Cheap international calls: the best ways to call abroad
Calling another country no longer needs expensive phone cards. Free calling apps, VoIP plans and Wi-Fi calling can cut the cost to little or nothing. Here is how each option works and when to use it.
The four cheapest ways to call abroad
1. Free app-to-app calls
If the person you are calling uses the same app, voice and video calls over the internet are usually free. Popular apps include WhatsApp, FaceTime (between Apple devices), Google Meet, Facebook Messenger, Viber and Signal. You only use data, so Wi-Fi is ideal.
Best for: family and friends who already use the same app.
2. Calling apps that dial real phone numbers
Some apps let you call ordinary landlines and mobiles in other countries for a low per-minute rate or a monthly bundle. Examples include Google Voice (from the US), Viber Out and Rebtel. Rates vary by destination, so check each app's current rates.
Best for: calling people who are not on a calling app, such as a landline or a business.
3. VoIP phone plans with international calling
Many home and business VoIP providers include calls to selected countries or sell international add-ons. Business platforms such as 8x8 offer plans that include calling to a list of countries. If you call abroad often, a plan with a bundle can be the cheapest option.
Best for: households and businesses that call the same countries regularly. Compare plans in our VoIP for home and best VoIP for small business guides.
4. A local number in another country
A virtual number in the other country lets people there call you at local rates, while it rings on your app wherever you are. See our virtual phone number guide.
Best for: businesses with overseas customers and families who want relatives to call cheaply.
Comparison of options
| Method | Cost to you | Calls real phone numbers | Needs internet | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| App-to-app (WhatsApp, FaceTime) | Usually free | No | Yes | Family and friends |
| Calling app credit | Low per minute | Yes | Yes | Occasional calls to landlines |
| VoIP plan with bundle | Included or add-on | Yes | Yes | Regular callers |
| Virtual local number abroad | Monthly fee | Receives local calls | Yes | Overseas customers |
| Mobile carrier international plan | Varies by carrier | Yes | No | Calls on the go |
What is Wi-Fi calling?
Wi-Fi calling is a feature built into most smartphones and offered by mobile carriers. It sends your normal mobile calls over a Wi-Fi network when cellular signal is weak. It uses your regular number and dialler.
For international calls, Wi-Fi calling follows your carrier's rules. Calls to your home country while you travel are often charged as domestic calls, but calls to foreign numbers usually cost the carrier's international rate. Check your carrier's policy before relying on it abroad.
Tips to keep international calls cheap
- Use Wi-Fi for app calls to avoid mobile data charges, especially when roaming.
- Check the destination rate: calling mobiles abroad often costs more than calling landlines.
- Buy a bundle if you call one country often.
- Turn off data roaming when travelling unless you have a travel plan.
- Test your connection with our VoIP speed test for clear calls.
Call quality for international calls
International app calls travel further, so latency rises a little. A stable connection with low jitter keeps calls clear. Move closer to your router, use a wired connection on computers and pause big downloads during the call.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to make international calls?
Free app-to-app calls over Wi-Fi, when both people use the same app such as WhatsApp or FaceTime. For calling real phone numbers, a calling app or a VoIP plan with an international bundle is usually cheapest.
Can I make free international calls?
Yes, if both people use the same internet calling app. Calls to ordinary landlines and mobiles abroad usually cost a small fee.
What is the best international calling app?
It depends on who you call. WhatsApp and FaceTime suit app-to-app calls; apps such as Google Voice, Viber Out and Rebtel can call real numbers for a fee. Check current rates for your destination.
Is Wi-Fi calling free for international calls?
Not always. Wi-Fi calling follows your carrier's pricing, and calls to foreign numbers usually cost the international rate. Check your carrier's policy.
Is VoIP good for calling abroad?
Yes. VoIP plans often have low international rates or bundles, and app-to-app VoIP calls are usually free.
How can I make cheap international calls from the USA?
Use free apps for app-to-app calls, Google Voice or another calling app for low-rate calls to numbers abroad, or a VoIP plan with an international add-on if you call often.
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How we write: we explain the technology in plain English and compare providers on published features. We do not invent prices; plans change often, so check current pricing with each provider. Some links may earn us a commission at no cost to you (see our affiliate disclosure).