08.07.25
Leo Season: Drama With Your Phone Service (A Deep Dive Into the “Fine Print”)
by Valeria
Nowadays, you wouldn’t think of a phone call as a technological advancement of any kind, but despite seeming simple it’s not as accessible as you think. For the most part, to be able to make a phone call, even if it’s a brief one to your bank or doctor, you have to pay for a monthly phone plan, otherwise you have no phone number to make that call with. That’s why free calling apps are so essential to so many Americans who either can’t afford a phone plan, or don’t want to pay for something so basic that should be freely accessible (we know the feeling). Not all calling apps offer the same benefits, so we put together a list of the best free calling apps so you can find the one that works for you.
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Summary: Best Free Calling Apps Overall
| Category | Provider | Service Details | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall |
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| Best for International Calls |
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| Best for Small Businesses |
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| Best App with a Second Phone Number |
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| Best for Video Calling |
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Best Free Calling App Overall
TextNow
Platform Android, iOS, Desktop (Windows, Mac)
Our Take TextNow is one of the only apps that provide you with a real local phone number that can be used to make and receive calls to both American and Canadian numbers for free, allowing you to use it as a primary or secondary phone number. It also comes with a slew of other benefits like international calling that starts at $0/minute, unlimited texting, and monthly perks for being a user.
Pros & Cons Pros:
- Free local phone number.
- Can call any number in the world (receiver doesn’t also have to use the TextNow app).
- Free unlimited calls & texts with international support.
- Free texting features like group chats, picture, video & GIF support, voice notes, message reactions, and scheduled texts.
- Not end-to-end encrypted.
- 911 support not guaranteed.
Best Free Calling App for International Calling
WhatsApp
Platform Android, iOS, Desktop (Windows, Mac)
Our Take WhatsApp is one of the most popular and used messaging & calling apps worldwide, which makes it easy to find contacts and reach them instantaneously for free. Note that you can only call (and text) with other contacts who also have a WhatsApp account.
Pros & Cons Pros:
- Free account set-up and usage.
- Can contact any WhatsApp account/number worldwide for free.
- End-to-end encryption.
- Can't connect unless your contact is also on WhatsApp.
- Can only sign up with a verified mobile phone number.
Best Free Calling App for a Small Business
Google Voice
Platform Android, iOS, Desktop (Windows, Mac)
Our Take Google Voice is a great way to set up a secondary business phone number for free that will provide you with unlimited call & text, as well as other useful features like voicemail transcription and call forwarding.
Pros & Cons Pros:
- No in-app ads.
- Can contact any other mobile phone number (not limited to Google Voice platform).
- Can only sign up with a verified mobile phone number.
- Can only text Canadian and U.S numbers for free (international numbers require a paid upgrade).
Best Free Calling App with a Second Phone Number
2ndLine
Platform Android, iOS,
Our Take If all you want is a second phone number for security/privacy, then 2ndLine is a simple option that will provide you with free unlimited calls & texts with your own local phone number that you can use for a side gig, online marketplaces, or even dating.
Pros & Cons Pros:
- Free real local phone number.
- Free unlimited talk & text to Canadian and American numbers.
- Easy set-up.
- Not available on desktop platforms.
- 911 support not available.
Best Free Calling App for Video Calling
Viber
Platform Android, iOS, Desktop (Windows, Mac)
Our Take Viber is a great option for calling and video calling alike, coming with a list of features/benefits, as well as the added bonus of being encrypted (video calls included) for added peace of mind.
Pros & Cons Pros:
- Can video call any other Viber users in the world for free.
- Can host group video calls with up to 60 participants.
- Comes with fun filters, effects, stickers, and GIFs.
- Can’t connect unless your contact is also on Viber (for free – paid upgrades do allow to call out mobile or landline numbers).
Methodology: How to Evaluate the Best Free Calling Apps
When evaluating calling apps, you’d be surprised to find how many of them do offer their services for free. Finding the right one for your needs, then, requires more than just consideration of price (or lack thereof), but also a review of the following:
Cross-platform availability (can be used on different devices).
Privacy and security.
Ease of access to different contacts.
Ease of registration.
Each of these factors are considered with their own weight, leading to a score that helps us determine the best picks.
Beginner's Guide to Calling Apps
What is a Free Calling App?
A free calling app is a mobile application that can be used on a smartphone, tablet, or even desktop computer in some cases, to make and receive phone calls without incurring any fees or signing up for a monthly plan.
How Does a Free Calling App Work?
Unlike a traditional talk & text plan that uses a cellular network provided by a phone carrier, a free calling app works off an internet connection instead, be it home or public Wi-Fi, mobile hotspot, or mobile data to make and receive calls. This avoids the typical costs associated with calling over a network, allowing you to communicate for free.
Types of Free Calling Apps
Most free calling apps offer similar, if not the same, services. The main difference to look for is whether it’s an end-to-end app, or a phone number app:
End-to-end free calling app: An end-to-end app means that all communication is taking place within the app itself, so both parties have to be using the app to chat. Apps like WhatsApp, Viber, Signal, Messenger are examples, where you can only call or message a contact that also has a number or account in that app.
Phone number app: A phone number app acts similarly to the default calling app that comes with your paid phone service, where you can call any other mobile phone number. To do that, these apps – like TextNow or Google Voice – provide you with a real local phone number you can use to call other numbers. These numbers are usually labelled as VoIP (Voice-over-IP) numbers that can route phone calls and texts over an internet connection rather than a traditional cellular network.
Video calling app: One more distinction to make is a video calling app. Most calling apps would simply just bundle this feature in, but there are some apps that are made primarily for video – like Zoom, Google Meets, or Microsoft Teams – and can in some cases also support voice calls.
If you already have a primary phone number, or if you're looking for a way to stay in touch with family and friends internationally without incurring any fees, an end-to-end app is a great way to maintain relationships with premium features at no extra cost. If you don’t have a primary phone number or are in need of a second phone number (like if you’re running a small business), then a phone number app that offers free calling is a great option.
Pros and Cons of a Free Calling App: End-to-End vs. Phone Number
These two different types of free calling apps are made to fulfill different purposes, and it’s worth understanding the advantages and disadvantages of each one to pick what works best for you.
Pros
End-to-End Calling App
- Can also offer encryption for secure, private calling and messaging.
- Can allow for richer calling features like voicemail transcription, large group calls, video calling, etc.
- less susceptible to phone-based phishing scams.
Phone Number App
- Offers a local phone number to use for identification purposes.
- Open access: can call any other mobile phone number, including international.
- Affordable alternative for a second line for privacy, a short-term need, or a small business.
Cons
End-to-End Calling App
- Limited access: can only call contacts who use the same app.
- Can’t be used as a phone number for verification purposes (such as if a website has to send you a code) .
- Most will only allow you to register with an existing mobile phone number, which may not be feasible for everyone.
Phone Number App
- Can’t offer the same level of secure calling, as it’s not contained within one ecosystem.
- Since it still relies on an internet connection, calls and texts won’t connect if mobile data or Wi-Fi aren’t enabled.
How to Pick Out the Best Free Calling App
With a long list of options, it’s easy to get lost in the “sign up for free!” mentions, without considering the best pick for your needs. Sit down, take your time, and note these key factors to find the app that will work for you:
Do you need a phone number? This question answers two different use cases: whether you need a real phone number, or whether you need to sign up with one. If you’re specifically looking for a phone number to call with, whether it be your primary line or a secondary one, then look for an app that offers a free phone number. If you don’t have a phone number, are not looking for one (such as if you’re a teen without cellular phone service) and just want an app to call (and text) your friends with, look for an app that offers registration with an email or other identifying information that isn’t a phone number.
Are you concerned about security or privacy? If the privacy and security of your messages and calls is important to you, look for an app that specifically offers “end-to-end encryption,” as that will ensure that the only individuals or entities that can ever read your messages (including voicemails) are you and your contacts. Note that this usually refers to your data being safe from third-party sellers or advertisers, but it does not protect your messages from legal subpoenas.
Do you need cross-platform support? Some may be content with using a messaging app on their phone alone, but the great advantage of most messaging apps is that they can be used on multiple devices at once. If you like to conduct your calls over a laptop or computer (say, if you’re video calling family abroad), make sure that the app you’re looking at has support across all platforms.
Are you looking for specific call features? If you want rich features like video calling, call forwarding, group calling, or voicemail transcription, then look for an app that can support those (ideally also for free).
Free Calling App Alternatives
There are other ways to stay connected with friends and family that don’t necessarily involve downloading a separate calling app, such as:
Social media apps. If you already have an Instagram, Snapchat, or Facebook (Messenger) app installed, you can use it to find your friends and call them directly, utilizing those apps’ calling features.
Email. Technically, it’s Google Meet, but rather than downloading the app, you can just launch it from your regular Gmail (on your phone or desktop) and make a voice call.
Got questions or comments? Send us a note at [email protected]!
