Two different tricks for cheap international calls
Rebtel’s trick is routing: for each contact it gives you a local phone number, so the call from your side travels over your normal phone network (even a landline) while Rebtel carries the international leg over the internet. Boss Revolution, from IDT, is more of a one-stop shop — prepaid calling bundled with international mobile top-up and money transfer inside one app. Both still require installing that app before you can dial anything.
Rebtel vs Boss Revolution vs Hyallo: side by side
| Feature | Rebtel | Boss Revolution | Hyallo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Requires installing an app | Yes | Yes | No — browser only |
| Can call using a landline on your end | Yes — via a local access number | Not part of the core app flow | No — needs a browser |
| Pricing model | Pay-as-you-go, plus promo deals | Prepaid calling credit | Pay-as-you-go, no subscription |
| Bundles in mobile top-up / money transfer | Mobile recharge available | Yes — calling, top-up and transfers in one app | No — calling only |
| New-user credit promotion | Occasional route-specific deals | Time-limited free-credit promos on the app | A full free first minute, always on |
| Works from any browser, no install | No | No | Yes |
What it costs to call popular destinations
Tap any destination for full rates and dialing info.
The verdict: who is each one actually for?
Rebtel fits someone who wants to call internationally from an old-fashioned landline or a phone with no data plan — its local-number trick makes that possible in a way the others don’t.
Boss Revolution fits someone who already sends mobile top-ups or money home and would rather manage calling, recharge and transfers in one app.
Hyallo fits someone who wants to call from a laptop or any browser without installing anything, doesn’t need the top-up/transfer extras, and wants to hear the call quality before paying — its first minute to any of 180+ destinations is free.
Frequently asked questions
Do Rebtel and Boss Revolution both require an app?
Yes, both are mobile apps (iOS and Android). Hyallo is the browser-only option of the three — no install.
Can I call abroad from a landline with any of these?
Rebtel is built for exactly that, using a local access number. Boss Revolution and Hyallo both expect you to place the call from the app or browser itself.
Is Hyallo cheaper than Rebtel or Boss Revolution?
It depends on the destination — all three are pay-as-you-go with rates that vary by country. Hyallo shows its exact per-minute rate before you dial and gives a free first minute to check it costs nothing to compare.