Is Skype the cheapest international VoIP-to-landline for casual use?

Paddy_Landau

I've been looking for cheap VoIP providers to call landlines internationally, from anywhere in the world via the internet. This is for casual personal use, not for business — usually less than two hours per month.

The only reasonably-priced service that I can find is good old Skype.

I've found full-featured services such as Vonage. Although their per-minute pricing is great, even free, the monthly fee exceeds what I'd spend using Skype, plus there's a set-up charge. (I don't need their extra features such as a separate phone number or voicemail.)

So, is Skype really the cheapest for casual personal use? Or do you know a cheaper service?

Thank you

Owain_Moneysaver

Paddy_Landau wrote: »

I've been looking for cheap VoIP providers to call landlines internationally, from anywhere in the world via the internet.

Skype PAYG 2.1p/min

Sipgate 1.18 p/min UK landline, 9.90 p/min UK mobile inc VAT. And you get a UK 'landline' number and voicemail for incoming calls free. No monthly charge.

Links on the Sipgate website to download Zoiper pre-configured if you need an app.

Paddy_Landau

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

Sipgate…

Thanks for the recommendation. Unfortunately, Sipgate also has a monthly fee, and is more expensive than Vonage for international calls (depending on volume).

I also found The VOIP Shop, which (from what I can tell) is significantly cheaper than Sipgate or Vonage. But still a touch more than Skype for my casual needs.

Inner_Zone

Paddy_Landau wrote: »

Thanks for the recommendation. Unfortunately, Sipgate also has a monthly fee, and is more expensive than Vonage for international calls (depending on volume).

I also found The VOIP Shop, which (from what I can tell) is significantly cheaper than Sipgate or Vonage. But still a touch more than Skype for my casual needs.

Only if you buy a Call Package, Sipgate Basic is PAYG. Been using it for nearly 15 years.


https://www.sipgatebasic.co.uk/tour

Paddy_Landau

Inner_Zone wrote: »

Sipgate Basic is PAYG.

Hmm, somehow I missed that. Thanks for pointing it out!

I've installed it and set it up. How cool that it has a free UK number!

A.Penny.Saved

I looked at sipgate myself but found VOIPblazer to be cheaper.

I use VOIPBlazer which is PAYG. The price to mobiles is £0.009/min and to landlines it's £0.007/min.

If you had posted which country specifically you wanted to call it would of helped narrow it down.

To USA landlines it's £ 0.009 and the same to Australian landlines.

These are all less than 1p/minute, it is correct.

The biggest downside for me is that it does not support encryption so theoretically anyone with suitable knownledge could easily listen to the calls.

Paddy_Landau

Thank you for VOIPBlazer. I'll check it out.

As I'm calling landlines, encryption is irrelevant. But this is for personal use; I'm not discussing any state secrets or company secrets!

I am interested in several countries, including USA, South Africa, Cyprus, France.