How to Make Online Calls + 10 of the Best VoIP Apps

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A list of the best VoIP apps for making calls online
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Do you want to make phone calls from your computer? Or maybe you don't want to invest in a mobile data plan, so you're looking for the best apps that you can use on your smartphone to make calls over your Wi-Fi internet. This wikiHow article lists the best apps that you can use to make phone calls over the internet, as well as how to use a VoIP (or voice over IP) app and which VoIPs to avoid.

Making Phone Calls on the Internet

To make a phone call online, you first need to choose a VoIP service. Some of the more popular options include Google Voice, Viber, and Telegram. Once you have installed and signed up for a VoIP, you can place a call within the app. You may need to pay or purchase tokens to call real phone numbers, however.

Section 1 of 3:

Online Calling Apps

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  1. If you live in the US, you can call other US numbers for free! International calls, however, start at $0.01 per minute and depend on your location. You can make calls to actual phone numbers (those without an internet connection), other PCs, or smartphones. [1] Use Google Voice online at voice.google.com or on your smartphone with the Google Voice app for iPhone and Android.
    • Notable Features:
      • Free calls in the US
      • Supports incoming calls from anywhere
      • Free phone number
      • Transcribes voicemail
      • Stores voice messages for you to download
      • Blocks spam calls
      • Supports Google Home
    • All you need to do when you have the required items (like an account and phone number) is open the app or go to the website, enter a phone number to call, and press the Call button.
  2. Google Meet allows you to make calls with other Google Meet users, which is a boon for many meetings. This app can be used online at apps.google.com/meet/ or in the Google Meet mobile app for iPhone and Android.
    • Notable Features:
      • Calls with up to 100 people
      • Built-in noise-canceling technology
      • Includes filters, AR masks, and other fun features
      • Easy to present documents or screen share during calls
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  3. You can use Signal on your desktop (Windows, Mac, and Linux) as well as your smartphone (iPhone and Android ) to make voice, video, or group calls. You do, however, need an actual phone number to use Signal. [2] Download Signal on their website or by going to the Google Play Store or App Store.
    • If you want to use Signal on your computer, you need to first download and set it up on your mobile device.
    • Notable Features:
      • Uses encryption to protect your messages
      • Supports video calls and text chat
      • Allows you to share large files
      • Easy signup with your phone number and PIN
  4. If you want to make your phone's default texting app Viber , then you can personalize everything, like creating stickers or sending GIFs . Download this app for desktop from Viber's website ( Windows , Mac, and Linux) as well as from the App Store (for iPhones) and the Google Play Store (for Android).
    • You can call other Viber users for free, but you'll need to pay for the ability to place calls to non-Viber phone numbers.
    • Notable Features:
      • All calls and texts are free to other Viber users
      • The app uses your contacts to find existing Viber accounts
      • Available on the web and as an app for desktop or mobile devices
  5. Of course, you can call other TextNow users for free, but you need credits to place calls to real, non-TextNow numbers. [3] You can make calls by downloading the app on your smartphone from the App Store or Google Play Store.
    • You can use the app without first using a real phone number (unlike WhatsApp) and can instead use your email, so you can use it on your tablets as well as your phones.
    • Notable Features:
      • Includes a real number
      • Free calls app-to-app
      • Features voicemail inbox
      • Offers customization
      • Sends texts to any number
      • Purchase credits to make non-TextNow calls
      • Available online, for desktops, and mobile phones
  6. If you don't want to use your plan's minutes for a quick call to your friend, you can use WhatsApp , as long as they have the app too. By default, each conversation and voice call is encrypted end-to-end, so rest assured that no one can hack in and listen to your calls! However, that security requires a real phone number, so you'll need one to sign up to use WhatsApp. [4] WhatsApp can be used online at whatsapp.com or by downloading the app from the App Store or Google Play Store.
    • You also cannot call landlines or other phones that don't have access to the internet.
    • Notable Features:
      • Free calls over the internet to other WhatsApp users
      • Uses your contacts to find existing WhatsApp accounts
      • Works with a variety of devices
  7. If you don't like that some apps don't offer encrypted messaging, try Telegram and you might find that it's the app you've been looking for. This app is available online at telegram.org , for desktops (Windows, Mac, Linux) and smartphones (iPhone, Android, and Windows Mobile). [5]
    • After adding a contact to Telegram, simply call them by clicking their contact information and selecting the phone icon.
    • Notable Features:
      • Encrypted phone calls
      • Wide availability
      • Also supports text messaging
  8. Since so many people use Facebook, it's difficult to find someone who doesn't have Messenger on their phone or computer. And if someone is 13 or younger, you can install "Messenger Kids" so they can talk over the internet without a Facebook account. [6] Facebook Messenger can be used online at messenger.com or in the Facebook Messenger app for iPhone and Android.
    • One major limitation is that you can only call other Facebook users, not landlines.
    • Notable Features:
      • Free calling to anyone around the world using Facebook
      • Lots of people already use it
      • Available on desktop and mobile phones
      • Supports video calling
  9. While calls to other users with Dingtone are free, you need credits to make calls outside of the app. [7] To use Dingtone, download it from the App Store for iPhones or the Google Play Store for Androids.
    • Notable Features:
      • Includes a real number
      • Free calls app-to-app
      • Features voicemail inbox
      • Earn credits to make non-Dingtone calls
      • Available only for mobile phones
  10. As long as you and the other person have an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch, you can use FaceTime to make calls over the internet. Turn on Wi-Fi calling, then tap their contact within the FaceTime app to start a FaceTime call. [8] .
    • Notable Features:
      • Supports video or audio calls
      • Free calls to other Apple users without using data, as long as you're connected to Wi-Fi
      • Can make calls with a low or no cellular data service
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Section 2 of 3:

Making Phone Calls Online

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  1. 1
    Go to the VoIP service of your choosing. Every VoIP will be slightly different, but they all have the same general features.
    • If you haven't downloaded and installed a VoIP service yet, do so now.
    • You must also sign up for an account with the VoIP service. You may or may not need a real phone number, depending on the VoIP you selected.
  2. 2
    Click or tap the phone or keypad icon. Depending on the VoIP you're using, you might see a button with a phone icon, or you might see a button with a keypad icon (which looks like a grid of 9 dots, with one dot underneath). This will open the calling section of your VoIP app.
  3. 3
    Dial the number you want to call. Depending on the VoIP you're using, you might be able to dial someone's real phone number, or you might have to dial their number that they use within the app.
    • If the VoIP you're using doesn't offer free calls, you'll need to make sure you have a payment method added within the app. You may need to purchase tokens to call a real phone number.
  4. 4
    Click or tap the call button. This usually looks like a button with an icon of a phone. As long as you're connected to the internet and you have some way to pay for the call (if necessary), the call should go through.
    • If the call doesn't go through, make sure that you dialed the number right, that you're still connected to the internet, and that you can pay for the call (if required).
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Section 3 of 3:

Internet Phone Services to Avoid

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  1. 1
    Sites that look untrustworthy. There are a number of sites online that claim to offer VoIP services, but not all of these websites can be trusted. At worst, these sites will just not work. However, there is always a risk that these sites could steal the phone numbers you type into them, or they could scam you out of money if they charge for their services.
    • Avoid random phone call sites that you've never heard of.
    • If you're unsure about a VoIP service, Google the app's name first to see if other users have used it and trust it.
  2. 2
    Sites that promise 100% free calls. While there are some VoIPs that offer free calls, these calls are usually only between members of that service. To call a real phone line, it usually costs some money. If a site is promising 100% free calls to landlines or mobile numbers, it's too good to be true, and the site should be avoided.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Can I call to a normal phone via internet? (like call2friend.com without time restrictions)
    Community Answer
    Download Skype, which is a free download, and then you can buy a package to call any phone. It's very cheap and there are no time restrictions.
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  • Question
    Can I also receive calls this way?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but for a phone line calling you, you will need to buy a Skype phone number, which is pretty cheap, and you can pick from a range of numbers that will suit you.
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    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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  • Question
    Can I send text messages to a cell phone via Internet?
    Community Answer
    Usually; the address varies depending on cell provider, but the format is typically @.com.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.google.com/voice/answer/7491761?hl=en
      2. ↑ https://signal.org/
      3. ↑ https://www.textnow.com/
      4. ↑ https://www.whatsapp.com/download
      5. ↑ https://telegram.org/apps
      6. ↑ https://messengerkids.com/
      7. ↑ https://www.dingtone.me/
      8. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203032#:~:text=To+turn+on+Wi-Fi,will+use+Wi-Fi+Calling
      9. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/skype/skype-is-retiring-in-may-2025-what-you-need-to-know-2a7d2501-427f-485e-8be0-2068a9f90472

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