If you ever been assigned to work internationally or have a loved one who is or maybe you have family in another country, you know how expensive international calling rates can be. And you don’t want to have to sacrifice your relationships due to the prohibitive costs involved in calling internationally.
The good news is that VOIP has provided some excellent, super cheap international call rates opportunities – and mobile calling has quickly seen prices drop recently as well. If you have a high volume of international call minutes, I personally favor Ooma, which only charges monthly use taxes for the device (which can connect to any broadband internet connection and a router), in addition to the rates highlighted below. I’ll cover the rates involved with some of the most popular low cost international call plan providers out there.
Google Voice
Right now all calls made within Google Voice in the U.S. are free to Canada and the U.S. But did you know that you can also purchase low cost international minutes via Google Voice? You can make the calls via your mobile phone, by calling in to Google Voice with any phone, or even through a Google Chat window. And the international call rates are cheap.
Here is a list of Google Voice international rates by country:
- Canada – Free (landline/mobile)
- China – $0.04/minute (landline/mobile)
- U.K. – $0.01/minute (landline), mobile varies
- Mexico – $0.01/minute (landline), $0.02 (mobile)
Outside of international calls, Google Voice is free.
In order to make international calls with Google Voice, you’ll need to add credit. At the top right, click “Settings”, on the left, click “Payments”, next to “Current balance,” click “Add credit” and select amount.
Skype
Skype to Skype calls are free worldwide, making it a great fit if those you are communicating with also have a Skype account. If they don’t, and you are calling a land-line or mobile with your account, Skype international rates are still pretty cheap for landline VOIP (mobile varies based on region):
- Canada – $0.023/minute + $0.049 connection fee
- China – $0.06/minute + $0.049 connection fee
- U.K. – $0.023/minute + $0.049 connection fee
- Mexico – $0.01/minute + $0.049 connection fee
Skype also offers up different packages for where you call the most:
- Unlimited Latin America – $8.49/month
- Unlimited North America (U.S./Canada/Mexico/others) – $5.94/month
- Unlimited World (63 top countries) – $11.89/month
Compared to Google Voice, Skype would be a better method if both parties have a Skype account. Otherwise, Google Voice is a bit cheaper.
Ooma
I’m a big fan of Ooma because it can completely eliminate your land-line costs and cut your cell use, all while enjoying the same user experience and clarity that a land-line provides. And if you make a lot of international calls, Ooma becomes an even better deal.
You have a few different options with Ooma, but if you buy in bulk or via a 1,000 minute plan, you really have a chance to save. The monthly plans allow you to call 60 of the most commonly called countries (including Canada, China, UK, Mexico, France, and Australia) at a flat fee of $17.99 per month. Without a plan, Ooma international call rates are still pretty low:
- Canada – $0.014/minute (free in $9.99/month “Premier” plan)
- China – $0.025/minute
- U.K. – $0.028/minute
- Mexico – $0.029/minute (free in $9.99/month “Premier” plan)
Ooma also offers 2 expanded international plans:
- “World Plan”: Includes unlimited minutes to landlines in over 60 countries and to mobile phones in over 10 countries for only $17.99 a month.
- “World Plus Plan”: Includes unlimited calling to landlines in over 70 countries and to mobile phones in over 40 countries for only $25.99 per month.
Check out my Ooma Review for more on the Ooma VOIP system. You can buy an Ooma phone unit for about $79 on Amazon.
Vonage
Vonage for Home (formerly “Vonage”) is a bit on the pricier end from a monthly subscription standpoint. You’re probably better off going with an Ooma if you want a VOIP unit that you don’t need to have a computer turned on to use or a cheap data plan to burn through. Both Ooma and Vonage for Home are stand-alone units that replicate a land-line experience.
Vonage offers 2 different international plans:
- “North America” ($9.99/month): unlimited calls to U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico
- “World Prime” ($14.99/month): unlimited calls to U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico and international calling to over 60 additional countries
Cheap International Call Rate Discussion:
- What other methods have you found to make cheap or free international calls?
- What is your preferred international call provider? Why?
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Good comparisons. Do you have any information on Magic Jack? Ive always heard its the one good “made for tv” product!
I wasn’t able to find Magic Jack’s international rates. And I haven’t heard the greatest about them.
I use Skype very often to call abroad and I haven’t compared the prices with the competition because I am happy with their service (voicemail, landline number that rings directly in skype, quality of the communication,etc…). How do the other companies compared to Skype in regard to the audio quality?
Ooma is excellent – better than landline, in my opinion. Google Voice is good, but probably not as good as Ooma. I have not used Skype or Vonage.
Thank you for your answer. I think I will try Ooma and I will report back on how it compares to Skype.
My wife calls her family in the Philippines. Looks like per minute rates is best w/ Google Voice at 11 cents/minute calling a landline over there. I’ll have to explore the OOMA (which I own) 1000 or 500 min plan to see if it would be worth our while. I don’t believe my wife currently uses $10 worth a month using Verizon Int’l calling cards ($0.11/min when bought on sale BOGOF).
Looks like the 500 min plan is only an additional (we have the Premier package) $4.99/month which comes out to 1 cents/min if she uses the entire 500 min/month. I wonder if when she uses it all up it is just gone or is she allowed to go over the 500 min and be charged the ‘normal’ rate?
It doesn’t matter anyway since the Philippines is not on OOMA’s list of supported countries.
Can’t find cheap int’l calling for this country.
I prefer calling with Ooma for international calls.
Skype has the added benefit of video!
I prefer Skype for not only cheap rate. The quality of video and voice they are providing.. Specially I got great service of voice quality in New version of skype.
What is the rate for calling other countries (not included in the 40 counries) to call mobile or landline with unlimited worldwide plan for $13.99
I use toolani to make cheap calls abroad. Call to China only cost 1c.
Thank you for the info on Toolani, this seems to be a very good option.
You may also look at Otubio. Also has competitive international rates as well. Definitely cheaper than Skype and Vonage. Call quality is pretty good too.
I saw the india unlimited plan for $9.99. Any restrictions or fair use policy?