Skype Alt. - Eastern Carib

[john61ct]

No matter what, all these are "over the internet"

In other words not using the cellphone tower native voice/sms transmission protocols, but their data connection, with the apps' own protocols "Over the Top" OTT

VoIP, Voice Over IP

There are hundreds of companies / apps / devices in this niche.

TextNow just happens to be free and noob friendly to get set up.

Do **not** settle into a Google solution other than Google Fi SIM card, for decades they've been chopping and changing strategies, canceling very popular services along the way, very hard to get support, for example trying to port a valued number back out.

[Auspicious]

Anyone at home can set up a new Skype account for you and then pass you all the login credentials. It's hard to beat Skype-In and Skype-Out.

Microsoft Live is a pain. Bill Gates is a Communist, he's just more equal than the rest of us.

WhatsApp works great and is the choice of most people on the planet outside the US. It does work on computers as well as phones BUT you must log in on the phone to get the computer to work. You can't call yourself to my knowledge.