voip-phone-system-uk

UK businesses have the fastest adoption rate of VoIP services in Europe. Over one-third of them have already left traditional phone lines behind*. What are you still waiting for?

UK small businesses are rapidly transitioning to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) systems as a modern, cost-effective communication solution. Cloud-based software has been replacing the wires and setting them free to grow.

This shift is driven by VoIP’s flexibility, scalability, and feature-rich capabilities compared to traditional systems. The migration also enables businesses to achieve cost savings of up to 75%**, making it a highly cost-effective choice.

In this article, we’ll guide you through choosing the ideal VoIP solution for UK small business and provide a curated list of top providers to help you make an informed decision.

Key Takeaways

  • VoIP is a technology that enables phone calls over the Internet rather than traditional phone lines. It works by converting your voice into digital data and transmitting it online.
  • Selecting the right VoIP system for your business involves thoughtfully evaluating features, scalability, and integration. These elements are crucial in improving operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and long-term costs.
  • Popular VoIP providers like CloudTalk, RingCentral, Vonage, and 8×8 stand out for their affordable pricing and robust, feature-rich solutions.

Don’t be left behind; start your journey with CloudTalk now.

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What is VoIP?

VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol, is a technology that lets you make phone calls over the Internet instead of using traditional phone lines. Instead of your voice traveling through old-fashioned copper wires, it’s converted into digital data and sent online.

Because of that, you can make VoIP calls from virtually anywhere using different devices, as long as you have an internet connection. It’s a modern, flexible alternative to landlines, offering clear call quality and plenty of useful features.

Small businesses especially benefit from VoIP because it’s cost-effective, easy to scale, and packed with tools that make communication more efficient. 

The 11 Best VoIP Phone Systems for Small Businesses in the UK

VoIP phone systems provide small businesses with an affordable and efficient solution for managing inbound and outbound calls, improving productivity, and enhancing customer service.

To simplify your search, we’ve curated a list of the top 11 VoIP service providers in the UK.

Provider

Starting Price

Key Features

Integrations

Best For

CloudTalk

£20.69/user/month

Auto Dialers, Call Monitoring, IVR, Call Flow Designer

HubSpot, Pipedrive, Salesforce, Zendesk

Growing SMBs

RingCentral


£12.99/user/month

Video Conferencing, Omnichannel Communication, Custom Analytics

HubSpot, Salesforce, Zendesk, Slack

Companies that need an all-in-one communication solution

Vonage


£10/user/month

Custom API Integrations, Ring Groups, Single Sign-On

HubSpot, Salesforce, Slack, Microsoft Teams

Businesses that require tailored solutions

8×8


£18.83/user/month

IVR, Skills-Based Routing, Call Center Analytics

Salesforce, Zendesk, Microsoft Teams

Enterprises with a global customer base

Nextiva


£15.69/user/month

Advanced Call Queues, CRM Tools, Auto-Attendant

HubSpot, Salesforce, Zendesk, Zoho

Businesses that want a robust phone system across multiple channels

Dialpad

£11/user/month

AI Transcription, Video Conferencing, Google Workspace Integration

Salesforce, Miro, Zendesk

Facing customer teams focused on AI features

GoTo Connect

£18/user/month

Intelligent Call Routing, Auto Dialer, Call Campaigns

Microsoft Teams, Salesforce, HubSpot

Small to medium businesses

bOnline

£7/user/month

Personalised Voicemail, Video Conferencing, Call Flows

Microsoft, Google

Startups and small businesses

Gamma Horizon

£9.95/user/month (approx.)

Call Queuing, Receptionist Console, CRM Integration

Microsoft Teams, Salesforce, Skype for Business

Medium to large enterprises

3CX

Free for up to 10

Unified Communication, SMS & MMS, Web Conferencing

Microsoft 365, Salesforce, HubSpot

Companies with low simultaneous calls

NBC Cloud Voice

£9.99/user/month

Mobile Apps, Call Reporting, HD Video Conferencing

Microsoft, Google Workspaces

Small to medium businesses transitioning

#1. CloudTalk

CloudTalk is a global leader in AI-powered business-calling software specifically designed to empower sales and customer support teams. Trusted by over 4,000 forward-thinking SMBs, CloudTalk ensures crystal-clear call quality in more than 160 countries, enabling teams to have more productive and impactful conversations.

Best for: Compatible with businesses of all sizes, with a focus on growing SMBs

Pricing:

  • Starter plan: €25 ≈ £20.69 per user/month billed annually
  • Essential plan: €30 ≈ £24.83 per user/month billed annually
  • Expert plan: €50 ≈ £41.38 per user/month billed annually
  • Custom plan: Contact our team for a tailor-made offer

Key features:

Key integrations:

Rating:

  • Capterra: 4,4 / 5 – 263 reviews
  • G2: 4,3 / 5 – 1,158 reviews

“We have recently switched to CloudTalk from another phone system and the change is a breath of fresh air.We use CloudTalk for all our inbound and outbound calls on a daily basis. All call are automatically recorded and logged into our CRM, ready for us and our customer support team to refer back to should they require is great. The initial setup and the integration into our CRM was smooth, and the CloudTalk customer service team was very helpful with this.”

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Ibrahim A. – (Front End Web Designer – Small-Business)

Aspect

Pros

Cons

Interface & Set up

Easy to use and set up, with an intuitive interface

Onboarding coach and phone support starting from the Expert plan

Channels

Provides reliable support for cloud-based phone system

There is no support for landlines and traditional PBX

Features

Robust package of calling features and AI-powered tools

Lack of omnichannel capabilities (email, video conferencing, etc.)

#2. RingCentral

RingCentral is a comprehensive, unified communications platform offering calls, video conferencing, and team messaging. With advanced features and integrations, it’s ideal for businesses looking to unify their communication tools under one system.

Best for: Businesses looking for an all-in-one communication solution.

Pricing:

  • Essentials plan: £12.99 per user/month billed annually 
  • Standard plan: £19.99 per user/month billed annually 
  • Premium plan: £24.99 per user/month billed annually 
  • Ultimate plan: £29.99 per user/month billed annually 

Key Features:

Key integrations:

Rating:

  • Capterra: 4,3 / 5 – 210 reviews
  • G2: 4,0 / 5 – 979 reviews

Aspect

Pros

Cons

Pricing and Plans

Plans are comparatively affordable and offer comprehensive features

Many of the advanced features are locked behind expensive add-ons

Channels and Tools

Extensive suite of collaboration features, including file sharing and conferencing

Limited coverage of international, toll-free and local numbers

Customer Support

Provides business with 24/7 unlimited chat and phone support

Based on testimonials from review portals, customer support is the most criticized aspect of its service

#3. Vonage

Vonage provides a versatile communication solution that adapts to various business needs. It’s particularly valued for its flexibility, allowing businesses to tailor their system to specific requirements.

Best for: Companies with unique requirements needing tailored communication solutions.

Pricing: 

  • Express plan: £10 per user/month 
  • Core plan: £18 per user/month 
  • Pro plan: £20 per user/month 
  • Max plan: £25 per user/month 

Key Features:

Integrations:

Rating:

  • G2: 4.3 / 5 – 465 reviews
  • Capterra: 4.1 / 5 – 309 reviews

Aspect

Pros

Cons

Voice Technology

HD codec with adaptive bitrate optimization

Increased data usage compared to competitors

Pricing and Plans

Competitive base pricing for different sizes of businesses

Numerous hidden fees and essential features require add-ons

Reliability

99.999% uptime guarantee

High resource overhead impacting system performance

#4. 8×8

8×8 is a well-regarded communication platform with a global reach, chosen for businesses with international operations. Its scalable design ensures it can grow alongside teams of different sizes.

Best for: Businesses with a global customer base.

Pricing: 

  • X2 plan: Not disclosed (used to be around £18.83 per user/month)
  • X4 plan: Not disclosed (used to be around £34.52 per user/month)
  • X6 plan: Not disclosed (used to be around £66.68 per user/month)
  • X7 plan: Not disclosed (used to be around £86.30 per user/month)
  • X8 plan: Not disclosed (used to be around £109.83 per user/month)

Key Features:

Integrations:

Rating:

  • G2: 4.2 / 5 – 199 reviews
  • Capterra: 4.0 / 5 – 302 reviews

Aspect

Pros

Cons

Pricing and Plans

Plans are comparatively affordable and well-balanced

The subscription cost quickly balloons with hidden fees

User Interface

Intuitive and user-friendly design

The initial setup can be complex

Features

Centralizes operations across calls, SMS, email, and social media

Its call center features selection can be barebones

#5. Nextiva

Nextiva is a trusted communication platform designed to keep businesses operating in-office or remotely. Renowned for its reliability and strong customer support, it serves companies seeking a robust and efficient communication system.

Best for: Businesses that need a robust and reliable phone system that works across multiple channels.

Pricing: 

  • Digital Plan: $20 ≈ £15.69 per user/month
  • Core Plan: $30 ≈ £23.54 per user/month
  • Engage Plan: $40 ≈ £31.38 per user/month
  • Power Suite Plan: $60 ≈ £49.50 per user/month

Key Features:

Integrations:

Rating:

  • G2: 4.5 / 5 – 3,239 reviews
  • Capterra: 4.6 / 5 – 902 reviews

Aspect

Pros

Cons

Communications tools

Combines multiple channels, including social media, chatbots, and email

Many key features require upgrades. Calls and text are only available in the second-tier plan

User interface

The platform is intuitive and easy to navigate

Users report mobile app problems like freezing screens, slow loading times

Customer Support

Provides responsive and knowledgeable 24/7 customer service

A considerable portion of users reported long waiting times and poor customer service.

#6. Dialpad

Dialpad is a communications platform with AI features that empower facing customer teams. While its entry-level pricing is appealing, many handy tools are locked behind premium tiers and add-ons. 

Best for: Teams focusing on leveraging AI for productivity and customer insights.

Pricing:

  • Standard plan: £11 per user/month billed annually
  • Pro plan: £20 per user/month billed annually
  • Enterprise plan: Tailor-made offer

Key Features:

Integrations:

Rating:

  • G2: 4.4 / 5 – 1,848 reviews
  • Capterra: 4.2 / 5 – 536 reviews

Aspect

Pros

Cons

Pricing and Plans

Competitive base pricing

Numerous hidden fees and essential features require add-ons

Features

Excels in video conferencing and workflow integrations

Very limited in calling features and handy tools tied to higher-tier, custom-priced plans.

Analytics & Reporting

Basic analytics and reporting for all the plans

AI analytics are available only as additional plans

#7. GoTo Connect

GoTo Connect is a communication platform that combines phone, video, and messaging services into one system. It is designed to provide a centralized solution for managing business communications in an accessible way.

Best for: Small to medium-sized businesses that require a simple communication platform.

Pricing:

  • Phone System plan: £18 per user/month billed annually
  • Connect CX plan: £25 per user/month billed annually
  • Contact Center plan: £65 per user/month billed annually

Key Features:

Integrations:

Rating:

  • G2: 4.4 / 5 – 1,286 reviews
  • Capterra: 4.5 / 5 – 664 reviews

Aspect

Pros

Cons

Integrations

Available for the most popular applications

It may require additional fees

Analytics & Reporting

Advanced data analysis dashboards are available

Restricted to higher-tier plans and add-ons

Pricing and Plans

Affordable entry-level plans with essential features

Advanced features are locked in expensive high tiers compared to competitors.

#8. bOnline

bOnline offers VoIP services in the UK tailored for startups and small businesses, providing cost-effective communication solutions with essential features.

Best for: Startups and small businesses seeking affordable VoIP services.

Pricing:

  • Starter plan: £7 per user/month
  • Unlimited Calling plan: £13.95 per user/month
  • Unlimited Calling Plus plan: £15.50 per user/month

Key Features:

  • Personalised voicemail greetings
  • Voice and video conferencing
  • Call flows for efficient routing

Integrations:

  • Microsoft
  • Google

Rating:

  • Reviews.io: 3.3 / 5 – 150 reviews
  • Trustpilot: 4.3 / 5 – 12,973 reviews

Aspect

Pros

Cons

Pricing and Plans

Budget-friendly and straightforward plans

IEssential features and integrations locked as add-ons that increase the overall cost

System

Easy to use and set up, with an intuitive interface.

Very few integrations and calling features compared to competitors

Scalability

Allows calls to more than 100 countries

Offers local numbers only for locations within the UK

#9. Gamma Horizon

Horizon is a cloud phone solution from UK VoIP provider Gamma. It is a hosted VoIP solution offering a range of features tailored for businesses, including call handling, management, and integration capabilities.

Best for: Medium to large enterprises seeking a reliable and scalable VoIP solution.

Pricing:

  • Standard plan: Not disclosed (used to be around £9.95 per user/month)
  • Pro plan: Not disclosed (used to be around £12.95 per user/month)
  • Integrated plan: Not disclosed (used to be around £15.95 per user/month)
  • Unified plan: Not disclosed (used to be around £17.95 per user/month)

Key Features:

Integrations:

Pro tip

As Skype discontinues its services, learn how to port numbers from Skype.

Rating:

  • T2K: 4.9 / 5 – 67 reviews
  • Trustpilot: 3.0 / 5 – 58 reviews

Aspect

Pros

Cons

Calling Service

Provides a great set of call-handling features

Users complain about the large number of spam calls they constantly receive

Scalability

Unlimited local phone numbers across the UK with different zone codes

Local numbers are only available for locations in the UK

Call Technology

Provides businesses with a package full of call management features

Users have reported one-way audio during calls after a software update in April 2024

#10. 3CX

3CX is an open-platform business phone system offering on-premise or cloud-based PBX voice calling, video conferencing, text messaging, live website chat, and analytics. 

Best for: Companies of all sizes with a low volume of simultaneous calls.

Pricing:

  • 3CX SMB plan: Free. Limited up to 10 users.
  • 3CX PRO plan: Starts at €295 ≈ £244 up to 25 users and 8 simultaneous calls. 
  • 3CX ENT plan: Starts at €370 ≈ £306 up to 25 users and 8 simultaneous calls.

Key Features:

  • Unified communications with voice, video, and chat
  • SMS & MMS
  • Web conferencing

Integrations:

Rating:

  • G2: 4.4 / 5 – 466 reviews
  • Capterra: 4.4 / 5 – 426 reviews

Aspect

Pros

Cons

Flexibility

Offers both on-premise and cloud-based deployment options

Some advanced features may require additional configuration

Pricing and Plans

Free plan for small businesses with up to 10 users

Pricing can be costly for companies with high call volumes

Customer Support

Support from a large network of partners around the world

It is not available for the free plan. For other tiers, it must be purchased as an add-on

#11. NBC Cloud Voice

NBC Cloud Voice is a UK VoIP system that offers over 40 business-grade features to enhance communication efficiency. It provides a cost-effective cloud-based alternative to traditional phone lines.

Best for: Small to medium-sized businesses transitioning from landline phones.

Pricing:

  • Cloud Voice Call Centre Basic plan: £9.99 per user/month
  • Cloud Voice Enterprise plan: £17.99 per user/month
  • Cloud Voice Complete Mobility plan: £24.99 per user/month 

Key Features:

Integrations:

  • Microsoft 
  • Google Workspaces 

Rating:

  • Trustpilot: 4.7 / 5 – 1,008 reviews

Aspect

Pros

Cons

Pricing and Plans

Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Limited advanced features compared to competitors

Feature Set

Includes over 40 business-grade features

Lacks integrations with popular CRM systems like Salesforce

Support

UK-based support with quick response times

Limited scalability for larger enterprises

How We Ranked These 11 Best VoIP Providers in the UK

With countless VoIP options available, finding the perfect solution for your business can feel like a heavy burden. To lighten the load for you, we’ve carefully curated this list, evaluating each provider based on the criteria that matter most to businesses:

  • Reliability: We looked at how dependable each provider is when it comes to uptime and call quality. Providers with a strong track record for consistent service scored higher here.
  • Pricing: Value for money was a big factor. We compared the costs of different plans, checked for hidden fees, and considered whether the features included were worth the price. 
  • Features: This was about how much the provider could do for your business. We considered things like call-handling features, advanced analytics, AI-powered tools, and automated workflows. The more robust and useful the features, the better the ranking.
  • Integrations: Having a VoIP system that plays nicely with your tech stack—like Salesforce, HubSpot, or Zendesk—makes a huge difference. Providers with seamless and varied integrations had the edge here.
  • Reviews and Customer Support: We didn’t just take the providers’ word for it—we checked out user feedback on platforms like G2, Trustpilot, and Capterra. We also evaluated how easy it is to get help when you need it. UK business VoIP providers with high user ratings and responsive, helpful support teams came out ahead.

How to Choose the Best UK VoIP Phone System for Your Business

Truth be told, your choice of VoIP UK will significantly impact your business as it defines the way your team communicates with each other and with customers. That’s why you need to make an informed decision. Consider these important factors to make the best call for you:

  • Budget: Focus on systems that fit your financial plan while offering the features you need most. Look for scalable options that adapt to your business as it grows, ensuring long-term value.
  • Essential Features: Determine which features will benefit your operations the most. Options like Interactive Voice Response (IVR), voicemail management, and customizable call menus can streamline processes and enhance the customer experience.
  • Scalability: Ensure the system can grow with your business, accommodating additional employees, increased call volumes, or new locations without requiring a major overhaul. Is your business only looking to serve UK customers? Keep that in mind.
  • Integration: A system that seamlessly integrates with your existing tools—like CRMs or help desk software—can boost productivity by providing real-time access to customer data during calls.
  • Ease of Use: Both your team and customers will benefit from a system that’s intuitive and simple to use. Avoid complex setups or confusing menus that can slow down operations and frustrate users.
  • Reliability and Customer Support: Research user reviews to confirm the system’s reliability and the customer support quality. Frequent downtimes or technical glitches can disrupt communication and hurt your reputation.

Strengthen your local presence with a virtual UK VoIP number

Desktop phones illustration

How Much Does a VoIP Provider in the UK Cost?

VoIP providers in the UK offer pricing plans that cater to businesses of all sizes and budgets. On average, users can expect to pay between £10 to £30 per user/month for standard plans that include essential features. 

Advanced plans with additional tools, such as AI-driven analytics, CRM integrations, and video conferencing, typically range from £20 to £50 per user/month.

Compare, analyze and see why CloudTalk is the leader.

Key Features to Look For in a UK VoIP Phone Service

When selecting UK VoIP providers, small businesses should prioritize features that enhance communication efficiency and customer satisfaction. Here are eight essential features to consider:

  • Call Queuing: Efficiently manages incoming calls by placing them in a queue when all agents are busy, ensuring no call goes unanswered and reducing customer wait times.
  • Interactive Voice Response (IVR): Automates call routing by allowing callers to interact with a menu system, directing them to the appropriate department or agent.
  • Auto Dialers: Streamline outbound calling by automatically dialing numbers from a pre-loaded list. Features like Smart Dialer and Power Dialer ensure agents spend more time talking to customers and less time dialing.
  • Call Recording: Enables the recording of calls for quality assurance, training, and compliance purposes, providing a valuable resource for enhancing service quality.
  • Voicemail and Voicemail Drop: Ensures that missed calls are captured with detailed voice messages and allows your agents to leave prospects pre-recorded messages.
  • Call Analytics: Provides insights into call metrics such as volume, duration, and agent performance, helping businesses make data-driven decisions.
  • CRM Integration: Connects the VoIP system with CRM software, enabling agents to access customer information during calls, enhancing personalization and efficiency.
  • Mobile and Desktop Apps: Offers flexibility by allowing employees to make and receive calls from various devices, supporting remote work regardless of location.

Be Prepared For The “Big Switch Off”

If you don’t know what the “Big Switch Off” means, you’re not alone. Millions of Britons are unaware of the incoming death of traditional landlines scheduled for January 2027.

For those who don’t know, the UK’s leading telecom providers—BT, Virgin Media, and TalkTalk—are phasing out the old copper-based landlines. Traditional phone systems like PSTN and ISDN are being retired to make way for more modern, internet-based solutions such as VoIP systems.

For businesses, it is best to start moving as soon as possible. 77% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have not prepared for the disruption that will be caused when the moment arrives. Migrating to VoIP will not only keep your phones ringing but also supercharge your communications. 

Thankfully, the solution to this is just one click away. Providers like CloudTalk specialize in making this transition smooth and stress-free.

Why CloudTalk Is the Smart Choice for UK Small Business

What makes CloudTalk stand out is how much you get for your money. It’s an affordable solution that doesn’t skimp on features. 

You can design your call flows, get real-time insights into how your calls are performing, and even integrate with tools you probably already use, like HubSpot and Salesforce. It’s a system built with growing SMBs in mind, ensuring your business growth becomes a natural progression.

CloudTalk helps UK businesses strengthen their local presence with a wide range of UK numbers while making it easy to scale globally. With numbers in 160+ countries and crystal-clear calls, it’s built for growth, no matter where you’re headed.

See CloudTalk in action to make your decision.

Source:

Gabriel Romio
29 Dec 2024