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The Callchecker scans the cheapest providers daily to provide the most up to date call costs for calling landline, mobile, personal, 0845 and 0870 numbers. Once you've found the cheapest provider for your type of call, dial the override provider's access number followed by the number you want to dial.
Please remember the information listed here comes from the providers automatically. Before making the the call always double check on the provider's own website. MoneySavingExpert.com takes no responsibility for any expense caused by this data.
Please Note: Calls to mobiles from landlines are charged as if on the original network and don't take into consideration if a mobile number has been ported. Also your main providers connection charges will apply as normal.
Enter the kind of number you're dialling and the time of the day for a list of the cheapest providers. Do beware some of the operators, especially when calling UK mobiles require you to include the UK country code 44. E.g. to dial the mobile
There shouldn't be a need to do this each day. Most of these call providers announce the call charge at the start of each call. If that changes come back and find the new cheapest, or periodically return to check another hasn't overtaken it.
Remember these are no frills, budget providers. Sometimes the quality or connection may be poor. The great advantage is you simply don't use that provider again and pick the next cheapest.
Abroadcall, Abroadphone, Abroadtel, 0844Calls, Bestminutes, Budgetcom, Cheapestcalls, Cleverates, DialAround, Dialwise, DiscountDial, italk247, Just-dial, Liquid Telecom, Pennyphone, Phonebird, Phonecheap, Ratebuster, Simply-fone, CheapchatUK, Tele88, Telediscount, Telesavers, Telestunt, 05pence, 1pminute, 4cheapcalling
There is no need for an account with these providers; they can be accessed instantly. To do this, dial the special access number listed. This connects you to the provider's system and you are charged the rate listed for making the call (which is for calls from UK landlines, it may be more from a mobile). Once connected, you simply dial the number you want to call at no further charge. These companies make their money by receiving a proportion of the income from the access calls.
One important note though. As the call charge starts the moment you're connected to the access number you're paying immediately, so if the person you're calling is engaged or out, you're paying anyway. Even so the timy comparative prices of these calls make it worthwhile.
Account Needed Providers
1899, call18866, Alpha Telecom, Liquid Telecom, and 18185
Here you must first set up an account via the internet. Once that's done access the service by dialling (for free) a short four or five digit prefix or freephone number. Then dial the number you're calling and you will receive a monthly bill for it.
Important: some of these providers charge a connection fee (ie., a fixed amount per call). Also do note the prices listed are for calls from BT phones, calls from other providers can sometimes vary.
Call1899 and 18185 are both 5p for UK calls and 4p for international calls; Call18866 is 5p
Topupnow, Teletop and Cheapestchat
Topupnow, Teletop work a very different way. They're designed for use of a mobile phone. It involves a payment of £1.50 to start the account, and each call has a 5p connection fee.
CheapestChat works from both mobiles and landlines and has no connection charge. You top up your account by calling their special charge line.
Mainstream Providers
These are mainstream providers. To access their services (if you don't have them have already) you need to switch via Carrier Pre-Select, so all your calls are automatically put through their network. These carriers are rarely the cheapest and are primarily included to demonstrate how much you can save.