AKITAKI vs Microsoft Teams — Which Is Right for International Calling?
Microsoft replaced Skype with Teams. But Teams is a corporate unified communications platform, not a Skype calling replacement. Here is the detailed comparison.
AKITAKI is better for individuals and small businesses who just need to call real phone numbers abroad — pay as you go, no subscription, no setup. Microsoft Teams is better for organizations already on Microsoft 365 that need internal chat, video meetings, document collaboration, and are willing to pay per-user monthly fees for PSTN calling. One is a dial pad. The other is a corporate communication platform that happens to support calling as an add-on.
Quick comparison table
| Feature | AKITAKI | Microsoft Teams |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Browser (WebRTC) — no install | Desktop app + web (limited) |
| PSTN calling (real phones) | Yes — 180+ countries, outbound | Yes — but requires Teams Phone license ($8/user/mo extra) |
| Pricing model | Fixed vouchers: $10 / $25 / $50 / $100. Pay as you go. | Teams Essentials $4/user/mo, Business Basic $6/user/mo, Business Standard $12.50/user/mo, plus Teams Phone $8/user/mo. Per-minute rates extra. |
| Subscription required? | No — pure PAYG, no recurring charges | Yes — monthly per-user license required |
| Minimum monthly cost | $0 — only pay when you top up | $12/user/mo (Essentials + Phone) to $23.50/user/mo (Standard + Phone) before per-minute rates |
| Credit expiry | Never expires | Not applicable — subscription-based |
| DTMF / touch-tone support | Yes — full on-screen keypad during calls | Yes — via in-call dial pad |
| Caller ID | Verified real phone number (STIR/SHAKEN) | Configurable — requires admin setup |
| Inbound numbers (DID) | No — outbound only by design | Yes — available with Phone license |
| Setup time | Under 2 minutes — sign up and call | Hours to days — requires M365 tenant, license assignment, admin configuration |
| Admin required? | No — self-service | Yes — Microsoft 365 admin needed for setup |
| Free trial | 1 free minute before any payment | 30-day free trial (business plans only) |
| Target audience | Importers, sourcers, small businesses, anyone calling real phones abroad | Organizations already on Microsoft 365 needing internal collaboration + calling |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes — on first voucher | No |
Why Teams is not a Skype replacement
When Microsoft shut down Skype in May 2025, it positioned Teams as the successor. But for the millions of people who used Skype to call real phone numbers abroad, Teams is not a replacement — it is a fundamentally different product:
- Teams is a corporate platform. It requires a Microsoft 365 tenant, an admin to assign licenses, and per-user monthly fees. Skype was a consumer app you downloaded in 30 seconds and topped up with $10 of credit.
- Skype Credit did not transfer. Users who had $50, $100, or more in Skype Credit lost it in the shutdown. Microsoft did not offer credit migration to Teams.
- Teams requires a subscription. Calling real phone numbers requires Teams Essentials ($4/user/mo) or higher, plus a Teams Phone license ($8/user/mo). That is $12/user/month before you make a single call.
- Teams is over-featured for calling. Chat, channels, document sharing, video meetings, calendar integration, approvals, workflows — these are collaboration features that add cost and complexity if all you need is a dial pad.
The real cost comparison
Consider a solo importer who spends $50/month on international calls to factories in China and Vietnam:
| Cost element | AKITAKI | Microsoft Teams |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly platform fee | $0 | $12–$23.50/user/mo |
| Per-minute calling to China | ~$0.06/min | Varies by plan + destination |
| Setup complexity | None — sign up, top up, call | M365 tenant, admin, licensing, PSTN configuration |
| Monthly total | ~$50 (just per-minute rates) | $62–$73.50+ (platform fee + per-minute rates) |
For a single caller, the Teams platform fee alone costs more than many people spend on international calls in a month. For a team of 5, Teams costs $60–$117.50/month in platform fees before a single call is made.
Who should choose which
You're an individual or small business that needs to call real phone numbers abroad. You want pay-as-you-go with no monthly fee, no admin setup, and no complexity. You used Skype Credit for international calling and want the same model. You need DTMF to navigate phone trees. You call from a browser and don't want to install anything.
Your organization is already on Microsoft 365. You need internal chat, video meetings, and document collaboration alongside PSTN calling. You have an IT admin who can manage licenses and configuration. You're willing to pay per-user monthly fees. You need inbound phone numbers and a full phone system replacement, not just outbound calling.
FAQ
Try AKITAKI — 1 minute free
Call real phone numbers from your browser. Pay as you go. No subscription, no admin setup.