3 ways to enjoy free calls from US to Europe

International calling is the lifeline that bridges the gap between friends, colleagues, and loved ones around the globe. Courtesy of technological advancement over the years, international calling has become more affordable, accessible, and convenient than ever before. And with a variety of options at our fingertips, it is all about choosing the one that fits your needs properly.

As of today, there are myriad ways through which you can make international calls from the United States to Europe. For starters, you get access to VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) apps that allow you to call another person using the same app. And there are subscription-based services that allow you to call real phone numbers whenever you want without having to rely on an app for the other person. Lastly, if you want a more traditional experience, then subscribing to an international calling plan through a US mobile carrier would be sufficient. So, if you are planning to explore any of the above-mentioned options, then you can do so by going through our in-depth guide.

Use Free Calling Apps Like Yolla and WePhone

Starting with the easiest option of the three – using free VoIP apps is the way to go if you want fuss-free international calling – without having to spend a dime. In a nutshell, VoIP allows apps to make voice calls over the internet (mobile internet or WiFi). Apps like Yolla, WePhone, and Nextplus allow you to join in on a conversation with your loved ones across the world. However, there is a major caveat: these VoIP apps need the caller as well as the recipient to be on the same app to be able to complete the process. And if you want to make calls to a traditional phone number (apart from app-to-app calls), then you have to either pay for a subscription or simply pay the call rates designated for the recipient country (which are affordable).

In addition to that, Yolla and WePhone provide you with free credits once you complete certain tasks or invite others to use the service. Nextplus takes it a bit further by implementing a fully ad-supported experience where you do not have to pay a single penny, even for calling traditional phone numbers, provided you are fine seeing a few advertisements here and there in the app. To start the calling sessions today, follow the below-mentioned steps judiciously.

1. Begin by first downloading Yolla or WePhone on your smartphone. Alternatively, you can also download Nextplus to your Android or iOS device.
2. Once you have downloaded your preferred app, proceed to sign up using your phone number and/or email address.
3. After signing up and setting up your account for the first time, allow the app to access your contacts list. In that way, it would be easier to make voice calls to them seamlessly.
4. Once done, start calling right away. Ensure that the person you are calling has an active account on that app and has the app installed on his or her smartphone.

Make Free Calls Using Google Voice or Skype

Before VoIP became a standard, Skype was the market leader in making free app-to-app voice calls internationally. But times have changed, and due to the increase in market competition, Skype has also moved towards a subscription-based system for those who want to make calls to traditional phone numbers across borders. So, with Skype, you not only get to enjoy free app-to-app voice calls but also the ability to connect with a real phone number for a small fee.

On the other hand, Google Voice works differently in the sense that there is no free app-to-app voice calling feature. You only get the option to subscribe to one of its plans (starting at $10 per month), and with that, you can call any number in the world. It should be known that both Google Voice and Skype use VoIP to make calls, meaning that your internet connection should be reliable for smooth connectivity. With the features being described, let us go through the steps you need to fulfill to start calling.

1. First, you need to visit the official website of either Skype or Google Voice.
2. Proceed to sign up for a Microsoft account (for Skype) or a Google account (for Google Voice). If you already have an account, then you can proceed to sign in.
3. After completing the sign-up process, set up your profile, and then add the Skype account of the recipient that you want to call. Once done, you can start calling right away. However, if you want to call a traditional phone number, then you need to subscribe to any Skype premium plans or purchase calling credits.
4. When using Google Voice, simply share your contacts list with the app or manually type in the phone number, and you can start calling right away.

Explore Low-Cost International Calling Plans

For people who have a limited data plan or do not want to depend on the internet to make VoIP calls, making traditional calls to Europe by subscribing to an international calling plan from a US-based mobile carrier should be enough. There are multiple mobile service providers in the country that you can look up to – such as Metro By T-Mobile, Ting Mobile, and Cricket Wireless.

All of the above-mentioned US mobile carriers offer affordable international calling plans for countries in the EU. For starters, with Metro By T-Mobile, you get access to international calling and texting to over 210 countries worldwide for just $10 per month. Then, with Ting Mobile, international voice calls to Europe only cost $0.05 per minute. And lastly, with Cricket Wireless, you need to subscribe to either their International or International Extra plans at $5 per month and $15 per month, respectively. Either of the aforementioned plans must be used in conjunction with a base plan of your choice, costing more than $40 per month. Now that you have a thorough idea of the different plans and benefits, let us jump right into the steps you need to follow to make a call.

1. Kick-start your journey by visiting the official websites of either Metro By T-Mobile, Ting Mobile, or Cricket Wireless.
2. Once you have chosen the mobile network service provider that you want to go ahead with, proceed to subscribe to a plan of your choice.
3. If you are an existing customer, then you can start calling after successful activation of your mobile plan.
4. On the other hand, if you are a new user, then you need to first apply for a SIM card (or an e-sim) from that specific service provider and subscribe to your chosen plan. Only after successful activation of your SIM and the voice plan, you will be able to make a call to one of the many European nations out there.