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Best VoIP App for International Calls: How VoIP Apps Work and When a Phone Card Costs Less

A VoIP app makes international calls over the internet. Calls between two users of the same app are free. Calls to normal landlines and mobiles cost money, and a phone card is often cheaper for those.

Updated 19 October 2026

Use a VoIP app for free calls to people who use the same app and have good internet. Use a prepaid phone card for calls to landlines, basic mobiles and people with weak internet. Card rates start at 1.6c a minute.

What Is VoIP and How Does It Work?

VoIP means voice over internet protocol. A VoIP app turns your voice into data and sends it over the internet, in place of the phone network. Most calling apps on a smartphone use VoIP, and many businesses use a VoIP service as their phone system.

A VoIP app can make 2 kinds of international calls:

  • App to app. Both people use the same VoIP app. The call is free, apart from the data it uses.
  • App to phone. You call a normal landline or mobile number from the app. You pay call rates from credit in the app.

Make International Calls With a VoIP App

You can make calls with a VoIP app in 3 steps.

  1. Install the VoIP app that the other person uses.
  2. Connect to Wi-Fi, or turn on mobile data.
  3. Find the contact in the app and press call. For a call to a normal phone number, add credit first and type the number with its country code.

VoIP App vs Phone Card for International Calls

A VoIP app wins for free calls between app users. A phone card wins for calls to normal phone numbers.

VoIP app Prepaid phone card
Calls to a user of the same app Free Not applicable
Calls to landlines and mobiles Paid from app credit From 1.6c a minute
Internet connection Needed at both ends for app to app calls Not needed
Works on a landline phone No Yes
Call quality Depends on the internet connection Same as a regular phone call
Uses mobile data Yes, if you are not on Wi-Fi No

Choose the Right VoIP App: Calling Features to Check

The best VoIP app for you is the one the people you call already use.

  • Use the app your family or friends already use. Free calls need both people on one app.
  • Check the call quality on a test call. A clear call needs a strong connection at both ends.
  • Check the rates to phone numbers. If you call landlines or mobiles, compare the app’s call rates with a phone card.
  • Check your data. Video calls use much more data than voice calls. Use Wi-Fi when you can.

When a Phone Card Costs Less Than a VoIP App

A phone card costs less for calls to normal phone numbers. It is better when the person you call has a landline, a basic mobile or weak internet. It is also better when you call from a home phone, or when you have no data. You dial a local access number, so the call needs no internet connection.

Calling Landline, no fee Mobile, no fee
USA 1.9c/min Easy Calling 1.9c/min Easy Calling
UK 3.2c/min Super Deal 9.8c/min Super Deal
New Zealand 2.6c/min Super Deal 17.8c/min Super Deal
India 2.8c/min India Call 2.8c/min Hello World
China 2.4c/min Day to Day 2.4c/min Day to Day
Philippines 13.3c/min Mabuhay Pinoy 14c/min Mabuhay Pinoy
Vietnam 5.8c/min Asian Connection 5.8c/min Asian Connection
Pakistan 4.3c/min Super Deal 4.7c/min Super Deal
Sri Lanka 16.5c/min All Seasons 18.4c/min East Star
Indonesia 5c/min Hello World 5c/min Hello World
Italy 2.5c/min Golden Banana 16.7c/min Super Deal
Greece 2.7c/min Hello World 8.4c/min Hello World

Lowest rate a minute on a card with no connection fee. Checked 19 October 2026. See every country from A to Z.

Choose your country and see every card that calls it, with its rate and talk time.

Compare call rates

Frequently Asked Questions

What is VoIP and how does it work?

VoIP means voice over internet protocol. A VoIP app sends your voice as data over the internet. Calls between two users of the same app are free, apart from the data they use.

Which VoIP app is best for international calls?

The best VoIP app is the one the person you call already uses, because free calls work only between users of one app. For calls to normal phone numbers, compare the app call rates with a phone card.

Can a VoIP app call a landline overseas?

Yes, but the call is not free. You pay call rates from credit in the app. A prepaid phone card is often cheaper for calls to landlines.

Do VoIP calls use mobile data?

Yes. A VoIP call uses data when you are not on Wi-Fi, and video calls use much more than voice calls. A phone card call uses no data.

Is VoIP call quality good?

It is good on a strong connection at both ends. On a weak connection, the call can drop, echo or break up. A phone card call has the same quality as a regular phone call.

How do I use VoIP for free?

Install the same VoIP app as the person you call, connect to Wi-Fi and call from inside the app. Calls to landlines and mobiles cost money.

More Guides for Calling Overseas