Skype

Skype is a video calling and messaging application developed by Microsoft that pioneered consumer video calling when it launched in 2003. Acquired by Microsoft in 2011, Skype provides free video and voice calls between Skype users worldwide, alongside paid Skype Credit and subscription options for calling traditional landline and mobile phone numbers at rates significantly below standard international calling rates.

The platform supports HD video calls, group video calls, instant messaging, file sharing, and screen sharing—making it relevant for both personal family communication and small business use. Skype's paid calling plans enable calls to telephone numbers (not just Skype users), with monthly subscription plans for unlimited calls to specific countries that appeal to families or businesses with regular international calling needs.

Skype's core free video calling remains competitive with FaceTime, Google Meet, and Zoom for personal use, though Microsoft Teams has absorbed much of Skype's enterprise positioning within the Microsoft ecosystem. The international calling subscription plans represent genuine value for regular callers to specific countries—comparing Skype's per-minute or subscription rates against Google Voice and calling card alternatives helps identify the most cost-effective international calling solution.