Skip SIM swaps and phone cards — ZenCall lets you make international calls straight from your browser for as little as $0.02/min. Simple, cheap, and reliable wherever you have Wi-Fi.
Calling internationally doesn't have to mean buying a SIM card in every country you visit — or scratching off phone cards like it's 2007. In 2025, there are faster, smarter, and cheaper ways to make international calls — no SIM card, no calling card, and no telecom headaches required.
In this guide, we'll show you how to make cheap international calls without SIM cards or phone cards, using nothing more than your internet connection and the right tools.
Despite how connected the world has become, many people still rely on:
But the good news is: you don't need any of those.
All you need today is:
Let's break down your best options for making cheap international calls — even if you're completely offline from traditional phone networks.
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) lets you call international numbers using your internet connection, not your phone network. This is the easiest and often cheapest way to make international calls — and it works from anywhere in the world.
| Service | Works On | Rates | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZenCall | Web & Mobile | From $0.02/min | Pay-per-minute, no subscription |
| Skype | App & Desktop | ~$0.023/min | Longtime favorite with call credits |
| Viber Out | Mobile & Web | ~$0.019/min | Good for calling non-users |
| Rebtel | App | Varies | Local access numbers in many regions |
| Google Voice | App/Web | Low/free | Great for US numbers (limited) |
💡 ZenCall lets you call directly from your browser — no downloads, no setup, just dial and talk.
You don't need a local SIM card if you have Wi-Fi.
That means you can:
This is especially helpful for digital nomads, remote workers, and tourists who travel frequently across countries. Instead of constantly buying SIMs that are country-specific, simply keep your main phone and use a browser or VoIP app to make your calls over Wi-Fi.
Calling cards may seem old-school — and they are.
Here's why people still buy them:
But calling cards usually come with:
With a VoIP service like ZenCall or Skype, what you see is what you pay — and the quality is often better too.
Plus, there's no physical card to lose, scratch off, or carry around. Everything's digital, accessible from your phone or laptop.
Many messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram require both parties to use the same app. But what if you're calling:
That's where VoIP services with direct number dialing come in.
Apps like ZenCall, Viber Out, and Skype let you dial real phone numbers, not usernames.
So your call goes through — whether the person has the app or not.
| Option | Avg. Rate to U.S. | Flexibility | Hidden Fees | Requires Hardware? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local SIM | $0.10–$1.00/min | Medium | Sometimes | Yes (SIM card) |
| Phone Card | $0.05–$0.50/min | Low | Often | Yes (physical card) |
| ZenCall | $0.02/min | High | None | No |
| Skype | ~$0.023/min | High | Some | No |
| Free (to users) | Medium | N/A | No |
Want to start calling cheap without a SIM or phone card?
Here's how to do it with ZenCall:
No app install. No commitments. No subscriptions. You only pay for what you use.
Check exact rates with ZenCall's rate calculator before dialing.
Whether you're in:
You can make international calls as long as you have internet access.
And if your mobile data is limited, just use public Wi-Fi. Calls usually consume only 0.2–0.5 MB per minute — less than streaming a single Instagram Reel.
If you're trying to save money, avoid:
Stick with VoIP apps that are upfront, fast, and don't require extra hardware or fees like the affordable options outlined in our article on why pay-as-you-go calling beats monthly subscriptions for travelers.
Cheap international calling without SIMs or cards is perfect for:
If you're any of the above, the ability to make international calls directly from Wi-Fi without swapping SIMs or buying sketchy calling cards is a massive upgrade in convenience and savings.
Not all VoIP services are the same. Here are the features that matter most:
ZenCall, for example, checks all of these boxes — with minute rates starting at just $0.02 and no downloads required.
Let's compare a real-world example: calling a mobile number in India for 30 minutes.
| Option | Cost Estimate |
|---|---|
| AT&T Roaming Plan | $45+ |
| International SIM | $8–$15 |
| Phone Card (30 min) | $6–$10 (with fees) |
| ZenCall (30 min) | $0.60 total |
That's over 90% savings just by switching to a pay-per-minute web-based option. For more information on international rates that reflect this advantage check out our post on international calling rates explained.
Pro tip: When using browser-based services like ZenCall, you can also save frequently called numbers with ZenCall's rate calculator to manage contacts or call logs seamlessly.
While WhatsApp, Telegram, and FaceTime are great for app-to-app calls, they don't help when you need to call someone's landline or mobile number directly.
That's why many users combine:
With this hybrid approach, you're always covered — no matter who you're calling or where they are.
The future is app-less, SIM-less, and borderless.
Expect platforms like ZenCall to continue leading the way with innovations like:
Here's the recap:
Whether you're abroad for a week, a semester, or forever — this is how to make cheap international calls the smart way.