Best VoIP Apps for Calling and Texting in 2025

TextNow is our pick for best VoIP app, because it gives you a free local phone number and flexibility for calls, texts, and essential data at zero cost. But there’s a wide variety of VoIP apps out there to suit your needs — whether that’s private messaging, chatting internationally, or setting up a business phone network. 

VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol, a technology that lets you call and text over an internet connection instead of a traditional wired or cellular network. VoIP apps offer a cheap way to make calls, send texts, and more while cutting your dependence on a cell network.  

Because VoIP doesn’t need a cell network, you can use any internet-connected device to communicate: cellphone, tablet, or computer. You don’t even need to have a cell phone plan at all, but using a VoIP app along with a phone plan will give you the best flexibility. (MVNO phone plans offer the best prices.)

Summary: Best VoIP Apps

Methodology: How to choose the best VoIP app

Your decision will depend on these factors, which we weighed when selecting the best VoIP apps for you to consider:  

Use case: Do you want a VoIP app for personal use or for business? Some are specifically geared toward businesses, with features like auto attendant for incoming calls, team collaboration tools, and integrations with other business systems. Others are more suited for personal use.  

Availability and stability of internet: Because VoIP calling and texting uses the internet, consider whether you consistently have an internet connection — either access to Wi-Fi or mobile data on a cellular data plan. 

Cost: A big plus of VoIP apps is their ability to provide inexpensive communication, especially cheap international calling. Many apps for personal use are free, while business-focused apps usually have a per-user charge. You might decide to pair a VoIP app with a traditional cell plan so you have access to both internet and cellular communication. When choosing a business phone plan or just selecting a cell phone plan to pair with a VoIP app, decide how much you can spend while not straining your overall budget.  

Customer satisfaction and support: Read online reviews to see how actual users rate the service. Also, understand your access to help if something goes awry. Is support online only? Can you talk to a human, and if so, what are the customer service hours? 

Beginner’s guide: What is VoIP? 

As mentioned above, VoIP means Voice over Internet Protocol. VoIP apps let you call and text over the internet instead of a cellular network, using your smartphone, tablet, or computer. You can use a VoIP app in place of or in addition to a traditional cell phone plan.  

How does VoIP work?  

VoIP breaks up calls and texts into digital data packets and sends them over an internet connection. On the receiving end, those packets get reassembled into an audio or text message.  

Because VoIP uses the internet, the sender and recipient must have an internet-enabled device and an internet connection, whether that’s a traditional cell phone, a “soft phone” designed for VoIP, a tablet or a computer. They also need to have an internet connection, which can be Wi-Fi or mobile data.  

What is a VoIP app? 

A VoIP app is simply a software application you can use to call and text over the internet versus needing a cellular network. The app does the work of breaking your communication into data packets and sending them, and receiving and reassembling data packets for incoming calls and texts.  

You can use a VoIP app on your phone, tablet, or computer. Many of them are business-focused, but you’ll also find ones meant for personal use. In fact, you’re probably already familiar with many of the popular ones: TextNow, WhatsApp, Google Voice, Signal, etc. 

Why use a VoIP app?  

VoIP has several plusses that may make it a better approach to communication — or a good way to add extras on top of your cell phone plan:  

• Easy way to get a second phone number, or several phone numbers, to serve different purposes and aid privacy. 
• Lets you call and text on any internet-connected device, so you have access on phone, tablet, and computer.   
• Can be cheaper, especially for international calling, than a traditional cell phone plan. 
• Having a VoIP number lets people contact you at your primary number even if you’re using an international SIM card while traveling abroad.  
• Many business phone plans are VoIP-based, allowing them to offer service for less than physical phone systems, with more features and easier scalability. 

What are the pros and cons of using VoIP apps?  

VoIP apps have plusses and minuses, and particular use cases where it might be better or worse than cellular calling and texting. 

Can I transfer my existing phone number to a VoIP app?  

If you choose a VoIP app that provides a phone number, such as TextNow, you can port your existing phone number over to use it on the new service. (See this handy guide on how to transfer your number.)  

Note: Porting your number to a new provider will cancel your previous cell phone service. If you don’t want to do that, you can simply use the VoIP app to get a second phone number, which is convenient for privacy or separating business from personal use.  

Keep in mind that some VoIP apps, such as WhatsApp, don’t provide a separate number, so there’s no way to transfer a number to them.   

Are there any security concerns about VoIP apps? 

Nothing’s foolproof, and that includes using VoIP apps. But you can cut down the risk by being aware of scams and taking basic precautions. Security risks include:  

• Phishing: Common phishing scams include messages that try to trick you into revealing sensitive info like passwords or log-in credentials. Apply the usual caution about calls, emails, and messages — no matter if you’re using a VoIP app or a standard cell phone plan.  
• Wi-Fi vulnerability: Take care to only log onto legitimate networks, and consider using a VPN (virtual private network) when on public Wi-Fi. 
• Account hijacking: Scammers may also try to get you to reveal your sign-in for a VoIP app to take it over. Keep your password secure, change it frequently, and use two-factor authentication if the app supports it. 
• Spam: Bogus messages or calls attempt to infect devices with viruses or malware. Avoid unknown callers and senders, and consider spam detection features when choosing an app. 
• Eavesdropping: It’s possible, though not likely, that someone could intercept your communications as they move over an internet connection. Consider an app that uses end-to-end encryption, or use a VPN to secure your connection.  

Frequently asked questions about VoIP apps