The best international phone options are Magenta MAX from T-Mobile, the Unlimited plan from Mint Mobile, and the Unlimited Data for 1 plan from Google Fi.
When calling foreign numbers, you usually have two options: bolt-on packs or pay-as-you-go rates.
No longer do people have to settle for expensive rates when calling other countries. Carriers big and small now offer reasonable international rates and packages, making it easy and affordable to stay in touch with friends and family around the world with cheap international calls and lots of data. Here are our picks.
Here are Best International Calling Plan
| Plan | Price | International Perks |
| T-Mobile Magenta MAX | $85/month | Unlimited 3G data and texting abroad; free unlimited Wi-Fi on eligible flights; Mexico and Canada privileges |
| Mint Mobile Unlimited Plan | $30/month | Wallet-friendly international calling with UpRoam; free calling and texting to Canada and Mexico, affordable calls and texts to over 160 nationwide countries. |
| T-Mobile Magenta MAX | $50/month | Unlimited calling to landlines in over 75 countries; optional $10/month Global Voice option for unlimited calling and texting to over 140 international locations |
| Ting 5GB Monthly Plan | $25/month | Monthly minutes can be used for calling to over 60 countries for no additional charge |
| Ultra Mobile 6GB Single-Month Plan | $29/month | Unlimited global texting plus unlimited talk to 80+ international locations |
Do All Cell Phone Plans Allow International Calls?
While some cell phone plans permit international calling and even specialize in it, others do not. Republic Wireless is a provider that does not offer any international calling plans.
However, even those that initially do not offer international calling (or at least international calling at a reasonable price) sell bolt-on bundles that provide international calling privileges. For example, Metro by T-Mobile offers $5 add-ons that include unlimited talk, text, and data to and from Mexico and Canada, and a $10 add-on that includes calling to over 140 countries.
Bolt-On Packs vs Pay-As-You-Go
There are typically two options for international calling plans: bolt-on packs and pay-as-you-go rates.
Take T-Mobile. Their unlimited Magenta plan includes unlimited data and international calls to and from Mexico and Canada. However, calls to landlines and mobile phones in other countries are subject to pay-as-you-go rates. (Side note: For a list of the calling rates to a variety of other countries, scroll down to one of the most popular countries to call, check any guide and use the sidebar to find another country you’re searching for).
Metro by T-Mobile, the primary MVNO of T-Mobile, offers bolt-on international phone plans that you can add to your existing plan to supplement your international connections. For example, their $5 Canada Unlimited add-on includes 5GB of data and unlimited communication to and from our northern neighbor. Global Voice provides calling and messaging services to over 140 countries for $10 per month.
Typically, if your carrier doesn’t offer an international add-on plan that covers the country you’re visiting, you can purchase a local SIM card that functions as an international add-on plan, offering roaming and data for the country you’re visiting.
Some Free International Calling With Apps
Want to make international talks for free? Mobile applications let you do just that. Using WhatsApp, FaceTime, Messenger, Hangouts, Zoom, and a scattering of other applications, for instance, you can make voice or video calls over mobile data or Wi-Fi.
The 10 Most-Called Countries from the United States
The United States has always had a population comprised in large part of individuals from all over the globe. Obviously, many of these individuals make frequent calls to friends and family abroad. Here are the ten most popular countries to call from the United States with your international calling plan, along with links to our country-specific calling guides:
- India
- United Kingdom
- Australia
- Germany
- France
- Costa Rica
- Israel
- Japan
- Colombia
- China
FAQs
Which Carrier is Best for International Travel?
We like T-Mobile because it lets us go all over the world. You get unlimited foreign 3G data, which is rare since most carriers only offer texting, and free unlimited Wi-Fi on your flights to and from your destination. If your trip takes you to a country near the U.S. border, you get even better perks. You can use up to 5GB of LTE data in Canada and Mexico (after that, you can use unlimited data at slower speeds), and you can talk and text as much as you want.
How Much Does a Plan to Call Other Countries Cost?
If your foreign benefits are part of your domestic phone plan, you won’t have to pay anything extra unless you go over your data or texting limits or use pay-as-you-go rates to call certain countries, which can cost anywhere from a few cents to a few dollars per minute. If you choose a bolt-on international pack, you can expect to pay between $5 and $25, based on how strong the pack is and how long it will last you.
Cheap Way to Call International with Phone
Using a free global talking app is the cheapest way to call someone in another country. FaceTime, WhatsApp, Zoom, Skype, and Messenger are all examples of apps that let you make calls over Wi-Fi or cell data.
