The short answer
Microsoft retired Skype in May 2025. If you used Skype Credit to call regular phone numbers, HalaPhone does the same job from your browser: pay per minute, no app, no subscription.
HalaPhone vs Skype at a glance
| Feature | HalaPhone | Skype |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Active | Retired in May 2025 |
| Call mobiles and landlines | Yes, 200+ countries | No longer available |
| App needed | No, works in the browser | Required a desktop or mobile app |
| Billing | Prepaid credit, pay per minute | Skype Credit and subscriptions, now ended |
| Price shown before calling | Yes, live per-minute rate | n/a |
| Local phone numbers | Rent US and Canada numbers | Skype Number, now ended |
Based on public information at the date above. Check each provider for current details.
What happened to Skype?
Microsoft shut down Skype on May 5, 2025 and moved users to Microsoft Teams Free. Teams Free handles calls between app users, but paid calling to regular phone numbers through Skype Credit and Skype subscriptions was discontinued.
That left many people who called family or businesses abroad looking for a simple replacement that dials normal phone numbers.
Why HalaPhone works as a Skype replacement
HalaPhone calls any mobile or landline number in 200+ countries straight from Chrome, Safari, Edge or Firefox. The person you call answers on their normal phone and needs no app or internet connection.
- See the exact per-minute price before you dial
- Top up from $10 with no monthly fee
- Calls stop at your balance, so there are no surprise bills
- Rent a US or Canadian number, or use your own number as caller ID
How to switch in two minutes
Create a free account, add credit, allow microphone access and dial the number with its country code. Your contacts can be imported from a CSV file.
Questions people ask
Is Skype still working?
No. Microsoft retired Skype on May 5, 2025 and paid calls to phone numbers ended with it.
What is the best Skype alternative for calling landlines?
A service that dials regular phone numbers from the browser, like HalaPhone, replaces Skype Credit calls without installing an app.
Does HalaPhone have a subscription?
No. You pay per minute from prepaid credit, and you see each country's rate before calling.
