By utilizing a virtual landline, businesses can establish a recognizable UK presence, with calls directed through various devices and systems, thereby eliminating the need for traditional phone infrastructure and enhancing overall flexibility.
That flexibility matters as a business grows. New starters can be added without installing another physical line, hybrid teams can answer the same company number from different locations, and calls can be routed to the right person or department. This ensures seamless communication regardless of where employees are based.
The move away from the public switched telephone network (PSTN) makes this a timely decision, too. BT plans to retire the old landline network used over Openreach by 31 January 2027. You still have plenty of time to make sure you have a suitable alternative in place.
Virtual Landline: Affordable and flexible
Virtual Landline takes the top spot because of its affordable prices and fantastic range of solutions. It offers a variety of number options, including local, national, and freephone numbers, catering to different business needs.
A local or national virtual number starts at just £4.50 a month including VAT. Calls can be answered through the provider’s app, and an existing number can be ported across. The rolling 30-day arrangement also gives you more flexibility than a long fixed contract.
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When you need to add extensions, you can move to its multi-user Office system, which starts at £6.95 per user a month excluding VAT. Depending on the plan, this adds features such as an auto-attendant, call queues, time-based routing, call recording, reporting, and desktop as well as mobile apps. The system can support teams ranging from two users to more than 100.
A virtual landline can be a cost-effective way for growing businesses to establish a professional presence, especially when traditional phone systems are being phased out. It also eliminates the need for costly hardware installations.
RingCentral: Unified communications platform
RingCentral is a broader unified communications platform rather than a basic call-forwarding service. It combines business calling, messaging, video meetings, and online fax into one system, with central administration for users and locations. This integration streamlines communication and collaboration across teams.
It is a particularly good solution for a growing business with several offices, a formal IT function, or software that needs to exchange data with the phone system. RingCentral advertises more than 500 integrations, including Salesforce, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, and Zendesk. It also supports operations in more than 100 countries and offers a 99.999 per cent availability commitment for eligible services. This global reach and reliability make it a robust choice for international businesses.
For a business with two to 19 users, Essentials starts at the equivalent of £7.99 per user a month with annual billing, while the more capable Premium plan starts at £19.99. Larger businesses should select their actual user band before comparing costs. This tiered pricing ensures that businesses pay only for what they need.
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Clear Business: Tailored Solutions
Instead of a standard monthly price, Clear Business tailors its inclusive call packages to meet specific organizational needs. They can provide new numbers or port existing ones, making it a good fit for growing companies seeking personalized support during their transition. Eligible customers may also receive up to £300 towards early termination charges from their previous supplier, subject to terms and evidence. This financial incentive can ease the transition process.
Vonage and Yay.com: Scaling Options
Vonage Business Communications offers three tiers: Express, Core, and Max, priced at £10, £15, and £25 per user per month, respectively, excluding VAT. The entry-level plan includes a business landline number, unlimited inbound calls, and over 30 calling features. Higher tiers add CRM integrations, Microsoft Teams compatibility, and business mobile capabilities, making it scalable for different growth stages. Vonage also offers World Numbers in more than 96 countries, while its managed global service covers 15 countries. This international capability is ideal for businesses expanding globally.
Yay.com provides cloud telephony tools with Core, Standard, and Premium plans targeting smaller organizations, growing teams, and businesses with advanced needs. Features include mobile, desktop, and browser calling, along with routing, IVR menus, queues, and recording. Advanced plans add CRM integrations, webhooks, APIs, and AI-generated transcripts, offering flexibility without long-term commitments. This modular approach allows businesses to customize their communication tools as they grow.
Prices for Yay.com vary based on user numbers, telephone numbers, and selected features. Prospective buyers should use the provider’s live configurator to accurately compare costs based on their specific setup. This transparency helps businesses make informed decisions.
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