Can You Call Landlines from WhatsApp? Here's What Works
You're trying to call your grandmother's landline in another country, and WhatsApp keeps failing. That's not a glitch—WhatsApp simply can't dial landlines or any phone number outside its own app.
The workaround is simpler than you'd think. This guide covers why WhatsApp has this limitation, what actually works for calling landlines internationally, and how to start making calls from your browser in minutes.
Why You Cannot Call a Landline from WhatsApp
WhatsApp cannot call landlines. The app only connects you to other people who also have WhatsApp installed on their phone. If you're trying to reach a landline number—like your grandmother's home phone or a bank's customer service line—WhatsApp won't work.
Here's why: WhatsApp routes calls over the internet using your Wi-Fi or mobile data. Landlines, on the other hand, run on something called the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), which is the traditional system of phone lines and exchanges that's been around for decades, though PSTN subscriptions dropped by 16% in just 12 months to 407 million by end of 2024. WhatsApp and the PSTN don't talk to each other directly, so there's no way for your WhatsApp call to reach a landline.
This surprises a lot of people. You might think that since WhatsApp handles voice calls, it can dial any number. But every WhatsApp call requires the person on the other end to have the app open and connected to the internet. No app on their end? No call.
Why Most Free Calling Apps Only Work with Other App Users
WhatsApp isn't the only app with this limitation. FaceTime, Facebook Messenger, Telegram, and most other free calling apps work the same way—they connect app users to other app users, and that's it.
The reason is straightforward: routing calls between app users costs almost nothing. The call travels over the internet from your phone to their phone, and no traditional phone network gets involved. That's what makes the call free.
Reaching a landline or mobile number is different. To connect an internet call to a real phone number, a service has to use something called a gateway—a bridge between the internet and the phone network. Operating that bridge costs money, which is why services that can actually dial real phone numbers charge per minute—a market now worth $178.89 billion in 2025.
So if you're trying to reach someone who doesn't use apps, or who only has a landline, free calling apps won't help. You'll want a VoIP service—Voice over Internet Protocol—that's built to connect to actual phone numbers.
What Actually Works to Call Landlines Internationally
A few different options exist for calling landlines abroad. Each one has tradeoffs around convenience, cost, and how much setup is involved.
Browser-Based VoIP Services
Call any landline from your web browser—no downloads required. You sign up, add credits, and dial. The call connects through the internet on your end and reaches the landline through the phone network on their end.
CallTuv works this way. Open Chrome, Safari, or Firefox on your phone, tablet, or computer. Enter the number with the country code, see the rate before you dial, and connect in seconds. Nothing to install, nothing to configure.
Mobile Calling Apps
Apps like Skype, Google Voice, and Viber Out can call real phone numbers, though they require downloads first. One thing worth knowing: Skype is shutting down in 2025, so many people are already looking for alternatives.
Most of these apps use a credit system. You buy credits upfront, then pay per minute based on where you're calling.
Your Phone Carrier
Your mobile carrier can absolutely place international calls to landlines. The catch is cost. Carrier rates for international calls often run $1 to $3 per minute, and roaming charges stack on top when you're traveling abroad.
International Calling Cards
The old-school option still exists. You buy a card at a convenience store, dial an access number, punch in a PIN, then dial your destination. It works, but the process is clunky. Hidden fees—like connection charges and rounded minutes—often make the real cost higher than the advertised rate.
What to Look for in a Service That Calls Landlines
Not every calling service works the same way. A few features separate the ones that are actually useful from the ones that frustrate you at the worst possible moment.
No Downloads or App Installations
Browser-based calling means you can dial from any device without installing anything. This is especially handy when you're traveling, using a borrowed computer, or just don't want another app cluttering your phone.
Pay-As-You-Go Pricing with No Subscriptions
Look for services where you pay only for the minutes you use. No monthly fees draining your account when you're not making calls, and no contracts tying you down.
Transparent Rates You See Before You Dial
The best services show you the exact cost per minute before you place the call. A 10-minute call to the UK? You'll know the total before you connect.
HD Audio Quality and Reliable Connections
International calls on cheap services can sound terrible—echoes, delays, garbled audio. Look for HD voice quality and direct carrier connections that keep calls clear even across long distances.
Global Coverage to Landlines and Mobiles Worldwide
Make sure the service covers the countries you actually call. Good services reach 200+ countries and display separate rates for landlines and mobiles, since the prices often differ.
How to Call a Landline from Your Browser
Get set up in under 2 minutes. Browser-based calling skips the app downloads and complicated setup. Here's what the process looks like with CallTuv:
1. Sign Up with Email or Google
Create an account in seconds. You don't need a phone number or credit card just to sign up—email or Google authentication gets you in right away.
2. Add Credits to Your Account
Add pay-as-you-go credits that never expire. Start with as little as $5 to try it out, then top up whenever you want.
3. Enter the Landline Number and Dial
Type the full number including the country code. The dialer shows you the per-minute rate before you connect. Hit call, and you're through in seconds.
No software to configure. No access numbers to remember. No PINs to enter.
How Much It Costs to Call a Landline Internationally
Rates depend on where you're calling and whether it's a landline or mobile. Landlines typically cost less to call than mobiles in most countries.
| Factor | How It Affects Price |
|---|---|
| Destination country | Calling the UK costs less than calling Nigeria |
| Landline vs. mobile | Landlines are usually cheaper |
| Service provider | VoIP services typically charge far less than carriers |
With browser-based VoIP, rates often start around $0.03 per minute for popular destinations. Compare that to carrier rates of $1 to $3 per minute, and the difference adds up fast on longer calls.
The key is finding a service that shows you the rate before you dial. That way, you know exactly what a call will cost before you're committed.
When You Need to Call a Landline Abroad
Plenty of situations come up where WhatsApp and other free apps simply won't work. Here's when you'll want a real calling solution ready to go.
Reaching Family Members Without Smartphones
Elderly relatives or family in areas with limited smartphone access often rely on landlines. Your grandmother might not have WhatsApp—but she definitely has a phone number you can dial, especially since only 61% of Americans ages 65 and older own smartphones.
Contacting Banks and Government Offices
Banks, embassies, and government agencies typically publish landline numbers only. When you're trying to sort out an issue with your account while traveling, or verify documents with a consulate, you'll be dialing a traditional phone number.
Booking Hotels and Local Services While Traveling
Small businesses, restaurants, and local services abroad often list only landline numbers. That family-run hotel in Portugal or the tour company in Vietnam probably isn't on WhatsApp.
Making Business Calls to International Clients
Professional calls to offices and businesses go to real phone numbers through a cloud phone system. Your client's receptionist answers a landline, not a messaging app.
How Browser-Based Calling Compares to WhatsApp and Skype
Here's a side-by-side look at how the options stack up:
| Feature | Skype | Browser-Based VoIP | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Call landlines | No | Yes (shutting down 2025) | Yes |
| Download required | Yes | Yes | No |
| Call mobiles without app | No | Yes | Yes |
| See rates before calling | N/A | Sometimes | Yes |
| Credits expire | N/A | Yes | Varies by service |
Browser-based services like CallTuv give you the flexibility to call any number without app downloads or uncertainty about Skype's future. You see the rate upfront, dial from any device, and connect to landlines and mobiles in 200+ countries.
Skip the Limitations and Start Calling Landlines Today
WhatsApp can't call landlines, but browser-based VoIP can. You get the convenience of internet calling with the reach of traditional phone networks—all from your browser.
What makes browser-based calling work:
- No downloads required: Call from any browser on any device
- No subscriptions or hidden fees: Pay only for minutes you use
- See your rate before every call: Know the cost upfront
- Credits never expire: Top up once, use whenever
- Works on phone, tablet, or desktop: Same rates, same quality everywhere
FAQs About Calling Landlines from WhatsApp
Are WhatsApp calls to landlines free?
WhatsApp can't call landlines at all, so cost doesn't apply. To reach a landline, you'll want a VoIP service, which typically charges per minute—though rates are usually much lower than traditional carriers.
Can I call a landline without downloading an app?
Yes. Browser-based VoIP services let you dial landlines directly from your web browser. No app installation required—just sign up, add credits, and dial.
Can I see the cost before calling an international landline?
Good VoIP services display the per-minute rate before you place the call. With CallTuv, you see the exact rate in the dialer before you connect, so you always know what you'll pay.
Do VoIP calling credits expire if I don't use them?
This varies by provider. Some services expire credits after 30 to 90 days of inactivity. CallTuv credits never expire, so you can add balance once and use it whenever.
Can I call a landline from my phone's web browser?
Yes. Browser-based calling works on mobile browsers just like on desktop. Open Chrome or Safari on your phone, go to the service, and dial. No app download required.
What is the difference between VoIP and regular phone calls?
VoIP—Voice over Internet Protocol—routes calls over the internet instead of traditional phone lines. This typically makes international calls much cheaper while maintaining HD audio quality.