feature image-cheap international calls from UK-person holding phone with call icon with britian flag bg

15+ Ways to Make Cheap International Calls from UK 

Best ways to make cheap international calls from UK

If you are looking for ways to make cheap international calls from UK, you are not alone. We understand your concern, as many genuine and phony services claim to do it.

Using a regular mobile phone or landline costs a lot of money. So what about using an alternative calling method?

Many VoIP and calling cards will give you instant access to international contacts. But which one you choose depends on your needs.

And sometimes, the deals that sound too good actually end up being a waste of money.

We’ve researched for you and found the best way to make cheap calls from the UK. This list includes VoIP services, calling cards, and sim cards for international calls.

Compare the international calling rates from UK

ServicesStarting Price Key Features
8×8 â‚¤10 Intelligent dashboard 
RingCentral â‚¤7.99 Unlimited storage 
Vonage â‚¤10.25 Great API 
Phone.com â‚¤9.8 Call Screening and recording 
Mitel Custom Amazing conference features 
Dialpad â‚¤12 Custom interactive voice responses 
JustCall $24 Specialized services for industries 
KeepCalling Â£1.88 Auto top-up 
Bonline Â£6 Mobile and desktop apps 
LycaMobile Â£ 9.90 High-speed internet for data plans 
Lebara Â£5 Free SIM card with no hidden fees 
O2 Â£2 Inbuilt VPN 
Three Â£5 Unlimited calling 
EE Â£10 Roaming services for travelers 
BT Â£2.30 Free minutes for selected countries 
Tesco International Calling Â£3 Free credit while downloading the app 
Post Office calling card Â£5 Use from a public payphone 

List 1. Cheap international calls from UK using VoIP services 

1. 8×8 – Overall best cheap calling option from UK

inarticle image-cheap international calls in uk-8X8

Best for: Small businesses and individuals

Price: Starts from ₤10

Service options available: Individuals and businesses

When it comes to low-cost international calls from the UK, 8×8 is the best overall VoIP.

It has plans catered for individuals and businesses, starting at just ₤10. This is an excellent and great option for making international calls to landlines and mobile phones from the UK.

It provides unlimited voice calls to the UK & Canada in even the cheapest plan. Moreover, voice calls, video calls & chat are available in a single app to support its users. These features can be used by both businesses and individuals alike.

Key features of 8×8

  • Video meetings: 8×8 also has a video meeting option that businesses can use to communicate with clients. This is available on both desktop and mobile devices.
  • Business phones: 8×8 also gives you instant access to local numbers. This helps your business to connect to customers in different countries.
  • Team chat: Group messaging is also an option with 8×8. Businesses can use this to communicate with their team members no matter where they are.

8×8 international call rates

CountriesRates
Countries Rates 
Canada Â£0.01 per minute 
China Â£0.02 per minute 
USA Â£0.02 per minute 
Mexico Â£0.02 per minute 
Australia Â£0.02 per minute 
India Â£0.03 per minute 
Nepal Â£0.19 per minute 
Pakistan Â£0.1 per minute 
Philippines Â£0.14 per minute 
UAE Â£0.22 per minute 
Saudi Arabia Â£0.13 per minute 
Qatar Â£0.25 per minute 
Kuwait Â£0.25 per minute 
Japan Â£0.04 per minute 
South Korea Â£0.01 per minute 
Bangladesh Â£0.05 per minute 

What we like and dislike about 8×8

Like

  • Variety of plans for businesses and individual
  • Free trial for the First month

Dislike

  • Only available in English

Who is 8×8 recommended for?

8×8 is recommended for people planning to make cheap international calls from the UK and businesses. 8×8 is also recommended for small businesses with plans starting at an affordable rate.

2. RingCentral – Best VoIP for desk phones

inarticle image-cheap international calls in uk-RIng Central

Best for: Landlines and office phones

Price: Starts from ₤7.99

Service options available: Individual and businesses

RingCentral is one of the most popular VoIP providers in the United Kingdom. They offer a variety of plans to make cheap international calls from the UK.

It also provides its services through its official apps. You can the RingCentral app on your mac, windows, Android, and iOS devices.

RingCentral offers features like unlimited audio conferencing and team messaging to improve your team’s communication.

Key Features of RingCentral

  • Auto call recording
  • IP Desk Phones support
  • Video Calls and unlimited audio conferencing
  • Virtual PBX to route calls between users on local lines

RingCentral international call rates

Countries Rates 
Canada 0.80p per minute 
China 2.00p per minute 
USA Starting from 2.50p per minute 
Mexico 0.80p per minute 
Australia Starting from 2.50p per minute 
India Starting from 2.50p per minute 
Nepal Starting from 17.00p per minute 
Pakistan Starting from 7.20p per minute 
Philippines Starting from 12.00p per minute 
UAE Starting from 2.50p per minute 
Saudi Arabia Starting from 2.50p per minute 
Qatar Starting from 15.00p per minute 
Kuwait Starting from 6.50p per minute 
Japan Starting from 2.50p per minute 
South Korea Starting from 2.80p per minute 
Bangladesh 4.60p per minute 

What we like and dislike about RingCentral

Like

  • Flexible plans
  • Support for existing desk phones
  • App for computers and mobile devices

Dislike

  • Video options unavailable on the cheapest plan
  • Unlimited phone calls are limited to the US and Canada only

Who is RingCentral recommended for?

RingCentral is designed to help businesses communicate better. It has features that are more helpful for big businesses with large budgets rather than personal use.

3. Vonage – Best VoIP for home

inarticle image-cheap international calls in uk-Vonage

Best for: Home use

Price: Starts from ₤10.25 per month

Service options available: For individuals

Vonage is another great option for making international calls from the UK. Vonage has three major plans for cheap local and overseas calls.

Vonage combines Communications APIs, unified communications, and contact centers to make communication simple. This makes quality international calls possible at very low rates.

Despite being excellent for home use, Vonage also has a business solution. It is used by over 100,000 businesses over the world.

Key features of Vonage

  • Free mobile app: You can use the free Vonage for home mobile app to make calls on the go. The app is available on Android and Apple devices.
  • In-app messaging: VoIP users can also message each other using the in-app messaging feature. This is a great way to keep in touch with people without having to make calls.
  • Free international calls: Some plans also come with free international calls to landlines and mobile phones. There is also a plan specifically catered to UK residents with families in India.

Vonage international call rates

CountriesRates
Canada Starting with 2p per minute 
China Starting with 5p per minute 
USA Starting with 2p per minute 
Mexico 3p per minute 
Australia Starting with 2p per minute 
India 3p per minute 
Nepal Starting with 38p per minute 
Pakistan Starting with 10p per minute 
Philippines Starting with 30p per minute 
UAE 38p per minute 
Saudi Arabia Starting with 32p per minute 
Qatar 37p per minute 
Kuwait 10p per minute 
Japan Starting with 3p per minute 
South Korea Starting with 3p per minute 
Bangladesh Starting with 7p per minute 

What we like and dislike about Vonage

Like

  • Exclusive plan for international calls to India
  • A variety of plans to choose from

Dislike

  • The cheapest plan does not have international calling
  • Some countries are not included in all plans

Who is Vonage recommended for?

Vonage is recommended for UK residents looking to make cheap calls from home. With a special plan for cheap calls to India, Vonage is perfect for people with loved ones in India.

4. Phone.com – Best for healthcare businesses

inarticle image-cheap international calls in uk-phone.com

Best for: Healthcare services that require HIPAA compliance

Price: Starts from ₤9.8

Service options available: Individuals and businesses

Phone.com offers additional features beyond traditional landlines. It is also HIPAA compliant, which means it keeps patient information private.

There are no additional bills for using the Phone.com service – everything is included in the monthly fee. This can save a lot of money, especially for businesses that make many calls.

The mobile app is also very handy, allowing users to take their calls wherever they go. And for those who need to make international calls, special plans can save a lot on long-distance charges.

Key features of Phone.com

  • International numbers: With Phone.com, you can have a virtual number. This allows you to make and receive calls as if you were in that country – perfect for businesses with international clients or customers.
  • Call screening and recording: Phone.com allows you to screen calls before you answer them and record them. This way, you can avoid and report unwanted sales calls or spam.

Phone.com charges in USD. So, note that changing currency rates may vary and make a difference in the price.

Phone.com international call rates

CountriesRates
Canada Starting with 3.9p per minute 
China 3.9p per minute 
USA Unspecified
Mexico 3.9p per minute 
Australia Starting with 3.9p per minute 
India 3.9p per minute 
Nepal Starting with 17.6p per minute 
Pakistan Starting with 6.0p per minute 
Philippines Starting with 11.4p per minute 
UAE Starting with 18.4p per minute 
Saudi Arabia Starting with 10.7p per minute 
Qatar Starting with 17.9p per minute 
Kuwait 6.2p per minute 
Japan Starting with 3.9p per minute 
South Korea 3.9p per minute 
Bangladesh 5.3p per minute 

What we like and dislike about Phone.com

Like

  • International numbers are available
  • No additional fees
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

Dislike

  • No free trial
  • No family plans

Who is Phone.com recommended for?

Phone.com is recommended for health service providers in the UK. It is HIPAA compliant and will align with your values of patients’ privacy.

Of course, other businesses can also use it for cheap international calling options from the UK.

5. Mitel – Best VoIP for internal communication

inarticle image-cheap international calls in uk-mitel

Best for: Communication within the organization

Price: Custom pricing

Service option available: Businesses

Mitel provides a custom plan for all sizes of businesses. This pricing policy gives it great flexibility to be used in both big and small businesses without a hitch.

With Mitel VoIP, you get all the benefits of VoIP, including crystal-clear call quality. Other features like call forwarding and voicemail are also available.

Key Features of Mitel

  • Enhanced Voice quality: With Mitel VoIP, you’ll enjoy crystal-clear call quality, thanks to the advanced VoIP technology. Previous versions of VoIP tended to have poor call quality, but that’s no longer an issue.
  • Direct messaging: It allows you to send text messages to colleagues and team members quickly. This is a cheaper option compared to traditional messaging.
  • Virtual meetings: This is another great feature for businesses. With Mitel VoIP, you can easily set up virtual meetings to meet clients or employees from anywhere.

What we like and dislike about Mitel

Like

  • Great call quality
  • Amazing conference features

Dislike

  • No fixed pricing
  • Only favorable for businesses

Who is Mitel recommended for?

Mitel is recommended for businesses of all sizes. It is especially useful for those that require constant internal communication. With no contracts or monthly fees, you only pay for what you need based on your given quote, hence making it one of the cheap international calling options from the UK.

6. Dialpad – Best AI-supported VoIP

inarticle image-cheap international calls in uk-mitel

Best for: AI-driven sales

Price: Starts from ₤12

Service options available: Individuals and businesses

Dialpad is one of the most advanced VOIPs available today. It utilizes Artificial Intelligence to become a competent and sophisticated VOIP.

It comes with various advanced features to boost your sales with the help of artificial intelligence.

Key Features of Dialpad

  • AI-assisted Dialer: You don’t need to dial the whole number anymore. The power dialer, assisted by AI, will dial the number for you.
  • Customizable IVR: You can set up interactive voice responses to let callers access information without having to answer all questions yourself. For example, they can dial 1 for a specific service and 2 for another.

Dialpad international call rates

CountriesRates
Canada Â£0.00 per minute 
China Â£0.02 per minute 
USA Â£0.00 per minute 
Mexico Starting from £0.06 per minute 
Australia Starting from £0.02 per minute 
India Â£0.04 per minute 
Nepal Â£0.13 per minute 
Pakistan Â£0.14 per minute 
Philippines Starting from £0.13 per minute 
UAE Â£0.20 per minute 
Saudi Arabia Starting from £0.11 per minute 
Qatar Â£0.20 per minute 
Kuwait Â£0.11 per minute 
Japan Starting from £0.02 per minute 
South Korea Â£0.03 per minute 
Bangladesh Â£0.04 per minute 

What we like and dislike about Dialpad

Like

  • You can use your own device
  • Free trial available

Dislike

  • Some features within the plans are only available in the UK.

Who is Dialpad recommended for?

Dial Pad is recommended for businesses that receive a lot of questions about a specific service. Its interactive voice responses can help respond with a pre-recorded voice message.

7. JustCall – Best for big enterprises

inarticle image-cheap international calls in uk-just call

Best for: Large multinational companies

Price: Starts from $24 per user

Service option available: Businesses

JustCall is one of the leading best VoIP services providing cheap international phone calls from the UK.

Huge corporations that employ thousands of people will find JustCall very useful. With JustCall, you will get international phone numbers from 70 countries to use for yourself.

The biggest benefit of JustCall is its flexible pricing structure. JustCall users can choose from the existing plans or request a custom quote that fits their needs.

Key features of JustCall

  • Special services for specific industries: If you need a specialized VOIP solution for your specific business or industry type, JustCall can provide it to you. It has solutions for e-commerce, healthcare, financial institutions, education, and real estate businesses.
  • Auto-dialer and predictive dialer: With these, you can automate repetitive tasks like making calls and sending SMS messages.

What we like and dislike about JustCall

Like

  • Favors all businesses
  • More than a hundred integrations

Dislike

  • Unlimited outgoing calls only on custom plans

Who is JustCall recommended for?

JustCall is recommended for businesses of all sizes. The plans are not too expensive, and the custom plan will make it useful no matter how big a company you have.

8. KeepCalling – Best VoIP for Access Numbers

inarticle image-cheap international calls in uk-keep calling

Best for: Using access numbers

Price: Starts from £1.88 per month

Service options available: Individuals

KeepCalling has extremely cheap starting plans without lacking the necessary features.

It provides plans for fixed minutes as well as unlimited international calls. Calling inside the UK only costs $20 for 2,857 minutes.

Key Features of KeepCalling

  • Auto top-up: Auto Top-up automatically replenishes your account balance when it falls below a certain amount. This ensures that you never run out of minutes and can always stay in touch with your loved ones.
  • PIN-less dialing: You can save your frequently called contacts and call them without entering a PIN. This is a convenient way to call internationally without remembering the PIN.

Keep Calling international call rates

Countries Rates
Canada Starting from 0.6p per minute 
China Starting from 0.9p per minute 
USA Starting from 0.8p per minute 
Mexico 0.6p per minute 
Australia Starting from 0.9p per minute 
India 1p per minute 
Nepal Starting from 11.9p per minute 
Pakistan 4.3p per minute 
Philippines Starting from 10.9p per minute 
UAE Starting from 13.5p per minute 
Saudi Arabia Starting from 7.9p per minute 
Qatar Starting from 13.9p per minute 
Kuwait Starting from 4.1p per minute 
Japan Starting from 2.4p per minute 
South Korea Starting from 1.1p per minute 
Bangladesh Starting from 1.7p per minute 

What we like and dislike about KeepCalling

Like

  • Access numbers
  • Auto top-up features

Dislike

  • Limited plans
  • No business plans

Who is KeepCalling recommended for?

KeepCalling is recommended for people who just want a simple VOIP to save on their phone calls. With rates that vary from country to country, KeepCalling offers cheap rates for individuals.

9. bOnline – Best VoIP for growing businesses

inarticle image-cheap international calls in uk-bonline

Best for: Emerging businesses

Price: Starts from £6

Service options available for: Businesses

Deals: Free trial

bOnline is for new businesses that want to make cheap international calls from the UK.

With bOnline, you can get started with a free trial and then pay as little as £6 per month for the service. You’ll also get several features and options with bOnline, including using your existing phone number, call forwarding and more.

Key features of bOnline

  • Transfer your number: You can port your old number to bOnline and keep your existing phone number. This is useful for businesses that want to keep their number.
  • Short contracts: bOnline offers short contracts with no long-term commitment. This is perfect for businesses that want the flexibility to cancel their service anytime.
  • Mobile and desktop apps: The bOnline mobile and desktop app make making and receiving calls on the go easy. It also comes with apps for smartphones.

What we like and dislike about bOnline

Like

  • You can use your own number
  • No long-term contracts
  • Cheap starting price

Dislike

  • Only 100 minutes per user in the cheapest plan

Who is bOnline recommended for?

bOnline is recommended for startups. new entrepreneurs and emerging businesses. It’s a great way to make affordable international calls from the UK and get started with a free trial.

List 2. Cheap international calls from UK using sim cards

1. Lyca Mobile – Best Sim for international texting

inarticle image-cheap international calls in uk-lyca

Best for: International texting

Price: Start from £ 9.90

Service option available: Individuals

Lyca Mobile is a mobile virtual network operator that allows you to make low-cost international calls from UK to numerous countries.

To make calls with Lyca Mobile, you must first purchase a SIM card online or from one of their physical stores. Once you have a SIM card for your mobile phone, you can sign up for a monthly plan.

Lyca Mobile also offers a variety of bundles that include minutes for calling specific countries. Additionally, customers can add money to their accounts online or by phone.

Key features of Lyca Mobile

  • Unlimited texts: Lyca Mobile plans come with unlimited texts to the UK and international numbers. Sending a free text is available but not available on all plans.
  • Auto top-up: Lyca Mobile offers the ability to top up your account when your balance gets low automatically. This is a great feature for those who don’t want to worry about running out of minutes.
  • Internet data: Lyca Mobile also gives you limited internet data to use the internet at a cheap rate. The amount of data depends on the plan you purchase.

Lyca Mobile international call rates

CountriesRates 
Canada 7p per minute 
China Starting from 0.02p per minute 
USA 7p per minute 
Mexico Starting from 1p per minute 
Australia Starting from 3p per minute 
India 3p per minute 
Nepal Starting from 15p per minute 
Pakistan 8p per minute 
Philippines Starting from 12p per minute 
UAE Starting from 15p per minute 
Saudi Arabia Starting from 9p per minute 
Qatar Starting from 19p per minute 
Kuwait Starting from 5p per minute 
Japan Starting from 5p per minute 
South Korea Starting from 7p per minute 
Bangladesh Starting from 2p per minute 

What we like and dislike about Lyca Mobile

Like

  • A variety of plans to choose from
  • Auto top-up feature
  • Internet data is also included for using the internet

Dislike

  • Free sim is not available
  • Texting options are not available on all plans

Who is Lyca Mobile recommended for?

Lyca Mobile is best suited for those who don’t mind having to purchase a SIM card. It is also for those who cannot always access the internet on their mobile phone for cheap abroad calls from UK.

2. Lebara – Best international calling and internet data

inarticle image-cheap international calls in uk-lebara

Best for: Internet users

Price: Starts from £5

Service options available for: Individuals

Deals: No contract 5G plans starting from £5

Lebara offers affordable international calls from the UK and a data package for internet usage. You will get more internet data volume in more expensive plans.

You can buy plans from Lebara that allow you to make unlimited calls to certain countries. Alternatively, you can choose a destination country that charges you per minute.

Key Features of Lebara

  • Free sim: Unlike some other mobile providers, Lebara offers a free SIM card with no hidden fees. This also comes with or without a plan for international calling.
  • Internet data: With Lebara, you can get internet data and international calling options. You will get anywhere from 3GB to unlimited data to surf the internet.

Lebara international call rates

Countries Rates
Canada Starting from 1p per minute 
China Starting from 1p per minute 
USA Starting from 1p per minute 
Mexico Starting from 1p per minute 
Australia Starting from 1p per minute 
India Starting from 1p per minute 
Nepal Starting from 9p per minute 
Pakistan Starting from 1p per minute 
Philippines Starting from 10p per minute 
UAE Starting from 12p per minute 
Saudi Arabia Starting from 9p per minute 
Qatar Starting from 9p per minute 
Kuwait Starting from 3p per minute 
Japan Starting from 1p per minute 
South Korea Starting from 3p per minute 
Bangladesh Starting from 1p per minute 

What we like and dislike about Lebara

Like

  • Free SIM card with no hidden fees
  • A variety of mobile plans to choose from

Dislike

  • No business plans

Who is Lebara recommended for?

Lebara is recommended for cheap overseas phone calls from the UK without buying a sim card. It is also recommended for people who use a lot of internet while on the go.

It is also a good option for people looking for a variety of calling plans, making it easy to find one that fits your needs. The company also provides excellent customer service, which is why it is recommended for people who want to make international calls from the UK.

List 3. Cheap international calls from UK using local phone services

1. O2 – Best pay-as-you-go plans for international calling

inarticle image-cheap international calls in uk-o2

Best for: Pay as you go international calling

Price: Starts from £2 per month

Service options available for: Individuals

Deals: International calls starting for 1p/min

If you’re looking for a reliable and affordable phone service provider in the UK, O2 is a great option. They offer low-cost international calls from the UK to individuals.

With O2, you can make cheap international calls from your mobile to different landlines and mobile phones worldwide. A pay-as-you-go option is also available to you from O2, which comes at a cheap rate.

With O2, there are no more expensive international call charges – customers can simply choose a plan that suits their needs and budget. And with excellent call quality and reliable service, O2 is an ideal choice.

Key features of O2

  • My O2 app: The My O2 app is a handy tool that allows you to keep track of your usage, top up your account, check your credit, and more. Managing your O2 account is much easier through the app.
  • Quick SIM delivery: If you order a SIM, the delivery comes within 1-2 working days. This gives you quick access to the services of O2 and saves time.

O2 international call rates

o2

What we like and dislike about O2

Like

  • Comes with an intuitive mobile phone App
  • Cheaper plans for European destinations.

Dislike

  • No business plans available

Who is O2 recommended for?

O2 is recommended for anyone looking for a simple, no-nonsense way to make affordable international calls from the UK. O2 is simple to use and affordable.

2. Three – Best cheap international calls from UK for business persons

inarticle image-cheap international calls in uk-3.co.uk

Best for: Business calls

Price: Starts from £5

Service options available for: Individuals and businesses

Sometimes, businessmen need to travel and may not have internet access at all times. That is where Three comes in handy with it offering data from 8 GB to unlimited bandwidth.

It also offers both monthly and pay-as-you-go plans. It also lets you roam worldwide and use 12 GB of internet data and unlimited international calls in Europe.

Key features of Three

  • Unlimited calling: Plans from Three include unlimited calling to 55 destinations, so you can stay in touch with family and friends without worrying about the bill.
  • Roaming service: Three offers roaming services in Europe and various countries outside Europe. So you can use your phone abroad without any worries.

Three international call rates

CountriesRates
Canada 1p per minute 
China 3p per minute 
USA 3p per minute 
Mexico Unspecified
Australia 3p per minute 
India 3p per minute 
Nepal Unspecified
Pakistan 3p per minute 
Philippines Starting from 10p per minute 
UAE Unspecified
Saudi Arabia Unspecified
Qatar Unspecified
Kuwait Unspecified
Japan Starting from 4p per minute 
South Korea Unspecified
Bangladesh 3p per minute 

What we like and dislike about Three

Like

  • Can make cheap international calls without internet
  • Services available while roaming
  • Credits don’t expire

Dislike

  • Slightly expensive cost for unlimited calling

Who is Three recommended for?

Three is recommended for businessmen in the UK who tend to travel a lot. You can take advantage of its roaming services while traveling outside the UK.

3. EE – Best phone service with calls possible to 100 countries

inarticle image cheap international calls in uk ee

Best for: Using with mobile app

Price: Starts from £10

Service options available: for Individuals

EE’s cheap international calling services can be used to call numbers of up to 100 countries. EE services include fixed plans and pay-as-you-go options.

You can get 1,000 minutes of international calling to 50 countries for just £10 a month. That is only 1p per minute.

Key features of EE

  • Calls to landlines and mobile: With EE plans, you can call both landlines and mobile phones in different countries. This means you are not limited to calling on only one device.
  • Mobile app: The app can also be used to boost your credit. It is available on both Android and iOS.
  • Roaming: Roaming services for travelers are available in many countries, so you can use your phone without any worries. Therefore if you are looking to travel outside of the UK, you can also access EE service.

EE international call rate

CountriesRates
Canada Â£3.42 per minute 
China Â£3.42 per minute 
USA Â£3.42 per minute 
Mexico Â£3.42 per minute 
Australia Â£3.42 per minute 
India Â£3.42 per minute 
Nepal Â£3.42 per minute 
Pakistan Â£3.42 per minute 
Philippines Â£3.42 per minute 
UAE Â£3.42 per minute 
Saudi Arabia Â£3.42 per minute 
Qatar Â£3.42 per minute 
Kuwait Â£3.42 per minute 
Japan Â£3.42 per minute 
South Korea Â£3.42 per minute 
Bangladesh Â£3.42 per minute 

What we like and dislike about EE

Like

  • Available on both Android and iOS
  • Up to 100 countries available to call

Dislike

  • No business plans
  • No international text options on plans

Who is EE recommended for?

EE is for individuals who just need to make cheap overseas calls from the UK without needing internet or text plans. It can also be useful for people in the specific countries that EE has within its plans.

4. BT – Best for international calls using landlines

inarticle image-cheap international calls in uk-bt

Best for: Cheap international calls using landlines

Price: £2.30 for activation of discounted calls

Service options available for: Individuals

BT is a phone service provider that allows you to make cheap abroad calls from UK. You can use BT to make both national and international calls at a cost-effective rate.

With BT, you can also use your own landline to make international calls without any hassle.

Key features of BT

  • Free minute: For selected countries, you can get free minutes on certain plans. For example, you get 600 minutes with the international freedom plans.
  • Landline calling: With BT, you can use your home phone to make international calls at a cheaper rate. You can also use this if you want to call locally within the UK.

BT international call rates

Countries Standard BT international rate 
Canada 68.53p per minute 
China 102.79p per minute 
USA 68.53p per minute 
Mexico 102.79p per minute 
Australia 102.79p per minute 
India 102.79p per minute 
Nepal 137.06p per minute 
Pakistan 102.79p per minute 
Philippines 137.06p per minute 
UAE 137.06p per minute 
Saudi Arabia 137.06p per minute 
Qatar 137.06p per minute 
Kuwait 137.06p per minute 
Japan 68.53p per minute 
South Korea 137.06p per minute 
Bangladesh 102.79p per minute 

What we like and dislike about BT

Like

  • Free minutes for selected countries
  • Can use landlines to make international calls

Dislike

  • Unused Credit cannot be transferred to the next month’s

Who is BT recommended for?

BT is recommended for homes with landlines as their main communication tool. There aren’t a lot of cheap landline-based services like BT.

List 4. Cheap calls from UK using an international calling card

1. Tesco International Calling – Best for free worldwide SMS

inarticle image-cheap international calls in uk-tesco

Best for: Sending free SMS worldwide

Price: Starts from £3

Service option available: Individuals

With the Tesco Calling Card, you can use it to make affordable international calls from the UK. You can buy these cards from the official Tesco website or any Tesco outlet.

You can also download the app on both Android and IOS devices to use offers and deals. The app is available in the English language.

There is no connection fee, and you can get instant access to international calling once you have the card. You can also send texts using the Tesco Calling Card.

Key Features of Tesco International Calling

  • Free SMS: You can send free texts with Tesco Calling Card. This is perfect for someone that prefers sending a text rather than calling.
  • Free credit: You can earn a £1 free credit when downloading the app. One way in which this can be done is by inviting your friends to download the app.

What we like and dislike about Tesco Calling Card

Like

  • Free credit and SMS
  • Wide international coverage

Dislike

  • Top up credit only lasts for 180 days

Who is Tesco Calling Card recommended for?

Tesco Calling Card can be recommended for people who want the freedom to call any destination. The ability to send free texts is a bonus if someone is looking for bulk free SMS service.

2. Post Office calling card – Best for a public payphone

inarticle image-cheap international calls in uk-post office

Best for: Payphones

Price: Starts from £5

Service option available: for individuals

Post Office calling card is a prepaid service for cheap international calls from the UK. You can visit the closest Post Office store to get the international calling card.

There are no line rental fees or connection fees when using the Post Office calling card. You will get instant access to low rates for international calls once you have purchased a card.

It also offers different calling cards depending on how much you want to spend.

Key Features of Post office calling cards

  • Free calls: Free calls are available on certain dates and allow you to call at no cost. Special offers such as Free Saturday can be used to make free calls.
  • Public payphone: You can also use the Post office calling card from a public payphone by adding credit to your card. This is a good option if you don’t want to use your landline or mobile to call.
  • Post Office calling cards plans and pricing: Prepaid post office international calling cards have top-ups available for £5, £10, or £20.

Post Office international call rates

CountriesStandard BT international rate 
Canada Starting from 2p per minute 
China Starting from 5p per minute 
USA Starting from 2p per minute 
Mexico Starting from 2p per minute 
Australia Starting from 3p per minute 
India Starting from 3p per minute 
Nepal Starting from 23p per minute 
Pakistan Starting from 7p per minute 
Philippines Starting from 17p per minute 
UAE Starting from 21p per minute 
Saudi Arabia Starting from 18p per minute 
Qatar Starting from 23p per minute 
Kuwait Starting from 7p per minute 
Japan Starting from 3p per minute 
South Korea Starting from 2p per minute 
Bangladesh Starting from 4p per minute 

What we like and dislike about Post Office calling cards

Like

  • Access numbers available
  • Free Saturday deals

Dislike

  • Have to visit a store to get a card
  • No business-specific plan

Who is Post Office recommended for?

A calling card from the post office is recommended for people who want the option to use a pay phone to make an international call. The Free Saturday offer is good for those who want to save on calls.

Research methodology

We tested over 30 options for low-cost international calls from the UK to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information.

For that purpose, we used a variety of authoritative sources. We consulted official websites for each of the products we researched.

We also contacted customer service representatives to get additional insights and clear any doubts we had.

In addition, we went through multiple Reddit threads of r/UKFrugal and r/VOIP. Our main goal there was to see user opinions on the cost-effectiveness and overall experience of using these services.

We also connected with real users and get honest feedback from them. This proved to be an invaluable resource in our research.

Magical Media Studio’s IT and communications expert, Adam Levin, helped us throughout our research. He’s an IT veteran with a thorough grasp of communication technology.

We also read academic research papers and scholarly articles about international calling services. The ones that were the most helpful were:

  • “VoIP: A comprehensive survey on a promising technology” by Stylianos Karapantazis and Fotini-Niovi Pavlidou, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki [1]Sciencedirect, “VoIP: A comprehensive survey on a promising technology, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1389128609001200″
  • “Connecting the World: The Physical Platform of International Telecommunication” by Ola Khaled, Business Development Manager of International Business Unit, Telecom Egypt, Cairo, Egypt [2]econstor, “Connecting the World: The Physical Platform of International Telecommunication, https://www.econstor.eu/bitstream/10419/201734/1/ITS2019-Aswan-paper-09.pdf”
  • “A study of VOIP technology getting preference over international calling cards” by Naveen Kallimane Siddappa at Dublin Business School [3]Esource, “A study of VOIP technology getting preference over international calling cards, https://esource.dbs.ie/bitstream/handle/10788/130/ma_siddappa_nk_2009.pdf

How we picked the best options for cheap international calls from UK?

A great international communicator grants the best user experience at a reasonable price. We evaluated each of these services based on the following factors:

  • Number of features available
  • International coverage
  • Pricing structure and calling rates
  • Customer support
  • Usability / Ease of use
  • Platforms supported
  • User reviews

How we tested the services?

It is impossible to gauge the usefulness of services by just reading about it online. So we tested the services ourselves to better understand how they performed.

Many of these calling options have a large number of in-depth features. We tested those features and ruled out any service that did not work as it claimed.

Similarly, our UK-based readers helped us out by calling international numbers from UK. From there, we could accurately analyze the call quality, rates, and coverage.

To find the supported platforms, we simply download the apps and checked to see if they worked.

With all these tests, we are confident in how we ranked these cheap international call services. All the information on this article is fully verified and accurate as of its publishing date.

Final thoughts

There are several ways to make cheap international calls from UK. Each service is unique and has a strength you can utilize per your need.

VoIP services like RingCentral and 8×8 offer very competitive rates, and there are also several sim cards and calling plans that can save you money on your phone bills.

Local phone service providers usually offer a variety of international calling plans too. So it’s worth shopping around to see what’s available.

Ultimately, the best way to make cheap overseas calls from UK depends on your specific needs. So compare the different options on this list and choose what suits you best.

About the author

Christopher Brooks
Christopher Brooks
Computer and Information Researcher | + posts

Christopher Brooks is a computer and information researcher with a passion for advancing digital technologies. He holds a Master's Degree in Computer Science from MIT and has been applying his knowledge to further the fields of cyber security, consumer electronics, artificial intelligence, data science, and more. In his free time, Christopher enjoys biking and hiking.

High Tech Science and Technology Researcher | + posts

Andrew Chavez is a passionate technology researcher and MSc graduate from Texas A&M University. He has a broad range of knowledge on current tech developments, new discoveries in the field of high-tech and science, as well as software engineering proficiency. With an insatiable appetite for learning and discovering, Andrew strives to bridge the gap between academia and industry. His ambition drives him to make meaningful contributions to the tech world continuously.

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