The 10 Best VoIP Business Phone Systems for Under $50/Month

Communication is more critical today than ever before. Your customers and clients expect a lot from each interaction – more than what a mere business line can deliver. Increasingly, SMBs are turning to VoIP business phone systems to solve those needs, whether it’s to take advantage of advanced capabilities like voicemail transcription or to ensure they can answer calls while on the go.

VoIP technology is not new. However, it has grown a lot in the decades since its inception, powered by more agile technology and higher-speed Internet connections. It’s become a critical component in your business’s marketing toolbox.

Why choose VoIP? What’s driving the shift from landlines to digital communications? Here’s a closer look.

Business VoIP statistics at a glance

• A growing number of SMBs want access to local, international, and toll-free numbers on demand.

• Over 30% of business users want to text from their desktop computers.

• A growing number of businesses need to record and store call recordings in the cloud.

• Almost 30% of business users want to take advantage of bulk SMS marketing.

• Over a quarter of businesses need a solution that allows them to automatically log calls into their CRM.

What other benefits do business owners see when they switch from traditional landlines to VoIP business phone systems? Here are just a few of the additional benefits:

• Increased call clarity

• Reduced communication costs

• Increased scalability with business growth and development

• Access to communications capabilities on an as-needed basis

• Better reliability

As you can see, there are plenty of reasons for SMBs to upgrade to a VoIP business phone system. The challenge is finding one that doesn’t break the bank. If you’re ready to make the switch, we’ve assembled a list of the 10 best VoIP business phone systems for under $50 per month – that’s affordable enough for any entrepreneur, solopreneur, or small business owner to take advantage of these tools.

The top 10 VoIP systems and platforms under $50 per month

1. Google Voice

When it comes to affordable VoIP platforms, nothing beats Google Voice. That’s because it’s free to use (at least to get started). It’s also backed by Google’s proven technology stack and integrates with apps that you already use (assuming yours is one of the millions of businesses that use Google Workspace).

GoogleVoice is user-friendly, offers access to important capabilities like voicemail transcription and call forwarding, and is easy to set up. However, some businesses will find it a little too limiting. There are no toll-free numbers offered and no team messaging backed into the app. And if you want to make the most of it, you’ll need to upgrade to the paid Premier plan.

What’s to love about Google Voice:

• Price: Free to use initially

• Call forwarding

• Voicemail and voicemail transcription

• Unlimited calls and texts

2. Dialpad

Dialpad is an affordable option for VoIP for those who need something different. The features are quite impressive, starting with AI-based intelligence and tools to collect actionable content from every call so that you can monitor things along the way. It integrates with plenty of tools and can even sync contacts, making it easy to stay in touch.  

Reporting features are a bit limited when compared to other platforms, but it does offer a lot of customization for an affordable price. If you need basic VoIP tools that get the job done, this platform could be the ideal solution. Video conferencing costs extra, but if you don’t use that a lot, it’s not a big deal. 

Check out the highlights, including:

• Price: $15 per user, per month

• AI voice intelligence and call routing

• Contact syncing

• 14-day free trial

• G Suite and Outlook compatibility 

3. RingCentral

RingCentral sets brands up for success with plenty of robust virtual VoIP features and services. The platform began as one of the first to offer Internet faxing and today it has become a leader in VoIP services. There are a lot of plans available here and you can pick and choose the features that you want. It will also give you the option to upgrade to a higher plan with more features if you are willing to spend a little more. 

Even under the $50 mark, you can upgrade to a plan that has more customization and a better selection of features than the basic plan, giving you more for your money when you have a bit more to spend. You can even find reporting tools, and RingCentral makes integrations easy with your other software platforms and tools. 

Check out features like:

• Price: $20 per month for annual billing

• Free 15-day trial

• Customizable tools and apps

• Cloud hosting

• AI and auto-attendant features

4. GoToConnect

GoToConnect is a premier choice for VoIP on the market today. They have a basic plan that’s just $24 a month and there are plenty of upgrades available that still land under the $50 mark. This service makes it easy to keep your existing numbers, choose vanity numbers, add online faxing and video conferencing solutions, and more. 

With GoToConnect, there is a virtual suite of tools with plenty of cloud storage and you can have up to 250 participants per meeting. There are advanced analytics and other features available when you upgrade, too, and you’ll always get unlimited calls and messages. 

Plus, check out features like:

• Price: From $27 per user, per month

• 14-day trial

• Standard plans offer unlimited attendants and queues

• Unlimited SMS and MMS messages and calls

• Intelligent call routing

5. Vonage

Vonage is among the best in VoIP services, and they are notable for also being among the first to provide this service to people. They offer an array of plans and solutions and can help you customize what your business needs. Plus, every plan includes unlimited messages and calls, and you will be able to set up AI-enabled workflows. 

Premium plans offer CRM integrations and other features, as well as more customization options. You can find tons of tools and resources in the Vonage App Center, and numbers are available for more than 50 countries. It’s a great platform to try for those who want a reliable name. 

Highlights of this provider include:

• Price: $13.99 per month, per user

• 14-day free trial

• Bot-enabled workflows

• CRM and other integrations available through the App Center

• AI and intelligent call management

6. 8x8

8x8 has plenty of plans available with several different features. The X2 plan is just $24 a month and that’s not much to get started with all the features that you get. The platform offers a simple setup, and you can use it seamlessly on mobile or desktop, allowing you to keep communications streamlined. It is on several of the top lists for its features and integrations, too. 

With 8x8, you will be able to choose a plan, customize the features, and even upgrade security features or premium integrations. Intelligent call routing and premium uptime ensure that your communications never miss a beat. You can even choose annual billing to get discounts on your plans by paying a yearly subscription. 

Highlights of this platform include:

• Price: $24 per user, per month

• 30-day free trial

• Intelligent routing and call answering

• All-in-one platform upgrades

• Seamless integrations

7. Ooma

Ooma has a great platform that takes VoIP to a new level. You can choose to subscribe right away or buy an Ooma device, which comes with a free basic plan and a 60-day trial of the premier package. Of course, for about $20 a month, you can get the upgraded Ooma Office package that comes with more customization and better features. 

Ooma can integrate with smart devices like Alexa and Amazon Echo, and it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Voicemail transcription and other advanced features are available, too, and you’ll be able to create a calling solution that suits the needs of your business. 

Check out features like:

• Price: $19.95 per user, per month

• Desktop and mobile access

• Integrations available

• Intelligent call routing and AI

8. Phone.com

Phone.com is a more affordable option for those who aren’t looking for anything too fancy. The platform offers a variety of solutions for VoIP service at a price that’s pretty impressive when compared to the others. There are plans for all types of business needs and unlike a lot of providers at this price point, you can have up to 300 participants on audio calls. 

This platform may lack some customization aspects and it doesn’t have all the robust features of some higher-cost programs, but it does have a lot of great features for the price. If you’re on a budget and just getting started with VoIP, this could be the platform to help you get there. 

Key highlights include:

• Price: $12.74 per user, per month to start

• Mix and match plans for unlimited and metered use

• Vanity numbers offered

• Affordable plans

• Several options for AI and automation

9. Nextiva

With Nextiva, you can get all kinds of contact center solutions for your business, no matter what you have in mind. The VoIP platform offers interactive AI and automated call routing features, along with several plans that fit within the $50 or less price range. Nextiva integrates with Outlook and your Google Contacts for easy contact syncing. 

Even the Enterprise plan, which offers unlimited audio and over 12,000 minutes, is still less than $50 per month. Plus, the trial is 30 days long, giving you plenty of time to try things out. The mobile app and desktop platform are both easy to use, although some people say the mobile features are less functional than some apps. 

Check out key features like:

• Price: $17.39 per user, per month for the Essential package

• Unlimited Internet faxing

• 30-day free trial

• Free professional greetings

• Robust features and scalability

10. Brevo

Brevo might not be the first VoIP business phone system to come to mind, but there’s a lot to recommend as a solution for your small business. One of those is the 60-day free trial (yes, two whole months). It’s also a cloud-based system that was purpose-built to help small businesses conquer their communication challenges.

Brevo offers a super-fast setup and delivers plenty of capabilities. It supports unlimited contacts and allows you to make unlimited calls. It also supports SMS and even WhatsApp communication, while integrating into your marketing and sales stack with transactional emails.

Features to know about Brevo include:

• Price: Free tier, but growing businesses may want to upgrade to the Starter tier for $25 per month

• SMS and WhatsApp capabilities

• Unlimited calling

• Reporting and analytics (with paid plans)

Streamline communications further when you partner with Smith.ai

With the right VoIP business phone system, you’ll have access to powerful communication tools and modern features that help you keep in touch with those who matter most to your business. However, don’t forget that your team still needs to focus on what they do best, and that can mean missed calls and opportunities. That’s where our 24/7 answering service can help.

When you hire the virtual receptionists at Smith.ai, you’ll get a team of live agents who can field calls, handle SMS and email follow-ups, and so much more, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Then, you can focus on running your business and let someone else field the phone (and data) lines. 

To learn more, schedule a consultation to discuss what our 24/7 virtual receptionists can do to improve your communications, from live chat and after-hours answering to SMS message answering, and more. You can also find us at hello@smith.ai or (650) 709-2987.