Making international calls can cost an arm and a leg if you’re not careful, which is why many of us rely on international calling apps to save money when traveling. Rebtel’s Cheap International Calls app is another contender on the market. Here’s a look at the pros and cons of this international calling app for Android and iOS.
The Pros
- Low international rates
It’s free to download, and free to make calls to other Rebtel users until the end of 2016. The app allows you to place calls to landlines or mobile numbers, with rates depending on the origin and destination countries. You can find out the latest rates easily on the Rebtel website, or sign up for monthly plans.
- User-friendly design
If you feel inept with overly fiddly mobile apps, Rebtel could be the one for you. There are only four screens in total, with a minimalist colour scheme and layout that’s fairly fool-proof. The main Home screen provides quick call options with easily identifiable icons at the top. To place a call, you merely swipe down and you’ll get a search box to find your contact.
- No need for Wi-Fi
Rebtel’s big selling point is that you can connect via a local phone line, so you get the highest possible call quality. Internet connections aren’t always a given when you’re travelling in a foreign country, so the fact that you can connect without Wi-Fi or mobile data is a big plus. However, you can also go into the settings and choose to connect via the internet if you prefer. This lets you tailor your experience to whatever the strongest type of connection is in the area.
- Easy signup and set-up
Signing up and connecting for the first time is as user-friendly as the rest of Rebtel’s experience. To sign up, all you need to provide is your mobile phone number, and verification is instant without any need for entering PINs. Your contact list will appear automatically, and you can go to the settings to manage this or make any changes to the basic layout.
The Cons
- Requires connection
No internet connection is required to use Rebtel, but it does require a connection of some sort. This means that if you’re in a truly remote area without mobile phone service of any kind, you won’t be able to use it. Of course, this is a con of any calling app, not just Rebtel.
- Basic calling function
This app is primarily designed to do one thing, and it does it well. However, if you want an app with greater functionality, you may find it disappointing. Rebtel’s app won’t let you send text messages, photos, or videos abroad.
The Bottom Line
Cheap, innovative, and easy to use, the pros far outweigh the cons when it comes to the Rebtel International Calling App. It’s not really the best option for those who prefer to communicate by text message, but if you need to speak to someone overseas on the phone you’ll benefit from clear calls at low rates. It offers something different from competitors in that no internet connection is needed, and if you get your contacts to sign up as well you’ll benefit from free app-to-app calls. This makes it worth a long look for anyone who travels.
