90% of the UAE’s population consists of expatriates who depend on free internet calling apps to speak to family and friends abroad. Trying to make a call through popular apps such as Facebook Messenger, FaceTime and WhatsApp is not possible as these are banned in the UAE.
Here’s a list of seven free and paid apps that you can use to make audio and video calls.
GoChat Messenger
Launched last month, Etisalat have brought a new free voice and video calling app to the UAE. It only requires a mobile number for registration and can be downloaded on both Apple and Android devices. However, to make international calls, users will have to purchase one of two packages. The AED 50 package will let you make calls for 250 international minutes while the AED 99 will grant you 1,500 international minutes without using your mobile data.
Users can also pay their bills, play games and even order food while they wait for that family member or friend to be available for a call.
Botim
To use Botim to make unlimited audio and video calls, users will need to choose one of four package options to subscribe to. On Home WiFi, they can subscribe to either Etisalat eLife or du Home Services for AED 100 per month.
Their mobile packages include Etisalat, du & Virgin 4G for AED 50 per month or there’s a prepaid option which costs AED 5 per day and comes with 1GB of mobile data for free.
An added bonus is that there’s a group chat feature which will let users have a group chat with up to 500 users.
Voico
Emphasising that they offer high-quality video and voice calls anywhere in the world between users, this app also comes with an automatic chat translator which can translate over 100 different languages. Users can also share their screen during a voice call on either their phone or PC.
Anyone wishing to use Voico will have to pay for an internet calling plan offered by either Etisalat or Du.
Google Meet
Google’s video calling app is completely free to download and use in the UAE. All users need is a Gmail account and they’ll be able to call up to 100 people. users can be invited to a meeting via a shared link, Google calendar invites and third party systems such as Skype for Business, Ploycom and Cisco.
The platform also provides a dial-in phone number for each meeting which means that guests can attend a meeting without WiFi or using mobile data.
Microsoft Teams
Already being used for business purposes in the UAE, it can still be used to have a group meeting with family or friends around the world. The platform allows users to hold free meetings for up to 60 minutes and there’s paid packages for those who wish to purchase additional time and features.
Skype For Business
While Skype for personal accounts is banned in the UAE, business accounts can use Skype to hold meetings and conferences for free. The service was previously also banned for businesses as well but now is available to all.
Zoom
Arguably one of the most popular video calling apps around the world, Zoom is primarily used for business purposes but can be used by anyone on a laptop or mobile device. Users can hold free meetings for up to 40 minutes with additional packages available for purchase that will grant them extra time and additional features.