Key Takeaways:
Free VoIP is available in South Africa: Axxess, BiZVoIP Africa, and bitCONNECT all offer VoIP services with no monthly subscription fees.
You only pay for what you use: These providers operate on a prepaid, pay-as-you-go model—ideal for low to moderate call volumes.
Setup is simple: A softphone app or VoIP device plus a stable internet connection is all you need to get started.
Great for budget-conscious users: Perfect for home users, remote workers, and small teams who want to avoid long-term contracts or unused line rental.
Not all features are included: These options typically don’t come with advanced PBX features, emergency calling support, or service-level guarantees.
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is one of the easiest ways to make calls without a traditional phone line. It’s flexible, internet-based, and often much cheaper than standard mobile or landline services. Even better—some VoIP providers in South Africa offer no monthly subscription fees, letting you only pay for what you use.
Whether you’re a home user looking for a low-maintenance line or a business cutting costs, this guide covers free VoIP services that don’t charge monthly rental or subscription fees.
What counts as “Free” VoIP?
In this case, “free” refers to the absence of:
Monthly line rental
Subscription fees
Long-term contracts
You’ll still pay for call usage (prepaid or pay-as-you-go), but there are no ongoing costs just to have a number or SIP account.
1. Axxess VoIP
Best for: Home users or anyone needing a no-frills VoIP line
Axxess is a local ISP that offers a simple, pay-as-you-go VoIP service. Once your account is set up, you load CallTime and make calls as needed—no monthly fees, contracts, or commitments.
Features:
Free SIP account with no subscription
Load prepaid CallTime, use only what you need
Call rates to mobile numbers around 30c/min
Works with any VoIP-enabled device or softphone app
Use up to 6 devices on one account
Extras:
CallTime rolls over for 3 months
Option to purchase VoIP desk phones, or bring your own
2. BiZVoIP Africa
Best for: Small businesses or users needing a local number
BiZVoIP Africa provides prepaid VoIP services with no setup or monthly costs. You receive a geographic (e.g. 010, 021) or 087 number with your account, and only pay for call usage.
Features:
Free number with SIP account
No monthly fee or line rental
Prepaid only—minimum R500 top-up
Flat rate of 45c/min to mobile networks
Account managed through online portal
Extras:
Great for remote offices or home-based businesses
Works with softphones or VoIP desk phones
3. bitCONNECT
Best for: SMEs, call centres, and high-volume users
bitCONNECT provides free VoIP lines tailored for businesses. There are no charges for having the VoIP line itself—costs are based entirely on your call usage. You can set up multiple lines and integrate with your existing PBX if needed.
Features:
Free SIP accounts, unlimited lines
No subscription fees
Flexible pricing tiers (Standard and Enterprise)
On-net calls between your users are free
Compatible with 3CX, FreePBX, or standard VoIP phones
Extras:
Initial deposit required (R500 for Standard)
Number porting and cloud PBX options available
What You'll Need
To use any of these services, you’ll need:
A stable internet connection (Fibre or Fixed LTE recommended)
A VoIP-compatible device: this could be a desktop phone, VoIP ATA, or a mobile/desktop app like Zoiper, Acrobits, or Linphone
Optional: a headset or handset for better audio quality
What You Won’t Get
These free-tier VoIP services are great, but there are a few things they don’t typically include:
Emergency calling support (112 may not be routed correctly)
Advanced PBX features unless purchased separately
Guaranteed call quality unless you control the network
If you need guaranteed uptime or features like call recording, hunt groups, or IVR menus, a managed VoIP or UCaaS provider may be a better fit.
⚠️ Caution Points
Call quality depends on your internet: VoIP works best over fibre or stable fixed LTE. Poor internet will result in dropped or garbled calls.
No built-in support for emergency calls: These services don’t guarantee 112 or 10111 routing. Keep a backup mobile or landline for emergencies.
Limited business features: If you need auto attendants, call queues, or reporting dashboards, you may outgrow these basic services quickly.
Prepaid top-ups may not suit everyone: Some providers have high minimum deposits (e.g. R500 at BiZVoIP and bitCONNECT), which can be a hurdle for casual users.
Free VoIP Providers Comparison Table
| Provider | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Axxess | ✅ No monthly fees or contracts ✅ Rollover CallTime ✅ Use up to 6 devices on one account ✅ Easy setup with softphone apps | ❌ No included geographic number ❌ Limited business features ❌ Support for 3rd-party hardware may be basic |
| BiZVoIP Africa | ✅ Free number (087 or geographic) ✅ No setup or monthly costs ✅ Flat call rate (45c/min) ✅ Online portal for account control | ❌ R500 minimum top-up ❌ Mostly self-service ❌ Limited advanced PBX features |
| bitCONNECT | ✅ Free VoIP line(s) ✅ Unlimited concurrent lines ✅ On-net calls are free ✅ Compatible with 3CX/PBX systems | ❌ Initial deposit required (R500 Residential users or R2,500 Business Users) ❌ Primarily business-focused ❌ May be overkill for casual users |
Do We Recommend Free VoIP Services Compared to Regular VoIP?
✅ Yes—for the right type of user, free VoIP services are a smart, low-risk starting point. But they’re not a one-size-fits-all solution.
Here’s how they stack up against regular (paid) VoIP services:
| Comparison Point | Free VoIP (e.g. Axxess, BiZVoIP) | Regular VoIP (e.g. Euphoria, Switch Telecom) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Fees | ❌ None | ✅ Typically R49 – R199+ per line |
| Setup Complexity | ✅ Easy DIY setup with softphone or device | ✅ Usually managed setup, may include hardware |
| Features | ❌ Basic calling only, no extras | ✅ Advanced: call routing, recording, IVR, etc. |
| Support | ❌ Limited or self-managed | ✅ Includes phone/email support |
| Emergency Call Routing | ❌ Not guaranteed | ✅ Often supported or handled via PBX |
| SLAs / Reliability | ❌ No uptime guarantees | ✅ Often includes SLAs, QoS, redundancy |
| Scalability | 🚫 Limited | ✅ Scales easily with teams and branches |
| Cost Control | ✅ Prepaid, easy to budget | ⚠️ Subscription + usage, may creep over time |
- Use free VoIP if you want to dip your toes in, make occasional calls, or need a basic line with no strings attached.
Go with regular VoIP if you’re running a business, need uptime guarantees, or rely on voice comms for revenue or service delivery.
You can even start with a free VoIP account and upgrade later if your needs grow—just make sure your number is portable if you plan to switch.
In short, these free VoIP services are a great entry point, especially for home users, remote workers, and small teams. Just know where the ceiling is.
