Best Internet Phone Calls Apps
Make Phone Calls Through The Internet
Can I make a phone call on the Internet? Data plans for text and calls are often very costly. However, there are plenty of wonderful free calling applications available. It’s safe and straightforward to utilize any of these apps to keep in contact without getting into financial debt. What’s all you need? A WiFi connection to a smartphone tablet, Chromebook.
There’s nothing more satisfying than making calls to a friend or family member, or your partner for free. The top free call apps have advantages and disadvantages, but the benefits outweigh the negatives. In that regard, we’ve provided the top WiFi calling applications you can download.
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Can I make a phone call on the Internet?
Can I make a phone call on the Internet? Yes, you are able to make free phone calls via the internet. It is possible to make free calls via the Internet with one of the numerous free calling applications available for purchase. To use cheap Internet calls, you’ll need to download the app that you wish to use on your device. It must also have access to Wi-Fi, either at home or in the free Wi-Fi hotspot.
Certain apps let users make calls for free to other users using the same application. Some offer the option of a free number to call for free to real phone numbers, but they are generally restricted to numbers within both the US or Canada and also include ads in the app.
What you should look for in an internet calling app
If you are planning to call a landline or mobile number, you’ll need an appropriate VoIP service to connect with the device. The majority of these services charge a cost per minute that is used, based on the area you’re calling, or provide a monthly service. The majority of them don’t charge fees for calling other users when using the same services, for example the Skype-to-Skype calls.
In the event that you’re calling a landline or mobile number, the majority of communication apps offer app-to-app calling, including Google Duo, Messenger, Slack, Snapchat, Whatsapp and Zoom. Many of these apps allow you to video chat for free, too.
Best Internet Calling Apps
With reliable applications you won’t need to shell out money for costly phone plans. You just need to download the app of preference, then add your contacts and then you can start calling. To assist you in making the best choice, we’ve listed the top free calling apps that you are able to test to determine which one best suits you.
6 best apps for making internet calls
- Best for landline calls: Google Voice
- Best for availability: Skype
- Best for personalization: Viber
- Best social media option: Messenger
- Best for iPhone to Android calls: Google Duo
- Best for security: WhatsApp
Compare phone calling app prices and features
Best for | Service | Price | Best features |
Best for landline calls | Google Voice | Free–$9.50/min. |
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Best for availability | Skype | Starting at $2.99/mo. |
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Best for personalization | Viber | $0.01–$1.99/min. |
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*Price at time of writing. Prices are subject to change.
Compare app-to-app calling features
Best for | Service | Price | Best features |
Best social media option | Messenger | Free |
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Best for iPhone to Android calls | Google Duo | Free |
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Best for security | Free |
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*Price at time of writing. Prices are subject to change.
Best for landline calls: Google Voice
For basic internet calls to numbers, you cannot beat Google Voice. It is free to call to the United States and a free phone number.
If you require overseas calls, then you may get up to $70 of credit by using your bank account or credit card that is stored within the Google Account. Google’s international call rates begin with $0.01 per minute, and are based on the destination of your call.
You can use Google Voice by signing in to voice.google.com using a web browser or a mobile app (Android iOS, IOS/iPadOS). It also offers voicemail, text messaging and free voicemail archive.
If, due to some reason, you decide to stop using Google Voice during a period of time (maybe one calendar year), Google removes the free number you have on your Google Voice account. You’ve got 45 days to reinstate the number following that. If you do not meet your deadline Google will assign the phone number to another account. It is then necessary to enter your Google Voice settings and select to get a number.
Pricing
- Up to $9.50/min.
Features
- Provides free calls within the US
- Supports incoming calls from anywhere
- Includes a free phone number
- Stores downloadable voice messages
- Transcribes voicemail
- Blocks spam calls
- Supports Google Home
Availability
- Desktop: Web
- Mobile: Android, iOS, iPadOS
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Best for availability:
If you want a universal solution, Skype is the ideal tool. Although it’s a native Windows application on devices, it is also possible to utilize it with the web browser and on Mac or Linux systems, even on the Xbox One gaming consoles and the latest.
Skype-to-Skype calls are absolutely free, however, in contrast to Google Voice, you must pay to make calls to landlines in the United States as well as mobile phone numbers. The calls require Skype Credit to pay for minutes, or subscribe for a service starting with $2.99 monthly. To make a call to an unlisted mobile or landline you need a Skype Number, which costs $6.50 per month.
Skype is also a messaging app that includes the ability to instant message, video calls screen sharing, instant messaging and much more. It’s a pre-installed native app that runs on Windows 10 PCs, but it is possible to download the desktop client, which feels less integrated with your operating system. Desktop client is accessible for macOS and comes in three versions for Linux.
Pricing
- Starts at $2.99 per month for a subscription
- Starts at $5.00 for Skype Credit
- Costs $6.99 per month to receive landline and mobile calls
- Toll charges vary
Features
- Includes a monthly credit via a Microsoft 365 subscription
- Provides free audio and HD video calling between users
- Sends SMS and instant messages
- Offers desktop software and apps
- Receives calls from landlines and cellphones (with a separate subscription)
- Works with Amazon Alexa and newer Xbox consoles
Availability
- Desktop: Windows, macOS, Linux, Web
- Mobile: Android, iOS, iPadOS
- Other: Xbox, Amazon Alexa
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Best for personalization: Viber
As with Skype it’s not just about Viber than calling landlines or cell phones. It allows you to call video to fellow Viber users, join chats in groups Send instant messages, design stickers and GIFs and set a self-destructing timer to erase your messages after a certain date. Additionally, it has the community feature for creating and maintaining unique spaces for chat.
Like Skype the call feature–Viber Out, isn’t totally free. You can buy credit in order to pay for minutes or opt to sign up for a monthly subscription. For example, you can dial any mobile or landline number in the United States for $1.99 per month, which is much more costly than Google Voice.
However, Viber does not have an online client for web browsers. It is necessary to install a mobile application or desktop program to use the service.
Pricing
- $0.01–$1.99/min.
- $5.99/mo. For unlimited worldwide calls
Features
- Includes autodestruct timer that deletes messages
- Provides free calls between users
- Includes tool for creating stickers and GIFs
- Sends messages, videos, and files
- Supports group chat and calls
- Supports user-built communities
Availability
- Desktop: Windows, macOS, Linux
- Mobile: Android, iOS, iPadOS
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Best social media option: Messenger
Messenger needs no introduction. More than three billion users actively utilized Facebook at the end of this year’s third quarter. The majority of them are already familiar with Messenger’s voice and video features.1 It puts this app on top of our list of apps to apps due to its broad use and ubiquity.
If you have children who are younger than 13 you can download Messenger Kids to send them messages or chat via video. The parents can control their children’s contacts, track their activities, and even include their friends. Kids can block contact as they need to.
If you’re running Windows or macOS, Facebook provides a Messenger application that is available for download on the Microsoft Store and the Mac App Store and you can access the web version of Facebook in your preferred browser.
Pricing
- Free
Features
- Supports voice and video
- Provides a web client for browsers
- Includes AR effects
- Offers different chat themes to personalize conversations
- Supports fingerprint scanning and face recognition
- Sends recorded voice or video messages
- Supports Facebook Pay
Availability
- Desktop: Windows, macOS, Web
- Mobile: Android, iOS, iPadOS
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Best for iPhone to Android calls: Google Duo
Google Duo is Google’s response to Apple’s FaceTime. The difference is that you can use Google Duo on an iPhone however, you aren’t able to access FaceTime using your Android phone. This gives Google the advantage in the multidevice war in the area of calling.
Google Duo supports both audio and video calls over the internet. Additionally, it has a Family Mode that lets you draw at the top of your screen while you are watching video. It is completely free and will require a phone number however, you must have an account with a Google Account to use this service across various gadgets and on different platforms.
Then, Google Duo provides end-to-end encryption for all video and voice calls. The encryption prevents hackers from monitoring and listening to your conversations while you are communicating on the internet.
Pricing
- Free
Features
- Enables video calls between Android and iPhones
- Uses end-to-end encryption
- Shares your phone’s screen
- Supports up to 32 participants in a group call
- Sends video calls to Android devices that don’t have Google Duo installed
- Requires a Google Account to use across multiple platforms and devices
Availability
- Desktop: Web
- Mobile: Android, iOs, iPadOS
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Best for security: WhatsApp
WhatsApp utilizes the number of your mobile to remove the security issues that are typically associated with password and username combinations. There are a variety of ways to utilize WhatsApp without the need for a SIM card, however, you must have one for an authorization code when you create an account. There is no requirement to have a Facebook account to utilize the service, despite Meta being the owner of WhatsApp.
The end-to-end encryption feature of WhatsApp is activated by default, so every message and call is secure from eavesdropping by hackers while they travel. You can enable manually two-step verification to provide additional security. This requires a six-digit pin. This means that even if someone gets your number and password combination, new devices will require the use of a PIN number to gain access to the account.
Other noteworthy options include document sharing, group chat and a built-in camera that does not use your phone’s default camera application.
Pricing
- Free
Features
- Relies on your existing phone number
- Provides end-to-end encryption
- Broadcasts a single message to multiple users
- Shares messages, photos, and videos with up to 256 users simultaneously
- Records voice messages
- Shares documents
- Deletes messages after seven days
Availability
- Desktop: Windows, macOS, Web
- Mobile: Android, iOS
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my internet to make phone calls?
You can make calls for free through the internet. Certain messaging applications allow for free calls, often to any person in the world and other times to numbers within those in the US or Canada.
How can I make free calls from the Internet?
There are a number of apps to make calls for free. However, be aware that these applications will only allow calls to users with the same application installed on their smartphones or computers.
How can I make free call via internet to mobile?
WhatsApp, Skype, Google Voice along with Viber are all able to be utilized for no-cost international calls using Wi-Fi. However, international rates might be charged if you directly call the number of a landline or mobile.