Compare VOIP Providers

There are dozens of VOIP service providers that use different infrastructures to allow for Internet-based calling. To assist you in finding the right provider to meet your needs, our VOIP provider guide compares the features and requirements of the some of the most popular VOIP providers for international communication.

Softphone Providers

Mobile Providers

Device-based VOIPs

VOIP Softphone Provider Comparison

	Skype	Google Hangouts / Voice	VoxOx	Viber	NimBuzz
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Linux
iOS
Andriod
Blackberry
Kindle
Options and Features
International Calling Subscription	Premium account	N/A	N/A	N/A	Some subscriptions to select destintions available.
Internaitonal Calling PAYGO	View Rates	View Rates	View Rates	View Rates	View Rates
Local Number?	Cost Varies by Location	US Customers only	US Numbers only	Requires existing local number
Call Forwarding?	Rates Apply	US Customers only
Voicemail?		US Customers only
SMS?	Sending Rates Apply; Unable to receive	Android only	Send Internationally; Receive only to US/Canada

Pros and Cons of Each International Softphone Service

Service	Pros?	Cons?
Skype	Subscription options to many countries. Large user-base.	Rates have gone up recently. Privacy concerns In-app Advertisements
Google Hangouts / Voice	Free calls to US and Canadian landlines AND mobile numbers for those in US and Canada.	Confusing interface between Hangouts and Voice. Restricted almost entirely to US customers. Must use Chrome browser.
VoxOx	Integrates with other chat services	Requires a US mobile number to take advantage of most features.
Viber	Not US-based No registration or account needed	No subscriptions available
NimBuzz	Integrates with other popular chat services like Messenger, Facebook, and Google.	Low on features Unavailable from many countries.

These are just a small sampling of the VOIP softphone options out there. Perhaps there is a popular one based in your home country that most of your friends are already using that you can continue to use for free when you go abroad.

Learn more about VOIP Softphones »

Mobile Provider Comparison

	WhatsApp	RebTel	Millitalk	VoiStunt
Platforms
iOs
Android
Blackberry
Nokia
Windows Phone
Options and Features
International Calling	No; Just a messaging app that mimics SMS Can send Voice Messages	Subscriptions for select countries. PAYGO Rates.	In-app minute packages	PAYGO Rates. The more you top-up your balance, the more "free days" you earn, in which you can call internationally for free.
Local Number?		However,you can use access numbers wherever you are to get local rates.
Voicemail?
SMS?

Pros and Cons of Each International Mobile Service

Service	Pros?	Cons?
WhatsApp	Free SMSs if you prefer to communicate via text. Large user-base	No calling ability Privacy concerns Costs $0.99 to download
RebTel	Allows you to use your local minutes instead of WiFi or 3G to make international calls.	Doesn’t support video calling.
Millitalk	Unlimited calls to the US and Canada	Only available on iOS
VoipStunt	Free calls to countries like Germany, Argentina, and Malaysia.	Doesn’t support video calling.

Learn more about Mobile App VOIPs »

Compare International Device-based VOIP Providers

	MagicJack	Ooma
Equipment Required?	MagicJack adapter and modem when wired internet is available; MagicJack USB stick when only WiFi is available	Telephone, modem, and Ooma adapter
International Calling?	Only PAYGO rates	PAYGO rates; Unlimited calls to 61 countries $17.99/month; 1000 minutes to 61 countries $9.99/month
Local Number?	Only American and Canadian numbers available	Only American Numbers available; Choose your own number
Call Forwarding?
Voicemail?
SMS?

Pros and Cons of Each Device-based VOIP Service

Service	Pros?	Cons?
MagicJack	Equipment is smaller and more portable than the others	No all-inclusive international calling plan
Ooma	HD quality sound No recurring fees for calls to the US	Extremely high initial cost for the Ooma box

Learn more about Device-based VOIPs »

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