Top 6 Inexpensive Phone Systems for Small Businesses

Choose a cloud-based phone system that’s easy to set up and use, can scale with your team, and offers key tools like call routing and voicemail-to-email integration. It should also be budget-friendly and offer reliable support.

• Ease of Setup and Use: Look for systems that don’t require technical knowledge to install or manage. Cloud-based options are usually plug-and-play and easy for any team member to use.
• Scalability: Your phone system should grow with your business. Ensure you can add users or features as needed without requiring a complex setup change.
• Call Management Features: Ensure your provider offers the essential features your team needs. Tools such as call forwarding, voicemail-to-email, auto-attendant, and call routing help small teams manage calls smoothly and professionally.
• Mobile Access: The phone system should be compatible with smartphones, laptops, and desktop computers. It keeps you connected and reachable, even when you're on the move.
• Affordability: Compare monthly pricing, setup fees, and what features are included in the base plan. Avoid systems with hidden costs or expensive add-ons.
• Customer Support: Reliable support is important, especially if you don’t have a dedicated IT person. Look for providers with positive reviews and responsive customer service teams.
• Integration with Other Tools: If you use tools such as CRM software, email, or help desks, choose a system that can integrate with them to simplify your workflow.

Calilio, RingCentral, Dialpad, Ooma Office, Phone.com, and Grasshopper are some of the most inexpensive phone systems for a small business.

Calilio is one of the cheapest VoIP providers for small businesses. It offers three pricing plans starting at just $15 per user per month. Each package comes with one free U.S. phone number. Additional virtual numbers are available for as little as $2 per user per month after subscribing.

Calilio provides VoIP services for small businesses that also include smart features like AI-powered call reports, automatic call transcription, and sentiment analysis. Calilio is a great fit for small businesses, BPOs, and support teams that need a professional phone solution without expensive setup costs or hidden fees.

Key Features:

• Virtual number
• AI-powered call summaries
• Call analytics and tracking
• Live call monitoring
• Unified callbox
• Real-time dashboard
• Customizable Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system

Pros:

• Excellent value for money
• Easy setup
• Responsive customer support

Cons:

• Fewer third-party integrations (still developing)

Pricing:

Grasshopper offers a cheap business phone system starting at just $16/month. It provides a virtual setup that works on your existing devices without the need for new hardware or complicated installations. You can easily set up a professional business number and manage calls, texts, and voicemails from your smartphone, laptop, or desktop.

Furthermore, it also includes essential features like call forwarding, voicemail transcription, auto-attendant, and custom greetings to help your business sound professional. With 99.999% uptime and 24/7 support, Grasshopper delivers reliable service that grows with your business, without contracts or extra equipment.

Key Features:

• Call recording
• Voicemail-to-email
• WiFi calling
• Virtual faxes
• Unlimited texting

Pros:

• Scalable for growing businesses
• Excellent call quality
• Enterprise-level features

Cons:

• Slightly more expensive than other options

Pricing:

Ooma Office is one of the best low-cost business phone systems for smaller teams seeking a cost-effective VoIP phone service. Its business phone plans have three service plans, with the Essentials plan starting at $19.95 per user per month. Ooma offers over 50 standard features, a mobile app, and unlimited calling in the US, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico from its entry-level plans.

Moreover, the Pro Plus package costs $29.95, which is cheaper than other providers in this list. It includes audio and video conference calling with up to 100 participants and also offers 10+ integrations available for popular platforms like Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho, and others.

Key Features:

• Virtual receptionist
• Call forwarding and routing
• Salesforce integration
• Call queuing
• Call flip
• Virtual fax

Pros:

• Easy to set up and scale
• No contract required
• Supports team collaboration and integrations

Cons:

• Limited texting and video limits
• Occasional issues in the mobile app

Pricing:

Phone.com is a cheap VoIP service provider that offers plans at $18/month per user, ideal for growing companies that need advanced features on a budget. It’s designed for teams that want to avoid hardware costs and prefer a setup that works from anywhere.

Moreover, each phone number costs $4.99 per month, on top of your selected plan and any international calling charges. Plus, their 30-day money-back guarantee makes it a risk-free option for small businesses exploring VoIP solutions.

Key Features:

• 50 standard voice features
• 500 pooled minutes
• Audio conferencing
• Dial-by-name directory
• Audio conferencing

Pros:

• Hardware-free, easy setup
• Scalable for growing teams
• Competitive pricing with a money-back guarantee

Cons:

• Limited features on entry-level plans

Pricing:

Dialpad is a budget-friendly, AI-powered business phone system with pricing starting at just $15 per user/month. At this entry-level price, small businesses get access to a full suite of communication tools, making it an affordable yet feature-rich option for emerging businesses.

Additionally, Dialpad allows businesses to customize call routing, easily forward calls, and transfer calls in the office. It offers real-time call transcription, enabling supervisors to easily review calls and train agents to enhance future call quality.

Key Features:

• AI transcription
• Call summaries
• Call analytics
• Conference call
• Chatbot support for automated customer service
• Voicemail
• Call routing

Pros:

• Excellent UI/UX
• AI tools are included in all plans
• Automatic call transcription

Cons:

• The number porting process is slower
• Limited toll-free number support

Pricing:

With plans starting at just $20 per user/month, RingCentral offers a cost-effective VoIP solution for growing businesses. While the pricing is slightly higher than some entry-level options, it's a great fit for growing teams that need more than just VoIP calling.

RingCentral offers a fully-fledged suite of communication tools like unlimited calling, VoIP service for desktop, visual voicemail, voicemail to email, and many others. It also has auto-call recording to help keep track of important conversations. Together, these features make it easier for growing teams to handle calls, stay organized, and scale without incurring excessive costs.

Key Features:

• Team messaging with notes and file sharing
• Call routing
• Auto-attendant and IVR
• Visual voicemail
• Push to talk

Pros:

• Enterprise-grade features
• Provides a full suite of communication tools
• Screen sharing with HD audio/video

Cons:

• It can be overwhelming for very small businesses

Pricing:

A reliable phone system is crucial for the growth of any small business; it keeps your team connected and ensures your customers' satisfaction. Choosing the right one means looking for essential VoIP features, ease of use, scalability, strong support, transparent pricing, and also your business needs.