Hushed: Best Wi-Fi Calling App for Privacy & Flexibility [In-Depth Review + Tips]

Hey there! Have you ever struggled with spotty cell reception at home or broken-up phone calls when traveling abroad? I‘ve been there too – poor cellular coverage can make it impossible to keep in touch reliably.

But here‘s the good news: Wi-Fi calling provides an excellent solution for crystal-clear calls anywhere you have an internet connection. And the Hushed app takes Wi-Fi calling to the next level with enhanced privacy, cost savings, and flexibility.

In this in-depth guide, I‘ll walk you through everything Hushed has to offer. I‘ll also provide tips to use Wi-Fi calling like a pro based on my experience as a smartphone power user and network engineer.

Let‘s get started!

Why Wi-Fi Calling Rules

Before we dive into Hushed, let‘s quickly cover the basics of Wi-Fi calling and its benefits:

Bypasses spotty coverage: Wi-Fi calling ensures reliable calls in areas where cellular networks struggle. No more dropped calls at home or the office.
Saves money: Calling over Wi-Fi is often free with no cellular minutes used. Hushed plans also cost much less than pricey carrier contracts.
Enables travel flexibility: Wi-Fi calling lets you make calls internationally without worrying about expensive roaming fees.
Alternative connection: When cellular networks go down, you can still call over Wi-Fi. Key in emergencies when reliability matters most.

Personally, I use Wi-Fi calling daily to avoid dropped calls at my house. And it‘s been a real lifesaver traveling overseas – I racked up $1000+ in roaming charges before discovering Wi-Fi calling!

Now let‘s explore why Hushed in particular stands out as a top choice for Wi-Fi calling and privacy.

Why Hushed Beats Standard Wi-Fi Calling

Most major cellular carriers now include Wi-Fi calling support. But Hushed goes far beyond standard carrier offerings with unique advantages:

Complete privacy: Hushed gives you a private secondary number to use over Wi-Fi instead of your real number. Keep your personal number protected.

Flexibility: Have multiple Hushed numbers for different purposes – work, travel, online ads, etc. Seamlessly manage them from one device.

Affordability: Hushed‘s rates beat expensive cellular plans. Plans start at only $1.99 per week for unlimited calling.

Enhanced features: Get voicemail, SMS/MMS, auto-replies, call routing, and more features lacking from basic Wi-Fi calling.

Data savings: Use less of your limited cellular data since calls route over Wi-Fi automatically.

Supplemental option: Use Hushed alongside your cell plan rather than fully replacing it. Get the best of both worlds.

I don‘t know about you, but I really value keeping my personal and work calls separate. And saving money is always nice too!

With the basics covered, let‘s explore Hushed‘s features in more detail…

Hushed Features Rundown

Hushed packs tons of useful communication features into a single easy-to-use app:

Flexible Number Management

Get new numbers in seconds – Browse and claim available numbers with your desired area code.
Bring your own number – Upgrade to port your existing mobile number to Hushed (monthly plans only).
Add multiple numbers – Have as many different numbers as you need on the same device.
Organize numbers – Tag numbers by usage (work, travel, etc) to stay organized. Easily switch your active number.

Crystal-Clear Calling

Crisp HD audio – Hushed calls sound as good as standard mobile calling.
Reliable connectivity – Intelligently switch between Wi-Fi and cellular data to avoid call drops.
Favorite contacts – Define favorite contacts to dial quickly from home screen widget.

Hushed favorite contacts

SMS and MMS Messaging

Unlimited texts – Send SMS and MMS messages to U.S. and Canadian numbers.
Group messaging – Include up to 10 people in group conversations.
Photo sharing – Send photos and videos easily through MMS messages.
Email SMS forwarding – Forward incoming texts to your Gmail if desired.

Helpful Call Handling

Custom voicemail – Personalize a greeting and manage messages conveniently.
Do Not Disturb – Block incoming calls when you need to focus.
Call Flip – Seamlessly transfer calls between Hushed and your real number.
Call forwarding – Send calls to any number of your choice.
Burner mode – Set number to expire and remove itself after usage period.

Travel-Friendly Features

Affordable roaming – Avoid huge international roaming fees by calling over Wi-Fi/data when traveling.
Local numbers – Get numbers with local area codes abroad to blend in.
Travel mode – Pause non-essential notifications and auto-replies when away.

Security and Privacy

No recordings – Hushed never records or stores call/text content.
Verified users – Blocks spam callers and verifies users to prevent abuse.
Encrypted storage – All account data is securely encrypted both in transit and at rest.
Trusted brand – Over 6 million users since 2012 with an ‘Excellent‘ Trustpilot rating.

Hushed has all your calling needs covered in a single app!

Hushed Plans Breakdown

Hushed offers plans to fit both short-term needs and power users:

Pay-As-You-Go

Perfect for one-off use cases like online ads or dating profiles where you want to protect privacy. Just 2-7 cents/minute without any subscription commitment.

Day Trials

Test out Hushed for as low as $1.99 for 1 day. Get 60 minutes of calls and 60 texts included.

Weekly

The best plan for most users. Unlock unlimited US/Canada calling and global texting for just $1.99/week. Stop or cancel anytime.

Monthly

Get 800 monthly minutes and texts for $9.99/month. Or pay $24.99 for fully unlimited monthly access. Number porting also available.

Annual

For power users who rely on Hushed daily, annual plans offer big discounts. Get unlimited calling/texting for just $39.99/year (paid upfront).

With flexible options starting at just pennies per minute, Hushed makes staying connected affordable for all budgets.

And remember, Hushed offers free cancellation and account pausing. So you can sign up risk-free and pause your subscription anytime if traveling abroad or not using it.

Next, let‘s walk through getting started with Hushed in 4 easy steps.

Getting Started with Hushed in 4 Steps

Ready to enjoy crystal-clear Wi-Fi calling? Here‘s how to get up and running with Hushed in just minutes:

Step 1: Download the App

Grab the Hushed app from the App Store (iPhone) or Play Store (Android).

Step 2: Create Your Account

Open the app and enter your email address and secure password to sign-up.

Step 3: Get Your Number

Browse available numbers by country/city and select one you like. You can search for a specific area code if desired.

Step 4: Activate Service

Add your payment method to activate service and start making Wi-Fi calls instantly.

And that‘s it – you‘re ready to start calling!

Hushed makes it incredibly simple to get started in just a few minutes.

Next, I‘ll share some pro tips and real-life use cases to help you get the most from Hushed.

Tips to Become a Hushed Power User

With great flexibility comes great responsibility. Here are 8 tips to master Hushed based on how I use it:

📞 Use it as your work line – Keep business calls separate from your personal number. Easily switch between Hushed and your primary number.

👥 Give to groups and events – Share your Hushed number when organizing teams or meetups instead of your real number.

🛩 Travel like a pro – Get a local Hushed number when visiting other countries to blend in and enable cheap international Wi-Fi calling.

📸 Avoid social spam – Hand out your Hushed digits on dating profiles, classified ads or social media to prevent unwanted calls and texts.

👩‍💻 Screen for work – Set your Hushed number to forward calls to your assistant or voicemail during off hours.

🧳 Pause when traveling – Temporarily suspend your Hushed plan while overseas to save money and avoid spam buildup.

🔕 Schedule "Do Not Disturb" – Block calls during dinner or family time by enabling scheduled quiet hours.

🆓 Try risk-free – Take advantage of free trial days to test Hushed before committing to a paid plan.

The use cases are truly unlimited thanks to Hushed‘s flexibility and features. Try it out yourself!

Now let‘s compare Hushed to several solid alternative apps for private Wi-Fi calling.

Hushed Alternatives Comparison

While Hushed is my top pick, a few competitors stack up well for certain uses. Here‘s an overview:

Talkatone

Key Features: Free ad-supported app, call recording, U.S. numbers only

Best For: Extreme budget calling

Downsides: Ads, limited minutes without paid plans

CoverMe

Key Features: IMEI masking, encrypted calls/texts, anonymous payments

Best For: Prioritizing security and maximizing privacy

Downsides: Fewer calling features like SMS and voicemail

Burner

Key Features: Create temporary disposable numbers, easy number switching

Best For: Short-term secondary numbers

Downsides: Limited availability outside U.S.

Hushed strikes the best all-around balance in my experience. But power users may want Hushed + an additional app like CoverMe for defense-in-depth privacy.

Now let‘s switch gears and talk security best practices when using Wi-Fi calling apps.

Staying Secure: VoIP Calling Tips

VoIP apps rely on sending calls over the internet rather than traditional cellular networks. While Hushed incorporates encryption and other privacy technology, you should follow these security tips for maximum protection:

Use strong unique passwords – Especially important for privacy apps, use a long randomized password for your Hushed account and enable two-factor authentication if available.
Connect only to trusted Wi-Fi networks – Never make confidential calls over public Wi-Fi. At home, make sure your Wi-Fi network is password protected.
Beware of voicemail hacking – Set a PIN code for voicemail access. Don‘t use personal info like your birthday or address.
Limit call forwarding – Only forward calls when absolutely necessary and disable when not needed to prevent abuse.
Use a reputable VPN – Adding a VPN connection can further encrypt traffic if making calls over untrusted public Wi-Fi networks.

Practicing good security hygiene will keep your private calls safe from potential digital eavesdroppers.

Troubleshooting Tips

Like any technology, hiccups happen on occasion. Here are some troubleshooting tips if you run into issues with Hushed or Wi-Fi calling in general:

Can‘t make/receive calls:

Confirm you have an active Wi-Fi or cellular data connection
Try force closing and reopening the Hushed app
Toggle airplane mode off and on to refresh network connectivity

Choppy audio quality:

Disable VPN if enabled and ensure strong Wi-Fi signal
Limit bandwidth heavy activities like video streaming during calls
Try changing Wi-Fi router channel in case of interference

Call dropout issues:

Move closer to Wi-Fi router/access point to improve signal strength
Turn off Wi-Fi and use cellular data if internet connection is poor
Ask the other caller to connect to Wi-Fi if they are on a cellular network

Messages not coming through:

Double check SMS/MMS is enabled for your Hushed number
Try unlinking and relinking your SMS forwarding address

Following basic troubleshooting steps solves most problems, and Hushed customer support is also super helpful if you need assistance.

Bottom Line

After lots of research and personal usage, I firmly believe Hushed is the best Wi-Fi calling app available today for privacy and flexibility.

The ability to easily get multiple private numbers is a complete game-changer. And the reliability and call quality truly rivial traditional mobile calling.

On top of that, Hushed‘s affordable pricing and helpful features like voicemail transcriptions and Slack integration provide incredible value.

If you take just one thing away, download Hushed today and try it out with a low-cost trial. I‘m confident you‘ll be amazed by how much it enhances your calling experience and privacy.

Here‘s to crystal-clear calls in more places, maintaining your privacy, and keeping in touch with who matters most! Hushed makes it possible.