There are different ways to make free calls via the web.

Each requires an intern

et connection, though depending on the service you can make calls either via a c
omputer, your mobile or even using your landline.
The best route for you depends on which service your family and friends use, bec
ause using the same as them will get you free calls. Here are the key options (w
e then list the top apps and services below):
Smartphone-to-smartphone. If you've got a smartphone with web access, free apps
will get you free calls as long as your friend's using the same service.
Computer-to-computer (and tablets). If you've got a computer or tablet you can l
ikewise use your internet connection to make free calls so long as your friend's
using the same service.
Tablet/computer-to-phone (and vice versa). You can use a computer to call a phon
e for free so long as it's a smartphone using the same service. It works the oth
er way too. But if you're calling a landline or a mobile which isn't a smartphon
e from your computer it WON'T be free (unless it's a toll-free number, eg, 0800)
- you may be better off using an override provider instead.
Quick questions:
How much does it cost to call a landline via the internet?
Can I make free internet calls via a landline?
Can I receive calls over the internet from a landline?
How free web calls work
Free calls over the internet are made using what's geekily known as "VoIP", whic
h is short for "Voice over Internet Protocol".
You may not have heard of it, but you've probably used internet telephony withou
t even realising it. It's increasingly used as the background technology for nor
mal calls too.
How exactly does VoIP work?
Top apps & services to make free calls
When using VoIP for free calls, providers are pretty similar, and the best one f
or you is really a personal preference. The crucial thing is to ensure you both
have the same app. Also factor in your handset type and if you want to make vide
o calls.
Using mobile data (3G or 4G) to make VoIP calls? Be warned, this can eat heavily
into your mobile data allowance. Use free wi-fi wherever possible.
All the ones we've detailed below are free to download. To make completely free
calls, you and the person you're calling needs to use the same provider. If not,
you'll pay. Here are our VoIP provider top picks:
Skype
Most popular free web calls service - but calls to real phone numbers cost more
SKYPE*
Used by over 600 million people around the world, Skype* is the biggest name in
VoIP, letting you make free voice or video calls to other Skype users.
You can use it on PCs and Macs (with speakers and a headset) and even on some sm
art TVs. To use it on your mobile, download the free mobile app (works on iPhone
s, Android phones and Windows phones). You can also make Skype calls using your
landline via a home phone adapter, or a cordless home phone with Skype already b
uilt in.
Whichever way you choose, if the person you're calling has Skype too, you won't
pay. So someone using Skype on an iPhone in the UK to call someone using Skype o

n their TV in the US is free, for example.

Never automatically use Skype to make a phone call
While it's free to call a Skype contact, using Skype to call real phone numbers
abroad is by no means the cheapest way. For example, using Skype in the UK to ca
ll a US landline would cost 1.7p/min. Yet the cheapest override provider charges
15p/call, which would be better for a longer call. To find the cheapest provide
r for each country, use the MSE CallChecker comparison service.
Stats box
Cost to use: Calls are free to other Skype users, or
dline/mobile number not on Skype, but the app uses a
may cost unless you're on wi-fi
Can be used on: Mobiles, tablets, Windows computers,
smart TVs, some games consoles
Feedback: Skype feedback forum discussion
FaceTime
Free video calls to other Apple users
FACETIME FOR IPHONE, IPAD & MAC
If you've got an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch, you can
her Apple users. If you have a Mac computer with Mac
ll also be able to FaceTime.

chargeable if calling a lan

small amount of data which
Macs, landline phones, some

make free video calls to ot

OS X v10.6.6 or above, you'

All new Apple devices come with FaceTime already installed, so you can start usi
ng it straightaway, without setting up a user name or password.
iPhone 4 users can only use FaceTime over wi-fi, however other iPhone users (4S,
5, 5S, 5C, 6 and 6 Plus) can use the service over both wi-fi and with a data al
lowance. However be wary of eating into your data allowance. Using your 3G or 4G
connection will eat into your data limit, but the cost is minimal. Vodafone say
s a 10-minute FaceTime call will use about 30MB of mobile data.
Those with the iOS 7 operating system or later on their iPhone or iPad can use F
aceTime Audio. This lets you make voice calls in the same way as above. Handily,
it tells you how much data you've used on each call, helping you avoid eating i
nto your allowance.
Stats box
Cost to use: Calls are free, but the app uses a small amount of data which may c
ost unless you're on wi-fi
Can be used on: iPhones, iPads, iPod Touches, Macs
Feedback: FaceTime feedback forum discussion
Viber
Free Viber-to-Viber calls - and beats Skype on costs to real numbers
VIBER
About 600 million people now use Viber after a rapid rise to global popularity.
Like Skype, it lets you make free voice and video calls to friends and family wh
o're fellow users.
You can use it on PCs, Macs, all mobile phones and tablets. To get it on your ph
one, just download the free app and you can call Viber users anywhere in the wor
ld for zilch. To use Viber on a tablet or computer, you have to install it on yo
ur phone first.
While you can't use Viber to make calls on a landline, its rates are at least ch
eap for calls from mobiles to non-users. There's a 'Viber Out' option, for iPhon
e and Android devices, which lets you buy credit to make these calls on a pay-as
-you-go basis.

If you used Viber in the UK to call a mobile in the US it's 1p/min. The same cal
l via Skype costs 1.7p/min.
To check that you're always using the cheapest provider for each country, use th
e MSE CallChecker comparison service.
Stats box
Cost to use: Calls are free to other Viber users, or chargeable if calling a lan
dline/mobile number not using Viber. The app uses a small amount of data which m
ay cost unless on wi-fi
Can be used on: Mobiles, tablets, Windows computers, Macs
Feedback: Viber feedback forum discussion
Rebtel
Good for calls from non-smartphone mobiles
REBTEL
You can use Rebtel on smartphones (Including Apple, Android and Windows), iPads
and Android tablets via an app using a mobile internet connection (wi-fi or data
) or PC. Like Skype and Viber, calls are only free to other Rebtel users via the
apps - you'll pay to call non-Rebtel users.
But Rebtel can also be used on non-smartphones by calling via a 'local access nu
mber'. Helpfully, and unlike most override providers, it doesn't charge a connec
tion fee, which makes it ideal if you tend to make multiple, shorter calls.
Its per-minute rates don't tend to be as cheap as the override providers in our
International Callchecker though. For example, someone calling via Rebtel to a m
obile in the US (that doesn't have the app) would pay nearly 0.99p/minute, where
as the cheapest override provider only charges a 15p connection fee per call. So
for longer calls you're better off going down this route.
Stats box
Cost to use: Calls to other Rebtel users via the web free otherwise cheap calls
to int'l destinations, but the app uses a small amount of data which may cost un
less you're on wi-fi
Can be used on: iPhones, Android phones/devices, iPads, Windows computers, landl
ines
Feedback: Rebtel feedback forum discussion
Vyke
App that works across most devices
VYKE
Another popular VoIP provider is Vyke. Like others here, it has a free smartphon
e app, which you can use to make cheap calls to landlines or mobiles over wi-fi,
or using your mobile 3G/4G connection.
You can use the app on PCs, iPhones, iPads, Android devices, Blackberrys and tab
lets. You get your first 10 minutes worth of calls (to numbers in certain countr
ies only) free to try out the service.
Vyke works by transferring you to a network provider first (ie, BT), then transf
erring you to the number you called. The company says this improves the quality
of calls, as opposed to a straight wi-fi connection.
It also means you can call any mobile or landline globally either via the web or
using a phone signal. The latter could be an expensive option for some though.
Unlike most other VoIP providers, its rates to call real phone numbers abroad ca
n be competitive. For example, calling landlines in countries within its "VykeZo
ne" - including Australia, China and the US - would cost just 9p/hour, compared
with 15p on the cheapest override provider. Though always compare rates using th
e MSE CallChecker to find the cheapest way.

Stats box
Cost to use: Cheap calls to mobiles and landlines, but the app uses a small amou
nt of data which may cost unless you're on wi-fi
Can be used on: iPhone, Android mobiles, Blackberry, iPads, tablets, Windows com
puters
Feedback: Vyke feedback forum discussion
Localphone
App for iPhones and Androids
LOCALPHONE
Localphone offers cheap calls to other Localphone users and a number of ways to
make calls. You can call phone-to-phone, PC-to-PC, or PC-to-phone (though, as al
ways, this can be chargeable).
Rates for calls to non-Localphone numbers are very competitive though. You get a
free call for five minutes when you sign up.
We've received good feedback about Localphone, so it's worth trying. It often ru
ns free call promotions to normal phones too (when it does, they'll be featured
in the free MoneySaving email). These usually give unlimited calls for free to a
certain destination, with no obligation to continue using the service.
Stats box
Cost to use: Calls are cheap to other Localphone users, or chargeable if calling
a landline/mobile not using Localphone, but the app uses a small amount of data
which may cost unless you're on wi-fi
Can be used on: iPhones, Android mobiles, Windows computers, Macs, landlines
Feedback: Localphone feedback forum discussion
Vonage
Make free web calls via your landline
VONAGE
Sign up to Vonage and you can make free calls to other landlines and mobiles usi
ng Vonage, anywhere in the world, via your landline handset. You just need to pl
ug an adapter into your broadband router.
If you make a huge number of long phone-to-phone overseas calls, a package with
Vonage may be the most MoneySaving route.
Make just a few overseas calls per year, and a no-frills cheap override provider
will be cheaper (see the MSE International CallChecker).
Stats box
Cost to use: Calls free Vonage-to-Vonage, other calls are chargeable. Price plan
s start from 7/month for unltd UK landline calls.
Can be used on: Landlines, Windows computers, Macs (with additional software)
Feedback: Vonage feedback forum discussion