If you're still calling internationally through your carrier, you're paying 10-50x what you should. Here's the actual landscape of international calling in 2026, from cheapest to most expensive.
The free options (use these first)
WhatsApp / Signal / Telegram (free over Wi-Fi or data)
If both you and the person you're calling have the app installed, calls are free. WhatsApp has 2.4 billion users, so for most countries, the person you're calling already has it. Quality is excellent on Wi-Fi, very good on 4G/5G.
Best for: Calling friends and family who have smartphones. Works to any country. Catch: Both parties need the app. Doesn't work for landlines or people without smartphones.
FaceTime (free, Apple-only)
Free between Apple devices. iOS 17+ added FaceTime audio calls that work on Wi-Fi to any other Apple user.
Best for: Family with iPhones. Catch: Both parties need an Apple device.
Google Voice (free US-to-Canada, cheap elsewhere)
Free from US to Canada. Calls to other countries are 1-3¢/minute for most major destinations. Setup requires a US phone number.
Best for: US users with frequent international calling needs. Catch: US-only signup. Some destinations are excluded.
Near-free options (1-5¢/minute)
Skype Credit
Skype-to-Skype is free. Calls to landlines and mobiles are 2-25¢/minute depending on country. Subscriptions ($3-15/month) bring this lower for frequent callers.
| Destination | Per-minute |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom landline | 2.3¢ |
| India mobile | 1.7¢ |
| Philippines mobile | 17¢ |
| Mexico landline | 1.5¢ |
| Germany landline | 2.4¢ |
Viber Out
Similar to Skype Credit. Slightly cheaper for some destinations. Lower minimum top-up.
Rebtel
Specialized in international calling, often cheaper than Skype for African and Asian destinations. Good app reliability.
TextNow
Free US calls + cheap international rates. Ad-supported in the free tier.
Carrier add-on plans (5-20¢/minute)
If you make occasional international calls and want simplicity, US carriers offer monthly add-ons:
- AT&T International Day Pass — $10/day in 200+ countries (use only on travel days)
- T-Mobile Magenta Plus — unlimited calls to 70+ countries included
- Verizon TravelPass — $10/day in 185+ countries
These are good for travelers but expensive for regular international callers from home.
Pay-per-minute carrier rates (the bad option)
Without an add-on, calling internationally on your normal carrier plan costs:
| Carrier | Average rate to most countries |
|---|---|
| AT&T | $1.50-3.00/min |
| Verizon | $1.50-3.50/min |
| T-Mobile | $0.20-2.99/min |
A 30-minute call from AT&T to Germany without an add-on can cost $90. The same call on Skype costs $0.72. Always check before dialing internationally on cellular without an app.
Best app per region
| Calling to | Best free option | Best paid option |
|---|---|---|
| Europe | Skype (2-3¢/min) | |
| Latin America | Google Voice (1-2¢/min) | |
| India | Skype (1.7¢/min) | |
| Philippines | Viber Out (15¢/min) | |
| China | WeChat (only option) | Skype (2¢/min) |
| Africa | Rebtel | |
| Russia | Telegram | Skype |
| Japan | LINE | Skype (2.3¢/min) |
| Korea | KakaoTalk | Skype |
Tips for getting the best rates
- Check the destination's preferred app first. WhatsApp dominates Latin America, Europe, and Africa. WeChat is essential for China. LINE for Japan. KakaoTalk for Korea.
- Always try the free option first. Even if quality is mediocre, it's literally free.
- Buy carrier add-ons before you travel, not after. Costs are 10x higher if you forget and dial internationally on your home plan.
- Use Wi-Fi when possible. App calls over Wi-Fi don't count against your data plan.
- Avoid hotel phone lines. Hotels charge $5-15/minute connection fees on top of carrier rates.
Bottom line
If you're calling someone with a smartphone, use WhatsApp. It's free, the quality is good, and it works in 200+ countries. For landlines or feature phones, Skype is the universal cheap option. The only time you should use carrier rates is when you're somewhere without internet access and you absolutely have to make a call right now.