Top 10 VoIP Mobile Apps Compared
Choosing the best voip calling app depends on what you need: free app-to-app calls, inexpensive calls to landlines, strong privacy, or a simple softphone client. Below are ten popular mobile VoIP apps, with quick notes on platforms, calling scope, and typical costs.
- Telvio (iOS, Android)
- Calls real phone numbers in 200+ countries using WiFi or mobile data.
- Rates from $0.02/min to the US, $0.08/min to India. Per-second billing, no connection fees.
- No registration required, credits never expire, 1 free minute on first install.
- Credit packs: $1.99, $4.99, $9.99.
- Skype (iOS, Android)
- App-to-app calling is free. Calls to phones use Skype Credit or subscriptions.
- Good for international landline/mobile calls with monthly plans.
- Strong presence on desktops and mobiles.
- WhatsApp (iOS, Android)
- Free app-to-app voice and video calls worldwide. No built-in option to call regular landline numbers.
- Great for one-to-one and group calls if contacts use the same app.
- Viber (iOS, Android) — viber voip
- Free app-to-app calls and messages. Viber Out lets you call regular numbers for a fee.
- Useful when many contacts already use Viber.
- Google Voice / Google Meet (iOS, Android)
- Google Voice provides US numbers and affordable calling to many countries. Google Meet focuses on meetings.
- Tied to Google ecosystem; good integration with Android.
- Vonage Mobile (iOS, Android)
- App-to-app calling free; outbound calls to phones require credit or subscription.
- Known for reliable call quality and additional features like voicemail.
- Signal (iOS, Android)
- Strong privacy and end-to-end encryption for app-to-app calls. No native calling to landlines.
- Zoiper / Bria Mobile (iOS, Android) — voip softphone app
- SIP softphone apps that connect to your SIP provider. Ideal for advanced users and business setups.
- Offer extensive codecs and configuration, but require SIP credentials or a provider.
- Dingtone / TextNow
- Offer free numbers with ad-supported plans and paid credits for calls to mobiles/landlines.
- Often attractive for temporary or low-cost number needs.
- SignalWire / Linphone
- Open-source or developer-centric softphone apps. Good for developers and custom setups.
How to read this list: free app-to-app calling (WhatsApp, Viber, Signal) gives zero per-minute cost but requires both parties to use the same app. Apps that call regular phone numbers (Telvio, Skype, Vonage) charge credits or subscriptions. Softphone apps (Zoiper, Bria) give you control if you already have a SIP account.
If you want a quick comparison of voice over WiFi solutions and apps that integrate tightly with mobile networks, see our best wifi calling apps guide: /best/best-wifi-calling-apps/.
Free vs Paid VoIP Calling Options
Understanding the difference between free and paid VoIP services helps you pick the right app for your needs.
Free options
- App-to-app calls: WhatsApp, Signal, Viber, Messenger. You pay only for data/WiFi.
- Limited to contacts who use the same app.
- Usually no per-minute billing or credits.
- Good for voice and video calls with friends and family.
Paid options
- Calls to landlines and mobile numbers require credits or monthly plans (Skype Out, Viber Out, Telvio).
- Paid services let you dial any phone number, not just app users.
- Pricing models: pay-as-you-go (per-second or per-minute), subscriptions, or monthly bundles.
- Paid services sometimes include local numbers, voicemail to email, or call forwarding.
When to pick free: you and your contacts all use the same app, and you primarily need voice or video chats over WiFi or data.
When to choose paid: you need to reach landlines, contacts who don’t use the app, or you require predictable per-minute billing. For example, Telvio offers pay-as-you-go calling to real phone numbers worldwide with per-second billing and no connection fees, which keeps costs transparent if you call multiple countries. If you place frequent short international calls, per-second billing can save money compared with per-minute minimums.
Also consider hybrid approaches: use a free voip app for family video calls and a paid service when you must call a business number or an overseas mobile that doesn’t use app-based VoIP. If you evaluate alternatives to prepaid calling, our international calling cards comparison can help you weigh costs against convenience: /compare/international-calling-cards-comparison/.
Features to Look for in a VoIP App
Whether you search for the best voip app or a simple free voip app, prioritize features that match your use case.
Call quality and reliability
- Supported codecs (Opus, G.722) improve audio over constrained networks.
- Adaptive bitrate and jitter buffering reduce call drops on weak WiFi or mobile data.
Cost structure
- Per-second billing vs. per-minute increments. Per-second billing avoids paying for unused seconds on short calls.
- No hidden connection or service fees.
- Credit expiration policy — some apps let credits expire; others, like Telvio, keep credits valid indefinitely.
Scope of calling
- App-to-app only vs. calls to landlines/mobile numbers.
- Coverage countries and rates. If you call India frequently, check exact per-minute rates (Telvio lists $0.08/min to India).
- Local number and porting options if you need inbound calls on a local number.
Platform integration
- iOS: apple voip and CallKit support to integrate VoIP calls into the native call UI.
- Android: background service and battery optimization handling to keep calls reliable.
- Cross-platform syncing if you switch between phone and tablet.
Privacy and security
- End-to-end encryption for app-to-app calls (Signal, WhatsApp).
- Encrypted transport for calls to SIP providers.
- Clear privacy policy and minimal data collection.
SIP and softphone support
- If you want a voip softphone app, look for SIP support, NAT traversal (STUN/TURN), and multiple account profiles.
- Softphone apps like Zoiper and Bria let you connect to business PBXs and SIP trunks.
Extra features
- Caller ID and number masking.
- Voicemail, call recording (check local laws), and call forwarding.
- Virtual phone numbers (DIDs) and voicemail-to-email. Read more about virtual numbers and how they work: /guide/virtual-phone-numbers-guide/ and /guide/free-virtual-phone-numbers/.
Support and transparency
- Clear rate tables, customer service channels, and an accessible help center.
- No mandatory registration if you prefer anonymity; Telvio offers no-registration calling, which may matter for occasional users.
For business buyers, compare business VoIP systems for features like multi-line handling, call queues, and integrations: /compare/business-voip-phone-systems-comparison/.
How to Choose the Right VoIP App for Personal Use
"Best voip app for personal use" varies by user. Use this decision flow to match the app to your needs.
Identify your calling pattern
- Mostly free app-to-app calls? Pick WhatsApp, Viber, Signal, or Messenger.
- Regularly call landlines or mobiles outside your circle? Choose a paid app with low per-minute rates (Telvio, Skype).
- Need a temporary number for registrations or travel? Consider Dingtone, TextNow, or a paid service offering local DIDs.
Prioritize platform behavior
- If you use an iPhone, check for apple voip (CallKit) support so VoIP calls appear in the native dialer and use Do Not Disturb settings properly.
- For Android, check that the app handles battery optimization to avoid dropped calls when idle.
Balance cost and flexibility
- For occasional international calls, pay-as-you-go credits with no expiry (Telvio) often cost less than a monthly subscription.
- If you make long, regular international calls, a monthly subscription or bundled minutes might be cheaper.
Consider privacy and security
- If privacy matters, prioritize apps with end-to-end encryption. But note E2E typically applies to app-to-app calling only; regular PSTN calls won’t be E2E encrypted.
- Check how much personal data the app collects and whether you must create an account.
Evaluate ease of use
- For non-technical users, simple setup and an intuitive interface matter more than SIP features.
- Advanced users who want full control over codecs and SIP settings should look at voip softphone app options.
Examples:
- Best app for voip calls to family abroad (intermittent): Telvio for pay-as-you-go calls to landlines in multiple countries.
- Best voip app for personal privacy and messaging: Signal for encrypted app-to-app voice and video.
- Best free voip calling app for everyday chats: WhatsApp or Viber if everyone you know uses it.
- Best voip softphone app for technical users: Zoiper or Bria connected to a SIP provider.
If you plan to use a virtual number for privacy or local presence, our virtual numbers guide explains how numbers work and where to get them: /guide/virtual-phone-numbers-guide/.
Setup and Installation Guide
Below are step-by-step instructions to get started with most mobile VoIP apps, followed by specific notes for Telvio and softphone apps.
General setup (app-to-app and paid services)
- Install the app
- Download from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android).
- For iOS, you may see permissions prompts for Contacts, Microphone, and Notifications.
- Grant permissions
- Microphone access is required for calls. Optional access to Contacts helps with autocompletion.
- Create an account (if required)
- Some apps require phone or email verification; others, like Telvio, do not require registration.
- Test an app-to-app call
- Make a quick call to a contact using the same app to verify audio.
- Add credits if you want to call regular numbers
- Choose a credit pack or monthly plan. Check whether the app offers per-second billing.
- Make a test outbound call to a landline
- Dial a local landline or mobile to confirm audio quality and billing behavior.
- Configure integrations
- On iOS, enable CallKit if the app supports it so incoming calls appear like native calls.
- On Android, allow background running or disable battery optimization for reliable call reception.
Telvio-specific notes
- Install the Telvio app from the App Store or Google Play and you’ll receive 1 free minute on first install to test real-number calling.
- Buy credits in one of three packs: $1.99 (Starter), $4.99 (Standard), $9.99 (Pro). Credits do not expire.
- Telvio bills per second and does not apply connection fees, helping you avoid paying for unused portions of calls.
- No account or registration needed, which simplifies setup if you value quick access.
Softphone (SIP) setup
- Choose a softphone app (Zoiper, Bria, Linphone) and install it.
- Obtain SIP credentials from your provider or PBX admin: username, password, SIP server, and optionally STUN/TURN.
- Enter SIP credentials into the app and select preferred codecs (Opus recommended).
- Test inbound and outbound calls and configure firewall/NAT traversal if you see one-way audio.
Troubleshooting common issues
- One-way audio: check NAT/STUN settings and allow microphone permissions.
- Poor audio: switch codecs or use a different network. WiFi often gives clearer audio than mobile data, but low-bandwidth codecs help on the move.
- Dropped calls: ensure the app can run in the background and that battery optimizations don’t kill the app. On iOS, CallKit support reduces background termination.
- Billing confusion: review rate tables before calls and check whether charges are per-second or per-minute.
If you plan to combine a VoIP app with a virtual phone number, check guides on free or paid virtual numbers: /guide/free-virtual-phone-numbers/.
Frequently asked questions
What is a voip calling app?
A voip calling app lets you make voice (and often video) calls over the internet instead of traditional cellular voice minutes. Apps can support app-to-app calls only, or they can call regular phone numbers using paid credits or subscriptions.
Which is the best voip app?
The best voip app depends on your needs. For app-to-app, WhatsApp, Signal, and Viber work well. For calling real phone numbers with transparent, low rates and per-second billing, Telvio and Skype are strong choices. Consider cost, call targets (app users vs. phone numbers), privacy, and platform features when deciding.
What should I look for in a mobile voip app?
Key criteria: call quality and codecs, whether it calls regular phone numbers, pricing model (per-second vs per-minute), platform integration (CallKit on iOS), privacy features, SIP support if you need a softphone, and customer support.
Are there free voip apps for calling phones?
Most free voip calling apps provide free app-to-app calls. To call phones (landlines and mobiles), services usually charge. A true free voip calling app that dials any phone number without charges is rare; expect pay-as-you-go rates or subscriptions for PSTN calls.
What is a voip softphone app?
A voip softphone app is a software-based phone that implements SIP or another VoIP protocol to connect to a VoIP provider or PBX. Softphone apps (e.g., Zoiper, Bria) let you use SIP credentials to make and receive calls like a physical desk phone.
Which is the best voip app for personal use?
For personal use, choose based on who you call. If friends and family use the same app, pick a free app like WhatsApp or Viber. If you need to call landlines or international numbers, pick a pay-as-you-go app with transparent rates and per-second billing like Telvio. Telvio mention (brief) If you want a straightforward way to call real phone numbers worldwide without creating an account, Telvio fits that use case. It works on iPhone and Android, uses WiFi or mobile data, offers per-second billing with no connection fees, and provides simple credit packs ($1.99, $4.99, $9.99) with credits that never expire. For users who want to keep things simple while still reaching landlines and mobiles in 200+ countries, Telvio is worth evaluating.
