Top 6 Cheap VoIP Services for 2021

In this article, we have compiled a list of the best cheap VoIP services that will allow you to make free calls and save some money. Perhaps by using these quality service providers or others in their place, you’ll be saving hundreds of dollars per year on your phone bill!

Although cloud-based voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) solutions are less expensive than conventional landlines or PBX systems, monthly costs may mount up quickly. To help your employees remain connected without breaking the bank, we looked at a dozen low-cost service providers to find the finest high-quality, low-cost solutions for small business customers.

The following are some of the greatest low-cost VoIP systems:

Pricing is based on provider plans, which vary in terms of yearly contracts vs pay-as-you-go possibilities.

** As your team grows, a substantial discount on an annual agreement is available.

How Did We Evaluate Low-Cost VoIP Services?

By using the internet rather than conventional copper cable, voice-over-internet-protocol systems may run at a cheaper cost than other phone systems. This also enables the top corporate phone systems to provide extra call management capabilities. There are, however, a number of providers that offer basic, high-quality calling without having to pay for features that individuals or small groups don’t want.

Grasshopper is our best option for a low-cost VoIP service, with a rating of 4.47 out of 5. Grasshopper, unlike many of the other providers, does not charge a per-user fee, making it a cost-effective option—especially for teams of three. It’s noted for its user-friendly applications and quick setup.

25% of the Total Points

We looked at the expenses for each plan tier, including yearly payment savings. We also investigated whether or not a free trial or plan was available.

25% of the Total Points

We looked at features including an auto-attendant, voicemail, conference calling, and SMS messaging that are common in most firms. In addition, we looked at desktop and mobile apps.

25% of the Total Points

We looked at forms of software integrations and international calling prices to further qualify options. We also looked for features like voicemail transcription and toll-free or vanity phone numbers.

25% of the Total Points

To find the best providers, we looked at all of their features to see which ones offered the most value for money. We then looked at user reviews to see how popular and easy each system is.

Grasshopper

Overall, the most affordable VoIP service

PROS

• No technical knowledge is required.
• Voicemail transcriptions may be easily sent to email.
• Plans that have many extensions

CONS

• For solopreneurs, it is more costly.
• There is no video conferencing.
• There are no integrations.

Total Points 4.47 OUT OF 5

Grasshopper is noted for its quick setup and timely customer care from the United States. Grasshopper, unlike other providers, does not impose a per-user cost. Instead of offering staff direct lines, you may assign them to extensions, making it a more cost-effective alternative to traditional small company phone systems. Mobile and desktop applications, unlimited calling, and a virtual receptionist are included in all monthly plans. Plans start at $29 per month, but a yearly payment saves you more than 10%.

Pricing

• Solo: $29 per month for a single local, vanity, or toll-free number with three extensions.
• $49 per month for three business phone lines and six extensions as a partner
• $89 per month for five phone lines and unlimited extensions for small businesses.

Characteristics

• Customer service: While some low-cost VoIP companies compromise on customer service for entry-level services, Grasshopper offers 24/7 help for all levels. Clients may reach out for assistance by phone, Twitter, email, and live chat.
• Grasshopper’s mobile and desktop applications are highly regarded, making it ideal for teams on the move. The applications are simple to use and intuitive, allowing all workers to remain connected from wherever.
• All plans include voicemail transcription as an advanced feature. It converts audio voicemails to text and emails them to you, allowing your team to keep track of discussions and share them with others.

Phone.com

Best for Mix & Match User Plans & Custom Numbers

PROS

• Money-back guarantee for 30 days
• Annual and volume-based discounts are available.
• Video conferencing is included in all plans.

CONS

• The base package does not include voicemail transcription.
• The auto-attendant setting method is less straightforward.
• With the top-tier plan, there are just a few integrations accessible.

Total Points 4.25 OUT OF 5

Phone.com is the cheapest small business phone system on the market, and the price decreases, even more, when you add users or pay yearly. The lowest plan costs roughly $7.20 per user with 25 or more workers and an annual subscription. Phone.com stands out from the competition by allowing you to mix and match plans.

You may, for example, choose the top-tier subscription for one person to arrange video conferences with up to 100 people. Then, in the field, offer your team members a timed strategy for check-ins and emergencies. Auto-attendant, dial-by-name directory and call queuing are included in all packages. Plans for one to four workers start at $12.99 per month per user.

Pricing

• Basic Users: $12.99 a month per user for 300 pooled minutes, 1,000 pooled text segments, up to ten video conference participants, and one phone number.
• Plus Users: $19.99 a month for unlimited minutes and texts, one phone number per user, and HIPAA-compliant video conferencing with up to 25 participants.
• Pro Users: $29.99 a month for up to 100 video meeting participants, call recording, CRM integration, voicemail transcription, and call analytics for Pro Users.

Features

• All Phone.com services include video conferencing with an unlimited meeting time. You may use video to communicate with 10 to 100 callers. Users on the Plus and Pro plans may record meetings, and the Pro plan also comes with a whiteboard and meeting transcription.
• Client collaboration: Phone.com has an address book built-in and a number of capabilities for communicating with clients. Users may share screens or documents, communicate during video calls, and use HIPAA-compliant voice and video to preserve privacy.
• To enhance the caller experience, greet callers with a personalized greeting, provide a dial-by-name directory, and set call handling rules. On all plans, Phone.com includes on-hold music, call transfer, and call screening.

Dialpad

Best Low-Cost Service With Third-Party Integrations Available

PROS

• Voicemail transcription is included in all plans.
• Free trial for 14 days
• On the entry-level package, Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 connections are available.

CONS

• Monthly fees for toll-free lines range from $15 to $17.
• Only the Enterprise package includes a service level agreement (SLA).
• On the Standard package, there is no phone customer assistance.

Total Points 4.19 OUT OF 5

Dialpad is a scalable and affordable VoIP solution with integrations available on all levels. Users with a standard account may connect to Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 to quickly match calls and discussions to contacts. Upgrade to the Pro package to connect to Salesforce or use Dialpad’s APIs to integrate bespoke applications. Unlike other providers, Dialpad provides all customers with a tiered auto-attendant, which is useful for generating numerous menus for callers who phone during off-hours or on holidays. Plans start at $20 per user, per month, however subscribing annually saves you money.

Pricing

• Standard: $20 per month per user includes unlimited calling and SMS, voicemail transcription, and one local phone line.
• Pro: $30 per month per user, with a minimum of three users, for 24/7 phone support, a local number in more than 50 countries, and sophisticated integrations.
• Contact Dialpad for a bespoke quote if you have more than 100 users.

Features

• Advanced Options: Dialpad offers the most Advanced Options 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.
• Dialpad offers native connectors with customer relationship management (CRM) software, help desks, and productivity applications, making it simple to choose an inexpensive VoIP service with integrations. Connect to Salesforce, Zendesk, Slack, Zapier, and ServiceNow with the Pro plan.
• All Dialpad plans include voice intelligence, which provides real-time coaching during conversations. Additionally, bosses may select up to 25 workers as assistants to answer incoming calls and make calls on their behalf.

8×8

When calling international clients, this is the best way to save money.

PROS

• Unlimited international calling is included in the X-Series plans.
• On all plans, there are up to 100 video conference participants.
• Free trial for 30 days

CONS

• Self-help assistance isn’t as widely available as other platforms.
• There are no bulk discounts available.
• On the entry-level plan, there is no 24/7 assistance.

Total Points 3.95 OUT OF 5

88% is a great alternative for businesses of all sizes since it provides a wide selection of plans, including contact center services. However, the X-Series plans’ unlimited international calling is a notable feature. Calling consumers in up to 47 countries is free, depending on your plan. Furthermore, 88% support virtual numbers in over 120 countries, which is ideal for worldwide workforces.

88, like Phone.com, allows you to mix and match plans, allowing you to choose the lowest plan for staff working with local clients and the more costly X-Series choices for representatives working with foreign clients. Video conferencing, visible voicemail and intelligent call routing are included in all subscriptions, but a vanity number is not.

Pricing

• Unlimited domestic chat, SMS, phone and video conferencing, file sharing, and an auto-attendant for $12 per user, each month.
• 808 X2: $32 per month per person for unlimited phone calls to 14 countries and a multilayer automated attendant.
• 808 X4: $57 a month per user for unlimited phone calls to 47 countries, as well as a barge, monitor, and whisper features.

Features

• When you have consumers all across the globe, per-minute charges become prohibitively expensive. You won’t be surprised by your next phone bill since you have unlimited international calling. Users may also add national toll-free or direct inward dial (DID) numbers for an additional charge, and 8 has inbound number support for over 120 countries.
• Select a conference backdrop, add your logo, and choose a custom URL to personalize your video meetings.
• Handle all communication and collaboration tasks from your mobile device with unified communications. Making and receiving calls, exchanging material, and talking one-on-one or with your team is all possible with 88, a cloud PBX service.

Google Voice

Google Workspace is the best option for businesses.

PROS

• For solopreneurs, there is a free plan accessible.
• All options include voicemail transcription.
• Google products are fully integrated.

CONS

• Workspace users may only purchase paid plans.
• An additional cost is charged to transfer an existing phone number.
• There are no bulk or yearly contract discounts.

Total Points 3.52 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.

Pricing

• Get a local phone number, make and receive unlimited domestic calls, texting, and voicemail transcripts are all free.
• Starter: $10 a month per user includes 24/7 technical support, phone forwarding, mobile apps, and a do not disturb (DND) function.
• Standard: $20 a month for an auto-attendant, desk phone compatibility, and ring groups per user.
• Premier: Add foreign employee locations and export call activity to BigQuery for $30 per user, per month.

Features

• Voice has native connections with your email, calendar, and Workspace accounts, allowing you to access contacts, make calls from Gmail, and schedule meetings using your Google calendar.
• Advanced Options: With Google Voice, you can switch devices mid-call, record conversations, send voicemail transcriptions to your email, and set personal DND hours.
• Create a unique greeting, record a special message, choose working and holiday hours, and provide non-English alternatives for foreign callers with your virtual receptionist.

800.com

Best Plans With Toll-free & Local Numbers

PROS

• Money-back guarantee for 30 days
• Voicemail transcription is included in all plans.
• For all levels, call recording is accessible.

CONS

• There are no bulk discounts available.
• There is no video conferencing.
• Toll-free vanity numbers have a $35 activation cost.

Total Points 3.34 OUT OF 5

Every package at 800.com includes two or more lines, including local and toll-free numbers, which sets it apart from other providers. Users may establish an 800 number or have the U.S. or Canadian toll-free phone number generated for them instantly. Additionally, 800.com provides unique call routing options, allowing you to route calls to employees in more than 60 countries, making it an excellent alternative for a worldwide workforce. Call recording, voicemail transcriptions, and an auto-attendant are included in all plans. Plan prices start at $23 per month for 1,000 minutes, but you may save money by paying yearly.

Pricing

• Personal: $23 per month includes one local and one toll-free number, 1,000 minutes of talk time, simultaneous or sequential call forwarding, and call screening.
• Unlimited: $59 a month gets you unlimited minutes and all of the personal plan’s features.
• Pro: For $239 per month, you get five toll-free lines, one local number, one fax number, and 5,000 minutes of calling.

Features

• Vanity toll-free numbers: Every 800.com subscription includes a local and toll-free number, as well as the option of selecting a vanity 800 number. To come up with memorable numbers for your US or Canadian phone number, use the number picker tool.
• Call intelligence: Use 800.com’s call intelligence capabilities, such as call notes, to learn from your conversations and keep track of important client information. You may export call duration, location data, and call recordings, among other things.
• Call routing: With 800.com, you may set up unique routing options, such as diverting calls to over 60 overseas destinations. Standard, simultaneous, sequential, and straight to voicemail are all options. You may opt to allocate a larger quantity of calls to select staff or specify time intervals for routing.

Conclusion

Many VoIP companies provide capabilities like a virtual receptionist and document sharing that improve the employee and customer experience. Calculate your total number of users and seek services that offer business-critical features to discover the cheapest solution.

Grasshopper, in our opinion, is the greatest alternative. You can set up your new phone number in minutes and add many workers through extensions. You can also get phone assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Furthermore, team members may work from anywhere thanks to the user-friendly mobile and desktop applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any free VoIP services?

There are a few VoIP apps that claim to be free, but they will eventually start charging you.