How to Make Free Phone Calls From Your Computer

Phones are the primary mode of communication between people around the globe today. However, purchasing phone plans now and then so you can continue texting, calling, and using data, can be quite expensive. Fortunately, you can now save on these costs by making free phone calls from a computer as long as you have a good PC, reliable internet, and a calling app.

 The communication sector rapidly advanced after the inception of the internet. Various apps have been developed to help you make free phone calls to friends and family using your computer. Additionally, these calls are not limited to a particular country, as you can make them internationally.

Read on to find out how you can make free phone calls from a computer and some of the best apps you can use.

How Making Free Phone Calls from Your Computer Works 

You can make and receive phone calls from your computer thanks to Voice Over Internet Protocol or VOIP as it is popularly called. What is VOIP? It is a technology that transmits voice messages over the internet.

When you make a phone call from your computer, VOIP enciphers it into tiny data packets transmitted to the recipient, where they are deciphered so they can get the voice message. Unlike conventional landlines, VOIP can function perfectly without requiring transmission lines between two people who are communicating.

To make calls from your computer, you can use either one of two services: app-to-app or app-to-phone. The former requires both the caller and receiver to install the same type of program on their device. However, the app-to-phone service enables the caller to communicate directly with someone who has a smartphone or landline from their computer.

What You Need to Make Free Phone Calls from Your Computer

You need to have a few essential things to make free phone calls from your computer to another computer, smartphone, or landline. They include:

• A good computer with fully functional audio adapters and one of the following operating systems installed: Windows, Mac OS, or Linux.
• Reliable internet connection. Averagely, the internet speeds should not be lower than 128kbps
• Complete headset. This might not be necessary if your personal computer or laptop has built-in speakers
• A calling application. Download any of the ones mentioned in the next section.

The Best Free Calling Apps

As mentioned, two types of services enable you to make calls from your computer; app-to-app and app-to-phone. This section looks at both of them in detail.

App-To-Phone 

App-to-phone programs are specifically designed to enable you to make phone calls straight from your computer to a receiver’s phone. They only require you to install the app on your computer. Some of them include:

1. Google Voice

Google Voice is a communication app you can find online if you have a Gmail account. This app lets you call using your desktop or laptop if you have internet access. It allows you to link up with people with personal computers or phones.

One of the reasons it is the most preferred phone call app is because it has a wide range of desirable features. For example, you can easily access all your number from Google contacts. Additionally, it has a voicemail feature that diverts your calls to any other designated number. It also gives you free conference calls, creates custom messages, and sends free SMSs.

You can use Google chat to make voice calls by following the simple steps below:

• Login into your Google account.
• Go to Google chats and tap the ‘calling’ icon.
• Input the number of the person you want to communicate with using your keyboard or mouse.
• Tap ‘call’. Your Google Voice number will be displayed once the recipient picks up your call.

2. TextNow

TextNow is a mobile application that allows you to make free phone calls to people in the United States and Canada. The app gives you a specific number, enabling you to text other users. However, to call people who don’t have the TextNow app installed on their phone, for example, landline phone users, you have to redeem credits.

The TextNow interface is very simple to navigate, making it easy to call or text. You can even text while making a phone call. Additionally, you can customize various features, for instance, put different alerts for all your contacts, and change the voicemail greeting or background theme. 

TextNow also stores all the history related to your phone calls enabling you to access your contacts and numbers even when you log in from a different device. This app functions seamlessly on both Windows and Mac OS.

3. Viber

Viber is one of the most popular apps for making phone calls and sending texts free of charge. You can easily install this app on your computer and even sync it with other devices such as mobile phones and tablets.

This app allows you to import all your contacts and store them on your computer if you need to use them later. You can also back up any messages you send or receive through the app. Additionally, a Viber subscription gives you access to local numbers from different countries. However, you will have to pay to enjoy this feature.

To use Viber to make free phone calls from your computer, you need to have a Windows, Linux, or Mac Operating system installed.

4. Text Free

Text Free is an easy-to-use application that assigns you a specific phone number. You can then use this number to make phone calls to people with a similar app installed over the internet. It also has a voicemail greeting customization feature.

One feature unique to Textfree is the ability to text people who don’t have the app installed on their phones. Textfree also restricts the number of free minutes you can use to call people who have not installed the app.

To enjoy more minutes to call non-app users, you have to watch their ads or use free offers. You have to use the number that Textfree has assigned you at least once every 30 days, or else they will deactivate it and assign it to a new user. However, you can always request a different number if yours expires. Download the current version app on the web and install it on your computer to start using it today.

5. Globfone

Like all the other applications on our list, you can get Globfone for free online. Luckily, you do not need to install it before you can start calling landlines and smartphones from your computer. This app allows you to make calls both locally and internationally without incurring any cost.

Additionally, you won’t need to subscribe to plans or sign up with a new account to enjoy free PC-to-phone calling. The only downside is that Globfone caps the number of calls that can be made from a particular IP location. However, the cap is renewed every 24 hours.

6. Dingtone

Dingtone is a voice-calling application that runs effortlessly when downloaded onto your computer. This application provides a free phone number to its users that enables them to call and text for free. You can register with them, and they will offer you 15 free credits for calling.

You can recharge their credits by purchasing new ones or playing games and accessing offers that will enable you to earn free ones. Alternatively, you can refer your friends or watch Dingtone’s advertisements to receive free credits.

App-To-App

App-to-app programs require both you and the person you’re calling to have the same type of app installed on your devices for you to communicate successfully.  

1. WhatsApp

WhatsApp is the most commonly used messaging up all over the globe. It supports voice and video calls if you have a stable internet connection. On top of that, it has a group call feature. This feature enables you to communicate with a number of your friends simultaneously.

Once you download it onto your computer, you will be prompted to confirm your number first. After which, you can view your contact list to determine who also uses it. If your friends or family use WhatsApp, you can call them for free, regardless of location.

Every call on WhatsApp has end-to-end encryption to improve safety when communicating online. Unfortunately, you cannot call users who don’t have WhatsApp downloaded on their phones. However, you can still use WhatsApp Web online without downloading the app.

2. Skype

Skype is a well-known communication platform that lets users make free phone calls over the internet using their computers. The app can be installed on various devices enabling users to make PC-to-PC calls, PC-to-app calls, or app-to-app calls.

To start using Skype, you have to set up an account first. You can do this on Windows, Linux, or other supported operating systems. After that, you can download their program to your computer and install it.

You can search for users to call by simply entering their number, username, or email address. It is also possible to add contacts to your directory. Aside from voice calling over the internet, you can chat with or video call other users.

Final Verdict

Communicating through phones is increasingly becoming expensive every day to the point that purchasing plans or paying for wireless services has become an uphill task for many people. Although the Federal Government has come up with various programs to help subsidize the cost of communication, not everyone can be accommodated by these programs. 

However, you can still stay connected by making free phone calls from your computer. Hopefully, all the apps mentioned above will be helpful to you. Some of them are easy to download, while some do not require any installation before you start using them. Good luck!

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