Do I need to download an app to use Kinvo?

No. Kinvo works entirely in your browser using WebRTC technology. Just sign up, add credits, and start calling. It works on Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge on any device with a microphone.

How does the Kinvo credit system work?

Buy credits in preset amounts ($5, $10, $20, $50, or $100) or a custom amount. Each call deducts credits based on the per-minute rate for that country plus a $0.05 connection fee (only charged when the call is answered). Credits never expire. Larger packs include bonus credits: $20 pack gets +$1, $50 gets +$5, $100 gets +$15.

What countries can I call with Kinvo?

Kinvo supports calls to over 150 countries including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, India, Germany, France, Japan, Brazil, Mexico, Philippines, and most of Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America. Both landline and mobile numbers are supported.

Is Kinvo call quality good?

Yes. Kinvo uses WebRTC with HD voice codecs for crystal clear audio. All calls are encrypted end-to-end. Call quality is typically better than traditional phone calls, with real-time quality indicators showing latency and packet loss.

Can I use my own phone number as caller ID on Kinvo?

Yes. You can verify your personal phone number through Kinvo's caller ID feature, and recipients will see your real number when you call. You can also purchase virtual phone numbers in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia.

Do Kinvo credits expire?

No. Your credits stay in your account indefinitely until you use them. There are no hidden fees, no monthly minimums, and no expiration dates.

Is Kinvo a good alternative to Skype for international calls?

Yes. Kinvo was built specifically to fill the gap left by Skype's shutdown in May 2025. Like Skype, Kinvo offers affordable international calls with a pay-as-you-go model. Unlike Skype, Kinvo requires no app download — calls are made directly from the browser. Kinvo supports 150+ countries with HD WebRTC voice quality, team accounts, and caller ID verification.

How much do international calls cost with Kinvo?

Rates vary by country. Calls to US and UK landlines start from $0.01/min. Mobile rates are typically higher. There is a $0.05 connection fee per call, charged only when the call is answered. You can check exact rates for any country before you dial. Every new account gets a free 1-minute test call.

What is the cheapest way to call internationally from a browser?

Kinvo is one of the most affordable browser-based international calling services. With rates starting from $0.01/min for popular destinations, no subscription fees, and credits that never expire, it is significantly cheaper than traditional phone plans or calling cards. The pay-as-you-go model means you only pay for the minutes you use.

Does Kinvo support team or business accounts?

Yes. Kinvo offers team accounts with shared credit wallets, member management, per-user spending limits, and admin dashboards with per-member call analytics. Teams are created with a $150 minimum credit purchase, with no seat limits.

How to Call Brazil from the US: Cheapest Rates in 2026

Brazil is the largest country in South America with over 215 million people and one of the most globally dispersed diasporas. An estimated 4.5 million Brazilians live abroad, with the largest communities in the United States (about 1.9 million), Japan (over 200,000), the United Kingdom, Portugal, and across Europe. The Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs estimates that diaspora remittances to Brazil exceeded $4 billion in 2024, driven by workers, students, and entrepreneurs who maintain close family ties back home.

Staying connected means regular phone calls to family in Sao Paulo, friends in Rio de Janeiro, business contacts in Belo Horizonte, and relatives scattered across the country. The challenge is that calling Brazil — especially Brazilian mobile numbers — remains expensive through traditional channels.

Browser-based calling changes the equation. You can call any Brazilian landline for $0.02/min and mobiles for $0.15/min, directly from your web browser. No app download, no subscription, no expiring credits.

The Problem: Why Traditional Calling to Brazil Is Expensive

Brazil is one of the most expensive destinations for international mobile calls. The reason is structural: Brazilian mobile carriers (Vivo, Claro, TIM, Oi) charge high mobile termination rates, which get passed on to international callers. US carriers like AT&T charge $1.00 to $3.50 per minute for calls to Brazil. Even T-Mobile's international add-on charges $0.25 to $0.65 per minute after the plan limit. Calling cards advertise rates like "$0.05/min" but tack on $0.49 to $0.99 connection fees per call and expire credits in 30 to 90 days.

The landline vs. mobile gap is important in Brazil. Landline rates are cheap ($0.02/min with Kinvo), but mobile rates are significantly higher ($0.15/min) because of carrier termination fees. Since over 80% of Brazilians primarily use mobile phones, most of your calls will be to mobiles.

Cost to Call Brazil

Method	Landline Rate	Mobile Rate	Connection Fee	Credits Expire?
Kinvo (browser)	$0.02/min	$0.15/min	$0.05	Never
Viber Out	$0.04/min	$0.19/min	$0.09	After 6 months
US carrier (AT&T/T-Mobile)	$1.00–$3.50/min	$1.00–$3.50/min	None	N/A ($10–$15/mo add-on)
Calling card	$0.03–$0.08/min	$0.10–$0.25/min	$0.49–$0.99	30–90 days

Real cost example: A 20-minute call to a Vivo mobile in Sao Paulo with Kinvo costs $0.05 + (20 × $0.15) = $3.05. The same call on AT&T costs $20.00 to $70.00. That is 6x to 23x cheaper. Use our call cost calculator to estimate your specific costs.

How to Call Brazil from Your Browser: Step by Step

Step 1: Sign Up for Kinvo

Visit kinvophone.com and create a free account with your email. Takes under 60 seconds. Every new account gets a free test call so you can verify quality before purchasing credits.

Step 2: Add Credits

Buy credits starting at $5 (approximately 250 minutes to Brazilian landlines or 33 minutes to Brazilian mobiles). Credits never expire — no subscription, no recurring charges. The $20 pack includes a $1 bonus.

Step 3: Dial with +55

Open the browser-based dialer and enter the number with Brazil's country code +55, followed by the two-digit area code (DDD) and the 8- or 9-digit number. The dialer shows the per-minute rate and destination before you connect.

Step 4: Call

Press the call button. Your browser requests microphone permission if needed. The call connects in under 3 seconds with HD audio quality.

How Brazilian Phone Numbers Work

Brazilian phone numbers follow a specific format. All numbers include a two-digit area code (DDD) after the country code:

Landlines: 8 digits. Example: Sao Paulo landline (011) 3XXX-XXXX becomes +55 11 3XXX XXXX (drop the 0 from the area code)
Mobiles: 9 digits, always starting with 9. Example: (021) 9XXXX-XXXX becomes +55 21 9XXXX XXXX (drop the leading 0)

Key rule: Always drop the leading 0 from the area code when dialing internationally. Mobile numbers in Brazil are 9 digits (starting with 9) and landlines are 8 digits. If someone gives you an 11-digit number starting with 0, remove the 0 and add +55.

Common Area Codes (DDD)

City	DDD Code	International Format
Sao Paulo	11	+55 11
Rio de Janeiro	21	+55 21
Belo Horizonte	31	+55 31
Brasilia	61	+55 61
Salvador	71	+55 71
Curitiba	41	+55 41

Major Mobile Carrier Prefixes

Carrier	Market Share
Vivo (Telefónica)	~33% — largest carrier
Claro (América Móvil)	~25%
TIM	~24%
Oi	~16% (mobile operations acquired by Vivo, Claro, TIM)

Best Times to Call Brazil

Most of Brazil, including Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Brasilia, uses BRT (Brasilia Time, UTC-3). Use our best time to call tool for personalized scheduling.

US East Coast (EST): Brazil is 2 hours ahead. 6:00 PM in New York = 8:00 PM in Sao Paulo. Evening calls from the US land at a good evening hour in Brazil.
US West Coast (PST): Brazil is 5 hours ahead. 4:00 PM in LA = 9:00 PM in Sao Paulo. Afternoon calls from the West Coast hit evening time in Brazil.
UK (GMT): Brazil is 3 hours behind. 8:00 PM in London = 5:00 PM in Sao Paulo. Late afternoon UK time catches early evening in Brazil.
Portugal (WET): Same as UK. 7:00 PM in Lisbon = 4:00 PM in Sao Paulo. The strong Portugal-Brazil cultural corridor makes this a frequent calling route.
Japan (JST): Brazil is 12 hours behind. 8:00 AM in Tokyo = 8:00 PM (previous day) in Sao Paulo. Morning calls from Japan reach evening in Brazil — convenient for the 200,000+ Brazilians in Japan.

Why Browser Calling Works for the Brazilian Diaspora

No app needed on either end: You call from your browser. The phone rings in Brazil like a normal call. Your family does not need internet or a special app.
Works from any device: Call from your work laptop, phone browser, or tablet. Same account, same credits. Especially useful for Brazilians working abroad who may not want to install apps on work devices.
Caller ID: Set your own number as the caller ID so family in Brazil recognizes your call and picks up. Important because many Brazilians screen unknown international numbers.
Credits never expire: Unlike calling cards common in Brazilian shops abroad (which expire in 30 to 90 days), your Kinvo credits stay in your account until you use them.
Transparent pricing: The dialer shows the exact per-minute rate before you connect. The landline vs. mobile difference is shown upfront — no surprises. Check rates anytime on our Brazil calling rates page.

See the full rate breakdown on our Brazil calling rates page, or compare rates for all 150+ countries.

Bottom line: Calling Brazil from your browser costs $0.02/min to landlines and $0.15/min to mobiles with Kinvo — dramatically cheaper than carrier rates. Brazil mobile rates are higher than many countries due to carrier termination fees, but still a fraction of what AT&T or T-Mobile charges. A $5 credit pack gives you 250 minutes to landlines or 33 minutes to mobiles. No app, no subscription, credits never expire. Start with a free test call.