Skype is a popular application that is free for both Macintosh and Windows users, and allows them to call or video call with friends and family. With Skype, users can also call land lines or cell phones, if they fund their account, but computer to computer calling is free. However, there are a number of applications that have better Voice over IP (VoIP, which is simply a phone call over the Internet) or video call options.
Google Voice is similar to Skype in that it provides free PC-to-PC video and voice calls, but it caters to US residents only. If you live in the US, you can call any phone located in the US for free, and with cheaper rates than Skype to phones outside of the US. It also gives users a specified number that other people can dial directly, which Skype doesn’t. Google Voice has a number of side features which add a lot of convenience, but aren’t really necessary, like voicemail, SMS, conference calls (which Skype has as well), call screening, and the feature to get transcripts of voicemail messages.
Jajah
Jajah is a completely web based application isn’t free, unlike Google Voice and Skype. Instead of PC-to-PC calling, Jajah focuses on providing cheaper phone rates through your Internet connection. Basically, you call using Jajah’s website through your landline or mobile phone, and get cheaper rates than local phone providers. For example, according to their pricing chart, calling from the US to the US is three cents a minute (or free, but what is required to place a free phone call isn’t clear) for either landlines or cell phones. In order to place a call, you type in your phone number, and the phone number of who you wish to call. Your phone will ring, and upon picking it up the recipient’s phone will ring as well as the call will start. Luckily, because there is no software required, it can be used on any operating system.
Faceflow
Faceflow is a more social application than Jajah and Google Voice, focusing on allowing users to video chat with up to three of their friends for free. It also offers basic voice chat and has an IM option. There isn’t any software to download, so it will work on all computers with an Internet connection. However, it does not offer an option to call landline or cell phones, and really is only better than Skype in the fact that you can video call with up to four people at once.
All of these applications are alternatives to Skype, not because they replicate its services, but because they expand on one or more of them.
Dylan Lamberti - I have been writing on-line for a period of just under two years, and have written for such sites as Demand Media Studios and Brighthub.
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