Best Calling Card or VoIP to call Russia? Skype? Magic Jack?

[eekee 182]

Also what I do now is I bought a skype US number for the year and now it's free for people in the US to call me from cell phones or landlines. I have skype on my iphone and unlimited 3G data for ten roubles a day, so it's super convenient. I seriously have a better cell phone plan and internet service here than my family and friends do in the US.

Edited February 9, 2012 by eekee

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

We use skype to talk to our son. My MIL will not go near computers so that is out for her. We use the "Continental" card from "PennyBoss" for phone calls. It gives a record of calls and PINless dialing. We refill it online. Very easy, very convenient, documents calls for those that need that. Excellent rates also and reliable service (as relaible as it gets with calling cards)

Edited February 10, 2012 by Gary and Alla

[Scafidi454 22]

What about for Russian family to call back to the US? What's the best way for family both in and outside of the major cities (Moscow and St. Petersburg)? Considering buying a Magic Jack to send to my fiancee's parents, because I think that I read that calls are free to the US and Canada worldwide.

Does anyone have any experience with this?

[eekee 182]

What about for Russian family to call back to the US? What's the best way for family both in and outside of the major cities (Moscow and St. Petersburg)? Considering buying a Magic Jack to send to my fiancee's parents, because I think that I read that calls are free to the US and Canada worldwide.

Does anyone have any experience with this?

skype

[mrsjohnsonscat 7]

Another vote for Skype. MIL uses it everyday to see and speak with the grandkids. Works on our smartphones. We have a skype provided number to make international calls with, so we only use our unlimited local minutes. We're very please with it, as it offers a turnkey solution for us.

[baron555 934]

Another vote for Skype. MIL uses it everyday to see and speak with the grandkids. Works on our smartphones. We have a skype provided number to make international calls with, so we only use our unlimited local minutes. We're very please with it, as it offers a turnkey solution for us.

Skype is a Godsend.

[titantom 2]

For me, besides Skype for Chat / Video. I use Vonage... World Plus 1000 - Unlimited to Landlines and 1000 minutes to mobile. Then I use the Extensions Addon for my Cell Phone to route my mobile calling through the Vonage Account. Also, my US Vonage number is free from my mobile phone so I dont incur minute usage for calling international from there either. Sounds complicated, buts its really not... I never pay more than the $60 plan cost, and we can talk as much as we want and when we want. We will definitely keep it when she is here too for her to call home...

[Scafidi454 22]

For me, besides Skype for Chat / Video. I use Vonage... World Plus 1000 - Unlimited to Landlines and 1000 minutes to mobile. Then I use the Extensions Addon for my Cell Phone to route my mobile calling through the Vonage Account. Also, my US Vonage number is free from my mobile phone so I dont incur minute usage for calling international from there either. Sounds complicated, buts its really not... I never pay more than the $60 plan cost, and we can talk as much as we want and when we want. We will definitely keep it when she is here too for her to call home...

I looked at this option, but not many people, besides her parents, have land lines anymore...

[Mecom 0]

You can buy best calling cards for international calling to Russia from Epincall.com, rates start from 1.7 ¢/min.

[vbtwo 54]

Note that Google Voice has recently raised their rates to call cell phones in Russia and it's now 15c/min instead of 8c/min.

It's still 2c/min to call landlines in Moscow and St Petersburg and 4c/min for landlines in other places.

They also raised their rates to call Ukraine and it's now up to 17c/min to call cell phones and 10c/min for landlines.

[BastillaShan 30]

We used the App Viber which is available on iPhones/Android/WP8.

It's essentially a lot like Skype but we've had better luck with it. It works like a standard VOIP tool so that if you are both using the app you can talk all day long and are only limited by your data cap (I've never come close). It also has a robust chat client and video beta.

The only caveat is that you both need a smartphone. http://www.viber.com

It's 100% Free.

Edited November 6, 2013 by jclink

[Derek & Rita 6]

We used the App Viber which is available on iPhones/Android/WP8.

It's essentially a lot like Skype but we've had better luck with it. It works like a standard VOIP tool so that if you are both using the app you can talk all day long and are only limited by your data cap (I've never come close). It also has a robust chat client and video beta.

The only caveat is that you both need a smartphone. http://www.viber.com

It's 100% Free.

I'll attest to that, it seems like a new thing, but all of her friends in Russia are on it now. It's great. Maybe everyone's upgrading to smartphones, I don't know.