15 Ways to Make Free International Calls

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woman making phone call

There are several ways to make free international calls to nearly any country to connect with family, friends, and business clients.

Now, you can make a phone call, too, without paying exorbitant fees, assuming your phone even works outside the U.S.

How to Make Free International Calls

International calls are possible because of Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) technology.

If you listen to a podcast where the host is interviewing a guest from overseas, they are most likely communicating via VOIP.

Many of these apps work with your smartphone or computer, so it’s possible to make audio-only and video calls for free international calls from any internet-connected device.

1. Skype

Skype is a free app for Android, Apple, and Windows devices. If you need to send text messages or call a cell phone or landline, you will have to pay a monthly fee.

So, in a nutshell, Skype to Skype international calls are free, but using Skype to call traditional phones costs money.

Platforms: Android and iOS

2. WhatsApp

Another commonly used app is the Facebook-owned WhatsApp. You can make voice or video calls plus send SMS messages to anybody else with the app.

WhatsApp also lets you send documents up to 100 MB in size which can make this a perfect app for business too.

Platforms: Android and iOS

3. FaceTime

If you’re connecting to another Apple user, you can use the built-in FaceTime app. You will need a Wi-Fi connection to make the call, but audio and video calls are free.

FaceTime only works between two Apple devices and is incompatible with all non-Apple devices.

Platform: iOS

4. Viber

Viber is one of the most popular apps for free international calls. You only have to choose the person from your Viber contact list and click “Free Call.”

Or, you can also open the Viber app and choose the person you want to call or chat with for free too.

Platforms: Android and iOS

5. Rebtel

What makes Rebtel cool is that you can make free international calls to over 53 countries without a data or wifi connection.

Rebtel uses local numbers to complete the call to other Rebtel users.

However, if the person you’re calling doesn’t live in one of these supported countries, you will both need to connect to wifi or a minimum 3G data connection.

Platforms: Android and iOS

6. IMO

Many VOIP apps require a 3G cellular connection or a Wi-Fi network. IMO supports international calls where only a 2G connection is available.

Even though you might have 4G LTE everywhere you go, other countries are thankful just to have the internet.

If security is a primary concern, IMO voice and video calls are encrypted.

The app even supports encrypted calls for up to six participants. How’s that for a party line?

Platform: Android

7. PopTox

PopTox makes it possible to call a regular cell phone or landline for free!

The call recipient doesn’t need the PopTox app for you to make the free phone call. You can call from your computer or the mobile PopTox app and only need an internet connection.

Although PopTox offers free phone calls, there is a limit to how many calls you can make each day. For unlimited calls, you can pay by the minute after reaching your daily limit.

Platform: Web browser

8. LINE

LINE lets you make free international calls for up to five minutes to almost any phone number in the world.

The call recipient isn’t required to have the LINE app. Your free phone call can be up to five minutes long after watching a brief advertisement.

Besides supporting international phone calls, the LINE app also lets you share text messages, photos, videos, and stickers with your friends inside the app.

Platforms: Android and iOS

9. Vonage Mobile

Vonage was a pioneer of the original VOIP movement and they still offer international calling for residential and business landlines.

Their free app is called Vonage Mobile, which lets you make voice and video calls to other Vonage Mobile users.

It’s also possible to share video messages for free too when you don’t want to make a phone call.

This app is available for Android and Apple phones and tablets with a 3G+ or wifi internet connection.

10. Tango

You don’t need to know how to dance to use Tango, but it can make the app more fun. In addition to voice and video calling, you can play games with others or wear a digital mask.

Tango supports free international calls in the following countries:

  • United States
  • Canada
  • Mexico
  • India

You can all other international destinations for a nominal fee which can still be cheaper than your current cell phone provider.

Platform: Android

11. VoipBuster

VoipBuster offers free pc-to-pc calls and mobile international app calls through MobileVOIP.

This app doesn’t support video calls or text messages and is for basic communication only.

For voice-only calls, VoipBuster can be a good option.

Platforms: Android and iOS

12. VoipStunt

The same company that owns VoipBuster also owns VoipStunt, but these two apps serve different countries.

If one app doesn’t offer free calls to your country of choice, see if the other apps does.

VoipStunt lets you make free in-app phone calls on your phone or computer to other VoipStunt users. These online calls can be an unlimited length which is also very beneficial.

This app doesn’t support text messaging or video messages, so that is one negative quality if you need a more extensive app.

Platforms: Android and iOS

13. Voxofon

While you were still thinking you would never buy a smartphone, Voxofon was one of the first apps to offer free international calls in 2008.

Now that smartphones are commonplace, it speaks volumes that Voxofon is still around and relevant today! Plus, they are still providing free calls.

The Voxofon app works on any mobile or computer device and calls between app users are free. You can also send text messages, pictures, and videos for free.

Voxofon also provides the option to call international cell phones and landlines.

Platform: Android

14. WeChat

Need to make a phone call to China? You might consider WeChat which is one of China’s most popular apps and doubles as a social media platform.

To put the popularity of WeChat into perspective, Facebook is the most popular social media network in most of the world. However, WeChat is arguably more popular in China.

WeChat offers free international calls and group video calls.

Platforms: Android and iOS

15. Google Voice

Google Voice is the most limited app on this list as you can only make free phone calls between the U.S. and Canada.

If you’re okay with this, you might like this app because it’s powered by Google.

You can even get a free phone number so you don’t have to share your current cell phone number either.

Platforms: Android and iOS

Frequently Asked Questions

How do VOIP apps make free international calls?

Most apps only allow free international calls when you call another person in the app. If you have ever FaceTimed or Skyped anybody, you are already familiar with this principle.

You communicate over the Internet instead of regular telephone lines.

Do you need an internet connection to make free international calls?

Yes. Most apps require a minimum 3G cellular data connection or connecting to a wifi hotspot.

It’s easier and more affordable to make an international call than ever before.
The one exception is the Rebtel app when you’re calling a supported country that they can dial a local number in.

Do free international calls support video calls?

Most of the apps mentioned here let you use video chat for free. You will need to use the app and have an adequate internet speed to support video. If you have a poor connection, you might only be able to make a voice-only call.

Do cell phone plans offer free international calls?

Your cell phone plan might offer free international calls. You usually have to pay more money for these plans, but it can be more cost-effective than paying by the minute without a plan.

And, if none of the free apps mentioned here work for you, this can be a decent alternative too.

Can I make free international calls from a computer?

Many apps let you make free international calls from your computer or to a computer. All that matters is that you talk to each other using the internet-powered app. You can talk on a smartphone and the other on a computer, and your call will still be free.

Quick Comparison of International Calling Apps

CompanyAndroidiOSBrowser
SkypeX
WhatsAppX
FaceTimeXX
ViberX
RebtelX
IMOXX
PopToxXX
LINEX
Vonage MobileXXX
TangoXX
VoipBusterX
VoipStuntX
VoxofonXX
WeChatX
Google VoiceX

Related: 12 Best Fax Services Near Me to Fax For Less

Summary

As you can see, many apps offer free international calls with app-to-app voice and video communication.

All you need is a reliable internet connection, and you may never have to pay for international phone calls ever again!

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19 Comments

  1. Thanks for that alternate hope it is the best option to go about..

  2. You can try Unovon voip service, it offers low cost plans to make International and local calls with great calling features. Visit http://www.unovon.com.

    1. Thanks for the suggestion!

  3. Google voice should be much higher on this list. I tried six of your recommendations before frustration finally set in and I used Google voice to call the UK from the US. If you need to call a landline, or someone without a specific app, Google voice is the way to go. Calls are just $0.01 per minute! I wasted 30 minutes trying all the NOT totally free apps. I’m not taking away from the other apps, but my phone call to London was $0.07 and frustration free. Thanks for the article.

    1. I’m glad you found the one that worked for you!

  4. Ian Jansen says:

    If I am in a foreign country using WhatsApp to phone friends overseas, why do I need to use a local sim card to call friends who live locally?

    1. The best way to get answers to your questions about WhatsApp is to go to their website and see if you can find the answers you are looking for. If not, try using their contact information found on the site to send an email and ask them your questions. I hope you get the answers you need.

  5. Also, I’d recommend Duo, as I had used this app when abroad in Morocco to call someone who was also a Duo app user, for free, both calls and video calls.

    1. That’s great and thanks for mentioning it!

  6. I recommend another app, which I recently discovered. The name is PingMe. It allows you to dial an international phone call with very good quality and a cheaper price.

    1. Thanks for mentioning that one!

  7. Most of these apps require the person you’re calling to be on the app. Also, you need to have internet connection at the particular moment to see your call immediately. Which apps call directly into the recipient’s phone without her having to install the app? Please, I need a response. Is there a free one?

    1. You’d just have to check each one out to find that out as they can all have different features.

  8. Chris Mexicotte says:

    Can I make or receive international calls between the US and France via Facebook Messenger? Will the outgoing and incoming calls show up on my cell phone bills? How can I track these calls for business phone call reimbursement if there is a charge?

    1. I don’t know about Facebook messenger, but check out #2 in this post. That might be a way for you to do it for free.

  9. This is an amazing post and I really like this blog! We are in the same blogging niche. So, could you look at mine and give me any tips? Thanks!

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  10. Vrimee | EarnFreeDollars says:

    Does Rebtel really offer free international calls? I guess we need to pay $10 or so based on the country? That’s how it worked for me.

    1. That could be true. It may not work the same for every country.