Once it was all about requesting the telephone operator to connect an international call and after that, waiting for long minutes. Sometimes, it could go on for hours even. But, you need to brace yourself now as in this century, you can find apps for everything almost. There are also apps for making international calls and you don’t need to wait for telephone operators even to connect your call.
At first, it was all about dialing too many area codes and the phone number to connect to the exact location placed in a different country, situated in a different zone. Now these things are not required on app-based international calls except for the contact number of the receiver. Before the lines were prone to face complications and due to that, some share of luck was also needed for making the calls. Well, the availability of an internet connection has washed down such complications.
Online-based call connection has also been away from surveillance or privacy problem as in most cases the connecting apps are end-to-end encrypted. You will get to know about 10 such apps in this article that would help you to make an international call at zero bucks.
What to Look for when Choosing the Best Apps to Make Free International Calls
End-to-end encryption
End-to-End Encryption(E2EE) basically encrypts the data from the sender’s end and transforms it into something unreadable. It is termed Ciphertext. Only the sender holds the security key to process it and the receiver who is intended to read the message, can decrypt the message. This way, privacy can be maintained at the highest level possible. The apps that help in connecting international calls should make every call end-to-end encrypted.
Call clarity and drop
In the concerned apps, the VoIP(Voice over Internet Protocol) service has been activated. In this technology, the call drop percentage is much less than the normal optical fiber-based calls we have seen. Still, in VoIP also, there can be issues such as loss of digital packets or jittering or latency rate. You should select only that app that has fewer of these issues.
Ease of use
Certainly, for every individual, it takes time to match up with the changes. In such app-based calls also, it would take time for the users to take grasp. In order, the manufacturing companies of these apps can help and that is by making such apps easy to use.
10 Best Apps to Make Free International Calls
1. WhatsApp
End-to-end encryption on WhatsApp calls provides the needed security
Pros
Free International calls
End-to-end encrypted
Group and video calls are available
Cons
High usage of digital packets in the calls
Sometimes encryption is not in effect
WhatsApp now comes under the ownership of Facebook and this app is at the forefront of international calling apps. Through this app, you can make international calls easily and can add your groups also on these calls.
The call clarity or call drops on WhatsApp depends on the level of digital packets. These digital packets carry the data in the VoIP system. As per WhatsApp, it uses more data to make the clarity of the calls high and keeps the call quality high. Therefore, while making calls through WhatsApp make sure that you have connected your phone with Wi-Fi.
End-to-end encryption on WhatsApp is the talk of the town but to avail it, you have to update your WhatsApp. In the old versions of WhatsApp, encryption is not available.
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For Android users For iOS users For desktop users
2. Signal
Signal is regarded as one of the best apps to provide most secured international calls
Pros
End-to-end encryption
Open source software
Transparency reports are available
Several types of encryption levels
Cons
Issues with call receiving and sending
Signal has been judged as one of the best-serving apps in the concern of call privacy. This app has worked fine on data privacy. The calls you do from this app or receive on this app, are stored in data form on your phone only. The company servers only store the contact number you are using.
The company also carries transparency regarding the security statements and vulnerabilities on the app. Once it faced a bug on the line that could be detrimental to the users' privacy. After taking regard to the bug, it eliminated the issue in just a day.
The app is easy to use and the minimum amount of data is used on this app for call logs. Therefore, on these fields, the app can ensure a notched-up performance.
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For Android users For iOS users
3. Skype
Making free HD international video calls has been easy on this app
Pros
Upto 10 individuals can be added to the international calls for free
In the video calls, the screen can be shared with 10 individuals
Privacy is high
Cons
Limited access to emerging services
Language translation is also not available on the app
Skype has received its due popularity for making international calls through video chats. During the Pandemic time, in the professional fields, this app was vociferously used. You can share the screen with your peers or can add up to 10 individuals on this app for international calls.
Talking about privacy, this app has also introduced the end-to-end encryption model. I have already discussed this technique before. With the application of such a technique, the privacy of the calls is at the highest level.
Using this app, you can make calls to people who don't have their Skype accounts. But this would need extra money to spend.
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For Android users For iOS users
4. FaceTime
The user-interface on this app has been regarded as dazzling
Pros
High-quality user interface
End-to-end encryption
Both video calls and online chatting can go on simultaneously
Easy sign in
Cons
Exclusive for Apple device users. Therefore, it can be installed only on the iOS platform
Updated version therefore old devices do not support many features
High data consumption
Standard text-based chat is not available
FaceTime app, introduced by Apple. inc is another free app for connecting international calls. But it is available only for the iOS-enabled devices.
This app also has end-to-end encryption and a secured chat platform. On this app, you can carry on both the video call and chat process simultaneously with more than one individual. But to avail of it, you have to update the iOS version of your device.
This app provides a high clarity call quality, and video quality and also champions in grading. Therefore, it needs a continuous flow of data.
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To connect through this app, you need your Apple login ID. Through this, you can sync this app with other Apple devices also.
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For iOS users
5. Google Voice
Several constraints are there on this app but still counted as one of the best in the league
Pros
VoIP service is at the core of the free calling on this app
A personal virtual number is assigned to every account holder
One account can be used on multiple accounts
Transcripts of the calls can be saved
Cons
Voice quality can be deflecting
The collaboration option is restricted
Messaging option only works in the USA
Google Voice service helps in forming an audio-video calling service that can be used for international calls also. You can use your Google Voice account on multiple devices and stay logged in on these devices simultaneously.. Thus you can receive notifications on your devices together for any incoming call.
As far as security is concerned, this app also provides end-to-end encryption for a better security update. This app automatically blocks spam numbers.
Still, there are several issues with this app. In the free version, collaboration is restricted. HD quality of calls is not supported on this app. But out of the blue, you can set voice mail messages for specific callers. But this feature is not available on the free version.
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For Android users For iOS users
6. Line
This versatile app can provide a lot of facilities in making international calls
Pros
It can give you a Facebook vibe as adding a timeline
You can take a video of your moments and share it with others
Filters are available
Cons
The Line app is not available in many countries
Call drops are frequent on this app
Line app is not available in maximum countries but it is efficient in connecting your international calls. Actually, it can give you a dual vibe of Facebook and a calling app. In this app, you can check a timeline where all the updates from your contact list will be shown.
For an effective chat experience, on this app, you can find a number of stickers. Still, the privacy settings on this app can be a cause of concern.
Apart from the voice chat or messaging service, you can get regular news updates on this app. Though a number of services on this app come only after paying subscription fees but calling is free
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For Android users For iOS users
7. Viber
VoIP technology has been used to make international calls
Pros
Free calls are available to other Viber users
An easy-to-use interface
Cons
Free calls can be connected to Viber users only
End-to-end encryption is not available
Viber was quite famous for making free calls. But nowadays, you can connect to Viber users by free calls. In other cases, you have to pay a nominal price. It also uses VoIP technology for connecting the calls.
To use this app, you need to have a verified phone number. You have to register with the Viber network. Now from this number, you can connect free Viber - to-Viber international calls. But on this app, you won't find end-to-end encryption on the calls.
Text messages are available for free and you can share your images or emojis over the chat platform. The user interface is also quite catchy.
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For Android users For iOS users
8. Google Meet
Third-party data sharing is banned on this app
Pros
Data collection by the developer is optional on this app
End-to-end encryption is available
Third-party data sharing is not available
Cons
Limited features
A limited number of members in a chat room can be seen
Google Meet app is completely free and it can be synced with other Google apps also by using the same account.
Google Meet has already implemented an app that has end-to-end data encryption. It can give you a 1:1 video calling service for your peers or team members.
The video calling mode works on the Picture-in-Picture mode and the overall voice calling facility works by VoIP. There is not any kind of information sharing with third-party apps. The app does not store any user-specific data.
If you face any app-related problems, there is a Google Assistant.
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For Android users For iOS users
9. IMO
Free cloud storage is available on this app
Pros
A dedicated app for high-quality audio and video calls
Cloud storage
You can add up to 6 individuals on a single call
Cons
Lack of privacy
A huge number of ads
IMO is a dedicated app for making audio and video calls. Not only that, but you can share stickers on this app also. Free unlimited messages are also available.
On this app, in a free call, you can add up to six persons. The calls are end-to-end encrypted. Therefore, security threats are minimal on this app. This app also works on a 2G connection.
The quality of calls or videos is optimum. Therefore, in the clarity issue, this app can't be blamed. Another section is cloud storage. The files shared on this app are automatically backed up in the cloud storage.
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For Android users For iOS users
10. PopTox
PopTox has aligned with a number of telecom companies to provide free international calls
Pros
No account ID is needed
High-quality phone calls can be made
In a huge region, the app is available
Cons
In free service, there are restrictions on the number of calls daily
Most of the features are available on the premium version
PopTox can also give you a nice experience regarding its free international call service. The clarity in the calls is unmatched. PopTox has made agreements with a huge number of telecom companies globally to give a combined service.
The calls and messages are end-to-end encrypted on this app. For any security-related issue, you can directly contact the helpline option provided by the authority.
This phone call service is web-based. That means you can connect to the calls by using your device's browser. But remember, there are limits on daily calls made from this app in the free version.
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For web users
The apps described in this article are famous for their quality service in the calls and security regarding it. The basic services on these apps are free. You can get extra service by paying the subscription fee in some cases.
By enjoying the full features of these apps, you can determine which app is suitable for you. The usage of the apps changes with the profession you're engaged with. Therefore, I'd advise you to choose an app based on your purpose.
