Many articles about calling cards assume some service providers imply hidden charges that any inexperienced user will not notice. For example, this can be a connection fee, an everyday service fee etc. Are there any in VoIP?

Yes, there are. Despite the fact that due to the increasing rivalry, many providers tend to offer very clear and honest tariffs, some still want to take everything possible from each and every customer, therefore including some additional charges. In the Terms of Use and Service such charges are usually mentioned somewhere in the end with almost microscopic typing being hard to notice and read.

When choosing a VoIP provider, study its rates carefully and make an inquiry considering any additional rates that are not included in the main pricelist. Even if the provider has some, its support will as a rule reveal this information to the customer as it is illegal to keep such data unavailable for the client.

If you choose a well-known and reputed VoIP provider, in most cases you do really pay according to the rates stated in the pricelist. Such companies value their reputation and therefore do not risk it to earn some additional pennies. This usually explains why their prices may be somewhat higher. If a VoIP provider without a well-reputed brand offers suspiciously low rates, it should serve as a signal for you to find out everything about possible pitfalls waiting for you in future with this provider. Sometimes everything may end up paying twice or thrice more than you could pay for the services of the famous brand.