A lower-cost ballast circuit for fluorescent lamps is provided. A resonant circuit is formed by a series connection of an inductor and a capacitor to operate the fluorescent lamp. A first circuit and a second circuit are coupled to switch the resonant circuit. Taking the first circuit for instance, a first resistor is connected in series with a first switch for generating a first control signal in response to a switching current of the first switch. The first switch is turned on once the first control signal is lower than a first zero-threshold. After a quarter resonant period of the resonant circuit, the first switch is turned off once the first control signal is lower than a first threshold. Therefore, a soft switching for the first switch is achieved.