If you’re in a pinch, and your phone is dead, or you don’t have access to the internet, what are you supposed to do? You can’t just abandon your plans and isolate yourself from the world until you can get back on your phone.
It’s important to be prepared for this type of emergency. These apps help make sure that you’re never caught off guard by a dead battery or lack of internet connection. Each of these apps has been tested by our team, and verified as being great quality options, so you can feel comfortable using them.
Table of Contents
Best Apps For Phone Calls
Our pick: Which calling app is the best?
Google Voice is the best Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service for calling landlines and mobile numbers, especially from a computer. You get a free phone number, and calls within the US are free. However, if your carrier supports Wi-Fi calling, consider using that instead—you can toggle it on and off with the tap of a finger.
If calling a landline or mobile phone isn’t your goal, Messenger is the most common and easiest (not to mention free) app to use for voice calling over the internet.
Jump to: Best apps to call phone numbers | Best apps to call other apps | Wi-Fi calling | Our verdict | FAQ about internet calls
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Before diving in, check to see if you have the best internet connection possible by running our internet speed test. We provide a guide on how much speed you need for Zoom to give you an idea of what’s best for internet calling. If you need an upgrade to a better plan, enter your zip code below to see what is available to you.
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The 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
Best apps to call phone numbers
Best for Service Price Best features Get it
Best for landline calls Google Voice Free–$9.50/min.
Provides free calls within the US
Supports incoming calls from anywhere
Get Google Voice
Best for availability Skype Starting at $2.99/mo.
Includes monthly credit in Microsoft 365
Provides free calling between users
Get Skype
Best for personalization Viber $0.019–$2.99/min.
Deletes messages after a specific time
Provides free calls between users
Get Viber
*Price at time of writing. Prices are subject to change.
Best apps for app-based calls
Best for Service Price Best features Get it
Best social media option Messenger Free
Supports voice and video
Provides a web interface
Get Messenger
Best for iPhone to Android calls Google Duo Free
Enables video calls between Android and iPhones
Uses end-to-end encryption
Get Google Duo
Best for security WhatsApp Free
Relies on your existing phone number
Uses end-to-end encryption
Get WhatsApp
*Price at time of writing. Prices are subject to change.
What you should look for in an internet calling app
If you want to call a landline or mobile phone number, you need a specific VoIP service to connect to that physical location. These services typically charge a rate for each minute used—depending on where you are calling—or they may offer a monthly subscription. Most don’t charge you for calling others when using the same service, like a Skype-to-Skype call.
If you’re not calling a landline or mobile phone number, most communication apps provide app-to-app internet calling, such as Google Duo, Messenger, Slack, Snapchat, Whatsapp, and Zoom. Most of these services let you video chat for free too.
Do you have Viasat satellite internet?
Viasat Voice is a great VoIP option that complements your Viasat Internet service. It supports most existing home phones—just connect it to a Viasat modem or gateway using a standard telephone cord. Viasat Voice is separate from the Viasat Internet service, so you never use your plan’s monthly data allowance to make calls. You can even make Viasat Voice calls using your smartphone.
View Viasat Internet with Voice Plans
Best apps to call phone numbers
You can use these VoIP services to call landlines and mobile numbers from the internet. They start out free, but some features may require credits to pay for calls or use a monthly subscription plan. And in addition to audio calls, both Skype and Viber layer on additional features like instant messaging, video calling, and more.
Best for landline calls
Google Voice
Google Voice Logo
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
Get Google Voice
For simple internet calling to phone numbers, you can’t beat Google Voice. It provides free calling within the United States and a free phone number that will never expire.
If you need to make international calls, you can add up to $70 in credit using a bank account or credit card stored in your Google Account. Google’s international calling rates start at $0.01 per minute and depend on your call’s destination.
You can access Google Voice by signing in to voice.google.com in a web browser or the mobile app (Android, iOS/iPadOS). The service also includes text messaging, voicemail, and free voicemail archiving.
Pros
Free nationwide calling
Free phone number
Cons
No emergency calling
No direct customer support
Best for availability
Skype
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
Get Skype
For a universal solution, Skype is the tool. While it’s native on Windows-based devices, you can also use it in a web browser, on a Mac, Linux—even the Xbox One gaming consoles.
Skype-to-Skype calls are free, but unlike Google Voice, you must pay to call national landlines and mobile numbers. Calls require Skype Credit to pay for minutes, or you can use a subscription starting at $2.99 per month. To receive a call from a landline or mobile number, you must have a Skype Number, which costs $6.99 per month.
Pro tip:
The Microsoft 365 Family and Personal plans include 60 minutes per month of free Skype calls.
Skype also includes instant messaging, video calling, screen sharing, and more. It’s a native pre-installed app on Windows 10 PCs, but you can download the desktop client that feels less integrated into the operating system. The desktop client is also available for macOS and in three flavors for Linux.
Pros
Native to Windows
Widely available
Cons
Requires a second subscription to receive landline calls
Offers no free nationwide calling
Best for personalization
Viber
Pricing
$0.019–$2.99/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
Get Viber
Like Skype, there’s more to Viber than making calls to landlines and cellphones. You can make video calls to other Viber users, start group chats, send instant messages, create stickers and GIFs, and set a self-destruct timer to delete your messages after a specific time. It also provides a community component for building and managing unique places to chat.
And like Skype, the calling aspect—Viber Out—isn’t completely free. You can purchase credit to pay for minutes used or subscribe to a monthly plan. For instance, you can call anywhere within the United States for $1.99 per month, making it more expensive than Google Voice.
Unfortunately, Viber does not have a web client for browsers. You must install a mobile app or desktop software to use this service.
Pros
Supports stickers and GIFs
Deletes messages automatically after a specific time
Cons
No web client
No free nationwide calling
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Best apps for app-based calls
These apps don’t have the means to call phone numbers. Instead, they offer app-to-app internet voice and video calling. All three apps require both the caller and receiver to have an account to send and receive calls. For instance, both individuals need a Facebook account to use Messenger.
Best social media option
Messenger
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
Get Messenger
Messenger needs no introduction. Nearly three billion people actively used Facebook in the first three months of 2021 alone, most of whom are likely already familiar with Messenger’s video and voice calling features.1 That places this service at the top of our app-to-app list due to its widespread use and familiarity.
If you have kids younger than 13, you can install Messenger Kids to send them messages or chat through video. Parents can manage their kids’ contact lists, monitor their activity, and add their friends. Kids can block contacts as needed too.
If you use Windows and macOS, Facebook provides a Messenger app on the Microsoft Store and the Mac App Store, or you can use the web version in your favorite browser.
Pros
No cost
Voice and video calls
Cons
Can’t call landlines
Can’t call contacts outside Facebook
Best for iPhone to Android calls
Google Duo
Google Duo Logo
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
Get Google Duo
Google Duo is Google’s response to Apple’s FaceTime. The difference here is that you can get Google Duo on an iPhone, but you can’t get FaceTime on an Android phone. That gives Google the upper hand in the multidevice battle for your calling needs.
Google Duo supports both audio and video calls on the internet. It also features a Family Mode that lets you doodle on the screen during video calls. The service is free to use and requires a phone number, but you need a Google Account to use this service on multiple devices and platforms.
Finally, Google Duo provides end-to-end encryption for all voice and video calls. Encryption prevents hackers from listening and watching your conversation as you communicate across the internet.
Pros
Make video calls between Android phones and iPhones/iPads
Call kids using Family Mode
Cons
No instant messaging
Limited group calling
Best for security
WhatsApp
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
Get Viber
WhatsApp uses your phone number to eliminate the typical security risks associated with username and password combinations. There are ways to use WhatsApp without a SIM card, but one must be in place to receive a verification code when creating an account. You don’t need a Facebook account to use this service, even though WhatsApp is owned by it.
WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption is enabled by default, meaning all calls and messages are protected from hacker eavesdropping while they are in transit. You can manually enable two-step verification for added security that uses a six-digit pin, so even if someone obtains your phone number and password combo, new devices require a PIN code to access the account.
Other notable features include group chat, document sharing, and a built-in camera—it doesn’t use your phone’s default camera app.
Pros
No login credentials required
End-to-end encryption
Cons
Requires a phone number
Requires QR code scan for web version use
Pro tip:
Do you have the fastest connection possible for internet calling? Find out by testing your internet speed.
Take the Speed Test
Alternative: Use your carrier’s Wi-Fi calling
Wi-Fi calling provided by carriers like AT&T and Verizon Wireless is typically built into smartphones and uses your existing mobile number. It converts your cellular calls into data that transmits over a Wi-Fi network instead of the carrier’s network. Wi-Fi calling switches over to your carrier’s cellular network once your device disconnects from Wi-Fi.
You can enable Wi-Fi calling by tapping through these settings:
iOS 14: Settings > Cellular > Wi-Fi Calling
Android 11 (stock): Settings > Network and Internet > Mobile Network > Advanced > Wi-Fi Calling
Android 10 and 11 (Samsung): Phone > More (three dots) > Settings > Wi-Fi Calling
Approximately 24 carriers support Wi-Fi calling in the United States.2 Here are a few examples:
AT&T
Consumer Cellular
Cricket
Google Fi
Metro by T-Mobile
Mint Mobile
Spectrum
Sprint, now a part of T-Mobile
T-Mobile USA
TracFone/Straight Talk
US Cellular
Verizon Wireless
Xfinity Mobile
Our verdict
Use Google Voice if you want to call a landline or mobile number, especially if you’re calling from a computer. It provides free nationwide calling while the international rates cost up to $9.50 per minute. The best alternative is to use Wi-Fi calling if your carrier offers it, which is built into Android and iOS and doesn’t require a third-party app.
If you’re not calling a landline or mobile number, chances are you already have Facebook’s Messenger app. WhatsApp is a secure alternative, as you don’t need a Facebook or Google account to use this service. Google Duo is a good FaceTime alternative for video calling between Android and iPhone owners.
unlimited free call app
If you want to save some money (and you spend a lot of your day in a place with reliable Wi-Fi, such as your office), you might want to sign up for the cheapest cell phone plan available and rely on free call and text apps instead.
Here are seven phone apps with free calling for Android and iOS. They all offer unlimited calls and SMS text messages. Some offer landline and cell phone calls. Keep reading to learn more.
1. TextNow
As you’ll soon discover, many of the apps that offer free calling all share a significant caveat—you can only call people who also have the app installed. Often, you cannot make calls to regular landlines or cell phones.
TextNow is one of the exceptions. As long as you live in the US or Canada, you can make unlimited free phone calls to any phone number in either country. If you want to call international numbers, you will need to pay. You can, however, earn international calling credits by completing offers.
Other cool features include voicemail transcripts, caller ID, call forwarding, and your own free inbound number. TextNow is available on Android and iOS, as well as Windows and macOS.
Download: TextNow for Android | iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)
2. Text Free
Text Free was created by Pinger, a company that’s been making free Wi-Fi calling apps for several years.
It’s similar to TextNow, but there are some important differences. Most notably, only Wi-Fi-based app-to-app calls and inbound calls are free. If you want to make outbound calls to a regular phone number, you will need to pay.
Luckily, you can earn minutes for free by watching videos and completing partner offers. If you prefer to pay, you can grab 100 outbound minutes for $1.99. You can use the minutes to call anywhere in the world.
You’ll also be able to choose a real US phone number that you can give to friends and family. The custom number selector lets you pick an area code, then add your preferred combination of characters.
The Text Free app is ad-supported and available on both Android and iOS.
Download: Text Free for Android | iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)
3. WhatsAp
Using WhatsApp to make free calls has some obvious limitations. You can’t call landlines or cell phones; the app can only place calls to other people who have WhatsApp installed.
On the plus side, an increasing number of businesses—big and small—now maintain WhatsApp accounts. This means you might still be able to order a pizza from your favorite restaurant when you get some midnight hunger pangs.
Unlike TextNow and Text Free, WhatsApp also supports video calls and group calling.
The best part about WhatsApp, however, is its userbase. It is comfortably the most popular messaging app in the world, meaning there’s a very high chance that the person you want to contact also has an account.
Once again, WhatsApp is available on Android and iOS. You cannot place calls via the service’s web app.
Download: WhatsApp for Android | iOS (Free)
4. Google Duo
Google Duo lets you make free Wi-Fi calls to other users on both the Android and iOS operating systems.
Other key features include support for group chats of up to 32 people, an in-call photo feature, voice-only calls, and a low light mode.
We especially like Google Duo’s Family Mode. It lets you doodle on video calls and transform your on-screen persona with masks, stickers, and more.
Download: Google Duo for Android | iOS (Free)
5. Dingtone
Dingtone is another of the best free texting and calling apps. You can send unlimited free texts to other numbers (both locally in the US and internationally), and can call landlines for free via Wi-Fi.
The app is especially useful if you need a second number for business, or need a private number that’s separate from the one your friends have. You could even use the second number to pull pranks on your mates.
Download: Dingtone for Android | iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)
6. Talkatone
2 Images
Talkatone, which is available for both Android and iOS, provides you with a free US phone number that can use to send and receive texts, and place calls to most US-based numbers, including landlines.
You can use Talkatone to make calls via Wi-Fi or via cell data. Of course, the cell data will eat through your data allowance, but it will still avoid using available minutes if you are low.
The app works outside the US when you are traveling, but foreign phone numbers are blocked.
Download: Talkatone for Android | iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)
7. Skype
Sure, Microsoft’s app doesn’t enjoy the same market dominance that it once did, but it’s still a big player in the world of free Wi-Fi calling apps and remains popular among business users.
Once again, calls to other Skype users are free. If you want to call landlines and cell phones, you will need to sign up for one of Skype’s payment plans. Numerous plans are available, each of which offers a different number of minutes and supported countries.
And remember, if you’re an Office 365 subscriber, you receive 60 minutes of free calls to any global number every month. Unfortunately, unused minutes do not accumulate between months.
Check out some of the best Skype alternatives if you would rather look elsewhere.
Download: Skype for Android | iOS (Free)
Wi-Fi Calling Is the Future
Apps that let you choose a phone number and make free Wi-Fi calls to other users are becoming popular.
Indeed, it’s hard to see a future in which these apps do not play an increasingly important role in the cell phone plan landscape; they could easily become the Netflix of the phone call sector.
So, which app should you choose? It depends on your needs. If you want to call other apps exclusively, then services like WhatsApp and Google Duo are unbeatable. However, if you need to place outbound calls to landlines and cell phone numbers, you’re going to need to turn to one of the other solutions.
Conclusion
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