Free Conference Call Apps

 What is a Conference Call?

This is just like a business meeting, the only difference is that it is virtual and not physical. It is very convenient when gathering the entire staff for the face-to-face meetup at the same location at the same time is a hefty task due to busy office hours. A conference call is distinct from a group called as the former is hosted by the team leader who is the primary speaker and conversation initiator while the rest of the members serve as the passive audience. However, a group call allows all the participants to have an equal say in the topic under discussion. 

How to start a Teleconference?

A teleconference is another name for a conference call. This is a telephone conference involving multiple participants and the people who are invited can dial in the number to be connected to a conference bridge. In modern times it is easier to join and host conference calls online but if you don’t have internet access then the calls can be conducted through a landline as well. 

Three important things to start a Conference Call

Whether the call is online or through landline these three numbers are essential:

1. Dial-in number

These dial-in numbers are provided to participants by the service provider to join any conference call. A dedicated dial-in number can also be purchased so that it is bound to your account. This way you won’t need to make reservations for hosting a meeting. You can hold a teleconference at any time. 

Toll vs Toll-free numbers

The dial-in number can be toll or toll-free. The toll numbers charge a call fee from the participants while a toll-free number only charges the fee from the host of the call. 

Local vs International numbers

You can enter a conference call from anywhere in the world. If you want to join a local call then you only need the dial-in number and access code. 

To enter an international meeting you need a country code that is specific for that country. Usually, this country code is written in parentheses before the dial-in number. 

2. Access codes

These are just seven symbols and the meeting host needs to distribute the access code to the participants as an input to join teleconference calls.  

3. PIN codes

This term is used interchangeably for access codes and has the same function. However, in some services, the host uses pin codes to start conference calls and access special features like conference lock, recording, caller count, and more.

10 Best Apps for Free Conference Calls

1. Whereby

This was previously known as Appear. and allows simple video conferencing for small meetups. You just need to sign up through your account and then make a chatroom using a URL of your choice. Send the link to the other participants via email or text and they can join in without having to sign up on their own. You can also ‘lock’ a room and the guests need to ‘knock’ for you to allow them entry as you see fit. 

2. Google Duo

In contrast to Google Hangout, Google Duo is more recent and up-to-date. You just need to enter your phone number without having to make a google account. A meeting can hold eight people and works through Android or iOS, as well as the Duo Web interface. 

3. Talky

This allows a maximum of six people to join in. What’s interesting is that it allows absolutely free video conferencing without any sign-up. You just enter a room name on the home page and once inside a room, you can change your name, screen share, and invite people through a link. You can set a password to your room to deny entry of unwanted participants. To cut down on the waiting time you can even engage yourself in the Lunar Lander game. 

4. FreeConferenceCall

This app allows the largest number of participants amounting to 1000! This has the most professional video calling tools for free. Features like annotations, changing the presenter in the midst of the call, screen-recording, etc all come free of charge. 

5. WhatsApp

This serves as both a messaging and a video calling app. This allows a maximum of four participants but the convenience lies in the fact that you don’t need to sign up for anything or install a new app. You can start the call with one contact and then keep adding more people. This is only accessible on mobile phones as WhatsApp Web doesn’t support calls.

6. Skype 

This service enables you to connect with your contacts using mobile apps for Android or iOS, desktop apps on Windows or Mac, or via Skype's web app, Screen sharing is supported as well. A maximum of 50 people can make a conference call which can last up to four hours. For a more business-focused solution, Skype for Business Basic offers more.

7. FaceTime

This is a popular one-on-one calling app. However, it allows more members to join in after the introduction of iOs 12. Now a video call can hold 32 people at maximum. The only drawback is that it is not available for Android or Windows so only Apple users can access it. 

8. GoToMeeting Free

The free plan that GoToMeeting offers, allows you to hold 40-minute meetings with up to three participants (not including you). It includes features you'd expect, such as chat, screen sharing, and mobile support.

9. Jitsi Meet

Like Talky you just need to enter your chat room name and allow it to use your webcam and microphone. You don’t need to make an account and once inside a room you have access to features like raising your hand, live streaming, and recording. This service has no user limit. 

10.  FreeConference

Just like its name, this app offers video conference calls at no cost. The business-related features such as dial-in numbers for audio participants are present. The free plan is limited to 1,000 audio callers (with free international dial-in) and five users in the online meeting. You can even schedule the meetings beforehand and send out automatic reminders. You have control of screen share and also to mute any noisy callers. 

In summation, free conference call apps improve communication in different sectors is it educational, corporate, or industrial. People can agree or disagree mutually on matters of importance. Business deals can be discussed thoroughly. Teachers can assign students their work and deliver lectures more efficiently.