Best International Call Company in 2026
Key takeaways
- The right service depends on who you call: app-to-app calls are free, while calls to real landlines and mobiles need a paid calling service.
- Rebtel and Boss Revolution stand out for frequent callers, thanks to unlimited country plans and local access numbers.
- Google Voice is a strong low-cost option for US residents, while WhatsApp and Viber suit free calls between app users.
- Skype closed in May 2025, so any guide still listing it as a live option is out of date.
Quick comparison
| Pick | Great for | Pricing starts at | Free tier | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent callers and low-internet areas | See website | No | Visit | |
| US residents calling abroad cheaply | Free | Yes | Visit | |
| App users calling real phone numbers | See website | Yes | Visit | |
| Free app-to-app calls worldwide | Free | Yes | Visit | |
| Pay-as-you-go and unlimited plans | See website | No | Visit | |
| Low per-minute rates | See website | No | Visit | |
| Free US and Canada calls plus paid international | Free | Yes | Visit | |
| Home phone replacement with international plans | See website | No | Visit | |
| Simple prepaid international calling | See website | No | Visit |
The best international call companies
We compared these services on whether they call real phone numbers or only other app users, per-minute rates, unlimited plans, call quality, and ease of topping up. Rates change by destination, so check the rate for your exact country before you buy credit. All prices below are starting points, and the vendor site or app shows the current rate for each destination.

Rebtel is our pick for most frequent international callers. It offers unlimited monthly plans for many popular destinations, plus pay-as-you-go credit for occasional calls, so you can match the plan to how often you call. Its local access numbers are a real advantage: when internet is weak, you dial a local number and Rebtel connects the call over phone lines, which keeps calls stable where pure internet calling drops out.
The catch is that unlimited plans are priced per country, so a plan for one destination does not cover calls everywhere. Check the plan for your exact country, read the fair-use terms, and compare the monthly plan with pay-as-you-go credit if you call more than one country each month.
- Unlimited plans for many countries
- Local access numbers work without strong internet
- App-to-app calls are free
- Unlimited plan prices vary by country
- Some features differ by region

Google Voice is the simplest low-cost route for people based in the United States. Calls to US and Canada numbers are free, and international calls are charged at low per-minute rates that you can check before dialing. It works from a browser as well as a phone app, and it keeps a separate number for calls, which some people prefer for privacy.
The limit is availability. Google Voice numbers are for US residents, so it is not a general solution for callers based elsewhere. International calls are also paid, not free, so heavy callers to one country should compare Google Voice rates with an unlimited plan from Rebtel or Boss Revolution.
- Free calls within the US and Canada
- Low international per-minute rates
- Works in a browser and app
- Only available to US residents for a Google Voice number
- International rates still vary by destination

Viber covers both sides of international calling in one app. Calls and messages between Viber users are free, and Viber Out lets you call landlines and mobiles that do not use the app, at rates that are often low for popular destinations. That mix suits families where some people use the app and older relatives only have a landline.
The trade is that free calls only work app to app, so you still pay for landline calls, and rates change by country. If most of your calls go to one landline number, compare Viber Out with a pay-as-you-go specialist for that destination before you commit to credit.
- Free calls and messages between Viber users
- Low-cost Viber Out calls to landlines and mobiles
- Wide global user base
- Paid rates vary by destination
- The other person needs the app for free calls
WhatsApp is the default free option for most international families, and for good reason. Voice and video calls between WhatsApp users cost nothing beyond data, calls are encrypted, and the app is already installed on many phones around the world. For daily chats with relatives who have smartphones, it is hard to beat.
The limit is that WhatsApp cannot dial a landline or a mobile number that does not use WhatsApp. If you need to reach a business, a hospital, or a relative without a smartphone, pair WhatsApp with a paid service such as Rebtel, Viber Out, or Boss Revolution rather than expecting one app to do everything.
- Free voice and video calls between users
- End-to-end encrypted calls
- Huge global reach
- Cannot call landlines or mobiles without the app
- Needs a good internet connection
Boss Revolution suits callers who want flexibility without a monthly bill. You can add credit and pay only for the minutes you use, or pick an unlimited plan for a country you call often. The app also supports free app-to-app calls and money transfer features, which some families use alongside calling.
Rates and plan availability depend on where you live, so the US, UK, and Canada offers differ. Check the rate for your home country and destination together, and note that an unlimited plan for one country does not cover calls to other countries.
- Pay-as-you-go credit with no subscription
- Unlimited plans for many destinations
- Free app-to-app calls
- Rates and plans vary by your home country
- Unlimited plans cover selected destinations only
Localphone is a quiet specialist that competes mainly on price. Its per-minute rates on many routes are among the lowest we found, and it offers local numbers that make calling a regular contact feel like a local call. For a caller who watches every cent and calls the same numbers each week, that focus is a strength.
The trade is a smaller feature set. Localphone does not try to be a messaging app or a money transfer service, and its brand is less well known than Rebtel or Viber. If you want one app for calls, messages, and video, look elsewhere, but if price per minute is the main test, Localphone deserves a check.
- Very low rates on many routes
- Local numbers for frequent contacts
- Simple prepaid credit
- Smaller brand than the leaders
- Fewer extra features than full apps
TextNow is best known for a free US and Canada phone number, and that free tier is genuinely useful for people who need a second number. International calling sits on top of that base service, so it works as a secondary option for occasional calls abroad rather than as a dedicated international specialist.
The catch is focus. TextNow does not offer the same range of unlimited international plans as Rebtel or Boss Revolution, and the free service is supported by ads. Use it as a free US number and an occasional international backup, and pick a specialist for heavy international use.
- Free US and Canada calling with a free number
- Ad-supported free tier
- Paid international options
- International calling is an add-on, not the core focus
- Free tier is ad-supported
Vonage fits households that want to replace a traditional home phone line. It provides a home number that works over the internet, with plans that include international calling to selected countries. For a family that still uses a home phone and calls relatives abroad from it, Vonage keeps the familiar setup while cutting the cost of a traditional line.
Casual mobile callers will find Vonage heavier than needed. It is a monthly subscription service, not a pay-as-you-go app, and setup takes more effort than downloading an app. Choose it for a home phone replacement, not for a single trip or a few calls a month.
- Full home phone service over the internet
- International calling plans
- Keeps a regular home number
- Monthly subscription required
- More service than a casual caller needs
Amantel keeps international calling simple. You buy prepaid credit, dial, and pay per minute, with no monthly subscription to manage. That model suits occasional callers who want to call a real phone number abroad without learning a new app or committing to a plan.
The trade is a thinner app experience. Amantel does not offer the messaging, video, or money features of larger platforms, and its rates still vary by destination. Check the rate for your country before buying credit, and keep the balance small until you have tested call quality on your route.
- Simple prepaid credit model
- Calls to landlines and mobiles worldwide
- No subscription required
- Fewer app features than larger rivals
- Rates vary by destination
How we picked these
We compared official rate pages, plan descriptions, app store listings, and public guides to current international calling options. We required each service to exist and work in October 2026, and we excluded Skype, which closed in May 2025. We favored services that call real phone numbers as well as app users, publish rates by destination, and offer either pay-as-you-go credit or an unlimited plan, and we kept free app-to-app options for families who only call other app users.
How to choose the right international calling service
Start with who you are calling
If the other person uses a smartphone app, WhatsApp or Viber gives you free calls with no extra cost. If you need to reach a landline, a business, or a phone without the app, you need a paid service such as Rebtel, Viber Out, Boss Revolution, or Localphone. Write down your top three destinations and numbers before you compare, since the best service for one country is not always the best for another.
Compare the real cost for your route
Per-minute rates, connection fees, and plan prices all change the total. A low per-minute rate with a connection fee can cost more than a slightly higher rate with no fee, and an unlimited plan only saves money if you call that country often enough to beat pay-as-you-go. Test a small credit purchase first, check the rate in the app before each call, and watch for credit expiry rules.
Check quality and backup options
Internet quality changes call quality, so a service with local access numbers, such as Rebtel, helps when Wi-Fi is weak. Keep a second option ready for important calls, such as a free app plus a paid service, so one outage does not cut you off. Also check that the service supports the country you call, since coverage lists differ even among large providers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to call internationally?
Free app-to-app calls on WhatsApp or Viber cost nothing beyond data, and they are the cheapest option when both people use the same app. For calls to real phone numbers, compare per-minute rates for your exact destination across Rebtel, Google Voice, Boss Revolution, and Localphone, since the cheapest route changes by country.
Can I call a landline from another country for free?
No, free calls normally only work between users of the same app. Calling a landline or a mobile without the app requires a paid service, even when the app itself is free to download. Viber Out, Rebtel, and Boss Revolution all sell that kind of call, at rates that vary by destination.
Is Skype still available for international calls?
No, Skype closed in May 2025, and Skype credit is no longer sold. Former Skype users should move to Google Voice, Rebtel, Viber Out, or WhatsApp, depending on whether they call app users or real phone numbers.
Do unlimited international calling plans really mean unlimited?
Unlimited plans normally cover calls to one country or a set of countries, for personal use, under fair-use terms. They do not cover every destination, and commercial use or very unusual calling patterns can be restricted. Read the plan terms for your country before you subscribe.
Do I need internet to make an international call?
Not always. Pure app calls need Wi-Fi or mobile data, but services with local access numbers, such as Rebtel, can connect through local phone lines when internet is weak. Check the method your service uses, and keep a backup option for areas with poor coverage.
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