Using WhatsApp for making/receiving voice calls — cost?
Sep 24, 2018, 2:19 pm
#1
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Using WhatsApp for making/receiving voice calls — cost?
I have never used WhatsApp for anything other than texting.
Whether I'm in the US or overseas, if I want to call someone on their mobile number, is it free like it is using FaceTime between iPhones?
Is it possible to call or receive a call from a landline whether US or German at no cost?
Thanks.
Whether I'm in the US or overseas, if I want to call someone on their mobile number, is it free like it is using FaceTime between iPhones?
Is it possible to call or receive a call from a landline whether US or German at no cost?
Thanks.
Sep 24, 2018, 4:47 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,784
In order to use Whatsapp, both parties have to install Whatsapp on their phones. So it is not exactly the same as Facetime as Facetime is pre-installed on all iPhones. Neither Facetime or Whatsapp could call landline. I don't think there is any app that could call landline in another country for free. Google Hangout Dialer could call any number in the world for a fee that is very competitive but not free. Skype has a paid plan for calling too, rates are not bad.. and I think they have unlimited plan to some countries. Also if you are a subscriber to Microsoft Office 360, I think they give you a pool of Skype minutes every month.
Sep 24, 2018, 5:02 pm
#4
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In order to use Whatsapp, both parties have to install Whatsapp on their phones. So it is not exactly the same as Facetime as Facetime is pre-installed on all iPhones. Neither Facetime or Whatsapp could call landline. I don't think there is any app that could call landline in another country for free. Google Hangout Dialer could call any number in the world for a fee that is very competitive but not free. Skype has a paid plan for calling too, rates are not bad.. and I think they have unlimited plan to some countries. Also if you are a subscriber to Microsoft Office 360, I think they give you a pool of Skype minutes every month.
Sep 24, 2018, 5:25 pm
#5
Join Date: Sep 2013
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I have a Vonage (VOIP) landline in a vacation rental I own. Vonage allows me to designate 2 mobile numbers on which I can then use their app (Extensions) which allows me to call any number for free in 60 countries. The caller does not need to be a Vonage customer. It is, of course, dependant on the plan you have but I need to have a landline there anyway so this is just a bonus.
Vonage is VOIP and is not restricted to a landline or fixed line or POTS. I have used Vonage in the past and the "free" is based on the package purchased. Vonage offers multiple packages with and without "free" calling to another country.
Sep 24, 2018, 5:37 pm
#6
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Correct, pretty much what I said. I was responding to the poster who said there were no apps that allow you to call landlines in other countries for free. The point for this thread is that their Extensions app does allow you to call for free from your mobile to any landline and some mobiles in whatever countries are in your package. With the World package, that is pretty much anywhere in the world.
Sep 26, 2018, 4:37 am
#8
Join Date: Sep 2013
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Correct, pretty much what I said. I was responding to the poster who said there were no apps that allow you to call landlines in other countries for free. The point for this thread is that their Extensions app does allow you to call for free from your mobile to any landline and some mobiles in whatever countries are in your package. With the World package, that is pretty much anywhere in the world.
Sep 27, 2018, 7:19 pm
#9
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Except for the monthly cost to use the app. The monthly cost is $27.99 + taxes & fees to use the Vonage app to call 60 countries.. The OP was asking about apps to make free calls. Skype or Google Voice would be a cheaper option without the 1 year commitment required by Vonage.
Plus, there is no one year committment to Vonage. It is month to month. Do you actaully use Vonage? I am doubting you do as you are quite misinformed. I have Vonage accounts in two different countries.
Extensions App:
Link up to two mobile phone numbers to your Vonage service so you can make calls for the same rates as your Vonage home phone when you are on the go. Depending on your Vonage plan, calls to and from the Extensions® App are free to landline and mobile numbers* in 60+ countries.
If you have an iPhone or Android, download the Extensions® App to make and receive calls on the go.
If you do not have an iPhone or Android, link any mobile phone numberand make calls on the go.
The app you are talking about - big difference:
To use the Vonage Mobile App, a Vonage calling plan is not needed. Instead, purchase talk credits so you can make low cost international calls on up to five linked devices. You can additionally talk, text and exchange video chats worldwide for free with other Vonage Mobile users.
https://support.vonage.com/contactus
Vonage offers three apps that can be downloaded to your iPhone or Android phone: Vonage Extensions, Vonage Mobile and Vonage Business.
Last edited by Finkface; Sep 27, 2018 at 7:31 pm
Sep 28, 2018, 7:27 pm
#10
Join Date: Sep 2013
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Posts: 1,445
Actually I have used Vonage for several years. I am aware that Vonage is never as cheap as their advertised rates. I would not recommend Vonage to anyone as a low priced alternative. What's App is a better alternative to the hassle of Vonage.
Sep 28, 2018, 7:37 pm
#11
Join Date: Dec 2012
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I have never used WhatsApp for anything other than texting.
Whether I'm in the US or overseas, if I want to call someone on their mobile number, is it free like it is using FaceTime between iPhones?
Is it possible to call or receive a call from a landline whether US or German at no cost?
Thanks.
Whether I'm in the US or overseas, if I want to call someone on their mobile number, is it free like it is using FaceTime between iPhones?
Is it possible to call or receive a call from a landline whether US or German at no cost?
Thanks.
Oct 3, 2018, 8:16 am
#13
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Having played with Google Voice / Hangouts, Skype and Facetime, I find WhatsApp to be far and away the easiest to use, given its restrictions. It's free on mobile phones, works well even on 3G but excellently on 4G and Wifi and, much like so many Apple products, simply works. All the others require thinking about how you are going to do it, and whether there's a cost involved. So, if the OP can eliminate the landline from the equation, WhatsApp would be the way to go.
Oct 3, 2018, 11:23 pm
#15
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Having played with Google Voice / Hangouts, Skype and Facetime, I find WhatsApp to be far and away the easiest to use, given its restrictions. It's free on mobile phones, works well even on 3G but excellently on 4G and Wifi and, much like so many Apple products, simply works. All the others require thinking about how you are going to do it, and whether there's a cost involved. So, if the OP can eliminate the landline from the equation, WhatsApp would be the way to go.
FaceTime works fine I've found but iMessage is the annoying one in changing when something is SMS or not and causing problems for people who have switched from iPhone to non-iPhone
