Top Picks for the Best Cheap Really Good VoIP Phone Service
Best 6 highly rated business phone services under $20 that will elevate your
business.
These are the best cheap VoIP service providers for business that are really good. They each deliver an outstanding integrated communication platform employing multiple communication channels. And offer tools to allow small teams to collaborate effectively, saving time and resources. Our picks for the top phone providers include a low-cost plan that's under $20 that doesn't skimp on features. An impressive value in of its self. Additionally, these providers get high user reviews and offer plans with a more robust feature-set without a major jump in cost.
A professional PBX communication phone system is now affordable for every business owner. Every entrepreneur and small business should consider investing in one.
Predominately tailored for very small businesses, these multi-channel virtual phone providers understand that entrepreneurs, start-ups, and small teams routinely use their smart phones. Therefore, these plans combine professional PBX phone system features to manage business calls using an app that you can download onto your phone. The tendency for remote work is increasing. More companies are relying on shared, virtual phone numbers that work from anywhere, not just in the office. Some providers also include a desktop app, incorporating a softphone. And a few offer starter plans that can be used employing a variety of devices, including a SIP desk phone. None of them require any new hardware, if that is your preference.
Here are the top 6 virtual phone services for a powerful, cost-effective communications solution.
1) Talkroute's Basic plan manages calls and texts plus video for $19/mo. for one user.
- Desktop and mobile apps for talk, text and video meetings. Available for MacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, & Android.
- The Basic plan is $19./mo. for one user (add a user for $5) comes with one number, unlimited calling, 500 texts and video meetings.
What We Found Outstanding:
- Select a toll-free or local number.
- All of Talkroute's plans include call forwarding & routing, call stacking, custom greetings, caller ID name, messaging, and video meetings. Call history reports.
- HIPAA Compliance.
- Live on-boarding and highly regarded 24/7 support. High customer satisfaction reviews (4.4 out of 5).1
What We Identified As Potential Shortcomings:
- The Basic plan does not include Hours of Operation.
- Lacks International numbers.
- No virtual fax.
Talkroute is Best Noted For:
- A fully functioning virtual phone system with dozens of features and an easy-to-navigate, clean User Interface. Complete call management capabilities. The Plus Plan at $39/mo. includes three users and incorporates unlimited minutes and texts, menu, single digit extensions, simultaneous ring, live call transfer, and hours of operation.
- A leading choice for small dispersed teams to collaborate, financial
services, nonprofits, and tele-health professionals.
Real-estate agents, multi-location businesses, and sales teams. - Try it for free: Talkroute
2) Openphone's Starter Plan is $19/user monthly or $15 when paid annually.
- The app can be installed on both desktops and mobile phones.
- The starter plan includes one local or toll-free number per user with unlimited calling and text to US and Canadian numbers.
What We Found Outstanding:
- Unlimited calling and text to US and Canadian numbers. International calling and messaging can be added low per minute rates.
- One new local or toll-free phone number per user.
- Plans include auto-attendant, voicemail to text, call recording, auto-replies, and group messaging. AI will automatically suggest two or three relevant replies to a message based on the context of the conversation.
- An outstanding well-designed easy to use customer management and team collaboration app. that incorporates AI to streamline tasks. Their platform provides better in-depth integrations with most productivity tools that customers already use. Users rate Openphone 4.7 out of 5 stars.1
What We Identified As Potential Shortcomings:
- They do not provide a plan with video conferencing.
- Support, although outstanding, is through email.
- One time $19.00 setup fee. $1.50 to $3./mo. messaging fee.
- The popular Business plan is $23/mo. billed annually at $276., but increases considerably to $33/mo. when paid monthly.
Openphone is Best Noted For:
- A robust communication platform for businesses seeking an outstanding app for collaboration between associates and customers that integrates AI. The Starter plan at $15./user when paid annually ($180.00) is one of the best values available for a collaboration platform that incorporates AI message responses and will integrate with existing apps.
- An outstanding choice for digital nomads, start-ups and small teams.
Diversified
Real-estate agent teams.
Logistics, transportation and professional services. - Free trial: OpenPhone
3) Grasshopper has a True Solo Plan for $14/mo. paid annually.
- The Grasshopper app installs on your cell phone. The True Solo plan is $14.00/mo., billed annually at $168.00, or $18.00/mo. paid monthly.
- The Solo Plus plan includes one virtual local or toll-free number, three extensions, and unlimited users at $25/mo. paid annually.
What We Found Outstanding:
- All of Grasshopper's plans include the same features. They change by the number of virtual phone numbers and the number of extensions. The True Solo plan includes one user, one phone number, and one extension for $14.00/mo. paid annually or $18.00/mo. when paid monthly.
- An extremely popular business phone service for entrepreneurs designed to implement on your existing smart phone. Features include auto-attendant, custom greetings, instant response, voicemail to email, call forwarding, virtual fax, VoIP and WiFi calling, extensions, and reporting.
- Doesn't require any new hardware. A very easy to use app that separates business calls and increases professionalism.
- Live 24/7 multi-channel support. Reviews 4 out of 5.1
What We Identified As Potential Shortcomings:
- Grasshoppers service is designed to be added to your existing cell phone service.
- Call recording not included with True Solo plan.
- Lacks video meetings and team chat as well as does not have built-in integrations.
Grasshopper is Best Noted For:
- An excellent service for freelancers and entrepreneurs to increase professionalism by separating business calls. For small teams to share a business number.
- The Solo Plus plan includes three extensions and call recording. Implementing extensions between three users effectively makes the cost less than $11.00 per user. Additional numbers can be added for $9.00/mo.
- A favorite for Real-estate agents and Agent Teams.
As well as, the service industry like, home inspectors, appraisers, repairmen, maintenance, and landscapers.
A small team to share a business number using the Solo Plus plan. - 7-Day Free Trial: Grasshopper
4) Dialpad offers a Standard Plan for $15/user paid annually.
- AI enhanced Unified Communications solution with advanced call routing features, messaging, video meetings and collaboration tools.
- The Standard Plan offers one number with voice calling, messaging, meetings, and video conferencing features incorporating AI.
What We Found Outstanding:
- Unlimited calls within the US and Canada.
- Mobile and desktop apps. Low cost International calling.
- An affordable easy to use AI integrated communications platform designed to enhance customer relations and improve outcomes.
- Voice call summaries transcribe calls instantly, tagging the purpose and highlighting key moments.
- HIPAA compliant.
- Live 24/7 support. Subscribers give 4.4 out of 5 stars.1
What We Identified As Potential Shortcomings:
- Paying annually is a must, as a monthly subscription increases the cost significantly. The Standard Plan goes from $15.00/mo. paid annually to $27./mo. when billed monthly.
- Extensions are not included in the Standard or Pro plans.
- Internet fax is an add-on.
Dialpad is Best Noted For:
- An affordable Standard plan when paid annually that includes one local number with advanced call handling, audio recording, set business hours, texting, voicemail transcription, and meetings. The Pro Plan is $25/mo. when paid annually adds hold queues and numerous integrations.
- For those that want an advanced call handling business phone service with AI capabilities, like real-time call transcriptions and automated post-call summaries. Excellent easy to use collaboration tools. For users who subscribe with the yearly option.
- Best for sales team, customer service, professional services, insurance, and legal. A leading choice for training agents.
5) For Basic users Phone.com's plan is $14.99/mo./user monthly or $12.74 billed annually.
- Both web-based and mobile apps are included for basic users with 50 standard voice features.
- The basic user plan includes one phone number per account and includes 500 "pooled" minutes per user.*
What We Found Outstanding:
- Calling and text to US and Canadian numbers.
- One phone number per user.
- Plans include auto-attendant, call handling, call transfer, fax from phone (outbound), business texting, video conferencing, screen sharing, document sharing, and meeting chat.
- A remarkably flexible versatile HIPAA compliant platform that incorporates an impressive number of tools for communication and collaboration.
- Live 24/7 highly regarded support. 3.6 out of 5.1
What We Identified As Potential Shortcomings:
- The basic users plan is only suited for small businesses that require limited minutes. *(500 pooled minutes per month.)
- Basic plan does not include texting. Call recording adds an additional $8.00/mo. for non-Pro users.
- Some customers have stated that some settings can be a little confusing to setup and the app needs updating.
Phone.com is Best Noted For:
- Any small business seeking an outstanding multi-channel communications platform that includes video. You get voice, video, text, call management, and collaboration features all in one solution. Desktop and full-featured mobile apps incorporating a softphone. Additional numbers are only $4.99/mo.
- A preferred choice for entrepreneurs and small, growing teams.
Healthcare and education (HIPAA compliant).
Legal and professional offices.
Startups and business services. - Get 20% off on the first 3 Months on any plan by entering: PDCCJ2023 at Phone.com: Phone.com
* Three users would share 1500 minutes.
6) Unitel Voice's Start-UP plan for $9.99/mo. includes 3 users.
- The app installs on mobile phones for the Start-up plan.
- The Start-up plan includes one local or toll-free number with 500 minutes.
What We Found Outstanding:
- Maintain an existing number or choose a new toll-free, local or vanity number.
- Onboarding is included along with utilizing one of their human voice talents to record your greetings for you at no extra charge.
- All of Unitel Voice's four plans include auto-attendant, call announcement, on-hold music, voicemail to email, send and receive faxes, Wifi calling, call scheduling, and call transfer.
- Mobile app for Start-Up and Unlimited plans, Add a computer softphone or desk phone for Office and Office-Max.
- Live USA based support. 4.7 out of 5.1
What We Identified As Potential Shortcomings:
- Some features incur an additional fee, like call recording, conference calling, and voicemail transcription. However, these features can be added to any plan.
- The Start-up plan is only favorable for low volume calling teams using the mobile app.
Unitel Voice is Best Noted For:
- The $9.99 plan is for those that use limited minutes and seek the most affordable service with a robust multi-channel platform. For businesses requiring more call usage, the three-user Office plan for $29.99/mo. include unlimited minutes.
-
An exceptional choice for any small business with on-the-move
or remote employees.
A great pick for a real-estate agent team.
Any small team that desires an integrated low-cost video solution. - 30 day Risk-free trial: Unitel Voice
Bottom Line
- Talkroute: Best for multi-channel communication including video.
- Openphone: Best for collaboration.
- Grasshopper: Best for solo-preneurs.
- Dialpad: Best for AI automated summary features.*
- Phone.com: Best for limited minutes.
- Unitel Voice: Best for affordability.
Affordable Business Phone Systems for Small Enterprises
Our six options each present a cost-effective, robust business phone systems designed with user-friendliness in mind. While our primary focus is on each provider's low-cost entry-level plans, we've also included more advanced options to accommodate anticipated growth.
What Sets Each Provider Apart
Given that not all platforms offer identical features, we've highlighted exceptional aspects of each provider under "What We Found Outstanding." This allows you to quickly identify unique components that align with your specific needs.
Ideal for Budget-Conscious Businesses
Each featured provider is well-suited for budget-conscious users and small businesses aiming to enhance customer interactions and streamline team communications.
2025 Update: Enhanced Features and AI Integration
This article, originally published on February 13, 2023, has been
thoroughly updated and expanded as of November 11, 2024. Our initial
criteria focused on selecting the top six multi-channel business phone
services with a monthly cost cap of $20.
Key Changes and Improvements
- Provider Replacement: We've substituted one provider with a service that offers superior value while maintaining our original price point.
- Service Enhancements: Several providers have upgraded their offerings, introducing additional features to enhance their platforms.
- We included user ratings on "What we found outstanding."
- Best For: We included a list of our six providers, highlighting one key item for which each should be recognized.
- AI Integration: Notably, some services have incorporated AI functionality, marking a significant advancement in business phone operations.
These updates reflect our commitment to providing you with the most current and essential information in business communication solutions.
Pricing, plans and specials may change at any time without notice. The provider's website will remain the determining factor for prices, plans, special discount offers, and features. Subscription costs for some providers listed may not include federal, state, and local taxes and fees, which vary by location. *When subscribing to an annual plan. 1Rating reviews on G2.
Keeping with transparency; when visitors purchase services discussed on our site through onsite affiliate links or ads, we might then earn affiliate commissions which helps with our endeavors. Some providers we recommend have no affiliation. We qualify services, providers and equipment based on use, stability, features, user satisfaction and value regardless of any affiliation.