When you are looking to enhance your sales funnel with new leads or working on converting prospects into customers, nothing beats a real, human-to-human conversation. VoIP is the best tool for that, as it makes International calls cheap and convenient. Among all the business VoIP solutions, Skype used to be very appreciated because Skype calling was affordable and easy to use. But now, it is to be shut down by Microsoft. And people are left looking for the best Skype alternatives - something just as affordable but with more features and better scalability than the good old Skype. Let's look into Skype alternatives for International calls.
When looking for a Skype replacement, you have to consider it carefully, as it has to be a long-term solution that can be easily integrated into day-to-day operations and offer the same, or better, results.
Call quality and reliability
International calls are the main feature business users use, so when looking for a VoIP alternative to Skype, the main factor to consider is how good the connection and voice transmission are. If your calls are not connecting, not being picked up, or you can't be heard clearly, it doesn't matter how many integrations a tool has or what other bells and whistles a platform provides.
Security and encryption
Commercial information is often confidential. Besides, nobody would want their conversation to be listened to, even if they don't discuss anything sensitive. So, security and encryption are important factors when you choose between different cloud-based calling solutions. Check whether the VoIP providers you are considering can provide adequate VoIP security and encryption, such as the TLS protocol (Transport Layer Security) in addition to the usual UDP or TCP.
Pricing and scalability
Call rates are important. But no less important is whether there are any hidden, or not so hidden, fees, like for a required number of seats per subscription. Some Skype competitors don't allow you to buy a subscription for less than two users, for example, which sometimes leads to unnecessary costs.
Multi-device support
Skype can be used on any device, be it a PC, smartphone, Mac, Linux, or Windows. Some apps like Skype are not cross-platform, with a mobile app only, a web softphone only, or only available for iOS, etc. So, unless your company provides every employee with a work device, it's not very friendly for teamwork. Be sure to check if the apps similar to the Skype you're considering are available for different OSs.
Customer support and uptime
In a business environment, every minute counts. So, all important factors are how often there is any downtime, how easy it is to get support, and how long you need to wait to resolve an issue. Unfortunately, more often than not, the bigger a platform is, the more complicated its customer support is. If you need to browse FAQs or a ton of self-help forum posts before finding a solution, it's not optimal. It is better to choose an alternative to Skype that has minimum downtime and a multichannel support team with fast response rates.
Top Skype Alternatives for Business VoIP Communication
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft is removing Skype to promote its primary unified communication platform, Teams. Teams is more known for its HD video calls and Microsoft 365 integrations. It has built-in encryption, many collaboration features, and a lot of options in terms of third-party integrations.
That said, starting out with Teams is hard for someone used to Skype-like apps. Signing up for a free Teams account is easy, but finding out how to start using it as an alternative to Skype for international calls is not.
You need to set up a Teams Phone Plan, with a subscription starting at $10 per user, paid annually, so it's at least $120. That's only for a Standard plan, and if you want a simple pay-as-you-go plan like the one you had with Skype, that's even more expensive, with no free trial.
More than that, just to connect a Standard plan, you need another product.
Which one? Their website doesn't say, so you have to go and check their Help and FAQ articles, then find and buy the product you need to buy before purchasing a Phone subscription... So when Microsoft Teams says "Flexible and easy to use", this feels more like a marketing claim than reality, especially for small businesses or self-employed individuals.
Microsoft Teams pros: provides high-quality calls via Microsoft cloud and enterprise-grade integrations and features. Cons: unclear tiers and subscription requirements, hidden costs, not beginner-friendly, and confusing setup.
RingCentral
RingCentral is also a platform providing calls, messages, and video meetings, just like Teams. Its main focus is excellent call quality and global voice coverage, with comprehensive security, scalability, and professional voice features such as call analytics and IVRs.
However, the "Get up and running in minutes" slogan on their landing page is a bit of a stretch. A link to sign up is not easy to find. You might be redirected to sales first, which overcomplicates the process for someone who wants to minimize the time needed to evaluate the platform.
As for pricing, it starts at $20 per user per month and is paid annually, as with the Teams, so you will need to pay at least $240. On the bright side, you get unlimited domestic (US and Canada) calling. Terms and conditions apply, though, and it's not clear-cut what those conditions are, and what the so-called "affordable International plans" are, either.
To purchase a plan, you will still need to contact sales. You may need to wait for days before you can book a meeting with a sales rep. As far as alternatives to Skype for Business go, that's not very convenient.
RingCentral pros: enterprise-grade reliability, strong cross-device experience, excellent uptime. Cons: high pricing, complex setup.
Zoom Phone
Zoom, a Skype competitor that bloomed during the global pandemic with its robust video conferencing features, also provides phone communication.
Its pricing is very affordable, with only $10 per user per month without unlimited domestic (US and Canada) calls, and from $15 with unlimited calling plans, with no requirement for an annual subscription. But how much you will pay for the International calls (or for the US and Canada, in case you get the cheapest, metered plan) is unknown.
Plus, when you finally go to check out, there will be an additional estimated tax charge, which will increase your total.
Purchasing a phone number is very straightforward, and you can set it up in minutes, making it one of the best Skype alternatives. Unfortunately, the only choice you have is between the USA and Canada. The other downside is that you will need to pay extra for International calls.
Zoom Phone pros: easy onboarding, competitive pricing with unlimited and metered call plans. Cons: Limited options re: geography of virtual numbers, call rates are not easy to find.
Freezvon
Freezvon is a VoIP business communication platform that allows domestic and International calling at low rates. It may not be as well-known as other Skype alternatives mentioned above, but it has its own advantages:
- Sign-up is fast and easy. You don't need to read through tons of articles on the website to figure out how to connect the phone services, nor do you need to talk to any salesperson if you don't want to;
- A free trial is available for everyone;
- You can purchase virtual phone numbers from any country and aren't limited to the USA and Canada;
- There are no per-seat payments or annual subscription requirements;
- Call rates are straightforward and easy to find;
- There are domestic and International calling packages that help save even more money on communication;
- It supports the TLS protocol;
- It can be used on any platform and with any OS;
- Multichannel customer support and high-priority support for business clients.
Freezvon pros: easy setup, free trial, excellent quality, clear pricing, no hidden fees or minimum requirements. Cons: no unlimited plans, no video conferencing software.
Comparison of Skype Alternatives
Here is a comparison table for the best Skype alternatives, using publicly available information.
| Provider | Call Quality and Reliability | Security and Encryption | Pricing and Scalability | Multi-Device Support | Customer Support and Uptime | Easy to Use | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freezvon | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8.5 |
| Zoom Phone | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8.3 |
| RingCentral | 9 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 8.3 |
| Microsoft Teams | 9 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 7.3 |
When you are checking out the best Skype alternatives, be sure to focus on your needs instead of the brand name. If you are looking for a video option in addition to voice and SMS, choose among Zoom Phone, RingCentral, and Microsoft Teams. If your primary goal is to find a platform that is easy to use, has comprehensive pricing and affordable call rates, no hidden fees, a wide geography of virtual numbers, and multichannel support, choose Freezvon.
Try Freezvon as a Skype Business alternative!
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