In today’s globalized world, we often need to make international calls for business or to keep in touch with friends and family abroad. Making these calls used to require dealing with complex international calling plans, but the rise of smartphone apps has made international calling much easier. This article will provide an overview of how to use smartphone apps for international calling and the key benefits these apps provide over traditional calling methods.
Benefits of Apps Over Traditional Calling
Cost Savings
One of the biggest advantages of using a smartphone apps for international calling is significant cost savings. Apps like Skype, WhatsApp, and Google Voice offer free or very low-cost calling rates, which are much cheaper than typical international calling plans from phone carriers. For example, Skype charges around 2 cents per minute for calls to landlines in some countries.
Convenience
Using an apps for international calling is extremely convenient. There are no access numbers to dial or calling cards required. You simply open the app and dial normally as if making a domestic call. Apps also work well across different countries so you can use the same app while traveling abroad.
Improved Call Quality
Apps utilize advanced calling technology to provide higher quality calls than possible over traditional phone lines. This means fewer dropped calls, less background noise, and minimal delays. The improved quality is very useful for important business calls.
Easy to Use Features
Apps offer user-friendly features perfect for international calls like call waiting, voicemail, call forwarding, and three-way calling. You can access useful settings and features easily within the app’s interface. Some even provide cheap texting options.
Popular Apps for International Calling
Making international calls from your smartphone is easier than ever thanks to innovative calling and messaging apps. Rather than dealing with costly apps for international calling plans from traditional carriers, you can now use apps to call or message people abroad for free or very cheap rates. This article will explore the most popular and user-friendly apps for international calling and messaging.
Key Benefits of Using Apps for International Calling
Before diving into the top apps, let’s overview some of the main benefits these services offer compared to typical international calling options:
- Cost savings – Apps provide free calling/messaging or very low per minute rates, often less than 2 cents. Far cheaper than carrier plans.
- Convenience – No need for access numbers or calling cards. Just open the app and call.
- Call quality – Apps utilize VoIP and internet calling for reliability.
- Easy to use – Simple interfaces with great features. Use the same app while traveling.
- Flexibility – Call phones or make video calls. Also texting options.
Top International Calling Apps
Skype
Skype is one of the most popular and widely used apps for free and cheap international calling and messaging.
Key Features:
- Free Skype-to-Skype calls, video calls, and messaging.
- Inexpensive per-minute calls to mobiles and landlines (under 2 cents/min).
- Group video calling for up to 50 people.
- Call forwarding and voicemail services.
- Ability to purchase Skype credit to call any number.
Skype provides high-quality international calls and is easy to use on both desktop and mobile. An essential app for international calling.
WhatsApp is the world’s most-used messaging app with over 2 billion users. It offers free international messaging and internet calls.
Key Features:
- Free messaging internationally, even with attachments.
- Free WhatsApp audio and video calls around the world.
- Useful features like typing indicators, read receipts, and offline messaging.
- Group chats with up to 256 participants.
- Voice messages, document sharing, and user profiles.
WhatsApp is especially popular internationally due to its free calling and messaging capabilities. Great for both casual and business communication.
Facebook Messenger
Facebook’s messaging app allows free messaging and calling worldwide to others on Messenger or Facebook.
Key Features:
- Free international calls and messages with images/audio.
- Desktop and mobile access. Seamless messaging across devices.
- Group video chats for up to 50 people.
- Fun features like stickers, reactions, and chat themes.
- Integrated with Facebook profile and news feed.
Messenger is a top choice for international calling and messaging due to its convenience, features, and Facebook integration. Works well for both personal and professional use.
Google Voice
Google Voice provides low-cost international calling along with free texts, voicemail, and other features.
Key Features:
- Inexpensive international calling rates – from 1 cent/minute.
- Free texts to U.S. and Canada. Low cost for international texts.
- Voicemail transcription and online fax services.
- Call routing to linked numbers and phones.
- Web interface or mobile app access.
Google Voice is great for budget international calling and its extra features like voicemail transcription make it very useful. Easy to use online or via iOS/Android apps.
Viber
Viber is a popular calling and messaging app with over 1 billion users globally. It provides free international communication.
Key Features:
- Free international calls between Viber users.
- Low-cost calling to mobiles/landlines in some countries.
- Free messaging with photos, audio, and video.
- Group chats with up to 200 people.
- Fun stickers, GIFs, and chat extensions.
Viber is advantageous for international messaging and calls thanks to its free user-to-user services and low-cost outbound calling capabilities.
Callmama
Callmama is an international calling app providing some of the lowest calling rates available.
Key Features:
- Extremely cheap international calling rates – from under 1 cent/minute.
- Flat monthly fee includes free minutes.
- Ability to call mobiles and landlines in over 60 countries.
- No contracts or connection fees.
- Web calling and mobile app options.
For high volume international callers who want rock-bottom rates, Callmama is a top choice. Simple to use with inexpensive monthly and per-minute rates.
Key Features of Calling Apps
Calling and messaging apps for smartphones provide inexpensive and convenient ways to communicate internationally. These apps leverage your phone’s internet connectivity rather than traditional carrier networks to facilitate calls, texts, and video chats. This article will explore some of the most useful features and capabilities of top apps for international calling.
Connecting via Internet vs Traditional Networks
The key functionality underpinning calling apps is the ability to make and receive calls over the internet using WiFi or mobile data. This is known as “internet calling” or “IP calling.” Instead of using your phone carrier’s voice network, the app sends your call via the internet to the recipient. This allows for free or very cheap international calls.
Internet calling offers reliability comparable to standard networks. The call quality is typically very good thanks to modern voice over IP technology. The convenience of tapping into WiFi or mobile data networks is a huge plus.
Low Cost or Free Calling
Cost savings is one of the primary advantages of using calling apps instead of traditional international phone plans. Many of the top apps provide completely free user-to-user calls over the internet. This allows for unlimited international calling without racking up any fees.
Apps like Skype and WhatsApp offer free international calls between users of their service. For calls to non-app users’ cell phones and landlines, low per minute rates under 2 cents are common. This is far less expensive than typical international calling rates from phone carriers.
Some apps like Google Voice and Callmama provide international calling for just 1 cent per minute in many countries. These rock bottom rates make frequent international calls affordable.
Calling Phone Numbers
While calling other users of the same app for free is useful, most calling apps also give you the ability to call real phone numbers internationally for very low fees.
For example, with Skype you can use Skype Credit to call any number in over 100 countries for as low as 0.7 cents per minute. WhatsApp only allows calls between users, but apps like Viber do let you call mobile numbers for reasonable per-minute rates.
Having the ability to call landlines and mobiles abroad in addition to making free calls between app users maximizes the convenience and flexibility of calling apps.
High Call Quality
In order to provide a good user experience, calling apps invest heavily in optimizing call quality and reliability. Calls made via apps typically have very minimal lag or distortion issues. The call quality often exceeds traditional international calls.
Features like noise cancellation, echo cancellation, and audio encoding algorithms help maximize the voice clarity on app-powered calls. This is useful for important personal or business calls where call quality matters.
Group Calling
Many calling apps support conference calling with multiple participants beyond just standard 1-on-1 calls.
For example, WhatsApp allows group video calls with up to 8 participants. Skype provides group video calling for up to 50 people, along with screen sharing and live captions.
Group calling is extremely useful for connecting with family, friends or colleagues internationally. Conference calling features create engaging group conversations.
Messaging and Texting
In addition to voice and video calling functionality, most apps also provide integrated text chat and multimedia messaging capabilities.
WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Viber, and others allow free international messaging with support for sharing images, videos, and audio clips. This provides a full-featured communication experience within one app.
Having messaging bundled with calling is very convenient. You can seamlessly transition from a voice call to text chat and back again within the app.
Making Affordable Worldwide Calls with Top Android Apps
With Android’s global popularity, the platform offers great apps for international calling. Callmama provides some of the lowest calling rates available, making it a top choice for frequent worldwide callers.
Callmama – A Leading Android App for Cheap Global Calling
Callmama is one of the most affordable Android apps for international calling to mobiles and landlines worldwide. Key features include:
- Extremely cheap per minute calling rates globally
- Flat monthly fee includes free minutes
- Call over 60 countries from Android devices
- No contracts or connection fees
- Web calling and Android app options
Callmama utilizes optimized routing and partnerships with carriers to offer reduced rates. This makes it very cost-effective for high volume international calling from your Android phone or tablet.
With rates as low as less than 1 cent per minute to many destinations, Callmama provides significant savings compared to traditional long-distance plans. It gives you the flexibility to affordably call landlines, mobiles, at standard or discounted times.
Callmama also offers unlimited calling plans to specific countries starting at $2.99 per month. For frequent callers, these plans provide excellent value.
Other Top Android Apps for Global Calling
In addition to Callmama, other leading Android apps for inexpensive worldwide calling include:
Skype
Skype allows free Skype-to-Skype calls, messaging, and video chat. It also enables low per-minute calling rates to mobiles and landlines globally. Useful features like group video calls, voicemail, call forwarding are provided.
As the world’s top messaging app, WhatsApp offers free international video and voice calls between Android users. It also provides group chats with up to 8 participants.
Google Voice
Google Voice gives inexpensive U.S. and international calling from your Android device. It also offers free texts to U.S. and Canadian numbers. Voicemail transcription is included.
Making Cheap International Calls with Top iPhone Apps
Thanks to VoIP technology, iPhone users have great options for affordable worldwide calling through various apps. Callmama offers some of the lowest international rates, making it a leading choice.
Callmama – A Top iPhone App for Inexpensive Global Calling
Callmama provides inexpensive international calling from iPhones to over 60 countries worldwide. Key features:
- Extremely cheap per minute calling rates globally
- Flat monthly fee includes free minutes
- Call mobiles and landlines internationally
- No contracts or connection fees
- Web calling and iOS app options
With rates as low as less than 1 cent per minute, Callmama enables budget-friendly international calling from your iPhone.
Other Leading iPhone Apps for Global Calling
In addition to Callmama, other top iPhone apps for worldwide calling include:
FaceTime
Apple’s FaceTime comes preinstalled for free video/voice calls between iPhone users internationally.
Key Features:
- Free video and voice calls to other iOS/Mac devices
- Group FaceTime with up to 32 people
- High-quality video and sound
- Integrated into your iPhone contacts
FaceTime provides seamless video chat globally between Apple users.
As the world’s top messaging app, WhatsApp offers free international calls between iPhones.
Key Features:
- Free WhatsApp-to-WhatsApp calls globally
- Group video chats with up to 8 participants
- Free texts, media sharing, voice messages
- Syncs chats across iOS and Android
WhatsApp is great for global communication on iPhones.
Skype
Skype enables free Skype-to-Skype calls plus low per-minute rates for calls internationally.
Key Features:
- Free Skype calls, messaging, file sharing
- Inexpensive per-minute international rates
- Group video calls with up to 50 people
- Call waiting, forwarding, voicemail
Skype allows affordable worldwide calling from your iPhone.
Cross-Platform Calling Apps for Convenient Worldwide Communication
In addition to platform-specific apps, there are also excellent cross-platform calling and messaging apps for convenient worldwide communication. These apps work seamlessly across different devices and operating systems.
Benefits of Cross-Platform Calling Apps
Cross-platform calling apps provide major advantages:
- Use the app on Android, iPhone, desktop, web
- Sync messages/calls across different devices
- Switch devices without losing information
- Flexible communication from any device
Top cross-platform apps for international calling and messaging easy from whichever device you prefer.
Leading Cross-Platform Calling Apps
Here are some top cross-platform apps for global communication:
WhatsApp offers free international calls and messages across iOS, Android, Web, and desktop.
Key Features:
- Free WhatsApp-to-WhatsApp calls globally
- Group chats with up to 256 participants
- Syncs chats across different platforms
With over 2 billion users, WhatsApp provides seamless worldwide messaging and calls.
Skype
Skype allows free Skype calls, messaging, and cheap rates for calls to other countries across various platforms:
- Apps for iOS, Android, Windows, Mac
- Seamless functionality across mobile and desktop
- Web browser access
Skype makes international communication easy across different devices and operating systems.
Callmama
Callmama provides very inexpensive international calling from Android, iOS, web browsers, and desktop apps:
- Extremely cheap worldwide calling rates
- Web calling and dedicated mobile apps
- No downloads or contracts required
Callmama enables affordable global calling from whichever device is convenient.
Key Considerations for International Calling Apps
Apps for International calling provide inexpensive ways to stay connected globally. However, there are some important factors to consider when selecting and using an app for worldwide communication.
Managing Data Usage
Since calling apps utilize data or WiFi for their internet calling capabilities, one key consideration is your data usage. Apps can consume sizable amounts of data for audio/video calls and messaging.
To manage your data usage:
- Connect to WiFi whenever possible for calling to avoid cellular data costs.
- Select an app like WhatsApp that optimizes data usage for voice and video calls.
- Set data limits on your smartphone and get alerts when approaching the limit.
- Use apps sparingly when roaming internationally to avoid huge roaming fees.
Being mindful of data consumption allows you to maximize global communication while controlling your costs.
Call Quality over Low-Bandwidth Connections
When making international calls over low-bandwidth mobile or WiFi connections, call quality can suffer.
To improve quality:
- Check the app’s call quality rating over low-bandwidth networks. Skype and WhatsApp perform well.
- Try calling at different times to get better network availability if call drops frequently.
- Reduce video resolution which requires less bandwidth for video calls.
- Use audio-only calling which consumes minimal data.
With a good app and some optimization, you can achieve decent call quality even on low-bandwidth networks.
Security and Privacy Considerations
It’s important to understand each app’s security practices when using them for worldwide communication:
- Check if the app offers end-to-end call encryption for maximum security. WhatsApp and FaceTime use end-to-end encryption.
- Review the app’s privacy policy to understand how your data is handled, stored, and shared.
- Configure the app’s settings to enable extra security features like passcodes.
- Avoid discussing highly confidential information over calling apps.
Being informed on each app’s security and using available privacy settings allows you to use them safely for global communication.
Conclusion
Recommended Apps Based on Needs
With many great options, which apps for international calling is best for you depends on your specific needs:
For Low Cost:
- Skype – Offers some of the lowest per-minute rates to landlines/mobiles globally.
- Callmama – Extremely cheap per-minute rates plus monthly plans with free minutes.
- Google Voice – Affordable U.S. and international calling starting at 1 cent/minute.
For Call Quality:
- Skype – Uses optimized audio and video codecs for reliable call quality.
- FaceTime – Provides highly optimized video/audio calls between Apple devices.
- WhatsApp – Data saving technology optimizes voice and video quality.
For Convenience:
- WhatsApp – Seamlessly calls/message global contacts without dialing numbers.
- FaceTime – Effortlessly video chat any iPhone contact internationally.
- Viber – Directly call/message all users in your Viber contact list.
For Security:
- Signal – Fully end-to-end encrypted messaging and calling.
- FaceTime – End-to-end encrypted for privacy.
- WhatsApp – End-to-end encrypted messages, voice, and video calls.
Key Benefits of International Calling Apps
Here are some of the major benefits provided by top apps for international calling:
Significant Cost Savings
Calling apps offer huge savings compared to traditional international phone plans. Free user-to-user calls, monthly plans with bundled minutes, and per-minute rates as low as 1 cent make regular international communication affordable.
Convenience
Calling apps eliminate the need for access numbers or PINs. Just tap a contact and call. Intuitive interfaces, synced contacts, and integrated messaging also provide convenience.
High Call Quality
Optimized internet calling technology results in great call quality, often better than traditional long-distance. This ensures reliable connectivity for important conversations.
Flexible Communication
Seamlessly call phones or make video calls, group calls, and send messages. Use the same app on smartphones, desktop,s and while traveling. Apps provide flexibility.
Easy Set Up
Calling apps require only a simple install, account creation, and contact integration. No need for complex plans or configurations. Just download, set up your account, and start calling worldwide.
