Skype shut down in May 2025, and millions of people who relied on it for cheap international calls had to find something else. This guide is for Android users who need to call ordinary phone numbers abroad: mobiles, but also landlines and office lines.
We left out WhatsApp, Telegram, and other messaging apps, because they only work when both people have the same app installed. Every app on this list connects to the public telephone network (PSTN), so you can dial any number in any country, whether the person on the other end has a smartphone or a rotary phone on a desk.
We compared seven international calling apps for Android on their published rates, features and terms. We make CallSky and haven't run comparative call-quality tests.
Quick comparison: rates to popular destinations
These are the per-minute prices to five of the most-called countries, in USD, on pay-as-you-go.
| App | UK mobile | India | Philippines | Nigeria | Mexico |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CallSky | $0.04 | $0.09 | $0.39 | $0.44 | $0.04 |
CallSky rates are our standard pay-as-you-go rates as of . Other apps' prices depend on the number you call and often on the country you call from, so check each app's quote for your number before you top up.
No single app wins on every route. Google Voice only works for U.S.-based users. The rest depends on where you call.
What to look for in an Android calling app
- Can it call real phone numbers (PSTN access), or only other app users? That is the dividing line between a messaging app and a calling app.
- Pay-as-you-go or subscription? A subscription makes sense if you call the same country daily. For everyone else pay-as-you-go is cheaper, because you don't lose money in the weeks you don't call.
- How are calls routed? Some apps use a single carrier, while others have fallback providers. The difference shows up on calls to countries with less reliable telecom infrastructure.
- Does the credit expire? Some apps expire your balance after 30-90 days of inactivity and others don't, so read the fine print.
- Was it built for Android? Not every app was. Some are iOS ports with rough edges: laggy dialers, missing notifications, poor battery management.
The 7 best international calling apps for Android
Google Voice
Best for: U.S.-based callers who want the cheapest per-minute rates
Google Voice gives you a free U.S. phone number and low international rates. It ties into Gmail, Google Calendar, and the rest of Google's apps, which helps if you already use them every day.
The catch is availability. Google Voice only works if you have a U.S. phone number to link during setup, so if you're outside the U.S. or don't have an American number, it's off the table. Voicemail transcription and spam filtering are included, and call quality over WiFi is consistently good.
Pros
- Low international rates
- Free U.S. number included
- Deep Google Workspace integration
- Voicemail transcription built in
Cons
- Only available to U.S.-based users
- No emergency (911) calling support
- Business version starts at $10/user/month
CallSky
Best for: Former Skype users, families calling abroad, and business teams
CallSky is our product. It launched on Android in March 2026, joining our iOS and web apps, and calls landlines and mobiles in 180+ countries on pay-as-you-go credit, with no subscription or monthly fee. Credits never expire, so you won't lose your balance if you go a few months between calls.
Every call runs over Twilio, the carrier-grade network used by some of the world's largest apps, on premium routes and direct carrier interconnects around the globe. You pay for the call duration the carrier confirms back to us, never an estimate.
For business teams, there's an admin dashboard with shared credit pools, verified caller IDs, and exportable call history. The same login works across the Android app, iOS app, and web app, so team members can use whatever device they have.
Pros
- Credits never expire
- Works on Android, iOS, and web with the same account
- Business features: shared credits, verified caller IDs, call analytics
- Encrypted calls
Cons
- Android app is new (March 2026) and still building its Play Store review count
- Rates aren't the cheapest on every route
Rebtel
Best for: Frequent callers to a single country who want the lowest per-minute rate
Rebtel has been around since 2006 and focuses on immigrant communities calling home. It sells pay-as-you-go minutes and unlimited calling plans to specific countries for a flat monthly fee.
The unlimited plans are where Rebtel stands out. If you call India or Mexico several times a week, a flat monthly plan can cost less than paying per minute. The app uses "local access numbers" to connect calls, which means your regular carrier minutes count toward the call rather than using data. That's useful when WiFi is unreliable, but it does mean the call shows up on your phone bill as a local number.
Pros
- Pay-as-you-go and unlimited plans
- Unlimited country plans for heavy callers
- Works over regular phone lines (no data needed)
- Been in business since 2006
Cons
- Uses local access numbers, which can be confusing at first
- App interface feels dated
Viber Out
Best for: People already using Viber who occasionally need to call a landline
Viber is one of the most popular messaging apps worldwide, and Viber Out is its paid add-on for calling real phone numbers. If you already have Viber installed for free messaging with family, adding Viber Out means you don't need a separate calling app.
Viber also sells subscription bundles for frequent callers, with unlimited calls to specific countries for a few dollars per month. Calling is built into the main Viber app, so there's no switching between apps.
Pros
- Built into Viber, which you may already use
- Subscription bundles for frequent callers
- Rates vary by the country you call from
- Free Viber-to-Viber calls included
Cons
- Viber's terms freeze unused credit after 6 months without a purchase
- UK and European rates are higher than some competitors
- Main app is bloated with stickers, stories, and ads
Talk360
Best for: Calling Africa and South Asia from anywhere in the world
Talk360 is a Dutch company, based near Amsterdam, that focuses on calls to Africa and South Asia. Its rates depend on the country your account is registered in.
The app works from most countries. You don't need a SIM card or a local number, only WiFi or data, credit on your account, and a number to dial. The recipient doesn't need the app or even a smartphone.
Pros
- Strong coverage of African and South Asian routes
- Works from most countries
- No subscription required
- Recipient doesn't need the app
Cons
- Rates to Western countries (UK, US) aren't the cheapest
- Smaller user base, fewer reviews
- Credit expires after 12 months without a call or purchase
Boss Revolution
Best for: Budget callers in the U.S. who frequently call Latin America
Boss Revolution started as a calling card company and moved to an app. Its focus is calls from the U.S., especially to Latin America. It also has retail locations across the U.S. where you can top up with cash, which matters for users who don't have (or don't want to use) a credit card.
The app lets you earn rewards points on calls that convert to free minutes. Quality is generally good on major routes, though calls to rural areas in some countries can be hit-or-miss.
Pros
- Focus on Latin America and the Caribbean
- Cash top-up at retail locations across the U.S.
- Rewards program for frequent callers
Cons
- App can feel slow on older Android phones
- Primarily focused on the U.S. outbound market
Yolla
Best for: Light callers who value a clean, modern Android app
Yolla is a smaller player, but their Android app is polished and fast. The app shows your remaining balance and estimated call time before you dial, which helps avoid surprises.
Where Yolla falls short is scale. Fewer users means fewer reviews and a less-tested network. They don't have the routing redundancy of larger providers, so call quality can vary more on difficult routes. But for occasional calls to common destinations, it works fine.
Pros
- Clean, well-designed Android app
- Shows estimated call time before dialing
- Caller ID displays your real number
Cons
- Smaller company with less network redundancy
- Limited business features
What about WhatsApp, Telegram, and other messaging apps?
Messaging apps solve a different problem. WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, and similar apps only call people who have the same app installed, which works well when both sides have smartphones and data connections.
They can't reach a business landline in London, a family member's mobile in Lagos, or your parents' home phone in Manila. The apps on this list can, because they connect to the telephone network.
Tips for getting the best call quality on Android
- Use 5 GHz WiFi when you can. The 2.4 GHz band is more crowded, which causes jitter and dropped audio, so if your router offers both, connect to the 5 GHz network for calls.
- Turn off battery optimization for your calling app. Android aggressively kills background apps to save battery, so go to Settings > Battery > select the app > "Don't optimize" to stop it being suspended mid-call.
- Close other apps during calls. Streaming video, large downloads, and even some social media apps compete for bandwidth.
- Try cellular data too. 4G and 5G connections are often more stable than congested public WiFi, so if your hotel WiFi is struggling, switching to mobile data may give you a clearer call.
Which app should you pick?
It depends on who you call and how often.
- In the U.S. and calling occasionally? Google Voice gives you a free number and low rates.
- Calling the same country every week? Rebtel's unlimited plans will save you the most money.
- A former Skype user looking for a direct replacement? CallSky, our app, has the closest model: pay-as-you-go credit, no subscription, credits that never expire, and one account on Android, iOS, and web.
- Already on Viber? Add Viber Out rather than installing another app.
- Calling Africa regularly? Talk360 focuses on those routes.
- In the U.S. and calling Latin America? Boss Revolution sells cash top-ups in U.S. stores.
If you're not sure, most of these apps let you start with a small top-up ($2-5). Try the one that is cheapest for your most-called country in the rate table above.
For a broader look at WiFi calling apps across all platforms, see our guide to choosing a WiFi calling app.
CallSky is our product. It calls 180+ countries on pay-as-you-go credit that never expires, with no subscription, on Android, iOS, and the web. Get it on Google Play.