Phone Call Online

Voice over IP (VoIP) technology makes it easy to place calls over the internet using a computer or smartphone. Online calls allow you to communicate from anywhere with an internet connection. They often cost far less than traditional phone services.

• Lower costs
  Internet calls often cost much less than traditional calls, especially for long distance. Many small businesses report cutting phone bills by 30–50% after switching to VoIP; services like Sonetel help keep costs predictable.
• Flexibility
  You can make and take calls anywhere you have an internet connection. For example, a call to your office number can be answered on a laptop at home or on your mobile phone while traveling.
• Advanced features
  VoIP services often include call forwarding, voicemail-to-email, conferencing, and even AI tools that used to require expensive enterprise phone systems. Small teams can access these capabilities without special hardware.

App-to-App Internet Calling. One option is to use free apps that allow voice calls between users over the internet. Services like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or Skype (in its day) enable you to call someone who has the same app. These app-to-app calls are typically free aside from data usage. The call quality can be excellent with a good connection, and many apps support video calls and group calls as well.

However, both parties need to be on the same platform for the call to work. You can’t dial a person’s regular phone number with purely app-based calling. For example, WhatsApp or FaceTime calls only reach others who use those apps — they’re not for dialing regular phone numbers. This makes app-to-app services less useful for reaching customers or people not already connected with you on that app. (Note: Microsoft has retired Skype in 2025 and migrating users to Microsoft Teams, but the concept of Skype-to-Skype calling was similar.)

VoIP Services for Calling Phone Numbers. Another approach is to use a VoIP service that can connect to the regular telephone network. These services let you call any mobile or landline number from your computer or smartphone via the internet. The person you call doesn’t need any app – they receive the call on their phone like a normal call.

Examples include Google Voice and the former Skype “Out” dialing service, which allow users to call real phone numbers (often for a low per-minute fee or subscription). Unlike app-only solutions, this method doesn’t restrict who you can call – you can reach customers, partners, or anyone on their standard phone line. Many such services also provide you with an online phone number (also known as a virtual number) that others can dial. This means you can receive calls online as well, bridging the gap between internet and traditional phones.

VoIP services to regular numbers are ideal when you need the flexibility of internet calling without losing the ability to talk to anyone. You can advertise a single contact number for your business and answer it anywhere. The trade-off is that these services aren’t entirely free – you’ll typically pay per minute or have a monthly plan. Still, the rates are usually far cheaper than old-fashioned international calling.

For someone just making an occasional free call to a friend, a messaging app might suffice. But if you need a professional, reachable point of contact or you want to call clients on their actual phone lines, an online phone service is the better choice.

• Both sides need the same app
  You can only call people who use the same service. If your customer isn’t on WhatsApp or Skype, you can’t reach their phone via those apps. This severely limits who you can contact.
• No public phone number
  Free calling apps don’t give you a business number that anyone can dial. Not having an official phone number makes your business look less professional.
• Unreliable for critical calls
  Quality and reliability can vary and depend on both parties’ connections. Browser-based “free call” sites often have time limits or ads and can drop calls.
• Limited features and support
  Free platforms usually lack advanced call handling (transfer, voicemail transcription, integrations) and dedicated support. They aren’t built with business needs in mind.

For a professional small business, a dedicated online phone service is often the best solution. In practice, this means getting a virtual phone number that works over the internet. A virtual number is simply a telephone number that isn’t tied to a physical phone or SIM card – instead, calls to that number can be answered via an app or forwarded to any phone you choose. It behaves just like a normal number for callers, but gives you the flexibility of online calling.

With a virtual number service, your business can be reachable to anyone, and you appear more professional. You can choose a local phone number in the city or country where your customers are, which makes it convenient and low-cost for them to call you. Meanwhile, you and your team can answer those calls anywhere in the world through the internet. This setup increases customer trust and can help boost sales by making your company easy to contact (learn more).

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Crucially, an online number service lets you call out to clients on their regular phones as well. You’ll be able to dial any landline or mobile number from a web or mobile app. When you call, your virtual number (e.g. your new business line) can be shown as the caller ID, so the person you’re calling sees a professional number on their screen. You get the best of both worlds – the freedom and low cost of internet calls, and the reachability of the traditional phone network.

• Easy setup
  Sign up with Sonetel and choose a local phone number in any city or country you need. The number rental starts from just $1.79 per month on the basic pay-as-you-go plan (no monthly commitment). There’s a free trial so you can test it out.
• Use web or mobile apps
  Once your number is active, make calls through Sonetel’s web app (in your browser) or the Sonetel mobile app for Android and iOS. No special hardware required—your computer or smartphone becomes your business phone.
• Receive calls anywhere
  When customers call your new number, answer on the Sonetel app for free. Incoming calls can also forward to your existing mobile or another phone at the cost of a local call.
• Affordable rates
  Pay-as-you-go calling rates are low for international and long-distance calls. For heavier usage, the Premium (from $9.95/user/month, annual) includes a phone number, 2,000 free minutes to 40+ countries per user/month, and ~40% off additional minutes. Business includes 4,000 minutes and ~50% off additional minutes.
• Extra features
  Set up voicemail-to-email, auto-attendant menus, call recording, and more. Sonetel’s Premium and Business plans add AI call summaries and sentiment analysis to save you time after each call.

Using a service like Sonetel solves the common problems of online calling. You gain a trustworthy business phone number, reach any customer on any phone, and keep your communication costs low. All your calls—whether answered on your laptop or your mobile—come through in clear, HD-quality audio, giving a professional impression. And if you ever used Skype for online calls, switching to Sonetel will feel familiar (with Skype retired, Sonetel can even help port your old Skype number over to their service).

• Sonetel – business-class online phone service
  Calls any landline or mobile worldwide via web/app; provides local numbers in 50+ countries. Pricing from $1.79/month (pay‑as‑you‑go). Premium $9.95/user/month (annual) with 2,000 free minutes to 40+ countries; Business 4,000 minutes.
• Skype (retired) / Microsoft Teams – internet calling app
  Skype retired in 2025; users are moving to Teams. Teams (free) supports in‑app calls only; phone dialing requires a paid add‑on. Skype formerly offered online numbers, but new Skype Numbers are no longer sold.
• Google Voice – online number (mainly US)
  Can call regular numbers. Free domestic US calls; low international rates. Provides a phone number (U.S. numbers for personal accounts; limited countries for business). Business plans from $10/user/month via Google Workspace.
• WhatsApp – messaging app with calling feature
  No dialing to regular phones—only app‑to‑app calls to other WhatsApp users (details). Does not issue new phone numbers.

As you can see, free apps like WhatsApp are great for informal chats but won’t give you a true business line. Google Voice provides a phone number and free calling in one country, but it has limited international scope. Microsoft’s transition from Skype to Teams shows that even big players are changing their offerings – and importantly, Teams’s free version doesn’t let you call regular phones.

Sonetel stands out by offering the flexibility to call any number worldwide and to receive calls on a real phone number that you control. It’s specifically geared for entrepreneurs and small businesses who need an affordable way to be reachable to customers everywhere.

Making a phone call online is easier than ever, and it can transform how you communicate. Small businesses no longer need to rely on landlines or reveal personal cell numbers – with the right service, you can handle all your calls through the internet while projecting a professional image. Whether you start with a free app for occasional calls or invest in a full‑featured service like Sonetel for your business, moving your phone calls online can save you money and give you newfound flexibility. Consider your needs, test out a service, and soon you’ll be talking to clients and friends around the world with just a click.

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