Best India Calling Apps: 9 Free & Affordable Ways to Call India (2025)
Compare the best calling apps for India - from completely free options to premium eSIM solutions
📖 18 min read · Updated October 25, 2025
Looking for the best India calling app that won't drain your wallet? You're in the right place. Whether you're an Indian expat in the USA, traveling to India, or calling family back home, there are multiple ways to make free or ultra-cheap calls to India in 2025.
The good news? You don't need expensive international calling plans from Airtel, Vodafone, or Idea Cellular anymore. Modern calling apps, eSIM technology, and VPN solutions have completely transformed how we stay connected with loved ones in India. Some options are completely free, while others cost just pennies per minute.
In this comprehensive guide, I'll walk you through 9 different ways to call India, from free WiFi calling apps like WhatsApp and Google Voice to premium eSIM solutions for travelers. By the end, you'll know exactly which option works best for your specific situation.
📑 Quick Navigation
Quick Comparison: At a Glance
| App/Service | Best For | Cost | Call Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airalo eSIM | Travelers to India | $4.50+ (plans) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Saily eSIM | Premium travelers | $5+ (plans) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Yesim eSIM | Budget travelers | $3.50+ (plans) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| NordVPN + WhatsApp | UAE/China residents | $3.39/month | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Free calling (WiFi) | FREE | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | |
| Google Voice | Low-cost calling | $0.01/min | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| FaceTime Audio | iPhone users | FREE | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Skype | Computer calling | FREE (WiFi) / $0.02/min | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Facebook Messenger | Social calling | FREE | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Premium Solutions: Best for Travelers & Quality
These paid options offer the best call quality and most convenience, especially if you're traveling to India or living in countries with calling restrictions.
1. Airalo eSIM for India
Best for TravelersBest for: Anyone traveling to India who wants a local Indian phone number and data plan without dealing with physical SIM cards
How it works: Airalo provides digital eSIM cards that you install on your phone before traveling. You get a local Indian phone number and data plan, allowing you to make calls at local rates (much cheaper than international calling) and use apps like WhatsApp with your data.
💡 Why Airalo is Our #1 Pick for Travelers
When you're in India with an Airalo eSIM, you're making LOCAL calls, not international calls. This means you pay ₹1-2 per minute (about $0.01-0.02) instead of $0.10-0.50/minute with traditional international plans. Plus, you get data for WhatsApp, Google Maps, and other apps - making it the most convenient all-in-one solution for travelers.
Pros
- 10x cheaper than international roaming
- Get real Indian phone number
- Works immediately upon landing in India
- Crystal-clear local call quality
- Includes data for WhatsApp, maps, etc.
- Keep your US number active
- No physical SIM card needed
Cons
- Only useful when traveling to India
- Requires eSIM-compatible phone
- Must purchase before travel
- Limited to data usage of plan
Pricing: India eSIM plans start at $4.50 for 1GB (7 days), $8.50 for 3GB (15 days), or $16 for 10GB (30 days). Each plan includes enough data for 100+ voice calls via WhatsApp or regular calling.
Get Airalo eSIM for India →2. Saily eSIM
Premium AlternativeBest for: Travelers who want premium support and slightly better coverage in rural areas of India
How it works: Similar to Airalo, Saily provides instant eSIM activation for India. Backed by Nord Security (the trusted company behind NordVPN), Saily offers reliable connectivity with 24/7 customer support and excellent coverage across India.
💡 Why Choose Saily Over Other eSIMs
Saily stands out with its premium customer support and slightly better network coverage in rural Indian areas. If you're traveling beyond major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, or Bangalore, Saily's enhanced coverage can be worth the small price premium.
Pros
- 24/7 premium customer support
- Better coverage in rural India
- Backed by trusted Nord Security
- Instant activation
- User-friendly interface
- Reliable connectivity
Cons
- 5-10% more expensive than Airalo
- Requires eSIM-compatible device
- Only for travelers to India
Pricing: India plans from $5 for 1GB (7 days), $9 for 3GB (15 days), or $17 for 10GB (30 days). Slightly pricier than Airalo but includes premium support.
Try Saily eSIM →3. Yesim eSIM
Budget OptionBest for: Budget-conscious travelers who want basic connectivity at the lowest price
How it works: Yesim offers affordable eSIM plans for India with competitive pricing and straightforward setup. Perfect for travelers who need basic calling and data without premium features.
Pros
- Most affordable eSIM option
- Simple, no-frills setup
- Good coverage in major cities
- Flexible plan options
Cons
- Basic customer support
- Coverage weaker in rural areas
- Less polished app interface
Pricing: India plans from $3.50 for 1GB (7 days), making it the most budget-friendly eSIM option.
Get Yesim eSIM →4. NordVPN + WhatsApp
Best for Restricted CountriesBest for: Indian expats living in UAE, Saudi Arabia, China, or other countries where WhatsApp and calling apps are blocked or restricted
How it works: Use NordVPN to bypass internet restrictions and access WhatsApp from anywhere. Once connected through the VPN, you can make completely FREE voice and video calls to India using WhatsApp over WiFi or mobile data.
💡 Why NordVPN is Essential in Restricted Countries
If you're in UAE, China, or Saudi Arabia where WhatsApp calling is blocked, you're forced to use expensive international calling cards. NordVPN costs just $3.39/month but gives you UNLIMITED free calls to India via WhatsApp. After just 5-10 calls, you've already saved more than the monthly VPN cost. Plus, you get privacy protection and access to other blocked services.
Pros
- UNLIMITED free calls once connected
- Works in UAE, China, Saudi Arabia
- Also protects your privacy online
- HD video calls included
- Access all blocked apps and websites
- Use on multiple devices
Cons
- Requires internet connection
- Monthly subscription ($3-4/month)
- Person in India must have WhatsApp
- VPN setup needed first time
Pricing: $3.39/month (2-year plan) for unlimited calling versus $20-50/month on international calling cards. You save 85-95%.
Get NordVPN Now →Free Calling Options: Best for Budget-Conscious Users
These completely free options work great if you have WiFi or mobile data. No subscriptions, no hidden fees - just free calling to India.
5. WhatsApp
FreeBest for: Anyone with WiFi or mobile data who wants free voice and video calls to India
How it works: WhatsApp uses your internet connection to make completely free voice and video calls. Just add the India contact's WhatsApp number and tap the call icon. Both voice and video calls are crystal clear with HD quality.
Pros
- Completely free (no cost at all)
- HD voice and video quality
- Works anywhere with internet
- Most Indians already use it
- Group calls supported
- Also includes messaging
Cons
- Both parties need WhatsApp
- Requires internet connection
- Blocked in UAE and China (need VPN)
- Can't call regular phone numbers
Our take: WhatsApp is hands-down the best free option for calling India. With over 500 million users in India, chances are everyone you want to call already has WhatsApp. The voice and video quality is excellent, and it's completely free forever.
6. Google Voice
$0.01/minBest for: US-based users who need to call landlines or mobile numbers in India at ultra-low rates
How it works: Google Voice gives you a free US phone number that can call India for just $0.01 per minute. You can call any phone number in India (landline or mobile), and the person doesn't need Google Voice or any app installed.
Pros
- Extremely cheap ($0.01/min)
- Call any India phone number
- Recipient doesn't need app
- Free US phone number included
- Works on phone and computer
Cons
- Only available to US residents
- Not free (though very cheap)
- Requires good internet connection
- Setup can be confusing
Our take: For just 1 cent per minute, Google Voice is one of the cheapest ways to call actual phone numbers in India. If the person you're calling doesn't have WhatsApp or internet, this is your best bet.
7. FaceTime Audio
FreeBest for: iPhone, iPad, or Mac users calling other Apple device users in India
How it works: FaceTime Audio is Apple's free calling service built into all iOS and Mac devices. Just tap the FaceTime Audio icon next to any contact's name to make a free call over internet.
Pros
- Completely free
- Excellent audio quality
- Built into Apple devices
- No app download needed
- Works over WiFi or cellular data
Cons
- Only works Apple-to-Apple
- Both parties need iOS/Mac
- Requires internet connection
Our take: If both you and the person in India have Apple devices, FaceTime Audio is perfect. The quality is outstanding and it's built right in - no separate app needed.
8. Skype
Free / $0.02/minBest for: Computer users who want free Skype-to-Skype calls or cheap calls to phone numbers
How it works: Skype offers free calls between Skype users over internet, plus paid calling to regular phone numbers for $0.023/min to India mobiles and $0.013/min to India landlines.
Pros
- Free for Skype-to-Skype calls
- Very cheap for phone calls
- Works on all devices
- Group calls supported
- Screen sharing available
Cons
- Less popular than WhatsApp in India
- Both need Skype for free calls
- App can be laggy on phones
Our take: Skype is solid but has been largely replaced by WhatsApp in India. It's still useful for computer-based calling or if you need to call actual phone numbers cheaply.
9. Facebook Messenger
FreeBest for: People who already use Facebook and want free calling through the platform
How it works: Facebook Messenger includes free voice and video calling to anyone on your Facebook friends list. Just open a chat and tap the phone or video icon.
Pros
- Completely free
- Many Indians use Facebook
- Voice and video calls
- Group calls supported
Cons
- Both need Facebook accounts
- Call quality can be inconsistent
- Privacy concerns with Facebook
- Requires internet
Our take: If you and your India contacts are already on Facebook, Messenger works fine for free calls. However, WhatsApp generally offers better call quality and is more popular in India.
🎯 Quick Decision Guide: Which Option Should You Choose?
Traveling to India soon? → Get Airalo eSIM for local rates and a real Indian number. You'll save 80% compared to international roaming and get data for apps.
Living in UAE, China, or Saudi Arabia? → Get NordVPN to bypass restrictions and use WhatsApp for unlimited free calling to India.
In USA with good WiFi? → Just use WhatsApp or FaceTime Audio for completely free calls. No need for any paid service.
Need to call landlines or people without smartphones? → Use Google Voice at $0.01/min - cheapest way to call actual phone numbers in India.
Want premium support while traveling? → Try Saily eSIM for India travel with 24/7 customer service and better rural coverage.
On tight budget but traveling? → Yesim eSIM offers the most affordable eSIM plans starting at $3.50.
Final Thoughts: Best India Calling Apps in 2025
The landscape of international calling has completely changed. You no longer need expensive calling cards, Airtel plans, or Vodafone/Idea Cellular contracts to stay connected with India.
For most people, WhatsApp is the best free option - it's what everyone in India uses, it's completely free, and the quality is excellent. If you're traveling to India, Airalo eSIM gives you a local number and data plan at a fraction of the cost of international roaming.
Living in a restricted country like UAE or China? NordVPN unlocks WhatsApp for unlimited free calling while protecting your privacy.
The bottom line: with today's technology, calling India should never be expensive. Choose the option that fits your situation, and start saving money on your India calls today!
Frequently Asked Questions
