gadgets.ndtv.com
With Internet-enabled phones, it has become easier to stay in touch with people at all times. With plenty of apps that offer text, audio or video-based options to stay connected, it can be difficult to pick ones that stand out from the crowd.
Here is a list of some popular free calling applications in no particular order
1) Skype
Skype was perhaps the pioneer in this space and continues to be used by a large number of people. The app lets you do text, voice and video chats. It also enables users to do group calls and call landlines and mobile phones at a cost.
Available for: iOS/ Android/ Windows Phone/ BlackBerry 10/ Windows/ Mac
2) WeChat
WeChat is available across varied mobile platforms. The app offers features like Live Chat, Group chat, Video calling and push-to-talk. This app also comes with a ‘Shake’ feature to help you find new friends. To use this feature, all you have to do is shake your phone and the app will help you connect with other people, who are shaking their mobile at that time.
Available for: iOS/ Android/ Blackberry/ Symbian/ Windows Phone/ Web
3) Google Hangouts
Google offers a free video chat service Google+ Hangouts. It lets you make free video calls that can be one-on-one or and group chats (maximum ten people at a time). This app is available for all Android smartphones running Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) or higher. In case of iOS, the devices should be running on iOS 6 or later.
Available for: iOS/ Android / Web
4) Tango
Tango is another nifty application that lets you make free calls. This app also comes with a “Push-to-Talk” feature, which helps in turning your smartphone into a walkie-talkie.
Available for: iOS/ Android/ Windows Phone 7/ Windows
5) Fring
Fring is also a free application that enables you to make free calls. The group calling feature helps you to talk simultaneously with up to 4 participants. Just like Skype, Fring can also be used to make calls to regular phones around the world at an additional cost.
Available for: iOS/ Android/ Nokia
6) Viber
With the help of Viber, users can make free calls, send free texts and share location and setting. For using Viber, you don’t need to create a separate username, as your mobile number doubles up as your ID. After you have installed the Viber app, it syncs your mobile contact list, automatically detecting which contacts area already using Viber, similar to WhatsApp.
Available for: Android/ iOS/ Blackberry/ Windows Phone/ Mac/ Nokia/ Bada/ Windows
7) Nimbuzz
Nimbuzz lets you send free messages and call other Nimbuzz users. This app has started offering ‘NimbuzzOut’ service, which is a low cost Pay-As-You-Go option to make calls to other mobiles and landlines numbers across the World
Available for: Android/ iOS/ Blackberry/ Windows Phone/ Nokia/ Java
8) WhatsApp
WhatsApp is perhaps the most well know application in the list, outside of Skype, and has become the proffered alternate to SMS for millions across the globe.
Available for: iPhone/ Android/ BlackBerry/ Nokia/ Windows Phone
9) Hike
Hike is a desi app that offers a feature-set very similar to WhatsApp, though it offers additional features like sending SMS to non-Hike users, walkie-talkie mode and more.
Available for: iOS/ Android/ BlackBerry/ Nokia/ Windows Phone
10) Line
Line is another popular app that offers features similar to those in the list, including voice chat, stickers, and more.
Availanle for: iPhone/ Android/ Windows Phone/ BlackBerry / Nokia Asha/ Mac/ Windows/ Windows 8
Bonus: Facebook Messenger
If you spend all day on Facebook, you don’t need to look beyond Facebook Messenger.
Available for: Android/ BlackBerry/ iPhone