Low-Cost Cloud Business Phone Systems Compared: Pricing & Charges Breakdown

The cost of a business phone system depends on several factors, including the phone system itself, phone numbers, telephony expenses, and feature costs. These expenses can vary widely depending on whether you choose a traditional setup or a cloud-based solution.

• Traditional Systems: Setting up a traditional phone system requires a heavy investment in PBX hardware, desk phones, and on-site maintenance. The initial setup can range from $500 to $2,000 per user, not including ongoing maintenance fees.
• Cloud Phone Systems: A cloud phone system utilizes VoIP technology, which runs over your existing internet connection and devices like computers or smartphones. So, it has minimal to no upfront hardware costs. Instead, you pay a monthly subscription fee that usually ranges from $15 to $40 per user per month.

• Traditional Phone Number: In a traditional setup, each phone line from your carrier requires its own number. These numbers are billed monthly, usually $10 and $60 each, depending on the provider and plan. Adding or moving numbers often requires service calls, which adds both time and expense.
• Virtual Phone Number: Virtual phone numbers usually cost between $5 and $20 per month. However, the exact cost depends on the provider and the type of number you choose.

• Traditional system: Traditional carriers charge separately for domestic long-distance and international calls. Rates can range from $0.30 up to $15 per minute, depending on the country and contract. Businesses usually sign long-term agreements with carriers, so costs can stay high even if usage patterns change.
• Cloud Phone System: Many affordable VoIP phone system providers offer unlimited domestic calling, eliminating per-minute charges. International calls are often included in a premium plan or offered at a very low per-minute rate, which can range from $0.01 to $1.00.

• Traditional phone system: In a traditional phone system, you get the basics like calling, but anything beyond that usually costs more. Features such as auto-attendant, voicemail-to-email, and call recording often mean extra hardware or third-party add-ons.
• Cloud-based phone system: In a VoIP system, most features come built in. Custom IVR greeting, call recording, voicemail transcription, and call forwarding are usually included in the monthly plan. If you need more features, simply subscribe to a higher-tier plan.

When you compare the two, a cloud-based phone system is clearly more cost-efficient than a traditional setup. Traditional systems require a steep upfront investment in hardware, ongoing maintenance, and higher costs for numbers, calls, and add-on features. In contrast, low-cost VoIP phone systems keep costs predictable with affordable monthly subscriptions, bundled features, and minimal hardware requirements.

When evaluating cheap business VoIP phone systems, one of the first things businesses look at is the subscription fee. Calilio, KrispCall, OpenPhone, Grasshopper, Ooma, Vonage, MightyCall, GoTo Connect, CallHippo, Dialpad, RingCentral, Nextiva, JustCall, and Toky are some affordable VoIP phone system providers with cheap subscription fees.

Here is a comparison of business phone system providers based on their monthly subscription fees.

The cost of phone numbers is another factor that directly affects the overall expense of a business phone system. Unlike traditional landlines tied to physical locations, virtual phone numbers in cloud systems are more flexible and affordable. Businesses can choose between local, mobile, or toll-free numbers, depending on their communication needs.

Most providers do not publish straightforward virtual number pricing on their websites. The information is often hidden behind logins, bundled with subscription plans, or only available through sales teams. Even though their pricing is not accessible, our research and user reviews show that it is generally higher than Calilio’s rates. Hence, for an affordable and transparent pricing rate, Calilio is the best option.

Here’s a breakdown of low-cost VoIP phone system number pricing:

Apart from subscription fees and phone number costs, another key expense to consider in a low-cost business phone system is the calling charges. Cloud providers usually bill inbound and outbound calls differently, and rates can vary depending on the destination and country.

Most low-cost VoIP phone system providers include free inbound calls within the same country. However, charges may apply for toll-free numbers or international inbound calls.

Here’s the comparison of inbound calling charges across the best cheap business VoIP phone systems.

Outbound calls usually cost more than inbound calls, especially for international destinations. A truly affordable VoIP phone system reduces per-minute rates and offers free domestic calling.

Here’s the comparison of outbound calling charges across the best cheap business VoIP phone systems.

While cheap VoIP phone systems may look similar in pricing, the real difference comes from the features included. Some providers offer only the basics in their entry-level plans, while others offer advanced tools like IVR, call routing, call analytics, call monitoring, and power dialer, even in low-cost tiers.

Here’s a quick comparison of features offered by low-cost business phone system providers:

To create this comparison, we analyzed pricing, number costs, call rates, and features from leading low-cost business phone system providers. Data was gathered from official provider websites, pricing documents, and updated rate cards. This allowed us to evaluate not just the costs of the cheap VoIP phone system but also the overall value businesses receive at different price points.

When businesses look for a cheap business phone system, the aim isn’t only to save money but to find a solution that combines affordable pricing, useful features, and reliable service. Calilio makes this balance possible with transparent pricing that starts at just $12 per user/month (on annual plans). Businesses can also get virtual phone numbers starting from $2 per month, which is significantly lower compared to providers that charge between $5 and $20.

Unlike many providers that lock advanced tools behind expensive enterprise tiers, Calilio includes call recording, a real-time dashboard, and call analytics even at the entry level. In addition to AI, Calilio offers a complete set of call management features like number sharing, call transfer, call forwarding, simultaneous ringing, and custom caller ID.

Additionally, with virtual numbers available in 100+ countries, Calilio is also ideal for businesses looking to establish a local presence worldwide without setting up physical offices. Whether you’re a small startup, a growing team, or an established company, Calilio provides enterprise-grade capabilities at a fraction of the cost.

The search for a low-cost business phone system often comes down to more than just price. Reliability, ease of use, and the ability to grow with your business are just as important as saving a few dollars each month. While many providers advertise cheap VoIP phone systems, hidden fees and limited features can quickly turn them into expensive choices in the long run.