Lower Your Phone Bill: The Top 10 Apps for Affordable International Calling
Staying in touch with friends and family abroad used to mean racking up a hefty phone bill. International calls on a landline can cost upwards of $1 per minute. But fortunately, calling apps now let you make international calls for free or at very low rates.
In this article, we look at the 10 best apps for affordable international calling. We’ll cover key features, pricing, and pros and cons of each service. Read on to find the best app to lower your international phone costs.
Skype is one of the most well-known apps for free international calls and has been around for years. Here are the key details on Skype’s pricing and features:
- Skype-to-Skype calls are completely free to any user worldwide. This lets you make unlimited calls if both parties have Skype.
- SkypeOut credits allow you to call mobile phones and landlines in over 100 countries for as low as 2 cents per minute.
- Unlimited calling subscriptions are available for around $10/month for over 60 countries.
- Call quality is generally very good. Features include group video calling for up to 50 people.
- User experience is straightforward with a simple interface. Works across devices.
The biggest limitation is that free calls only work Skype user to Skype user. But the low per-minute rates and unlimited plans make it easy to call non-users affordably. Overall, Skype is great for both one-on-one and group international calls.
Callmama is an international calling app claiming to offer some of the lowest rates worldwide. Here are some key features:
- Per-minute rates to over 200 countries from 1 cent per minute.
- Unlimited monthly plans available for frequent callers.
- No sign-up required and no contracts. Pay-as-you-go.
- Apps for iOS and Android plus calling from any phone.
- Accepts multiple payment methods including credit card, PayPal, and Bitcoin.
With easy-to-use apps, good call quality, and low pay-as-you-go rates, Callmama is perfect for cost-conscious international callers that don’t want contracts.
As the world’s most popular messaging app, WhatsApp also allows free voice and video calls over internet data or WiFi.
- WhatsApp calls are completely free between users over data/WiFi.
- Video calls are also free, allowing you to have face-to-face conversations.
- Quality is often very good, especially on video calls.
- Over 1 billion users means you likely have international contacts already on WhatsApp.
The catch is that both callers must have WhatsApp installed. But if your international contacts use WhatsApp anyway for messaging, it’s a no-brainer free international calling option.
Google Voice is a versatile app to get a free US phone number for calling, texting, voicemail, and more. Features include:
- International rates from 1 cent/minute to many countries.
- Free texts to US/Canada and low rates internationally.
- Voicemail transcription and messaging integration.
- Call forwarding and screening. Multi-device ringing.
- Works through mobile app or website.
While not the absolute cheapest for international calls, the convenience and features of a full-service virtual number from Google makes Voice a great option.
Viber is another calling and messaging app that offers super cheap international calling through Viber Out:
- Viber-to-Viber calls are free worldwide, similar to WhatsApp.
- Viber Out calls mobile/landlines at ultra-low rates, starting around 1 cent/minute.
- Flat rate unlimited calling to select countries for a monthly fee.
- Decent call quality and reliability based on reviews.
- Easy to use apps and interface.
One advantage over WhatsApp is that you can call non-Viber numbers on mobile/landlines cheaply. Overall, Viber is a top free app for international calls.
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Line is a messaging app popular in parts of Asia that also allows low-cost international calls.
- Free Line-to-Line calls worldwide. Video calls also available.
- Line Out international calling from 1 cent/minute to over 50 countries.
- Flat rate unlimited plans available in some countries.
- Strong user base of over 200 million, especially across Asia.
- Sticker store, newsroom, and other features beyond calling/messaging.
With its strong Asia user base, Line can be a good free international calling option for contacts in those regions. Cheap Line Out rates expand the savings worldwide.
Facebook Messenger now allows free international voice and video calls over WiFi or mobile data.
- Free Messenger-to-Messenger calls worldwide.
- Call quality can be inconsistent but is typically decent.
- Easy to use — can call contacts directly from Facebook app.
- Over 1 billion Messenger users means wide international reach.
As long as both parties have Messenger/Facebook, calls are completely free including video. However, quality and connection reliability can vary compared to dedicated calling apps.
MagicApp offers a free virtual phone number and low-cost international calling:
- Get a free US or Canadian number to call and text with.
- International calling from 1 cent/minute to over 40 countries.
- Unlimited monthly plans available to top destinations.
- SMS messaging and voicemail transcription.
- Desktop apps for Windows & MacOS. Mobile app coming soon.
While call rates are very competitive, magicApp doesn’t have the household name recognition of other options. But it provides a full-featured service for international calling and messaging.
Vonage is likely the most traditional home phone provider on this list. Features include:
- U.S. customers can pick a local number for cheap international rates.
- Unlimited calling plans to some countries for $10–15 monthly.
- Home phone adapter links traditional phones to VoIP network.
- Full-featured VoIP home phone replacement.
- International prepaid calling credits available Pay-As-You-Go.
For those wanting a more traditional home phone feel alongside low international rates, Vonage is a proven option. But setup and hardware requirements are more involved than app-only services.
Dingtone provides free calls and cheap international rates:
- Get a free virtual number to call and text from.
- International calls from 1 cent/minute to major countries.
- Unlimited calling plans available for around $10 monthly.
- WiFi-calling capabilities.
- Apps for iOS, Android, Mac, Windows.
Dingtone doesn’t have the brand recognition of giants like Skype. But reviews of call quality are positive and unlimited plans are very affordable. A solid app for international calling.
Choosing the Best International Calling App
When selecting an international calling app, consider call rates to countries you’ll regularly contact, whether friends/family already use the same app, extra features beyond calling, and minimum requirements like WiFi/data access. Comparing a few top-rated options can help find the best fit for affordability and functionality.
Making international calls for just pennies per minute or even free is now possible with VoIP apps. Gone are the days of racking up a shocking phone bill after calling family abroad. With regular international communication more affordable than ever, apps like these allow us to stay connected across borders and oceans.
