Viber
Cost: FREE
Download Size: 31.68MB
Rating: 4.5/5
My favourite communication of all: it allows to instant messaging (IM), video calls, non-video calls and basically anything else you can think of! Best thing about it? It's FREE. There are no premium versions of updates. The only thing that costs more money would be purchasing stickers (smiley faces) and emoticons that go beyond their basics (they have a VERY LARGE selection of basic emoticons).
I usually use this app to call contacts in Europe and across Canada without any issues. At times there are call-quality issues but in reality that depends on your data or WiFi connection. As soon as I experienced bad quality I would move to a more "signal friendly" location and the call would pick right up.
BBM (Blackberry Messenger)
Cost: FREE
Download Size: 23.12MB
Rating: 4.5/5
Alright - BlackBerry (formerly Research in Motion) has taken a lot of flack for not developing their OS over the last couple of years, as their financial performances indicates. However, since the company reshuffled their leadership the mobile device maker is now back in business and one of the first order of businesses was to expand their reach.
BBM is now available for iPhone and Android (use to be exclusive to BlackBerry) and is now developed beyond just IM options: it includes calling, collaboration, group creation and much, much more. It is free of cost and the quality of messaging/talking is great (pending connection of course).
Downfall? On the Android device the BBM icon always shows up in your notification bar (not sure why they have done it this way) and the messages can take sometimes longer to show up as a notification. Once I lock my phone, the message takes a while to come up after a contact sends it while other communication apps are nearly instant.
Still a fantastic communications app for small businesses. Plus a lot of people would appreciate BlackBerry's extra privacy and security options as they have their own encryption and do not allow outside access. This makes sharing of private data and information much safer and easier.
Skype
Cost: FREE
Download Size: 19.41MB
Rating: 4.5/5
Since Microsoft's takeover of Skype in 2011, the VoIP software has really developed into an all-device solution from its original desktop-only availabiltiy. While we now have to use our Outlook emails or accounts to login; the calls and IM options are still available with great quality.
Outside of Viber, this is the 2nd most used app here at NR Digital Branding and having great quality (no lagging voice or video) with conference calls to Europe we would definitely recommend it.
Skype also offers premium paid telephone and conferencing (more users to attend call, file sharing, etc.) in case you need it, but if you're OK with one to one video conferencing give Skype a shot.
UberConference
Cost: FREE
Download Size: 5.32MB
Rating: 4.5/5
UberConference is not too well-known among conference apps but it does a great job of making mobile conferencing simple and easy. App is easy to understand, has the capability to include up to 10 participants, quality of video is high, social media integration and call recording.
The makers also offer premium options at a price, but the basic version has more than enough of capabilities if you're hosting a conference call for 10 or less people. For conference heavy professionals who are constantly on the go this app will provide a great way to stay connected, free of cost!
Did we miss a great app? Let us know which application helps you stay connected on the go.
