Digital nomads: how do you handle international calling without expensive subscriptions?

I was traveling and needed to call a client urgently.

Most services required a monthly subscription just to have a number — even if I’d only use it a few times.

Didn’t want another recurring cost.

So I didn’t subscribe… and couldn’t make the call.

It made me realize how weird it is that in 2026 we still depend on SIM cards or subscriptions just to make simple international calls.

What do you all use when moving between countries?