Phone.com Review
Phone.com is a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) business service that caters to businesses of all levels.
Phone.com is the most affordable provider we’ve reviewed, as it offers everything you will need as a small business, including:
- Unlimited calling and SMS texting
- Conference calling and call recording
- Top-tier live customer service
Our Phone.com Review article will give you everything you need to know about Phone.com’s VoIP phone service.
We recommend Phone.com as a stress-free, affordable, all-inclusive service.
Is Phone.com Right for You?
As a small business, it is pivotal that you remain time-efficient. Phone.com makes it easy to choose a phone service and get back to growing your business as fast as possible.
Phone.com is a solid choice for small businesses for several reasons. It offers excellent customer service, comes at a very affordable price — while offering “everything you will need” — and has taken many measures to ensure the prolific security of its users (i.e., both HIPAA and HITECH compliance).
Phone.com is a stress-free, affordable, all-inclusive service.
PROS
- High transparency — offers long list of all supported hardware options
- 20% discount option available for users on an annual plan
- Discount available based on number of users
- HIPAA and HITECH compliant
- Good scalability: The more users you have, the larger the discount in price you will be eligible for.
- Very affordable: Can start as low as $8.99 per month per user depending on number of users (25+)
- High number of basic features: Including conference calling, video meetings, transcription, etc.
- Increased diversity: More package options than Ooma
- 30-day money-back guarantee for all plans
- Call blocking in basic package
- Unlimited calling
- Amazing live chat customer service, email support also offered
- One-to-one scheduled appointments offered
CONS
- Cannot be used with all hardware
- $200 prepayment is required in order for international calling to be enabled: This is only the case for monthly accounts
- Not the best reviews
- No no-contract option
- Vanity numbers can be very expensive depending on demand.
Choose Phone.com for stress-free, affordable service that covers all of the bases.
Phone.com Pricing and Features
Phone.com currently offers three packages for its users, all of which include the following features:
- SMS texting
- Call routing
- Voicemail transcription
- Mobile and web apps
- Video calling
- Audio greeting menus (e.g., press 1 for customer support, etc.).
- Call routing and call queues
- Fax from phone
- Conference calling
- Voicemail email notifications
- Call blocking
Basic Users ($12.99 per month per user):
- 300 pooled minutes
- One phone number per account: Additional ones can be purchased for $4.99/month
- 1000 pooled text segments: These are charged per 160-character segment
- Video conferencing with up to 10 participants
- Mobile and web apps
Plus Users ($19.99 per month per user):
Everything for Basic users, plus:
- Unlimited calling
- One phone number per user
- Business text messages:
- Video conferencing with up to 25 participants, HIPAA compliance, and video recording
- IP desk phone compatibility
Pro Users ($29.99 per month per user)
Everything for Plus users, plus:
- Call recording
- Call analytics
- CRM Integration
- Video conferencing with 100 participants, HiFi Transcription, Whiteboard
- Voicemail transcription
Phone.com offers the most affordable business phone service.
How Does Phone.com Work?
Phone.com offers several business-oriented features. These are all tailored towards generating different outcomes.
For simplicity purposes, we have broken down each feature into four categories:
- Features made to improve user mobility:
- Follow me
- Voicemail to email
- Text messaging
- Unlimited free conference calling on mobile apps
- Call recording
- Features made to improve customer service:
- Greetings
- Automated attendants
- Hold music
- Live receptionist
- Features made to improve utility:
- Do not disturb
- Call logs
- Audio conferencing
- Click-to-call
- Number porting
- Features made to improve business efficiency:
- Dial-by-name directory
- Voice tagging
- Video conferencing
- Menus
Should I Use Phone.com for My Business?
Phone.com is one of the best VoIP services for small businesses and is the most affordable among our list of best VoIP service providers in 2024.
Overall, we ranked Phone.com as the third-best VoIP phone service for the following reasons:
- It is very affordable
- It is very secure
- It offers high value for money
Phone.com Review: Affordability
Phone.com is the most affordable service on our list of the best VoIP services for 2024.
The business phone service provider offers large discounts based on two factors:
- The number of users in your business
- The length of your contract
We have broken down the specific discounts offered below:
1–4 Users
- Basic package: $12.99
- Plus package: $19.99
- Pro package: $29.99
5–9 Users
- Basic package: $10.99
- Plus package: $17.99
- Pro package: $25.99
10-24 Users
- Basic package: $9.99
- Plus package: $15.99
- Pro package: $23.99
25+ Users
- Basic package: $8.99
- Plus package: $14.99
- Pro package: $21.99
An additional 20% discount is offered to any business that chooses to subscribe to Phone.com’s annual contract. This means that, in an ideal situation, Phone.com’s most “premium” plan can fall under $20 per month per user.
Phone.com Review: Security
Phone.com is both HIPAA and HITECH compliant, making it an extremely secure option for businesses.
Having said that, there is no provider that is 100% safe, as they all face an increased risk of cyberattacks in comparison to a traditional landline.
Users are encouraged to purchase a VPN service/anti-virus software to use in conjunction with a VoIP phone service in order to minimize the chances of any cyberattacks happening.
Similarly, you may also wish to purchase cyberattack insurance. This will not reduce the chances of hackers stealing and/or destroying your data, but it will protect your business’s finances in such an event (e.g., from internal claims, lawsuits from clients, etc.).
Phone.com Review: Value for Money
Phone.com’s high value-for-money was one of the main reasons it was placed so high in our VoIP reviews.
When you take into account the prolific discounts that the VoIP service offers, you see that you can have access to “premium” features for a price that does not reflect a premium subscription plan. For example, these features can be offered for under $20:
- Call recording and call analytics
- CRM integration
- Video conferencing
- Unlimited calling
- IP desk phone compatibility
Phone.com also offers call blocking in its most basic package.
Having said that, Phone.com does fall behind in the following areas:
- Number of features: Does not have as high a number of features as other competitors (e.g., real-time analytics, quality of service reports, etc.). Having said that, these are not the most relevant features when it comes to small businesses.
- Scalability: Even though it offers three packages, Phone.com’s VoIP service is not as scalable as a VoIP provider due to its limited expansion features.
- No no-contract option: This offers less flexibility for the businesses that may want to experiment with different VoIP services before making a final choice.
Phone.com Review: Alternative Options
If you are unsure about whether Phone.com is right for you, you may want to consider the following two VoIP for business services:
- Ooma ($19.95 per user per month)
- Talkroute ($19 per user per month)
1. Ooma: The Best Overall Option
Ooma was the best VoIP service in our VoIP service review. This is because it offers an “everything you need” service at an extremely affordable price, and the areas that it falls behind are not the most important when it comes to the needs of small businesses.
Ooma shines in its price, customer reviews, and reliability and has been credited with multiple awards and recognitions. These include:
- Winter 2021 Business VoIP Leader
- 2020 Business Phone Systems Shortlist
- Most Recommended for Business VoIP in 2021
The provider offers two distinct VoIP services:
- Ooma Office ($19.94 per user per month)
- Ooma Office Pro ($24.95 per user per month)
The main advantages of Ooma’s VoIP phone service include:
- No-contract option
- High value for money
- Great customer service
- High amount of “base” features
Choose Ooma for a business line with great features and for apps to work from anywhere.
2. Talkroute: The Most Scalable Service
Even though Talkroute classifies itself as a “virtual phone system” (rather than a VoIP phone system), it does operate in a virtually identical way to other providers on this list.
The main difference to remember, however, is that users who pick Talkroute will still be able to access their account even if they have no internet. This is not an option with any of the other VoIP providers we reviewed.
Talkroute offers four different packages, offering businesses a large amount of choice and scalability:
- Basic package ($19 per month per user)
- Plus package ($39 per month per user):
- Pro package ($59 per month per user):
- Enterprise package (price not disclosed, users need to get a quote)
The main advantages of Talkroute’s VoIP service include:
- No equipment needed
- No hidden fees
- Very scalable
- Very secure
See our Talkroute Business Phone Systems Review for a more in-depth analysis.
Choose Talkroute for talking, messaging, and meeting in one easy to use app.
Advantages and Disadvantages of VoIP Phone Services
VoIP business phone services come with several advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages of VoIP Services
The advantages of VoIP business phone services include:
- Decreased cost
- Improved technology
- Increased mobility
- Increased flexibility
- Improved customer experience
- Improved scalability
Decreased Cost
When it comes to VoIP phone services, the lower price is one of the most advantageous benefits.
This is particularly the case when you consider that the best VoIP services are more affordable when it comes to both:
- The monthly and/or annual subscription costs that are incurred
- The initial costs needed to set up and run a VoIP for business service
Business phone services also tend to provide better “value for money.” This is because a lot of what are considered to be “premium features” in a traditional phone system (e.g., directory venus, hold music, forwarding calls, etc.) are offered on even the most basic VoIP packages.
Improved Technology
A VoIP phone service offers a more “up-to-date” alternative to a traditional landline. This means that it offers additional services, including the ability to:
- Set up meetings
- Record calls
- Automated welcome menus
- Softphones
- Mobile apps
- Business software integrations (e.g., Microsoft Teams, etc.).
Even where the same services are offered, these are often expedited when it comes to VoIP providers. For example, you can obtain a vanity number within a few minutes.
Need a vanity number? Check out our free Vanity Phone Number Generator tool.
Increased Mobility
Since a VoIP service can run through multiple devices (e.g., softphones, mobile phones, ATA devices, etc) it offers business owners increased mobility in comparison to a traditional phone system.
Additional features (e.g., simultaneous ringing, call forwarding, live receptionist, etc.) can also ensure that business owners can come and go as they please without having to worry about missing a potential office call.
Increased Flexibility
The best business phone services allow businesses to add and remove phone numbers whenever they choose to.
This is the case even if your desired number of business phone numbers exceeds your subscription plan’s maximum, though keep in mind that you will need to incur an additional cost for this.
Improved Customer Service
Phone.com — and other business VoIP services — offer features that are specifically tailored toward improving customers’ experiences, including:
- Video calls
- Voice calls
- Mobile apps
- Hold music
Even though these can also be offered in traditional landline phone systems, they are usually significantly more expensive.
Improved Scalability
Generally speaking, VoIP providers can offer anywhere between two and five packages, with the vast majority offering three or four.
This can often allow small businesses to “stick with” a single VoIP provider for many years — regardless of how much they grow and expand or how much their business phone service-related needs change.
Disadvantages of VoIP Services
The disadvantages of VoIP services in comparison to a conventional landline phone system include:
- Increased risk of cyberattacks
- Increased dependency on internet speed
- No alternative phone line
- Increased dependency on device technology
Increased Risk of Cyberattacks
Like any technology that is dependent on the internet, VoIP is more prone to cyberattacks, including:
- Denial of Service (DOS): This is where attackers attempt to make a business’s devices (e.g., desktops, laptops, etc.) unavailable by overloading them. This can disrupt their ability to function normally. DOS attacks are quite problematic because they can be carried out at a very low cost.
- Vishing: This is the voice equivalent to “phishing,” the much more common practice of sending fraudulent emails from reputable companies in order to convince the receiving parties to reveal their personal information.
- Malware and viruses: The effect of these will depend on the virus or malware in question. Having said that, they can be capable of destroying sensitive information, stealing protected data, or even taking over an entire business desktop’s or laptop’s operating system. Keep in mind that most of these can easily be avoided, however, by installing reliable anti-virus software.
- Eavesdropping: Some hackers have been able to gain access to VoIP calls and “eavesdrop.” Even though this is extremely rare, it can be detrimental in a business setting, particularly when employers have access to their employees’ or customers’ sensitive information.
Tip: Worried about cyberattacks? Purchase cyber crime insurance.
Increased Dependency on Internet Speed
Since VoIP phone calls are carried out over the internet, internet speed plays a key role in how well or poorly the quality of each phone call will be.
Your business’s internet connection can be affected by several factors (e.g., the number of employees in your office, your location, etc.). You will need to take these into account proactively and consider whether your current internet speed will be sufficient to run a business VoIP service adequately.
If it is not, you will need to factor in the additional costs of upgrading your internet connection before determining whether it makes financial sense to switch to a VoIP provider.
No Alternative Phone Line
Unlike a traditional landline, you will not be able to make or receive any phone calls if your internet happens to go down temporarily. This means that you could become completely non-contactable to your consumers and/or clients, which can actually result in you missing out on significant revenue.
Keep in mind that you can take steps to minimize the risk of this happening. For example, you can install two separate internet connections in your office. This way, you will always be able to use one as a “back-up” if the other one happens to stop working.
This will also have the added benefit of increasing your internet speed — and the quality of your VoIP calls — since you will not have your entire office operating through a single internet connection.
Increased Dependency on Device Technology
The quality of your VoIP connection will also depend on the power and specifications of the device that you are using. The slower and less updated your business desktop and/or laptop, the larger the effect this will have on your inbound calls.
In extreme scenarios, your business’s devices may be unable to sufficiently run a VoIP call and crash in the middle of a business meeting.
This is very unlikely, however, since the specifications that are required for a device to run most VoIP phone services are extremely primitive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phone.com a VoIP service provider?
Yes, Phone.com is a VoIP provider that offers three different subscription plans:
- Basic package ($12.99 per user per month)
- Plus ($19.99 per user per month)
- Pro ($29.99 per user per month)
Phone.com offers additional discounts based on the number of users you have and the length of your contract.
Can I trial VoIP for free?
You may be able to, but this will depend on the service that you use. Some providers offer free trials, and some do not.
From our list of top six VoIP phone services, two providers offer free trials:
- Talkroute
- Ringcentral
- Grasshopper
How can I place a VoIP call?
You can place a VoIP call in four ways:
- Analog Telephone Adaptor (ATA) devices: You can use ATA to connect “traditional” office phones to your business’s desktops, laptops, or internet network. You will then be able to make VoIP calls through them.
- VoIP Phones: These look almost identical to normal office telephones but are different in the sense that they plug into your business’s internet router — rather than into a phone connector.
- Mobile Phones: Keep in mind that your VoIP provider will need to offer a mobile app that is compatible with your device’s operating software (i.e., iOS, Android, etc.) in order for this to be a possibility. You will also need to have an active connection to the internet (e.g., 4G, WiFi, etc.).
- Desktops and Laptops: Similarly to mobile phones, you will need to find a provider that offers desktop apps in order to do this. These are also known as “softphones” and require a strong internet connection in order to work effectively.
If you’re unsure about the quality of VoIP calls, you can check out free options from reputable providers such as Microsoft Teams or Google Voice.
How does VoIP work?
VoIP works through “Packet-Switching,” an updated alternative to the traditional circuit switching network that is utilized in a conventional landline phone system.
Packet switching is considered to be a much more “efficient” system from a data perspective, as there is no “continuous” line of communication. When one person speaks, the other listens, and vice versa.
This cuts the amount of data needed in half.
What is the best VoIP service?
The best VoIP service provider, according to our research, is Ooma.
Even though Ooma does not offer as high an amount of features or subscription plans as other competitors, it offers everything that the vast majority of small businesses will need at a very affordable price.
Ooma’s most notable features include:
- Call blocking
- Call forwarding
- SMS messaging
- Overhead paging
- Call recording and video conferences
- Softphones
- Voicemail transcription
Are VoIP services expensive?
No. Generally speaking, VoIP services are much more affordable than traditional business phone systems.
Having said that, prices can vary significantly depending on the provider in question.
For example, where Phone.com can start at under $10 per month per user, Grasshopper’s most basic plan sits at just under $30 per month per user.
At the same time, certain providers have “high-end” plans that are tailored toward expanding businesses. These tend to be very expensive (e.g., Grasshopper’s Small Business plan).
Who is the most secure VoIP provider?
The most secure VoIP providers are the ones that are HIPAA and/or HITECH compliant. These usually offer both SLA and BAA contracts.
From our list of the best VoIP for business services, the following providers are HIPAA compliant:
- Talkroute
- Nextiva
- Ringcentral
- Phone.com
Is Phone.com good for small business?
Phone.com is ideal for small businesses for the following reasons:
- It offers many discounts: This makes it an extremely affordable option
- It is extremely secure: You will want to pick a secure provider as a small business to avoid any cyberattacks. These can give rise to very expensive legal claims.
- It has most of the core VoIP features that you will need
However, keep in mind that Phone.com does not have:
- The best customer support
- High scalability
- High flexibility (no no-contract option)