These days, most of us stay connected with friends, family, and colleagues via phone or text. With landlines going the way of VHS tapes and DVDs, most of us rely on our smartphones to communicate. But those plans can be expensive. Fortunately, there are a lot of free calling and texting alternatives that can help you stay in touch with your people much more affordably (and often free!).
1. WhatsApp
WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps worldwide. You can use it for free voice and video calls, as well as text messaging. Whether you have an Android or iOS-based phone, WhatsApp lets you use your internet connection instead of a cellular data plan for your calling and texting. It also supports group chats and photo and video sharing, so it pretty much covers all the bases.
2. Facebook Messenger
If you have a Facebook account (or are open to setting one up), you can use Facebook Messenger for free calling and texting. Messenger lets you send text messages, make voice and video calls, and share pictures and videos with your contacts. Since Messenger is integrated into your Facebook account, it’s easy to find and connect with friends and family if they’re on Facebook.
3. Google Voice
Google Voice gives you a free phone number for calling, texting, and voicemail. You can use it on your computer or mobile device, and it works over the internet, so as long as you use Wi-Fi you won’t pick up any extra charges from your mobile carrier. Google Voice also has features like call forwarding, voicemail transcription, and spam filtering. It’s an excellent option for those who need a dedicated phone number for personal or business use. (It can also be a great option when you want to have a call with someone but don’t want to share your personal number, for things like online dating.)
4. Skype
Skype has been a long-standing player in the world of free communication. It provides free voice and video calls, as well as instant messaging. Available on various platforms, including desktop and mobile, Skype is ideal for both personal and professional use. You can also use Skype to call landlines and mobile phones at low rates, making it a versatile option for international communication.
5. Viber
Viber is another app for free calling and texting. You can use it for voice and video calls, text messaging, and group chats. One feature of Viber that stands out is ‘Viber Out’, which lets you call friends or family who aren’t on Viber at affordable rates. Viber’s app is available for all major platforms, making it easy to stay connected no matter where you are.
6. Signal
If privacy and security are priorities for you, Signal might be the ideal choice for you. It allows end-to-end encrypted voice and video calls, plus secure text messaging. The app is open-source and has a strong reputation for its protection of user data. You can use it on iOS, Android, and desktop.
7. Telegram
Telegram is a feature-rich messaging app that offers free voice and video calls, along with text messaging. It’s known for speed and security, and it also supports large group chats and file sharing. The app includes unique features like self-destructing messages (Mission: Impossible-style!), bots, and customizable themes for lots of personalization. Telegram’s wide set of features and strong security make it a standout alternative to traditional calling and texting services.
8. WeChat
WeChat is kind of a one-stop shop—the app has messaging, social media features, and even mobile payment services. You can make voice and video calls, and also send texts and share multimedia files, all free! WeChat also offers features like group chats, a social feed called Moments, and a bunch of mini-programs for various services. While WeChat is especially popular in China, it has a global user base and is available for both iOS and Android.
