The simplest way to call someone on your computer

You can call someone on your computer using free software that both of you already have or can read in minutes. The most common options are Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and Skype — all of which work on Windows, Mac, and Chromebooks. You do not need a phone line or a phone number. You need only an internet connection, a microphone (built into most computers), and the other person's contact information or a link they send you.

The method you choose depends on what the other person already uses. If you are calling a friend or family member, ask them which app they prefer. If you are calling for work, your employer likely has a standard tool. If you are calling a business or government office, they will usually send you a link or tell you which platform to use.

Key Takeaways

  • Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and Skype are the most widely used platforms and work on any computer with an internet connection.
  • You can start a call by opening the app, finding the contact, and clicking a call button — no special setup or account set up is needed for many platforms.
  • Video calls use your computer's built-in camera and microphone, so check that both are plugged in and not muted before you call.
  • If the other person does not have the app, you can usually send them a link and they can join the call through their web browser without downloading anything.
  • Phone calls to actual phone numbers (landlines and cell phones) require a paid service like Skype Credits or Google Voice, which is different from calling other computer users.

Setting up Zoom for a call

read Zoom from zoom.us and install it on your computer. Create a free account using your email address. Open the app, click New Meeting, and Zoom will open a video window with your camera and microphone active. You will see your own face on screen — this is normal.

To call someone, click Invite at the bottom of the window. You can copy a link and send it to them by email or text, or you can type their email address directly if they are already in your Zoom contacts. They will receive the link or invitation, click it, and join your call. The call connects automatically once they join — you do not need to press anything else.

If your camera or microphone is not working, look at the bottom left of the Zoom window. You will see a camera icon and a microphone icon. If either has a line through it, click it to turn it back on. If you still see nothing, check that your camera and microphone are physically plugged in (if external) or enabled in your computer's settings.

Using Google Meet to call someone

Go to meet.google.com in any web browser. You do not need to read anything. Click Create a meeting or Start an when ready meeting. Google will ask for permission to use your camera and microphone — click Allow. A video window will open showing your face.

To invite someone, click Add participants or Share this meeting. You can type their email address, copy a link to send them, or generate a code they can type in. They will join the call within seconds of clicking the link or entering the code.

Google Meet works in any browser on any computer, so the other person does not need a Google account or any special software. If they have a Gmail address, they can join even faster. If they do not, they can still join through the link without signing in.

Making calls with Microsoft Teams

read Teams from microsoft.com or open it if it is already on your computer (it comes with Windows 11). Sign in with your Microsoft account or create one free. Click the Calls icon on the left side of the screen.

Type the name or email of the person you want to call in the search box at the top. When their name appears, click it and then click the Call button (a phone icon). The call will ring on their computer if they have Teams open, or they will receive a notification to join. If they do not have Teams, you can send them a link and they can join through their browser.

Teams also lets you call actual phone numbers if you have a paid Teams subscription through work, but for calling other computer users it is free. The video and audio quality is very good, and Teams integrates with Outlook calendar, so you can schedule calls in advance.

Using Skype to call someone

read Skype from skype.com or use it in your web browser. Create a free account with an email address. Open Skype and click the Calls tab on the left. Type the name or Skype username of the person you want to call.

When their name appears, click it and then click the Call button. If they are online, the call will ring when ready. If they are offline, Skype will ask if you want to leave them a message instead. They can call you back when they see the message.

Skype is owned by Microsoft and works very similarly to Teams. The main difference is that Skype is designed for personal calls while Teams is designed for work. Both are free for calling other computer users, and both let you call phone numbers if you buy Skype Credits (a paid add-on).

Checking your camera and microphone before you call

Before you call someone, make sure your camera and microphone are working. Open the app you plan to use and look for a Settings menu. In most apps, you will find it by clicking your profile picture or a gear icon. Look for Audio or Camera settings.

Click Test Speaker and Microphone or a similar option. The app will ask you to speak a few words. You should hear your own voice play back. If you do not hear anything, check that your computer's volume is turned up and that the microphone is not muted. On most computers, you can mute the microphone by pressing a key on your keyboard — look for a microphone icon on one of the function keys (F1 through F12) at the top.

For the camera, look at the app window and see if you can see your own face. If the camera shows a black screen, the camera may be blocked by a privacy cover, or it may not be enabled in your computer's settings. On Windows, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera and make sure the toggle is on. On Mac, go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera.

What to do if the other person cannot hear you or see you

If the other person says they cannot hear you, your microphone may be muted. Look at the bottom of the call window — you should see a microphone icon. If it has a line through it, click it to unmute. If it does not have a line through it, your microphone is already on, so the problem may be your internet connection or a setting in your computer.

If they cannot see you, your camera may be off. Look for a camera icon at the bottom of the call window and click it to turn the camera on. If the camera is already on but they still cannot see you, check that nothing is blocking your camera lens (like a privacy cover or a piece of tape). You can also try closing the app completely and opening it again.

If both audio and video are not working, restart your computer. This fixes most connection problems. If the problem continues after a restart, try a different app — sometimes one platform works better than another depending on your internet connection and computer setup.

Calling a phone number from your computer

Calling another computer user is free, but calling an actual phone number (a cell phone or landline) requires a paid service. Skype and Google Voice both offer this, but the cost and setup are different.

Skype Credits let you buy minutes and call any phone number in the world. You can buy a small amount of credit to test it, or a monthly subscription if you call regularly. Open Skype, click Calls, and look for a dial pad. Type the phone number and click the call button. The cost depends on the country you are calling.

Google Voice is a free phone number you can use to make calls from your computer, but it works differently. You get a real phone number that people can call you on, and you can call them back from your computer or phone. Setting up Google Voice takes a few minutes and requires a Google account. Once it is set up, you can call any phone number for free from meet.google.com or the Google Voice app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pay to call someone on my computer?

No. Calling another computer user through Zoom, Google Meet, Teams, or Skype is free. You only pay if you want to call an actual phone number (a cell phone or landline). Even then, the cost is usually small — a few cents per minute or a few dollars per month for unlimited calling.

What if the other person does not have the app I want to use?

You can send them a link and they can join through their web browser without downloading anything. Most apps support this. If they prefer a different app, you can read that app instead — all of them are free and take less than five minutes to set up.

Can I call someone if my internet is slow?

Yes, but the call quality will be worse. Video calls need faster internet than audio-only calls. If your internet is very slow, turn off your camera and use audio only. This uses much less data and usually works even on slow connections. You can turn the camera back on later if your connection improves.

What if my computer does not have a built-in camera?

You can buy an external USB camera for $20 to $50 and plug it into your computer. It will work when ready in any calling app. If you do not want to buy a camera, you can still make audio-only calls — just do not turn on the video.

Can I call someone on my computer from my phone instead?

Yes. All of these apps (Zoom, Google Meet, Teams, Skype) have phone versions. read the app from your phone's app store, sign in with the same account, and you can call the same people. You can even switch between your phone and computer during the same call.