Free VoIP

First things first, when searching for a free VoIP service you will need to consider that there are costs involved in setting it up.

Q. So why do they call them “Free”?
A. VoIP services are badged free as they will offer free calls from your location to another user (generally anywhere in the world there is an internet connection) .
 
You will still need to pay for a broadband service rental per month.
You will still need to pay for a piece of hardware to communicate on, such as a phone or headset.
You may need to pay for additional services such as voice mail.
You may need to pay for calls off your VoIP network or to certain destinations.

All said and done, the elements that you need to pay for should still be substantially less than using a fixed line traditional phone service.

Hardware requirements

A PC with a broadband internet connection via a router and either an interphone phone, speakers and microphone or headset.

Software requirements

Normally both you and the called party need to be on the same software package and network. Software downloads are free. As the software is free to download you can have as many packages installed to match the people you are calling.

Notes:

Call quality can be varied and depends on the bandwidth available from your provider.
A free voip service is dependent upon power both for the computer, router and phone.
If the broadband service fails your phone call fails.
You need to check that you provider has you registered at the correct address for emergency services.

Top 5 Free VoIP Providers

1. Skype

Advantages:
Skype is by far the most widely user service with free VoIP, easy to use software. Talk to any other Skype user for free and If they do not have the software simply ask them to download it. Skype now also offers free video conferencing allowing you to see the person at the end of the call, provider of course that you both have a suitable web camera.

Disadvantages:
If you dial in regular landlines from your computer charges will apply, however there are some very good package deals to pick up, check out the website for the latest offers.There has been talk of the methods Skype use to connect calls and that this may lower your systems protection against viruses.

2. Google Talk

Advantages:
Easy going PC to PC application, again running on free VoIP software that you download. Can also be used on BlackBerry handheld devices, saving money on mobile phone bills. As it’s google there are always new widgets being developed, the latest of which allows you to share you tube videos while talking, a neat feature.

Disadvantages:
A relatively new piece of software that it subject to a few teething problems.

3. Windows Live Messenger

Advantages:
PC to PC calls are free when connecting to another user who has the MSN Messenger software installed. As this is a Windows package users have the advantage of a familiar operating system. Microsoft also provide a good level of support which can be reassuring to some.

Disadvantages:
Phone calls to fixed lines are chargeable and limited to 5 minutes only.

4. Yahoo! Voice

Advantages:
Simple PC to PC calling and the software is similar to Windows Live Messenger.Free VoIP calls must be made to other active Yahoo! Voice members (as with the other services). If you use or have used the Yahoo! Instant Messenger system in the past then this system will be a doddle for you to use.

Disadvantages:
There have been many complaints about inconvenient technical difficulties with Yahoo! that could make the Voice feature less than desirable. Yahoo! is admittedly a busy site that is growing exponentially. As such, constant updates to their applications can trip up their services at times.

5. Raketu

Advantages:
a Free VoIP Call refers to the calls made from one computer to another computer using Raketu software. The free calling systems does not use super-nodes.

Disadvantages:
There is a lot of small print on the website which needs to be read carefully so as to avoid paying for calls off network.

Summary

There are many different services on offer, the five “free VoIP” services mentioned above are targeted primarily at residential users. You will need to check them out in a little more detail to find the one that best suits you, but hopefully this guide has narrowed down the choices for you. Happy Talky Talk.

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