The first type of app lets you send free SMS messages to other users on their app. The second type of app lets you send messages to other users on their phone, even if they are not using the same app.
Some apps will give you a free temporary number that you can call other numbers with, and they won’t need to install any apps themselves. These apps, with the exception of Google Voice, include in-app ads to help support their operating costs.
There are a number of free calling apps that let you make free calls and texts to other users. For example, you can make free calls on WhatsApp or Viber, but only when calling other WhatsApp or Viber users via WiFi or mobile data. We’ve included both in this article and created a different section for each.
Free Calling Apps For SMS Texts & Calls
WhatsApp and Viber are two of the most popular chat apps on the market. They offer free calling and messaging, which can be a great option if you can’t or don’t want to use a chat app like Chatroulette. However, there are other options available if you need more specific features or want to pay for them. ..
Google Voice (Android & iOS)
This is the best free calling app available for Canadians and Americans. You can call, text, and receive the same service from any number even if others don’t have the app installed. Coming from Google, you’re free from any frustrating ads that many other apps in this list do feature.
There are some nifty features too, such as direct transcriptions of your voicemails so you can see what people have said instead of just hearing them. Free calls are available to US numbers, but you can also pay to make outgoing international calls. ..
The Google Voice app is easy to use and has a variety of features that make it a great choice for callers in the US and Canada. However, it is not available in other countries outside of those two countries for now.
Dingtone (Android & iOS)
Dingtone offers a free number and call service to its users. Upon sign up, users will receive 15 credits which can be used to call and text others within the first 48 hours of using the app. Additionally, users can claim a free phone number from different regions.
mini games are a fun way to reward users with more in-app activity. You’ll find more free credits by opening the app each day, watching ads, inviting friends, and completing offers.
You can purchase credits to remove ads for 1 month for just $0.99, which is much cheaper than other alternatives on this list.
Dingtone is the best free text app if you can’t use Google Voice. After this, apps start to get more intrusive with ads.
TextMeUp (Android Only)
TextMeUp is a free SMS and calling app that lets you organise your communications by choosing between multiple local numbers. ..
You can often claim a free local number in your region and purchase international numbers too.
TextMeUp is a free service that includes ads. Some of the ads are quite intrusive. ..
You can choose to remove all ads and get a monthly/weekly package of call minutes. Some regions are more limited too, for example, in the UK you can only get 4 credits upon sign up and more credits must be purchased. ..
TextMe, Inc. is releasing a new app called TextMe. The app is designed to make it easy for people to communicate with each other by sending and receiving text messages. The app has been designed with simplicity in mind, so that anyone can use it regardless of their experience or knowledge of text messaging. ..
TextPlus (Android & iOS)
TextPlus is an app that allows you to make free texts and calls by implementing ads on the call screen, and pretty much anywhere else they can fit them. You can also watch video ads or complete offers to earn credits. Finally, there’s an option to purchase credits, or subscribe, which will remove all ads from the app. ..
You can get a free custom phone number, but the number may change if you don’t pay to secure it. Once you’ve got a number though, others will be able to call you. For the most part TextPlus works when you really need to make an important call or send a text, but the excessive ads are frustrating to deal with.
Free Calling Apps For Texts & Calls To Other Users
There are a number of apps available that offer free calls and texts to users that also have the app installed. These apps offer a far superior experience to the previously listed apps. ..
WhatsApp (Android & iOS)
WhatsApp is a free messaging app that is popular for making calls and texts. It has built-in end-to-end encryption to keep your messages private.
You can send photos, gifs, videos, and voice messages quickly to others on WhatsApp by adding them to your contact list. This means that you can easily add new contacts to chat with them. Just make sure they also have the app installed.
You can send other users your location too, and if you are stuck without a phone, you can log into your account with the WhatsApp web app straight from your computer.
Viber (Android & iOS)
Viber is a text and calling app that comes with a variety of features to sync up your communication between devices. You can set up free backups so that all of your messages are always saved. You can log into a new device by simply scanning a QR code, and all of your past messages, saved photos, and shared videos will be sent to your new device too.
You can add other Viber users by importing them from your contact list, because Viber will use phone numbers as identifiers for users, similarly to WhatsApp. Viber also features video chat and group calling. ..
You can also call other numbers across the world for free using Viber.
Skype (Android & iOS)
Skype is a very popular app that’s often used on desktop, but the mobile version has a lot of features too. Skype is popular for instant messaging and video calls, and it’s sometimes used for making group conference or business calls too. ..
Skype also has its own credit system for purchasing minutes to call real numbers across the world. So you don’t have to add somebody by their username.
You can share videos, photos, and links with others to make it a great place to share memories or important details.
Messenger (Android, iOS) & Messenger Lite (Android, iOS)
With Messenger, you can easily communicate with people you know and love. You can also use Messenger to stay connected with friends and family who are not available through other social media platforms.
The Messenger app has a lot of extra chat features that you don’t see elsewhere. For example, there are mini-games, polls, custom group colors and themes, and rooms that support up to 50 people.
If you’re unhappy with how much memory Messenger can hog, you can get a stripped-down version called Messenger Lite, which comes with basic text and call functionality. ..
Should You Use a Free Calling App?
WhatsApp, Viber, Skype, Google Voice are all free voice and text messaging apps. They have different features, so it’s up to you to decide which one is best for you. ..