The cheapest VoIP phone service makes it easy and affordable for you to connect with customers by phone. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) providers help you save money by letting you make calls online instead of via a traditional phone line.
Our top pick for 2023 is RingCentral because it successfully combines cost-effective pricing, robust VoIP features, and lots of communication tools. You’ll get unlimited calls, video, and messaging. Plus, RingCentral offers 24/7 support should you have any issues.
Looking for a premium VoIP service? check out Vonage!
Best Cheapest VoIP Phone Services
- RingCentral – Best Overall
- Nextiva – Best for VoIP Functionality
- Ooma Office – Best for Customization
- Vonage – Best for Ease of Use
- Google Voice – Best for Affordability
- Line2 – Best for Beginners
- Intermedia Unite – Best for Integration
- Freshdesk Contact Center – Best for Reporting
Product
Pricing
VoIP Features
Automations
Hardware
Security
Customer Support
Starts at $19.99 per user / month (1-20 users)
Call forwarding, call screening & visual voicemail
AI features
Free trial hardware for 21 days
Secure voice encryption
24/7 live support for high-tier plans
Starts at $23.95 per user / month (1-4 users)
Call recording, virtual voicemail, call management & call log reports
Auto attendant
VoIP devices available for rent or purchase
TLS & SRTP encryption
Unlimited 24/7 live support for all plans
Starts at $19.95 / month
Call recording, call blocking & caller info match
Virtual receptionist
VoIP devices available for purchase
Voice data encryption
24/7 phone support
Starts at $19.99 / month per line
Call recording & visual voicemail available as add-ons
Multi-level auto attendant for high-tier plans
VoIP phones available for purchase
Firewalls & logical access control
24/7 US-based tech support & customer service
Starts at $10 per user / month
Call forwarding & voicemail transcription
Auto attendant for high-tier plans
None included but compatible w/ Poly VoIP devices
ISO & SOC certifications
24/7 support for all plans
Starts at $15.99 / month
Basic call forwarding, call scheduling & call recording
Auto attendant
None
No special security features
Customer support available from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. (EST)
Starts at $27.99 / month
Call pickup, call transfer & spam call blocking
Auto attendant
Free VOIP phone or device (limited offer)
Secure technology via industry compliance standards
24/7 technical support
Starts at free + Pay per minute
Inbound caller ID, call metrics, call recording & voicemail
PBX system
Compatible with SIP devices
ISO, SOC & Cyber Essentials certifications
24/7 email support for all plans + 24/5 phone & chat support for paid plans
RingCentral is at the top of our list of the cheapest VoIP phone services because it offers a good balance of fairly affordable pricing, extensive VoIP features, and communication centralization. It stands out among VoIP providers because it consolidates your phone, video, and messaging tools into one platform. All four available plans streamline your communication systems to simplify the way that you connect with others.
On one hand, you can use RingCentral to make unlimited phone calls to people in the U.S. and Canada. On the other hand, you can receive calls through the new business phone or toll-free numbers which RingCentral will provide you. Call screening, call forwarding, and visual voicemail features help you manage your incoming and missed calls.
In addition to VoIP features, the AI-based Advanced Meeting Insights and Summaries generates notes on your meeting discussions to boost your productivity. Plus, you can test the trial hardware for 21 days in case you need a VoIP device. Finally, RingCentral offers customer service and secure voice encryption for a better user experience.
Although RingCentral is a well-rounded VoIP service, it has a few limitations too. Because it has a lot of features, it might be overwhelming for beginners at first since it takes time getting used to. Aside from this, 24/7 live support is only available for high-tier plans, although basic support is included with the low-tier plan.
Why we chose it: We ranked RingCentral as the best overall cheap VoIP service because it effectively fuses together competitive pricing, a wide variety of VoIP features, and strong consolidation of communication tools. It is ideal for you if you want a VoIP platform that offers the perfect balance between cost-effectiveness and usefulness. Read our ultimate RingCentral review to learn more.
- Excellent value for the cost
- Integrates phone, messaging, and video
- Uses AI-based technology
- Adjustment period for new users
- 24/7 customer support only included in high-end plans
Pricing:
- Essentials: $19.99 per user / month
- Standard: $27.99 per user / month
- Premium: $34.99 per user / month
- Ultimate: $49.99 per user / month
*Rates for 1-20 users. Lower rates available for more users.
Nextiva: Best Cheapest VoIP Phone Service for VoIP Functionality
Pricing: $23.95 to $37.95 per user / month
Nextiva stands out among the cheapest VoIP phone services because it has a broad range of VoIP features. You can use it to communicate with people in the U.S. and Canada because it comes with unlimited calling, texting, faxing, video meetings, and chat capabilities. It also includes call recording, virtual voicemail, call management, call log records, and an auto attendant. You can make VoIP calls whether you are in the office or on the go, thanks to its desktop program and mobile app. Plus, you will get your own local and toll-free numbers for free.
The plans don’t automatically include VoIP equipment, although they are available for purchase or rent. Still, you can download a mobile app to your iOS or Android smartphone if you don’t need a dedicated VoIP gadget.
On top of this, Nextiva offers unlimited 24/7 live support for all plans so you can quickly get technical assistance or VoIP guidance. In addition to its customer service, it protects your privacy through ISO/IEC 27001 certification, biometric checkpoints, and round-the-clock monitoring.
Even if Nextiva is a good VoIP service, it has some drawbacks too. Some of the advanced features are only available for the premium plans. Also, it is relatively pricier compared to the other alternatives in this list.
Why we chose it: We commend Nextiva as the best for VoIP functionality because of the many available VoIP features that you can take advantage of. It is viable for you if you want a VoIP platform that you can use for varied telephony purposes. To learn more about Nextiva’s features, read our complete Nextiva review.
- Rich VoIP functionality
- Free toll-free and local numbers
- Round-the-clock customer support for all users
- Some extra features only available for high-tier plans
- Higher rates compared to competitors
Pricing:
- Essential: $23.95 per user / month
- Professional: $27.95 per user / month
- Enterprise: $37.95 per user / month
*Rates for 1-4 users. Lower rates available for more users.
Ooma Office shines among VoIP services in the area of personalization because you can customize it according to your preferences. It guides you in tailoring your plan based on your business requirements, such as internet ports, Wi-Fi cordless phones, conference phones, and fax machines. It also assists you in selecting your free local or toll-free number according to the area code availability.
It lets you collaborate with others through audio, video, messaging, and online fax communication tools. VoIP features like call recording, caller info match, call blocking, and virtual receptionist make it simple for you to handle your calls. In addition to this, Ooma Office provides 24/7 phone support and voice data encryption for your convenience and security.
Nevertheless, Ooma Office has room for improvement in other areas. For example, advanced communication options like video conferencing are only included in the high-tier plan. Plus, higher usage limits for extension monitoring and audio conference room participation is exclusive to the premium plan, which you need to sign up for unless you already subscribed to other conference call services. Also, you need to pay extra to buy a dedicated VoIP device from Ooma Office.
Why we chose it: Ooma Office is the best in customization among VoIP services because you can personalize it based on your unique needs. It is ideal for you if you want to tweak your VoIP plan to your own specifications. To learn more about its features, read our in-depth review on Ooma Office.
- Wide customization options
- Free number selection guidance
- Virtual receptionist
- Video conferencing not included in basic plan
- Higher usage available only with high-end plan
- Additional purchase needed for VoIP device
Pricing:
- Ooma Office: $19.95 / month
- Ooma Office Pro: $24.95 / month
Vonage’s main advantage over other VoIP services is that it is easy to use. The setup process is straightforward so you can complete it with minimal hassle. Plus, the VoIP platform is simple so you can quickly adapt to it and scale it according to your business size and needs.
The unified communications VoIP Phone system includes unlimited calls, SMS, and team messaging, as well as video collaboration. You can utilize these VoIP features via the mobile app when you are away from the office or the desktop app when you are at work. In addition to this, Vonage provides US-based customer support and technical assistance on a 24/7 basis. Plus, it protects your privacy through security features like firewalls and logical access control.
Still, Vonage has particular limitations despite its perks. You need to pay extra for crucial VoIP features like call recording, visual voicemail, and multi-level attendant, unless you subscribe to a high-tier plan. While you get the option to keep your existing number, you need to buy toll-free numbers since they are not included in the plans. Aside from this, you also have to purchase VoIP equipment separately.
Why we chose it: We pick Vonage as best for ease of use among VoIP services because you can set it up whether you are a beginner or a tech expert. It is a potential choice for you if you prefer a VoIP service that you can use right away with minimal hassle.
- Simple setup process
- Unified communications platform
- 24/7 tech support
- Some key VoIP features only available as add-ons or as part of high-tier plans
- No free toll-free numbers
- VoIP phones must be purchased
Pricing:
- Mobile: $19.99 / month per line + taxes & fees
- Premium: $29.99 / month per line + taxes & fees
- Advanced: $39.99 / month per line + taxes & fees
Google Voice is the most budget-friendly VoIP service in our list, thanks to the very affordable plan rates. Even with the basic plan, you will already get free calls to the U.S. from anywhere in the world, as well as free calls to Canada from the U.S. You can also send unlimited SMS messages using the platform. Its VoIP features include call forwarding and voicemail transcriptions.
All the plans integrate smoothly with Google Workspace apps because it is native to the Google ecosystem. Yet even if it is Google-based, you can use it with both Android and iOS smartphones, as well as desktops and laptops. In addition to this, all users can depend on 24/7 support and security backed by ISO & SOC certifications.
Take note that there are certain trade-offs to the low cost of Google Voice. None of the plans offer toll-free numbers, just local Google Voice numbers. Additionally, the auto attendant feature is only exclusive to the high-tier plans. Lastly, there is no included hardware with any of the plans, although you can use them with compatible Poly VoIP devices which you can purchase separately.
Why we chose it: We grant Google Voice the title of best for affordability among VoIP services because it includes free calls and basic VoIP features for a very low price. It is a good match for you if cutting down communication expenses is your top priority. Read our ultimate Google Voice review to learn more.
- Bargain plan rates
- Free calls & unlimited SMS
- 24/7 support for all plans
- No toll-free numbers
- Auto attendant function only for high-end plans
- No hardware included
Pricing:
- Starter: $10 per user / month
- Standard: $20 per user / month
- Premier: $30 per user / month
Line2 is a viable option for beginners because it is easy to configure and it includes basic features. Once you set it up, you can start using essential VoIP features like unlimited calls, plus texts, call forwarding, call recording, call scheduling, and auto attendant. You may use the desktop app when you are in the office or mobile apps when you are on the go. Plus, you can also choose between a toll-free number or a local number.
However, you should be aware that Line2 is not as powerful as other VoIP services so it might not be suitable for you if you have complex VoIP needs. Although it covers the basics of phone and messaging, it doesn’t offer other communication options so you need separate video conferencing software just to make video calls. Keep in mind, Line2 is solely a software solution so it doesn’t come with any dedicated VoIP devices. Its customer support is only available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (EST) Monday through Friday.
Why we chose it: We award Line2 as the best for beginners because of its basic features and quick setup process. It could be a great fit for you if you are a first-time user with minimal VoIP requirements.
- Simple configuration process
- Essential VoIP features included
- Economical pricing
- No video conferencing
- No VoIP hardware
- Limited customer support
Pricing:
- Starter: $15.99 / month
- Growth: $20.99 / month
- Business: $25.99 / month
Intermedia Unite has an edge over other VoIP services when it comes to integration because it connects with third-party apps to increase its functionality. It integrates with popular productivity apps from Google and Microsoft, including Chrome, G Suite, Outlook, Office 365, and Microsoft Teams. It also links to CRM software, such as Salesforce, Zoho CRM, and Sugar CRM.
In addition to Unite Extend Integrations, it has built-in communication capabilities like unlimited calls, video, chat, and web fax. The VoIP features include call pickup, caller ID, call transfer, spam call blocking, and auto attendant.
You can reach out to others via the available desktop app or mobile app for Android or iOS smartphones. Occasionally, there’s a limited offer to get a free VoIP deskphone and other devices like speakerphone, headset, or webcam when you subscribe to a plan. On top of this, Intermedia Unite offers technical support via phone or chat on a 24/7 basis. Plus, it meets industry compliance standards to maintain secure connections.
Nevertheless, Intermedia Unite is limited in particular ways. For instance, toll-free numbers and additional phone numbers are not included in the plans, although you can purchase them as add-ons. Aside from this, the basic plan is more expensive compared to similar plans from other VoIP providers. Plus, it can be challenging to switch from user to administrator accounts because they require separate sign-ins.
Why we chose it: We recognize Intermedia Unite as the best for integration among VoIP services because it links with third-party programs to boost its usefulness. It is appropriate for you if you want to connect your work apps to your VoIP platform.
- Rich third-party integrations
- Free VoIP phone or device (limited time only)
- 24/7 technical support
- Toll-free and local numbers cost extra
- Pricier than similar plans from competitors
- Hard to switch from user to administrator accounts
Pricing:
- Unite Pro: $27.99 / month
- Unite Enterprise: $32.99 / month
Freshdesk Contact Center: Best Cheapest VoIP Phone Service for Reporting
Pricing: Free to $83 + Pay per minute
Freshdesk Contact Center, which was previously called Freshcaller, stands out among VoIP services because it generates detailed reports. The live dashboards allow you to keep track of agent availability, agent performance, and customer satisfaction in real-time. Plus, you can stay updated on customer communication via call recordings, call transcripts, and call lifecycle data.
The VoIP features include inbound caller ID, call queues, and voicemail, which you can take advantage of through the desktop and mobile apps. Beyond this, the versatile PBX system allows it to double as call center software. It enables you to route calls to your agents or teams, as well as to add self-service options.
On top of it, all plans come with round-the-clock email support, while the paid plans include 24/5 phone and chat support. Finally, the security features are backed by ISO, SOC & Cyber Essentials certifications.
However, Freshdesk Contact Center has vital shortcomings, which may be a deal-breaker for some. While you can subscribe to the basic plan for free, it doesn’t come with any free call minutes so you need to pay per minute. As a result, you might end up spending more in the long run. The paid plans do include a limited number of free minutes, but you also need to pay for excess minutes.
Freshdesk doesn’t offer any free local or toll-free numbers, but you can purchase them as add-ons. Also, there is no included hardware, but the service is compatible with SIP devices.
Why we chose it: Freshdesk Contact Center is the best for reporting among the cheapest VoIP services because of its advanced reporting capabilities. It may be suitable for you if you need informative reports, especially if you own or manage a call center.
- Comprehensive reporting features
- PBX system for call management
- Security certifications
- Zero or limited free minutes only
- No free toll-free or local numbers
- No dedicated VoIP hardware
Pricing:
- Free: Free subscription + Pay per minute.
- Growth: $18 per agent / month + Pay per minute.
- Pro: $47 per agent / month + Pay per minute.
- Enterprise: $83 per agent / month + Pay per minute.
*Rates for monthly billing. Lower rates available for annual billing.
Ranking Methodology for the Best Cheapest VoIP Phone Service
As we selected our top 8 VoIP providers for this buyer’s guide, we prioritized giving credit to companies that offer budget-friendly VoIP services which include strong feature sets even with the basic plans. Our picks for this list do not necessarily lead the pack in terms of cutting-edge VoIP technology or premium customer support, but they do excel in providing the best bang for your buck given their competitive pricing.
Here are some important factors which we considered as we chose the best affordable VoIP services:
Pricing
Pricing is a crucial element in your VoIP service selection because you can only sign up for a plan that you can afford, given your business budget. Many VoIP providers offer plans on a monthly basis, which you can pay based on the number of users or the amount of call minutes you consumed. As an alternative, you may consider subscribing to an annual plan to get lower rates, if you are planning on using the service for at least one year. If these services are above your budget, here’s a list of free VoIP services to get you started.
VoIP Communication
Communication is the main purpose of VoIP so you need a service that allows you to connect with your team and clients in convenient ways. At the very least, your VoIP service must offer excellent audio calls and messaging. If you have advanced collaboration requirements, consider a plan that also includes video conferencing and faxing.
VoIP Features
VoIP features make it possible for you to manage your incoming, outgoing and missed calls. That’s why it’s essential that your plan includes vital VoIP functions, such as call recording, call forwarding, voicemail, caller ID, call blocking, and call log reports.
Automations
VoIP services can automate some of your call monitoring and management tasks so that your team can save time and effort. It’s a practical idea for you to look for a VoIP provider that offers auto-attendant features or AI-based technology.
Phone Numbers
Toll-free numbers and local numbers make it easier for your customers to contact your business. You can subscribe to a plan that includes free customized numbers or purchase it as an add-on to your package. Take note that a few VoIP services don’t include a toll-free option.
Software
Software solutions like desktop programs and mobile apps allow you to use your computer or smartphone to make and receive calls and messages. While most VoIP plans include software options, you do need to make sure the service is compatible with the OS of your gadget.
Hardware
You may need dedicated VoIP equipment like desk phones, headsets, and speakerphones if your team makes and receives a lot of calls on a regular basis. Most providers offer VoIP hardware devices for sale or for rent, while others have a software-only platform that is compatible with other electronic gadgets.
Ease of Use
A VoIP service that is simple to set up and easy to use lets everyone in your team maximize its features. After all, different team members have different levels of technical skills so your VoIP platform should be accessible to all.
Security
Security may be a low-key feature, yet it’s an integral one because it determines how safe your communication data is. A VoIP provider should protect the privacy of your communications through industry-grade VoIP security standards and certifications.
Customer Support
Customer service can make or break a VoIP service. After all, VoIP technical issues can affect the productivity of your business. That’s why you need a VoIP provider that offers round-the-clock customer support so you can receive prompt, efficient customer support and assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Cheapest VoIP Phone Services
The best cheapest VoIP phone services allow you to communicate with others without breaking the bank. Explore the answers to common questions about VoIP services.
Bottom Line on the Best Cheapest VoIP Phone Services
The cheapest VoIP phone service allows you to save time and money while contacting other people for work or personal reasons. While we acknowledge the strengths of all the VoIP services in our list, we especially recommend RingCentral because it merges together affordable rates, rich VoIP features, and communication consolidation.