Talkroute is a comprehensive virtual phone system offering call management and unified communications (UC) features, including call recording, team chat, and videoconferencing. In my review, Talkroute earned an overall score of 4.59 out of 5, receiving top marks for pricing, ease of use, and customer service. While it offers essential features, it received a lower score for niche functionalities because of the absence of international and conference calls.
Talkroute Review at a Glance
What We Liked
- Offers unlimited multidigit extensions for different departments or team members
- Includes call stacking to ensure there are no busy tones
- Provides multilevel auto-attendant for caller self-service
- Has a user-friendly interface and a quick and simple setup process
What’s Missing
- Lacks virtual fax feature
- Does not provide an open API or API access and relies on Zapier for integration
- Caps meeting participant capacity at 100 people
- Makes Business Associate Agreement (BAA) with higher tier plans only
Deciding Factors
Best For | Small businesses needing a professional phone system with remote flexibility |
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Standout Features |
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Monthly Pricing Plans |
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Annual or Volume Discounts Available | No annual billing and volume discounts are offered, but promos are available, and discounts for tax-exempt nonprofits |
Platform Compatibility | Desktop, mobile, and web apps (macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, and web browser) |
Customer Service |
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- Different types of virtual numbers: Talkroute is one of the best vanity phone number providers, offering local, toll-free, and vanity numbers and allowing number porting across all subscription plans. Depending on your plan, you can get one, two, three, or over 10 phone numbers.
- Small-scale call centers: Lean customer service teams gain access to features like call forwarding and routing, text messaging, call stacking, and custom greetings with the base plan.
- Operations in remote areas: The solution uses the traditional public switched telephone network (PSTN) to connect calls, ensuring call quality and 99.98% uptime, regardless of where team members are.
- Custom and professional greetings: Tailor your welcome, on-hold, and voicemail greetings and make a positive impression throughout a customer’s call journey. Use the voice studio’s professional voiceover services. Users get five custom clips, and additional clips may be purchased for $20 each.
- For global audiences: Talkroute lacks international numbers and restricts international outgoing calls through the platform. Users can only receive incoming international calls from a local virtual phone number with Talkroute. Check out our list of the best voice-over-internet-protocol providers for international calls based on use case, pricing, and features.
- Companies with high call volume: Talkroute’s reasonable use policy prohibits businesses from using the service for bulk call-in lines, such as high-volume call centers, “hotlines,” 900 numbers, and dispatch centers. If you need to use your phone system for this purpose, here are our recommended best call center systems.
- Enterprise-grade UC functionality: While Talkroute offers collaboration tools like conferencing, messaging, and virtual meetings, large businesses may find that it lacks essential features like single sign-on conference calling.
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The Fit Small Business editorial process follows strict standards of accuracy, clarity, authority, objectivity, and accessibility to provide the best answers. Our expert writers who conduct thorough research ensure that all content is reliable, well-organized, and offers valuable insights. By adhering to these principles, we deliver trustworthy, easy-to-understand, and unbiased recommendations.I am an experienced researcher and writer, particularly office technology for small businesses, and have evaluated communication systems, gaining a deep understanding of their pricing, features, and effectiveness. In this review, I analyzed Talkroute’s business phone system, including plan costs and customer service features. See my full methodology below.
Is TalkRoute Right for You?
After thoroughly researching and testing Talkroute’s features and platform, we found that Talkroute is best for startups or growing teams that need reliable, basic VoIP services. It offers a solid foundation with standard call management features but may require supplementing with additional tools as your needs expand.
In addition to the criteria I’ve used to evaluate TalkRoute, here are two other crucial considerations that you should keep in mind:
Talkroute offers integrations primarily through Zapier, which will connect with thousands of other apps. However, it lacks built-in integrations with some advanced business applications, which may limit its appeal to larger organizations with complex software needs.
Talkroute provides standard security measures for data protection, including encryption for calls and messages. It’s not HIPAA-compliant by default, but it can be with a few adjustments in how users use text messaging and voicemail-to-email. A signed BAA is available for those with Pro plans or higher.
For small and growing businesses, we recommend the Talkroute Plus plan, which supports up to 10 users and includes voicemail, call recording, and forwarding for enhanced call management. Additional users cost $5 each per month, and Talkroute offers a seven-day free trial on all plans, allowing users to explore higher-tier options at no cost.
Talkroute Alternatives
Though Talkroute offers strong call management, it lacks international calling, third-party integrations, and robust videoconferencing—essential for many businesses. For these needs, Ooma provides unlimited international calling to over 70 countries, while Nextiva supports task management, team presence, and conferencing for up to 250 participants. Unlike Talkroute, Phone.com also offers mix-and-match plans, allowing small businesses to control costs by customizing features per user.
Here are three Talkroute alternatives to consider:
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Best For | Small businesses that frequently make international calls | Organizations looking for extensive collaboration tools with their phone system | Budget-conscious teams looking to mix and match plans for greater savings |
Monthly Starting Price (Billed Monthly) | $14.99 | $25 | $14.99 |
Read Review | or |
Talkroute’s pricing earned a high score for pricing because its base plan comes under $20 monthly, making it an affordable option for freelancers and micro teams. We knocked off a few points because it doesn’t offer volume or annual discounts, but it is a pay-as-you-go service with no long-term contracts, giving smaller teams great flexibility. Talkroute offers four plans that support various customers ranging from solopreneurs to large-scale businesses.
Each plan accommodates a different number of users, phone numbers, mailboxes, and features such as single-digit extensions, multidigit extensions, call recording, and account management. Talkroute also has a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing new users to try the platform without cost or commitments.
Talkroute Plans | Basic | Plus | Pro | Enterprise |
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Best For | Solopreneurs who need a professional phone number | Small teams requiring basic call management & meeting tools | Small businesses looking for advanced phone systems | Growing businesses needing enterprise solutions |
Free trial | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Get a quote |
Monthly Pricing | $19 | $39 | $59 | Custom pricing |
Users included | 1 | 3 | 10 | 20-plus |
Local & toll-free numbers | 1 | 2 | 3 | 10-plus |
SMS & MMS messages | 500 per month | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Menu (auto-attendant & IVR) | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Multidigit extensions | ✕ | ✕ | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Screen & file sharing | ✕ | Screen only | ✓ | ✓ |
Voice studio | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
Click on the options below to learn more about Talkroute’s monthly subscription option:
Talkroute’s Basic plan is for one user, with one local or toll-free number and one voice mailbox. It comes with unlimited calling minutes in the United States and Canada and includes various call management features, including call forwarding, stacking and routing, caller ID name, and custom greetings. This plan includes 500 messages, video meetings with up to 100 participants, meeting chat, and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance.
The Plus plan includes all Basic plan features. It accommodates three account users with one voice mailbox each and additional call management features like auto-attendant/IVR, single-digit extensions, simultaneous ring, live call transfer, and hours of operation. Users get unlimited messaging and no monthly local number campaign messaging fee. Other upgrades include screen sharing for video meetings.
In addition to all Plus inclusions, the Pro plan supports 10 account users, each with their own voice mailbox. Get three local and toll-free numbers and advanced call tools like IVR submenus, unlimited multidigit extensions, call recording, and scheduled call forwarding. Use the reporting tool to gather analytics and insights, as well as the voice studio for professional voiceover services. Talkroute also waives the $15 on-time local number messaging registration fee.
The highest-tier plan is geared toward larger businesses, thanks to 10 local and toll-free numbers. It accommodates 20-plus users with voice mailboxes and adds advanced features, such as service level agreements (SLA) and a dedicated account manager.
My Talkroute review gave the provider’s general features a near-perfect score because it offers the essential tools we’d expect from a voice-over-internet-protocol or VoIP phone system. However, it lost a few points because its SLA is 99.98%, a bit lower than the gold standard of 99.999%. Also, while Talkroute offers analytics, it’s unavailable in the standard plan.
Listed below are some of the other key features included with all Talkroute subscriptions:
- Call forwarding and routing
- Live call transfer
- Call stacking
- Custom greetings
- Caller ID name
- Voicemail
- Dial-by name directories
- Hours of operation
- Single-digit extensions
- SMS and MMS messaging
Talkroute allows users to set call routing rules to manage inbound calls. (Source: Talkroute)
In addition to messaging and call features, Talkroute can host up to 100 participants. Use virtual meeting tools like meeting chat, screen sharing, and whiteboard for more significant interaction. Click on the Meetings tab, and you’ll see two panels: one for a list of scheduled meetings and the other containing the icons for starting a new meeting, joining one, and scheduling.
Talkroute provides videoconferencing, helping remote team members stay connected. (Source: Talkroute)
Talkroute scored 3.75 out of 5 because it lacks international calling and numbers, limiting its appeal to small businesses with global clients. However, it gained points for advanced features like virtual numbers, SMS, and an auto-attendant/IVR, which streamline client interactions and improve call management and overall customer service.
To have a better idea of the advanced features Talkroute offers, click on each item below to discover other Talkroute features:
Live Call Transfer
Talkroute’s live call transfer feature lets you forward calls to another number, menu option, extension, or voicemail. Choose from two options: blind transfer, which connects the call immediately, and attended transfer, where you speak to the recipient before completing the transfer. Transfer codes are available in Settings, making it easy to direct customers and team members to the right department.
The transfer codes allow TalkRoute users to connect a live call to a specific virtual phone number, a menu option, or a voicemail box. (Source: Talkroute)
The transfer codes allow TalkRoute users to connect a live call to a specific virtual phone number, a menu option, or a voicemail box. (Source: Talkroute)
Voice Studio
Professionalize the audio prompts in your phone system to improve your brand image. Talkroute’s voiceover services apply to welcome and voicemail greetings, call menu options, announcements, and dial-by-name directories. Once your script is accepted, you’ll receive the professional voice recording within three business days.
Talkroute’s voice studio submission form requires creating a 50-word script. (Source: Talkroute)
Scheduled Call Forwarding
Talkroute’s scheduled forwarding lets you ring phones based on a custom weekly schedule, so calls are directed appropriately during or after business hours. This feature allows small businesses to tailor call management protocols according to their schedules.
Add and edit your call forwarding settings based on your operating hours. (Source: Talkroute)
Auto-attendant & IVR Submenu
Talkroute lets teams create custom multilevel auto-attendant menus and submenus. Submenus are multilevel menus, which can be added to the call menu, extensions, and after-hours destinations. For example, use submenus for different languages or based on multiple locations.
Submenus create detailed call navigation paths for reaching specific departments or services. (Source: Talkroute)
Talkroute earns top marks for customer service, offering weekday phone and chat support from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday support from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 24/7 email support. A help center with comprehensive guides is also available. For more personalized assistance, Talkroute provides scheduled setup calls that last 30 minutes to one hour and live demos with a representative to walk users through the platform’s features.
The Talkroute help center offers FAQs and tutorials about common issues and concerns. The help center also includes easy-access links for scheduling a setup consolidation and a contact page for those wanting to contact Talkroute.
In this Talkroute review, I awarded a perfect score for ease of use because of its straightforward setup and user-friendly operation. The platform is ready to go right after downloading and signing in, with an intuitive, easy-to-navigate interface. The main menu on the left side conveniently organizes essential tools—like the keypad, call history, messages, voicemail, and meetings—making communication simple and streamlined.
Talkroute has a simple, intuitive interface. (Source: Talkroute)
As for finding business phone numbers, Talkroute’s website hosts the number search portal. Choose from the extensive phone number catalog in all the major toll-free area codes. If you prefer a vanity number, simply key in the word you want, and the system will provide options.
I rated Talkroute 4.69 for its solid call management tools but noted its lack of standout features like virtual fax and international calling. The platform is user-friendly and easy to set up and navigate, providing small teams with a professional phone system and customizable greetings for an efficient customer experience.
Talkroute is an excellent option for businesses that require a versatile and mobile-friendly phone system. It’s designed for small companies because it has a cost-effective subscription that can scale as the business grows.
User Reviews
Part of my Talkview review entails reviewing the most recent ratings earned by Talkroute on popular review sites and checking the feedback of verified users:
- G2: 4.4 out of 5 based on 25 reviews
- Trustpilot: 4.6 out of 5 based on 17 reviews
- GetApp: 4.1 out of 5 based on 21 reviews
Users generally appreciate Talkroute’s ability to receive incoming calls on their smartphones without using data. Solopreneurs and businesses, such as hotels, value the message notifications but desire increased storage, as voicemail inboxes tend to fill up quickly.
How We Evaluated Talkroute
I tested Talkroute and checked user feedback on popular review websites. As the basis for my evaluation, I compared it with some of the best business phone systems in the market. From there, I created a scoring system divided into a set of criteria: pricing, general features, niche features, customer service, ease of use, and expert score.
Learn about my Talkview review process and how we evaluated the solution by clicking on the tabs below:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, Talkroute allows call transfers between team members or departments, enhancing workflow and customer service. This feature is included across their plans, making it versatile for businesses.
Yes, Talkroute meets HIPAA compliance with some feature exemptions; SMS is limited to non-PHI content but can be used to notify clients with a link to a secure portal. Voicemail-to-email must be disabled because of the lack of encryption, though email notifications for new messages are still available without transcriptions or audio files. A signed BAA is available only with the Pro plan or higher.
No, Talkroute does not offer a free plan. However, it provides a seven-day free trial and tiered pricing, allowing businesses to select features that fit their budget and growth needs.
Bottom Line
Talkroute is an excellent choice for small businesses focused on strong call management without the need for advanced features like virtual fax or international calling. Based on my own experience and review of Talkroute reviews, its robust call routing, voicemail, and auto-attendant features streamline customer communication, ensuring a professional experience. With its affordable pricing and flexibility in single-user or multiuser plans, Talkroute is ideal for growing teams that need reliable, essential VoIP services.
For businesses looking to scale, Talkroute offers a solid foundation but may require supplementing with additional tools as your needs expand. The easy-to-use platform and the provider’s responsive customer service particularly benefit teams transitioning from landline systems to virtual phone services. Sign up for Talkroute’s free trial or the basic plan for only $19 monthly.