28 Ways To Make Calls Using Your Computer – Part 1 [List]

As some of you know, I currently have a husband who is deployed overseas. I’ve been searching for the best way to make calls to him from the computer. From what I’m told, it costs at least $3/minute to make a call from overseas to the U.S. if you have a cell phone that actually works over there. Calling cards are nice, but they often get used up fast. Instant messaging is also nice, but in my opinion nothing compares to hearing the sound of my husband’s voice!

Luckily, there are a lot of different ways to make calls & have voice chats online as well as regular text chats. So, I’ve done a little searching and have chosen 28 great tools that anyone can use to make calls using their computer. The majority require you to have an Internet connection as well. Since this list is very long I’ve decided to divide in half; I’m posting 14 today and will post the other 14 tomorrow.

Magic Jack

Just plug any household phone into the MagicJack and then plug the MagicJack into any USB port on your computer. That’s it, you can now make & receive calls to anywhere in the world. Once you buy the actual MagicJack piece that goes into your computer, most calls are free. I know someone who has this & I have used it myself so I know just how great this little gadget is! Of course, there’s always going to be mixed reviews & different experiences so your best bet is to test it out yourself.

Skype

Most people have at least heard of Skype once in their life. Skype is an instant messenger kind of like Yahoo Messenger that lets you talk over the Internet to anyone in the world for free. New features are constantly being added plus there are lots of tools & tips to make your Skype even better.

Yahoo! Voice

• Use Phone Out to call landlines and mobile phones with great prices and clarity.
• Get a phone number for your computer.
• Free PC-to-PC calls.

Google Talk

• Free PC-to-PC voice calls – You can talk to anyone else for free who’s online and has the Google Talk client.
• Send and receive voice mail – If the person you’re calling isn’t available, you can leave a voice mail.

MSN Messenger

Speak your mind: Have a high-quality voice conversation using PC-to-PC Calling. You and the person you call will need to have Messenger installed, and compatible microphones and speakers or a headset for it to be FREE.

TringMe

I already talked about TringMe a few weeks back here, so I won’t go into it but it’s a great little tool for making calls & even better for receiving voice mail messages.

PalTalk

• Enjoy thousands of live video chat rooms and dozens of regularly scheduled video chat shows.
• Make free Video calls with up to 10 friends on Paltalk, AIM, ICQ and Yahoo Messenger.
• PC-to-Phone calls using an on-screen keypad to make it easier to dial your friends and family.

PC-Telephone

This is a very basic PC telephone that is packaged as a self-extracting setup file. To install PC-Telephone on your computer run PC-Telephone.exe setup file and follow the instructions.

BuddyTalk

BuddyTalk is the ultimate Internet voice communication tool for staying in touch with all of your friends/family, classmates or coworkers while you’re online. You can make PC to phone and PC to PC calls.

EvaPhone

EvaPhone provides Internet telephone calls for free. Their site offers free VoIP call solutions: free VoIP service lets you make PC-to-phone free international calls. All you need is a computer to start making free VoIP calls using Internet to phone.

Net2Phone

Net2Phone is one of the pioneers of Internet communication, serving hundreds of thousands of customers around the world. Unlimited calling to the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico for only $24 a month!

• 13 free features – VoiceMail, Call Waiting, Caller ID and more.
• Low international calling rates to over 250 locations.
• Keep your phone number — port it to VoiceLine.
• Free telephone adapter.
• No activation fee.
• Online account center.

JaJah

Make a JAJAH call anywhere – on your mobile or landline phone to save money and keep in touch with friends and family. It connects you using your existing phone. No contract, no software, no headset. Easy to use, so start saving right now.

YouTring

Enjoy PC to PC calls for free and PC to phone calls at extremely low rates. With YouTring, you will never have to worry about bad reception or interrupted phone calls; they bring to you the best in free VoIP technology.

iConnectHere

Call from your computer to any phone worldwide for the lowest rates.

• Variety of calling plan.
• Free PC Phone dialer.
• $5 signup Bonus.

If you have used or currently use any of these, please feel free to share your thoughts. Of course you’re always welcome to add your own picks in a comment as well!

This post is part 1 of a 2-part series; click for part 2 of 28 Ways To Make Calls Using Your Computer.

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