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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →The best cheap VoIP service depends on what you already pay for. Google Voice is the value leader for businesses that already use paid Google Workspace, Grasshopper is the simplest choice for a solo operator, Dialpad is the strongest budget pick for AI transcripts and summaries, and Ooma Office offers the broadest traditional phone-system experience at its entry tier. Phone.com is a flexible alternative for small businesses, while Zoom Phone makes the most financial sense when you already need Zoom Workplace.
Those recommendations are conditional. A $10 or $16 advertised price can require a separate productivity subscription, annual billing, taxes and regulatory fees, or a bundled plan. This comparison separates the headline price from the likely effective cost.
Quick comparison: the cheapest VoIP services at a glance
The prices below are advertised U.S. prices researched on August 12, 2026. Annual prices are shown as monthly equivalents where the provider requires or favors annual billing. They are not guaranteed checkout totals.
| Service | Best for | Advertised entry price | Main qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Voice | Existing Google Workspace users | $10 per user per month for Voice Starter | Requires a paid Google Workspace subscription for business plans |
| Grasshopper | Solo businesses wanting a simple professional number | $14 per month for True Solo | Fewer advanced analytics, CRM, and AI features than full UCaaS platforms |
| Dialpad | Small teams that want AI productivity features | $15 per user per month on the displayed Standard annual price | The lowest displayed rate is tied to annual billing |
| Phone.com | Small businesses wanting flexible plans and unlimited minutes | $15 per user per month billed annually, or $18 monthly for Basic | Taxes, regulatory fees, texting registration, and add-ons can increase the bill |
| Ooma Office | Traditional small-business phone systems | $19.95 per user per month for Essentials | Taxes and fees are excluded; advanced features require higher tiers |
| Zoom Phone | Businesses already using Zoom | $16 per user per month annually, or $18 monthly | The displayed U.S./Canada offer includes Zoom Workplace Basic; international calls are metered |
Important: These prices are not perfectly like-for-like. Google Voice’s $10 price is an add-on to paid Google Workspace, Zoom’s $16 price includes Workplace Basic, Grasshopper uses flat plan pricing rather than a straightforward per-user model, and several providers add taxes or regulatory charges.
#1 Best Overall
- New - Individually Boxed
- Includes 12 foot Handset Curly Cord
- Cord length is 12 feet fully stretched and 22 inches coiled
- NOT compatible with models VVX 250 / 350 / 450
- NOT compatible with Polycom Soundpoint IP Phones 300 301 331 430 500 501 600 601
Our picks by buyer type
- Best overall for existing Google users: Google Voice Starter.
- Best for a solo business: Grasshopper True Solo.
- Best for AI call productivity: Dialpad Standard.
- Best for flexible small-business plans: Phone.com Basic or a higher selectable tier.
- Best conventional business phone system: Ooma Office Essentials.
- Best for an existing Zoom workplace: Zoom Phone with Workplace Basic.
1. Google Voice — best value if you already use Google Workspace
Starting price: $10 per user per month for Voice Starter. Google also offers a no-charge personal Voice plan for a single consumer account.
Google Voice is the cheapest credible business option in this comparison only when the business already has paid Google Workspace. The Voice price is an add-on cost; it does not include the separate Workspace subscription. If you are starting from zero, add that required subscription to your budget before comparing Google Voice with standalone phone services.
For a freelancer or consumer who needs one number, the free personal plan may be sufficient. It should not, however, be treated as equivalent to a multi-user business phone system. The personal plan is for a single consumer account, while the paid Workspace versions are designed for organizations.
What the paid plans include
Google lists Voice Starter at $10, Standard at $20, and Premier at $30 per user per month. Starter supports up to 10 users; Standard and Premier support unlimited users. Paid tiers include unlimited domestic and regional calling, U.S. SMS, call recording, and three-way calling. Higher tiers add capabilities such as auto attendants, AI-generated call recording transcripts and summaries, and additional international numbers.
Why choose it
If your team already lives in Gmail, Calendar, Meet, and the rest of Google Workspace, Voice can deliver a business number without adding another completely separate communications platform. The $10 Voice charge is unusually low for a paid business phone service.
Watch out for
Do not quote Google Voice as a standalone $10 phone bill. A new business must also pay for the required paid Google Workspace subscription, and the total can exceed the price of a standalone service. Google Voice is also a less obvious fit if you need a broad contact-center system, complex call analytics, or desk-phone deployment.
2. Grasshopper — best for a simple solo-business line
Starting price: $14 per month for True Solo.
Grasshopper is built around a straightforward professional phone presence rather than a large unified-communications feature set. Its app-based setup lets a solo operator separate business calls and messages from personal communications without installing specialized phone hardware.
Plan structure
- True Solo: $14 per month for one user, one phone number, and one extension.
- Solo Plus: $25 per month for unlimited users, one phone number, and three extensions.
- Small Business: $55 per month for unlimited users, four phone numbers, and unlimited extensions.
This flat-plan structure can make Grasshopper economical for a shared business number. For example, a small group that only needs one public number and a few extensions may pay $25 for Solo Plus rather than paying a per-user charge to every member. That is not the same as giving each person a separate direct line, so compare the plans by phone numbers and extensions as well as by user count.
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Grasshopper is a good fit when the goal is simple: obtain a professional number, route calls, and use a desktop or mobile app without deploying a full business phone platform. It has a lower learning and setup burden than feature-heavy UCaaS products.
Watch out for
Grasshopper is not necessarily the cheapest option as a team grows if every employee needs an individual number or advanced collaboration tools. Its value is simplicity, not the deepest analytics, CRM integration, AI transcription, or administrative controls.
Rank #2
- New - Individually Boxed
- NOT compatible with models VVX 250 / 350 / 450
- NOT compatible with Polycom Soundpoint IP Phones 300 301 331 430 500 501 600 601
- Compatible only with the models of business phones listed in the title and description. This is NOT a universal handset.
3. Dialpad — best budget option for AI transcripts and summaries
Starting price: $15 per user per month on the displayed Standard annual price. Dialpad also displays a Pro plan at $25 per user per month, with billing controls for monthly and annual options.
Dialpad is the strongest choice here for a small team that wants AI-assisted communications without buying a separate transcription or meeting-notes service. The Standard plan is listed with unlimited calls, AI-powered meetings, built-in messaging, real-time transcripts, and instant call summaries.
What changes at Pro
Dialpad Pro adds integrations, 24/7 support, and multi-office management. Those features matter more as a company expands across locations or needs its phone system to connect with other business software.
Why choose it
The included real-time transcription and call summaries can turn calls into searchable notes and follow-up material. For a team that would otherwise purchase a separate AI meeting tool, the effective cost may be better than the phone price alone suggests.
Watch out for
The attractive $15 figure is the annual-plan price displayed by Dialpad, not a promise that month-to-month billing costs the same. Confirm the billing toggle and the final number of billed users before checkout. Also check whether the integrations and administrative features you need require Pro rather than Standard.
4. Phone.com — best for flexible plans and unlimited minutes
Starting price: Basic is $15 per user per month when billed annually, or $18 per user per month with monthly billing. Phone.com advertises the annual option as a 17% saving.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesPhone.com is a useful middle ground for a small business that wants unlimited minutes but does not necessarily need every advanced feature on every user account. The provider presents multiple plan levels and supports an approach in which a business can choose or mix capabilities according to its needs.
Plan details
- Basic: $15 per user per month annually, or $18 monthly. It includes unlimited minutes, one number per account and user, mobile and web apps, 50 standard voice features including IVR, and video conferencing.
- Plus: $22.50 per user per month when billed annually. It adds IP desk-phone compatibility, voicemail transcription, and conversational text messaging.
- Pro: $33.33 per user per month when billed annually. It adds call recording, analytics, CRM integration, and 10-year data retention.
Phone.com is particularly appealing if you want to begin with apps and unlimited calling, then add desk phones or transcription later. Its feature tiers make the comparison more granular than a single all-or-nothing plan.
Watch out for the bill beyond the headline price
Phone.com states that taxes and fees apply. Business texting requires carrier registration and may involve additional fees. Premium capabilities such as call recording may also cost extra on lower tiers. Check whether the phone numbers, texting volume, recording, and other add-ons in your intended configuration are included before treating $15 as the final cost.
5. Ooma Office — best traditional small-business phone system
Starting price: $19.95 per user per month for Essentials, excluding taxes and fees. Ooma lists Pro at $24.95 and Pro Plus at $29.95 per user per month.
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Rank #3
- Ooma has been rated the top phone service by Consumer Reports.
- Built-in wireless connectivity to place your Ooma Telo anywhere in your home. Works only in the US.
- Crystal-clear nationwide calling for free and low international rates. Pay only monthly applicable taxes and fees.
- Take your home phone on the go with the easy-to-use Ooma Home Phone mobile app
- Includes unlimited calling in the US, voicemail, caller-ID, call-waiting, 911 calling and text alerts.
Ooma Office Essentials is not the lowest-priced entry plan, but it includes a broad collection of conventional business-phone features. It is a strong choice for a company that wants a virtual receptionist and the option of using physical desk phones rather than relying entirely on smartphone and desktop apps.
What Essentials includes
Ooma says Essentials includes more than 100 standard features, unlimited calling in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, a virtual receptionist, a mobile app, one free toll-free number, and digital fax.
What the higher tiers add
- Pro: Desktop app access, text messaging of up to 250 messages per month, video meetings for up to 25 participants, call recording, and enhanced call blocking.
- Pro Plus: AI transcription and insights, CRM integration, larger messaging and meeting allowances, team chat, hot desking, and call queuing.
Why choose it
Ooma is the best fit of these six for a traditional small-business phone-system experience: receptionist features, broad regional calling, fax, mobile access, and optional hardware are available without immediately moving to a high-end enterprise plan.
Watch out for
The $19.95 price excludes taxes and fees. Advanced features such as AI transcription, CRM integration, and call queuing require a more expensive tier. Hardware is optional but adds to the initial cost if your staff expects a desk handset.
Recommended Free Tools
Ooma sells an Office Base Station, Linx adapters, and compatible Yealink and Cisco IP phones. An Ooma Linx analog-phone adapter is relevant only to Ooma users who want to connect additional analog phones; it should not be assumed to work with the other providers in this comparison.
6. Zoom Phone — best when Zoom is already part of your workplace
Starting price: $16 per user per month billed annually, or $18 per user per month billed monthly, for U.S. and Canada Unlimited Phone plus Workplace Basic.
Zoom Phone is not a pure phone-only $16 comparison. The advertised package includes Zoom Workplace Basic along with the phone service. That can be a bargain if your business already wants Zoom meetings, chat, administration, and related workplace features. It may be less attractive if you need only a phone line and do not need the bundled Workplace subscription.
What the entry package includes
The package includes unlimited domestic calling in the United States and Canada, domestic SMS and MMS, a domestic phone number, domestic online fax of up to 50 pages per month, call recording, integrations, multi-device calling, a management portal, Zoom meetings, chat, and several AI features.
The Tool Desk
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Zoom also lists a higher Pro Plus Phone plus Workplace Pro bundle at $20.50 per user per month annually or $24 monthly.
Licensing and hardware details
Zoom’s documentation distinguishes among a Zoom Phone license, a calling plan, and a telephone number in some configurations. Users can place calls through desktop and mobile softphones. Desk phones require the appropriate licensing or calling-plan assignments, so buying a handset alone does not activate phone service.
Rank #4
- Brand New - Individually Boxed
- Black Color
- NOT compatible with Polycom Soundpoint IP Phones 300 301 331 430 500 501 600 601
- NOT compatible with VVX models 300 301 310 311 400 401 410 411 500 501 600 601 1500
Why choose it
Zoom Phone is economical when one administration console and one ecosystem for meetings, chat, and calls are more valuable than the lowest phone-only price. It can reduce platform sprawl for teams that already use Zoom every day.
Watch out for
Compare the complete bundle with the complete alternative. If you do not need Workplace Basic, the $16 figure overstates Zoom Phone’s standalone value. Also review international calling rates before choosing Zoom for a business with substantial overseas calling.
What is the true cost of cheap VoIP?
The advertised monthly number is only the starting point. Before selecting a provider, estimate:
Effective monthly cost = advertised plan price + required subscriptions + taxes and regulatory fees + usage charges + add-ons + hardware.
1. Annual billing versus monthly billing
Dialpad displays its $15 Standard rate with annual billing. Phone.com Basic is $15 annually versus $18 monthly. Zoom is $16 annually versus $18 monthly. Annual billing can lower the monthly equivalent, but it may require a longer commitment and a larger upfront charge. Grasshopper’s cited prices are flat monthly plan prices, while Google Voice’s $10 price is a per-user add-on.
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2. Required bundles and subscriptions
Google Voice business plans require paid Google Workspace. Zoom’s $16 U.S. and Canada offer includes Workplace Basic. These services may still be the best value, but only if the included productivity platform is useful to your business or already in the budget.
3. Taxes, regulatory, and emergency-service fees
Taxes, regulatory charges, and emergency-service fees can vary by location and configuration. Ooma explicitly excludes taxes and fees, and Phone.com warns that taxes and fees apply. Treat every listed price as a pre-checkout estimate until you enter your business location and configuration.
4. Calling boundaries
Unlimited usually means unlimited calling within a specified domestic or regional area. Google describes its paid tiers in terms of domestic and regional calling; Ooma specifies the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico; Zoom’s entry offer covers the United States and Canada and meters international calling. Confirm the destinations your business calls most often rather than relying on the word unlimited.
5. Texting registration and usage
Business SMS can involve carrier registration and additional charges. Phone.com specifically calls out registration and possible fees. Ooma’s Pro tier lists up to 250 text messages per month, which is different from unlimited business texting. Check messaging limits and registration requirements if texting customers is part of your workflow.
6. Numbers, recording, and hardware
Extra phone numbers, toll-free numbers, call recording, international numbers, desk phones, adapters, and other premium features may change the total. A plan that looks cheapest for one app user may be more expensive once a receptionist, multiple numbers, recording, or physical phones are added.
Best Value
- Brand New
- Charcoal Gray Color
- Individually Boxed
- NOT compatible with Cisco 9800 series IP phones.
How the prices look for a five-person team
This illustration shows why the cheapest solo plan is not always the cheapest team arrangement. It uses only the advertised prices above, before taxes, fees, required bundles, and add-ons.
| Service and configuration | Approximate advertised monthly equivalent for five people | What the number leaves out |
|---|---|---|
| Google Voice Starter | $50 plus Google Workspace | Workspace subscription and any additional configuration costs |
| Grasshopper Solo Plus | $25 flat | One number and three extensions; it is not five separate direct lines |
| Dialpad Standard | $75 on the displayed annual equivalent | Monthly-billing price and any plan upgrades |
| Phone.com Basic | $75 annually, or $90 monthly | Taxes, fees, registration, and add-ons |
| Ooma Office Essentials | $99.75 | Taxes, fees, hardware, and higher-tier features |
| Zoom Phone plus Workplace Basic | $80 annually, or $90 monthly | International usage and any changes to the bundle or calling configuration |
Grasshopper’s $25 figure looks dramatically cheaper in this example because it is a shared-number plan with extensions, not five per-user phone licenses. Google Voice’s $50 figure also understates the total for a business that does not already subscribe to Google Workspace. The table is useful for screening options, not for predicting the final invoice.
Do you need a physical VoIP phone?
No. Many small businesses can start with a desktop or mobile softphone, using an existing computer, headset, or smartphone. A physical handset is optional and should be purchased only after checking the provider’s supported hardware and licensing rules.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsIf you want a desk handset, look for a compatible VoIP phone or IP desk phone, not just any telephone. Ooma’s store lists Yealink and Cisco IP phones and its own adapters. Phone.com’s Plus tier lists IP desk-phone compatibility. Zoom documents that desk phones need appropriate licensing or calling-plan assignments. Compatibility can depend on the exact service, model, provisioning method, and plan.
A wired phone may also benefit from an Ethernet cable for a wired IP phone, but a new cable or router is not a universal VoIP requirement. Softphones normally use the internet connection and devices you already own. Consider a small-business Wi-Fi router only if your current network is unreliable, overloaded, or poorly segmented—not simply because you are subscribing to VoIP.
VoIP also depends on power and internet connectivity. If a short power interruption would disrupt an important office phone, an optional UPS for your modem and router can keep local networking equipment running temporarily. A UPS does not replace an internet or power backup plan and is not a required purchase for every VoIP user.
How to choose the right service
- Count users, numbers, and extensions separately. A shared receptionist number with extensions has a different cost from a direct number for every employee. Grasshopper is especially sensitive to this distinction.
- Identify subscriptions you already pay for. Existing Google Workspace users should price Google Voice first. Existing Zoom users should compare the full Zoom Workplace bundle rather than phone-only assumptions.
- Decide whether annual billing is acceptable. Compare the annual-equivalent and monthly figures for Dialpad, Phone.com, and Zoom. Use the monthly option if flexibility matters more than the lower advertised equivalent.
- List your calling destinations. Verify whether your normal calls are domestic, regional, or international. Do not assume that an unlimited domestic plan covers international calls.
- Separate must-have features from nice-to-have features. Choose Dialpad if transcripts and summaries matter, Ooma if receptionist and traditional phone features matter, or Phone.com if selectable plans and unlimited minutes matter.
- Decide on softphones versus desk phones. Start with apps if minimizing upfront cost is the priority. Confirm device compatibility and licensing before ordering IP phones.
- Check the final checkout total. Enter your location, number of users, numbers, messaging needs, international destinations, and desired add-ons. Include taxes, regulatory fees, emergency-service charges, registration, hardware, and any required bundled subscription.
Bottom-line recommendations
Choose Google Voice Starter if your business already pays for Google Workspace and wants the lowest additional per-user phone cost. Choose Grasshopper True Solo if you are a one-person business that values a simple professional number more than deep analytics or collaboration features.
Choose Dialpad Standard if AI-powered transcripts and call summaries can replace another productivity tool. Choose Phone.com if you want unlimited minutes and the ability to select features or add IP desk phones as your needs change.
Choose Ooma Office Essentials if you want a broad, conventional small-business phone system with a virtual receptionist, fax, and optional desk-phone hardware. Choose Zoom Phone if Zoom meetings, chat, administration, and the included Workplace Basic bundle are already valuable to your team.
There is no universally cheapest VoIP service. The genuinely cheap option is the one whose billing model, included bundle, calling area, user structure, and required features match the way your business actually communicates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the free Google Voice plan suitable for a business?
Google offers a no-charge personal plan for a single consumer account. It should not be compared directly with multi-user business services. Business-oriented Google Voice plans require a paid Google Workspace subscription and are the relevant option for teams.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Can I use VoIP without buying a desk phone?
Yes. Many services support desktop and mobile softphones, so you can start with an app and an existing computer or smartphone. Buy a physical IP desk phone only after confirming compatibility, provisioning, and licensing for your chosen provider.
Does unlimited VoIP calling include international calls?
Usually not automatically. Unlimited calling is normally limited to specified domestic or regional destinations. For example, Zoom’s entry offer covers the United States and Canada and meters international calling. Check the destinations and rates that apply to your business.
Is annual VoIP billing cheaper than monthly billing?
Often, but not always in the same way. Dialpad displays its $15 Standard price with annual billing, Phone.com lists $15 annually versus $18 monthly for Basic, and Zoom lists $16 annually versus $18 monthly. Compare the commitment, upfront charge, taxes, and final features before choosing.
The Bottom Line
Best conditional value: Google Voice for existing Google Workspace customers. Best simple solo option: Grasshopper. Best AI value: Dialpad. Best flexible plan: Phone.com. Best traditional phone system: Ooma Office. Best Zoom ecosystem choice: Zoom Phone.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Use the advertised prices as a shortlist, not as guaranteed invoices. Required Workspace or Workplace bundles, annual billing, taxes, regulatory fees, texting registration, international usage, and hardware can change which service is actually cheapest.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
