5 Free Calling and Texting App Options


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There are so many free calling and texting app options for users to choose from which makes it hard to know which one is the best. It’s important to know that apps which claim to have free calls only do so between users of the same service. You have to pay a small fee for external calls. Our list of free call and text app recommendations is sure to help you find the best service for your needs and preferences.

Each short review of the following apps will include a general description of the video, audio, and texting functions, the platform they are available on, and the number of participants in a group call. We will also point out the special features of each app.

5. Facebook Messenger

Facebook Messenger

Facebook and its Messenger app are some of the world’s most popular services. With the recent update, Facebook added the option to make group calls with up to 50 participants.  The competition for the best free calling and texting app may be over before it even started due to Messenger’s robust call service and its wide variety of features such as stickers, photo and video sharing, recording, and more.

In addition, the Messenger app is also available for desktop now. This makes it easy to chat with all your friends on the same app.

Special features of this free texting and calling app:

  • Chat heads: allows users to continue a previous conversation even while they are using other apps.
  • Forwarding: send messages, photos or videos to other users who weren’t in the initial conversation.
  • External messaging: you can message people in your address book by just entering their phone number in Messenger.
  • Photos and videos: the app allows users to record video and take pictures right from the app and send them with one tap.

4. Line

Line screenshot

As is the case with all of our recommendations, Line is another great free calling and texting app for chatting with your friends on the same service. It has an excellent design for its interface which facilitates access for new users. In early 2016, the company added the option for group calls with up to 200 people, the highest number of participants among all other apps.

This free call and text app advertises as a social media entertainment platform rather than a messaging app. It offers a variety of family apps, games and even a profile similar to Facebook with all your activities and a timeline.

Special features of this free text and call app:

  • Line Store: as both an entertainment platform and a messaging service, Line provides users the option to buy various customizations features and themes, stickers as well as games.
  • Line Pay: is a secure and easy payment platform where you can register your credit card and facilitate transactions thanks to Line’s partnership with major banks.
  • Family apps: complement the standard version of Line with a variety of apps like Line Man, Line Brush, Line tools. Feel free to search the complete list of Line family apps.

3. Google Hangouts

Google Hangouts Play Store

Google Hangouts is another great free calling and texting app you can use to save money on your phone’s plan. The best thing about the app is that your friends and family members are likely to already have a Google account. This makes finding all the people you want to text and call just one link away, as Google Hangouts is web-based app.

Unfortunately, it only supports up to 10 people in a group call but even this is enough for most users.  These features make it available on all platforms and devices.

Special features of this free text and call app:

  • Rich text system: use stickers, emoji, GIFs, photos, videos, and maps during your conversation. You can also receive multimedia messages on the app as well.
  • Cross-platform integration: Hangouts features an enhanced integration will at its available platforms for an improved call, text, voicemail system as your messages sync across all devices.
  • Group chat: users can form groups and chat at the same time with up to 150 people.

2. Viber

Viber main webpage

Viber is a veteran free calling and texting app in the market with a long history of excellent call service backed by a lot of great texting features and a new interface design. It allows  up to 40 participants in a group call.

You can chat with users on all supported platforms including Windows, iOS, Android and Windows Phone. The mobile version instantly integrates with your address so you can call your friends without an account.

Special features of this free texting and calling app:

  • Unsend: allows for users to delete a message from a conversation even after it was sent.
  • Games: the app features a few games you can play with your friends or against them.
  • Trusted contacts: automatically authenticates all your contacts and calls with end-to-end encryption.
  • Enhanced chat: use stickers, drawings, and more to personalize your conversation, make them public or hide them from your messaging screen.

1. Skype

Skype webpage

Skype is a very popular service in the market of free calling and texting apps. Its popularity is well-deserved thanks to the excellent combination of great interface design and feature-packed software. Although Skype can only support up to 25 participants in a group call, this is more than enough for the vast majority of users.

This free call and text app offers a robust audio and video call service with a clear sound and image. Its large number of users coupled with availability on all  mobile and desktop platforms is what makes Skype our number one recommendation.

Special features

  • Screen share: allows users to easily share their screen with everyone in a group call. Very useful when you have to synchronize with other people when going over certain research or just sharing a large number of pictures or videos without transferring them.
  • Enhanced sharing: transfer every type of file you want from documents and pictures to archives, and more.
  • Flexible status: Skype allows users to easily change their availability status both automatically if they are not active or manually. You can even hide that you are online.
  • HoloLens add-in: this feature is exclusive to users who own a HoloLens. It allows them to chat on Skype using holograms.

Verdict

This concludes our list of recommendations for best free calling and texting app. Although each app only offers free calls between the users of their software, they also have special features that appeal to certain users. However, we have found that Skype’s interface design, call service, and features suits the highest number of users. Its already large user base makes it easy to find friends and new people alike to chat with, offering more than enough room in a group call.

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