Yolla vs Telvio: The Key Differences
Both Yolla and Telvio serve the same core purpose: making affordable international calls to real phone numbers worldwide using VoIP technology. The fundamental difference lies in their approach to user onboarding and billing precision. Yolla requires account registration through phone number or email verification before you can purchase credit and start calling. Telvio eliminates this friction entirely — download the app, get one free minute instantly, and start calling without any signup process.
The billing models reveal another key distinction. While both services use prepaid credit that never expires, Telvio bills per second while Yolla charges per minute. This means a 30-second call costs you 30 seconds of credit with Telvio, but a full minute with Yolla. For frequent short calls, this difference adds up quickly. Both services cover similar geographic reach — Yolla advertises 190+ countries while Telvio covers 200+ destinations.
Rate Comparison
| Country | Telvio Landline | Telvio Mobile | Yolla Landline | Yolla Mobile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $0.02/min | $0.02/min | $0.0119/min | Not specified |
| United Kingdom | $0.02/min | $0.08/min | Not available | Not available |
| India | $0.08/min | $0.08/min | Not available | Not available |
| Mexico | $0.02/min | $0.04/min | Not available | Not available |
| Nigeria | $0.10/min | $0.14/min | Not available | $0.36/min |
| Philippines | $0.08/min | $0.12/min | Not available | Not available |
Yolla shows a clear advantage on US calling rates at $0.0119 per minute compared to Telvio's $0.02. However, Yolla's rate information becomes limited beyond the US market — specific rates for UK, India, Mexico, and Philippines weren't available in their published materials. For Nigeria mobile calls, Telvio significantly undercuts Yolla at $0.14 versus $0.36 per minute. The incomplete rate transparency from Yolla makes direct comparison challenging across most destinations, though their marketing claims savings "up to 90%" versus traditional telecom rates.
Features Side by Side
| Feature | Telvio | Yolla |
|---|---|---|
| Billing model | Per second | Per minute |
| Connection fee | None | None |
| Credit expiry | Never | Never |
| Registration required | No | Yes (phone/email) |
| Platforms | iOS, Android | iOS, Android |
| Minimum purchase | $1.99 | Not specified |
| Free trial | 1 free minute | Not specified |
When to Choose Telvio
• Instant access without registration — Start calling immediately after download with your free minute, no account setup or verification delays required.
• Per-second billing precision — Pay only for the exact duration of your calls rather than rounding up to full minutes, especially valuable for frequent short conversations.
• Transparent rate structure — Published rates for major destinations like UK, India, Mexico, and Philippines, plus competitive pricing for markets like Nigeria where Telvio costs $0.14/min versus Yolla's $0.36/min.
• Flexible credit packages — Choose from $1.99 Starter, $4.99 Standard, or $9.99 Pro packs based on your calling volume without long-term commitments.
When to Choose Yolla
• Lower US calling rates — At $0.0119 per minute, Yolla beats Telvio's $0.02 rate for calls to the United States, making it cost-effective for frequent US calling.
• SMS capability — Send international text messages at approximately $0.15 per message, a feature Telvio doesn't offer for users who need both calling and texting.
• Pre-call rate display — See the exact per-minute cost on screen before placing each call, helping you make informed decisions about call duration and costs.
• Established service coverage — Covers 190+ countries with marketing emphasis on transparency and "no hidden fees," though specific rate details require in-app lookup for most destinations.
The Bottom Line
Your choice between Telvio and Yolla depends primarily on your calling patterns and tolerance for setup friction. If you frequently call the United States and don't mind creating an account, Yolla's $0.0119 rate provides genuine savings over Telvio's $0.02. However, this advantage diminishes quickly if you make calls to other destinations where Yolla's rates aren't clearly published or are significantly higher, like Nigeria.
Telvio makes more sense for users who value convenience and billing precision. The ability to start calling immediately without registration, combined with per-second billing, appeals to occasional international callers who want straightforward access. The transparent rate structure across multiple countries also helps with budgeting and comparison shopping, something that becomes difficult with Yolla's limited published rate information.
For business users or those making diverse international calls, consider exploring our business VoIP phone systems comparison or cloud phone systems comparison for more comprehensive solutions. Both Telvio and Yolla work well as consumer-focused alternatives to traditional international calling cards, but your specific destination mix and calling frequency should drive the final decision.
Frequently asked questions
Is Yolla free for international calls?
No, Yolla is not free for international calls. It's a prepaid VoIP service where you purchase credit and pay per-minute rates to call real phone numbers worldwide. While Yolla advertises competitive rates and claims savings "up to 90%" compared to traditional telecom charges, all calls consume your prepaid balance. The service operates on a pay-as-you-go model without monthly subscriptions.
Which is cheaper, Telvio or Yolla?
For US calls, Yolla is cheaper at $0.0119/min versus Telvio's $0.02/min. However, Telvio becomes more cost-effective for destinations like Nigeria ($0.14 vs $0.36/min) and offers per-second billing that saves money on short calls. Yolla's limited published rates make comparison difficult for most countries. Check our [rates page](/rates/) for current Telvio pricing across all destinations.
Do both apps work without WiFi?
Yes, both Telvio and Yolla work over mobile data connections when WiFi isn't available. They use VoIP technology to route calls through your internet connection rather than cellular minutes. However, calling over mobile data will consume your data allowance, so monitor usage if you have limited data plans.
Can I use my existing phone number with these apps?
No, neither Telvio nor Yolla provides you with a dedicated phone number for incoming calls. These are outbound-only calling services where you dial from the app to reach regular phone numbers. Recipients see your call but cannot call you back through the app. For two-way communication with a dedicated number, explore our [Skype alternatives comparison](Skype vs Top Alternatives).
How do I add money to my account?
Telvio offers three credit packages ($1.99, $4.99, $9.99) purchased directly through the app stores without requiring account registration. Yolla requires creating an account first, then topping up your balance through in-app payments. Both services accept standard payment methods through their respective app stores and neither charges connection fees.
What happens if I run out of credit during a call?
Both services will disconnect your call when your credit balance reaches zero. Telvio's per-second billing means you'll use exactly the credit corresponding to your call duration, while Yolla's per-minute billing rounds up to full minutes. Neither service allows negative balances or post-paid calling. Check our [pricing page](/pricing/) for Telvio's current credit packages and consumption rates.
Sources and citation
Telvio rates on this page are read from our own published tariff at build time and were last rebuilt on February 20, 2026. Country codes, exit codes and area codes come from published national numbering plans. Roaming charges, calling-card prices and competitor rates are third-party figures and are labelled where they appear.
Tleugazin, M. (2026). Telvio vs Yolla Rates. Telvio. https://telvio.app/compare/telvio-vs-yolla/
Written by Merey Tleugazin
