VoIP for the iPhone - Services and Applications

Making Free and Cheap VoIP Calls over the iPhone

by Nadeem Unuth
Nadeem Unuth is a former freelance contributor to Lifewire who specializes in information and communication technology with a focus on VoIP.
Updated June 24, 2019

Have you considered VoIP for your iPhone? Many of you have been seduced by Apple's iPhone. One thing that will definitely improve your iPhone experience is to be able to make cheap, if not free, phone calls while using it. VoIP is the way to do that, and here are ways to make free and cheap calls on your iPhone to landline and mobile phones worldwide.

You can read more on the iPhone from our iPhone/iPod guide.

Truphone

Woman talking on smartphone on street,smiling
Atsushi Yamada/Photodisc/Getty Images

Truphone is the earliest service to get VoIP on the iPhone. Truphone does really well here in terms of integration of the application with the iPhone interface and environment, and the quality of calls. The range of calling destinations at cheap is quite large, and the rates are interesting - around 3 pence (Truphone is British) to major destinations.

RF.com

RF.com is an iPhone

, even without an actual account with the service.

Vopium

Vopium is a mobile VoIP service that offers cheap international calls through GSM and VoIP, without necessarily having a data plan (GPRS, 3G etc.) or Wi-Fi connection. If you do have any of the latter, you can make free calls to other users using the same networks. Vopium also offers new users 30 minutes free calls and 100 free SMS for trial.

Skype

.

Nimbuzz

Nimbuzz allows iPhone users to call for free over Wi-Fi, to another Wi-Fi phone or PC. It also supports voice and text chatting with other common instant messaging applications, a dozen of them.

Raketu

Raketu works just like Jajah. No softphone is required. Some calls are free and the rates for the paid ones are quite low. You can buy prepaid credits for the call. Raketu's service also allow mobile users to send SMS and email for very cheap.

Sipgate

Sipgate offers a softphone that allows you to make free and cheap calls locally and internationally on your iPhone over any Wi-Fi network. Yes, you will need a Wi-Fi connection. This will allow you to by pass roaming charges. Sipgate is open to services from any SIP provider. The service gives every new user 111 minutes free.

iPhonegnome

iPhonegnome is a web-based service that, like Sipgate, lets you use your iPhone to make calls through any SIP-based service, or common services like Yahoo, MSN and Google Talk. Phonegnome users can be called for free, and credit from your required Phonegnome account are used for calling other people.