WhatsApp vs Viber Out: which one actually calls a real phone number?
These get confused often, but they solve different problems: one is free chat-app calling, the other is paid calling to the real phone network - and neither works from a browser.
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WhatsApp vs Viber Out vs Hyallo: side by side
| Feature | Viber Out | Hyallo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calls any real phone number | No - WhatsApp users only | Yes | Yes |
| Free between the app’s own users | Yes | Yes (Viber-to-Viber) | Not applicable - always a real number |
| Requires installing an app | Yes | Yes | No - browser only |
| Recipient needs the app too | Yes | No, for Viber Out calls | No |
| Account tied to a phone number | Yes | Yes | No - email only |
| Free first call to a real phone number | Not applicable | No | Yes |
Don't take our word for it: type the number you call most and see its exact price before you dial.
The verdict: who is each one actually for?
WhatsApp is unbeatable, and free, for calling anyone who already has it - keep using it for that.
Viber Out fits someone already living inside the Viber app who occasionally needs to reach a real number and doesn’t mind that it comes from their Viber account.
Hyallo fits the moment neither of the above works: the person isn’t on WhatsApp or Viber, you don’t want another app account, or you’re on a computer with no app installed at all.
What it costs to call popular destinations
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App-to-app free vs. app-to-phone paid
WhatsApp voice and video calls travel only between two WhatsApp accounts over the internet - free, but useless if the person you’re calling doesn’t have the app. Viber Out is different: it’s Viber’s paid add-on that connects to the real phone network, so it can reach a landline or anyone’s regular mobile number - but it only works from inside the Viber app, tied to a Viber account on a phone number.
Frequently asked questions
Can WhatsApp or Viber call a landline?
WhatsApp cannot - its calls only work between WhatsApp accounts. Viber can, through the paid Viber Out feature, from inside the Viber app.
Do I need a Viber account to use Viber Out?
Yes - Viber Out is a feature inside the Viber app, tied to a Viber account registered with a phone number. Hyallo needs only an email.