How to Avoid International Calling Charges to India (7 Proven Ways)
Stop paying expensive fees and stay connected with family for free or cheap
📖 18 min read · Updated October 27, 2025
Tired of seeing huge phone bills every time you call India? You're not alone. Many Indian expats living in the USA pay $50 to $200 per month just to stay in touch with family back home.
The good news? You can cut those international calling charges to India down to zero or just a few dollars per month. I've tested dozens of calling methods over the past 8 years, and I'm going to show you exactly how to avoid those expensive fees.
In this guide, you'll discover 7 proven ways to call India without breaking the bank. From completely free options like WhatsApp to smart solutions like eSIM plans that cost less than a cup of coffee, I'll explain what works, what doesn't, and which method is best for your situation.
📑 Quick Navigation
Quick Comparison: 7 Ways to Avoid Calling Charges
| Method | Cost | Best For | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| WhatsApp Calling | Free | WiFi users | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Google Voice | Free to $0.01/min | US-based callers | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| FaceTime Audio | Free | iPhone users | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Airalo eSIM | From $4.50 | Travelers to India | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| NordVPN + WhatsApp | $3.39/month | UAE, China residents | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Skype | Free to $0.023/min | Landline callers | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| International Plan | $15+/month | Heavy users | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Free Methods to Avoid International Calling Charges (100% Cost-Free)
Let's start with the methods that cost absolutely nothing. These are perfect if you have WiFi or mobile data available.
1. WhatsApp Calling
FreeBest for: Anyone with WiFi or mobile data who wants crystal-clear voice and video calls
How it works: WhatsApp uses your internet connection instead of your phone's cellular network. This means you're not using any calling minutes, so there are zero international charges. Both you and the person you're calling need WhatsApp installed, but once you're set up, calls to India are completely free.
💡 Why WhatsApp is My Top Free Pick
I've been using WhatsApp to call my parents in Mumbai for 6 years now. The voice quality is excellent on WiFi, and I can switch to video whenever I want to see their faces. Best of all, my parents find it super easy to use, which matters a lot when you're teaching older family members new technology.
Pros
- Completely free on WiFi
- Great call quality
- Video calling included
- Works on iPhone and Android
- Most people in India already use it
Cons
- Needs internet connection
- Uses mobile data when not on WiFi
- Can't call regular landlines
- Blocked in some countries (UAE, China)
Data usage: WhatsApp uses about 0.75 MB per minute for voice calls and 3-4 MB per minute for video calls. If you're worried about data usage, check out our guide on WhatsApp calling vs regular calls data consumption.
⚠️ Important Note
If you're living in the UAE, China, or Saudi Arabia, WhatsApp calling is blocked. You'll need a VPN to use it. See Method #5 below for the solution.
2. Google Voice
FreeBest for: US-based expats who want to call both smartphones and landlines in India
How it works: Google Voice gives you a free US phone number that you can use to make calls over the internet. Calls to US and Canadian numbers are free, while calls to India cost just $0.01 per minute for landlines and mobiles. That's just 60 cents for an hour-long call!
Pros
- Nearly free (1 cent per minute to India)
- Can call any phone number
- Works on any device
- Get voicemail transcripts
- No hidden charges
Cons
- Only available in the USA
- Not technically free (but super cheap)
- Call quality depends on internet
- Setup can be confusing
Cost breakdown: If you call India for 2 hours per week, that's just $4.80 per month. Compare that to traditional calling charges of $50+ per month, and you're saving hundreds of dollars per year.
Want to know which is better for your needs? Read our detailed Google Voice vs WhatsApp comparison.
3. FaceTime Audio
FreeBest for: iPhone and Mac users calling other Apple device owners
How it works: If both you and your family in India use Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, or Mac), FaceTime Audio is completely free over WiFi or mobile data. The audio quality is excellent, often better than regular phone calls.
Pros
- Completely free on WiFi
- Excellent sound quality
- Built into every Apple device
- Super easy to use
- Very reliable connection
Cons
- Only works between Apple devices
- Can't call Android phones
- Uses data when not on WiFi
- No landline calling
Our take: FaceTime Audio is perfect if your family already uses iPhones. The call quality is consistently better than most other apps, and since it's built into iOS, there's no separate app to download or maintain.
4. Skype
Free/PaidBest for: People who need to call landlines and don't want to set up Google Voice
How it works: Skype offers free Skype-to-Skype calls (similar to WhatsApp), but you can also buy credits to call regular phone numbers in India. Rates are low at around $0.023 per minute for landlines and mobiles.
Pros
- Free Skype-to-Skype calls
- Can call any phone number
- Available worldwide
- Cheap rates to landlines
- Group calling available
Cons
- Need to buy credits for landlines
- Less popular than WhatsApp in India
- Call quality can be inconsistent
- Credits expire after 180 days
Cost example: A $10 credit gives you about 435 minutes of calling to Indian landlines. That's over 7 hours of talk time for just ten bucks.
Low-Cost Solutions to Avoid Calling Charges (Under $10/Month)
If the free methods don't work for your situation, these affordable options give you more flexibility and better quality for just a few dollars per month.
5. Airalo eSIM for India Travel
Best for TravelersBest for: Anyone traveling to India who wants a local phone number and mobile data
How it works: An eSIM is a digital SIM card that you install on your phone before traveling to India. Once activated, you get an Indian phone number and mobile data, so you can use WhatsApp, make local calls, and browse the internet without any roaming charges.
💡 Why Airalo is Perfect for India Trips
When I visited India last Diwali, I used Airalo's eSIM and saved over $150 in roaming charges. I paid just $4.50 for 1GB of data, which was enough for a week of WhatsApp calls, Google Maps, and social media. The setup took 5 minutes, and I had an Indian phone number as soon as I landed in Mumbai.
Pros
- Zero roaming charges
- Get Indian phone number
- Works in 200+ countries
- Install before you travel
- Plans from $4.50
- No physical SIM needed
Cons
- Only for eSIM-compatible phones
- Need to buy data separately
- Best for short trips
- Requires upfront payment
Pricing: India plans start at $4.50 for 1GB (7 days) up to $26 for 20GB (30 days). Most travelers find the 3GB plan ($8.50 for 15 days) perfect for staying connected with family.
Get Airalo eSIM for India →Learn more about how eSIMs compare to traditional SIM cards in our eSIM vs Physical SIM guide.
6. NordVPN + WhatsApp (For Restricted Countries)
Best for UAE, ChinaBest for: Expats living in countries where WhatsApp calling is blocked (UAE, China, Saudi Arabia, Qatar)
How it works: A VPN (Virtual Private Network) lets you bypass internet restrictions by routing your connection through a different country. Once connected to NordVPN, you can use WhatsApp calling freely, even in countries where it's blocked.
💡 Why NordVPN Works Best
I recommend NordVPN specifically because it works reliably in restricted countries. Many cheaper VPNs get blocked quickly, but NordVPN has special servers that stay connected even when governments try to block them. It costs $3.39 per month on the 2-year plan, which is way cheaper than paying for international calls.
Pros
- Unblocks WhatsApp calling
- Works in UAE, China, Saudi Arabia
- Protects your privacy
- Very fast servers
- Easy to use apps
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Costs $3.39-12.99/month
- Requires subscription
- Slightly slower internet speed
- Need to keep it running during calls
Cost breakdown: At $3.39 per month (2-year plan), NordVPN costs less than one international call. Plus, you get unlimited WhatsApp calling, which would normally cost $50+ per month through traditional methods.
Get NordVPN Now →Living in the UAE? Check our complete guide on how to call India from UAE using VPN.
7. International Calling Plan
Traditional OptionBest for: People who prefer using their regular phone number and don't want to use apps
How it works: Most US carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile) offer international calling add-ons. These plans give you discounted rates to India, though they still cost significantly more than the methods above.
Pros
- Use your regular phone number
- No apps needed
- Reliable call quality
- Can call any number
- Simple to understand billing
Cons
- Most expensive option ($15-50/month)
- Limited minutes included
- Extra charges for overage
- Doesn't work outside USA
Typical costs:
- Verizon: $15/month for 500 minutes to India
- AT&T: $15/month for 250 minutes
- T-Mobile: Included in some plans (15 cents per minute)
Our take: International calling plans are the most expensive option on this list. Unless you really can't use internet-based calling, I recommend trying WhatsApp or Google Voice first. You'll save hundreds of dollars per year.
Want to see exactly how much you can save? Check our complete breakdown of calling costs to India.
Which Method Should You Choose?
🎯 Quick Decision Guide
You have WiFi most of the time? → Use WhatsApp (free)
Need to call landlines in India? → Use Google Voice (1 cent/minute)
Both you and family have iPhones? → Use FaceTime Audio (free)
Traveling to India soon? → Get Airalo eSIM ($4.50+)
Living in UAE, China, or Saudi Arabia? → Get NordVPN + use WhatsApp ($3.39/month)
Don't want to use apps at all? → Add international plan to your carrier ($15+/month)
Real Savings Comparison
Let's say you call India for 2 hours per week (8 hours per month). Here's what you'd pay with each method:
- WhatsApp on WiFi: $0/month (saves $96/year vs carrier plan)
- Google Voice: $4.80/month (saves $91/year)
- FaceTime Audio: $0/month (saves $96/year)
- NordVPN + WhatsApp: $3.39/month (saves $93/year)
- Carrier international plan: $15-50/month (baseline cost)
As you can see, switching away from traditional calling plans can save you $90-100 per year or more. That's money you could spend on plane tickets to visit family instead!
For more ways to save money on calls, read our guide on the cheapest ways to call India.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I avoid international calling charges completely?
The best way to avoid all international calling charges is to use internet-based calling apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime Audio, or Skype on WiFi. These services use your internet connection instead of your phone network, so there are zero calling charges. Both you and the person you're calling need the same app installed, but once set up, all calls are completely free.
What is the cheapest way to call India from USA?
WhatsApp calling is the cheapest option if you have WiFi, costing absolutely nothing. If you need to call landlines, Google Voice is the next cheapest at just 1 cent per minute. For travelers, an eSIM like Airalo gives you local rates starting at $4.50 for a week. All of these options are much cheaper than traditional international calling plans that cost $15-50 per month.
Does WhatsApp calling work in all countries?
WhatsApp calling works in most countries, but it's blocked in the UAE, China, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and a few other nations. If you're in one of these countries, you'll need a VPN like NordVPN to access WhatsApp calling features. Once connected to the VPN, WhatsApp works normally and calls are free over WiFi.
Will I be charged if someone from India calls me?
If someone calls your US number from India using a regular phone, you won't be charged for answering. However, if YOU call them back using your carrier's network, you'll pay international rates. To avoid this, ask them to call you on WhatsApp or another internet-based app instead, where both parties can talk for free.
Can I use my phone's regular calling feature without charges?
No, using your phone's built-in calling feature to dial international numbers will always result in charges unless you have an international calling plan. To avoid charges, you must use internet-based apps like WhatsApp, Google Voice, or FaceTime Audio that route calls over the internet instead of the cellular network.
What's the best option for calling Indian landlines?
Google Voice is the best option for calling Indian landlines at just 1 cent per minute. Skype is another good choice at about 2.3 cents per minute. Both services let you call any phone number in India, including landlines and mobiles, and they're much cheaper than traditional carriers that charge 30-50 cents per minute or more.
Do I need an international calling plan if I travel to India?
No, you don't need an international calling plan if you get an eSIM like Airalo before traveling. An eSIM gives you a local Indian phone number and mobile data, so you can use WhatsApp and other apps without any roaming charges. This costs just $4.50-26 depending on how much data you need, compared to $10-15 per day for carrier roaming charges.
Final Thoughts
You don't have to pay expensive international calling charges to stay connected with family in India. With the methods I've shared in this guide, you can cut your calling costs from $50+ per month down to zero or just a few dollars.
For most people, WhatsApp calling on WiFi is the perfect solution. It's free, the quality is excellent, and almost everyone in India already uses it. If you need to call landlines, Google Voice at just 1 cent per minute is unbeatable.
If you're traveling to India, grab an Airalo eSIM before your trip. You'll save hundreds in roaming charges and have a local phone number the moment you land.
And if you're living in a country where WhatsApp is blocked, NordVPN is worth every penny. At just $3.39 per month, it's still way cheaper than paying for international calls.
The bottom line: there's no reason to pay high calling charges anymore. Pick one of these methods, set it up today, and start saving money while staying connected with the people you love.
Want more ways to save on international calls? Check out our complete guide to the 9 best ways to call India from USA.
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