At a glance
Why messaging apps are not enough
WhatsApp and other messaging apps call your contacts on the same app over the internet. That works for friends, but not for the bank that froze your card, the airline desk or the hotel that lost your booking. Those are regular phone lines, and you need an app that calls the phone network.
How we picked
Every app here calls real landlines. We compared where you can call from, whether credit expires and whether a subscription is needed. We did not rank on per-minute price, because every app’s rate depends on the country and on whether you call a mobile or a landline. Check the rate for your destination before you top up.
Before you call
Phone menus ask you to press keys, so use the in-call keypad. Have your booking or account number ready, and call from Wi-Fi if you can.
No. 1, our pick
CallTuv
Best for calling banks, airlines and hotels from abroad
Reaches the landlines messaging apps cannot, from the browser or your phone, with key presses that work in phone menus and credit that never expires.
What we like
- Call from the browser, iPhone or Android on one balance
- Credit never expires, and no subscription is needed
- Landlines and mobiles in 232 destinations, rates from $0.03 a minute
- Free verified caller ID, so people see your own number
Keep in mind
- Outgoing calls only, it cannot receive calls or texts
- One call at a time per account
- Call from
- Browser, iOS, Android
- Calls landlines
- Yes
- Credit expiry
- Never
- Subscription needed
- No
No. 2
Yolla
Best for people who want browser calling
Calls landlines from the browser or phone, showing your own number.
What we like
- Calls from the browser with nothing to install
- Shows your own number to the person you call
Keep in mind
- Credit goes inactive after 365 days unused, until you log in again
- Optional minute bundles renew automatically
- Call from
- Browser, iOS, Android
- Calls landlines
- Yes
- Credit expiry
- Inactive after 1 year
- Subscription needed
- No
No. 3
Rebtel
Best for regular callers to one country
Calls landlines and mobiles from its mobile apps.
What we like
- Shows your own number to the person you call
- Pay-as-you-go credit or optional country plans
Keep in mind
- Calls are made in the iOS or Android app, or by access number
- Credit expires after a year with no activity
- Call from
- iOS, Android
- Calls landlines
- Yes
- Credit expiry
- After 1 year inactive
- Subscription needed
- No
No. 4
BOSS Revolution
Best for people who call the same country often
Pay-as-you-go or plan calling to landlines and mobiles in the countries it serves.
What we like
- Pay as you go or monthly plans
- Calls landlines and mobiles in the countries it serves
Keep in mind
- Calls through 800 access numbers cost 1.5 cents a minute extra
- Balance lapses a year after your last call or top-up
- Call from
- iOS, Android, access numbers
- Calls landlines
- Yes
- Credit expiry
- 1 year after last use
- Subscription needed
- No
No. 5
Google Voice
Best for US residents
Calls landlines from the browser and apps, for people in the US.
What we like
- Calls from the browser and from apps
- Calls show your Google Voice number
Keep in mind
- Only available in the US
- Credit expires 6 months after last use, and the balance is capped at $70
- Call from
- Browser, iOS, Android
- Calls landlines
- Yes
- Credit expiry
- 6 months after last use
- Subscription needed
- No
Compare all five
| Our pickCallTuv | No. 2Yolla | No. 3Rebtel | No. 4BOSS Revolution | No. 5Google Voice | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Call from | Browser, iOS, Android | Browser, iOS, Android | iOS, Android | iOS, Android, access numbers | Browser, iOS, Android |
| Calls landlines | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Credit expiry | Never | Inactive after 1 year | After 1 year inactive | 1 year after last use | 6 months after last use |
| Subscription needed | No | No | No | No | No |
