Updated: January 2026 · Reading time: 12 minutes
What does "free internet calls" actually mean?
Two completely different things get called "free internet calls":
App-to-app calls mean calling someone who has the same app installed. WhatsApp to WhatsApp, Telegram to Telegram, FaceTime to FaceTime. These are genuinely free—you pay only for the internet data used (roughly 1MB per minute for voice, more for video).
Calls to phone numbers mean calling a landline or mobile number—a real +1 or +44 or +81 number. These are almost never free, because the call has to connect to the traditional phone network, and phone companies charge for that connection.
Most of this guide covers app-to-app calls, because that's where the free options actually exist. The section on calling phone numbers explains why those cost money and what your cheapest options are.
Which apps let you make free calls?
All of these apps offer free voice and video calls between users. They work on smartphones (iOS and Android) and most work on desktop. The main difference is which app the person you're calling actually uses.
The global default. Over 2 billion users worldwide. If you're calling someone in Europe, Latin America, Africa, India, Southeast Asia, or the Middle East, they probably have WhatsApp.
Voice calls: Free, good quality, works on poor connections.
Video calls: Free, up to 8 people in a group call.
Desktop: Available via WhatsApp Web or desktop app, but your phone needs to stay connected.
Requirements: Phone number to register. Both parties need WhatsApp installed.
Limitations: Can't call regular phone numbers. Owned by Meta (Facebook), which matters to some people for privacy reasons.
Telegram
Popular in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Iran, and among tech-savvy users globally. Growing fast as a WhatsApp alternative.
Voice calls: Free, encrypted, good quality.
Video calls: Free, including group video calls.
Desktop: Full-featured desktop app that works independently of your phone.
Requirements: Phone number to register. Both parties need Telegram.
Limitations: Smaller user base than WhatsApp in most regions. Can't call regular phone numbers.
Signal
The privacy-focused option. Popular among journalists, activists, security professionals, and anyone who prioritizes encryption.
Voice calls: Free, end-to-end encrypted.
Video calls: Free, also encrypted.
Desktop: Available, requires linking to phone.
Requirements: Phone number to register. Both parties need Signal.
Limitations: Much smaller user base—you'll likely need to convince the other person to install it. Can't call regular phone numbers.
Facebook Messenger
If someone has Facebook, they have Messenger. Huge user base, especially in North America and parts of Asia.
Voice calls: Free between Messenger users.
Video calls: Free, including group video with many participants.
Desktop: Available via messenger.com or desktop app.
Requirements: Facebook account (or standalone Messenger account in some regions).
Limitations: Tied to Facebook ecosystem. Can't call regular phone numbers (Messenger dropped that feature years ago).
FaceTime
Apple's built-in option. If both people have Apple devices, it just works—no app installation needed.
Voice calls: Free, high quality on Apple devices.
Video calls: Free, excellent quality. Group FaceTime supports up to 32 people.
Desktop: Works on Mac. Also available via web link for non-Apple users to join (but not initiate) calls.
Requirements: Apple ID. Works best when both parties have Apple devices.
Limitations: Apple ecosystem only for full features. Non-Apple users can join via link but can't start calls. Can't call regular phone numbers.
Google Meet
Google's video meeting platform. Anyone with a Google account can use it.
Voice/video calls: Free for meetings up to 60 minutes (24 hours for 1-on-1 calls). Up to 100 participants on free tier.
Desktop: Works entirely in browser—no app needed.
Requirements: Google account to start a meeting. Guests can join via link.
Limitations: More designed for scheduled meetings than spontaneous calls. 60-minute limit on group calls. Can't call regular phone numbers on free tier.
Zoom
Became ubiquitous during the pandemic. Most people know how to use it.
Voice/video calls: Free for meetings up to 40 minutes (unlimited for 1-on-1). Up to 100 participants.
Desktop: App available, also works in browser.
Requirements: Account to host. Guests can join via link.
Limitations: 40-minute limit on free group calls (the meeting just ends). More suited for scheduled meetings than quick calls. Paid plans required to call phone numbers.
What if someone doesn't use WhatsApp?
WhatsApp isn't universal. In some countries, different apps dominate—if you're calling someone there, you need the app they actually use.
LINE (Japan, Taiwan, Thailand)
In Japan, LINE is the default messaging app—far more common than WhatsApp. Also dominant in Taiwan and Thailand.
Free calls: Yes, between LINE users.
Bonus: LINE Out offers cheap (not free) calls to regular phone numbers. LINE Out Free lets you watch an ad for 1-3 free minutes.
WeChat (China)
In China, WeChat is everything—messaging, payments, social media, and calls. WhatsApp is blocked in China, so if you're calling someone there, WeChat is usually the only option.
Free calls: Yes, between WeChat users.
Note: WeChat requires a Chinese phone number or an existing user to verify new accounts, which can be a barrier.
KakaoTalk (South Korea)
The default in South Korea. Nearly everyone there uses it.
Free calls: Yes, between KakaoTalk users.
Viber (Eastern Europe, Middle East, parts of Asia)
Popular in countries like Ukraine, Belarus, Greece, and the Philippines. Not as dominant as WhatsApp globally, but strong in specific regions.
Free calls: Yes, between Viber users.
Bonus: Viber Out offers paid calls to regular phone numbers.
How do you actually make a free call?
Making free internet calls is straightforward once both people have the same app:
Step 1: Find out what app the other person uses. Ask them, or check if they're already in your contacts on WhatsApp, Telegram, etc.
Step 2: Install that app if you don't have it. All the major apps are free to download.
Step 3: Add them as a contact (usually automatic if you have their phone number) and tap the call button.
The call uses internet data instead of phone minutes, so there's no per-minute charge regardless of where in the world the other person is.
What internet speed do you need for good call quality?
Free internet calls work well, but quality depends on both people's connections:
Minimum for voice: 100 kbps up and down. Most modern connections exceed this easily.
Minimum for video: 1 Mbps for decent quality, 3+ Mbps for HD video.
WiFi vs. mobile data: WiFi is usually more stable. Mobile data works fine in areas with good 4G/5G coverage but can be choppy in weak signal zones.
The weakest link matters: If you have great internet but the person you're calling has poor connectivity, the call quality will suffer. This is especially relevant when calling people in areas with unreliable infrastructure.
When can't you use free calling apps?
Free app-to-app calling is great, but it doesn't cover every situation:
Landlines: Your grandparents' house phone, a business main line, a hospital room, a government office. These are real phone numbers, not apps. You can't WhatsApp a landline.
People without smartphones: More common than you'd think, especially among elderly people and in areas with limited infrastructure. They have a phone number, but they can't install apps.
People who won't install apps: Your elderly relative who finds new technology confusing. The small business that just wants you to call their number. Some people simply won't or can't add another app.
Unreliable internet on the other end: In some countries or rural areas, internet is slow, expensive, or intermittent. An app-based call might keep dropping, while a call to their phone number would work fine.
Businesses and institutions: Banks, hospitals, consulates, government agencies, customer service lines. These have phone numbers, not WhatsApp accounts.
Why aren't calls to phone numbers free?
When you call a phone number, your voice data travels over the internet to a gateway, then connects to the traditional phone network (the PSTN—public switched telephone network). The phone company that operates that network charges a "termination fee" to complete the call.
These termination fees vary by country and whether you're calling a landline or mobile. Calling a US landline might cost $0.01/minute in termination fees. Calling a mobile in some African countries might cost $0.20/minute or more.
No app can avoid these fees. When Skype or Viber Out or any service charges you to call a phone number, they're covering the termination fee plus their margin. The termination fee goes to the destination phone company—it's not optional.
"Free calls to any phone number" is almost always either a scam, ad-supported with severe limitations, or a temporary promotion.
Are there any free options for calling phone numbers?
A few services offer limited free or ad-supported calling to real phone numbers:
Google Voice (US only)
If you're in the United States with a US phone number, Google Voice offers free calls to US and Canadian phone numbers. This is a genuine exception—Google absorbs the cost.
Limitations: Only available in the US. Only free to US/Canada. International calls cost money.
LINE Out Free
Watch an ad, get 1-3 minutes of free calling to a phone number. Available in the LINE app.
Limitations: Very short calls. Ad-supported. Not available to all destinations. Not practical for real conversations.
Dingtone, TextNow, and similar apps
Various apps offer ad-supported calling with limited free minutes. Quality and reliability vary. They often have restrictions on which countries you can call.
Limitations: Ads, limited minutes, inconsistent quality, some have sketchy privacy practices. Generally fine for emergencies but not great for regular use.
What does it cost to call phone numbers with VoIP?
If you need to call a real phone number—especially internationally—you'll need a paid VoIP service. They're dramatically cheaper than traditional phone carriers.
Typical VoIP rates for international calls:
| Destination | Typical VoIP rate | Typical carrier rate |
|---|---|---|
| US/Canada landline | $0.01-0.02/min | $0.15-0.50/min |
| UK mobile | $0.03-0.08/min | $0.30-1.00/min |
| India mobile | $0.01-0.03/min | $0.20-0.80/min |
| Mexico mobile | $0.02-0.04/min | $0.25-0.75/min |
| Philippines mobile | $0.10-0.18/min | $0.50-1.50/min |
| Nigeria mobile | $0.08-0.15/min | $0.50-2.00/min |
Common VoIP services for calling phone numbers include Skype, Viber Out, LINE Out, Rebtel, and DialHard. They all work similarly: you buy credit, then pay per minute based on the destination.
Key things to check before choosing a service: whether credit expires (some expire after 180 days), minimum purchase amounts, and rates for the specific countries you call.
So what's actually free?
Genuinely free: App-to-app calls (WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, Messenger, FaceTime, LINE, WeChat, etc.) between users who both have the app installed. Use these whenever possible.
Free with limitations: Google Voice for US users calling US/Canada. Ad-supported services like LINE Out Free for very short calls.
Not free: Calls to actual phone numbers (landlines and mobiles). These always cost something because phone companies charge termination fees. VoIP services are much cheaper than traditional carriers, but they're not free.
The practical approach: use free app-based calling for anyone who has a smartphone and is willing to use apps. For everyone else—elderly relatives with landlines, businesses, government offices, people in areas with poor internet—use a VoIP service with reasonable rates. A 30-minute call to India that would cost $6-24 with your phone carrier costs $0.30-0.90 with VoIP.