With the help of a free calling app on your mobile device or computer, you will be able to make VoIP free calls using a WiFi or mobile data connection. This solution allows you to stay in touch with friends and family, without using up the minutes available in your phone plan, or incurring in additional charges. Using an app to make free calls over the internet is a practical solution if you are in an area that has poor reception. There are apps that let you make calls to mobile numbers and landlines for free. Others can only be used to call people who have the same app installed on their devices. Keep in mind that while a free calling app doesn’t use your voice minutes, if you connect to the internet using mobile data. the app will consume certain amount of your data plan. Make sure that you have enough data cap, or connect to a WiFi network to make calls. It should also be noted that these apps can’t be used to call 911.
Best free calling app for iOS, PC and Android
Google Hangouts
In order to fully enjoy the advantages that a free calling app can bring, it is advisable to opt for a versatile solution like Google Hangouts. This app works on a variety of platforms and it offers good call quality and free, or low cost calls to phone numbers in Canada and the US. You can also enjoy a wider range of features when you get a Google Voice number. Google Hangouts has evolved since it was originally launched and it supports a variety of features including video calls with multiple participants and instant messaging. Google offers affordable international rates and the interface of the app is well-designed and easy to use. The Chrome add-on notifies you about incoming calls.
Android users can make free calls using Hangouts Dialer, which can be found on Google Play Store. Once you download and install Hangouts Dialer, you can enjoy free WiFi calls. Just open the Hangouts Dialer app, tap the keypad button at the bottom of the screen and dial the US or Canadian number that you want to call. Tap the green call button at the bottom of the screen to start the call. To end the call, tap the red hang out button (the red circle with the white telephone inside). In general, Google Hangouts offers good call quality, although this may vary depending on your internet connection. It supports voice, video calls and also text messages. Just keep in mind that you need a Google account to use all the features. However, if you invite someone to participate in a conference call, they don’t need a Google account to join.
Talkatone
Talkatone is another good option for Android and iOS users who want to make calls or text using their internet connection, instead of their mobile minutes. Talkatone is a convenient solution to make calls using your iPad or iPod and it lets you stay in touch, even if you are in a n area where the mobile coverage is not the best. It is also ideal for travelers since it helps you to avoid hefty international rates. One of the advantages of Talkatone is that it supports free calls and texts, even if the other party doesn’t have the app installed, unlike Skype, FaceTime or Viber, which require that the recipient also has the app installed on their devices. You can download the app from the App Store or Google Play.
Other options for free VoIP calls (app to app)
Skype
While there are many new names in the market, Skype is still the favorite choice for millions of users. This popular VoIP service provides good quality calls and a great set of features that will allow you to talk to friends and family, no matter how far away they are. Skype supports free voice and video calls with other Skype users and there are also cheap rates for international and local calls to landlines and mobile phones. The app also offers instant messaging and you can share links, emojis and more.
FaceTime
FaceTime is Apple’s voice and video calling app that allows users to communicate easily over the internet, using their iPhone, iPad, iPod or Mac. Initially, the app focused on video calls but it later increased its functionality to support audio calls as well. To start a voice call, you just need to tap the telephone icon, rather than the camera icon. FaceTime is free, user-friendly and provides high quality. However, it is limited to Apple’s platforms so it is not possible to use it to communicate with people who use Android or other devices.
WhatsApp started as an instant messaging platform and it soon became one of the most popular communication options available. The fact that it allows users to send and receive texts over the internet and for free, made WhatsApp a success around the world. The app’s interface is simple and supports many convenient features. It is possible to share photos, videos, links, audio recordings, GIFs and more. WhatsApp allows you to create group chats and it recently added support for video and voice calls. It works on all major platforms.
Facebook Messenger
Facebook Messenger has added a wider range of features over the last few years and it is now a stand alone application that supports voice and video calls, as well as texts. It works on different operating systems so it will allow you to stay in touch with friends and family, regardless of the platform they use. It is a good option to talk to your Facebook contacts and you can easily manage favorite contacts, recent messages and more.