Video calling is amazing. It’s nearly everything a face-to-face conversation would have, with the added benefit of conveniently controlling how much one can see. Of course, the physicality of face-to-face interactions cannot be substituted with a video calling app, the distance, however, is completely reduced.
You get to greet your friend or family or colleague whose immediately just behind a screen, just like you. In this aspect, the distance between you two is near to negligible. You get to control what others see and for how long the interaction remains.
So, clearly, we have video calling benefits. But what if, sometimes you can’t? Well, ask technology and you shall receive the answer. The Internet has various other apps that can work as an alternative to your video calling app.
Table of Contents
11 Best Alternatives to Video Call Apps
Without keeping you any more curious, let’s delve deeper into each of these alternatives so you can choose which works best for your needs:
1. Talk Home
Supported Platforms: Android | iOS
Best Suited For: Internet-free International Calling | International Top-Up – 240+ Destinations
Being one of the best apps for international calling, Talk Home has been trusted by millions of users worldwide. With Talk Home, you can make cheap international calls from as low as 1p/c per min to over 240 destinations worldwide!
And the best part? If you or the receiver doesn’t have internet connectivity, nothing stops Talk Home from connecting your calls still. It uses both Wi-Fi and local access numbers to provide the cheapest and most optimised channel for your calls.
Additionally, you can send international top-ups to any phone number in over 240 destinations! International credit sending has never been this easy and transparent!
Pros:
- Cheap, high-quality international calling 24/7
- You can send credit to any phone number with a few simple taps
- Internet connection is NOT a must! Use it without the internet too
- Pay-as-you-go capability and auto-recharge function to allow easy convenience in usage and recharge
- Can connect to any number in the world, doesn’t have to be a Talk Home user.
- No hidden fees or long-term contracts
Cons:
- Multimedia texting is not supported yet
- Group calling is not supported
2. Skype
Supported Platforms: Android | iOS
Best Suited For: Working on Team projects | Group studying
Skype is world known for its free VoIP video and audio calling. And considering the wide user base, its free connectivity is very large scale. Besides calling, through SMS connect, you can reply to and receive text messages on Skype too!
Pros:
- Up to 25 Skype users to take part in a group chat at the same time
- Messages can be edited or deleted after they’ve been sent
- Desktop sharing allows mirroring the display so that Skype users can view another screen remotely
- Set up video conferences with up to 50 participants.
Cons:
- Its security is not completely promised
- To call non-users of Skype, you need to purchase Skype credit.
3. Viber
Supported Platforms: Android | iOS
Best suited for: Video Calling with Family & Friends
Viber is the FREE, simple, fast and most secure messaging and calling app. All you need is a data plan or Wi-Fi connection and you’re good to go. Make a free international video and audio calls, send text messages, open a group chat, and so much more!
Pros:
- Send Free Messages including pictures, stickers, GIFs, and videos
- Group chat capability for up to 250 members
- Group video calling
- Self-Destruct Your Secret Chats
- Start a Viber Community with Unlimited Members
- Broadcast messages to multiple contacts
Cons:
- Free Viber communication does not work without the Internet
- Viber calls do not have any option for call blocking
4. Hushed
Supported Platforms: Android | iOS
Best suited For: Private & Secure Calling|Dedicated Number Calling
Hushed is a private calling and texting app. Make private Wi-Fi and data calls, send texts, picture messages and manage multiple numbers. Hushed lets you get local numbers from over 300 areas codes in the US, Canada, and the UK.
Hushed offers the safety of keeping your privacy intact. If you’re posting a classified ad, you can use the number provided by Hushed and delete it once you’re done! It also works great for dating, as it allows you to keep your personal number private while still making connections.
Pros:
- Get a 2nd phone number, add different numbers, and manage multiple lines
- Full talk, text (SMS), and picture messaging / MMS capabilities.
- Local numbers in over 300 area codes in the US, Canada, and the UK.
- Each number comes equipped with Customizable Voicemail Greetings, Auto Reply Text Messages, Call Forwarding, Call Routing, and more!
- Integrations with Slack and DropBox.
Cons:
- May not work with SMS shortcode services or verification texts
- Cannot be used for 911 emergency services
5. Talkatone
Supported Platforms: Android | iOS
Best Suited For: Free Wi-Fi Calling & Texting|Dedicated Number Calling
Talkatone is a Wi-Fi international calling app that is a great option to call and text for free to and from most US and Canadian phone numbers. By contrast, Skype, Viber and Facetime are only free if the recipient has also already installed the app.
Pros:
- Text and talk with anyone via Wi-Fi or cellular data – No cell minutes used or roaming fees
- Get a free phone number that can be burnt once for free and another number assigned
- Call on any phone number with your Talkatone number
Cons:
- Requires Internet connectivity
6. Dingtone
Supported Platforms: Android | iOS
Best Suited For: Free Wi-Fi Calling & Texting|Dedicated Number Calling
Dingtone, a free calling app allows you to make unlimited free phone calls, send free text messages to anyone. Dingtone also gives you a free number as 2nd line, a real phone number with a local area code for Wi-Fi calling and free texting.
Pros:
- Walkie talkie mode for instant push to talk
- Group conference calls up to 8 people
- Group messaging with up to 100+ people
- Live video feature
- Pocket fax machine
- Can use the free assigned number for prank calling!
Cons:
- Wi-Fi connectivity required for free calling
Useful Read: Best VoIP Apps For International Calls
7. Kik
Supported Platforms: Android | iOS
Best Suited For: Free Messaging | Chat Bots
Kik messenger is free to use and somewhat like Viber and WhatsApp. But, apart from simple free instant messaging, it has some additional functions that differentiate it. For example, an internal browser, chatbots, sticker apps, meme generators, games and dating style apps.
Pros:
- One to one chatting
- Send messages, videos, pictures, gifs, etc.
- Group chat (with up to 49 other users)
- Anonymous chat
- Promoted chats allow users to follow and chat with different brands in music, entertainment and more
Cons:
- Anyone can find you on the app if they know your username
- No age verification. Hence, inappropriate for younger audiences
8. Libon
Supported Platforms: Android | iOS
Best Suited For: International Calling & Texting
Libon is a mobile application that allows you to call your friends and relatives back home, wherever they are. All you need is a Libon account, minutes and an Internet connection to place your calls.
The person you call doesn’t need to have the application installed or an Internet connection, the call will be received as a classic GSM call.
Pros:
- Per second billing
- No expiration dates
- No SIM card needed
Cons:
- No free calling
- Wi-Fi needed to place calls
9. Yolla
Supported Platforms: Android | iOS
Best Suited For: Topping Up Any Mobile Number In 148 Countries
Yolla lets you make free high-quality calls to other users and premium-quality calls to any other phone number around the world. It uses your cell phone’s internet connection, be it Wi-Fi, 3G, 4G/LTE instead of your phone’s voice network.
Pros:
- Send an international text to 150+ countries via Yolla
- Referral program to earn credits for free international calls
- You get to keep the same number
- Top up any mobile number in 148 countries with low fees
Cons:
- Calling on non-user phone numbers is not free
- You need internet connectivity to use
10. Talk U
Supported Platforms: Android | iOS
Best Suited For: Audio Call Recording
TalkU lets you make unlimited free calls & texts via Wi-Fi or cellular data to other TalkU users. You do not require cell minutes. Furthermore, save 90% on international calls and texts on any other phone number in around 200 countries in the world.
Pros:
- Caller ID – Choose a phone number to be displayed when calling
- Call Recorder – Record calls for future playback
- Call Forwarding – Forward calls to any number you like
- Group Calling – Free group conference calls
- Call Block – Stop unwanted calls and fraud calls
- Voicemail – Customize your own voicemail greeting
- Walkie Talkie – Turn your phone into a Walkie Talkie. Push to talk!
Cons:
- Calling on non-user phone numbers is not free
- You must subscribe to be assigned a number that costs
11. Text Me
Supported Platforms: Android | iOS
Best Suited For: Free SMS Texting | Picture Messaging | Calls and Voicemail
TextMe is a cross-platform app that offers to send free SMS to any phone number in 200 countries in the World. Also, if you have your friends on the app, you get to do a lot more including free calls between Windows and other platforms.
Pros:
- Free HD Voice Calls to other TextMe users
- Get an exclusive TextMe phone number to call and send SMS
- Group texting features with text, photos and videos
- Send Dropbox photos and videos via SMS directly from TextMe
Cons:
- Calls and SMS to non-users are not free
- Consumes large storage space
FAQs
What Is the Most Popular VoIP App?
One of the best video calling app and most popular VoIP to be available worldwide is Skype. However, each of the available VoIP apps has its own advantages and disadvantages. With Skype, the user base is huge, hence connecting to other users is more possible. But, in other aspects, other apps work better. Viber and Talk Home have their own positives that make them best in their own way.
What To Do If There Is No Internet for International Calls?
There are plenty of ways to make international calls even when you do not have internet. For instance, the Talk Home app is an amazing international calling app that provides the convenience of connecting your calls to over 240 destinations worldwide, with or without internet! It uses optimised local access numbers to connect your call! Without any compromise on quality and speed, you still get to stay connected without the internet!
Does Talk Home App offer cheap international calls?
Yes. Talk Home app is known for being one of the best and cheapest international calling solutions. It offers to connect calls to over 240 destinations from as low as 1p/c per minute! It becomes even cheaper if you subscribe to its bundles!
Conclusion
Keeping in mind the current trends of society, video calling has become a necessity. As distances grow between loved ones, technology works to bridge that gap. Video call apps can help you stay connected visually with your loved ones.
But sometimes, these apps may not work. What to do if you encounter a situation like that? Our outlined video call app alternatives provide you other services that can help you stay connected worldwide, whether you have internet or not!
