 21/08/2018 - 07:58
      +2

      +1 from me as well. Keep in mind you can have a local Australian number with your VoIP service, so people here can call you and only pay for a local call (frequently free on many services) rather than paying to call an overseas number….

  • GG57 on 20/08/2018 - 14:09

    We use Whatsapp.
    I assume that free internet is widely available in Singapore?

  • [Deactivated] on 20/08/2018 - 14:13
    +2

    WhatsApp if calling people that have it, failing that Facebook Messenger calls.

    If need to call a landline or something, then it is Skype which sets me back less than $30 a year. Before WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, probably used a few hundred a year in Skype credits.
    For the $30 a year, I don't think it is worthwhile looking for an alternative service, especially given how good the mobile app is.

  • Godric on 20/08/2018 - 14:27
    +4

    Discord

  • Ryanek on 20/08/2018 - 14:34
    +1

    Have a look at SIPTalk

  • batrarobin on 20/08/2018 - 14:43

    Check smartvoip too. They used to be quite competitive when I used them a few years ago.

  • sir_bazz on 20/08/2018 - 15:02

    Google Voice

    Don't do it often so 4c per minute is tolerable.

  • crentist on 20/08/2018 - 18:24

    If you have an iphone, take a look at Sudo. Gives you 20 hours free calls to a few places including Australia. you might need a vpn to use it, because its only available in a few countries. vpn worked for me from Japan

    Came in very handy when I had to call banks back in Aus while overseas, especially with long hold times etc. I'm not sure if they've cut back on the service lately, they've added paid plans and I think it used to be 100 hours free, but hopefully it still works well. One thing to note is that it creates fake US or UK numbers, but not Aus. So you won't have a local number for people to call you back on

    • illumination on 26/08/2018 - 18:01

      Interesting. Shame I don't use iPhone and it's not available on Android yet though, but will keep an eye out for it!

  • ubor on 20/08/2018 - 18:26

    VOIP Stunt

  • JIMB0 on 20/08/2018 - 20:04
    +3

    Use the phone at work.

    • illumination on 21/08/2018 - 16:00

      I've been doing this where I can :P

      Looking for something I can use when I'm not at work!

  • PChinna on 21/08/2018 - 06:03

    I'm using Ringo… It has got some lower feedback recently still its working fine for me. Limited interface. I make calls to India at 1¢/min using WiFi.

  • Godhav on 21/08/2018 - 10:50

    Hi

    Rynga works great for me especially when I’m out of Australia as all landline calls to Australia are free….which seems yr greatest need atm.Works off WiFi ,your computer and any phone without a sim if u have WiFi .

    http://www.rynga.com/calling_rates

    Singapore to Aust Landline FREE

    Download the app ,open an account , load the minimum amount of money via your PayPal account and you are live to go…. since your calls to Aust are FREE, you won’t need to top up anytime soon.

    • illumination on 26/08/2018 - 21:53

      Sounds good actually. It looks similar to VoIP Stunt/VoIP buster which are apparently owned by the same people so I would assume this is the same? I was actually just about to try calling after opening a VoIP stunt account but it doesn't seem to let me make a phone call. Seems to be because I haven't topped up, but nowhere does it say you need to top up to make a phone call to Australia (given it's free)? I'll look into it in a bit more detail later

  • Godhav on 21/08/2018 - 10:55

    Rynga Singapore to Singapore (Landline) $ 0.016 AUD

  • Godhav on 21/08/2018 - 10:57

    Singapore to Singapore (Mobile) $ 0.016 AUD

  • simmos on 21/08/2018 - 11:06

    If you re planning to call telephone numbers, the best approach is Voip and one of the largest consolidators is Luxemburg based Betamax. This company operates 33 Voip domains some of which I have used for almost a decade. You can select the best provider from this handy tool detailing the rates in Euro http://backsla.sh/betamax Choose the domain that gives you the best rates for the countries you wish to call. Many are even free. Highly reliable and no billing issues.

    • illumination on 26/08/2018 - 21:54

      This is a crazy list and it looks incredible. Thanks. Will definitely look at this in a bit more detail when I get around to it.

  • HeWhoKnows on 21/08/2018 - 14:26
    -1

    Plenty around and so obvious:
    Facebook Messenger
    Viber
    Whatsapp
    WeChat

    • illumination on 21/08/2018 - 15:59

      Plenty around and so obvious:
      Facebook Messenger
      Viber
      Whatsapp
      WeChat

      People above have recommended these already, and I added to the OP yesterday (in bold) that I was specifically after a service/app that could call regular numbers.

      Of the ones you've recommended, I believe only Viber allows you to call regular numbers.

      So.. it really isn't that obvious. lol.

  • brisdaz on 04/02/2019 - 04:02

    Any updates?

  • Voipunch on 22/06/2019 - 20:21

    Hi There Illumination ,

    You can try our service Voipunch.
    It's a voip service and we charge just 2 cents to Australian landlines on a $5 a month plan.

    We also create customized calling plans to give you the best rates based on the countries you call.

    You can contact us on our page https://tinyurl.com/Voipunch or reply to this post

    Cheers

    Voipunch

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