Best International Calling Apps and Services (2026 Comparison)
Table of Contents
- Quick Comparison: All 7 Services
- 1. BubblyPhone — Best Overall
- 2. Google Voice — Best for US-Based Callers
- 3. WhatsApp — Best for Free App-to-App Calls
- 4. Viber Out — Best for Viber Users
- 5. Rebtel — Best for Unlimited Plans
- 6. Vonage — Best for Home Phone Replacement
- 7. TextNow — Best for Free US Number
- Rate Comparison: Popular Destinations
- How to Choose
- Bottom Line
- Keep Reading
Looking for the best app to make cheap international calls? The market has changed a lot since Skype shut down in 2025. Some apps are free but limited, others are cheap but require subscriptions, and some do not even need an app at all.
We tested the most popular international calling services in 2026 and ranked them based on what actually matters: call rates, quality, ease of use, and hidden costs.
Quick Comparison: All 7 Services
1. BubblyPhone — Best Overall
BubblyPhone takes the top spot for one reason: it removes every barrier to making an international call. No app download, no subscription, no hardware. Open your browser, enter a number, call. Done.
- Rates: From $0.01/min (landlines) to $0.15/min (expensive destinations)
- Pros: No app, no subscription, transparent pricing, works on any device
- Cons: No video calling, no messaging, no free app-to-app calls
- Ideal user: Anyone who wants the simplest, cheapest way to call a phone number abroad
Why #1: Most people searching for an "international calling app" actually just want to make a quick, cheap call. BubblyPhone does this with the least friction of any service.
2. Google Voice — Best for US-Based Callers
Google Voice gives you a free US phone number and competitive international rates. It integrates with Gmail and Google's ecosystem, making it convenient if you are already a Google user.
- Rates: From $0.01/min, free US/Canada calls
- Pros: Free US number, integrates with Google, no subscription
- Cons: US-only registration, requires US phone number, no UK/EU availability
- Ideal user: US residents who want a secondary number with international calling
3. WhatsApp — Best for Free App-to-App Calls
WhatsApp is the world's most popular messaging app with 2+ billion users. Voice and video calls are free — but only to other WhatsApp users. You cannot call regular phone numbers.
- Rates: Free (internet calls only)
- Pros: Free, excellent quality on good connections, video calling, ubiquitous
- Cons: Cannot call landlines/mobiles, both sides need the app, quality depends on both connections
- Ideal user: Calling family and friends who already use WhatsApp
4. Viber Out — Best for Viber Users
Viber Out is the paid calling feature within the Viber messaging app. If you already use Viber for messaging, it is a convenient add-on for calling regular phone numbers.
- Rates: From $0.01/min with plans, $0.06-$0.20/min pay-as-you-go
- Pros: Built into Viber, country-specific plans available, decent quality
- Cons: Requires Viber app, pay-as-you-go rates are high, caller ID costs extra
- Ideal user: Existing Viber users who occasionally call regular numbers
5. Rebtel — Best for Unlimited Plans
Rebtel specialises in unlimited calling plans to specific countries. If you call one country daily for long durations, their unlimited plans can be the most cost-effective option.
- Rates: Unlimited from $5-$15/month per country, or $0.01-$0.15/min pay-as-you-go
- Pros: Truly unlimited calling to select countries, good quality
- Cons: Expensive per-minute without a plan, limited country selection, requires subscription
- Ideal user: Someone who calls one country every day for 30+ minutes
6. Vonage — Best for Home Phone Replacement
Vonage's consumer product turns your home phone into a VoIP line. It includes US/Canada unlimited calling and international rates. But it is an aging product that requires hardware.
- Rates: Included in plans ($9.99-$27.99/month), or per-minute credit
- Pros: Works with existing home phone, unlimited US/Canada, established brand
- Cons: Monthly subscription required, aging product, hardware needed
- Ideal user: Someone who wants to replace their home phone service
7. TextNow — Best for Free US Number
TextNow gives you a free US phone number with ad-supported free calling to US/Canada. International rates are available but limited.
- Rates: Free US/Canada (ad-supported), international from $0.01/min
- Pros: Free US number, free domestic calls, no subscription needed
- Cons: Ad-supported, limited international destinations, call quality varies
- Ideal user: Someone who primarily needs a free US number with occasional international calls
Rate Comparison: Popular Destinations
How to Choose
- Want the simplest option → BubblyPhone (no app, no subscription)
- Already use Google → Google Voice
- Both sides have smartphones → WhatsApp (free)
- Already use Viber → Viber Out
- Call one country daily → Rebtel unlimited plan
- Need a home phone → Vonage
- Need a free US number → TextNow
Bottom Line
For most people, the best "international calling app" is actually not an app at all. BubblyPhone in your browser gives you the lowest rates, zero setup, and works on any device. If both sides have WhatsApp, use that for free. For everything else — landlines, businesses, people without apps — BubblyPhone is the answer.
