10 Cheap Business Phone Service Providers - Review 2025

Choosing the right phone system helps your team talk to customers and coworkers easily. We compare the top cheap business phone service providers so you can pick the best one. We look at cost, reliability, features, and how easy each service is to use. This guide will help you find the right system for small teams, growing companies, or larger businesses.

Cheap Small Business Phone Service Providers

Here are our top 10 multi line phone systems small business with a quick note on each:

RingCentral – Good small business phone system for growing companies. It has 99.999% uptime, so it almost never goes down.
Nextiva – Low starting price and clear plans. It offers 24/7 support.
8×8 – Great for international teams. Unlimited calls to 14 countries in some plans.
Dialpad – Uses smart AI features (like live call transcripts). Modern and easy to use.
Grasshopper – Made for solo entrepreneurs. You get a dedicated business number and simple setup.
Zoom Phone – Best if you already use Zoom Meetings. Works smoothly with Zoom video.
Ooma Office – Simple system for small offices. No long contract needed to start.
Vonage – Good for custom setups (if you have developers). Flexible plans and API support.
VoIPstudio – Cheapest start ($6/user). Good for businesses with changing call needs.
GoToConnect – Combines phone and video tools. Easy visual setup for admins.

What Are VoIP and UCaaS?

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) – This means your calls go over the internet instead of old phone lines. Your voice turns into digital data and travels online, so calls can be fast and clear.
UCaaS (Unified Communications as a Service) – A cloud system that brings calls, video meetings, chat, and file sharing into one place. It lets teams work together from anywhere without special hardware.

Cheap Business Phone Service Providers

Cost and Value

Price is very important for small teams. We checked monthly fees, contracts, and extra costs:

RingCentral: Starts at about $20 per user per month. The basic plan is cheap, but you might need the $25 plan for useful features like call recording. Prices are only low if you sign a year-long contract.
Nextiva: Plans start at $18 per user per month. It’s one of the cheapest good services. The voice calling on the basic plan is very reliable. To get extras like toll-free numbers, you pay more. Overall, it’s great for small teams on a budget.
8×8: About $24 per user per month for the mid-level plan. This includes unlimited calls to 14 countries, which is rare. However, its advanced call center features cost a lot more. It’s great value if you need global calling.
Dialpad: Starts at $15 per user per month. That includes AI meeting tools and real-time transcripts. Upgrading to $25 adds things like CRM connections. It’s a good deal for teams that want modern features.
Grasshopper: $29 per month for one phone number (shared by unlimited users). The more expensive plan with 3 numbers is $49. It’s simple but can be pricey if you only need one line. No extra features beyond basic call handling.
Zoom Phone: $15 per user per month (Pro Plan) with unlimited US/Canada calls. Global plan is $20 with 40+ countries. Add-ons like extra phone numbers start around $5. Great deal if you already use Zoom.
Ooma Office: $19.95 per user per month (Essentials Plan) with no contract. It’s easy to start. To get things like call queuing, you need more expensive plans ($24.95 or $29.95). Good for simple needs, less so for busy call centers.
Vonage: $13.99 per user per month on the Mobile Plan (annual). The Premium Plan is $20.99 with video and integrations. Pricing is flexible by user needs. Good if you only pay for what you use.
VoIPstudio: Cheapest at $6 per user per month (Pay-as-You-Go). That plan is best if you mostly receive calls (outbound calls cost extra). The $20 plan includes 2,000 minutes and international calls. Great for very low cost.
GoToConnect: $27 per user per month (Basic Plan). Upgrading to $32 adds more country calling and call recording. You pay for combined voice and video tools. It’s best if you need both in one system.

Reliability and Call Quality

A good Small business phone system must be reliable. Here’s how they compare:

RingCentral: Very stable with 99.999% uptime. Calls are always clear in high-definition. The admin settings have many options, but once set up, it runs smoothly. Great for teams that need to stay connected without interruption.
Nextiva: Also promises 99.999% uptime. Calls stayed clear and stable even under load. It easily handles many calls at once. Setup takes a little work, but after that it’s very stable. Good for professional, worry-free calls.
8×8: Offers 99.999% uptime too. Call quality is high with no delays or noise. (Some users say customer support is slower, but the service itself stays up.) Great for dependable international calling.
Dialpad: Runs on Google Cloud (so it’s very secure and stable). Calls are crystal clear with HD Voice. Its AI features (live transcript, notes) work without glitches. It even has a 100% uptime promise on its top plan. Very reliable and modern.
Grasshopper: Simple system for small teams. Call quality depends on your internet or phone signal. Usually clear, but can drop on weak connections. Great for small companies wanting easy setup, but less stability than big providers.
Zoom Phone: Uses Zoom’s strong network. Good call quality if your internet is strong. Switching between voice and video is seamless. Offers 99.9% uptime (still very reliable). Easy choice if you already like Zoom.
Ooma Office: Solid for small offices. Generally clear calls, but not as consistently strong as bigger systems. No advanced features for call centers. Good for basic everyday calls.
Vonage: Very reliable with 99.999% uptime guarantee. Works well worldwide and can reroute calls automatically during outages. Good global performance and security. Ideal for tech-focused teams wanting custom features.
VoIPstudio: Affordable and quite reliable. Offers call recording and conferencing. Some users note the app needs a restart for long idle calls, but it works smoothly otherwise. Good for small businesses needing solid features on a budget.
GoToConnect: Good call and video quality with a strong internet connection. Easy admin dashboard. Some say calls drop if internet is weak, and support can be slow sometimes. Overall works well for general office use.

Features and Functionality

What can each system do? Here are the highlights:

RingCentral: You get calls, video, and chat all in one app. It has smart call routing and virtual attendants. It works with many apps (Salesforce, HubSpot, etc.). Advanced features like call recording need a higher plan. Very full-featured for teams that want a lot of tools.
Nextiva: Also combines calling, video, and chat in one platform (NextivaONE app). Has an easy drag-and-drop call flow builder. Good for teams wanting simple but effective tools. Advanced call center features require a higher-tier plan.
8×8: Offers unlimited international calls on mid plans, plus strong video meetings. Standout feature is its analytics: detailed call reports and quality tracking. Great for global or remote teams needing insight into calls. Some small local teams may not use all its power.
Dialpad: Focuses on AI. Along with calls and video, it has Voice Intelligence (Vi) for live transcripts, keyword spotting, and instant call summaries. The app is very modern and easy. Perfect for teams that want smart AI help and insights from calls.
Grasshopper: Very simple. You get local or toll-free business numbers, call forwarding, and greetings. Easy to set up in minutes. No video or chat, and no CRM integration. Best for people who only need phone calls and voicemail. Affordable and user-friendly.
Zoom Phone: Seamlessly connects with Zoom Meetings. Easy setup for voicemail and call handling. Very reliable for everyday calls. Lacks some advanced contact center tools unless you buy extra add-ons. Great for teams already using Zoom for meetings.
Ooma Office: Meant to replace landlines for small offices. Includes a virtual receptionist, call extensions, and mobile app. Simple and reliable. Advanced tools like call queues or Salesforce integration are only in higher plans. Good for straightforward phone needs.
Vonage: Very flexible via its APIs. Offers unlimited calling and video, but shines when adding custom features (developers can build voice into apps). Good for tech-savvy teams wanting tailor-made solutions. A bit complex for users who want a simple all-in-one package.
VoIPstudio: Includes many features even on basic plans: call recording, call queues, multiple numbers. Its call-flow builder lets you design complex routing. The interface feels older than some modern apps. Needs some tech skill to set up. Best for businesses wanting advanced tools at a low price.
GoToConnect: Combines calls and video in one app (Calls, Meetings, Chat). Higher plans include detailed call reports and smart dialer features. Great for teams relying on video and needing analytics. Plans are higher-priced, so it’s best if you use both calling and video a lot.

Scalability and Flexibility

How well do these systems grow with your business?

RingCentral: Built for big growth. It can support hundreds or thousands of users around the world. You can add or remove users instantly. It’s great for remote teams with full desktop and mobile apps. Future-proof for fast-growing companies.
Nextiva: Scales from 1 user up to 500+ easily. Cloud-based, so you can add people without new hardware. Easy to switch from office to remote work. Clear tiered pricing helps you budget as you grow. Good for predictable expansion.
8×8: Excellent for global growth. Offers phone numbers in many countries. You can set up new offices quickly. It scales with extra features as you grow. (Pricing can require negotiation at large scale.) Perfect for companies aiming to expand internationally.
Dialpad: Very flexible cloud system. Add or remove users instantly. AI features scale with your team size automatically. Great for remote/hybrid teams. Uses Google Cloud for speed and reliability. Future-ready for tech-driven growth.
Grasshopper: Best for solos or tiny teams. You only pay for phone numbers, not per user. That’s flexible for freelancers. But it’s not meant for big teams. If you add many people, you’ll need a bigger system. Good entry-level choice.
Zoom Phone: Easy to add phone service if you already use Zoom. One click can give a new user a phone line. It handles more users easily. You may need other tools for advanced features as you grow. Ideal for Zoom-centric companies.
Ooma Office: Good for small to midsize (up to ~50 users). Adding users and phones is simple. It works best with desk phones, so less flexible for remote workers. Affordable for office setups, but not as agile for remote-first or very large teams.
Vonage: Can support large and global teams. Its strength is custom options via APIs. Great for developers to build on. Suits companies wanting full control over features. Powerful but may require technical setup for big growth.
VoIPstudio: Makes scaling easy and cheap. You can add users anywhere in the world at low cost. Its pay-as-you-go plan lets you adjust costs if calls change each month. Good for startups or seasonal businesses. Global reach without big contracts.
GoToConnect: Simple scaling with one app for calls and meetings. Easily add new users. One bill keeps things organized. Works well for remote teams. Price is higher, so many users cost more. Best for companies that value quality and all-in-one tools as they grow.

Support & Ease of Use

Is the system easy to manage, and is help available?

RingCentral: Has a powerful admin dashboard with many options. This can be confusing at first. Users report support can be slow at times. Plenty of online help and forums are available, though. Good for teams with tech staff who need control.
Nextiva: Known for great support and easy admin. 24/7 customer service, often rated top-notch. The admin portal is user-friendly. You can set up call flows by dragging blocks. New users can start without much help. Good for teams who want simple management and quick support.
8×8: Built for big companies needing complex control. Admin tools are strong but can be tricky for newbies. The apps are easy to use, though not as slick-looking as some. Support is solid, especially for large clients. Better if you have an IT pro.
Dialpad: Very easy system. The app looks modern, like a normal app you’d install. Users can use it with little training. Admin setup guides you quickly. Support is good: chat/help guides for basic plans, phone support on higher plans. Easy and user-friendly.
Grasshopper: Extremely simple. Ideal for freelancers or very small teams. Handles calls and texts with few settings. Anyone can learn it in minutes. The admin dashboard is basic. Support covers setup and account issues. Easy but not for growing companies.
Zoom Phone: Feels familiar if you use Zoom. The setup is done in the Zoom web portal. Adding users is easy, though managing many can get tricky. Support is helpful via Zoom channels. Most find it smooth once running. Great for users already used to Zoom.
Ooma Office: Very straightforward. Hardware often works out of the box. The online dashboard is simple. Admin controls are basic. Support is friendly and helps with setup. Good for small companies that just want phones working without fuss.
Vonage: Very flexible but can be complex. Admin tools let you build custom call flows and integrations. This power means a steeper learning curve. Apps work fine but aren’t as simple as others. Best for tech-savvy teams who want customization.
VoIPstudio: Very powerful with many settings. The admin panel has lots of options, which can be confusing without technical skill. Support staff know the system well. Interface looks older and is less intuitive than new apps. Good for telecom experts, but small teams might feel overwhelmed.
GoToConnect: Known for visual tools. It has a drag-and-drop call flow editor, no coding needed. This makes setup fast even for non-techies. System feels organized and smooth. Support is generally strong, though complex issues may take time. Balances powerful features with an easy design.

Best Phone System For Small Business – Our Picks

cheap business phone service providers

After reviewing cost, features, and reliability, here are our final recommendations:

Best Overall Value: Dialpad – It starts at $15/month and includes modern AI tools, making it a future-proof choice for the money.
Best for Reliability and Growth: RingCentral – 99.999% uptime and global scaling features give big-company reliability at a fair price.
Best for Budget International Calls: 8×8 – Its mid-tier plans have unlimited calls to 14 countries, unbeatable for global small businesses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which phone system is best for small business?

Many say Nextiva is the best. It has useful features, affordable pricing, and excellent 24/7 support. That makes it great for a small business phone system that won’t let you down.

Is Google Voice for business free?

No. Google Voice for business costs about $10 per user per month. You also need a Google Workspace account. The business version has professional features (like auto attendants and voicemail transcription) that the free personal version does not.

How much is an AT&T business phone line?

If you bundle with AT&T Business Fiber, the first line can be about $15 per month. Without the bundle, a single line is around $30 per month. For AT&T cell phone plans, prices start around $50 per month per line, depending on data and features.

How much is Vonage per month?

Vonage has three main plans:

Mobile Plan: $19.99 per user/month – great if your team is always on mobile.
Premium Plan: $29.99 per user/month – adds video meetings and app integrations.
Advanced Plan: $39.99 per user/month – for larger teams needing extra tools.
Each plan is per user per month and you can pick features that fit your needs.

Is there a free VoIP service?

Yes. For example, Google Voice (personal version) lets you make free calls and texts in the U.S. Other free options include Microsoft Teams (free plan), WhatsApp (calls and texts), Linphone, Textfree, and Jitsi. These are good for basic communication without monthly fees.

Can I use a cell phone as a business phone?

Yes. You can install a VoIP app (like Bria or Zoiper) on your smartphone. This lets you use your cell phone to make business calls through the VoIP service, keeping work calls separate from personal ones.

Which cheap business phone service offers the highest uptime guarantee?

RingCentral and Nextiva both offer a 99.999% uptime guarantee. That means their service almost never goes down, making them extremely reliable choices among cheap business phone service providers.

What is the best cheap phone service with built-in AI tools?

Dialpad stands out here. Its Standard Plan includes Voice Intelligence (Vi), which gives live call transcripts and automatic summaries. This smart feature helps teams work faster and communicate better.

Which provider has the lowest starting price per user per month?

VoIPstudio is the cheapest starter, at only $6 per user per month on its Pay-as-You-Go plan. It’s ideal for teams that mostly receive calls and want a very low-cost solution.