alternatives to skype (android)?
May 18, 2013 | 6:10 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 356
alternatives to skype (android)?
I've been using skype for voice over wifi/3g. my mobile runs android 2.3
there seems to be a few alternatives on the market (such as vox, viber, and so on).
can other members here comment from their experience with such alternatives on the rates, topup setup, and sound quality?
TIA
there seems to be a few alternatives on the market (such as vox, viber, and so on).
can other members here comment from their experience with such alternatives on the rates, topup setup, and sound quality?
TIA
May 18, 2013 | 6:46 am
#2
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Charlotte,NC
Posts: 44
Viber rocks
My daughter is currently studying abroad in Greece. Her iphone does not work internationally-she has #4 She is using viber. As long as there is an internet connection she text and sends pictures. Its awesome so far.
May 18, 2013 | 10:59 am
#4
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: DL Gold. UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt (Lifetime Diamond downgraded to Explorist)
Posts: 6,777
I use viber to communicate with friends abroad and it works rather well. Calls over 3G aren't great but they do work. Wifi calls are about as clear as any other VOIP call. It is also completely free to call other Viber users. There are fees for calling non-viber users. Texting and picture messaging are quick.
I have a few friends/colleagues that live abroad who use magic jack(+) as a phone so people back home can call a local number and get a phone to ring. Then viber is the mobile backup for messaging.
I have a few friends/colleagues that live abroad who use magic jack(+) as a phone so people back home can call a local number and get a phone to ring. Then viber is the mobile backup for messaging.
May 18, 2013 | 12:21 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Jersey City, NJ USA
Posts: 975
Tango is a partial alternative to Skype in that it offers free voice, video calls, text, chat, and video voicemail to other Tango users via a smartphone or computer. But you cannot pay to call outside the network. One advantage of Tango is that your phone will ring without you logging in....I suppose some people would view that as a disadvantage.
May 18, 2013 | 1:52 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 282
Tango is a partial alternative to Skype in that it offers free voice, video calls, text, chat, and video voicemail to other Tango users via a smartphone or computer. But you cannot pay to call outside the network. One advantage of Tango is that your phone will ring without you logging in....I suppose some people would view that as a disadvantage.
May 19, 2013 | 9:15 am
#10
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Menlo Park, CA, USA
Programs: UA 1MM 0P, AA, DL, *wood, Lifetime FPC Plat., IHG, HHD
Posts: 7,174
I've used the textfree app for years, it used to be the pinger guys (actually, they have started to move back to the pinger name/brand) I often find the calls better than skype on some networks either due to skype blocking or maybe just better routing. You have to either pay for minute or jump through some download apps hoops to get a bunch of free minutes. It's also a great texting app for when travelling abroad. The downside I would say for texting is that there are ads (unless you pay to remove them) and the ads use bandwidth/data so when on a restricted foreign network google voice is better for texting..lowest kb's use.
But, the voice quality is very good and calling to any USA number works great.
But, the voice quality is very good and calling to any USA number works great.
May 19, 2013 | 7:13 pm
#11
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: SYD
Programs: VA WP, UA 1k, QR G, AZ WP
Posts: 358
Viber is restricted to Viber-to-Viber calls and texting, but I found it gave better voice quality than Skype. (I found Viber simpler to use than Skyper since it is all based on phone numbers, so you don't have to mess around with profile names and all that)
I've used Bobsled for free calling to USA numbers.
I've used Bobsled for free calling to USA numbers.
Jun 4, 2013 | 1:19 am
#13
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: YOW, KBV
Programs: AP, MP
Posts: 260
for client to client calls - LINE is ok
for PSTN calls - use any SIP client and get VOIP provider.
For international outgoing calls, nobody beats the price of Betamax. They have literally hunderds of sites with different rates for the same destionations, so you have to dig a bit to find the best one for you.
Here some rates (although there are more):
http://backsla.sh/betamax
Their app is called MobileVOIP, but depending on which site you use, you might be able to use it with SIP.
for PSTN calls - use any SIP client and get VOIP provider.
For international outgoing calls, nobody beats the price of Betamax. They have literally hunderds of sites with different rates for the same destionations, so you have to dig a bit to find the best one for you.
Here some rates (although there are more):
http://backsla.sh/betamax
Their app is called MobileVOIP, but depending on which site you use, you might be able to use it with SIP.
Jun 4, 2013 | 8:07 am
#14
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Menlo Park, CA, USA
Programs: UA 1MM 0P, AA, DL, *wood, Lifetime FPC Plat., IHG, HHD
Posts: 7,174
try the textfree or pinger app. Nice voice quality and SMS, and multiple numbers and locations can be had. There are ads on the free version, I just pay the 5$ for the paid version to get rid of them, especially when travelling abroad so ad loading doesn't suck up any precious data bandwidth. App is very very reliable. Minutes are not FREE, although you can do things like tweet it, or download other apps to get a bunch of free ones, or buy them for like 1cent for 10 minutes time.
Jun 5, 2013 | 5:33 pm
#15
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: YOW, KBV
Programs: AP, MP
Posts: 260
Exactly the reason why I will NEVER install Viber on my phone. Forget about privacy!!!