Cheap and Easy Ways to Call India from Abroad

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Posted on | by pritesh

Staying connected with friends, family, or business associates in India from abroad doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. With advancements in communication technology, there are numerous cost-effective and user-friendly options available in 2025. This guide explores the cheapest and easiest ways to call India, covering Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) apps, traditional phone services, prepaid calling cards, and carrier-specific international plans. Each method is evaluated for affordability, ease of use, and call quality, ensuring you can choose the best option for your needs.

1. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Apps

VoIP apps leverage the internet to make calls, offering some of the most affordable and accessible ways to connect with India. These apps are ideal for those with reliable Wi-Fi or mobile data connections. Below are some of the best VoIP apps for calling India in 2025.

WhatsApp

Overview: WhatsApp is one of the most popular apps globally, widely used in India for voice and video calls. It’s free for calls between WhatsApp users, making it an excellent choice for personal communication.

Cost: Free for WhatsApp-to-WhatsApp calls (data charges may apply).

How to Use:

  1. Download WhatsApp from the App Store or Google Play Store.
  2. Sign up with your phone number and verify it.
  3. Add the Indian contact’s number in international format (+91 followed by the 10-digit number).
  4. Tap the contact, select the call or video call option, and connect over Wi-Fi or mobile data.

Pros:

  • Free for app-to-app calls.
  • High-quality audio and video.
  • Widely used in India, ensuring most contacts have the app.

Cons:

  • Requires both parties to have WhatsApp and an internet connection.
  • Not suitable for calling landlines or non-WhatsApp users.

Best For: Personal calls to friends and family with smartphones and internet access.

Rebtel

Overview: Rebtel offers a unique approach by converting international calls to local ones, allowing calls without an internet connection for the caller or recipient. It’s ideal for calling both mobile and landline numbers in India.

Cost:

  • Pay-as-you-go: ~2.39¢ per minute to India.
  • India Unlimited Plan: $12/month for unlimited calls to India.
  • Global Unlimited Plan: For calling multiple countries.

How to Use:

  1. Download the Rebtel app or sign up on their website.
  2. Register with your phone number and add payment details.
  3. Add the Indian contact’s number; Rebtel assigns a local number for that contact.
  4. Dial the local number to connect affordably.

Pros:

  • No internet required for calls.
  • Competitive rates for both mobile and landline calls.
  • High-quality connections.

Cons:

  • Limited to 30 unique numbers for the India Unlimited Plan.
  • Not free like some VoIP apps.

Best For: Frequent callers who need to reach landlines or mobiles without relying on internet connectivity.

Yolla

Overview: Yolla is a VoIP app that offers low-cost calls to India and a referral program to earn free call credits. It’s user-friendly and supports both mobile and landline calls.

Cost:

  • Pay-as-you-go: Starts at ~1.5¢ per minute.
  • Free calls via referral program credits ($3 per referral).

How to Use:

  1. Download Yolla from the App Store or Google Play Store.
  2. Sign up and add credit to your account.
  3. Dial the Indian number in international format (+91 followed by the number).
  4. Earn credits by sharing your referral link; both you and your friend get $3 when they make their first payment.

Pros:

  • Low per-minute rates.
  • Free calls possible through referrals.
  • Ad-free and easy to use.

Cons:

  • Requires internet for calls.
  • Referral credits depend on friends signing up.

Best For: Budget-conscious users who can leverage referrals for free calls.

Other Notable VoIP Apps

  • Skype: Offers pay-as-you-go rates (1.5¢/minute) or monthly subscriptions ($1.42/month for 120 minutes, $8.9/month for 800 minutes). Ideal for occasional callers but requires Skype credit for non-Skype numbers.
  • Viber: Calls to non-Viber numbers cost ~1.5¢/minute to India. Free Viber-to-Viber calls make it suit
  • Talk360: Provides high-quality calls at competitive rates, with no installation fees or ads.

2. Traditional Phone Services

Traditional phone services use the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to connect calls. While convenient, they are often more expensive than VoIP apps unless bundled with a carrier plan.

How to Use:

  1. Dial the exit code of your country (e.g., 011 for the USA, 00 for the UK).
  2. Enter India’s country code (+91).
  3. For landlines, add the area code (e.g., 11 for Delhi, 22 for Mumbai).
  4. Dial the local number (typically 10 digits for mobiles, 6-8 digits for landlines).

Example:

  • From the USA to a Delhi landline: 011 + 91 + 11 + local number.
  • From the UK to an Indian mobile: 00 + 91 + 10-digit mobile number.

Cost:

  • Varies by carrier; e.g., AT&T charges $9.99 for 60 minutes plus 17¢/minute thereafter, Verizon charges $3.99/month plus 29-30¢/minute.

Pros:

  • No internet required.
  • Works with any phone, including landlines.

Cons:

  • Expensive without a plan.
  • Rates vary by carrier and country.

Best For: Those without reliable internet or who prefer traditional calling.

3. Prepaid Calling Cards

Prepaid calling cards offer a budget-friendly alternative for calling India, especially for those who prefer not to use apps or subscriptions.

How to Use:

  1. Purchase a card from a convenience store, gas station, or online retailer.
  2. Dial the card’s access number.
  3. Enter the PIN provided with the card.
  4. Dial the Indian number in international format (+91 + area code/mobile number).

Cost:

  • Varies by provider; some cards offer rates as low as 1-2¢/minute.
  • Watch for hidden fees like connection or maintenance charges.

Pros:

  • No subscription required.
  • Can be used from any phone.
  • Helps control spending.

Cons:

  • Hidden fees can reduce value.
  • Requires manual dialing of access codes.

Best For: Infrequent callers or those without smartphones.

4. Carrier-Specific International Plans

Many mobile carriers offer international calling plans that reduce costs for calling India. These are ideal for those who prefer to use their existing phone plan.

T-Mobile (USA)

  • Plan: $10/month for unlimited landline calls to India, $15/month for unlimited mobile calls.
  • Pros: Integrates with your existing plan, no app required.
  • Cons: Limited to T-Mobile customers, higher cost than VoIP apps.
  • Best For: T-Mobile users making frequent calls.

EE (UK)

  • Plan: Call Abroad add-on with 500 minutes to 72 countries, including India, for a fixed monthly fee.
  • Pros: Lower rates for frequent callers, easy to add via the EE app.
  • Cons: Standard rates apply after 500 minutes, not the cheapest option.
  • Best For: EE customers needing a predictable plan.

Airtel (India-based, for roaming)

  • Plan: International roaming plans (e.g., Rs. 4,999 for 10 days, Rs. 5,999 for 3 months) include calling to India.
  • Pros: Affordable for travelers abroad, includes data and messaging.
  • Cons: Primarily for those with Airtel SIMs, not ideal for long-term use abroad.
  • Best For: Indian residents traveling abroad temporarily.

Tips for Cost-Effective Calling

  • Check Time Zones: India is 5.5 hours ahead of GMT. Avoid calling during inconvenient hours (e.g., late night in India).
  • Use Wi-Fi for VoIP: To avoid data charges, connect to Wi-Fi when using apps like WhatsApp or Skype.
  • Monitor Promotions: Apps like Yolla and BOSS Revolution often run promotions for extra minutes or credits.
  • Verify Number Format: Always use the correct international format (+91 + number) to avoid connection issues.
  • Test Call Quality: If call quality is poor, switch to a different app or ensure a stable internet connection.

Cultural and Practical Considerations

  • Greetings: Start calls with a polite greeting like “Hello” or “Namaste” for a respectful tone.
  • Holidays: Be mindful of major Indian holidays (e.g., Diwali, Holi) when scheduling calls, as contacts may be unavailable.
  • Emergency Numbers: Know India’s emergency numbers (e.g., 100 for police, 108 for ambulance) if calling in urgent situations.
  • Language: Speak clearly and at a moderate pace, especially if there’s a language barrier.

Conclusion

Calling India from abroad in 2025 is more affordable and accessible than ever, thanks to VoIP apps, prepaid cards, and carrier plans. For free or low-cost options, WhatsApp and Yolla (with referrals) are excellent for personal use, while Rebtel offers versatility for both mobile and landline calls without internet dependency. Traditional phone services and prepaid cards suit those without reliable internet, while carrier plans like T-Mobile or EE provide convenience for frequent callers. By choosing the right method based on your call frequency, budget, and connectivity, you can stay connected with India effortlessly.

For the latest rates and promotions, check official websites like Rebtel, Yolla, or your carrier’s international calling page.