Which Is the Best SIM Card in the US to Call India?
Millions of Indians reside in the US. Therefore, it is a no-brainer that a significant number of calls are made from the US to India daily. While social media applications provide the convenience of free calls, both parties must have internet access and be registered users of the same platform. This can be a huge challenge, especially in areas with weak or no internet connectivity.
For times when internet-based solutions aren’t an option, you have to rely on traditional methods. However, these often come with high costs. Luckily, several US carriers offer affordable international calling plans that help make calls to the Asian country more accessible.
In this guide, let’s look at some of the best SIM cards in the US to call India that can help you stay connected without spending a lot.
Key Highlights:
- A wide range of carriers, including major players like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, and MVNOs such as Ultra Mobile and Lyca Mobile, among others, offer specific plans for calling India from the US.
- Many providers offer unlimited calling plans to India, transforming per-minute charges into affordable monthly add-ons or inclusions, providing significant value for frequent callers.
- Options range from completely free calls to India to extremely low per-minute rates, allowing you to choose based on your calling volume and budget.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a US SIM Card for Calling India
When selecting a SIM card for making international calls to India from the US, prioritize plans with competitive call rates, flexible prepaid or postpaid options, and robust network coverage in both the US and India. Additionally, ensure the provider offers reliable customer support.
- Price and Plans: Compare rates for calls to India. Look for prepaid or postpaid plans with affordable international options.
- Coverage and Call Quality: Choose a provider with strong coverage in both the US and India for clear and reliable calls.
- Flexibility and Add-ons: Check if the plan allows adjustments or add-ons for international minutes and data.
- Customer Service: Ensure the provider offers good customer support, especially for international call issues.
Get Feature-Rich US Virtual Phone Numbers to Make Cheap Calls to India!
Best SIM Cards for Calling India from the US
1. Ultra Mobile
Ultra Mobile provides one of the best SIM cards in the US for calling India. As a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), it uses the T-Mobile US network to offer reliable coverage. Moreover, one of its standout features is free calls to India, along with a variety of plans to suit your needs.
You can easily order your SIM card directly from their website, which includes free 2-3 day shipping. Or, you can opt for an eSIM with instant digital delivery.
Plans | Pricing (per month) |
| Talk & Text Plan | $15 |
| 3 GB Plan | $19 |
| 5 GB Plan | $24 |
| 10 GB Plan | $29 |
| 15 GB Plan | $39 |
| Ultra Unlimited Plan | $49 |
| Ultra Unlimited+ Plan | $59 |
2. Lyca Mobile
Lyca Mobile is another mobile virtual network operator that offers prepaid SIM cards in the US for calling India. It provides prepaid services without requiring a contract, making it flexible for users. After ordering, your SIM card will typically arrive within 3 to 5 business days.
You can even add international credit to contact India during the order process. Moreover, activating your Lycam Mobile SIM is simple; just dial 622 and enter your zip code when asked. Plus, you can view your number by dialing *613# or 97#.
Plans | Pricing (per month) |
| High Data Plan (12+3 GB Data) | $33 |
| Unlimited International Plan (3 GB Data) | $19 |
| Unlimited Plus (Unlimited data) | $49 |
| Unlimited International Plan (5 GB Data) | $23 |
Note: There are many more plans available than the ones mentioned above. Moreover, prices can vary depending on Lyca Mobile's promotional or exclusive offers.
3. AT&T Prepaid
As one of the largest US wireless carriers, AT&T provides extensive domestic and international coverage, ensuring clear and stable calls to India. Its network ensures clear and stable calls, making it a solid choice for those who frequently call India from the US.
Plans | Pricing (per month) |
| International | $10 |
| International Plus | $15 |
4. T-Mobile
T-Mobile is another leading US wireless provider offering cost-effective calling to India. It’s recognized for its broad network and competitive pricing. For customers frequently connecting with loved ones in the most populated country, T-Mobile offers robust and cost-effective international calling solutions.
T-Mobile’s Stateside International Plan transforms international calling to India from a per-minute charge (typically $3) into an unlimited service for both mobile and landline numbers. This plan delivers exceptional value, making T-Mobile an excellent choice.
Plan | Pricing (per month) |
| Stateside International | $15 |
5. Verizon
Verizon is a renowned American telecommunications company offering multiple plans to connect with India from the US. While Verizon’s standard rate is $2.49 per minute, it offers three discounted plans when you purchase a SIM.
Its Global Choice plan offers a monthly 300-minute allowance, after which the rate drops to $0.05 per minute. Similarly, its Global Calling plan charges $0.29 and $0.30 per minute for landline and mobile calls to India, respectively. Lastly, the Global Calling Plus plan offers a very affordable rate of $0.05 per minute for both landline and mobile calls.
Plan | Pricing (per month) |
| Global Choice | $10 |
| Global Calling | $5 |
| Global Calling Plus | $15 |
6. Google Fi
Google Fi is a dependable MVNO offering both SIM and eSIM options to contact India from the US. It provides three plans: Unlimited Premium, Unlimited Standard, and Unlimited Essentials. Among them, the Unlimited Premium plan is the most effective, as it offers free calls from the US to over 50 destinations, including India.
The Unlimited Premium plan further includes 100 GB of high-speed data. It also offers 50 GB of high-speed hotspot tethering, 6 months of YouTube Premium, and 100 GB of cloud storage with Google One.
Plan | Pricing (per month) |
| Unlimited Premium | $55 |
7. Mint Mobile
Mint Mobile, owned by T-Mobile US, is a mobile virtual network operator that provides affordable mobile service to contact India. Although not free like the other carriers mentioned, Mint Mobile offers really cheap rates for calls to India from the US.
You can contact a landline number in India for just $0.01 per minute and a mobile number for $0.02 per minute. Moreover, Mint Mobile provides unlimited texting, making it an affordable choice for those who frequently stay connected with loved ones in India.
Plans (GB per month) | Price (3 months) | Price (6 months) | Price (12 months) |
5 | $15/mo ($45 upfront) | $20/mo ($120 upfront) | $15/mo ($180 upfront) |
15 | $15/mo ($45 upfront) | $25/mo ($150 upfront) | $20/mo ($240 upfront) |
20 | $15/mo ($45 upfront) | $35/mo ($210 upfront) | $25/mo ($300 upfront) |
Unlimited | $15/mo ($45 upfront) | $35/mo ($210 upfront) | $20/mo ($240 upfront) |
8. Cricket Wireless
Cricket Wireless, owned by AT&T, offers a variety of plans. Among them, you can add International Calling to reach India in, Unlimited + 15GB Hotspot Data Plan and the Unlimited Plan.
The India Calling add-on is available for $15 per month. It includes unlimited calls from the US to landlines and mobile phones in India, plus unlimited SMS and MMS. You can easily add the feature to your plan online or in the myCricket app and cancel anytime. Additional calling minutes can also be added as needed.
Plans | Pricing (per month) |
| Unlimited + 15GB Hotspot Data Plan | $60 |
| Unlimited Plan | $55 |
9. H2O Wireless
Acquiring a SIM from H2O Wireless is one of the best ways to call India from the USA. Under its Unlimited Plans, it offers unlimited calls to both landlines and cell phones in the Asian country. Additionally, it charges just ¢0.5 per minute for the first 300 allocated minutes.
Additionally, H2O Wireless offers 5 packages under its Unlimited Plans. Each of them comes with a certain amount of International Talk and Roaming Credit. These plans allow you to choose the best package based on your needs.
Plans | Price (per month) |
| 3 GB data + 2 GB hotspot | $20 |
| 10 GB data + 5 GB hotspot | $30 |
| 20 GB data + 5 GB hotspot | $40 |
| Unlimited + 5 GB hotspot | $50 |
| Unlimited XL + 20 GB hotspot | $60 |
10. Boost Mobile
A subsidiary of EchoStar, Boost Mobile also provides SIM cards in the US to call India. It offers a plan called Global Talk & Text for $10 per month with unlimited calls and texts to India.
The good thing is, aside from its Unlimited package, all of Boost Mobile’s other subscription plans include Global Talk & Text. This makes the telecommunication provider an ideal choice to reach someone in India from the States.
Plans | Price (per month) |
| Unlimited+ | $50 |
| Unlimited Premium | $60 |
| Infinite Access for iPhone/Galaxy | $65 |
A Comparison Table
Carrier Providers | Price Range Per Month | Key Advantage |
| Ultra Mobile | $15 - $59 | Free unlimited calls to India, eSIM option available, uses T-Mobile's extensive network. |
| Lyca Mobile | $19 - $49 | Prepaid, no contract, flexible plans, easy activation, international credit add-on. |
| AT&T Prepaid | $10 - $15 | Reliable nationwide coverage, options for both limited and unlimited India calling minutes. |
| T-Mobile | $15 | Unlimited calls to India (mobile & landline) from the US, leveraging T-Mobile's broad network. |
| Verizon | $5 - $15 | Flexible options with varying minute allowances and discounted rates, including a $0.05/min rate. |
| Google Fi | $55 | Free calls to India on its premium plan include substantial data and extra perks (YouTube Premium, Google One). |
| Mint Mobile | $15 - $35 | Extremely low per-minute rates, unlimited texting, and utilizes T-Mobile's network. |
| Cricket Wireless | $55 - $60 | Unlimited calls and texts to India, no data usage for calls, easy add-on feature. |
| H2O Wireless | $20 - $60 | Unlimited calls to India on select plans, including international talk and roaming credit. |
| Boost Mobile | $50 - $65 | Unlimited calls and texts to India, often included with most Boost Mobile plans. |
Conclusion
When it comes to making calls from the US to India, there are several mobile carriers offering cost-effective SIM cards with calling costs ranging from unlimited free calls to very low per-minute rates. Major providers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, as well as MVNOs like Ultra Mobile, Lyca Mobile, and Mint Mobile, offer affordable rates, flexible plans, and reliable coverage.
However, while SIM cards work well for personal calls, they often lack the advanced features needed by businesses. A better solution for business communication is a virtual phone number. A cloud telephony alternative, such as Calilio, allows you to skip traditional SIMs and make encrypted calls to India over the internet using these numbers.
Additionally, you can make and receive calls from your mobile, laptop, or computer using an internet connection. This makes it easy to stay connected from anywhere. Virtual phone numbers in Calilio also offer other benefits, such as greater flexibility in managing multiple lines, easy call forwarding, and professional voicemail options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best SIM card for calling India?
T-Mobile and Ultra Mobile are some of the best SIM card providers for calling India, offering unlimited calls.
What is the best way to call India from the USA?
How to call India from the US for free online?
Still have questions?
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