What Voice Communications Do You Use over The Internet?

Widget on 09/02/2025 - 15:03
Last edited 09/02/2025 - 18:42 by 1 other user

Hi, looking to setup a voice chat to talk to parents over the internet. Mobile usage uses too much $$, so having something that uses data would be better.

I've used SKYPE in the past but I recently tried it again & wasn't a fan. Seems like its changed, but if there no other better alternative, I may have to stick with it.

The other I've heard of is ZOOM. I have no idea where it came from. One minute it's all about Skype being the audio/video caller, then the pandemic hit & suddenly ZOOM! All over the internet, all over the media, it's Zoom this & Zoom that, like it's some new thing (which voice chat online isn't new at that stage). Don't know if it's just me, but I'm kinda sceptical of it TBH.

Are there any others that you guys know of or use for simple voice calls? Preferably one that's Windows desktop compatible?

Internet

Comments

  • scrimshaw on 09/02/2025 - 15:08
    +8

    Facetime if you are an Apple user? Google Duo or Meet if you are an Android user? These are basically preinstalled onto smartphones nowadays, you just need to login with the appropriate apple or google account.

    WhatsApp and WeChat can also do video calls in addition to messaging and voice calls. Uses data only and not call minutes.

    Zoom is basically what every workplace / school relied on during the pandemic for either one-on-one or group video calls. Zoom got popular because you don't need an account to join a meeting. So anyone, including the tech illiterates, can click a link and use it. It became the go-to app for online meetings and classrooms.

    • Widget on 12/02/2025 - 15:09

      Thanks Scrim,

      Not an Apple user, but am Android. Google-meet looks simple enough. WhatsApp sounds familiar, I'll have to check that one out too. Much appreciate the info :)

      • isthisreallife22 on 12/02/2025 - 15:12

        One advantage of Facebook messenger instead of WhatsApp is that grandkids can get "kids messenger" and call/chat with grandparents.

        Otherwise WhatsApp is the go imho

    • Daabido on 09/02/2025 - 19:22
      +3

      Odd uncle got your aunty to downvote too I see.

    • onetwothreefour on 09/02/2025 - 19:30

      since we all have iPhones

      you mean about half of everyone does?

      • Daabido on 09/02/2025 - 21:53
        +1

        you mean

        Yes, for selectively quoting. He's obviously talking about his family.

    • Widget on 12/02/2025 - 15:10

      Thanks Hybroid,

      No Facetime for my parents. I'll check out Whatsapp though. :)

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 09/02/2025 - 15:37

    I kind of thought most people if not all already had a plan with unlimited calls? Even the cheapy prepaid are usually just limited by data tiers

    • Russ on 09/02/2025 - 16:06
      +1

      Even the cheapy prepaid

      Some cheap plans are really cheap. I'm still paying $4 a month on this plan, gives me 100 minutes of calls per month before excess charges cut in: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/859405

      If anyone knows of a cheaper plan, please speak up.

      For the OP's question: WhatsApp works between all smartphones, and is very poplular. If you're concerned about the privacy implications of using WhatsApp (it was written by Meta and wants all of your contact details, call logs, SMS messages, etctera), then have a look at Session (Australian designed and Australian owned): https://getsession.org/

      • Widget on 12/02/2025 - 15:14

        Thanks Russ. Whatsapp seems to be mentioned a fair bit, though for me, I try to limit what privacy info I share. I didn't realise they wanted that info :/. I'll check out 'Sessions' though. Is that similar to 'Signal' which is another mobile app Ive heard about?

        • Russ on 12/02/2025 - 20:20

          I haven't used Signal, so I'm not sure. Session is like an SMS/MMS/email replacement, just faster and more secure. It doesn't do video calls or phone calls.

          WhatsApp can do video calls and phone calls, using WiFi or mobile data. You can refuse it access to your contacts list, which makes it difficult to make the initial contact with someone new, but there are work-arounds for that, like the methods listed here: https://www.howtogeek.com/psa-you-can-send-messages-on-whats…

    • Widget on 12/02/2025 - 15:19

      I'm on a Pre-paid (no data), but I called my parents & chewed through the prepaid I just put on :/, so was looking at something I can use to call their phone/desktop from the internet so it doesn't chew up all my credit. :)

  • solidussnake on 09/02/2025 - 15:37
    +2

    Try Teams ?

    • Widget on 12/02/2025 - 15:17

      MS teams? I haven't. Ideally I was after something that could just install onto Desktop (& possibly mobile), then load up & click 'call'. I'll check out Teams anyway, see what its like. :)

  • AngoraFish on 09/02/2025 - 16:38
    +4

    I only use China-based software. I figure that with my inane conversations it's the least I can do to clog up their censorship algorithms.

    • localhost on 09/02/2025 - 17:19

      They will used it to train AI bots :)

      • AngoraFish on 09/02/2025 - 18:58
        +1

        That would explain quite a bit, actually.

      • freefall101 on 10/02/2025 - 00:57
        +1

        AI bots will start rambling about what my cousin Sally has been up to for the past 84 years, if they start using my conversations with my mum.

    • AndyC1 on 09/02/2025 - 20:58
      +1

      So you missed out on the hardware with the Chinese backdoor firmware that was left wide open and as such opted for second best, software apps?

  • Nutrino on 09/02/2025 - 17:48
    +1

    Discord

    • Widget on 12/02/2025 - 15:20

      Thanks Nutrino, forgot about Discord, I'll have to look into re-installing it. :)

  • tenpercent on 09/02/2025 - 20:54

    Brave Talk https://talk.brave.com/
    All you need is an internet browser (does not have to be Brave browser, but I would recommend it).
    You don't have to have video on but you can if you want to video chat too.

    Signal is another easy option for phone or computer (you need a phone number though). It's like Whatsapp but more secure and big tech can't scrape your messages to feed their advertising analytics profiles or to train their AI beasts.

  • isthisreallife22 on 09/02/2025 - 21:02

    WhatsApp or Facebook messenger

    • Widget on 12/02/2025 - 15:21

      Thanks for the suggestions. Facebook is a no go, but whatsapp seem to be getting a few recommendations. I'll have to check that out.

  • 7ekn00 on 09/02/2025 - 22:53
    +1

    ICQ, but it seems to not be working lately :P

    • guru.cc on 10/02/2025 - 08:41
      +4

      Uh-oh!

    • tenpercent on 10/02/2025 - 12:13

      Try MSN Messenger

      • Widget on 12/02/2025 - 15:22

        MSN Messenger still around?

    • Widget on 12/02/2025 - 15:22

      ICQ shutdown last year by the looks of it.

  • Aldonis on 10/02/2025 - 08:49
    -1

    roger wilco

  • hornetster on 10/02/2025 - 09:13
    +1

    Signal Messaging - great comms app, and most secure of the lot.
    https://signal.org/

    • Widget on 12/02/2025 - 15:23

      Thanks Hornetster, I'll have to check that one out.

  • mattyman on 10/02/2025 - 10:45
    +1

    They probably already have Facebook and Facebook Messenger. If they're anything like my folks you'll want to keep it as simple as possible.

    Use Facebook NMessenger. It's device agnostic and they probably already have an account.

    • Widget on 12/02/2025 - 15:24

      No Facebook account, but simple is ideal.

  • BigBirdy on 10/02/2025 - 11:31
    +1

    As much as I dislike Zuckerberg, Facebook Messenger. It’s available on phones, tablets and PCs, it’s free, and it’s widely used meaning your parents are likely to have other family or friends using it. WhatsApp is also good, but it’s really only for phone devices, and not as popular in Australia.

    • Widget on 12/02/2025 - 15:25

      No Facebook account. WhatsApp seems to be getting a lot of recommendations, so I'll have to check that one out.

  • Nugs on 11/02/2025 - 09:48

    poll?
    none for me
    .

    • Widget on 12/02/2025 - 15:25

      No poll, sorry :(. I didn't know many chat programs to make one.

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