We all need to make a free phone call sometimes. However, it’s definitely not an easy task. There are a ton of scam websites out there and many more simply don’t work as intended. To be honest, this one was a little difficult to research. However, a good, solid VOIP service or a good phone call website can mitigate the need for an expensive phone plan in some cases. Don’t get us wrong, though, a phone plan is infinitely more stable and consistent than most of the apps and sites on this list. Let’s not delay any further. Here are the best free call apps and websites for PC, Mac, and Linux!
10 best free call apps and websites for PC, Mac, and Linux
Jun 24, 2020 4. Cold Turkey is one of the best temporarily block websites available on this app. This service is available for Android, Windows, and Mac devices. Engaging with this service, you can temporarily cut down the connection for the particular website from the target device. Dec 31, 2019 So guy’s these are The best free video calling apps for Windows, Android, mac users 2020. Let’s download and enjoy free calling with your friends and family members Everyone love video calling rather than simple boring chatting or voice calling.
Price: Free
CitrusTel is a website for free phone calls. It boasts partnerships with over 2,000 telecom companies as well as International calling. It's an easy site to use. You simply enter the number and call. Your side of the call takes place on your computer. It worked during our testing. However, it is a website and always felt a little clunky to us. You won't replace your carrier with this one. However, it's good for the occasional phone call in an emergency. There is a premium option with a $0.22-$0.26 per minute rate as well.
Price: Free
Discord is an excellent service for voice calls. This one is a VOIP app. That means it doesn't call landlines or mobile phone numbers. However, anyone with a Discord account can chat. This one is mostly for gamers. However, it's usable by just about everybody. It has native apps for most popular platforms. You can also access Discord through its web app. That makes it basically ubiquitous. Unlike most, there is no fees or charges for this one, ever. The UI and other features are pretty nice as well.
Price: Free
Mar 31, 2020 Don't get caught out in the rain. Tp link eap software mac. Get up to date forecasts with the best weather apps for Android and iOS devices. The best personal finance apps provide several different features (email reminders, bill due dates, track subscriptions, shared wallets, etc.) for managing your overall finances. All the apps on our list are available on both iOS and Android, so you can enjoy no matter which smartphone giant you're partial to.
FaceTime is an exceptionally popular video chat app on Mac and iOS devices only. It uses your webcam for video. You can also do just voice calls as well. This is another VOIP app. That means it doesn't call landlines or mobile phone numbers. However, everybody with a Mac or an iOS device has this app already. We're not a fan of its lack of cross-platform support. Everything else about it is fine, though. FaceTime is free to use and it's also really easy.
Price: Free
Google Hangouts is an excellent messaging service on computers. It has a web app and that makes it compatible everywhere. Additionally, there is an extension for Google Chrome for additional options. It does, in fact, make calls. You need a Google Voice number first, though. We're not sure what the limit is on phone calls. However, it did call my mobile number just fine without any troubles on both the extension and the website. It's a good, solid option for messaging as well. Google seems to be shifting to Google Allo and Duo instead of this, so use it while you can.
Price: Free / Varies
iEvaphone is another website with free calling. It worked during our testing. However, like CitrusTel, this probably won't replace your phone plan. We simply don't think it's that stable. In any case, it's easy enough to use. You visit the website, enter a phone number, and hit the call button. It supports International calling as well as landlines and mobile phone numbers. This one works through your browser and computer speakers like you would expect. It works on a credit system. You get 10 credits to play with and you can watch video ads for more. It's not perfect, but it'll do in a pinch.
Price: Free
Jitsi is something a little different. It's video conferencing software. It's also open source, free, and available for basically every desktop platform as well as mobile platforms. This isn't a good app for calling your mom or ordering a pizza. However, it's a decent free call service for professionals, small business, and stuff like that. It uses WebRTC nad has native apps on many Linux platforms. Slack is another excellent app in this space with a web app and multiple native apps for most desktop systems.
Price: Free / Varies
We can't forget about good old Skype. This is one of the world's most recognizable messaging apps. It also supports voice calls, video calls, and even limited file transfers. It's available on most popular platforms, including several Linux distros, Windows, Mac, and mobile platforms. Anyone with Skype can video and voice call for free. You can call landlines and mobile phones with a nominal fee. So it's about half of a free call app. However, it's simple and it's recognizable. You can get it in the Microsoft Store directly or download it from Skype's website.
Price: Free
TeamSpeak was the go-to game chat app before Discord. Of course, TeamSpeak is still excellent and it offers free voice chatting with other TeamSpeak users. This one does not call landlines or mobile phone numbers, though. It has native apps for Windows, MacOS, and a few Linux distros. This one also includes plugins, themes, and a bunch of other stuff. This is an excellent voice calling app for gamers. However, those looking to order a pizza or conduct business may want to look elsewhere.
Price: Free / Varies
TextNow is a fairly popular free call app on Android and iOS. There is also a version for Microsoft Windows and, unfortunately, only Microsoft Windows. It boasts free calls and text messages and yes, that includes landlines and mobile phone numbers. That's about all it does. There is a premium option as well that adds more features and more time for your calls and texts. However, it is entirely optional. This one has the potential to replace a phone plan, but only if your usage is very, very light. We hope this gets an app for Mac eventually, or a web app so it's available on more platforms.
Price: Free / Varies
There are a collection of messaging apps with voice calls. Viber and Facebook Messenger are among the most popular. Hangouts technically works this way too, but it can also do landline numbers with a Google Voice number. These services are simple, they work well, and the voice calls are relatively clear. We recommend either Facebook Messenger or Viber, though. Facebook Messenger works with the website without any additional downloads. Viber has native apps for Mac and Windows, but not Linux. From there, you can choose your poison. There are many others, but their voice support isn't necessarily good.
If we missed any great free call apps or websites for PC, Mac, or Linux, tell us about them in the comments! You can also click here to check out more DGiT app stuff!
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In a previous article where I talked about the 5 best cheap Mac apps under $10, it seems that many of you wanted to know if these apps had any free alternatives. The straight answer is yes, but it is a little bit more complicated than that. As a rule of thumb, you should know that for every paid Mac app, there is a corresponding free app out there. You just have to search for it.
That said, the free apps do have their own limitations. Mostly the limitations have to do with the user interface of the app. The paid apps generally have a more modern and easy to navigate user interface than their free counterparts. The paid apps also bring more features which make the apps more productive. I guess what I am trying to say is that in most cases, you essentially get what you paid for. That’s not to say that there are no good free apps out there. On the contrary, there are a ton of awesome free apps, and if you want to see a lit of them, do let me know in the comments section below.
However, this article is not about the best free Mac apps, it’s about the best-paid macOS apps and their free alternatives. Before we get into the article, one thing I would like to mention is that I have taken a little bit of liberty with the concept of free apps, which you will understand as we get into the article. So, if you don’t think that the paid apps deserve the price that they are asking for, here are the 7 best paid Mac apps and their free alternatives:
7 Best Paid macOS Apps and Their Free Alternatives
Since there are going to be a lot of apps on this list, I am not going to go in-depth for each one of them. Rest assured all the apps that I mention in this list has been thoroughly tested by me. Also, if you like to see an in-depth review of any of the apps mentioned in this list, do let me know by writing in the comments section below. I will make sure to fulfill as many of your requests as I can.
1. Best Password Manager App for Mac: 1Password
It’s 2018 and if you are not using a password manager today, I am sorry to tell you the truth, but you are a fool (unless you have a Sheldon like memory which allows you to create and remember strong and random passwords). If you take your account safety seriously, you should be using a password manager. A password manager not only allows you to create random and secure passwords but it also makes them easily accessible. All you need to do is remember one master password. As long as you remember that you can use your password anywhere, be it on your Mac, iPhone, or iPad.
1Password according to me is one of the best password managers you can get for yourself. All your data is encrypted using end-to-end AES-256 encryption and PBKDF2 key derivation, which is a technical way to say, that there is no way in hell anyone can get into your account if they don’t know your master password. The service syncs all your password across devices and supports all the major platforms including macOS, iPhone, iPad, Android, and Windows. So, no matter which device you are using, you are covered.
Install:1Password - Free trial ($3.99/month - paid annually - individual plan / $4.99/month - paid annually - family plan up to 5 members)
1Password Free Alternative - LastPass
One of the biggest restrictions that come with using the free version of any password manager software is that the free version doesn’t allow you to sync your password across devices. This is where LastPass wins as the free version of the software allows you to sync your passwords across devices. Remember that I told you that I am going to take a little liberty when it comes to what free app means, that declaration applies here. Although LastPass does have a premium subscription model, it’s free version is enough to fulfill all your individual needs. In fact, I myself use the free version of LastPass and has never felt a need to upgrade to the paid version.
That’s not to say that the paid version doesn’t come with extra features. App to download youtube videos mac. The paid version brings features like desktop application logins, desktop fingerprint identification, two-factor authentication, and 1GB of encrypted file storage. That said, none of those features are necessary. All the necessary features like password creation, auto-fill and auto-login in browsers, password sync across devices, form filling, secure notes, and more are present in the free version. That’s why I consider, LastPass to be the best free password manager you can use today.
Install: LastPass - Free ($2/month - paid annually - individual plan / $4/month - paid annually - family plan up to 5 members)
2. Best Menu Bar Manager for Mac: Bartender 3
One of my favorite features of Mac is its Menu Bar and the apps that it can hold. The Menu Bar not only provides us with a quick way to access important information and give us app specific contextual menus, it also allows us to use Menu Bar apps which are quite nifty applications. However, if you are as obsessed with apps as I am, you will soon find that your Menu Bar has become too crowded and unorganized.
That’s where Bartender comes in as it allows you to organize your menu bar apps, by hiding them, rearranging them, or moving them to the Bartender Items. But that’s not all, Bartender also allows you to quickly search for Menu Bar apps and use keyboard shortcuts to access them. Bartender is a must-have application for anyone who is looking to manage their Menu Bar items.
Install: Bartender 3 - Free trial for 4 weeks - $15
Bartender3 Free Alternative: Vanilla
I will be the first one to come out and say that Vanilla is nowhere as powerful as the Bartender app. That said, The app is free and allows you to hide your Menu Bar apps elegantly. When you install the app, you will see a small arrow icon which you can click on to either expand or hide the Menu Bar icons.
Although the app is free forever, it does have a Pro option which adds extra features like keyboard shortcuts and automatic icons hiding. However, if you are not ready to pay, the free version will just serve you right as the app never ever nags you for upgrading.
Install:Vanilla - Free/$3.99
3. Best Storage Manager for Your Mac: DaisyDisk
DaisyDisk is one of my most favorite macOS apps and considering how much it helps me, I am more than happy to pay for the service. I have already talked about the app in great detail in the best Mac apps under $10 article, which you can read if you want to. The short version is that the app helps you scan your Mac’s internal storage as well as any other storage devices that are either physically connected to your device or are on your server and helps you find and delete unwanted items to free up storage on your device. DaisyDisk is a prime example of an app which is really useful but that’s not why you are buying it. You are buying it for its extremely beautiful user interface which makes using this app a delight.
Install:DaisyDisk - $9.99
DaisyDisk Free Alternative: GrandPerspective
GrandPerspective is the best app for anyone who is looking for an alternative to DaisyDisk. The basic premise of the app is the same as DaisyDisk, that is, it scans your Mac to give you a graphical representation of the disk usage. You can choose to either scan your entire Mac or individual folders. Once you run the scan, the app will show all your files and folders represented by solid colored squares.
The bigger the file size, the bigger is the square. Thus you can easily find out which files and folders take up the most space. The app is free to download from its official website but cost $1.99 on the Mac App Store. But whichever app you download, you are essentially getting the same thing. The paid version is just your way of supporting the developers.
Install: GrandPerspective - (Free from Sourforge / $1.99 from Mac App Store)
4. Best Writing App For Mac: Ulysses
Ulysses has garnered a lot of hate after the service decided to go the subscription route, but the thing is, whether you love it or hate it, there is no denying the fact that it’s the best writing app for Mac. In fact, all the article that you see on this website have been researched, drafted, and written on Ulysses. The best part about Ulysses is that it is an extremely powerful and productive writing tool which packs enough features that can handle any writing project irrespective of its size or complexity, and yet it still manages to maintain a simple and distraction-free UI so you can get the work done. I have already published an article detailing all the features of the app which you can go through if you want to make yourself familiar with the app.
Install:Ulysses ($4.99/month or $39.99/year - special student pricing available)
Ulysses Free Alternative: Typora / Elephant / Focus Writer
Probably the hardest thing when drafting this article was finding a worthy free alternative for Ulysses, and sadly even after scouring the whole internet, I could not find an app which can replace Ulysses alone. Don’t get me wrong, Typora is a fairly worthy app, however, it’s only free till it’s in beta.
Focus Writer is free but it neither bring the handy markdown editing feature nor the exceptional organizational feature of Ulysses.
Elephant is an open-source alternative to Evernote which also has a built-in markdown editor.
In the end, I still think that iA Writer ($9.99) is the best Ulysses alternative but you can surely check these apps to see if they can help you in replacing Ulysses or not. If you are already using a Ulysses alternative which you think is better than anything mentioned on this list, do help us out by dropping its name in the comments section below.
Best Sites For Free Mac Apps
Install:Typora / Elephant / FocusWriter
5. Best Photo Editing App For Mac: Affinity Photo
I have used a ton of photo editing apps on Mac, however, I have always come back to Affinity Photo. The biggest reason why I prefer Affinity Photo is not just because it packs more features that you will ever need and is regularly updated, it’s because Affinity provides a plethora of resources to help you master the software. I also love the fact that unlike most of the good photo editors out there which uses subscription-based pricing, Affinity photo charges a onetime fee.
One more reason to go for Affinity Photo is its iPad app. Affinity Photo’s iPad app is the most robust photo editing app that you can use on your iPad, period. If you are ready to pay the price, Affinity Photo will provide you with one of the most versatile and extensive suite of tools you will find in any photo editing software.
Install:Affinity Photo - $49.99
Affinity Photo Free Alternative: Fotor / Gimp
Fotor is probably the best free alternative to Affinity Photo which makes this one the best free photo editing app for Mac. The biggest benefit of using Fotor is the way it handles its interface. All the important tools are available right within your reach and you don’t have to dig through various sub-menus to find them. That said, Fotor is not truly free as it offers in-app purchases.
If you are looking for a truly free alternative to Affinity Photo, Gimp is what you should be looking at. Gimp is an open source photo editing tool for Mac. Being an open-source app, it brings all the advantages and disadvantages that come with the domain. What I mean by that Gimp has all the photo editing tools and features that you will find in any pro photo editing tool, however, it also comes with a steep learning curve and you will have to invest a considerable amount of time in learning it.
Install:Fotor / Gimp
6. Best Productivity App for Mac: Alfred
If you have ever searched for productivity apps for Mac, I can bet that Alfred was at the top of most of the results. Alfred is such a powerful tool that I will need to dedicate a series of articles if I want to really explain its power. The app not only helps you to quickly find files, apps, and more on your Mac, it also allows you to search the web, execute system level commands, create and execute workflows, assign hotkeys, control your music, automate your workflow, and much more. The possibilities are endless here. With its latest update, Alfred has taken the route of the freemium model where all its basic functions are free but pro functions are hidden behind a paywall, which you will need to buy if you are serious about using Alfred.
Install:Free / £19
Alfred Free Alternative: Quicksilver / Flashlight
QuickSilver is an open-source alternative for Alfred. Almost everything that you can do with Alfred, you can do with Quicksilver for free. However, as it is with any open-source application, Quicksilver also comes with a steep learning curve and doesn't have a great UI. That said, if you are ready to invest your time, you will be thoroughly rewarded.
Quicksilver will turn you into a Mac ninja, making you a far more productive than your average Mac user. However, if for some reason you are yet not ready to give up on Spotlight and still want all of Alfred’s power, you might want to check out Flashlight. Flashlight is not an app in itself but a collection of plugins which enhances the features of Spotlight bringing it closer to the likes of Alfred and Quicksilver.
Install:Quicksilver / Flashlight
7. Best Task Management App for Mac: OmniFocus
I understand that everybody has their own system for managing tasks, and there can be no one task management app which is best for everyone. However upon trying multiple apps, I have found that OmniFocus is one of the best if not the best task management app for Mac. OmniFocus uses the “Getting Things Done” principle to help you, well, get things done. I love how OmniFocus not only allows me to create individual tasks, it also allows me to create projects, folders, attach contextual menus, defer tasks, and more. OmniFocus also comes with apps for iPhone,iPad, and Apple Watch, so no matter which Apple device you are using, OmniFocus is always there for you.
Install:OmniFocus - $39.99
Best Mac Website BuilderOmniFocus Free Alternative: Wunderlist / Todoist / Reminders
While I searched high and low for a free task management for Mac, every app that I found which was worth getting on the list followed a freemium model. Of all those apps, I found Todoist and Wunderlist to be the best of the bunch. I personally prefer Wunderlist more than Todoist, however, Todoist has certain advantages over Wunderlist and most of those advantages have to do with various automation tools which greatly cuts down the time you spent on the app itself and more on the tasks in hand.
However, if you don’t want a freemium app and need something truly free, I think the built-in Reminders apps that come with macOS and iOS is your best hope. The Reminders is not only for creating one-time reminders rather you can also create lists which can act as your projects. The app also allows you to set due dates and share reminders with someone which is a much-needed feature if you work in a collaborative environment. However, the biggest thing that goes in favor of reminders app is the fact that it is deeply integrated with Siri so you can use Apple’s voice assistant to easily create tasks without having to open the app itself.
Install:Todoist / Wunderlist
Paid Mac Apps and Free Alternatives: Final Thoughts
Since I took this topic on, I realized that while some of the paid Mac apps have worthy alternatives, most of the best paid apps offer features and user interface which cannot be replicated by any free app. Maybe that’s why it’s better to pay for the apps that you are going to use on a daily basis rather looking for their free alternative.
Best Websites To Download Mac Apps Free
That said, not all of us are lucky enough to afford all the paid Mac apps. Hence, what I feel the best thing to do is to buy the apps which are essential for your workflow (you can look at cheaper alternatives which are much easier to find than free ones) while use the free ones for those which are not that important and will not hamper your productivity in a big way.
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