Free Internet Calls

Besides Skype, there are many other ways to make free internet phone calls. The limitation is that you will have to make the call from your computer to someone else who is also on a computer. This means your computer and the computer of the person your are calling needs to be turned on. You will also need to have a microphone and a speaker (or some kind of headset or handset).

The most popular way to make free internet calls is to use the instant messanging products from Yahoo!, AOL or MSN. There products were designed to send quick text notes from one person to another, but now also allow you to call each other or even share webcams. To set up a free internet call, both you and the person you are trying to reach will have to have the same messaging program.

The real benefit is that you can make free phone calls from wherever you have an internet connection, which could be your come, a friends place, an internet cafe or a hotel.

None of these messaging programs will allow you to make a call to a regular phone line. Anyone who allows you to call a regular phone line, will charge you something. There are many companies besides Skype that offer this service and usually without the need for your computer. They install a box in your home where you plug in your regular phone line. They are usually just called broadband phone companies.

If you want to phone from your computer to a landline (because you are traveling or moving around a lot), Dialpad is another reliable option besides Skype. If you are making many phone calls from your computer, Dialpad offers slightly better pricing with their monthly plans.