Living in the UAE means you're paying some of the highest international call rates in the world if you're using a carrier like Etisalat (e&) or du — often AED 1–3 per minute to destinations like India, the Philippines, or the UK. That's up to $0.82 per minute just to call family back home. This guide covers the best international calling apps actually working in the UAE in 2026, what each one costs, and which one makes the most sense depending on whether you're an expat, a remote worker, or running a business.
Key Takeaways:
- UAE carrier rates can run up to AED 3/min internationally — VoIP apps cut that to as low as $0.02/min on the same call
- Most mainstream calling apps (WhatsApp, FaceTime) require the other person to have the same app — only VoIP apps like GlobCall reach any number worldwide
- For UAE-based businesses, a virtual local number in 100+ countries costs a fraction of what Etisalat's international business plans charge per seat
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Why International Calling From the UAE Is Expensive by Default
Standard UAE carrier rates aren't just high — they're structured to stay high. Etisalat (now branded e&) and du both charge per-minute rates that make even a 10-minute call to India or the Philippines cost several dirhams. For expats, that adds up fast.
Here's what most people miss: the UAE has historically restricted VoIP services at the network level. That's changed significantly. As of 2026, browser-based VoIP and many app-based calling services work reliably across UAE networks, particularly on WiFi and with certain data plans. The old blanket blocks that affected services like Skype (which was sunset in May 2025 anyway) are largely gone for legitimate, non-peer-to-peer VoIP.
Your cheapest path is a data-based calling app or browser VoIP. Not your SIM. Not your carrier's international add-on.
The 6 Best International Calling Apps for UAE Users in 2026
Here's the honest breakdown. Not every app works the same way, and "free" doesn't always mean what you think it does.
1. GlobCall — Best for Low Per-Minute Rates to Any Number
GlobCall is a browser-based VoIP service — no download, no app, no SIM required. You top up a balance and call any number worldwide at per-minute rates that are genuinely low. From the UAE, you can call India at $0.08/min, the Philippines at $0.46/min, the UK at $0.03/min, and the USA at $0.02/min.
Two clicks, call placed. Works on any device with a browser and WiFi or mobile data.
For expats calling family on a regular phone — not another app — this is one of the most practical options. No roaming. No carrier plan. No seat fees if you're using it for a small business team. You can also try 60 minutes free before committing to a top-up.
2. WhatsApp — Best for App-to-App Calls Within Your Network
WhatsApp works in the UAE for voice and video calls, a shift from a few years ago when it was restricted. It's completely free for app-to-app calls over WiFi or data. If your contacts in India, the UK, or the Philippines are also on WhatsApp, this costs you nothing.
The catch? It only calls WhatsApp users. You can't dial a landline, a regular mobile number, or a business line that isn't on the app. For anything beyond your personal contact list, it won't help. Check out our WhatsApp vs Viber breakdown if you're deciding between the two.
3. Viber — Decent for App-to-App, Limited for Real Numbers
Viber's app-to-app calls are free. Viber Out — the paid feature that calls real numbers — charges per-minute rates that vary by country. They're not the cheapest option for UAE users calling South Asia or Southeast Asia. GlobCall's rates to the Philippines, for example, are competitive against Viber Out's pricing.
Viber works in the UAE without restriction on WiFi. Mobile data performance can vary. If your contacts are already on Viber, it's a reasonable free option — but for calling regular phone numbers, you're better served elsewhere. Here's a deeper look at Viber vs browser VoIP for real number calls.
4. Google Voice — Mostly Useless for UAE-Based Callers
Google Voice is US-centric. To make outgoing calls to non-US numbers, you need a US phone number to register, and the service is technically only available in the United States. UAE residents can't easily create a new account, and even with workarounds, outbound international calling has significant limitations.
It's popular in the US, but it's not a practical solution if you're based in the UAE. See our Google Voice alternatives page for what actually works.
5. Microsoft Teams Phone — For Businesses Already on Microsoft 365
Since Skype was retired in May 2025, Microsoft pushed users toward Teams. Teams itself is free for messaging and video calls between Teams users. For actual PSTN calling — dialing out to regular phone numbers — you need Teams Phone, which requires a Microsoft 365 Business plan plus a Calling Plan add-on.
For businesses already deep in the Microsoft ecosystem, this might make sense. For individuals or small teams that just want cheap international calls, it's expensive and overcomplicated. Per-seat pricing adds up fast. Our breakdown of Microsoft Teams international calling costs vs standalone VoIP covers the real numbers.
6. RingCentral — Good Features, High Price Tag
RingCentral is a full business phone system with solid international features: local numbers, call routing, team management. But it's built for mid-size to large businesses. Per-seat pricing starts high, and international calling costs are layered on top of your base plan.
For a small UAE-based team or an individual expat, it's overkill. Our RingCentral international calling rate breakdown shows exactly where the costs stack up.
What About VoIP Restrictions in the UAE?
This is the question every UAE resident asks. The short answer: restrictions have eased significantly since 2022, and by 2026, most browser-based and app-based VoIP services operate without interruption on WiFi. Mobile data can occasionally be inconsistent depending on your carrier and network conditions.
The services that still face issues are peer-to-peer consumer calling features, and even those are less blocked than they were. For browser-based VoIP through services like GlobCall, calls route through standard HTTPS connections, which typically aren't subject to the same filtering.
Practically speaking: if you're on a home WiFi connection in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, you'll have no problems with any of the services listed here. If you're relying solely on du or e& mobile data, test first. Free trial options like GlobCall's 60-minute free call offer let you verify it works on your connection before topping up.
Want to know more about making calls without a SIM entirely? This guide on how to call without a SIM card using WiFi is worth reading.
GlobCall for UAE Businesses: Local Numbers Without the Overhead
If you're running a business from the UAE with clients in Europe, the US, or South Asia, here's the problem with standard setups: you need multiple numbers, each with a seat fee, each billed monthly regardless of usage. It gets expensive fast.
GlobCall's business plan works differently. One shared balance. Unlimited team members. Local numbers in 100+ countries, so your UK clients see a UK number and your Indian suppliers see an Indian number. No per-seat fees. You only pay for actual minutes used.
For a UAE-based import/export business calling Germany, Australia, or Japan regularly, that model makes far more financial sense than paying per seat per month. See how this compares to per-seat systems in our breakdown of why seat-based VoIP pricing costs more than you think.
There's also the matter of credibility. A virtual number in a customer's home country dramatically increases answer rates. Our FAQ on whether a phone number on your website increases sales answers this directly.
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From only $0.02/min to 200+ countries.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is VoIP legal in the UAE in 2026?
Consumer VoIP through licensed services is broadly permitted in the UAE as of 2026. The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) licenses certain VoIP services, and browser-based calling over standard internet connections operates without significant restriction, particularly on WiFi. Always confirm current conditions with your specific provider.
What's the cheapest way to call India from the UAE?
Using a browser-based VoIP service like GlobCall, calls to India cost $0.08/min, compared to AED 1–3/min on Etisalat or du. On a 30-minute call, that difference is roughly AED 25–85 saved in a single conversation. The cheapest ways to call India from the USA article covers similar logic that applies equally from the UAE.
Do these apps work on UAE mobile data or only WiFi?
Most VoIP apps and browser-based calling work on WiFi without issue. Mobile data performance varies by carrier and network conditions. Both e& (Etisalat) and du have relaxed restrictions significantly, but WiFi remains the more reliable connection for uninterrupted calls.
Can I get a UAE virtual phone number for my business without a UAE office?
Yes. Services like GlobCall offer virtual UAE numbers that route to your browser or existing number regardless of where you're physically located. This lets international businesses appear local to UAE customers. Our virtual phone number for business FAQ explains exactly how this works.
What replaced Skype after it shut down in 2025?
Skype was retired in May 2025, with users migrated to Microsoft Teams. Teams covers messaging and internal video calls, but PSTN calling requires a paid add-on. For international calling at low per-minute rates, most former Skype users have moved to browser-based VoIP or apps like GlobCall. See our what to use instead of Skype guide for the full picture.
The Bottom Line
Calling internationally from the UAE doesn't have to cost AED 2–3 per minute. Here's what actually matters in 2026:
- WhatsApp and Viber are free app-to-app, but useless for calling regular phone numbers
- Google Voice isn't realistically available for UAE-based users
- Microsoft Teams Phone works but is expensive and complex for small teams
- RingCentral is feature-rich but priced for larger businesses
- GlobCall works in the browser, requires no app or SIM, and reaches any number worldwide at rates starting from $0.02/min — with a shared business balance, local numbers in 100+ countries, and no seat fees
The right app depends on your situation. But if you're making regular calls to real phone numbers — not just app-to-app — the math strongly favors browser-based VoIP.
Start calling internationally from your browser today — try GlobCall free →
