USA, international toll free numbers
It's easy to have your own US or international toll free number that you can manage online. Then have it forward incoming calls to any phone or cell phone number in the world.
People get toll free numbers for many reasons. If you have an international business, then a toll free number is an ideal way to be available to customers and clients overseas. Toll free numbers in the USA are easy to own and cheap enough to use for personal reasons. Keep reading for more, and please see my recommended toll free number providers to the right.
If you are in the USA click here.
Who needs toll free numbers?
Expatriates living far from family and friends get USA toll free numbers that forward incoming calls to their homes and cell phones overseas. Using a toll free number makes it easy for people to reach them. They also know that people who hesitate to dial international numbers are more willing to call a toll free number.
People on the move like toll free numbers. Toll free numbers created using the providers on this page can be managed online in real time. You can send the incoming calls to a home, office, or cell phone as needed. Kall8 even lets you schedule call forwarding according to the time of day.
International business owners have toll free numbers in other countries to communicate with their customers and clients AND establish a professional presence in those places.
The cost of toll free numbers
US based toll free numbers
A US based toll free number can be dialed within the USA and Canada, and the calls can be directed to any phone or cell phone in the USA or worldwide. It is surprisingly cheap to have your own US toll free number for personal or business reasons with setup and monthly charges starting at just $2. You only pay for the incoming calls and (surprise) the international rates are quite cheap.
International toll free numbers
When I say international toll free number, I mean a number you dial from another country (not the USA). An international toll free number based in Spain (or any other country) can be directed to any phone or cell phone number worldwide. International toll free numbers are NOT as cheap as USA-based numbers, so they are mainly used for business. For example, UWT can provide you with a toll free number in France. The setup charge is $20 and there is a $10 monthly fee. The rates are high compared with phone card rates, but if you need a toll free number in Spain and do the research, you may consider UWT's rates quite reasonable.
Providers
I recommend two toll free number providers. Both of these providers assign toll free numbers and let you forward the calls to any phone or cell phone worldwide. These companies are simple to work with, and I think they will treat you well.
Kall8 (click here)
Kall8 provides USA toll free numbers with low rates and powerful extra features. Kall8 toll free numbers also forward calls to any phone or cell phone in the USA or worldwide at very low rates. You can manage Kall8 toll free numbers online in real time, and Kall8 lets you schedule your toll free forwarding based on the time of day. For example, you can have your toll free number forward calls to your office during work hours and to a cell phone after 5pm.
- $2 setup fee
- $2 monthly fee
- 6.9¢/min within the USA (48 states)
- Manage your toll free number online
- Low international rates (a bit higher than UWT)
- Scheduled routing (see example above)
- Built in voicemail and fax reception
- Caller ID
- Call Blocking
- Call notification emails with call details
- Conference calling feature (up to 25 people)
- Learn more, check rates, sign Up
Kall8 offers USA toll free numbers based in the United Kingdom, but the setup and monthly fees are very high (much, much higher than UWT).
UWT (click here)
UWT provides USA toll free numbers that forward calls to any phone or cell phone in the USA or worldwide at very low rates. For example, you can create a USA toll free number that forwards incoming calls to your home number in Japan. You can manage your toll free number online. So when you are away from home go online and have calls forwarded to your cell phone instead.
- No setup fee
- $2.95 monthly fee
- 8¢/min within the USA (48 states)
- Manage your toll free number online
- Cheapest international rates
- Multiple lines capability
- Learn more, check rates, sign up
UWT offers international toll free numbers in 24 more countries with the same call forwarding ability. For example, you can set up a toll free number in Israel that forwards incoming calls to the USA. Click the link above for setup charges and monthly fees.
Quick comparison
If you are forwarding a toll free number to an international destination, then UWT will often have the cheapest international rates. UWT lets you manage your toll free number online in real time, but you don't get many special features. If you expect a high calling volume, UWT can dedicate multiple lines to your number (and roll the incoming calls over to a series of phone numbers on your end). UWT is basically a no frill service that has proven itself over time.
Kall8 is the best choice based on rates if you want a toll free number to use within the USA, and Kall8 has better rates to some international destination. Kall8 may be the superior service overall as a combination of features and rates, but the final decision may depend on how you want to use the toll free number.
Getting started
I have tried to describe the differences between UWT and Kall8. I feel confident to recommend both services. I suggest visiting their websites to check the rates and to see which one will best meet your needs.