As a marine wife, and someone who has all their relatives living in another country, apps such as Skype are my best friend. During spring break I discovered Footalk, a free app only for IOS and Android phones. While playing around on another app I saw an ad for free credit on Footalk and decided to give it a try. Footalk allows you to make calls for free and low rates to anyone with a landline or cell phone. It also gives you discounted rates for international calling when you buy credit. Because the app was offering some free credit for a few days during Drew’s Spring break, I decided to try it even though I have been a very dedicated Skype user for a long time now. Although I am glad I tried Footalk and I will keep the application, Skype will remain my go to app for international calls.
Skype is most well known for its video chats, but I have always used it for its low rates on international calls. Their rates per minute are lower than calling cards, and much easier to use. These low rates are amazing when my husband is deployed, or when I’m calling family in Hungary. However, Skype has call quality issues that can drive you nuts. The poor call quality of Skype had me willing to try Footalk in hopes of a good replacement app.
I was excited to try Footalk because of Skype’s often poor call quality. Another app, Viber, also lost to Skype (in my book) due to even worse call quality. Footalk allows you to make calls on WiFi or 3g. When calling another Footalk user, your call is completely free. You can even connect your list of Facebook friends to Footalk, and call them on Footalk without actually having or knowing their number. Though I can’t decide if this is a good feature or not, but it’s something I think is unique to this app. Footalk is definitely different from existing calling services.
As far as the application itself, I find Skype to be more organized, and easier to use. The Footalk application does however have a lot more options and more information on the application itself. The simplicity of Skype however puts Skype above Footalk. Footalk is a faster application particularly when logging on and making calls. The speed of the log on and calls is much faster compared to Skype. This feature is also a big plus for Footalk.
Unfortunately, there is no difference in call quality between Skype and Footalk. This was the main motivator behind me in trying Footalk. Ultimately I think Skype is the best for international calls because you get a lot of minutes for your money, and because Skype offers you monthly credit options, such as $6.99 for unlimited to Hungary, or $8.99 for unlimited to Europe. It also offers a pay as you go option, or a pay ahead of time option. Skype also gives you monthly package deals for calling landlines AND cell phones in another country. Footalk only allows you to put credit on your account ahead of time. The best part is that Skype lets you text a real phone, and Footalk doesn’t offer any type of messaging or texting. Still, Footalk is new and unique and is definitely a useful app to have on your phone, especially if it becomes more popular.
Footalk prices are low especially for international calls, but not any lower than Skype prices. Both Footalk and Skype offer calls, for example, to a landline in Hungary for 1.8 cents. What is unique and a positive about Footalk is that the 1.8 cents is a constant price whereas with Skype, if you do the pay as you go option the call is 2.3 cents but if you pay ahead then it is 1.8 cents. The fact that Footalk has constant prices is nice and makes it less confusing for users. However, as mentioned above, the credit options within Skype are better than Footalk options.
The biggest downfall to Footalk, which is something they could change in their future, is that you can’t have it on your computer the way you can have Skype. Skype can be easily downloaded and used on your computer or phone. Footalk can only be used on your phone. This is a big negative to this new app.
Both apps are really great for anyone with loved ones abroad, or for someone who travels often. However, Skype has really got it down and has an easy to use app, tons of options, low rates, and video and text messaging. Footalk is a free and international calling application that is definitely a good competitor to Skype. I believe as they continue to advertise and become more popular, they will be a big competitor to Skype. It was a good new app to encounter over spring break and to test out. Ultimately though, Skype is still my number one for free and international calls.
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