Fodor's Travel Talk Forums

Fodor's Travel Talk Forums (https://www.fodors.com/community/)
-   Europe (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/)
-   -   Best International Calling App (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/best-international-calling-app-1049051/)

Robert2533 Jun 25th, 2015 12:50 PM

Best International Calling App
 
Something new from Auto Europe:
Auto Europe has partnered with Wireless Traveler to provide our customers with the best international calling app on the market today. Make cheap international calls in Europe and from destinations around the world for pennies on the dollar from your very own cell-phone when you download Auto Europe's international calling app for free on iTunes or Google Play.

WiFi Calling App: International Calls for Less (using your own mobile phone).

One of the most common concerns for international travelers is getting hit with high roaming or data charges, and with Auto Europe's new international calling app you can breathe a little easier - knowing that for just $0.02 per minute you can enjoy crystal-clear calling while you travel in Europe or in any other location around the world - utilizing your cell phone and not relying on swapping out SIM cards or carrying additional gadgets. It's just one more way we go above and beyond, providing a smooth travel experience for our clients.

How to Get The Best International Calling App on the Market

Step One: Download the Auto Europe International Calling App for free from either iTunes or Google Play. Here are some of the notable features:
Allows travelers to make calls via WiFi to any phone from over 195 countries for just $0.02 per minute ... or enjoy free calling app-to-app.

Available free from iTunes or Google Play app stores.
Compatible with iPhone 4S, 5, 5S, 5C, 6 & 6 Plus as well as iPad, iPad mini & Android phones.
Preprogrammed with Auto Europe speed dial.

Have friends and family download the app to connect for free from Europe.
$0.02 a minute for all other calls.

Cheap International Calls with Auto EuropeStep Two: Register at autoeurope.wirelesstraveler.com for your USA-based phone number and voicemail account setup.

Step Three: Connect to friends and family from Europe with crystal clear calling with free App-to-App calling or call any phone, any-where for just $0.02 per minute.

We'll have to give this one a try.

bvlenci Jun 25th, 2015 01:01 PM

Skype offers exactly the same features, and more, and your family and friends are likely to have it installed already. Anyone who already has Skype is unlikely to want to install yet another international calling app.

The crystal clear calling is dependent on having a good wifi connection, something that's rather hit or miss in my experience.

Sher Jun 25th, 2015 01:11 PM

Definitely going to look into this although I only pay .20 per minute

thursdaysd Jun 25th, 2015 01:14 PM

Why on earth would I want to tie myself to yet another *** company that wants to track my movements? I already have Skype and T-Mobile for international coverage.

Robert2533 Jun 25th, 2015 01:35 PM

Skype is 15% more expensive per minute, and charges a connection fee of $04.9. Plus there is also the monthly fee just to have Skype, and besides, Skype is owned by Microsoft.

The person you're calling does not need the App to receive your call or to call your App number. Voicemail also appears simpler to use.

I have free WiFi calling on my iPhone 6, but not everyone has that option.

NewbE Jun 25th, 2015 01:41 PM

thursdayd, based on your comments here and on the Uber thread, I think you don't realize that your phone tracks your movements whether it's on or off, regardless of whether you have any apps at all.

thursdaysd Jun 25th, 2015 01:45 PM

The issue is not whether my phone is tracking me, I am well aware that it will do so unless I remove the battery, the issue is who has access to the data.

I do not pay a monthly fee to Skype.

hetismij2 Jun 25th, 2015 01:48 PM

You still have to have a good internet connection, something which isn't always easy to find. Some places deliberately lower the rate to stop you using WiFi calling. If you can't find free WiFi then it will cost you in roaming charges.

Besides you are on vacation, switch the phone off and enjoy yourself.

Nothing wrong with Microsft either.

greg Jun 25th, 2015 01:50 PM

It looks like this is yet another VOIP app to app with call out to a real phone capability.

This is not a cell voice network replacement like t-mobile simple choice plan.

The best comparison would be to Skype and Viber.
For all three of them, the app to app cost is free.

They differ when it comes to calling out real telephone numbers - landline or mobile. You need an underlining Wifi or mobile data.

Calling a landline,
Skype out = $0.023/min + $0.049connection fee
Viber out = $0.019/min
Auto Europe = $0.02/min

Calling a (European) mobile phone,
Auto Europe: $0.02/min?
Viber out: ~$0.039/min
Skype out: ~$0.10/min + ~$0.09 connection fee.

Auto Europe is not mentioning connection charge.

Andrew Jun 25th, 2015 02:37 PM

There's also Google Voice = FREE calls back to the US from Europe with Google Hangouts - or a cheap per-minute rate for calls to other countries.

There are various Skype plans and fees.

To call between two devices (not as phones) is FREE and costs no monthly fee.

If you want to call OUT (to regular phones) with Skype but not receive calls, you can buy Skype credit in $10 USD blocks, then use it per-minute per call. There is no monthly fee for this, either, although you have to use your credit every once in a while or they threaten to take it all away - so make one call every few months (as of now, I get email reminders automatically before expiration).

You can pay a flat monthly fee to make unlimited out calls per month on Skype for $2.99/month (to call US + Canada) or higher to call internationally.

If you want an INCOMING phone number people can call from a phone, it costs $18 for three months or $60/year - unlimited incoming calls.

Robert2533 Jun 25th, 2015 03:41 PM

I couldn't find any reference to the connection charge on the AE app.

ribeirasacra Jun 25th, 2015 11:33 PM

When using WIFI try using whatsapp phone calls. It is free so maybe that is the best.

ribeirasacra Jun 25th, 2015 11:38 PM

I have to say this app is not the best. It seems it it is only for Americans. Beside poor old windows phone users cannot use this app. But question is why use a windoze phone in the first place, but a lot do.

Blueeyedcod Jun 26th, 2015 12:03 AM

Facebook! Everyone (well, almost) has it - use Facebook messenger and its phone calls/messages work perfectly fine.

thursdaysd Jun 26th, 2015 04:30 AM

I have never used FB. I have no intention of using FB.

hetismij2 Jun 26th, 2015 06:33 AM

I use a Windows one Why? because I don't like Google and Apple is overpriced. It is an excellent phone OS, very intuitive and never had a problem with it.

I don't care that this app doesn't work with it. If I need to communicate with anyone while I am travelling it is mostly too important a call to leave to some app, and a dodgy WiFi connection. I only use my phone to communicate by voice in an emergency.

I don't have FB, nor do intend to use FB.

Whatsapp works just fine, to let people know I am safe. Internet works just fine for booking a hotel while on the road.

Robert2533 Jun 26th, 2015 08:05 AM

Windows phone, Google? All android based phones are prone to hackers so you never know who's on the line with you.

Robert2533 Jun 26th, 2015 06:56 PM

The main advantage is that the app is designed to give you direct access to Auro Europe should you need to.

thursdaysd Jun 26th, 2015 07:06 PM

Never used Auto Europe. Never plan to. Yet another app I neither need nor want.

Blueeyedcod Jun 26th, 2015 07:47 PM

Not sure why the hostility to Facebook (shrugs). Advantages are obvious - the free message and phone call service. You don't even need a page/profile full of information. You can sign up, keep your page hidden and/or empty and just use the message / phone service.
Viber is another app that has this feature - you just need to be around free wifi and that is easily done.


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 08:31 AM.