10 Best Skype Alternatives for Virtual Phone Numbers You Need to Try
Key Points
- It seems likely that Skype’s recent shutdown of its virtual phone number services has pushed users to seek alternatives, with options varying by cost and coverage.
- Research suggests that both free and paid services exist, with Google Voice offering free US numbers and paid services like Vonage and RingCentral providing international options.
- The evidence leans toward services like Twilio and CallHippo for extensive international virtual numbers, while Grasshopper is more US-focused.
- An unexpected detail is that some free services, like TextNow, may have limitations for international use, making paid options more suitable for global businesses.
Introduction to Virtual Phone Numbers Post-Skype
With Skype discontinuing its virtual phone number and credit services, users are looking for reliable alternatives to maintain seamless communication. Virtual phone numbers, which allow calls over the internet without a physical line, are essential for businesses and individuals needing local or international presence. This article explores top Skype alternatives, focusing on both US and international virtual numbers, and covers free and paid options in a listicle format.
Free vs. Paid Options
Free services like Google Voice are great for US numbers but may require additional credits for international calls. Paid services, such as Vonage and RingCentral, offer robust features and global coverage, making them ideal for businesses expanding internationally. We’ll review each service to help you choose the best fit.
List of Skype Alternatives for Virtual Phone Numbers
Google Voice
- US/International Compatibility: Primarily US, with international calling via credits; no direct international virtual numbers.
- Free or Paid: Free for US numbers; paid for international calls.
- Review: Google Voice is user-friendly, offering voicemail transcription and call forwarding, perfect for personal use in the US. However, its international capabilities are limited, requiring credits for calls outside the US, which may not suit global businesses.
Vonage
- US/International Compatibility: Supports both US and international virtual numbers.
- Free or Paid: Paid, with plans starting at $19.99/month.
- Review: Vonage excels in business communication, offering call forwarding and conference calling. Its international virtual numbers make it a strong Skype replacement for global operations, though pricing may be higher for smaller businesses.
RingCentral
- US/International Compatibility: Covers over 40 countries, including US and international virtual numbers.
- Free or Paid: Paid, with plans starting at $19.99/user/month.
- Review: RingCentral provides a comprehensive suite with auto-attendant and team messaging, ideal for businesses needing global reach. Its extensive international coverage makes it a top choice, though setup may require technical knowledge.
Twilio
- US/International Compatibility: Offers virtual numbers in over 100 countries.
- Free or Paid: Paid, with usage-based pricing.
- Review: Twilio is developer-friendly, perfect for custom communication solutions with SMS and voice capabilities. Its vast international coverage is a plus, but it may be complex for non-technical users, making it better for tech-savvy businesses.
Zoom Phone
- US/International Compatibility: Supports international virtual numbers with global dial-in options.
- Free or Paid: Paid, integrated with Zoom plans starting at $15/user/month.
- Review: Zoom Phone integrates seamlessly with video conferencing, offering call recording and auto-attendant. Its global coverage is suitable for businesses already using Zoom, though it may be pricey for small teams.
MightyCall
- US/International Compatibility: Offers virtual numbers for multiple countries, including US and international.
- Free or Paid: Paid, with plans starting at $15/month.
- Review: MightyCall is tailored for small to medium businesses, with call routing and CRM integration. Its international numbers are affordable, making it a good Skype alternative, though feature depth may lag for larger enterprises.
CallHippo
- US/International Compatibility: Provides virtual numbers in over 50 countries.
- Free or Paid: Paid, with plans starting at $18/user/month.
- Review: CallHippo is strong for global teams, offering call forwarding and SMS. Its extensive international coverage is a boon for businesses, though pricing per user may add up for larger teams.
Grasshopper
- US/International Compatibility: Primarily US, with limited international calling; no international virtual numbers.
- Free or Paid: Paid, with plans starting at $31/month.
- Review: Grasshopper is ideal for small US businesses, offering custom greetings and extensions. Its lack of international virtual numbers limits global use, making it less suitable for international expansion.
Free Virtual Phone Number Services
For those seeking free options, consider:
- Google Voice: Free US number, great for personal use, with international calling via credits.
- TextNow: Free US number for calling and texting, limited internationally.
- PopTox: Free VOIP calls without a virtual number, suitable for occasional use.
- 2ndLine (Android only): Free second number for calls and texts, mainly US-focused.
Survey Note: Comprehensive Analysis of Skype Alternatives for Virtual Phone Numbers
This survey note provides an in-depth exploration of Skype alternatives for virtual phone numbers, addressing the recent shutdown of Skype’s virtual number services and detailing options for both US and international use, including free and paid versions. The analysis is based on extensive research into service offerings, user reviews, and feature comparisons, ensuring a thorough understanding for users seeking replacements.
Background on Skype’s Recent Changes
Skype, a long-standing leader in VOIP communication, announced in December 2024 the discontinuation of its Skype Number and Skype Credit services, as reported by MakeUseOf: Skype Number Is Getting Shut Down, if Anyone Still Cares. This change has left users needing virtual phone numbers for making and receiving calls over the internet without a physical line, prompting a search for alternatives. Virtual phone numbers are crucial for businesses and individuals needing local or international presence, and this survey covers both well-known and harder-to-find options.
Methodology and Selection Criteria
The selection of alternatives was based on their ability to provide virtual phone numbers, compatibility with US and international use, cost structure (free or paid), and user reviews from platforms like G2 and Capterra. Services were evaluated for features such as call forwarding, voicemail, SMS capabilities, and global coverage, ensuring a comprehensive list for diverse user needs.
Detailed Service Reviews
Google Voice
- US/International Compatibility: Google Voice is primarily designed for US users, offering free virtual phone numbers for the US, as noted in Forbes Advisor: How To Get A Free Business Phone Number. International calling is possible with credits, but it does not provide virtual numbers outside the US, requiring workarounds like VPNs for access, as seen in Calilio: How to Get a Google Voice Number Outside The US?.
- Free or Paid: Free for US numbers; international calls require purchasing credits, with a cap at $70, as per Google Voice Help: Make international calls with Google Voice.
- Review: Google Voice is highly user-friendly, offering features like voicemail transcription, call forwarding, and spam call filtering, making it ideal for personal use in the US. Its integration with Google Workspace enhances usability, but its limited international virtual number support may not meet global business needs, as it relies on credits for international calls, which can be costly.
Vonage
- US/International Compatibility: Vonage provides virtual phone numbers for both US and international use, with options in over 20 countries, as detailed in Vonage: Virtual Phone Number. It supports local area codes for cost-effective calling, as seen in Vonage Support: Vonage Virtual Numbers.
- Free or Paid: Paid service, with plans starting at $19.99/month, including taxes and fees, as per Vonage: Phone Numbers Pricing.
- Review: Vonage is robust for business communication, offering call forwarding, voicemail, and conference calling. Its international virtual numbers are a strong replacement for Skype, particularly for businesses needing global reach. However, pricing may be higher for smaller operations, and setup requires navigating their online account, which could be a barrier for non-tech-savvy users.
RingCentral
- US/International Compatibility: RingCentral offers virtual phone numbers with global coverage in over 40 countries, as noted in RingCentral: Global Communications Solution. It supports local and toll-free numbers, with international virtual numbers (IVNs) for customer-centric companies, as seen in RingCentral UK Blog: Virtual Phone Number.
- Free or Paid: Paid, with plans starting at $19.99/user/month, as per RingCentral: Plans & Pricing.
- Review: RingCentral provides a comprehensive suite including auto-attendant, call recording, and team messaging, making it ideal for businesses needing global communication. Its extensive international coverage is a significant advantage, but setup may require technical knowledge, and costs can escalate with additional users, which might be a consideration for small businesses.
Twilio
- US/International Compatibility: Twilio offers virtual phone numbers in over 100 countries, supporting both voice and SMS, as detailed in Twilio: Phone Numbers. It provides local, national, mobile, and toll-free numbers, with international permissions for voice and SMS, as seen in Twilio Support: Twilio international phone number availability.
- Free or Paid: Paid, with usage-based pricing starting at less than $1 for acquiring numbers, as per Twilio: Pricing: Phone Numbers Resource.
- Review: Twilio is developer-friendly, offering APIs for custom communication solutions, perfect for businesses needing tailored systems. Its vast international coverage is a major plus, but its complexity may deter non-technical users, making it better suited for tech-savvy companies or developers integrating communication into apps.
Zoom Phone
- US/International Compatibility: Zoom Phone provides virtual phone numbers with global coverage, supporting over 40 countries under its Unlimited Domestic Select plan, as noted in Zoom: Zoom Phone Global Coverage. It includes local direct dial numbers and international calling options, as seen in Zoom: Plans & Pricing for Zoom Phone.
- Free or Paid: Paid, integrated with Zoom plans starting at $15/user/month.
- Review: Zoom Phone integrates seamlessly with Zoom’s video conferencing, offering call recording and auto-attendant, making it ideal for businesses already using Zoom. Its global coverage is suitable for international operations, but costs may be high for small teams, and setup requires a Zoom account, which could be a limitation for new users.
MightyCall
- US/International Compatibility: MightyCall offers virtual numbers for multiple countries, including US and international, with options for local, toll-free, and vanity numbers, as detailed in MightyCall: All Features of the Virtual Phone System. International numbers are available at $10 each, as seen in MightyCall Review: MightyCall Virtual Business Phone Service.
- Free or Paid: Paid, with plans starting at $15/month, as per MightyCall: Pricing & Plans.
- Review: MightyCall is tailored for small to medium businesses, offering call routing, voicemail, and CRM integration with Salesforce and Zoho, as noted in Calilio: What is a Virtual Phone Number?. Its affordable international numbers make it a good Skype alternative, but feature depth may lag for larger enterprises, and customer support could be slower for complex issues.
CallHippo
- US/International Compatibility: CallHippo provides virtual numbers in over 50 countries, supporting local and toll-free options, as seen in CallHippo: Get International Phone Number. It offers features like call forwarding and SMS, with global number charges detailed in CallHippo: Get Global Number Charges.
- Free or Paid: Paid, with plans starting at $18/user/month, as per CallHippo: Pricing Plans.
- Review: CallHippo is strong for global teams, offering a reliable virtual phone system with extensive international coverage. Its per-user pricing may add up for larger teams, and some users report hidden fees, as noted in OpenPhone Blog: CallHippo Pricing Breakdown, but its ease of setup in under 3 minutes is a significant advantage.
Grasshopper
- US/International Compatibility: Grasshopper is primarily US-focused, offering local and toll-free numbers, with no international virtual numbers, as seen in Grasshopper: International Rates. International calling requires a $500 deposit after 60 days, as noted in Fit Small Business: How to Use the Grasshopper Phone System.
- Free or Paid: Paid, with plans starting at $31/month, as per Grasshopper: Pricing.
- Review: Grasshopper is ideal for small US businesses, offering custom greetings and extensions, making it easy to manage calls. Its lack of international virtual numbers limits global use, and the high deposit for international calling may deter users, making it less suitable for businesses needing international presence.
Free Virtual Phone Number Services
For users seeking free options, the following services were identified, though they often have limitations, especially for international use:
- Google Voice: Offers a free US number with features like voicemail transcription and call forwarding, as noted in MoneyPantry: 17 Best Free Virtual Phone Numbers in 2025. International calling requires credits, limiting its global utility.
- TextNow: Provides a free US number for calling and texting within the network, as seen in Cloudwards: 5 Ways to Get a Free Virtual Phone Number in 2025. International calling is paid, making it less suitable for global users.
- PopTox: Allows free VOIP calls without providing a virtual number, suitable for occasional use, as detailed in MoneyPantry: 17 Best Free Virtual Phone Numbers in 2025. It lacks a persistent number, limiting business applications.
- 2ndLine (Android only): Offers a free second number for calls and texts, mainly US-focused, with limited international capabilities, as noted in Forbes Advisor: How To Get A Free Business Phone Number. It may require upgrades for advanced features.
Comparative Analysis
The table below summarizes the key attributes of each service, highlighting US and international compatibility, cost structure, and a brief review:
| Service | US Compatibility | International Virtual Numbers | Free or Paid | Review Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Voice | Yes, free | No, credits for calls | Free (US), Paid (Intl) | User-friendly for US, limited internationally |
| Vonage | Yes | Yes, multiple countries | Paid | Robust for business, higher costs for small teams |
| RingCentral | Yes | Yes, over 40 countries | Paid | Comprehensive, may need technical setup |
| Twilio | Yes | Yes, over 100 countries | Paid | Developer-friendly, complex for non-tech users |
| Zoom Phone | Yes | Yes, global coverage | Paid | Integrates with Zoom, pricey for small teams |
| MightyCall | Yes | Yes, multiple countries | Paid | Affordable for SMBs, feature depth may lag |
| CallHippo | Yes | Yes, over 50 countries | Paid | Strong for global teams, per-user costs may add up |
| Grasshopper | Yes | No, limited international calling | Paid | Good for US small businesses, limited globally |
| TextNow | Yes, free | No, paid international | Free (US) | Limited to US, suitable for personal use |
| PopTox | No virtual number | Free calls, no persistent number | Free | Occasional use, not for business needs |
| 2ndLine | Yes, free | No, limited internationally | Free (US) | Android-focused, may need upgrades for features |
This table aids in comparing services at a glance, helping users decide based on their specific needs for US or international virtual numbers and budget constraints.
Considerations for Users
For US-focused users, free options like Google Voice and TextNow are viable, but for international virtual numbers, paid services like Twilio, CallHippo, and RingCentral offer extensive coverage. Businesses should consider scalability, integration needs, and cost, especially for global operations, where free services often fall short due to limited features and international support.