5 Best Virtual Landlines for Small Businesses In 2024

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Using a VoIP-based virtual landline is often the most cost-effective communication strategy for an SME. With a virtual number, you and your employees can take and place calls from anywhere, while still giving the appearance that you’re calling from a plush local office building.

If you want to purchase a virtual landline contract, we recommend 8×8. It has a smart softphone (essentially a cloud-based telephone) that comes with advanced features to create the ultimate all-in-one comms tool, including video conferencing, managed from one desktop.

Top 5 Virtual Landline Providers at a glance

8×8 – Best for established businesses needing lots of integrations
Vonage – Best for running a side gig
bOnline – Best for running short-term campaigns
Dialpad – Best for service teams
RingCentral – Best option for helpdesks

Don’t overspend – you can click any of the links above to begin comparing fees on virtual landline providers for your own business’s size and needs.

As firms ditch the office and switch to remote working, virtual phone numbers are becoming more popular. But it’s important to explore every option — which is where we come in.

Our independent research team has extensively tested a variety of popular virtual landline providers, and dived deep into their hidden fees and setup costs, to narrow down our final five top recommended choices for SMEs.

Swipe right to see more

BEST FOR SMES
Provider 8×8	Provider Vonage	Provider bOnline	Provider Dialpad	Provider RingCentral
Pricing from Not published online	Pricing from £10 per user, per month	Pricing from £7 per user per month (pay as you go)	Pricing from £12 per user per month (billed annually)	Pricing from £12.99 per user per month (paid annually)
Free trial	Free trial	Free trial	Free trial	Free trial

The Big Switch Off: why you need VoIP

From January 2027, all phone landlines will be phased out in the UK. Every small business will need to switch to a VoIP provider as part of the Big Switch Off.

While not all virtual landlines use VoIP, we recommend choosing a VoIP provider for your virtual number to ensure you are prepared for the Big Switch Off in 2027.

In this article, we cover:

8x8
Vonage
bOnline
Dialpad
RingCentral
Why should you trust our recommendations?
What to look for in a virtual landline service

8×8: best virtual landline for established SMEs with lots of existing software to consider

8×8’s call analytics dashboard offers a daily overview of your virtual office’s performance / Image source: docs.8×8.com

📲 Can it handle high call volumes? 8×8 offers scalable solutions suitable for handling high call volumes with features like advanced call routing and robust infrastructure
💻 Integrations: 8×8 seamlessly integrates with software such as Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics, and Zendesk, as well as Microsoft Outlook and Google Workspace
❓ Ease of syncing: These integrations are well-documented and typically straightforward to set up, making syncing across multiple channels relatively easy for users

8×8 X2 is estimated to cost £19 per user, per month (pricier than bOnline or Vonage) but 8×8’s ultimate value comes from its integrations. You won’t have to pay extra to link your virtual landline to CRM products like Salesforce; handy for avoiding high setup costs.

8×8 offers a sophisticated package for its low price. Features include a virtual phone number, unlimited domestic calling, and branded video conferencing. Plus, there is the option to add customised messages, such as a visual voicemail, to man the desk while you’re away.

Businesses that opt for pricier packages could even benefit from contact centre integration, which is great for small customer-centric businesses (such as those running a call centre) wanting the potential to scale.

Top three features:

38 integrations across CRM, helpdesk and web conferencing
Number one for security – has 10 compliance certifications
Mobile and desktop app available

Pricing: not shared publicly

Pros

Power dialer and predictive dialling available on higher tiers, great for sales teams further down the line.
Good array of pricing plans make 8x8 a scalable platform for SMEs
Company hours (ability to automate when a phoneline opens or closes) is available on the lowest plan of £10 per user, per month

Cons

No spam prevention available on any plan - time-consuming to vet callers as they come in
Pricing is not transparent - 8x8 does not publish its pricing plans anywhere online

Vonage: best for a cheap and easy-to-use virtual phone when running an online side hustle

Vonage has many advanced featurse, but its softphone is laid out simply with a recognisable and organised dialpad interface / Image source: vonage.co.uk

📲 Can it handle high call volumes? Vonage provides business phone systems designed to manage high call volumes efficiently, offering features like call queuing and virtual receptionists
💻 Integrations: Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics, and Zoho CRM, as well as email platforms like Microsoft Outlook and Gmail
❓ Ease of syncing: these integrations offer good functionality, but some users may find the setup process to be slightly more complex compared to other providers

In today’s economy, side hustles are on the up. More of us are working a side gig to make a bit of extra cash but, just because your business is on the side, it doesn’t mean your customers are willing to feel sidelined.

Micro-businesses, such as those running an Etsy shop, might still need a number for customers to contact should a parcel go missing, or for bespoke designs. Vonage is one of the cheapest virtual providers on our list with lots of low-cost features, such as free localised numbers to support those who operate on a smaller scale.

There are some obvious drawbacks to this specialism. Most irritatingly, there are no call conferencing features, so you can’t have an internal call with more than three people present. Still, for small teams of fewer than three, Vonage acts as a fuss-free communication tool.

Top three features:

Voicemail transcriptions, in case you miss a customer call
Email and phone support available those who are new to virtual landlines
Set company hours (useful if you’re only selling part time)

Pricing: from £10 per user, per month

Pros

Offers the best pricing on this list. Vonage will remain affordable even in the current slowdown, unlike pricier brands like 8x8.
You're unlikely to experience system crashes with Vonage's 99.99999% uptime guarantee
Great for scalability. Vonage's higher tiers are jam-packed full of broader sales features for when your business takes off

Cons

Vonage is missing some touches that can make a customer experience that little bit better (eg. customisable greeting)
Many of the platform's features (such as voicemail to text) can only be used for an additional charge

bOnline: best virtual landline for teams needing a solution for short-term outreach

Going on holiday next week? bOnline gives you complete control over your call flow while you’re away from the desk / Image source: bonline.com

📲 Can it handle high call volumes? bOnline offers phone services tailored for small businesses, but the scalability for handling high call volumes may vary based on specific needs and package options.
💻 Integrations: Microsoft Office 365, G Suite, and Slack, and email platforms such as Microsoft Outlook and Gmail. Also has CRM integrations with Zoho CRM and HubSpot CRM for sales and marketing teams
❓ Ease of syncing: integrations in bOnline are typically easy to set up and use, enhancing the syncing experience for businesses juggling multiple communication channels

If you want to get set up with a virtual phone number quickly, bOnline is a good option. But if you’re looking for a long-term VoIP solution, you will soon outgrow bOnline.

Users that will get the most out of bOnline are those working to a deadline, such as marketing agencies running a campaign or survey. This is because bOnline offers a quick setup (onboarding is even available for those willing to pay an extra £7 per user).

bOnline also performs remarkably well for its size in inbound communications. bOnline Unlimited is on par with our winner, 8×8. Both offer a call queue and ring groups, but bOnline charges around £5 less per user, per month than the latter.

That said, if you want bOnline to be a powerful business landline, it will cost you. There are add-ons available for a fee (£5 for a CRM integration). We recommend that you keep bOnline for what it’s best for: a low-cost virtual landline that’s free of bells and whistles.

Top three features:

Customisable hold music
Voicemail transcriptions
Unlimited users permitted across all plans

Pricing: from £7 per user, per month

Pros

Cheapest platform on our list with prices starting at just £6 per user, per month
Unlimited domestic minutes permitted - generous in light of the platform's low cost

Cons

Very few outbound communication tools available - bOnline is a poor choice for sales teams
Lacks important security features such as multi-factor authentication
While other providers often offer CRM integrations for free, it will cost you £5 on the Pay as Go and Unlimited Calling plans.

Dialpad: best virtual landline for SMEs in professional services wanting access to a huge feature

For a small fee, Dialpad users can instantly add a new business number and create a new line to direct customer queries to / Image source: dialpad.com

📲 Can it handle high call volumes? Dialpad’s cloud-based communication platform is equipped to handle high call volumes effectively, with features such as AI-powered call routing and analytics.
💻 Integrations: G Suite, Microsoft Office 365, and Slack for software solutions, plus Gmail and Microsoft Outlook. It also boasts CRM integrations with Salesforce, HubSpot, and Zendesk.
❓ Ease of syncing: the setup process for integrations is generally straightforward, contributing to an easy syncing experience for users.

Dialpad could serve as a robust virtual phone for firms of all sizes, but we recommend it to service teams. Its customisable greeting options allow for a personalised and professional first impression, while call routing ensures that calls are directed to an account manager.

The platform’s voicemail transcription feature allows users to quickly review voicemail content without the need to listen to every message. This can significantly save time for businesses that need to handle buckets of client questions or paperwork trails.

Additionally, Dialpad’s caller ID, call blocking, and automatic call screening features provide valuable tools for managing incoming calls and protecting against unwanted or harmful contacts; of particular concern if you work in a regulated industry.

Top three features:

Converts voicemails into text
Analytics and reporting on every plan
Call conferencing for unlimited number of users

Pricing: from £12 per user, per month

Pros

Unlimited number of users at any level - 8x8 and RingCentral both restrict this feature on their lowest-tiered plans.
Does support video conferencing - although only for 10 users on its cheapest tier
Video conferencing, task management, and team messaging all available - great for internal collaboration.

Cons

Only one local number provided across all three plans - you'll need to pay extra for more
Not a scalable platform; Dialpad has just two plans and only one that's suitable for SMEs (Dialpad Standard)
No uptime guarantee on the two lower-priced tiers, so you can't be assured against system crashes.

RingCentral: best virtual landline for establishing a high-quality helpline for customers

Admins can easily add a local phone number to an extension in the RingCentral Admin Portal / Image source: support.ringcentral.com

📲 Can it handle high call volumes? RingCentral is known for its scalability and can accommodate high call volumes with features like auto-attendant and call queuing, making it suitable for businesses of various sizes.
💻 Integrations: Salesforce, Microsoft Office 365, and Google Workspace for software solutions, as well as email platforms like Microsoft Outlook and Gmail, and CRM integrations with Salesforce, HubSpot, and Zendesk.
❓ Ease of syncing: The setup process for integrations is typically straightforward, contributing to an easy syncing experience for users.

RingCentral’s unique set of functions makes it the ideal option for firms needing to provide lots of customer support. As well as coming third overall in our testing for security features, the platform also boasts outstanding collaboration features, which includes document sharing.

If you’re diagnosing an issue these features can streamline resources to save time, making it a fantastic option for tech support teams or consultancy firms. RingCentral is let down by its pricing. Its SME tier costs £23.99 per user, per month, the most expensive in this list.

As you would hope, RingCentral’s help and support can be contacted over a comprehensive range of channels. Live chat, 24/7 support, and email are all available for users to get support if they encounter an issue with the software.

Top three features:

Excellent security compliance
Top for customer support
Virtual receptionist will free up resources

Pricing: from £12.99 per user, per month

Pros

Our number one choice for small business helpdesks, benefitting support firms such as IT consultancies
Call forwarding available to redirect customers to business partners, if required

Cons

Very few integrations available, making it a costly platform if you have a lot of business software already
Limited to 100 outbound minutes in the UK, which could be bad for larger teams
Prices apparently start from £12.99 per user, per month, but this tier (RingCentral Essentials) is not suitable for established SMEs

Why should you trust our recommendations?

All of our expert guides are written by humans and based on real-life testing. With an independent researcher, the Startups experts spent three months researching the hugely competitive business phone system market to see how providers performed in areas that are important for SMEs:

Price – price point per tier, as well as minutes or users permitted per plan
Inbound comms – what features are available for customer calls?
Customer support – what options are available if something goes wrong?
External connections – what ready-made integrations does it come with?
Security – what security certificates does it have? Where is your data stored?
Customer score – what do real-life business users think of it?
Scalability – could limitations result in you needing to switch providers?

What to look for in a virtual landline service

Your business number is the direct line between you, your clients, and your customers. It’s important to get right. This guide should help you to feel confident about signing on the dotted line. If you’re still unsure, here’s an at-a-glance guide for what to look for in a business phone system provider:

What features should my virtual landline have?

Call management: set up your virtual landline so it tells you when someone is calling your virtual number. You can then choose to reject or take that call.
Call forwarding: choose to divert the incoming call to several numbers at the same time, meaning the call will be answered by the first person to pick up.
Auto attendant: give your provider up to three separate business numbers, and it can use these to give callers three options when they phone your business.
Time of day calls: turn your virtual landline on and off at set times. That way, you only receive certain calls when you want them.
Third-party integrations: ensure your existing business tools can be linked to your digital phone by looking for a provider that integrates with them.
App: with more companies using business mobiles as part of their operations, a mobile app is a canny feature to look for.

What should I look for in a provider?

Security – ensure the provider has strong data privacy measures in place and stores data in a secure location (the UK is preferrable for British companies)
Setup – a streamlined setup process can help you get your new phone system up and running quickly, minimising downtime and maximising productivity.
Reliability – check the provider has a robust infrastructure and a solid plan to minimise downtime. Prompt customer support is essential in case of technical issues.
Cost-effectiveness – price is important, but don’t sacrifice quality for small savings. Compare VoIP costs, hidden fees, and bundled services to find cost-effective plans.
Scalability – your business needs may change over time. Choose a provider that offers number porting, scalability options, and customisable features.

How to choose a virtual number

Once you know your virtual landline provider, you will also need to choose what kind of business number you want to have. The number you choose could influence whether your customers get in touch with you or not. For example, you may receive more phone calls from your target area if the phone number you choose features the local area code.

Toll-free numbers – UK 0800 and 0808 numbers are business phone numbers that your business is charged for, not your customers
Geographical numbers – these are numbers that contain a specific area code for each UK city, for example, the area code for Leeds is 0113, while the area code for Coventry is 024
National UK numbers – these numbers are not divided geographically, and are charged at normal local calling rates
Mobile numbers – telephone numbers that are capable of receiving instant text messages (SMS)

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