Studying Abroad? Call Home Affordably
Stay connected with family back home without stretching your student budget. Low per-minute rates, no monthly fees, and credits that never expire. Perfect for when you need to hear a familiar voice.
Check RatesThe Student's Challenge
Calling Home Shouldn't Break the Bank
You're already managing tuition, rent, and food. International calling shouldn't be another financial stress.
Current Options
- Carrier rates can cost $1-2 per minute
- Parents or grandparents may not have WhatsApp
- International calling cards have hidden fees
- Monthly plans waste money in quiet months
The ZippCall Way
- Rates from $0.02/min to most countries
- No monthly fees or contracts
- Credits never expire
- Works on WiFi (save your data)
Built for Student Budgets
Stay connected without the financial stress.
Student-Friendly Rates
Pay just cents per minute instead of dollars. A 30-minute call home can cost less than a coffee.
No Monthly Fees
Only pay for what you use. Busy with exams and not calling much? You're not paying for minutes you don't use.
Credits Never Expire
Buy credit at the start of semester and use it all year. No pressure to use it up before it disappears.
Call Landlines Too
Grandma prefers her home phone? No problem. ZippCall connects to any phone number, not just smartphones.
Works on Campus WiFi
Use your university WiFi to call home. Save your mobile data for other things.
Any Device
Call from your laptop in the library, or your phone walking back to your dorm. Same account, same rates.
Real Student Scenarios
Moments when you need to call home.
Weekly Check-in With Parents
Sunday call with mom and dad to catch up on the week. Talk as long as you want without watching the bill add up.
Calling Grandparents
Grandma doesn't do video calls, but she loves hearing your voice. Call her landline for a fraction of carrier rates.
Homesick Moment
Missing home after a tough exam or lonely weekend? Sometimes you just need to hear a familiar voice.
Get Set Up Before You Go
Quick setup, then call home whenever you need to.
Create your account
Sign up at web.zippcall.com or download our iOS or Android app. Just need an email address.
Add a small amount of credit
Start with just $5. That's hours of calling time to most countries. Add more whenever you need it.
Save your family's numbers
Add parents, grandparents, and anyone else you call regularly. They'll be ready when you need them.
Call home anytime
Connect to campus WiFi, open the app, and dial. Your family answers their regular phone, no app needed on their end.
No credit card required for sign up • First call is FREE
ZippCall vs Carrier International:
Side-by-Side Comparison
See exactly how ZippCall compares to Carrier International across pricing, features, and user experience.
| Feature | ZippCall | Carrier International |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per minute | From $0.02/min | $1-2/min typical |
| Monthly fees | None | Often $10-20/month |
| Contracts | None | Often required |
| Credits expire | Never | Monthly |
| Call landlines | Yes, any number | Yes, but expensive |
| Works on WiFi | Any WiFi | Uses cellular |
| Minimum purchase | Just $5 | Monthly plan required |
| Cancel anytime | Nothing to cancel | May have penalties |
Cost per minute
Monthly fees
Contracts
Credits expire
Call landlines
Works on WiFi
Minimum purchase
Cancel anytime
Real-World Pricing Comparison
See how costs compare for actual calling scenarios between ZippCall and Carrier International Rates.
Weekly 30-min call to parents (monthly)
15-min call to grandparents' landline
Quick 5-min call when homesick
Carrier rates vary. Examples based on typical international rates from major US and UK carriers.
Check ZippCall Rates for Your Country
Curious how much you'd pay with ZippCall? Enter your destination country below to see the exact per-minute rate—no signup required.
Select a country to view an exact rate
All rates shown are pay-as-you-go with no monthly fees. Credits never expire.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about switching from Student to ZippCall.
Rates vary by country, but most destinations cost $0.02-0.20 per minute. For example, calling the USA or UK from most countries costs around $0.02-0.03 per minute. A 30-minute call home would cost about $0.60-0.90. You can check exact rates for your home country before you call.
The Verdict: Which Service Wins?
For students studying abroad, ZippCall offers an affordable way to stay connected with family without adding financial stress. Pay only for what you use, call any phone number back home, and never worry about expiring credits.
Primary Advantages:
- Save 90%+ compared to carrier international rates
- No monthly fees or contracts
- Call landlines (perfect for grandparents)
- Credits never expire
- Works on campus WiFi
We believe in honest comparisons. Traditional Carrier Rates may suit you better if:
- Everyone at home uses WhatsApp or FaceTime (free option)
- Your phone plan includes international calling
- You have no WiFi or data access
Overall Winner: ZippCall
Join8,983users who made14,255minutes of calls this week
The web browser access alone gives ZippCall significant advantages for users who make calls from computers or shared devices. Never-expiring credits and transparent pricing eliminate the complexity many users find frustrating with other services.
View all country ratesSign up today and get your first call FREE! No subscription required.