Santa video calls with your child's name, compared
For a Santa video call tonight that says your child's name and rings like a real call, Cirrela makes one in about a minute, in 7 languages: watch it free first with our mark, then $4.99 once to keep it and send it. It is recorded, so Santa can't hear or answer questions. For a real conversation, a live Santa costs about $39 for 10 minutes at a booked time (Live Santa Call, Actually Santa), and shorter live calls cost $5 to $10 (Call Santa Live, MyChristmas, Call Santa Claus). Portable North Pole has the most videos and calls, through a yearly pass that renews.
Cirrela publishes this page and sells one of the calls in it. We did not test each service ourselves.
The pick for each need
Tonight, any name, rings like a real call: Cirrela
Type a first name and a message: Santa, Mrs Claus or an elf says them in a video that rings, is answered and hangs up like a video call, in 7 languages, in about a minute. Watch the whole call free with our mark, no sign-up; $4.99 once keeps it and sends the call link, which rings on their phone. You can film your child's reaction on your phone, with Santa in the same video.
Watch out: Recorded: Santa can't hear or answer questions.
A real conversation with a Santa actor: Live Santa Call
A 10-minute one-on-one call on Google Meet with a real-beard Santa who uses the name, age and wish list you give. $39, paid at booking.
Watch out: Only at set times, from 28 November to 24 December: book early.
A live call that answers, for less: MyChristmas
A live two-way call that rings your child's phone, and Santa answers their questions. $9.99 for a video call of up to 5 minutes, and one free 1-minute phone call to try.
Watch out: The free taster is audio only. English, Spanish, French and Italian.
The whole family, from several homes: TalkToSanta
One live video call for up to 5 locations and 6 children, 8 to 10 minutes, with a copy of the call. From $34.95.
Watch out: A booked time slot.
All season, many videos and calls: Portable North Pole
The best known: 50+ videos, 20+ calls and live Talk to Santa chats with its yearly Magic Pass, or one call bought on its own.
Watch out: The pass is a yearly subscription that renews by itself. Prices vary by country and show at checkout.
A phone call they dial themselves: CallSanta
Your child dials a US or UK number and talks with Santa, who brings up the details you gave. $29 once.
Watch out: Voice only, no video, and only US and UK numbers.
What each one is, gives free and costs
| Seller | What it is | Free | Price | When |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cirrela | A recorded video that rings and plays as a call; says any first name | The whole call to watch, with our mark, no sign-up | $4.99, paid once | Ready in about a minute, any time |
| Call Santa Live | Live video call with an AI Santa | Not stated | $4.99 for 5 minutes, $9.99 for 15 | Right away, through December; not recorded |
| MyChristmas | Live two-way call that rings the child's phone | One 1-minute phone call (audio) | $9.99 a video call (up to 5 minutes); $1.99 a phone call | Right away or at a chosen time |
| Call Santa Claus | Live video call | Not stated | $9.99 for 5 minutes; $19.99 for 10 minutes with a recording | Booked |
| Santa Playtime | Christmas games pass with a short Santa call (UK) | 3 days of games, no card | £9.99 with a 1-minute call per child; £19.99 with a 2-minute call and a film | One payment for the season, nothing renews |
| Portable North Pole | Recorded calls and videos, live Talk to Santa chats | A trial Santa video (calls are Premium) | One call, or the yearly Magic Pass (price by country, renews) | Within minutes, app or website |
| CallSanta | Live phone call the child dials, AI voice, no video | Not stated | $29, $49 or $79 once; $15 per extra child | US and UK numbers, until 24 December |
| TalkToSanta | Live family video call with Santa | Not stated | From $34.95 (8–10 minutes); groups from $44.95 | Booked; a copy of the call included |
| Live Santa Call | Live 10-minute call with a Santa actor on Google Meet | Not stated | $39; a 30-second video message $19 | 28 Nov to 24 Dec, set evenings and weekend mornings (Pacific time) |
| Actually Santa | Live 10-minute video call with Santa | Not stated | $39.95; a recorded message $24.95 | Booked; a message within 3 business days |
Prices as each seller showed them on its own page, in its own currency, before tax. "Not stated": the page we read didn't mention anything free.
Common questions
Is there a free Santa video call?
Cirrela lets you watch the whole call with your child's name free, with our mark and no sign-up; $4.99 once removes the mark so you can send it. MyChristmas gives one free 1-minute phone call (audio). Portable North Pole's free trial is a video, not a call. Santa Playtime has 3 free days of games; its calls are in paid passes.
Live call or recorded call: which should I pick?
A live call answers your child's questions, but it needs a booked time and costs about $35 to $40 with a Santa actor (less for short live calls). A recorded call plays whenever you want, can be sent to ring on another phone, and costs a few dollars, but Santa can't hear or reply.
How much does a live video call with Santa cost?
On the sellers' own pages the day we checked: $39 (Live Santa Call) or $39.95 (Actually Santa) for 10 minutes, from $34.95 for 8 to 10 minutes at TalkToSanta, and $4.99 to $9.99 for 5 minutes at Call Santa Live, MyChristmas and Call Santa Claus.
Can I film my child's reaction?
With Cirrela, tap “Film their reaction” before answering: the front camera films your child with Santa in the same video, and the file stays on your phone. TalkToSanta includes a copy of the live call, Call Santa Claus's $19.99 package an HD recording, and Portable North Pole a Reaction Recorder with its Magic Pass.
Do I need an app?
Not for most: Cirrela's call opens from a link in any phone's browser, Live Santa Call runs on Google Meet, and CallSanta is a phone number. Portable North Pole has an app and a website.