Cloud-based voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) solutions are cheaper than traditional landlines or office private branch exchange (PBX) systems, but monthly fees can still add up. To help your team stay connected without costing your business a fortune, we evaluated a dozen providers offering low price services to identify the best high-quality, low-cost options for small business users.
The best cheap VoIP systems include:
Provider | Best For | Starting Price* |
|---|---|---|
(Best overall) for companies needing a simple communications platform | $29 per month for 3 users | |
Businesses wanting an affordable custom plan with a vanity number | $12.99 per user, per month** | |
Organizations looking for low-cost phone service that can be integrated with other communication tools | $20 per user, per month | |
Companies looking to save money when calling international clients | $12 per user, per month | |
Solopreneurs or businesses using Google Workspace | Free for 1 user | |
Organizations needing low-cost, toll-free, and local phone numbers | $23 per month |
*Pricing reflects provider plans, which differ by annual contracts versus pay-as-you-go options.
** Offers a steep pricing discount on an annual agreement as your team expands.
How We Assessed Cheap VoIP Services
Voice-over-internet-protocol systems are able to operate at a lower cost compared to other phone systems by leveraging the internet instead of traditional copper wire. This also lets the best business phone systems offer additional call management features. However, there are a number of services that provide basic, high-quality calling without requiring you to pay for bells and whistles that individuals or small teams don’t need.
With a score of 4.47 out of 5, Grasshopper is our top pick for a cheap VoIP service. Unlike many of the other providers, Grasshopper doesn’t charge a per-user price, making it an affordable option—especially for teams of three. It’s known for user-friendly apps and a fast setup process. Find out if Grasshopper is a good fit for your business by signing up for a seven-day free trial.
Learn how we assessed the best virtual phone number services by clicking on the tabs below:
25% of Overall Score
We reviewed the costs per plan tier, including discounts for annual payments. We also considered the availability of a free trial or free plan.
25% of Overall Score
We examined standard features most businesses use, such as an auto-attendant, voicemail, conference calling, and SMS texting. Plus, we looked at applications for desktops and mobile devices.
25% of Overall Score
To further qualify plans, we evaluated types of software integrations and costs for international calling. We also checked for voicemail transcription and options for toll-free or vanity numbers.
25% of Overall Score
To uncover top providers, we analyzed overall features to determine plans with the best value for the money. We also examined user reviews to understand each system’s popularity and ease of use.
Grasshopper
PROS
- No technical expertise needed
- Easily forward voicemail transcriptions to email
- Plans with multiple extensions
CONS
- More expensive for solopreneurs
- No video conferencing
- No integrations
| RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 4.50 | OUT OF | 5 |
| General Features | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Advanced Features | 4.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Expert Score | 4.38 | OUT OF | 5 |
Grasshopper is known for its fast setup process and responsive, U.S.-based customer service. Unlike other providers, Grasshopper doesn’t charge a per-user fee. Instead, you can add employees to extensions instead of giving them direct lines, making it an affordable alternative to conventional small business phone systems. All monthly packages offer mobile and desktop apps, unlimited calling, and a virtual receptionist. Plans start at $29 per month, but you can save over 10% with an annual payment.
Grasshopper Pricing
- Solo: $29 per month for one local, vanity, or toll-free number and three extensions
- Partner: $49 per month for three business phone numbers and six extensions
- Small Business: $89 per month for five phone numbers and unlimited extensions
Grasshopper Features
- Customer support: Some cheap VoIP providers skimp on customer service for entry-level plans, but Grasshopper provides 24/7 customer service for all tiers. Clients can get help via phone, Twitter, email, and chat.
- Mobility: Grasshopper offers top-rated mobile and desktop apps, perfect for teams on the go. The apps are intuitive and straightforward to use so that all employees can stay connected from anywhere.
- Voicemail transcription: This advanced feature comes with all plans. It automatically turns audio voicemails into text and sends them to your email, giving your team a way to track conversations or share them with other employees.
Learn how this platform can support and grow your business by reading our full Grasshopper review.
Phone.com
PROS
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Annual and volume-based discounts
- All plans include video conferencing
CONS
- Voicemail transcription isn’t available on the basic plan
- Less intuitive auto-attendant setup process
- Limited integrations available with top-tier package
| RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 3.75 | OUT OF | 5 |
| General Features | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Advanced Features | 4.50 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Expert Score | 3.75 | OUT OF | 5 |
Phone.com offers the lowest price of all small business phone systems, and the cost drops more when you add users or pay annually. With 25 or more employees and a yearly payment, the cheapest plan is around $7.20 per user. Phone.com differs from other providers by letting you mix and match plans.
For example, you can opt for the top-tier plan for one individual so that you can host video conferences with up to 100 people. Then, give your team members in the field a metered plan to check-in or for emergencies. All packages come with an auto-attendant, dial-by-name directory, and call queuing. Plans start at $12.99 per user, per month for one to four employees.
Phone.com Pricing*
- Basic Users: $12.99 per user, per month for 300 pooled minutes, 1,000 pooled text segments, up to 10 video conference participants, and one phone number per account
- Plus Users: $19.99 per user, per month for unlimited minutes and text messages, one phone number per user, and HIPAA-compliant video conferencing with up to 25 attendees
- Pro Users: $29.99 per user, per month for up to 100 video meeting participants, call recording, customer relationship manager (CRM) integration, voicemail transcription, and call analytics
*Plans based on monthly payments, but you can save 20% by paying annually. Volume discounts apply for five or more users.
Phone.com Features
- Video conferencing: All Phone.com plans offer video calling with an unlimited meeting duration. You can connect with 10 to 100 callers via video. Plus and Pro users can record conferences, and the Pro plan includes a whiteboard and meeting transcription.
- Client collaboration: Phone.com comes with a built-in address book and offers several features for collaborating with clients. Users can share screens or documents, chat during a video call, and ensure privacy with HIPAA-compliant voice and video.
- Call handling: Greet callers with a custom message, offer a dial-by-name directory, and specify call handling rules to improve the caller experience. Phone.com also provides on-hold music, call transfer, and call screening on all plans.
Dialpad
PROS
- All plans come with voicemail transcription
- 14-day free trial
- Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 integrations on entry-level plan
CONS
- Toll-free numbers cost $15 to $17 extra per month
- Service level agreement (SLA) only available on the Enterprise plan
- No phone customer service on the Standard plan
| RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 4.00 | OUT OF | 5 |
| General Features | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Advanced Features | 4.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Expert Score | 3.75 | OUT OF | 5 |
Dialpad is a scalable, cheap VoIP service offering integrations on all plans. Standard users can connect to Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 to easily match callers and conversations to your contacts. Move up to the Pro package to connect to Salesforce or connect custom apps using Dialpad’s APIs. Unlike other providers, Dialpad gives all users a multilevel auto-attendant, which is great for creating multiple menus for off-hours or holiday callers. Plans start at $20 per user, per month, but you can save money by paying yearly.
Dialpad Pricing*
- Standard: $20 per user, per month for unlimited calling and SMS, voicemail transcription, and one local number
- Pro: $30 per user, per month with a minimum of three users for 24/7 phone support, a local number in over 50 countries, and advanced integrations
- Enterprise: If you have 100 or more users, contact Dialpad for a custom quote
*Plans based on month-to-month payments, but you can save $5 per user, per month with an annual package.
Dialpad Features
- Advanced features: Dialpad offers the most advanced features on its cheapest plan. All tiers come with call recording, ring groups, voicemail and call transcription, dial-by-extension, dial-by-employee, and a multilevel auto-attendant.
- Integrations: Finding an affordable VoIP service with integrations isn’t easy, but Dialpad provides native integrations with customer relationship management (CRM) software, help desks, and productivity tools. Choose the Pro plan to connect to Salesforce, Zendesk, Slack, Zapier, and ServiceNow.
- Call support: All Dialpad plans come with voice intelligence that offers real-time coaching during calls. Plus, executives can designate up to 25 employees as assistants to answer incoming calls or make calls from their line.
8x8
PROS
- X-Series plans offer unlimited international calling
- Up to 100 video conference participants on all plans
- 30-day free trial
CONS
- Self-help support options aren’t as easy to find as other platforms
- No volume discounts
- 24/7 support unavailable on entry-level plan
| RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 2.75 | OUT OF | 5 |
| General Features | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Advanced Features | 4.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Expert Score | 4.06 | OUT OF | 5 |
8×8 is an excellent solution for companies of all sizes as it offers a huge range of plans, including options for call centers. However, unlimited international calling on X-Series plans is a standout feature. It’s free to call customers in up to 47 countries, depending on your package. Moreover, 8×8 provides virtual number support in more than 120 countries, which is great for global workforces.
Like Phone.com, 8×8 also lets you mix and match plans so you can choose the cheapest plan for employees handling domestic clients and the more expensive X-Series options for reps with international customers. All plans come with video conferencing, visual voicemail, and intelligent call routing, but do not include a vanity number.
8x8 Pricing
- 8×8 Express: $12 per user, per month for unlimited domestic chat, SMS, calling and video conferencing, file sharing, and an auto-attendant
- 8×8 X2: $32 per user, per month for unlimited voice calling to 14 countries and multilevel automated attendant*
- 8×8 X4: $57 per user, per month for unlimited voice calling to 47 countries and barge, monitor, and whisper features*
*Save up to 25% on X-Series plans with an annual payment.
8x8 Features
- International presence: Per-minute rates get costly when you have customers worldwide. With unlimited international calling, you won’t get a surprise on your next phone bill. 8×8 also offers inbound number support for over 120 countries, and users can add national toll-free or direct inward dial (DID) numbers for an extra fee.
- Branded video conferencing: Personalize your video meetings by selecting a conference background, adding your logo, and picking a custom URL.
- Unified communications: Handle all communication and collaboration work right from your mobile device. 8×8 is a cloud PBX solution for making and receiving calls, sharing content, and chatting one-to-one or with your team.
Learn more about plans and features by visiting our 8×8 review page.
Google Voice
PROS
- Free plan available for solopreneurs
- Voicemail transcription on all plans
- Fully integrated with Google products
CONS
- Paid plans only available for Workspace users
- An extra fee to port an existing phone number
- No discounts for volume or annual contracts
| RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 3.50 | OUT OF | 5 |
| General Features | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Advanced Features | 1.50 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Expert Score | 4.06 | OUT OF | 5 |
If your team uses Google products, then Google Voice is the best way to add phone service for your staff. Although a solo user can take advantage of the free plan for a home office without subscribing to Google Workspace, paid plans are only available as an add-on to Workspace. However, monthly packages start at $10 per user, per month, making Google Voice an affordable option for small businesses. Features include unlimited calling and text, voicemail transcripts, and a service level agreement (SLA) on all paid plans.
Google Voice Pricing
- Free: It’s free to get a local phone number, make and receive unlimited domestic calls, unlimited texting, and voicemail transcripts
- Starter: $10 per user, per month for 24/7 tech support, call forwarding, mobile apps, and a do not disturb (DND) feature
- Standard: $20 per user, per month for an auto-attendant, desk phone compatibility, and ring groups
- Premier: $30 per user, per month to add international employee locations and export call activity to BigQuery
Google Voice Features
- Native integrations: Automatically connect Voice to your email, calendar, and Workspace accounts to access contacts, make a call from Gmail, and set up meetings using your Google calendar.
- Advanced features: With Google Voice, you can switch devices mid-call, record conversations, send voicemail transcriptions to your email, and set personal DND hours.
- Auto-attendant: Set up your virtual receptionist by creating a custom greeting, recording a special announcement, choosing working and holiday hours, and offering non-English options for international callers.
Get more details on how Google Voice can help grow your business by reading our complete Google Voice review.
800.com
PROS
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- All plans come with voicemail transcriptions
- Call recording available for all tiers
CONS
- No volume discounts
- No video conferencing
- $35 activation fee for toll-free vanity numbers
| RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 1.75 | OUT OF | 5 |
| General Features | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Advanced Features | 3.50 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Expert Score | 3.13 | OUT OF | 5 |
800.com differs from other providers by providing two or more numbers with every plan, including local and toll-free numbers. Users can create a vanity 800 number or automatically generate a U.S. or Canadian toll-free phone number. Additionally, 800.com offers custom call routing solutions so you can forward calls to workers in over 60 countries, making it a good choice for a global workforce. All plans come with call recording, voicemail transcriptions, and an auto-attendant. Plans start at $23 per month for 1,000 minutes, but you can pay annually to lower your costs.
800.com Pricing*
- Personal: $23 per month for one local number and one toll-free number, 1,000 minutes, simultaneous or sequential call forwarding, and call screening
- Unlimited: $59 per month for unlimited minutes and all features from the personal plan
- Pro: $239 per month for five toll-free numbers, one local number, one fax number, and 5,000 calling minutes
*Plans based on a monthly payment. Save up to 20% with annual billing.
800.com Features
- Vanity toll-free numbers: All 800.com plans come with a local and toll-free number, including the option to pick a vanity 800 number. Use the number picker tool to come up with memorable digits for your U.S. or Canadian number.
- Call intelligence: Learn from your calls and keep vital customer details using the 800.com call intelligence features, such as call notes. You can export information such as call duration, location details, and call recordings.
- Call routing: Set up custom routing solutions with 800.com, including directing calls to over 60 international locations. Options consist of standard, simultaneous, sequential, or directly to voicemail. You can assign time ranges for routing or choose to distribute a higher number of calls to certain employees.
Bottom Line
Many VoIP providers offer features that enhance the employee and customer experience, such as a virtual receptionist and document sharing. To find the most affordable system, calculate your total number of users and look for services that provide business-critical features.
Based on our evaluation, Grasshopper is the best option. You can add multiple employees via extensions, access phone support 24/7, and set up your new number within minutes. Plus, the user-friendly mobile and desktop apps let team members work from anywhere.
