At a glance
- 1CallTuvAnyone who calls abroad now and then and does not want credit to lapse
- 2RebtelRegular callers to one country who are happy to use an app
- 3YollaPeople who want browser calling as well as an app
- 4Talk360People who only call from their phone
- 5Viber OutExisting Viber users who sometimes call a landline
How we picked
Every app here calls real landlines and mobiles, so the person you call just answers their phone. We compared where you can make calls from, whether your credit expires, whether you need a subscription, and what the other person sees. 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.
Why credit expiry matters
Most calling apps let unused credit lapse or freeze after six to twelve months without a call. If you only call abroad a few times a year, that can quietly cost you money. Check the expiry rule before you buy a larger top-up.
Before you call
Make sure you are on Wi-Fi or mobile data, check the rate for the country you are calling, and add the full international number with its country code.
No. 1, our pick
CallTuv
Best for anyone who calls abroad now and then and does not want credit to lapse
Calls regular phones in 232 destinations from the browser or the app on one balance, with credit that never expires and no subscription.
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
Rebtel
Best for regular callers to one country who are happy to use an app
A well-known calling app with pay-as-you-go credit or country plans, used 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. 3
Yolla
Best for people who want browser calling as well as an app
Works in the browser as well as on phones, and shows your own number when you call.
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. 4
Talk360
Best for people who only call from their phone
Prepaid credit with no contracts and live chat in the app, but mobile only.
What we like
- Prepaid credit with no contracts
- In-app live chat support
Keep in mind
- Calls are made in the iOS or Android app
- Credit expires after 12 months with no activity
- Call from
- iOS, Android
- Calls landlines
- Yes
- Credit expiry
- After 1 year inactive
- Subscription needed
- No
No. 5
Viber Out
Best for existing Viber users who sometimes call a landline
Paid calls to regular numbers inside the Viber app, handy if you already use Viber.
What we like
- Built into the Viber app many people already use
- Calls show your Viber phone number
Keep in mind
- Calls need the Viber app on a phone or desktop
- Unused credit is frozen after 6 months
- Call from
- Viber app (phone, desktop)
- Calls landlines
- Yes
- Credit expiry
- Frozen after 6 months
- Subscription needed
- No
Compare all five
| Our pickCallTuv | No. 2Rebtel | No. 3Yolla | No. 4Talk360 | No. 5Viber Out | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Call from | Browser, iOS, Android | iOS, Android | Browser, iOS, Android | iOS, Android | Viber app (phone, desktop) |
| Calls landlines | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Credit expiry | Never | After 1 year inactive | Inactive after 1 year | After 1 year inactive | Frozen after 6 months |
| Subscription needed | No | No | No | No | No |
