Virtual Number Cost And Your First Trial Call
StartACall does not provide free numbers. A United States or Canadian virtual number costs $2.14 per month. The free part is the first trial call, not the number.
What you get
- Understand the difference between a paid calling number and the first free trial call
- Choose a United States or Canadian number for $2.14 per month, not a free number
- Use the number for receiving and making calls, with no text messages
How it works
Check monthly cost
Review the monthly number cost before choosing a number
Try browser calling
Use the first trial call to try browser calling
Choose a number
Choose a United States or Canadian number only if paid calling service fits your needs
Why people use StartACall
Instant setup
Start calling in seconds from any browser. Nothing to install.
Pay as you go
Per minute pricing, no monthly plan, and your credit never expires.
No app, no SIM
Works in Chrome, Safari, Edge and Firefox on desktop and mobile.
What does a virtual number cost and can you try a call first?
A virtual number costs 2.14 dollars per month. New users can also make a short free first call before adding prepaid credit, although some destinations are excluded from that trial. The trial is not a credit balance, cannot be granted manually, and cannot be extended. StartACall provides virtual numbers for the United States and Canada only. They make and receive voice calls, but do not support SMS. Keep the number product separate from the trial call: the number has its monthly charge, while ordinary international browser calls are prepaid and billed per minute. If you only want to test whether calling from a browser suits you, make the eligible first call. If you need a continuing US or Canadian voice number, budget for the monthly number charge as well.
What the short first call is for
The free first call lets a new user experience the basic call flow without committing to a recurring calling plan. Calls reach any phone number in 195+ countries from a browser tab, and regular calls are prepaid rather than subscription based. The first call is deliberately short, so use it to check the connection, browser permissions, audio setup, and the practical process of placing a call. Do not plan an important long conversation around it. Some destinations do not qualify, so an excluded destination cannot be used as a workaround or converted into a trial call. If the call you need is not eligible, add prepaid credit and make the call normally. The trial is a one time introduction, not a promise of free calls or a feature that support can alter.
Why a trial call may not be available to every destination
Trial eligibility is limited for some destinations. That limitation means you should verify the destination before relying on a first call for a time sensitive conversation. It does not mean the service cannot call that country in normal use. StartACall can reach any phone number in 195+ countries from a browser tab, with prepaid calls billed per minute. The exclusion applies to the free first call, not to the general statement of calling reach. Do not ask for the free call to be enabled for an excluded route, added after it has been used, or extended beyond its short duration. Those changes are not available. A practical alternative is to test audio with an eligible first call if one is available, then add prepaid credit for the destination you actually need to call.
Separate number costs from calling costs
The 2.14 dollar monthly amount pays for the virtual number, not for unlimited calling. A virtual number can be a useful voice contact point when you want a US or Canadian number that makes and receives calls. Outbound browser calls use prepaid credit and are billed per minute, with no calling subscription. Treat these as two different decisions. First decide whether you need a persistent North American voice number. Then estimate how often and how long you expect to call internationally. The number is available only for the United States and Canada, while the browser calling service can call phone numbers in 195+ countries. A number does not expand number availability to other countries, and calling reach does not mean a virtual number is offered in every destination.
When a virtual number makes sense after a trial
Choose a virtual number when people need a US or Canadian voice number to reach you, or when you need to make calls with that number. It is useful for ongoing voice contact, not for temporary text verification or messaging because SMS is not supported. After a first call, ask whether the browser experience worked for the way you communicate and whether callers would benefit from a North American number. If the answer is yes, select the country and area code that best matches your audience and keep the 2.14 dollar monthly cost in your budget. If you only need occasional outbound international calls, prepaid browser calling may be the simpler choice. Your physical location does not prevent use from the UK, but it does not make a United Kingdom virtual number available through this product.
Prepare before placing the call
Before using a first call, use a supported browser tab, allow microphone access when prompted, and have the full destination number ready. Choose a quiet place and make sure the person you are calling expects a short test conversation. If the trial is available for that destination, use the limited time to confirm you can hear each other. If it is not available, do not delay an important call while trying to obtain an exception. Add prepaid credit instead. For a virtual number, test both an incoming and an outgoing voice call before sharing it with customers or family. Explain that the number is for calls only and provide another contact method for texts. This avoids confusion and keeps the trial, calling service, and number product in their proper roles.
Free first call and virtual number costs
| Short free first call | US or Canadian virtual number | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Test the browser calling experience | Ongoing voice number |
| Cost | Free for an eligible new user | 2.14 dollars per month |
| Duration | Short and not extendable | Available while maintained |
| Destination scope | Some destinations excluded | Number availability is US and Canada only |
| SMS | Not applicable | Not supported |
Common questions
How much is a virtual number?
A United States or Canadian virtual number costs 2.14 dollars per month.
Is the first call free?
A new user gets a short free first call, subject to destination eligibility.
Can the free first call be extended?
No. It cannot be granted or extended.
Are all destinations eligible for the trial?
No. Some destinations are excluded from the free first call.
Does a virtual number support text messages?
No. It makes and receives calls but does not support SMS.
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