Understanding Twilio call rates and phone number pricing is essential before building any voice application. This guide provides a complete breakdown of Twilio rates so you can budget accurately.
Twilio Voice Call Rates (United States)
Inbound calls to local numbers: ~$0.0085/minute. Inbound calls to toll-free: ~$0.022/minute. Outbound calls to US landlines/mobile: ~$0.014/minute.
Twilio Phone Number Pricing
US Local number: ~$1.15/month. US Toll-Free: ~$2.15/month. Short Codes: $500–$1,000/month. UK Local: ~$1.50/month. Australia Local: ~$3.00/month.
Additional Voice Costs
Call recording: $0.0025/minute to record + $0.0025/minute stored. Transcription: $0.05/minute. Text-to-Speech: ~$0.000004/character. Speech Recognition: ~$0.01/15 seconds.
How to Reduce Twilio Call Costs
- Use SIP trunking instead of PSTN where possible—lower termination rates
- Consider Telnyx or Plivo for high-volume international destinations
- Release unused phone numbers immediately—monthly fees accumulate
- Negotiate volume discounts if monthly Twilio spend exceeds $5,000/month
FAQ
How much does Twilio charge per minute for calls?
Twilio charges approximately $0.0085/minute for inbound calls to US local numbers and $0.014/minute for outbound calls within the US. Toll-free inbound calls are ~$0.022/minute.
Does Twilio charge for incoming calls?
Yes—Twilio charges for inbound calls at ~$0.0085/minute for local numbers. Unlike some hosted phone systems with unlimited inbound, Twilio’s pay-as-you-go model charges for every inbound minute.
Conclusion
Understanding Twilio call rates allows accurate budgeting for your voice application. With US inbound at $0.0085/minute and outbound at $0.014/minute, Twilio provides competitive, transparent pay-as-you-go pricing.
