Free Call to Chile from US — $0.033/min (2026)
Call Chile free with WhatsApp or Telegram. BubblyPhone $0.033/min. Chile's reversed daylight saving explained. +56 dialing guide, WOM carrier, 4 carriers competing.
Chile is WhatsApp dominant, like most of Latin America. Nearly every Chilean uses WhatsApp for messaging and calls. Chile also has one of the most developed telecom markets in South America, with strong 4G/5G coverage and competitive carriers including the aggressive newcomer WOM.
At $0.033/min with BubblyPhone, Chile is affordable to call by phone too. Whether you're calling family in Santiago, friends in Valparaiso, or business contacts in Concepcion, here's every option from free to cheapest paid.
Chile's Reversed Daylight Saving
Chile is in the Southern Hemisphere, so its daylight saving is opposite to the US. When the US springs forward (March), Chile falls back. When the US falls back (November), Chile springs forward. This means the time difference between the US and Chile changes four times per year. Always double-check the current time difference before calling.
Free: App-to-App Calls
Both people need the app and internet. No charges, no limits.
1. WhatsApp — The Default in Chile
WhatsApp is the dominant messaging app in Chile with massive adoption. Voice and video calls are free and work reliably — Chile has strong 4G coverage in cities and good connectivity in most of the country. WhatsApp is how Chileans communicate.
Pro tip: Chilean businesses often list their WhatsApp number on websites and social media. Many restaurants, shops, and services take orders via WhatsApp.
2. Telegram — Growing Fast in Chile
Telegram is gaining significant traction in Chile, especially after WhatsApp privacy concerns. Many Chileans now have both apps. Telegram voice calls are free and high-quality. It's becoming a genuine alternative to WhatsApp.
3. Facebook Messenger — Also Popular
Facebook is widely used in Chile, and Messenger voice/video calls work well. Many Chileans have Messenger as a secondary communication app alongside WhatsApp.
4. FaceTime — Moderate iPhone Adoption
iPhone market share in Chile is around 20-25% — higher than most of South America but still Android-dominant. If your Chilean contact has an iPhone, FaceTime works great. Samsung, Xiaomi, and Huawei are more common.
Calling Chilean Phone Numbers — Competitive Rates
Chile is moderately priced for international calling — cheaper than many Asian countries but not the cheapest in Latin America:
| Service | Mobile Rate | Landline Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Voice | $0.03/min | $0.02/min | US Google account required |
| BubblyPhone | $0.033/min | $0.033/min | Browser, iOS, Android — no app needed |
| Rebtel | $0.04/min | $0.03/min | Unlimited plans available |
| Viber Out | $0.049/min | $0.049/min | Convenient if already on Viber |
| KeepCalling | $0.039/min | $0.019/min | Good value for landlines |
| AT&T / Verizon | $2.00-4.00/min | $2.00-4.00/min | Up to 120x more expensive |
Our honest take: Google Voice ($0.02-0.03/min) and BubblyPhone ($0.033/min) are very close in price for Chile. Google Voice is slightly cheaper for landlines ($0.02 vs $0.033). BubblyPhone is competitive for mobiles ($0.033 vs $0.03). Both are affordable — a 60-minute call costs under $2. But WhatsApp is free and everyone in Chile uses it.
How to Dial Chile from the US
# From a US phone:
011 + 56 + number
# From a mobile (or VoIP app):
+56 + number
# Example — calling a Santiago landline:
+56 2 2123 4567
# Example — calling a Chilean mobile:
+56 9 1234 5678
# Example — calling Valparaiso:
+56 32 212 3456
Important: Chilean mobile numbers always start with 9 after the country code: +56 9 xxxx xxxx (8 digits after the 9). Santiago landlines start with 2. When dialing domestically, numbers start with 0 — drop the 0 when dialing internationally.
Major Area Codes
- Santiago: 2
- Valparaiso: 32
- Concepcion: 41
- Temuco: 45
- Antofagasta: 55
- Vina del Mar: 32
- Punta Arenas: 61
Carriers & Mobile
- Entel: Largest carrier, strong nationwide coverage
- Movistar: Second largest (Telefonica)
- Claro: Third carrier (America Movil)
- WOM: Aggressive newcomer — very cheap plans, popular with younger users
- 4G/LTE: Excellent in cities, good along the central valley, weaker in Patagonia
Which Method Should You Use?
Calling family in Chile
WhatsApp — free, and every Chilean uses it. Voice and video calls work well on Chile's strong mobile networks. Telegram is a good backup if WhatsApp is acting up.
Calling a Chilean business
Google Voice ($0.02/min landline) or BubblyPhone ($0.033/min) — both affordable. A 30-minute call costs $0.60-0.99. Many Chilean businesses also accept WhatsApp calls.
Calling a Chilean mobile
Google Voice ($0.03/min) and BubblyPhone ($0.033/min) are nearly identical in price. Both are cheap. But WhatsApp is free.
Calling someone in Patagonia or remote Chile
Chile stretches 4,300 km north to south. Southern Patagonia and remote areas may have weaker signal. Direct phone calls are more reliable than VoIP in these areas. WhatsApp messages (not calls) work on slow connections.
Tips for Calling Chile
- Chile's time zone is tricky — Chile uses CLT (UTC-3 in summer, UTC-4 in winter), but its daylight saving is REVERSED from the US. When the US enters summer time, Chile enters winter time, and vice versa. The time difference changes four times per year. Always check the current offset before calling — it ranges from 1 to 3 hours ahead of EST depending on the time of year
- WhatsApp is the default — like the rest of Latin America, Chileans use WhatsApp for everything. It's the single most important app for communicating with people in Chile
- Chile has excellent telecom — four competitive carriers (Entel, Movistar, Claro, WOM) keep prices low and coverage good. 4G is strong in cities and along the central valley. WOM is especially popular for cheap data plans
- The world's longest country — Chile spans from the Atacama Desert to near Antarctica. Internet quality is excellent in Santiago and the central region, good along the coast, but weaker in extreme south (Patagonia) and extreme north (Atacama interior)
- Skype shut down in 2025 — if you used Skype to call Chile, switch to Google Voice ($0.02-0.03/min), BubblyPhone ($0.033/min), or WhatsApp (free)
Frequently Asked Questions
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