5 Best Business Cell Phone Plans for 2022

The best business cell phone plans empower employees with on-the-go communications and call management features. From traditional wireless carriers to voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) and virtual calling systems, you have more choices than ever. Here are the six best business cell phone plans with advanced call management, mobile communications, robust security, and unique features that set each one apart:

• T-Mobile: Best business cell phone plan for on-the-go teams that appreciate perks like unlimited in-flight Wi-Fi and up to 100GB of hotspot data
• RingCentral: Best option for businesses wanting a full-featured business phone plan that supports mobile calls and robust office communications
• Verizon: Best business cell phone plan for businesses needing extended coverage across the U.S. and in select international locations
• Google Voice: Best option for small businesses that want an affordable platform for voice calling, text messaging, and video conferencing conversations
• AT&T: Best business cell phone plan for security-conscious companies willing to pay extra for spam call prevention and breach reports

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T-Mobile: Best Business Cell Phone Plans for On-the-Go Teams

*Prices calculated assuming purchase of six or more lines.

T-Mobile’s business cell phone plans cater to always-on-the-go users. On top of unlimited talk and text, T-Mobile customers can unlock unlimited in-flight Wi-Fi, unlimited HD streaming, and up to 100GB of data for mobile hotspots. T-Mobile’s cell phone plans can also save your business money since powerful productivity and sales tools are included in its higher-tiered plans.

Advanced plan users get two Microsoft 365 basic licenses, which includes web and mobile versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, an Outlook Exchange email account, and Calendar, plus 1TB of OneDrive cloud storage. Ultimate subscribers get one basic and one standard license, which adds desktop versions plus Microsoft’s appointment booking tool, Mile IQ, invoicing, and Outlook Customer Manager apps.

T-Mobile’s unlimited in-flight Wi-Fi only works on Alaska, Delta, and American Airlines flights while using a compatible device—learn more about related details and restrictions here. If you’re planning on relying on this service, contact your airline before your flight to ensure it’s offered; this perk is still in its infancy, so it’s not completely reliable yet.

Unlike Verizon, you can also roll over unused data to the next month on your T-Mobile account. On the downside, your business must spend at least $60 per month on its T-Mobile plan. If you only need a few lines, this can be unnecessarily expensive. If you’re a single user or have a small team, virtual services from Grasshopper or Google Voice are better options.

T-Mobile Features

• Gogo inflight text and data: Enjoy wireless data, streaming, text, and visual voicemail, all at over 30,000 feet.
• Scam Shield Premium: Unlock advanced caller ID, scam reporting, voicemail-to-text, reverse number lookup, and other spam and fraud-prevention features.
• Microsoft 365 access: T-Mobile partnered with Microsoft to give Advanced and Ultimate plan users access to Microsoft 365, which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Microsoft Teams, Outlook, and OneDrive cloud storage.

RingCentral: Best VoIP/UCaaS-based Business Phone Plan

*Prices reflect RingCentral’s 33% annual subscription discount and a two- to 20-user estimate.

In most cases today, a business cell phone plan means a second cell phone for a user, in addition to their personal one. For this reason, and with the rise of distributed and hybrid-remote teams, many business’ teams are now working, communicating, and collaborating on a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) basis.

This eliminates the need for team members to carry around multiple devices and opens up opportunities when it comes to mobile communications tools, including apps like RingCentral. RingCentral is one of the leading voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) service providers, and this platform can help your team become much more productive whether in the office or on the go.

Anywhere they can connect to the internet, business users can access the RingCentral platform for unlimited texting and calling in the U.S. and Canada and get advanced features like video conferencing, team messaging, real-time analytics, and third-party integrations. This functionality makes RingCentral a unified communications as a service (UCaaS) provider, helping businesses consolidate many communication apps into a single, more efficient solution.

Users can access RingCentral on their desktop, web browser, or mobile device, empowering them to conduct communications from the office or on the go. An auto-attendant efficiently routes incoming calls, keeping your team free to help customers. Advanced call handling features improve call outcomes as agents can view a caller’s interaction history, and managers can listen in and provide coaching in real time, or even take over a call.

While RingCentral has a lot to offer businesses, it might be overkill for solopreneurs and small teams looking for a more basic business cell phone plan. Plus, you’ll pay a premium to unlock some of the advanced features. If you want to go with a more traditional U.S. wireless carrier rather than a VoIP unified communications solution, check out T-Mobile or Verizon instead.

RingCentral Features

• Video conferencing: Add face-to-face interaction to your team’s communications repertoire with one-to-one or group high definition (HD) video and audio conferencing.
• Advanced call handling: Enable your supervisors to listen in on real-time calls to monitor, whisper in the agent’s ear, or take over if necessary.
• Third-party integrations: Few business phone systems have as many integrations as RingCentral. Connect RingCentral to hundreds of different applications to streamline workflows, productivity, and communications while keeping your data connected across the cloud.

Verizon: Best Business Cell Phone Plan for Coverage

*Prices calculated assuming you’re purchasing five or more lines.

Verizon offers a range of unlimited business cell phone plans with unrestricted domestic calling, texting, and data. Users can customize the flexible plans to add unlimited data to their tablets too. While Verizon’s plans are a bit more expensive than T-Mobile’s or RingCentral’s, they offer extended coverage across the United States and in select international locations.

Businesses on Verizon’s entry-level Start plan get unlimited mobile hotspot data, but speed is reduced significantly once you’ve used 5GB of data. You’ll need to upgrade to the Plus or Pro plans to get higher-quality mobile hotspots with larger data caps.

Verizon offers special discounts to help new users get compatible devices up and running. While Verizon works with most devices, your employees may not have the right phone (or any smartphone). To help, Verizon provides free devices and device trade-in credits to help you equip your workforce.

Unfortunately, Verizon’s customer service falls short compared to other providers. The platform doesn’t provide the same extensive documentation as a service like RingCentral, and it’s often difficult to speak to a live agent. This can cause headaches for those who aren’t technically savvy and who struggle to troubleshoot issues independently.

Verizon Features

• Extended coverage: Verizon has almost complete coverage within the United States, with 5G Nationwide and 4G LTE available virtually everywhere.
• Unlimited Tablet: Add a tablet to your unlimited plan to unlock video streaming, 5G Nationwide and 4G LTE, mobile hotspot, and premium data on both devices.
• Mobile VPN: Mobile virtual private network (VPN) gives you added security and privacy on your device, preventing costly and dangerous data breaches.

Google Voice: Most Affordable Mobile Calling System

*Pricing based on Google Voice’s monthly subscription plans.

Like RingCentral, Google Voice is a non-traditional choice when it comes to the best business cell phone plans, since it’s not a standalone provider. It made our list because of its affordability and the ability of business users to use their own devices (mobile phones, IP desk phones, and web browsers) to access a nice range of business call handling features from anywhere.

Google Voice is a virtual business phone system that provides a second number that rings to a user’s existing desktop and mobile devices. This enables users to keep business and personal communication separate. It’s not as complex as full-featured UCaaS solutions like RingCentral, but it does provide basic business phone system features like an auto-attendant, third-party integrations, and video conferencing functionality.

Businesses on a budget will love Google Voice’s pricing as an alternative to wireless carriers’ business cell phone plans. Get started for as little as $10 per user, per month with the Starter plan for unlimited calling and texting in the U.S., voicemail transcripts, and both mobile and browser-based apps. Users can upgrade to the Premier plan to unlock unlimited calling to international locations.

Since Google Voice is only a virtual phone number service, users need an existing phone number to which calls will be forwarded. They also need an internet connection to make and receive calls over IP; however, this is usually already enabled through their personal mobile devices and desktop computers.

While Google Voice provides basic functionality to users, it doesn’t have the advanced call handling features, hotdesking, or real-time analytics you get with a full-featured platform like RingCentral. Still, it’s hard to beat Google Voice’s entry-level pricing, and for teams using Google Workspace apps, built-in integrations streamline communication and collaboration.

Google Voice Features

• Google Workspace integrations: Sync your Google Voice contacts and data with all Google Workspace apps, including Gmail, Calendar, Drive, and Google Meet.
• Smart AI: Google Voice’s built-in artificial intelligence (AI) effectively filters spam calls and accurately transcribes voicemail to text automatically.
• Ring groups: Notify multiple numbers about incoming calls to ensure your customers get support as soon as possible.

AT&T: Best Business Cell Phone Plans for Security-conscious Businesses

*Prices calculated assuming you’re purchasing five or more lines.

AT&T is one of the U.S.’ leading wireless carriers. You get nationwide coverage in three unlimited talk, texting, and data plans. Beyond domestic coverage, AT&T offers unlimited talk and text in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico at no extra cost. You can also pay an extra fee to add international calling to over 210 countries. It’s an expensive add-on, but could be worth it if you do extensive business overseas and across borders.

AT&T’s business plans take security to a whole new level. The Starter plan includes basic protection, but the Elite plan has more advanced spam blocking, suspicious call blocking, breach reports, personal ID monitoring, safe browsing, theft alerts, and a secure Wi-Fi virtual private network (VPN). If you’re serious about protecting data and privacy for your team and business, you won’t find a more secure option than AT&T.

AT&T’s prices are similar to T-Mobile and Verizon, but you miss out on a few features. For example, AT&T doesn’t provide virtual phone number options, conference calling, call management features, or volume processing discounts. If you’d like these features, consider using RingCentral or Verizon.

AT&T Features

• Advanced security: AT&T offers advanced security features like Wi-Fi VPN, theft alerts, phone number blocking, safe browsing, and breach reports to keep your information protected.
• International communications: Text and call as much as you want in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada and add calling and texting in more than 210 countries by purchasing AT&T’s international add-on packages.
• AT&T 5G: Get fast, reliable, secure nationwide 5G on compatible plans and devices.

How We Evaluated the Best Business Cell Phone Plans

There’s a lot to consider when choosing the best cell phone plan for your business. At first glance, you’ll likely be concerned with pricing, perks, coverage, unlimited deals, and hardware compatibility.

Furthermore, you have features, channel support, and integrations to think about. It can be a bit overwhelming. That’s why we broke down the high-priority considerations and evaluated the best business cell phone plans based on pricing, general and advanced features, user reviews, ease of use, and our expertise.

When it comes to traditional wireless carriers with business cell phone plans, we chose T-Mobile as the top option. Not only does it have competitive pricing, it’s also the only carrier to include two Microsoft 365 licenses with its Advanced and Ultimate plans. This gives your team access to some of the top productivity and team collaboration apps available while also keeping them connected on the go, especially thanks to T-Mobile’s unlimited in-flight Wi-Fi.

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Alternatively, we find RingCentral to be the best option for businesses operating on a BYOD (bring your own device) basis. While you might not have considered it for your company’s mobile users before, this unified communications as a service (UCaaS) platform equips your team with advanced features like call handling, real-time analytics, team messaging, and tons of third-party integrations. Plus, it costs less per user than plans of major wireless carriers, and can be used from mobile devices, desktops, or web browsers, granting your workforce greater flexibility.

Visit RingCentral

Learn how we evaluated the best business cell phone plans and alternatives by clicking on the tabs below:

Bottom Line

Your employees need a business cell phone plan to get their jobs done—and you have plenty of options. RingCentral is our overall top choice for best business cell phone plan alternative for BYOD workplaces thanks to its affordability compared to wireless carriers, UCaaS functionality, advanced features, and incredible range of integrations.

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If you want to stick with a traditional wireless carrier instead of a VoIP solution, we recommend T-Mobile’s inexpensive plans, rewarding perks, and features your team needs to work on the go. You can save money on software with the free Microsoft 365 licenses included in all but the base plan, and stay in touch from 30,000 feet and above with unlimited Wi-Fi.

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