Viber
Viber is a free application that enables free calls and text over VoIP, supported within 3G and Wifi, allowing users to make usually expensive international calls at no cost. Setup of Viber is easy after install. Enter your phone number and Viber will send a SMS text confirmation code to confirm the phone number. After that, calls and text to other Viber users are completely free .
Adding contacts on Viber is done by calling their phone if they are indeed Viber members, or an invitation can be sent through SMS text. The application contains a separate Viber list in-app. The interface is extremely easy, but it is a greeting change to other visually hefty VoIP applications.
The Best
- Can be used easily
- Free international calls and text messagesh
- Speedy text response time
The Worst
- Uses data connection
- Saving new contacts is a little confusing
- Little delay in voice chat over WiFi
LINE
LINE is a Japanese based app that enables you to make free
calls and send free messages to iPhone, Android and PCs meaning PC users can
communicate with friends and family who are using PCs as well as Macs. However,
LINE doesn't include video calling yet although you can send short video and
audio messages.
Call quality using LINE is really good, sometimes this will
depend on your internet connection and 3G network. LINE is also filled with
emoticons (and with the option to buy more elaborate "stickers") to
make messaging more amusing. This latter feature is particularly popular in
Japan and has assisted make it in the most successful apps list on the
application market.
In the first 7 months of the application release in Japan, the
developers claim LINE got over 100 million users which is very impressive.
Until now, many iPhone and Android users have turned to WhatsApp for
keeping in touch with friends and family but unlike LINE, WhatsApp has never
been available for PC or Mac.
The Best
- Excellent idea to mix chat and free calls
- PC version available
- Excellent design and usability
- Works well for a lot of users
- Short audio and video messages is available
The Worst
- Video calling is not available
- Too many junk stickers for Western users
