Staying connected with family, friends, or clients across the globe is essential, but it shouldn't come with a hefty price tag. Traditional mobile carriers often charge exorbitant rates for international calls, with prices ranging from $1 to $5 per minute.
Fortunately, modern technology offers far cheaper alternatives. This guide will walk you through the different ways to call internationally, compare their true costs, and show you the most effective method for saving money in 2025.
The Hidden Cost of Traditional Carriers
A typical 10-minute international call with your carrier can cost $10-50. Over a year of weekly calls, that's $5,000-26,000 in calling costs! There's a better way.
Comparing the 4 Main Ways to Call Internationally
Let's break down each method with real costs, advantages, and disadvantages so you can make an informed decision.
1. Traditional Phone Carriers (The Expensive Way)
Using your mobile provider (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, etc.) is the most convenient but also the most expensive option. You'll often pay high per-minute rates on top of a required monthly international plan.
Real Costs:
• Without plan: $1.00-$5.00 per minute
• With international plan: $10-15/month + $0.25-2.00 per minute
• Roaming charges: Additional $0.49+ per minute when traveling
• Connection fees: Often hidden $0.39-0.99 per call
Pros
- • Uses existing phone
- • No internet required
- • Familiar and simple
Cons
- • Most expensive option
- • Monthly plan required
- • Hidden fees common
- • Bill shock potential
💡 Verdict: Avoid this method unless it's an emergency. You're paying 50-250x more than necessary.
2. International Calling Cards (The Tricky Way)
Prepaid calling cards seem cheap upfront but often come with hidden fees. These can include connection charges for every call, minute rounding that overcharges you for short calls, and credits that expire quickly.
Real Costs (After Hidden Fees):
• Advertised rate: $0.02-0.05 per minute
• Connection fee: $0.39-0.99 per call
• Maintenance fee: $0.50-1.00 per week
• Actual cost: $0.05-0.25 per minute
• Credit expiry: 30-90 days
Pros
- • Cheaper than carriers
- • No monthly fees
- • Widely available
- • Works from any phone
Cons
- • Hidden fees everywhere
- • Minutes expire
- • Often poor quality
- • Complicated dialing
💡 Verdict: Can be cheap, but requires careful research to avoid hidden costs that can double your expenses.
3. VoIP Apps (The App-Dependent Way)
Services like Skype, Viber, and WhatsApp allow you to call other users of the same app for free. However, calling an actual mobile or landline number costs money, and requires you to download, install, and manage another app.
Real Costs:
• Skype: $0.023 per minute + optional $2.99/month
• Viber Out: $0.016 per minute
• Google Voice: Varies, US only
• WhatsApp: Free app-to-app, can't call regular numbers
Pros
- • Much cheaper than carriers
- • Free app-to-app calls
- • Works on WiFi
- • Extra features included
Cons
- • Requires app download
- • Both need same app
- • Quality varies
- • Some need subscriptions
💡 Verdict: Good option, but less flexible since it requires app installation and management.
4. Browser-Based Calling (The Smartest Way)
This is the evolution of VoIP. Services like StartACall let you make high-quality international calls directly from your web browser using WebRTC technology (the same tech powering Google Meet and Zoom). No apps, no downloads, no hassle.
Real Costs:
• Base rate: $0.01-0.02 per minute
• Monthly fees: $0 (truly pay-as-you-go)
• Connection fees: None
• Credit expiry: Never
• Hidden fees: Zero
Pros
- • Lowest rates available
- • No app downloads
- • Works on any device
- • Transparent pricing
- • HD voice quality
- • Credits never expire
- • Instant setup
Minor Considerations
- • Needs internet connection
- • Newer technology
- • Quality depends on internet speed (same as video calls)
💡 Verdict: The cheapest, most flexible, and most convenient method for 99% of users.
First call free • No credit card required
Real Cost Comparison: 100 Minutes of Calling
| Method | Per Minute | Monthly Fee | 100 Min Cost | Savings vs Carrier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Carrier | $2.00 | $10 | $210 | - |
| Calling Card | $0.10 | $0 | $10 | $200 (95%) |
| VoIP App | $0.023 | $0-3 | $2.30 | $207.70 (99%) |
| Browser-Based (StartACall) | $0.02 | $0 | $2.00 | $208 (99%) |
Annual Savings Breakdown
• If you make 100 minutes of international calls per month:
- Traditional carrier: $2,520/year
- Browser-based: $24/year
→ You save $2,496 per year (99% savings!)
How to Start Saving Today
Sign Up Free
Create your account in under 30 seconds. No credit card required to start.
Add Credits
Start with as little as $3. Secure payment via Stripe. Credits never expire.
Start Calling
Dial any international number and connect instantly with HD quality.
⚡ Setup takes less than 60 seconds • No credit card required
Frequently Asked Questions
The cheapest way to call an international phone number is through a browser-based VoIP service like StartACall. These services offer pay-as-you-go rates as low as $0.01-$0.02 per minute without requiring monthly subscriptions or app downloads. They are significantly more affordable than traditional carriers and avoid the hidden fees often associated with calling cards.
Ready to Stop Overpaying?
Join thousands of users who've switched to browser-based calling and are saving up to 99% on international calls.
🎉 First call free • No hidden fees • Cancel anytime