Skype vs Google Voice vs StartACall: Which is Cheapest in 2025?

If you're searching for "Skype vs Google Voice" in 2025, you're looking for one thing: the cheapest, easiest way to make an international call. You remember when Skype was the go-to for low-cost, pay-as-you-go calls to landlines and mobiles.

But the VoIP (Voice over IP) landscape has completely changed.

Here's the hard truth: One of these services is gone, one has become a costly subscription, and only one delivers on the original promise.

Let's settle the debate and find the actual cheapest option for you.

First, The Big News: Skype Is No Longer an Option

Let's get this out of the way. If you're a new user looking to buy pay-as-you-go "Skype Credit" to call phones, you can't.

As of 2025, Microsoft has officially retired Skype's pay-as-you-go model for new users and is transitioning everyone to Microsoft Teams. You can no longer sign up and buy Skype Credit to make cheap calls. The service you're searching for effectively no longer exists.

This leaves millions of users searching for a simple, low-cost Skype alternative.

subscription Google Voice: Not the Simple Tool You Remember

With Skype out, Google Voice seems like the next logical choice. Unfortunately, it's not that simple anymore. Google Voice has split into two very different products:

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   Google Voice (Personal): This is the free version, but it's primarily for users in the U.S. and Canada. While calls tothe US/Canada are free, you still pay per-minute rates for all other international destinations. It's tied to your Google account and designed to work through an app.

2. ▸

   Google Voice (Business): This is a completely different beast. It is now a paid monthly subscription servicedesigned for businesses.

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     Subscription Fees: Plans start at $10-$30 per user, per month.

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     Hidden Costs: It requires a paid Google Workspace subscription (an extra $7-$8+ per user) to even use it.

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     International Calls Cost Extra: The starter plans do not include international calling. You must upgrade to the expensive "Premier" plan and you will still pay per-minute rates on top of your $30/month subscription.

The verdict: Google Voice is no longer a simple, pay-as-you-go tool for cheap international calls. It's become a complex, subscription-based business phone system.

The Clear Alternative: What Is StartACall?

This is where the market has shifted. With Skype gone and Google Voice becoming a costly subscription, a new solution was needed.

StartACall is the modern answer. It's a web-based calling service built on the simple promise that Skype and Google Voice left behind.

The entire service is built to fix the two biggest problems with old VoIP:

1. ▸

   "No Apps. No Downloads." You don't install anything. You just open your web browser (on your computer or phone), sign in, and dial.

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   "True Pay-As-You-Go." There are no monthly subscriptions, no contracts, and no hidden fees. You add credits (e.g., $5 or $10) and use them to make calls. That's it.

The Verdict: Which is Actually Cheapest in 2025?

The answer is clear and depends entirely on what you need.

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If you are a large corporation that already uses Google Workspace and needs a complex, subscription-based phone system with features like auto-attendants and ring groups, Google Voice for Business is an option to consider (though it will be expensive).

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If you are an individual, freelancer, or business who just wants to make cheap, high-quality international calls without a monthly commitment...

StartACall is the clear and undisputed winner.

It is the only service that delivers on the original "pay-as-you-go" promise. You are not locked into a subscription, your credits never expire, and the rates are transparent and incredibly low. It's what Skype used to be, but built for the modern web.

Stop Searching for Outdated Solutions

The debate is over. Skype is gone, and Google Voice has changed. It's time for a service that respects your wallet and your time.

With StartACall, you can sign up and be on your first call in less than a minute.

1. ▸

   Create your free StartACall account

2. ▸

   Add a few dollars in credit (it never expires).

3. ▸

   Dial any number in the world from your browser.

Ready to start calling?