International Calling Rates to India: Complete Comparison (2025)
Compare calling rates from USA, UK, UAE & more. Find the cheapest options with honest pricing.
📖 18 min read · Updated October 26, 2025
Confused about international calling rates to India? You're not alone. With prices ranging from completely free to $0.50+ per minute, finding the best deal can feel overwhelming.
After testing dozens of calling services and comparing rates from 15+ countries, I've created this complete guide to help you understand exactly what you'll pay to call India in 2025. Whether you're calling from the USA, UK, UAE, or anywhere else, you'll find clear pricing information and honest recommendations.
The good news? You have more affordable options than ever before. Let's break down the real costs and find the perfect solution for your needs.
🔑 Quick Navigation
Quick Rate Comparison: International Calling Rates to India by Country
Here's a quick overview of what you can expect to pay when calling India from different countries. These rates represent the most common options available in 2025.
| Calling From | Free Options | eSIM Cost | Traditional Carrier | Best Choice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | $0 (WhatsApp, Google Voice) | $4.50-$18 (unlimited) | $0.02-$0.50/min | WhatsApp or eSIM |
| UK | $0 (WhatsApp, FaceTime) | $4.50-$18 (unlimited) | $0.05-$0.70/min | WhatsApp or eSIM |
| UAE | $0 (with VPN) | $4.50-$18 (unlimited) | $0.15-$0.85/min | VPN + WhatsApp |
| Canada | $0 (WhatsApp, Google Voice) | $4.50-$18 (unlimited) | $0.03-$0.55/min | WhatsApp or eSIM |
| Singapore | $0 (WhatsApp, FaceTime) | $4.50-$18 (unlimited) | $0.08-$0.60/min | WhatsApp or eSIM |
| Australia | $0 (WhatsApp, FaceTime) | $4.50-$18 (unlimited) | $0.04-$0.65/min | WhatsApp or eSIM |
💡 Quick Tip: Save 95% on International Calls
The smartest way to call India? Use free WhatsApp calling over WiFi. But if you're traveling to India, an eSIM gives you a local phone number for just a few dollars. You'll save thousands compared to traditional roaming charges.
Free Calling Options to India (Zero Cost)
Before we talk about paid options, let's cover the completely free ways to call India. These work great for most people, especially if you have reliable WiFi or data.
1. WhatsApp Calling
FreeCost: $0 (uses WiFi or mobile data)
Best for: Daily calls with family who also use WhatsApp
How it works: WhatsApp uses internet data instead of traditional phone networks. As long as both you and the person in India have WhatsApp installed, you can make unlimited voice and video calls for free on WiFi.
Pros
- Completely free on WiFi
- Excellent call quality
- Video calling included
- Works in most countries
Cons
- Both people need WhatsApp
- Can't call regular phone numbers
- Blocked in UAE, China, Saudi Arabia
- Needs good internet connection
Our take: WhatsApp is perfect for staying in touch with family. The call quality is great, and you can't beat free. Just remember both people need the app installed.
2. Google Voice (US Numbers Only)
Free to Low-CostCost: $0 (calls to US/Canada) or $0.01/min (calls to India)
Best for: US-based users calling India occasionally
How it works: Google Voice gives you a free US phone number that can call India for just 1 cent per minute. That means a 60-minute call costs only $0.60.
Pros
- Extremely cheap (1¢/min to India)
- Free US phone number
- Can call regular phone numbers
- Works on any device
Cons
- Only available in USA
- Requires Google account
- May have setup delays
- Not truly "free" for India calls
Our take: For US-based expats, Google Voice offers unbeatable value. At just 1 cent per minute, it's essentially free while still letting you call regular Indian phone numbers.
3. FaceTime Audio (Apple Users)
FreeCost: $0 (uses WiFi or mobile data)
Best for: iPhone users calling other iPhone users
How it works: If both you and your family in India use iPhones, FaceTime Audio provides crystal-clear voice calls over the internet for free.
Pros
- Completely free
- Excellent audio quality
- Built into iPhone
- Very reliable
Cons
- Apple devices only
- Both people need iPhones
- Can't call regular numbers
- Needs good internet
Our take: If your family already uses iPhones, FaceTime Audio is simple and works great. The audio quality often beats WhatsApp.
⚠️ Important: VoIP Restrictions in Some Countries
If you're calling from UAE, China, or Saudi Arabia, WhatsApp and other internet calling apps are blocked. You'll need to use a VPN to access these free calling options. More on this below.
eSIM Calling Rates to India (Best for Travelers)
If you're traveling to India or want a local Indian phone number, eSIM plans offer the best value. You get unlimited calling within India and can call back to your home country affordably.
1. Airalo eSIM
Best for TravelersCost: From $4.50 for 1GB (7 days) to $18 for 10GB (30 days)
Best for: Anyone traveling to India who wants a local number
How it works: Airalo provides an Indian eSIM that gives you a local phone number instantly. You can make unlimited local calls in India and use WhatsApp to call internationally for free.
💡 Why Airalo is Our Top Pick
Airalo gives you a real Indian phone number for as little as $4.50. This means you can call anyone in India at local rates and use WhatsApp for international calls. It's like having two phone numbers in one device.
Pros
- Indian phone number ($4.50-$18)
- Unlimited local India calls
- Use WhatsApp for free international calls
- Instant activation, no SIM card needed
- Keep your home number active
Cons
- Requires eSIM-compatible device
- Need to buy data packages
- Direct international calls cost extra
Pricing breakdown:
- 1GB (7 days): $4.50 - Good for short trips
- 3GB (30 days): $11 - Perfect for 2-week vacations
- 5GB (30 days): $16 - Best for regular travelers
- 10GB (30 days): $18 - Ideal for long stays
Real savings example: A 30-minute call to India using traditional roaming costs $15-$30. With Airalo's $4.50 plan + WhatsApp, you get unlimited 30-minute calls for a week.
Get Airalo eSIM for India →2. Saily eSIM
Premium AlternativeCost: From $5.49 for 1GB (7 days) to $19.99 for 10GB (30 days)
Best for: Travelers who want extra security (backed by NordVPN)
How it works: Saily, created by the makers of NordVPN, offers Indian eSIM plans with built-in security features. You get a local number and can use internet calling apps freely.
Pros
- Created by NordVPN (trusted brand)
- Local Indian phone number
- Strong security features
- 24/7 support
Cons
- Slightly more expensive than Airalo
- Fewer plan options
- Newer service (less established)
Our take: Saily costs about $1 more than Airalo but offers better security. If you value privacy and want backing from a trusted VPN company, it's worth the small premium.
Try Saily eSIM →3. Yesim eSIM
Budget ChoiceCost: From $3.99 for 1GB (7 days) to $15.99 for 10GB (30 days)
Best for: Budget-conscious travelers
How it works: Yesim offers the cheapest eSIM plans for India while still providing good coverage and a local phone number.
Pros
- Cheapest eSIM option
- Local Indian number
- Easy setup
- Good coverage
Cons
- Fewer features than competitors
- Limited customer support
- Some connection issues reported
Our take: If you want the absolute cheapest eSIM and don't mind basic service, Yesim saves you a dollar or two. But for most people, Airalo's extra features are worth the small price difference.
Get Yesim eSIM →VPN Calling Rates (Best for Restricted Countries)
If you're calling from UAE, China, Saudi Arabia, or other countries where WhatsApp is blocked, a VPN is your most affordable solution. It unlocks free calling apps so you can call India without expensive international rates.
NordVPN
Best for Restricted CountriesCost: $3.39/month (2-year plan) or $12.99/month (1-month plan)
Best for: UAE, China, and Saudi Arabia residents who need to access WhatsApp
How it works: NordVPN creates a secure connection that bypasses internet restrictions in your country. Once connected, you can use WhatsApp, FaceTime, and other blocked calling apps to call India for free.
💡 Why This Saves You Money
Traditional international calling from UAE costs $0.15-$0.85 per minute. That's $9-$51 for just one hour. With NordVPN at $3.39/month, you get unlimited free calls to India through WhatsApp. You'll save hundreds of dollars per month.
Pros
- Access WhatsApp from anywhere ($3.39/month)
- Unlimited free calls through WhatsApp
- Works in UAE, China, Saudi Arabia
- Also protects your online privacy
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Requires monthly subscription
- Must be connected to VPN while calling
- May slow internet slightly
Cost comparison:
- Traditional UAE to India calls: $0.25/min = $15 per hour
- NordVPN + WhatsApp: $3.39/month = unlimited hours
- Savings: Over $175 per month if you call for 1 hour daily
Traditional Carrier Rates to Call India
For comparison, here's what major phone carriers charge for international calls to India. These rates show why most people are switching to internet-based solutions.
Calling Rates from USA to India
| Carrier | Rate per Minute | Monthly Cost (1 hour daily) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | $0.28/min | $504 | Requires international plan |
| Verizon | $0.25/min | $450 | Extra fees may apply |
| T-Mobile | $0.20/min | $360 | Cheaper with international addon |
| Google Voice | $0.01/min | $18 | Best traditional option |
Calling Rates from UK to India
| Carrier | Rate per Minute | Monthly Cost (1 hour daily) |
|---|---|---|
| BT | £0.45/min ($0.57/min) | £810 ($1,026) |
| Vodafone | £0.35/min ($0.44/min) | £630 ($798) |
| EE | £0.40/min ($0.51/min) | £720 ($912) |
Calling Rates from UAE to India
| Carrier | Rate per Minute | Monthly Cost (1 hour daily) |
|---|---|---|
| Etisalat | AED 0.75/min ($0.20/min) | AED 1,350 ($360) |
| du | AED 0.80/min ($0.22/min) | AED 1,440 ($396) |
⚠️ Reality Check on Traditional Carriers
If you're using traditional phone service to call India, you're spending $360-$1,026 per month for just one hour of daily calls. Meanwhile, WhatsApp is completely free and eSIM plans cost $4.50-$18 monthly. The math is simple.
Hidden Costs to Watch Out For
Beyond the per-minute rates you see advertised, there are several hidden costs that can quickly add up when calling India internationally.
1. Connection Fees
Many carriers charge a connection fee each time you place an international call, even if the call doesn't go through. This can be $0.50-$2.00 per call attempt.
Example: If your per-minute rate is $0.10 but there's a $0.50 connection fee, a 5-minute call actually costs $1.00, making your real rate $0.20 per minute.
2. Roaming Charges
If you're traveling and receive calls on your home number while abroad, you might pay roaming charges even if you didn't make the call.
Typical costs: $0.50-$3.00 per minute for incoming calls while traveling
3. Service Fees and Taxes
International calling plans often have monthly service fees ($5-$15) plus taxes and regulatory fees (10-20% of your bill).
4. Data Charges for Internet Calling
While WhatsApp and other internet calling apps are "free," they use your mobile data when not on WiFi.
Data usage:
- Voice calls: About 0.5-1 MB per minute
- Video calls: About 3-4 MB per minute
- 1-hour voice call: 30-60 MB of data
- 1-hour video call: 180-240 MB of data
Solution: An eSIM plan with data costs $4.50-$18 per month and includes plenty of data for calling.
5. Currency Conversion Fees
If you're buying international calling cards or topping up services in different currencies, you might pay 2-5% in currency conversion fees.
💡 How to Avoid Hidden Costs
Stick with transparent options like WhatsApp (free on WiFi) or fixed-price eSIM plans. These have no connection fees, no surprise charges, and predictable monthly costs.
Which Calling Option Should You Choose?
Not sure which option is right for you? Use this decision guide to find your perfect match based on your specific situation.
🎯 Quick Decision Guide
Calling from home with WiFi? → Use WhatsApp for free (100% free, excellent quality)
Traveling to India soon? → Get Airalo eSIM for $4.50 (local number + WhatsApp)
Living in UAE, China, or Saudi Arabia? → Get NordVPN for $3.39/month (access WhatsApp)
Need to call regular phone numbers from USA? → Use Google Voice at $0.01/min (cheapest paid option)
Have an iPhone and family in India has iPhones? → Use FaceTime Audio (free, built-in)
Making lots of calls from a traditional carrier? → You're overspending - switch to any option above
Cost Comparison for Different Use Cases
Light User (5 hours per month):
- Traditional carrier: $60-$150/month
- WhatsApp: $0 (free on WiFi)
- Google Voice: $3/month
- eSIM: $4.50/month
- Best choice: WhatsApp (free)
Regular User (1 hour daily):
- Traditional carrier: $360-$1,000/month
- WhatsApp: $0 (free on WiFi)
- Google Voice: $18/month
- eSIM: $4.50-$18/month
- Best choice: WhatsApp or eSIM
Traveler to India:
- Traditional roaming: $200-$500 per trip
- International SIM card: $30-$50 per trip
- eSIM: $4.50-$18 per trip
- Best choice: Airalo eSIM ($4.50)
UAE/China Resident:
- Traditional carrier: $360-$600/month
- VPN + WhatsApp: $3.39/month
- Best choice: NordVPN ($3.39)
📚 Related Guides You Might Find Helpful
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to call India from USA?
The cheapest way to call India from USA is using WhatsApp over WiFi, which is completely free. If you need to call regular phone numbers, Google Voice charges just 1 cent per minute. For travelers to India, an Airalo eSIM costs $4.50 and includes unlimited local calling plus data for WhatsApp.
How much do international calling rates to India cost?
International calling rates to India vary widely. Traditional carriers charge $0.20-$0.85 per minute, costing $360-$1,000 monthly for daily calls. Free options like WhatsApp cost nothing on WiFi. eSIM plans cost $4.50-$18 monthly with unlimited calling. Google Voice charges just $0.01 per minute from the USA.
Can I use WhatsApp to call India for free?
Yes, WhatsApp is completely free to call India when you're on WiFi. Both you and the person in India need WhatsApp installed. The calls work great with good internet. If you're on mobile data instead of WiFi, WhatsApp uses about 0.5-1 MB per minute. WhatsApp is blocked in UAE, China, and Saudi Arabia unless you use a VPN.
How much does it cost to call India from UAE?
Traditional carriers in UAE (Etisalat and du) charge $0.20-$0.22 per minute to call India, or about $360-$400 monthly for one hour daily. WhatsApp is blocked in UAE, but you can use NordVPN for $3.39 per month to access WhatsApp and call India for free. This saves over $350 monthly compared to traditional rates.
What is an eSIM and how does it save money on India calls?
An eSIM is a digital SIM card you can install on your phone without a physical card. For India, eSIM plans like Airalo cost $4.50-$18 and give you a local Indian phone number instantly. You get unlimited local calls in India and can use WhatsApp for free international calls. This saves hundreds compared to traditional roaming charges of $200-$500 per trip.
Do I need a VPN to call India?
You need a VPN to call India only if you're in countries where WhatsApp and other calling apps are blocked, like UAE, China, or Saudi Arabia. A VPN like NordVPN costs $3.39 per month and lets you access WhatsApp to call India for free. If WhatsApp works in your country, you don't need a VPN.
Is Google Voice free to call India?
Google Voice is not completely free for India calls, but it's extremely cheap at just 1 cent per minute. This means a 60-minute call costs only 60 cents. Google Voice is only available in the USA. Calls to US and Canadian numbers are free with Google Voice.
Final Thoughts
Understanding international calling rates to India doesn't have to be complicated. The bottom line is simple: traditional carriers charge way too much, while modern solutions give you free or nearly-free calls.
For most people, WhatsApp on WiFi is the perfect solution - it's free, works great, and requires nothing extra. If you're traveling to India, grab an Airalo eSIM for just $4.50 to get a local number and use WhatsApp freely. And if you're in UAE, China, or Saudi Arabia where WhatsApp is blocked, NordVPN at $3.39/month unlocks free calling through WhatsApp.
Stop paying $300+ monthly for international calls when you have free or nearly-free alternatives. Your wallet will thank you, and your call quality will probably be better too.
