Need to call India but overwhelmed by all the options? You're not alone. With dozens of calling methods available—from free apps like WhatsApp to premium eSIM solutions—it's hard to know which option will give you the best quality, reliability, and value for money.
Here's the reality: the "best" way to call India depends on your specific situation. Are you traveling to India soon? Living in the USA and making regular calls? Stuck in a country like UAE or China where WhatsApp is blocked? Your answer will determine which solution works best for you.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll break down 10+ ways to call India—both free and paid—compare their costs, quality, and reliability, and help you choose the perfect solution. Whether you're looking for the cheapest option, the highest quality, or the most convenient solution, we've got you covered.
📑 Quick Navigation
Quick Comparison: All Calling Methods
Here's a quick overview of every method to call India in 2025. We've ranked them by quality, cost, and reliability based on our extensive testing:
| Method | Best For | Cost | Call Quality | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airalo eSIM (Local India Number) | Travelers to India | $26/20GB | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| NordVPN + WhatsApp | Restricted countries (UAE, China) | $3.39/month | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| WhatsApp Calling | Most people (free) | Free | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Saily eSIM | Premium travelers | $32/30GB | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Google Voice | USA residents | $0.01/min | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Yesim eSIM | Budget travelers | $9.99/5GB | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| FaceTime Audio | iPhone users | Free | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Skype | International calls | $0.014/min | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Telegram Voice Calls | Data-efficient calling | Free | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Traditional Carrier (AT&T, Verizon) | Emergencies only | $1-3/min | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
✅ Our Top 3 Recommendations for 2025
1. Traveling to India? Get Airalo eSIM for crystal-clear local calls at local rates ($26 for 20GB = hundreds of hours of calling)
2. Calling from restricted countries? Get NordVPN to unblock WhatsApp and make free calls ($3.39/month)
3. Calling from USA regularly? Use WhatsApp for free high-quality calls (no cost, just requires internet)
Premium Solutions: Best Quality & Reliability
If call quality and reliability are your priorities—or if you're traveling to India—these premium solutions offer the best experience. While they cost money, they provide crystal-clear calls, excellent reliability, and often save you money compared to traditional carrier rates.
1. Airalo eSIM (Local India Number)
Best for Travelers to IndiaBest for: Anyone traveling to India who wants local calling rates and reliable data
How it works: Airalo provides an eSIM (virtual SIM card) that gives you a local Indian phone number and data plan. Once activated, you can make calls at local Indian rates (often as low as $0.01-0.02 per minute) and use apps like WhatsApp with unlimited data. No physical SIM card swap needed—it installs digitally on your phone.
💡 Why Airalo eSIM is Perfect for Calling India
With Airalo's India eSIM, you get:
- Local phone number: Make and receive calls at local rates
- 20GB of data for $26: Enough for 40+ hours of WhatsApp calls
- No roaming charges: Save $100+ compared to carrier roaming
- Works instantly: Activate before you land in India
- Keep your home number: Dual SIM means you don't lose your USA number
This is the single best solution if you're traveling to India, whether for vacation, business, or visiting family.
Pros
- Local Indian phone number and rates
- Excellent call quality (5G/4G networks)
- No roaming fees or surprise charges
- 20-50GB data plans available
- Works in 200+ countries (not just India)
- Instant activation (no store visits)
- Keep your existing phone number
- 24/7 customer support
Cons
- Requires eSIM-compatible phone (iPhone XS+, most recent Android)
- Costs money (but saves vs. roaming)
- Plans expire after set period (7-30 days)
- Only worth it if traveling to India
Pricing:
- 1GB / 7 days: $4.50 (perfect for short trips)
- 3GB / 30 days: $11 (moderate use)
- 5GB / 30 days: $16 (good for calls + browsing)
- 10GB / 30 days: $22 (heavy use)
- 20GB / 30 days: $26 (unlimited calling + media)
Call quality: Excellent (local network, 4G/5G speeds)
Our take: If you're traveling to India, this is hands-down the best option. You'll save money vs. carrier roaming, get excellent quality, and can call local Indian numbers at local rates.
Get Airalo eSIM for India →2. NordVPN + WhatsApp
Best for Restricted CountriesBest for: People in UAE, China, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, or other countries where WhatsApp is blocked
How it works: NordVPN is a virtual private network that encrypts your internet connection and routes it through servers in other countries. This allows you to bypass internet restrictions and access blocked services like WhatsApp, letting you make free calls to India even from restricted countries.
💡 Why NordVPN is Essential in Restricted Countries
Countries like UAE, China, and Saudi Arabia block WhatsApp and other VoIP services. Without a VPN, you can't use WhatsApp to call India for free. With NordVPN:
- Unblock WhatsApp: Make free calls even in restricted countries
- Access all apps: FaceTime, Telegram, Skype—everything works
- Fast servers: Optimized for HD voice and video calls
- Affordable: $3.39/month (much cheaper than carrier rates)
- Legal: Using VPNs for personal communication is legal in most countries
This is the only reliable way to make free calls to India if you live in or visit countries with internet restrictions.
Pros
- Unblocks WhatsApp in restricted countries
- Enables free calls via WhatsApp/Telegram/Skype
- Fast, reliable connection
- Works on all devices (phone, laptop, tablet)
- Additional privacy and security benefits
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- 24/7 customer support
Cons
- Monthly subscription cost ($3.39-12.99/month)
- Slightly slower speeds (usually not noticeable)
- May be blocked by some networks
- Requires setup (though very easy)
Pricing:
- 2-year plan: $3.39/month (best value—73% off)
- 1-year plan: $4.99/month
- Monthly: $12.99/month
Call quality: Excellent (depends on your internet, but WhatsApp over VPN is nearly identical to without VPN)
Our take: If you live in or travel to countries where WhatsApp is blocked, NordVPN is essential. The $3.39/month cost is nothing compared to international calling rates, and it unlocks all your favorite calling apps.
Get NordVPN Now →⚠️ Important: Countries Where WhatsApp is Blocked
WhatsApp calling is blocked or restricted in: China, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iran, North Korea, Syria. If you're in any of these countries, you MUST use a VPN like NordVPN to make WhatsApp calls. Without a VPN, WhatsApp calls won't connect.
Alternative: Get an eSIM with unrestricted internet from a different country to bypass local restrictions.
3. Saily eSIM
Premium AlternativeBest for: Premium travelers who want larger data allowances and excellent support
How it works: Similar to Airalo, Saily is an eSIM provider backed by Nord Security (makers of NordVPN). They offer premium India eSIM plans with generous data packages, fast 4G/5G speeds, and top-tier customer service.
Pros
- Larger data packages (up to 50GB)
- Premium network speeds
- Backed by trusted Nord Security
- Excellent customer support
- 150+ country coverage
- User-friendly app
Cons
- More expensive than Airalo
- Smaller country selection
- Newer service (fewer reviews)
Pricing for India:
- 3GB / 7 days: $12
- 10GB / 30 days: $24
- 30GB / 30 days: $32
Our take: Saily is perfect if you want premium service and larger data packages. Slightly more expensive than Airalo but offers excellent quality and support.
Try Saily eSIM →4. Yesim eSIM
Budget-FriendlyBest for: Budget-conscious travelers who need basic data for short trips
How it works: Yesim offers affordable eSIM plans for India at lower prices than competitors. Perfect for short trips or if you just need enough data for messaging and light calling.
Pros
- Lowest prices on the market
- Perfect for short trips
- 120+ country coverage
- Simple setup
- Instant activation
Cons
- Smaller data packages
- Speeds may be slower
- Limited customer support
Pricing for India:
- 1GB / 7 days: $5.99
- 3GB / 15 days: $9.99
- 5GB / 15 days: $13.99
Our take: Great budget option for short trips to India. You'll get enough data for calls and messaging at the lowest prices.
Get Yesim Budget Plans →Free Calling Options (Zero Cost)
If you're not traveling to India and just need to make occasional calls from home, these free options work perfectly well. They require internet (Wi-Fi or cellular data) but cost absolutely nothing.
5. WhatsApp Calling
FreeBest for: Most people making regular calls to India
How it works: WhatsApp uses Voice over IP (VoIP) technology to make free voice and video calls over the internet. As long as both you and the person in India have WhatsApp and an internet connection, calls are completely free with excellent quality.
💡 Why WhatsApp is the #1 Free Option
Over 500 million people in India use WhatsApp—chances are, your family and friends are already on it. Benefits:
- Completely free: No cost for voice or video calls
- Excellent quality: HD voice and video
- End-to-end encryption: Your calls are private
- Works worldwide: Call from anywhere (except restricted countries)
- Group calls: Talk to multiple people at once
Pros
- Completely free (no cost whatsoever)
- Excellent voice and video quality
- Everyone in India has it
- End-to-end encryption
- Group calling available
- Works on Wi-Fi or data
- Messaging included
Cons
- Requires internet connection
- Blocked in some countries (UAE, China—use VPN)
- Both parties need WhatsApp
- Quality depends on internet speed
- Uses cellular data (if not on Wi-Fi)
Data usage: ~740 KB per minute for voice calls, ~5-6 MB per minute for video calls
Our take: If you're calling from the USA or other countries where WhatsApp isn't blocked, this is the best free option. Excellent quality, zero cost, and everyone in India uses it.
6. Google Voice
Nearly FreeBest for: USA residents who want a dedicated calling number
How it works: Google Voice gives you a free US phone number that you can use to make calls at very low rates ($0.01 per minute to India). Calls are made via the internet, so you need Wi-Fi or cellular data.
Pros
- Extremely cheap ($0.01/minute = $0.60/hour)
- Free US phone number included
- Can call non-internet users (landlines/mobiles)
- Voicemail transcription
- Works across devices
- Good call quality
Cons
- Not completely free (but very cheap)
- Only available to US residents
- Requires Google account
- Quality varies on internet connection
Cost: $0.01 per minute to India (that's just $0.60 for a 1-hour call)
Our take: Great option for USA residents. While not completely free, $0.01/minute is so cheap it's practically free—and you can call people who don't have internet or apps.
7. FaceTime Audio
Free (iPhone Only)Best for: iPhone users calling other iPhone users in India
How it works: FaceTime Audio is Apple's built-in calling service that makes free voice calls between Apple devices over the internet. No app installation needed—it's built into every iPhone.
Pros
- Completely free
- Built into iPhone (no app needed)
- Excellent call quality
- End-to-end encryption
- Works on Wi-Fi or data
- Simple to use
Cons
- Only works between Apple devices
- Not available on Android
- Uses more data than WhatsApp (~1 MB/min)
- Both parties need iPhone/iPad/Mac
Data usage: ~1 MB per minute for audio calls
Our take: Perfect if you and your family/friends in India all have iPhones. Otherwise, use WhatsApp for broader compatibility.
Other Free Options: Quick Summary
Telegram Voice Calls (⭐⭐⭐⭐): Free calls over internet, uses less data than WhatsApp (~700 KB/min). Great quality but fewer users have it compared to WhatsApp.
Skype (⭐⭐⭐⭐): Skype-to-Skype calls are free with good quality. Also offers paid calls to phone numbers at $0.014/min. Good backup option.
Facebook Messenger (⭐⭐⭐): Free calls but uses more data (~1.5 MB/min) and has more lag than WhatsApp. Only use if both parties actively use Facebook.
Discord (⭐⭐⭐): Free, excellent quality, but mainly used by gaming communities. Not ideal for family calls.
Country-Specific Solutions
Calling India from certain countries requires special solutions due to restrictions, regulations, or high carrier rates.
📍 Calling India from UAE
Problem: WhatsApp calling is blocked in UAE. Traditional carrier rates are expensive ($1-2/minute).
Solution: Get NordVPN ($3.39/month) to unblock WhatsApp and make free calls. This saves you $60-120/month compared to carrier rates.
Alternative: Get an eSIM from a country without restrictions (gives you unrestricted internet).
📍 Calling India from China
Problem: WhatsApp, FaceTime, Google services all blocked in China. Extremely restrictive internet.
Solution: Get NordVPN BEFORE traveling to China (VPN websites are blocked in China). This unlocks all calling apps.
Alternative: Use WeChat (works in China) or get an international eSIM for unrestricted internet.
📍 Calling India from USA
Best options: WhatsApp (free), Google Voice ($0.01/min), or Airalo eSIM if traveling to India.
Avoid: Traditional carrier rates ($1-3/minute). Carrier plans like AT&T's $15/month international add-on are overpriced.
📍 Calling India from UK, Canada, Australia
Best option: WhatsApp (completely free and works perfectly).
Alternative: Skype ($0.014/min) or Google Voice-equivalent services.
If traveling to India: Get Airalo eSIM to avoid roaming charges.
Which Method Should You Choose?
🎯 Quick Decision Guide
Traveling to India soon? → Get Airalo eSIM for local rates and 20GB of data ($26)
Living in UAE, China, or Saudi Arabia? → Get NordVPN to unblock WhatsApp ($3.39/month)
Calling from USA regularly? → Use WhatsApp for free HD calls (no cost, requires Wi-Fi or data)
Need to call people without smartphones? → Use Google Voice ($0.01/min to call any phone number)
Only have iPhone and calling iPhone users? → Use FaceTime Audio (completely free)
Want premium quality for extended India trip? → Get Saily eSIM for 30GB ($32)
On tight budget but traveling to India? → Get Yesim eSIM for 5GB ($13.99)
Cost Breakdown & Comparison
Let's compare the real cost of calling India for 10 hours per month (about 20 minutes per day) using different methods:
| Method | Monthly Cost (10 hours) | Per Minute | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| WhatsApp (Free) | $0 | $0 | Requires internet; completely free |
| Google Voice | $6 | $0.01 | Can call any phone number |
| Skype | $8.40 | $0.014 | Good for calls to landlines |
| Airalo eSIM | $26 | ~$0.04 | Includes 20GB data + local number |
| NordVPN + WhatsApp | $3.39 | $0 | Unblocks WhatsApp in restricted countries |
| Traditional Carrier | $600-1,800 | $1-3 | Extremely expensive; avoid if possible |
⚠️ Avoid Traditional Carrier Rates at All Costs
Calling India using your carrier's standard international rates costs $1-3 per minute. That's $60-180 for just one hour! For 10 hours per month, you'd pay $600-1,800—absolutely absurd when free options like WhatsApp exist.
Even carrier "international plans" ($10-15/month) often have hidden per-minute charges and limited minutes. Always use internet-based calling or eSIM solutions instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to call India?
The cheapest way to call India is using WhatsApp, which is completely free for voice and video calls as long as you have an internet connection (Wi-Fi or cellular data). Both you and the person in India need to have WhatsApp installed. If you need to call people without smartphones, Google Voice is the cheapest paid option at just $0.01 per minute.
Can I use WhatsApp to call India from UAE?
WhatsApp calling is officially blocked in UAE. However, you can use a VPN like NordVPN to bypass this restriction and make free WhatsApp calls to India. NordVPN costs $3.39/month and reliably unblocks WhatsApp in UAE, saving you hundreds compared to carrier rates.
Do I need a VPN to call India?
You only need a VPN if you're in a country that blocks VoIP services like WhatsApp. This includes UAE, China, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and a few other countries. If you're in the USA, Canada, UK, or most other countries, you don't need a VPN to call India using WhatsApp or other internet calling apps.
What's the best way to call India if I'm traveling there?
The best way is to get an eSIM like Airalo before you travel. For $26, you get 20GB of data and a local Indian phone number, which lets you make calls at local rates and use WhatsApp without worrying about data. This is much cheaper than international roaming (which can cost $100+ for similar data) and provides better quality than relying on public Wi-Fi.
Is Google Voice free to call India?
No, Google Voice is not completely free to call India, but it's very cheap at $0.01 per minute. That means you can talk for an entire hour for just $0.60. Google Voice gives you a free US phone number, but international calls cost a small fee. However, if you're calling someone who also has Google Voice or Hangouts, those calls are completely free.
Can I call Indian landlines using WhatsApp?
No, WhatsApp can only call other WhatsApp users (smartphones with the app installed). You cannot use WhatsApp to call regular landline or mobile numbers directly. If you need to call landlines in India, use Google Voice ($0.01/min), Skype ($0.014/min), or get an eSIM with local calling capabilities.
How much does it cost to call India with my cell phone carrier?
Traditional carrier rates to call India are extremely expensive, typically $1-3 per minute. That's $60-180 per hour! Even with international calling add-ons ($10-15/month), you often still pay $0.50-1.50 per minute. We strongly recommend avoiding carrier rates and using internet-based calling (WhatsApp, Google Voice) or eSIM solutions instead, which can save you $50-150 per month.
What is an eSIM and why is it good for calling India?
An eSIM is a digital SIM card that you can install on your phone without a physical card. For calling India, eSIMs like Airalo give you a local Indian phone number and data plan, which means you pay local rates instead of expensive international roaming. You can get 20GB of data for $26 (enough for 40+ hours of WhatsApp calls) and keep your existing phone number as a second line. It's the best solution for travelers to India.
Final Thoughts: The Best Way to Call India Depends on Your Situation
After testing every major method to call India, here's our final recommendation based on your situation:
For most people calling from USA, Canada, UK, or Australia: Use WhatsApp for completely free calls. It's simple, reliable, and offers excellent quality. Over 500 million people in India use WhatsApp, so your family and friends almost certainly have it.
If you're traveling to India: Get Airalo eSIM before you go. For $26, you'll get 20GB of data (enough for 40+ hours of calling), a local Indian number, and avoid the $100+ roaming fees your carrier would charge. It's the single best investment for any India trip.
If you're in UAE, China, or other restricted countries: Get NordVPN for $3.39/month. This unblocks WhatsApp and all other calling apps, saving you $50-100/month compared to using carrier rates. It's a no-brainer solution.
If you need to call people without smartphones: Use Google Voice at $0.01/minute. You can call any phone number in India (landlines or mobiles) for incredibly cheap rates.
The bottom line: Never use traditional carrier rates to call India. With free options like WhatsApp and affordable solutions like eSIMs and VPNs, there's absolutely no reason to pay $1-3 per minute anymore. Choose the solution that fits your situation and start saving money while enjoying better call quality!
Have questions about calling India or need help choosing the right solution? Drop a comment below—we're here to help! 💬