Alexis Kestler
Hey there!
Have you ever racked up a shocking phone bill from calling family or friends abroad? Or avoided calling loved ones as much as you‘d like because of the insane fees involved? I‘ve been there too. Thankfully, those days are gone for good. There are now so many great apps and tools to help us stay connected with people internationally for cheap or even free!
In the past, phone companies could charge upwards of $1 per minute for international calls. They took advantage of the fact that we lacked alternatives. With today‘s internet-powered apps, we can finally bypass the traditional phone networks and their exorbitant long distance rates.
These clever apps enable voice calls over the internet, also known as Voice over IP or VoIP. By using VoIP, the calls are routed over data networks rather than phone lines. We only have to pay for a small amount of data usage rather than getting hit with those giant international calling charges from the carriers.
The savings are massive compared to conventional calling rates. And most apps let you call for free over WiFi, saving even more. The convenience of calling from your smartphone or computer no matter where you are in the world is pretty great too!
Just how much can you save? Here are some numbers:
| Calling from | Calling to | Traditional rate* | App rate** |
| USA | UK | $1.15/min | Free |
| Canada | France | $1.25/min | $0.013/min |
| Australia | India | $1.45/min | $0.026/min |
*Traditional calling rates from major carriers
**App rates using Skype credits
As you can see, the savings really add up. You‘d be paying over $1 per minute traditionally, but just pennies with these international calling apps!
Some of the most popular apps for cheap international calling include FaceTime, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Skype, and Google Voice. But there are also cool lesser known tools like PopTox, JustCall, and Rebtel. I‘ll overview the best of the bunch to help you decide which might be right for your needs.
FaceTime
Apple users rejoice! You can video chat or voice call other iPhone, iPad, or Mac users for FREE with FaceTime. The call quality is fantastic too. The only catch is that both sides need an Apple device and need to be on WiFi. But for Apple-to-Apple calls, it can‘t be beat.
With over 2 billion users globally, WhatsApp is hands down the most ubiquitous international calling app. I love it because it works great on both iPhone and Android. You can call or video chat other WhatsApp users for free over WiFi or mobile data. It won‘t work for calling non-users though.
Facebook Messenger
For calling other Facebook friends and family abroad, Facebook Messenger can be a good free option. Like WhatsApp, Messenger uses your data plan for mobile and is free over WiFi. Call quality can be mixed though.
Skype
Skype is the old stalwart in this space but still relevant. Skype-to-Skype calls are free. To call mobiles and landlines Skype charges low rates starting at around 2 cents/minute. You need to buy Skype Credit upfront.
Google Voice
Google Voice is free for calls within the U.S. and Canada. For international calls, rates start at 1 cent per minute. The rates aren‘t as cheap as Skype but it‘s useful for smoothing out a patchy data connection.
Now let‘s look at some of the more innovative apps shaking up international calling:
Rebtel – Assigns you a local number in over 50 countries. Friends abroad pay local rates to call you, saving them money too.
SnapTalk – Uses artificial intelligence to analyze your voice and provide HD quality calls. Good for spotty connections.
PopTox – Lets you call 8 countries free when both sides have the app. France, Germany, USA, etc.
JustCall – Cheap international calls using callback feature and credits. Free calls to some destinations.
TalkU – Get local virtual phone numbers in 40+ countries and enjoy low rate calls.
The best app depends on who you call most, whether you need to reach mobiles or landlines, and your priorities around call quality. Here are some tips to maximize savings:
- Use WiFi for free calling whenever you can
- Buy credits in bulk to get better rates (Skype, etc.)
- Try calling earlier or later to avoid peak time surcharges
While most people just need to call mobiles and the occasional landline these days, you can use Skype or virtual numbers if you need more landline access.
Frequent travelers will love apps like WhatsApp and FaceTime that let you call over WiFi when cell service is spotty or costs a fortune. For better call quality from the road, SnapTalk optimizes sound using AI.
Businesses can often benefit from full-featured VoIP solutions like RingCentral which include international calling plans starting at $5/month.
As you can see, we live in an amazing time where apps have solved the prohibitively expensive international calling problem once and for all. It‘s now easy and affordable to stay connected with friends and family worldwide. I suggest downloading a couple of these apps to see which you like best. Happy calling!
Let me know if you have any other questions!
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