Cheapest Way to Call the Philippines from the USA (2026)
With over 4 million Filipino Americans in the US and strong family ties across the Pacific, finding the cheapest calling method matters. We compare 6 services with real rates, hidden fees exposed, and a clear winner.
Rate Comparison Table
Rates current as of June 2026. Per-minute rates rounded to nearest cent.
| Service | Mobile Rate | Landline Rate | Subscription? | Credits Expire? | Connection Fee? | App Required? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ★ PhoneTheWorld | 35¢/min | 27¢/min | No | Never | No | No |
| Skype | ~30¢/min | ~25¢/min | Optional | 180 days | Yes | Yes |
| Google Voice | ~30¢/min | ~28¢/min | No | N/A | No | Yes |
| Rebtel | ~$15/mo unlimited | Varies | Yes | N/A | No | Yes |
| Viber Out | ~25¢/min | ~20¢/min | No | 6 months | No | Yes |
| MyTello | ~30¢/min | ~25¢/min | No | 90 days | Yes | No |
The Winner: PhoneTheWorld
For most callers, PhoneTheWorld is the best way to call the Philippines from the USA. Here's why:
Transparent Rates
35¢/min to mobile, 27¢/min to landline. No markups, no hidden surcharges. The rate you see is the rate you pay.
Credits Never Expire
Buy $10 worth of credits and use them over months or years. No pressure to use them up.
No App Required
Call from any browser — computer, tablet, or phone. No download needed.
No Hidden Fees
No connection fees, no subscription fees, no maintenance charges. What you see is what you pay.
HD WebRTC Audio
Crystal-clear call quality using modern WebRTC technology. Better than traditional phone lines.
Call Any Number
Reach any mobile or landline in the Philippines. Works with Globe, Smart, Sun, and all carriers.
How to Dial the Philippines from the USA
Dial 011 to exit the US phone system.
Dial 63 to connect to the Philippines' phone network.
Dial the 10-digit Philippine number (mobile starts with 9, landline includes area code).
With PhoneTheWorld: Just enter +63 917 123 4567 and click call. No access codes needed — we handle it all.
Detailed Service Breakdown
★ PhoneTheWorld
Pay-as-you-go, browser-based, transparent rates shown before each call. No hidden fees.
Skype
Shutting down. Per-minute rates are comparable but credits expire and connection fees apply.
Google Voice
US-only service. Philippines rates are high due to carrier interconnect costs.
Rebtel
Subscription-based unlimited calling to Philippines mobile. Good for heavy callers only.
Viber Out
Popular in the Philippines. Credits expire in 6 months. App required.
MyTello
Comparable rates but connection fees add up. Credits expire after 90 days.
Pay-As-You-Go vs Subscription: Which Is Cheaper?
The Philippines has higher calling rates than many countries, so the subscription threshold is different. Here's the breakdown:
Pay-As-You-Go (PhoneTheWorld)
Best for: Occasional to moderate callers (up to ~43 minutes/month on mobile)
- 35¢/min to Philippines mobile
- 27¢/min to Philippines landline
- Only pay for what you use
- Credits never expire
- 30 minutes = $10.50
- 60 minutes = $21.00
Subscription (Rebtel)
Best for: Heavy callers (43+ minutes/month to Philippines mobile)
- ~$15/month for unlimited Philippines mobile
- Pay even when you don't call
- Limited to one destination country
- 43 minutes = $15.00 (break-even point)
- 100 minutes = $15.00 (but only if all in one month)
Bottom line: If you call the Philippines less than ~43 minutes per month on mobile, PhoneTheWorld's pay-as-you-go is cheaper than a $15/month subscription. For landline calls at 27¢/min, you'd need to call over 56 minutes/month before a subscription becomes cheaper. Most occasional callers save more with pay-as-you-go.
Best Times to Call the Philippines from the USA
The Philippines is 13-16 hours ahead of the US depending on your timezone. Here are the best overlap windows:
| US Timezone | Time Difference | Best Call Window (US Time) | Philippines Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern (EST) | +13 hours | 8-10 AM / 8-10 PM | 9-11 PM / 9-11 AM |
| Central (CST) | +14 hours | 7-9 AM / 7-9 PM | 9-11 PM / 9-11 AM |
| Mountain (MST) | +15 hours | 6-8 AM / 6-8 PM | 9-11 PM / 9-11 AM |
| Pacific (PST) | +16 hours | 5-7 AM / 5-7 PM | 9-11 PM / 9-11 AM |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to call the Philippines from the USA?
PhoneTheWorld offers calls to the Philippines mobile from 35¢/min and landline from 27¢/min with no subscription, no connection fees, and credits that never expire. The Philippines has higher calling rates than many countries due to carrier interconnect costs, but PhoneTheWorld keeps rates transparent with no hidden fees. For heavy callers (50+ hours/month), a subscription like Rebtel may be worth considering.
How do I dial the Philippines from the USA?
To call the Philippines from the USA, dial 011 (US international access code), then 63 (Philippines country code), followed by the 10-digit Philippine phone number. For example: 011 63 917 123 4567. With PhoneTheWorld, simply enter +63 917 123 4567 and click call — no access codes needed.
Can I call the Philippines from my computer?
Yes. PhoneTheWorld works entirely in your browser — no app download required. Just sign up, add credits, enter the Philippine phone number (including +63), and click call. You need a microphone and internet connection. This works from any computer, tablet, or smartphone browser.
Why are calls to the Philippines more expensive than other countries?
The Philippines has higher mobile termination rates set by local carriers (Globe, Smart, Sun Cellular). Unlike countries with competitive telecom markets that drive rates down, Philippine carriers maintain higher interconnect fees. PhoneTheWorld negotiates the best possible rates and passes savings directly to users with no markup or hidden fees.
Do I need a subscription to call the Philippines?
No. PhoneTheWorld uses a pay-as-you-go model — you only pay for the minutes you use. Credits never expire, so you can buy $10 worth and use it over months or years. Subscription services like Rebtel charge $15/month even if you don't make calls, which is more expensive for most users who call occasionally.
What is the time difference between the USA and the Philippines?
The Philippines is in PHT (UTC+8), which is 13-16 hours ahead of the US depending on your timezone. If you're on the US East Coast (EST), the Philippines is 13 hours ahead. If you're on the West Coast (PST), it's 16 hours ahead. The best times to call are early morning US time (evening in the Philippines) or late evening US time (afternoon in the Philippines).
Can I call Philippine mobile numbers from the USA?
Yes. PhoneTheWorld supports calling both mobile and landline numbers in the Philippines. Mobile rates are 35¢/min and landline rates are 27¢/min. Philippine mobile numbers start with +63 followed by 10 digits (e.g., +63 917 123 4567). Mobile prefixes like 917, 918, 919 indicate Smart; 905, 906, 917 indicate Globe.
Start Calling the Philippines Today
Join thousands of people saving money on calls to the Philippines. No subscription, no app, no hidden fees — just 35¢/min to mobile and 27¢/min to landline.