WhatsApp International Calls: What It Can or Can't Do
WhatsApp is free for app-to-app calls. But it can't reach landlines, banks, or anyone without the app. GlobCall calls any number from your browser — from $0.02/min.
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What WhatsApp Can Do
WhatsApp voice and video calls are free between WhatsApp users. You can call internationally at no charge as long as both people have the app installed and an active internet connection. Calls use your Wi-Fi or mobile data — not your phone plan's minutes.
For calling friends and family who are on WhatsApp, it's hard to beat free.
2B+
WhatsApp users
$0
App-to-app calls
0
Landlines reached
WhatsApp uses roughly 0.3–0.5 MB of data per minute for voice calls and up to 5 MB for video. It works over Wi-Fi or mobile data, supports group calls with up to 32 people, and is available on Android, iPhone, and desktop. Over 2 billion people use WhatsApp worldwide — but none of them can call a landline, a toll-free number, or anyone who doesn't have the app installed.
WhatsApp vs GlobCall
Which one do you need?
What WhatsApp Can't Do
WhatsApp cannot call regular phone numbers. If you need to reach any of these, WhatsApp won't work.
Does WhatsApp Charge for International Calls?
No — WhatsApp-to-WhatsApp calls are free worldwide. However, your mobile carrier may charge you for the data used during the call if you're not on Wi-Fi. A one-minute WhatsApp voice call uses roughly 0.3–0.5 MB of data. On most plans, this is negligible.
The cost comes when WhatsApp can't make the call at all — and you're forced to use your carrier's international rates instead. That's where a 10-minute call to India can suddenly cost $5–15 through AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile. See rates for your country.
Your carrier
$5–15
10 min call to India
GlobCall
$0.80
Same 10 min call to India
When You Need More Than WhatsApp
These are the most common situations where you need a WhatsApp alternative to call a real number.
Calling family on a landline
Your grandmother in India, your uncle in Nigeria, your parents in the Philippines — if they have a landline or a basic mobile without internet, WhatsApp can't reach them.
Calling a bank from abroad
You're traveling and your card gets blocked. Your bank's customer service is a phone number, not a WhatsApp contact. Toll-free numbers don't work from abroad at all.
Calling a business or government office
Embassies, airlines, hospitals, insurance companies — they all operate on traditional phone lines.
Calling areas with poor internet
In many parts of Africa, South Asia, and rural Latin America, internet access is unreliable. A regular phone call gets through when WhatsApp can't.
WhatsApp vs GlobCall
Use WhatsApp for friends who have the app. Use GlobCall for everything else.
You see the exact cost before each call connects. No subscriptions, no contracts, no surprises. Need team calling? See GlobCall for Business.
Need to call a real phone number?
Your first minute is free. No credit card, no app, no sign-up form. Just open your browser and dial.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can WhatsApp call a regular phone number?
No. WhatsApp only works between WhatsApp users. To call a landline or mobile without WhatsApp, use a VoIP service like GlobCall.
Is WhatsApp free for international calls?
Yes, WhatsApp-to-WhatsApp calls are free. But your carrier may charge for data if you're not on Wi-Fi.
What's the cheapest way to call a landline internationally?
Browser-based VoIP services like GlobCall start at $0.02/min — that's 10–50x cheaper than your mobile carrier.
Can I call a bank's 1-800 number from abroad using WhatsApp?
No. Toll-free numbers are regular phone lines. WhatsApp can't reach them. You can call them through GlobCall from any country.
Do I need to install anything to use GlobCall?
No. GlobCall works directly in your browser — Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge — on any device. Your first minute is free.
What's the best WhatsApp alternative for calling real phone numbers?
GlobCall lets you call any real phone number — landlines, mobiles, toll-free — from your browser. No app needed, rates start at $0.02/min.