Today, it’s easier than ever to make free VoIP calls. There are multiple services that allow you to make free VoIP calls – either through free trials or through ad-supported services. Find out the best ways to make free VoIP calls today in our guide.
How to Make Free VoIP Calls with Mobile Apps
Today, a number of major VoIP providers offer free Android, iPhone, and iPad apps that allow you to make calls for free. They offer free VoIP calling with the expectation that you’ll eventually sign up for their premium services.
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Some of the most popular mobile apps for free VoIP calling include:
Vonage
Vonage has been a pioneer of the VoIP industry since the early 2000s and remains a significant market force today. They have surprisingly good mobile apps that offer free calling within the United States along with other features.
If both parties have the Vonage app installed, then you can actually make free calls anywhere in the world (as long as you have internet).
Other helpful Vonage features include IP-based text messaging and video calling. Once again, these features require both parties to have the Vonage app installed.
Skype
Most people don’t have the Vonage app installed on their phones or computers. Skype, however, has the largest user base out of any VoIP provider on this list.
The main downside to making free VoIP calls with Skype is that it’s only free to other Skype users. However, you can place Skype-to-Skype video calls anywhere in the world without incurring any additional charges.
Skype is famous for its video calling, but it also offers IP-based text messaging and conference calling, among other features. If you need to connect to landlines and cell phones around the world, then Skype also offers competitively-priced rates on these services – and the other individual does not need to have the Skype app installed.
Google Hangouts
Over the years, Google tried to wade into the VoIP market with a wide range of different services. Eventually, Google decided to combine all of these services into one platform called Hangouts. Today, Hangouts is a combination of Google Voice and Google Chat.
The base Hangouts app comes pre-installed on most Android phones. It allows you to send messages and video chat to anyone who has Hangouts installed on one of their devices. You can call anyone in the world without restrictions.
If you want to make a VoIP call to a landline or mobile number not connected to Hangouts, however, then you’ll need to install an additional Google app called Hangouts Dialer.
Using Hangouts Dialer, you can call any number in the United States for free (even if you’re just using Hangouts on your computer).
Those of you with legacy Google Voice accounts will also be able to send free SMS messages. Plus, you’ll have your own dedicated phone number someone can use to call you. You can even forward incoming calls to other lines and devices, which basically puts a simple virtual PBX system at your fingertips.
Viber
Viber is another long-standing VoIP communications company that has dominated the VoIP calling market in the last decade. Viber’s mobile app comes with video calling and chat features, although the core Viber experience still involves voice calling.
Like with most of the other apps listed here, Viber requires both parties to have the app installed on their devices.
There is an option to call landlines and other non-VoIP numbers, although you’ll need to purchase Viber Out credits. These credits are about the same price as you’d pay on other providers and offer competitive long distance rates.
VoIP Service Provider Trials
If you don’t want to use any of the excellent mobile apps listed above, then your next best option is to sign up for a free trial with a VoIP provider. Some of the free trials listed below require you to enter your credit card information, while others are available totally free of charge.
RingCentral Free Trial
RingCentral has been around since 2003 and is well-known for its scalability and wide range of features. All plans come with a free 30 day trial, during which you’ll be able to use all of the features of the service with no restrictions.
RingCentral’s 30 day trial does not require you to input credit card data. You will, however, have to input information like your first name, last name, email address, phone number, etc. Once your 30 day trial is over, you’ll be prompted numerous times to continue with your subscription – so be prepared for the upsells.
Ringio
Ringio is another VoIP provider that makes the same promises as other VoIP calling systems – you can make phone calls more cheaply and easily than ever before.
The main difference with Ringio is that you also have access to a full-fledged built-in CRM system. This allows you to integrate Ringio with popular cloud apps and a wide range of VoIP features.
Ringio offers a free 15 day trial, during which you’ll have access to all Ringio features. You’ll also get a free local number.
Axvoice Free Trial
Axvoice is one of the cheapest VoIP providers on this list and has plans starting at $5 per month. There are several residential and commercial solutions available and surprisingly low international calling rates.
There isn’t technically a free trial with Axvoice, but the provider does give you a 15 day trial period, during which you can decide whether or not you like the service. You can contact the company any time within the 15 day trial period to cancel your account and receive a full refund. You’ll have complete access to all of the Axvoice features as well as a new or existing number during this free trial.
eVoice Free Trial
eVoice is a complete virtual phone system that caters mostly towards business owners. With eVoice, you can manage incoming and outgoing calls using a virtual number. This allows users to remain in control even when they’re on-the-go. Additional eVoice features that may be valuable for your business include call routing, conference calls, multiple extensions, and the ability to send voicemail directly to email.
eVoice offers a free trial that gives you access to all available features. That trial lasts for 30 days, and you can cancel at the end of the 30 day period to avoid any charges.
Nextiva Free Trial
Nextiva is another well-known VoIP provider that promises to “simplify business communications”. It’s currently used by over 5 million businesses around the world.
The company uses something called the NextOS platform, which hosts a range of different VoIP services targeted towards business owners – like its popular online faxing service.
All Nextiva plans come with a 30 day money back guarantee. This isn’t exactly a free trial, but it does work as kind of a risk-free trial. During this trial period, you’ll be able to access all of Nextiva’s VoIP features. If you remember to cancel within the 30 day period, then you’ll receive a complete refund.
Nextiva has business VoIP plans starting at $20 per month, and you can even order a hosted call center customized to the size and needs of your business. So if you’re preparing to scale up in the near future, then Nextiva’s free trial might be a good option.
Grasshopper Free Trial
Grasshopper, like Nextiva and others on this list, doesn’t technically offer a free trial, but it does offer a 30 day money back guarantee. You can take advantage of that money back guarantee to try the complete virtual phone system risk-free. You’ll have access to all of the features of whichever plan you chose.
Grasshopper specifically advertises itself towards entrepreneurs and freelancers instead of businesses with multiple employees. You can pay a flat monthly rate or sign up for a pay as you go (PAYG) plan, which may help you save money.
Phone.com Free Trial
Phone.com’s free trial offer lets you try the system for 30 days without entering your credit card details or any other payment information. During this trial, you have full access to all VoIP features.
Phone.com offers a wide range of business plans that can scale to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes. One of Phone.com’s most famous claims is that it can help you save up to 65% compared to your traditional PBX system. There are virtual PBX plans and smaller-scale plans available.
Virtual PBX Free Trial
Founded in 1997, Virtual PBX is one of the oldest VoIP providers in the world today. The Virtual PBX hardware comes with one important advantage: there are numerous redundancies built into the system, including alternative power sources for when the power goes out. If you don’t want your business’s communications to disappear during a power outage, then Virtual PBX might be the right option for you.
Virtual PBX’s free trial works in a slightly different way to other providers on this list: you can try the service for one full month for free on a usage-based plan of your choice. However, you’ll be restricted to 50 minutes of free calling during this 30 day trial.
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