
👤 Fongo Overview
Is a Canadian VoIP service founded in 2010 and based in Waterloo, Ontario. The app offers free Canada-wide calling, texting, and affordable add-on services like home phone and Fongo Works for small businesses. Founded by Jody Schnarr and John Stix, Fongo operates as a small private company with an estimated team of 11–50 employees. While exact revenue isn’t publicly confirmed, third-party sources list modest annual figures. Fongo remains active in 2025 and is most widely used across Canada, attracting budget-friendly callers, travelers, and anyone needing a reliable Canadian phone number.
Fongo operates as a small private company with an estimated 11–50 employees. Since it’s privately held, the company doesn’t publish official revenue figures. Some third-party directories estimate Fongo’s 2025 revenue at around $1.8 million, but these numbers are not verified and should be viewed as approximations rather than confirmed financial data.
🌍 Who Primarily Use Fongo ?
- Main user base: Canada — Fongo is built for Canadian phone numbers and offers free Canada-wide calling for Canadians. fongo.com+1
- While Fongo can be used globally (if connected with internet) for calling to Canada, its core market and majority of subscribers remain Canadians. fongo.com+1
- Fongo’s services appeal especially to:
- People seeking budget-friendly calling and texting — to save cost compared to traditional mobile plans.
- Users needing a Canadian phone number — useful for residents, travelers, or expatriates needing to maintain Canadian contact.
- Individuals or small businesses needing low-cost VoIP/home-phone solutions (via its “Home Phone” and “Fongo Works” offerings).
- People seeking budget-friendly calling and texting — to save cost compared to traditional mobile plans.
✅ Free for Canadians

- Fongo offers a free Canada-wide calling and texting app for people living in Canada. fongo.com+2App Store+2
- With the free plan you get a real Canadian phone number, unlimited calling across all Canadian provinces, voicemail, caller ID, call waiting, and other basic phone features — all without any monthly fee. fongo.com+1
- You can also enjoy free Fongo-to-Fongo messaging (text, group chat, picture messages) with other Fongo users. fongo.com+1
- As long as you use internet (Wi-Fi or data), you can call and message — no traditional mobile plan needed. fongo.com+1
- Optional extras (like texting non-Fongo numbers, international calls, or number transfer) are paid add-ons — but core Canada-wide calling & texting is free for Canadian users. fongo.com+1
🌍 Global Users — What to Know
- Outside Canada, you must use Fongo World Edition — a paid version of the app. It gives you a Canadian phone number and lets you call or message Canada from anywhere. Fongo+1
- When you use Fongo abroad:
- Calls to Canada & to other Fongo users remain free (or included). Fongo+1
- International calling or texting non-Canadian numbers requires purchase of extra credit (called “World Credits”) or a separate texting package.
- Calls to Canada & to other Fongo users remain free (or included). Fongo+1

- Some limitations when you’re global:
- Emergency calling (e.g. 911) doesn’t work outside Canada. Fongo Support+1
- Texting or calls to non-Fongo, non-Canadian numbers are chargeable, depending on credit balance or plan. Fongo+1
- Emergency calling (e.g. 911) doesn’t work outside Canada. Fongo Support+1
📞 Fongo Offers & Benefits
- Free Canada-wide calling & texting via internet: With Fongo Mobile you get a real Canadian phone number, unlimited calling and messaging across Canada — without a traditional phone plan. fongo.com+1
- Home-phone replacement at low cost: Through Fongo Home Phone, you can convert any internet connection into a full-feature landline with voicemail, caller-ID, call-forwarding, and unlimited CAN/US calls — at a fraction of typical home-phone prices.

- Free business phone system: The app’s business-oriented offering — Fongo Works — gives small businesses a virtual phone system with features like automated receptionist, multiple extensions, voicemail, conference calling, and Canada-wide calling. fongo.com+1
- Global access & roaming-friendly: Even when traveling abroad, Fongo lets you keep your Canadian number — so you and your contacts in Canada stay connected without roaming charges (incoming calls/texts remain local for Canada). support.fongo.com+1
- Budget-friendly flexibility: Many core features are free or low-cost, and there are no long-term contracts required — making Fongo ideal for people wanting affordable, flexible calling solutions.
Fongo for New Canadians

New Canadians can easily use Fongo to get a free Canadian phone number, make unlimited Canada‑wide calls, and send Fongo‑to‑Fongo messages. Simply download the app, register with your email, and start using the basic VoIP features.
✅ Cost: The core app is free for users in Canada — no subscription or payment is required. Paid features (like international calls or texting to non-Canadian numbers) are optional add-ons.
⚠ Limitations
- Free unlimited calling/texting applies only between Fongo users or to Canadian numbers; calling or texting outside that group incurs cost via credits or subscriptions.
- International calls and texts to global numbers are not included and require purchase.
- The free plan may not support some premium business‑phone features (for business users) — those often require add-ons or a business plan.
Paid / Add‑Ons: International calls, texting to non-Canadian numbers, and global access require World Calling Credits or the Fongo World Edition purchase.
For Travelers & Tourists
Is perfect for travelers and tourists who need a Canadian phone number while abroad. With Fongo World Edition,
The app allows free calls and messages to other Fongo users or Canadian numbers, making it convenient for keeping in touch with family, friends, or business contacts back home.
For international calls or texting to non-Canadian numbers, you can purchase World Calling Credits or texting packages. This ensures you have flexibility while traveling without needing a local SIM card.

Fongo also supports essential features like voicemail, caller ID, call forwarding, and group calls, so you can manage your calls just like you would at home.
With its easy registration and intuitive interface, Fongo helps travelers save money, avoid roaming charges, and stay reliably connected to Canada wherever they go.
you can stay connected to Canada, make calls, and send messages from anywhere in the world.
🚫 Does Fongo Work Without Internet?
No — Fongo requires an active internet connection (Wi‑Fi or mobile data) to make or receive calls and texts. support.fongo.com+2support.fongo.com+2
- Because Fongo is a VoIP‑based service, it cannot operate like a traditional phone service when there’s no internet. support.fongo.com+1
- If your device loses connection, calls and messages won’t go through; incoming messages may be queued until connectivity is restored. support.fongo.com+1
🔒 Data Access

Fongo requires internet access to operate and may request permissions like contacts, microphone, and notifications to enable calling, messaging, and alerts. It does not access unrelated personal data and keeps usage focused on providing VoIP services.
- Background data is used only to receive calls and messages when the app isn’t open.
- Privacy-conscious users can manage permissions in device settings to limit what Fongo can access.
⭐ Is Worth It
- Canadian number, global access: Even abroad, Fongo lets you keep a real Canadian phone number — ideal for expats, travelers, or anyone needing long‑term Canadian contact.
- No monthly bill for core features: Unlike traditional mobile plans, Fongo’s basic calling and messaging across Canada are free — perfect for budget‑minded users.
- Flexible pay‑as‑you‑go for global calls: For international dialing or messaging to non‑Canadian numbers, you pay only when you need it — no locked‑in contracts.
- All‑in‑one VoIP + home‑phone + business solution: Fongo isn’t just a mobile app — its services cover mobile calls, home phone, and small business VoIP under one roof.
- Roaming-proof communication: With internet access, you avoid roaming charges and still get voicemail, caller ID, call forwarding — the same features as a regular phone plan.
⭐ Pros ✅ & ❌ Cons
- Free Canadian phone number, but international texting and some features require paid add-ons.
- Unlimited Canada-wide calling over Wi-Fi, yet call quality can drop with weak networks.
- Works globally through Fongo World Edition, but emergency calling (like 911) doesn’t work outside Canada.
- Lightweight app that runs smoothly on most devices, though it cannot operate without an internet connection.
- Great for newcomers, travellers, and budget users, but lacks features of full carrier plans (no mobile data, no native SMS).
🔧 Issues & Quick Fixes

1. Calls drop or sound robotic
Usually weak Wi-Fi or VPN issues. Switch to a stronger network, turn off VPN, or refresh connection using Airplane Mode.
2. Incoming calls not ringing
Fongo may be restricted in the background. Enable Background Activity and Unrestricted Battery Usage in phone settings.
3. Messages not sending to non-Fongo numbers
This isn’t a bug — you need an SMS/MMS add-on or enough World Credits to send messages outside Fongo/Canada.
4. Stuck on “Registering number”
Clear cache, re-verify email, and set device time to Automatic. Wrong time zones block VoIP registration.
5. Poor call quality when abroad
Some regions limit VoIP. Try a reliable VPN, switch between Wi-Fi/data, or move closer to your router.
6. App crashes on older devices
Update or reinstall the app and free storage. Old cached VoIP files can cause crashes.
7. Contacts not syncing
Enable Contacts permission → restart the app to refresh your synced phonebook.
📲 How to Download Fongo (Android & iOS)
- Visit the Google Play Store (for Android) or the Apple App Store (for iPhone/iPad).
- Search for “Fongo Mobile” (for users in Canada) or “Fongo World Edition” (for users outside Canada).
- Tap Install (Android) click here or Get / Download (iOS) click here
- Once downloaded, open the app, follow the signup steps, choose a Canadian phone number, and start calling or texting.

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