When I think back to all of my time working with mobile technology, whether it was reviewing and blogging here on PhoneDog or working on  carrier sales floors, one topic always seems daunting: traveling. More specifically, what should people do with their mobile devices while traveling abroad. There are a number of different things to discuss, but lately I’ve been messing around with one particular app that I think travelers, and everyone else, may find useful. 

The app is called Spikko, and its focus is to offer users an easy way to obtain local phone numbers from different countries. Instead of inputing different country access codes or showing up as a strange foreign number to locals while traveling, Spikko allows you to subscribe to a local phone number so that you and those trying to reach you can dial more easily. With me so far? If you’re traveling abroad and would like to use a local phone number on your device, then Spikko is a tool that you need to look at. 

I did find however, that there could be some uses for the service right here at home as well.  With the ability to add multiple numbers for most countries, users could utilize the service to provide themselves with multiple local numbers.  This could be ideal for someone who wants a different number for a business line, running a virtual office, or for someone who simply wants to keep their personal number private. 

When it comes to cost, Spikko has its own unique way of dealing with talk rates. Once you’ve downloaded Spikko and you’re ready to forward a local  number to your SIM card, you choose which country you would like your local number to appear from.

Once you’ve selected your country, it will show your monthly subscription fee for that number. The fees range starting around $4 per month, depending on which country you want to get a number from. You then pay with a credit card or PayPal account and you’re all set. After you dial the number that you’d like to reach, Spikko will tell you how much each minute will cost while talking with that contact. It seemed like the talk rates were pretty competitive with your typical international calling cards, so this app may be worth using to avoid the hassle of finding and buying a handful of calling cards.

Spikko works quickly and the app is easy to navigate. I like how clear and easy to understand the setup was, and honestly, the app just looks fantastic. There are no extra ads or annoying pop-ups that free apps are prone to have, and the smooth user interface makes this app a great tool for those looking to avoid a headache. 

The Wrap-up

The Good: Spikko is quick and easy to use. The subscription fees and minute rates are spelled out clearly, and the responsive and clean UI that you want from a travel app are present. 

The Bad: The one missing feature that I thought should be included, but isn’t a deal breaker, is a guide that users can easily reference for international minute rates to and from different countries. I can understand that this may not be needed, but I thought it would be useful. 

The Verdict: So would I recommend Spikko? I think Spikko is aware of the features and benefits that they are offering users, and I think that as long as users understand the service that the app offers, Spikko is a great tool that I can easily recommend. I see this being super useful for anyone that contacts others outside of the country on a regular basis or for those who travel abroad. 

Spikko is available for free for both Android and iOS devices, so it’s definitely worth checking out. Let us know what you think about Spikko, especially if you’ve used it, in the comments down below!