The internet has opened up the door to working with clients all over the world. However, when you have to call those clients, it can work out pretty expensive. That is where VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) calling apps have come to the rescue. They allow you to make calls cheaply and/or freely to other users, plus most will also have call plan options to cover calling landline and mobile numbers direct.

It’s highly unlikely that your clients haven’t heard of Skype, as it’s often the number one choice for VoIP calls, however, if you’re looking to get started with VoIP calling, there are other options available too. Here’s some of the better-known ones to get you started.

Skype

Skype allows you to place calls to Skype contacts for nothing. You can also call landlines and mobiles, but you’ll pay for these calls out of your Skype credit (unless you have a subscription that covers them). If you have an adaptor on your home phone, you can also make Skype calls from that.

You can find out more about Skype here.

Facebook

If you’re friends with the person you want to call on Facebook, you can call them via the Facebook Messenger app for a video or voice chat for free. This makes it ideal for connecting with anyone around the world – as long as they have a Wi-Fi or mobile phone signal.

You can find out more about Facebook Calling here.

FaceTime (if Apple user)

Only available for Apple users to other Apple devices, such as iPhones and iPads etc. The call is free, however it’s worth remembering that, unless you’re on Wi-Fi, a small amount of your data allowance will be used.

Find out more about FaceTime here.

Viber

Available on PC, Mac, all mobile phones and tablets, Viber video and voice calls are free between Viber users. Again, if you’re calling without Wi-Fi, you’ll be charged a small amount of your data allowance. If you use it on your mobile to call non Viber users, you’ll get a cheaper rate than that offered on Skype – especially for international calls. At the moment, unlike Skype, you cannot use Viber on a landline. You can find out more about Viber here.

Vyke

Vyke is a free smartphone app that, like other apps, allows you to call landlines or mobile phone cheaply over Wi-Fi or a 3G/4G signal. Unlike most of the others however, rather than a straight Wi-Fi connection, Vyke transfers your call to the network provider before transferring you onto the number you called – meaning an improved quality of call. Again, it offers cheap calls to mobiles and landlines, but will use some of your data allowance if you’re not on Wi-Fi. With its ‘Vyke Zones’ it gives you competitive rates to landlines across the world.

Vyke offers you the first 10 minutes of call time free, so you can test it out – so check it out here.

What options do you have in place for calling your clients? Have you found a VoIP app that works particularly well that you’d like to recommend? Why not share your recommendations in the comments box below.

Image: Brian Jackson & rocketclips/Dollar Photo Club