If you’ve ever paused before dialing someone abroad because you were scared of what your phone bill might look like later… you’re not alone. Why does a five-minute call to another country sometimes feel more expensive than a nice meal? For years, international calling felt complicated, pricey, and honestly stressful. You needed calling cards, long access numbers, special packs, or expensive mobile plans, and half the time, the call quality wasn’t even good.

But things have changed.

Today, staying connected globally doesn’t require a big budget or a complicated setup. In fact, there are multiple ways to make international calls for free, and most people aren’t even using half of them.

This guide breaks down:

• Why old-school international calls cost so much
• The most reliable ways to make free international calls
• How apps like Slick give you free app-to-app calling
• Simple steps to start calling abroad today

Let’s start with the one question everyone wonders about…………

Why Are International Calls Still So Expensive?

You’d think that in 2026, calling across borders would be as cheap as sending a text. But traditional carriers still charge high fees. Here’s why:  

1. Carriers Add Multiple Layers of Fees

International calls bounce through multiple operators and networks. Each one takes a small cut, which becomes a big cut for you.

That’s why a normal carrier in the US or UK might charge anywhere from 50 cents to 3 dollars per minute.  

2. Roaming Is Still a Money Trap

If you’ve ever traveled abroad and returned home to a heart-stopping phone bill… blame roaming.

When your phone connects to another country’s network, your carrier charges premium fees for every incoming and outgoing call.

3. Old Infrastructure = High Costs

Traditional calling relies on physical networks:

• Cables
• Satellites
• Switching stations

Everything must be maintained, and those costs get passed on to you.

4. Carriers Don’t Have Strong Competition

In many countries, telecom companies operate in a near-monopoly. When consumers have fewer choices, prices stay high. Simple as that.

So, is there a better way?

Yes, and it’s way easier than most people think.

How to Make International Calls for Free: Best Working Methods

Let’s get to the good part: how to actually call someone abroad without spending anything.

Below are the most reliable (and easy) ways people around the world make free international calls.

1. Use VoIP Calling Apps (The Easiest Free Method)

VoIP stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol, which simply means your calls travel over the internet, not expensive phone networks. If both people have the same app, calling is free.

Popular VoIP apps include:

• Slick app
• WhatsApp
• Facebook Messenger
• Viber
• Google Voice

These apps don’t charge per minute. You just need Wi-Fi or mobile data. Think of VoIP like sending an email instead of sending physical mail: Fast, free, borderless.

2. Turn On Wi-Fi Calling (Most People Forget This Exists)

Your smartphone already has a feature that lets you call internationally without paying roaming fees.

Wi-Fi calling uses any available Wi-Fi network to place calls, even when you’re abroad.

How to turn it on:

•   iPhone

Settings → Mobile Data → Wi-Fi Calling → Turn On

•   Android

Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi Calling → Enable

Once it’s on, your phone will use Wi-Fi whenever possible, saving you money without changing how you dial.

3. Call Through Social Media Apps

No need to memorize country codes; if the person is on your contact list, you just tap the call button.

Apps like:

• Instagram
• Signal
• Telegram
• Snapchat

All of these apps offer free voice and video calling. They are perfect for casual calls with friends and family.

4. Use Free Calling Websites

If you don’t want to download anything, there are websites that offer free international calling directly from your browser.

Examples:

• PopTox
• iEvaphone

They generally give limited free minutes per day, but they’re great for quick calls.

Do note: call quality may vary.

5. Use Free Online Meeting Platforms

Not every call needs a phone number. If both people are online on these platforms, they get unlimited free calling:

• Google Meet
• Zoom
• Microsoft Teams
• Slack

These platforms are fantastic for long conversations or business meetings.

Which Free Calling Option Is Best?

Free apps are great, but they all come with small trade-offs:

If you want free calling, high-quality audio, and the ability to call landlines and mobile numbers (not just other app users), this is where Slick stands out.

Why Slick Is a Better Way to Make Free International Calls

Let’s be honest, “free calling apps” often come with hidden downsides:

• Time limits
• Ads
• Low call quality
• App-to-app only (you can’t call real phone numbers)

Slick solves all of these.

Here’s what makes it different:

Unlimited Free App-to-App Calls

If both people have Slick installed, the call is:

• Unlimited
• Free
• High quality
• End-to-end encrypted

You can talk for hours without paying a single cent.

Crystal-Clear Call Quality

Unlike some free apps that compress audio, Slick uses optimized VoIP routing to give you a stable, clear connection. It’s great for:

• Families abroad
• Long-distance couples
• International students
• Business calls

Call Landlines and Mobiles

When you want to call offline numbers or people who don’t use the Slick app, you can subscribe to calling plans at affordable rates. With these plans, you can make calls to landlines and mobiles in over 200 countries.

• No hidden fees
• Flexible plans
• Call landlines and mobiles

Now, let’s explore how to make free international calls using Slick.

How to Make Free International Calls Using Slick?

Here are 3 simple steps to make international calls for free via the Slick app.

1 – Download & Install the Slick app – The app is available on Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.

2 – Sign Up – Register with your phone number.

3 – Dial Your International Number – Hit the dial pad, enter your number, and make free Slick-to-Slick international calls. 

You don’t have to manually enter the country code; the app automatically handles it for you.

Or give Slick access to your contacts and call them directly from the app without manual dialing.

Conclusion:

Staying in touch with your people across borders shouldn’t feel complicated or expensive. Sure, there are plenty of “free” ways to make international calls today, including Wi-Fi calling, VoIP apps, and even random calling websites. But most of them come with strings attached: limited minutes, shaky audio, or surprise charges when you least expect them. So, if you’ve been hunting for a way to make international calls for free without dealing with low quality, confusing country codes, or hidden catches, the Slick app makes it genuinely easy.

Why let high costs hold you back?  

Download Slick today, and start making international calls without limits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Apps like Slick, WhatsApp, and Viber let you make free calls when both users have the same app. Slick also offers affordable plans to call any mobile or landline worldwide.

You get unlimited app-to-app calls, clear audio, and affordable plans for calling landlines and mobile numbers.

Yes. Slick works over Wi-Fi or mobile data and uses very little bandwidth.

Yes! With Slick’s low-cost plans, you can call any number worldwide, even if the recipient isn’t on Slick.

Absolutely. Download it from the App Store or Google Play Store and start calling within minutes.