Best Free Internet Phone Calls Apps

These apps let you make free Wi-Fi calls all around the world

By
Stacy Fisher
Profile photo of Stacy Fisher
Stacy Fisher
Technology Educator
  • Emporia State University
Stacy is a professional technology educator with over 25 years' experience. She has published hundreds of articles, co-authored a book, and has appeared on national and local TV.
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Updated on June 2, 2023

Yes, you really can make free phone calls using the internet. Some messaging apps include support for free calling, sometimes to anyone in the world, but other times only to numbers in the US and Canada.

A free Wi-Fi phone can't make a 911 or similar emergency call. If there's an emergency, use a traditional landline or mobile phone, or a true internet telephone service that's approved for that type of use.

The apps listed below are available in two forms:

  • App to phone: Makes free calls from a computer or mobile device to a real telephone number, sometimes vice versa, as well.
  • App to app: Makes free calls between phones, tablets, and computers. Calls only work if the recipient has the same app installed. This method can not be used to call landlines or other devices that don't have the proper software.

No matter how it works, it's a free call, and these are the best apps for the job.

Most of these options only work after you download the program to your device. Depending on the app, calls can be made from Android, iOS, Windows, Linux, or macOS.

01
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Google Meet

Free internet call using Google Meet on Android
What We Like

  • Calls with up to 100 people.

  • Built-in noise-cancelling.

  • Includes filters, AR masks, and other fun modes.

  • Present documents and share other items during calls.

What We Don't Like

  • Only works with recipients who also use the app.

Google Meet is an app-to-app calling service that works across desktop and mobile platforms. Video meetings are encrypted, it also supports audio calls, and you can form massive group calls with up to 100 people.

You can call your contacts through the mobile app, or if you're using the desktop version, start and join meetings via a meeting code or link.

Google used to have a similar app called Duo, but it's been updated and merged with Meet. You can use Google Meet in a browser as well as the mobile app for Android and iOS.

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02
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Google Voice

Google Voice Android app
What We Like

  • Runs on computers and mobile devices.

  • Can forward all calls to your existing phone.

  • Includes voicemail.

  • Easily connects with your existing phone contacts.

What We Don't Like

  • Requires an existing phone number to call landlines and other numbers.

  • Limits calling time.

Google Voice is one of the best ways to make a call over the internet. You can make free calls to an actual phone number, PC-to-PC calls, and free PC-to-phone calls.

Voice is much more than this, though. It's primarily a way to manage the phone numbers in your life and can intelligently route incoming Voice calls to any other phone you have or send them directly to voicemail. You can also screen calls and create custom away messages for specific contacts, and make groups within your contact list to apply rules to, like for custom call forwarding.

Other features include free SMS, free conference calls, and free voicemail services.

Free calls you make with Voice must be to numbers in the United States or Canada, and they're limited to three hours. However, you can continue to make a free call to the same number over and over again.

Voice works from a desktop browser as well as through the iPhone, iPad, and Android app.

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03
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Signal

Signal android app phone call
What We Like

  • Uses encryption.

  • Also supports text chat and video calls.

  • Supports sharing large files.

  • Signup is easy with your number and a PIN.

What We Don't Like

  • Other caller must also have the app.

  • You have to also have a real phone number (can't sign up with email).

Signal lets you send and receive texts, make voice and video calls (including group calls), and share your location and files. It was developed with a focus on privacy and security; it uses end-to-end encryption to protect your messages and calls, so only you and the recipient can see or hear what you're exchanging.

It also includes features like payments, stories, and self-destructing messages, which lets you set a timer for messages to automatically delete after a set time.

Signal is available on multiple platforms, including iOS, Android, and desktop.

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04
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WhatsApp

WhatsApp Android internet calling
What We Like

  • Calls work with any user no matter where they're located.

  • Helps you find users from your existing phone contacts.

  • Works on a wide variety of devices, including the web.

What We Don't Like

  • Requires a real phone number to sign up.

  • It's unable to call non-users like landline phones.

Meta-owned WhatsApp is a popular texting app with hundreds of millions of users. However, you can also call your WhatsApp friends right from the app using only your internet connection (it doesn't count against your phone plan's voice minutes).

You just need to confirm your phone number to get started. Once you're using the app, you can start a new conversation to clearly see which of your contacts are also using WhatsApp, then you can call them for free no matter where in the world they're located. Group calls can include as many as eight people.

WhatsApp also lets you send videos, photos, your location, and contacts to other users. Like Signal, end-to-end encryption is supported for all communication within the app.

Because WhatsApp requires the app to make free phone calls, you can not use it to make free calls to phones that don't have the app installed, nor to landlines.

You can make calls with WhatsApp using an Android, iPhone, iPad, Windows, or Mac.

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05
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Facebook Messenger

Free phone call through Facebook Messenger on Android
What We Like

  • Free for calling any user around the world.

  • Lots of people already use it.

  • Runs on both computers and phones.

  • Supports video calling, too.

What We Don't Like

  • Can't call landlines and other "real" phone numbers.

Messenger is Facebook's messaging service. It can transmit text messages as well as make free internet phone and video calls from PC to PC, app to app, and app to PC (and vice versa).

To make free internet calls using Facebook Messenger, both recipients need to be "friends" on Facebook and have the correct application installed.

Facebook Messenger doesn't support calling real phone numbers like landlines.

It works from any web browser through the Messenger website, as well as through the Windows 11/10 or Mac program and the mobile app for Android, iPhone, and iPad.

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06
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Telegram

Three iOS screens from Telegram app
What We Like

  • Claims to have fully encrypted phone calls.

  • Works on a number of devices.

  • Also supports text messaging.

What We Don't Like

  • Only users can make free calls with each other, so you can't call a real phone number.

Telegram is extremely popular for claiming to offer encrypted text messaging and video calls. The app is really easy to use and the text messaging features are available anywhere you log in, like on the web or through the desktop or mobile app.

After adding a contact to Telegram, you can call them through their app by opening the contact's Info page and then choosing the phone icon.

Telegram runs on lots of devices: Android, iPhone, iPad, Windows Phone, macOS, Windows, Linux, and the web.

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07
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Snapchat

Three iOS Snapchat screens showing making a free internet call
What We Like

  • Has a massive user base.

  • Includes other fun functions like image sharing.

  • Free calls can be made to anyone with the app.

  • Also supports video calls.

  • Call up to 15 friends at once.

What We Don't Like

  • Lets you call other users only, not just any phone number.

Snapchat is well known for its texting and picture sending capabilities, but you can also make free audio and video calls with your Snapchat contacts.

Enter the chat mode with one of your contacts by tapping the conversation once or opening a new chat window. Then, use the phone icon to instantly call them for free over Wi-Fi or your device's data connection.

Since you can only call other Snapchat users, you can't use the app to call home phones or devices that aren't also using Snapchat.

Snapchat works with Android, iPhone, and iPad. You can also use Snapchat in a web browser.

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08
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TextNow

TextNow free Wi-Fi calling app
What We Like

  • You're given a real phone number to use.

  • Includes a voicemail box.

  • Supports several customizations.

  • Free calls work with other users of the app.

  • Lets you send texts to any phone, even non-users.

  • You can buy credits to make calls to any phone number.

  • Runs on the web and a number of mobile devices.

What We Don't Like

  • Calls are not free if you want to talk with a non-user (someone not using the app).

TextNow is a mobile app that can send and receive free phone calls from other users. You can also text any phone because you're given an actual number to use. To make phone calls to non-users, like landline phones, you need to buy or earn redeemable credits.

The interface is very straightforward. It keeps track of call history right within the message center, it's quick and easy to start a phone call, and you can even send messages while actively in a call.

In addition to sending text messages, TextNow lets you send photos, drawings, emoticons, and your location. You can also customize the voicemail greeting, get email alerts when you get messages, change the message screen background, use a different alert for different contacts, customize the overall theme, and use a signature with all your messages.

You can log in to your TextNow account on a different device, and all your saved messages and phone numbers remain and can be used immediately.

Because you don't need an actual phone number to set up TextNow (just an email address), it works with devices that might not have a phone number, like the iPad, iPod touch, and Kindle.

If you're using TextNow on Windows or Mac, or from the web, you can both call and text from your computer.

The app runs on Android, iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Windows.

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09
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Textfree

Three iOS screens from TextFree app
What We Like

  • You get a real phone number.

  • Supports voicemail.

  • Calling is free to any other user.

  • Texting works with any phone number, even non-users.

What We Don't Like

  • Numbers expire if they've been inactive for too long.

  • Your calling minutes with non-users are limited.

Textfree is a free application that gives you your own phone number to make free app to app calls and text messages, and you can even customize the voicemail greeting.

The texting feature can actually be used on non-app phones as well, which means you can use Textfree as another way to text your friends over the internet.

Every Textfree user begins with a limited number of minutes for free calling to phones not using the app, like landlines. There are ways to get more free minutes like watching video advertisements and completing free offers.

If you fail to use your Textfree phone number for 30 days, it's returned to the "pool" of numbers for new Textfree users, and thus become inactive. You can always get another one if your current number expires.

In addition to the web, Textfree is usable through the Android, iPhone, and iPad apps.

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10
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Skype

Free call on Android skype app
What We Like

  • Supports free calls to any other Skype user.

  • Makes audio and video calls, plus supports texting.

  • Runs cross platform, on lots of devices.

  • You can pay to call real phones.

  • Calls can have as many as 100 people in them at once.

What We Don't Like

  • You don't get a real phone number for free.

  • Calls made to non-users are not free.

  • Calls are limited to 4 hours, and group calls might automatically end if you reach 10 hours of accumulated call time in one day.

Skype is a popular messaging service that can make free internet phone calls between several different desktop and mobile platforms.

Since it works on both desktops and mobile devices, any variation of communication is allowed—PC to PC, app to PC, app to app, and PC to app.

To create contacts requires recipients to already have an account; it's easy to create a Skype account in Windows or other platforms. You can find a user in the public directory by their email address or phone number. You can also add contacts directly if you know their username.

Not only is internet calling supported, but also video calls and text messages to any other user.

Some devices have the app pre-installed, such as Nokia phones. You can also use Skype in your browser and on Android, iPhone, iPad, Kindle Fire HD, Mac, Linux, Windows, Xbox One, Amazon Echo Show, and other devices.

Download For:

11
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Viber

Three iOS screens from Viber app
What We Like

  • All calls and texts are free with other users.

  • The app helps find existing users from your contact list.

  • Works on desktop and mobile devices.

What We Don't Like

  • A real phone number isn't free.

  • Free calls can be made between users only (the app is required).

PC to PC and app to app free internet phone calls are available with Viber, so lots of devices are supported.

It scours your contact list on your mobile device to find other users, which makes it simple to know who you can call for free.

Messages and video can also be sent through to any other device that has it installed, be it a mobile or desktop version.

You can subscribe to Viber for a local number in various countries that you can use to receive calls and texts, but that feature isn't free.

The app runs on Windows, Linux, and Mac computers, as well as Android and iOS (iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch) mobile devices.

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FAQ
  • What are the best apps for making international phone calls?

    WhatsApp, Skype, Google Voice, and Viber can be used to make free international calls over Wi-Fi. However, international rates may apply if you directly call a mobile or landline number.

  • How can I get a free phone number online?

    You can get a free phone number with Google Voice, or use an app like FreedomPop, TextNow, or TextFree. For a location-independent number, use iNum.

  • Are your calls more secure with a landline or Wi-Fi?

    Technically, Wi-Fi calls are less secure than a landline because hackers can intercept your calls. That's why programs like Skype and WhatsApp use end-to-end encryption to keep your calls private.

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