The 9 Best Wi-Fi Calling Apps Worth Using in 2023
As cellular plans and international calling rates continue to rise, many people are making the switch to Wi-Fi calling apps. Wi-Fi calling utilizes Wi-Fi internet access to route calls and messages, allowing you to avoid expensive cellular minutes and data overages.
Industry analysts predict the global Wi-Fi calling market will reach $78.3 billion by 2026, propelled by increasing smartphone adoption and expanding Wi-Fi availability worldwide. Clearly, Wi-Fi calling is becoming an indispensable connectivity solution for consumers and businesses alike.
But with a variety of apps on the market, how do you determine which Wi-Fi calling service is right for your needs? In this comprehensive guide, we review the top nine Wi-Fi calling apps of 2023 and provide expert recommendations to help you select the best app based on call quality, features, compatibility, and other key factors.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Wi-Fi Calling App
When evaluating Wi-Fi calling apps, several criteria should factor into your decision:
Reliability: The app should provide consistent connectivity and minimal lag, jitter, or dropped calls – even on slower network connections. Prioritize apps built specifically for voice calls rather than messaging apps with call features bolted on.
Call quality: Look for wideband audio, noise cancellation, and HD voice features for superior clarity. These become especially vital for business calls or interviews.
Platform availability: Assess which platforms (iOS, Android, Windows, Mac) are supported to ensure seamless compatibility with your devices.
Security: Encrypted signaling and channels (SRTP, TLS) are essential for privacy. Verify the encryption standards used.
Cost: Most apps allow free user-to-user calling over Wi-Fi, but charges may apply for calls to landlines/mobile numbers. Calculate these costs before committing.
Ease of use: An intuitive interface with streamlined contacts access allows you to start calling quickly.
Extra features: Consider group calling needs, global dial-in numbers, call recording, conference calling, and other convenience features.
Taking the above factors into account, we identified the nine best Wi-Fi calling apps available today.
- Facebook Messenger
As the world’s largest messaging platform, Facebook Messenger makes an ideal voice and video calling app for most consumers. Messenger seamlessly integrates all your existing Facebook contacts and provides reliable connections for one-on-one and group calls.
Key Features:
- Free worldwide voice and video calls to any Messenger user
- Group video chats with up to 50 participants
- Crystal-clear audio and HD video
- Fun features like masks, effects, and AR
- Cross-platform (mobile, desktop and Web)
With over 1 billion active users as of 2022, Messenger is hard to beat for connecting with friends and family internationally. While better suited for casual personal calls than business use cases, Messenger remains one of the most versatile, widely-compatible Wi-Fi calling apps available today.
- Google Meet
As Google’s professional video conferencing solution, Meet offers a robust set of features tailored for business communications. HD video meetings with up to 250 participants enable collaboration at scale, while noise cancellation and hand raising ensure everyone stays engaged.
Key Features:
- Group video calls with up to 250 people
- Real-time captions for live transcription
- Screen sharing for presentations
- Works seamlessly with G Suite apps
- Available as a free Chrome extension
With its deep integration across Google services like Gmail, Calendar, Drive and more, Meet simplifies scheduling and launching video meetings. While it lacks some fun features common in consumer-focused apps, Google Meet delivers reliable, optimized connectivity perfect for remote work environments.
- Skype
As one of the pioneers of online voice calling, Skype has become almost synonymous with Wi-Fi calling itself. Although its popularity has waned amidst fierce competition, Skype remains a viable option – especially for affordable international calling to mobile numbers and landlines.
Key Features:
- Inexpensive international call rates
- Group video calls with up to 50 people
- Call recording and voicemail options
- Mobile and desktop apps
- Screen sharing and chat features
While call quality and reliability isn’t quite on par with leading enterprise solutions, Skype still outperforms most messaging apps. With its global brand recognition and support for older platforms like Windows and Xbox, Skype deserves consideration across consumer and business contexts alike.
With over 2 billion users globally, WhatsApp stands neck-and-neck with Messenger in terms of reach and consumer familiarity. While not purpose-built for voice calls, WhatsApp offers a convenient way for international friends and family to connect via existing contacts and groups.
Key Features:
- Free worldwide calls to any WhatsApp user
- Group voice and video chats
- Syncs seamlessly with mobile contact list
- Intuitive interface, easy to use
- End-to-end encryption
However, call quality lags behind other options on this list – so businesses should opt for a more specialized tool. Still, for personal use, WhatsApp delivers enormous value to international callers who already rely on the app for messaging.
- Viber
Similar to WhatsApp, Viber built its reputation as a messaging app before expanding into voice and video calls. But with improved audio engineering and connectivity, Viber has emerged as a formidable contender – combining the accessibility of messaging with quality surpassing legacy calling apps.
Key Features:
- HD voice and video calls
- Group video chats with up to 20 people
- Fun stickers, GIFs, and public chat groups
- Affordable international landline/mobile rates
- Heavily encrypted infrastructure
Viber may not be an industry leader, but its proven technology makes it a cost-effective, secure Wi-Fi calling option. With a well-rounded feature set catering to both personal and professional communications, Viber suits most general use cases.
- Snapchat
Given Snapchat‘s ephemeral sharing culture, phone calls seem an unlikely feature. Yet Snapchat’s voice and video calls feel innovative and on-brand. With cute AR lenses, filters and reactions, expect more casual, playful conversations rather than formal business meetings.
Key Features:
- One-tap phone and video calls
- Visual effects and lenses
-diagramShare photos/videos during a call - Seamlessly continues existing Stories
- Familiar Snapchat UI
Targeting a teenage and young adult demographic, Snapchat probably won’t replace your primary phone line anytime soon. But entertaining extras and funny reactions interwoven with conversation demonstrate how Wi-Fi calling can evolve beyond tried-and-tested norms when targeted to specific audiences.
- Dingtone
For affordability, it‘s hard to beat free Wi-Fi calling app Dingtone. Allowing you to make international calls to over 200 countries, Dingtone assigns you a real phone number then utilizes VoIP technology to connect calls via data. Perfect for travelers and expat families, it keeps you connected abroad with none of the insane roaming fees.
Key Features:
- Totally free international calls
- Local phone numbers from 40+ countries
- Group calls and call recording
- Voicemail transcription
- Designed primarily for mobility
With a strong focus on saving money for people on the move, don’t expect many bells and whistles beyond crystal clear call connectivity from Dingtone. But for globetrotters and overseas residents, not paying SIM card fees or international calling rates makes Dingtone worth its lightweight feature set many times over.
- Signal Messenger
Boasting “military-grade encryption”, Signalprioritizes user privacy above all else. The open-source platform offers secure group, voice and video calls. Signal’s clean interface also enables hassle-free communication without feeling too restricted.
Key Features:
- Fully end-to-end encrypted infrastructure
- Group video calls with up to 40 people
- Syncs with existing phone contacts
- Perfect forward secrecy
- Ideal for dissidents and whistleblowers
As Edward Snowden’s app of choice, Signal establishes itself as the #1 Wi-Fi calling app for defense-level security. But beyond its encryption credentials, Signal also delivers excellent reliability and call quality rivaling mainstream competitors.
- Telegram
Rounding out our list is Telegram – a versatile messaging app fast becoming a favorite for both B2C business and peer connections. Offering sizable group calls (up to 1000 participants) and cross-device syncing, Telegram keeps you accessible and connected.
Key Features:
- Group voice chats with 1000 people
- Fun stickers, bots, channels and groups
- Powerful platform for broadcast
- Cloud-based messaging
- Optional end-to-end encryption
Telegram trails WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger for now in terms of total users. However, with recent surges in adoption, Telegram sits poised to become a major player both as a messaging app and Wi-Fi calling tool over the coming decade.
Choosing the Right Wi-Fi Calling App For You
With countless apps flooding the market, we hope this breakdown of the top nine Wi-Fi solutions assists with determining what will best suit your needs.
Think carefully about the factors we outlined earlier – with a particular focus on reliability, call quality and security. From there, assess costs, availability across your devices, ease of use and additional capabilities related to your specific use case.
For most consumer calling needs, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp or Viber make fine starting points thanks to enormous existing networks. Businesses should consider Google Meet, Skype or Telegram for their more advanced features. And travelers seeking affordable rates abroad often gravitate towards Dingtone or Signal.
Whatever Wi-Fi calling app you choose, get ready to save money and enjoy greater connectivity by escaping traditional cellular network limitations. Wi-Fi opens a world of possibility – so tap into its potential today with the right app for the way you call.
