Managing incoming calls effectively without a receptionist to ensure calls are answered, directed correctly and don’t receive a busy tone can be staff-intensive.
Incorporating an auto attendant or virtual receptionist provides an intelligent, cost-effective solution, as personnel are not needed. It enables all calls to be greeted to the same standard and callers to be given the option to select where their call is routed from a menu of options.
It can aid businesses in creating a professional image, reducing wait times and freeing up staff.
The table below gives a quick price comparison of the top UK providers for auto attendants and virtual switchboards.
| Company | Price |
|---|---|
| XLN | £15 |
| BT | £21 |
| Virgin Media | £8 |
| Zen | £9.99 |
| KCOM | £23 |
| Virgin Media O2 Business | Not stated |
| Vodafone | Not stated |
| bOnline | £7 |
| Ogi | £15 |
| IDNet | £15 |
| Stream Networks | £20 |
| WightFibre | Not stated |
| Telecoms World | £4.99 |
| Telappliant | £3.99 |
| Andrews & Arnold | £1.80 |
| Babble | Not stated |
| Cerberus Networks | £9.95 |
| Gradwell | £7.50 |
| Lily | Not stated |
| Spitfire | £9 |
| 4Com | Not stated |
| Voipfone | From £5 per month extra |
| Best 4 Business Communications | Not stated |
| Sangoma | Not stated |
| Focus Group | £7.99 |
| SureVoip | £11 |
| Vonage | From $13.99 |
| RingCentral | Included in plans costing £19.99 or more |
| 8X8 | Not stated |
| CircleLoop | £5 |
| Mitel | Not stated |
| Dialpad | £12 |
| VoIPstudio | £5 |
| VTSL | £12 |
| Sipgate | £12.95 |
| Microsoft Teams | £7.70 |
* The facts and figures included here come from each company’s website and were accurate at the time of writing, but may have since changed. Also, please keep in mind these may not be apples-to-apples comparisons as each provider offers different solutions. This guide should be used as a starting point for more research on your part.
Below we profile each of the companies’ services and features in a bit more detail.
Note companies are ranked in no particular order and this no way indicates one solution is better than another.
1. XLN
- They offer a cloud voice phone service with a range of smart features
- Includes auto attendant as a free call feature on their plans
- Supports callers in reaching specific people or teams in the organisation
- Provides a greeting and menu of options to help route the call
- The system also offers basic call logs about calls received, missed and placed
- They provide call forwarding services for busy, no answer and automatic redirect
- It includes a call hold function and retrieval
- Other call features include call transfer, call waiting, do not disturb, hunt groups, music on hold, and more
- Additional features can be added, which include call recording and international calls
- They also offer market-leading handsets and a choice of call packages
2. BT
- Offers digital voice for businesses that is flexible and tailored to their needs
- Auto attendant is included on some plans
- Calls are automatically answered with a menu to route calls
- Plans can also include collaboration tools such as video conferencing and desktop sharing
- Features include voicemail, call forwarding, call waiting and call transfer
- They also include unlimited UK calling and a UK number
- Claims to offer a 99.999% uptime on their cloud-based platform
- Built-in security and 24/7 security are available
- A choice of packages are available with add-ons where the auto attendant is included in some
- The system is easy to deploy and manage, as well as grow with your business
3. Virgin Media
- They offer a cloud voice phone service to support staff working from anywhere
- Their package includes one auto attendant as standard, but additional ones can be added at a cost
- Plans include instant messaging, video meetings, file sharing and more to aid collaboration
- They provide a full suite of call features to assist your team, such as call holding, call forwarding, call parking, hunt groups, call transfer and more
- You can integrate it with your calendar
- Some plans include voicemail with email notifications
- Choice to include call recording, receptionist console, CRM connectivity and more
- They support mobile users and enable them to be integrated into a single solution
- Offers a choice of plans to suit a range of different business needs and circumstances
- It can be seamlessly integrated with your current service provider
4. Zen
- Offers cloud communications solutions that are designed to be simple and scalable for businesses
- They offer a range of mix-and-match features on their plans, which include an auto attendant
- It supports you with a mobile and remote workforce on one system
- The system can provide a wide range of business tools
- Provides a single platform for all customer interactions, including calls, email, web chat, video and social media
- You can access a wide range of data, including call logs and call recordings
- Online portal to manage your users easily
- Promises 99.99% uptime guaranteed
- You can integrate it with your existing systems, including Office, cloud, call centre and more
- The system is easy to set up as it uses plug-and-play technology
5. KCOM
- They offer complete communication solutions for businesses
- Auto attendant is available as an additional feature
- They offer a choice of Easy Attendant and Premium Attendant with enhanced call schedules
- Designed to support your calls in reaching the right team or department
- Calls can be set up on hunt groups and pickup groups
- They offer a unified solution that supports collaboration no matter where team members are
- You can increase the professional image of your business with customisable greetings and voicemail
- Improve productivity with speed dial, do not disturb, and anonymous or selective call rejection
- The solution is easy to install as a downloadable softphone client
- You can tailor the plan to your needs with contract lengths negotiable
6. Virgin Media O2 Business
- O2 offers voice solutions for businesses in partnership with Virgin Media
- They include advanced call options such as auto attendant and call queues
- You can turn Microsoft Teams into your phone system for an integrated solution
- Supports communication and collaboration for teams
- The cloud-hosted system is a dedicated solution that is scalable and flexible
- Unified solution for voice calls, chat, video meetings, and file sharing
- It can assist you in supporting hybrid and remote working
- Provides a fast and secure network
- The Teams Admin Centre allows you to manage your settings, users and more
- It can be integrated with your existing telephony infrastructure
Virgin Media O2 Business website
7. Vodafone
- They offer a single combined solution for landline, mobile and desktop communications
- Offers an auto attendant or receptionist to answer and route calls
- It can assist you in managing your calls most efficiently by using them with hunt groups and call queues
- The cloud-based unified communications solution is suitable for businesses with 10 or more employees
- Can support hybrid and remote workers with the flexible communication system
- You can utilise a range of call features, including call forwarding, call hold, extension dialling, closed hours and more
- They offer voicemail with personalised greetings
- It supports teamworking with staff availability and conference calls for up to five users
- It can be integrated with your existing systems
- You can manage the solution through a web-based portal
8. bOnline
- Offers VoIP call solutions to support businesses and call centres
- Features include an auto attendant to manage large volumes of calls and connect clients
- You can pre-program the system to help solve calls directly
- They provide a range of call features, including call routing and recording
- Allows you to receive high-quality calls on any device anywhere in the UK
- Provides a voicemail facility with the ability to set closed hours and holidays
- They offer call reporting tools to help you manage call volumes
- The system is scalable and is easy to add new members
- It can be integrated with other business systems
- A range of packages is available to suit different needs
9. Ogi
- They offer managed VoIP solutions suitable for single lines to full contact centres
- Digital communications packages include auto attendant services
- It is a flexible cloud-based system
- Delivers crystal-clear call quality
- You can unify communications to streamline operations and enhance productivity
- They support compliant call recording
- The system can be integrated with Microsoft Teams
- It can also be integrated with your CRM
- Provides local support teams
- They also offer broadband and internet services
10. IDNet
- They offer a digital voice solution that is a fully managed telephone service
- Offers flexible features, which can include an auto attendant
- It provides the ability to select the features that you want and only pay for what you use
- Offers solutions for a range of businesses and call centres
- Supports remote and hybrid working
- They offer simple licensing that enables you to switch on and off extensions easily
- Provides call handling features such as hunt groups
- Can be integrated with your existing Android and iPhone smartphones
- Fully resilient network that is maintained 24/7/365
- Easy to set up and manage system
11. Stream Networks
- They offer a hosted cloud phone system that delivers a broad range of features
- Some of the key features include an auto attendant
- They offer a multi-level interactive voice response
- It can park and pick up calls as well as log them
- The system can manage your call queues and operate your voicemail
- It provides a phone directory and ring groups
- You can also utilise cloud-based web conferencing and video calls
- The system is easy to set up with plug-and-play technology
- It can be integrated with your fax servers and Microsoft 365
- The system can be used with mobile apps (IOS and Android) and desktop softphones
12. WightFibre
- Offers VoIP phone systems that provide crystal clear audio
- They offer two levels of auto attendant – simple or multilevel
- Two plans are available, which include different features, including the different auto attendant types
- Supports traditional handsets, softphones and mobile apps
- Suitable for remote and hybrid workforces
- Call routing and call forwarding
- Three-way conference calls via handsets
- Call groups, pickup groups and hunt groups
- Voicemail functionality
- They also offer a range of add-ons such as phone numbers, handsets, fax to email, Microsoft Teams integration, and more
13. Telecoms World
- They offer cloud-hosted VoIP phone systems that can include a wide range of features
- Offers a customisable auto attendant functionality to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes
- Design your own interactive voice response scripts to manage your inbound calls
- Their online dashboard enables you to manage call forwarding settings instantly and easily
- Manage call diverts with up to 10 call options
- Add welcome greetings and busy messages that can be professionally recorded
- Offers unified communications to include voice, video, chat and more
- Provides voicemail facilities and can convert voicemail to email
- Includes call features such as call routing, call recording, call queuing, call group management, and more
- Available to use on handsets, mobile and softphones
14. Telappliant
- Offers cloud communications with AI for businesses that have flexible cloud and hybrid options
- All plans include core calling, Teams presence and auto attendant
- Easy to use visual auto attendant builder
- Smart routing and IVR for calls
- Call functionality includes call forwarding, call transfer, call park and pickup, ring groups and hunt groups, and more
- Voicemail facilities with voicemail to email notifications
- Supports omnichannel communications, including calls, chat, SMS, conferencing, and social messaging
- Self-service web portal
- Can be integrated with over 300 third-party applications
- UK-based support
15. Andrew & Arnold
- Offers voice services as VoIP, suitable for businesses and home users
- They offer call gates, which act as an auto attendant, allowing the caller to select an option to route their call
- Voicemail functionality
- Call recording included as standard
- Ring groups can be set up
- Call forwarding and routing
- Set up recorded messages to greet callers and direct them
- Can be integrated with mobile phones
- One month minimum term
- Pricing is based on a line rental and usage charge per minute and volume
16. Babble
- They offer cloud telephony services that can manage unified communications
- Offers an auto attendant that enables you to create multi-layered call flows to manage inbound calls
- Can also manage voice messaging, audio and video conferencing, instant messaging, email and calendar, collaboration tools, and more
- Supports teams in communicating and connecting wherever they are – office or remotely working
- Scalable and flexible solution that can adapt with your business
- Managed through a central web-based portal
- Accessible on a variety of devices
- The system can be fully integrated with a range of CRM platforms
- It can be integrated with third-party apps, including Microsoft Teams and Cisco Webex
- They provide a secure, robust and reliable solution with enterprise-grade connectivity
17. Cerberus Networks
- Offers cloud-based phone services that include a range of features as standard
- Advanced calling tools include auto attendant facilities
- Call recording functionality is available
- Other call features include hunt groups and call forwarding
- Manage phone assignment, groups and call queues easily
- They also offer voicemail-to-email service
- Easy to set up and configure
- Can be used with handsets, softphones or smartphones
- Intuitive web-based console to manage your system
- Offers a fully managed service backed by an expert UK-based team
18. Gradwell
- They offer cloud phone systems that are designed to support businesses
- Includes an auto attendant to route callers to the extension they need
- It can be used on handsets, softphones and mobile apps
- The system can be integrated with Microsoft Teams to utilise collaboration features
- Managed through a web-based control panel that is easy to use
- Calls can be recorded and stored for up to 7 years
- Voicemail services include unique messages, voicemail to email, and voicemail transcriptions
- Offers a range of call features, including unlimited hunt groups, call forwarding, call queues, user directory, voice menus, and more
- Supports multi-party video for video calling and conferencing
- Choice of plans
19. Lily
- Offers hosted VoIP phone systems that provide HD call quality
- Provides call routing services through an auto attendant
- Call queuing facilities allow you to manage calls, as well as provide hold music and messages
- They provide call recording facilities that aid training, auditing and compliance
- Supports voice and video calling, video conferencing, live chat and file sharing
- Compatible with desktop, laptop, mobile and smart devices to answer and receive calls
- Provides call analytics to deliver valuable insights on calls
- The system has an easy-to-use web portal that allows you to manage your users
- Dedicated support through the helpdesk and engineers
20. Spitfire
- They offer fully managed cloud-based phone systems
- Offers an auto attendant that can greet and direct your callers
- It can deliver a unified communications system
- Suitable for softphones and mobile devices using the app
- Connect all your team using one system, including home workers, remote offices and travelling staff
- They also offer call recording
- Includes video conferencing facilities
- They provide call reporting functionality
- It can be integrated with your CRM
- Offers supporting services, including broadband
21. 4Com
- Offers cloud-based VoIP systems that can be easily scaled
- They offer an auto attendant system that helps route callers to the right people or department
- Call forwarding feature to ensure calls are answered or sent to voicemail
- Call transfer and redirects to other lines, mobile or home number
- Feature-packed voicemail software to ensure all calls are answered
- Additional services include call recording and on hold marketing
- Supports conferencing and video calling
- It can be integrated with CRM systems
- Also offers a range of business phone systems
- Provides UK-based customer support
22. Voipfone
- They offer businesses a switchboard that is supported by an interactive voice response that acts as an auto attendant
- You can choose between single or multi-menu IVR switchboards
- It allows you to create a customer journey in the IVR to aid customer support
- You can add a personalised greeting and options for callers
- They provide the option for uploading a recorded greeting or recording a professional voice artist message
- The system can aid you in routing calls to the best person or department
- You can manage call queues and keep callers on the line
- It can help you to integrate your communications across channels including chat, website and app
- IVR is included in some plans or is available as an additional charge
- They offer a choice of business plans or you can tailor a plan to your needs with the Flex plan
23. Best 4 Business Communications
- Offers modern and fully featured business VoIP phone systems
- Call features include auto attendant
- Provides crystal-clear voice calls with HD voice
- The system is simple to set up and can be easily scaled
- Call forwarding functionality to make call handling more responsive
- Also provides voicemail facilities
- Supports your staff in working from anywhere, such as hybrid working, remote working and travelling
- Make and receive calls using an IP phone, laptop or mobile device
- Access unified communications, including video conferencing, instant messaging and screen sharing
- Managed through an online dashboard, making it easy to update permissions and call management
Best 4 Business Communications website
24. Sangoma
- They offer cloud-based telephone systems that are designed as an all-in-one solution
- The system includes dynamic call routing and interactive voice response, which acts as an auto attendant
- It offers a unified communication solution that includes video conferencing, instant messaging and productivity applications
- Keep your team connected on a desktop and mobile app
- Manage calls using call pickup, call transfer, call parking, ring groups, and more
- The system also offers call recording facilities
- Voicemail functionality includes voicemail-to-email and transcription
- Access real-time and historical metrics and reports
- Integrates with third-party software, including Microsoft Teams and Salesforce
- They provide 24/7 support and claim to have 99.999% uptime
25. Focus Group
- Offer business VoIP phone systems that caters for organisations of all sizes, shapes and sectors
- They provide interactive voice response and auto attendant systems to manage calls
- Offers on-hold music and messaging to support marketing
- Provides voicemail messaging that can be customised
- Call routing features, including hunt groups
- Call queue management
- Call recording facilities to aid compliance and auditing
- Web-based interface with access to call analytics
- The system is easy to install, manage and upgrade
- Claims to offer 99.9% uptime and 24/7 support
26. SureVoIP
- They offer business-grade hosted VoIP phone systems as fully managed or basic hosted solutions
- The system includes an IVR auto attendant to manage callers and get them to the right place
- They provide high-definition calls with crystal-clear call quality
- Call forwarding options to other lines and mobiles
- Hunt groups can be set up as a single or multiple groups to suit your needs
- Call recording is available to support dispute resolution, recording keeping and meeting legislation
- Voicemail-to-email functionality is provided
- Other call features include music on hold, conferencing and time of day routing
- Choice of plan with a minimum contract length of 3 months
- UK-based technical support team
27. Vonage
- Offers an auto attendant that can be used as a virtual receptionist
- It can help save staff time by automating your call answering and reducing IT requirements
- The system assists your callers in quickly routing their calls to the right person
- It can support your customer service by ensuring no calls are unanswered
- The system can be tailored to meet your needs
- You can preconfigure your auto attendant so your callers can choose from a list of suitable options
- The system is flexible so that you can alter your call routing whenever needed to match your staff availability and schedules
- They also offer a text-to-speech option to support easy-to-produce greetings
- There are three phone plans to choose from that offer different levels of features
- Some of the phone plans include call recording, call groups, SMS, MMS, team messaging, meetings, and more
28. RingCentral
- They offer an auto attendant or auto-receptionist that is designed to manage your inbound calls
- It supports small businesses and enterprises with its customisable call management tool
- The system delivers a prompt and reliable method of answering calls
- It can support you in streamlining your call handling and reception service
- You can tailor the auto attendant to handle calls using simple call flow menus, advanced rules and multi-level menus
- Callers will be greeted and routed to the employee or department they need
- They provide the facilities to load customised greetings and can also announce employee and department extensions
- It offers a dial-by-name directory to aid in finding employees
- You can select the features you want to use to manage your calls, such as customised greetings, answering rules, multi-level menus, special number/ID handling, and more
- The auto attendant feature is included on most plans
29. 8×8
- Offers cloud-based VoIP phone packages for small to large businesses
- They offer a range of powerful features, including a customisable IVR and multi-level auto attendant
- Their plans provide unlimited use for voice calls, video and conferencing up to 500 participants
- It supports unified communications with internet messaging, video meeting, conferencing, team chat and more
- Call handling features include call forwarding, call transfer, call waiting, call parking, and three-way calling
- Call management tools include call queues, ring groups and call monitoring
- They provide call recording facilities
- Voicemail is available
- It can be integrated with business tools, including Google Calendar and Microsoft Teams
- The system is easy to configure and manage through a single interface
30. CircleLoop
- Offers a cloud-based phone system with simple plans and powerful apps
- Includes an auto attendant to redirect and route calls
- The system is easy to use and manage through a self-service app
- Supports businesses with hybrid and remote workers in one system
- Customisable IVR greetings and menus
- Call recording facilities
- Call management features including call routing, call forwarding, call transfer, out-of-hours routing, and more
- Other system features include voicemail, voicemail transcribing, voicemail-to-email, conference calling, and more
- Provides desktop and mobile apps so calls can be taken on most devices
- It can be integrated with business tools, including CRMs, Microsoft applications and more
31. Mitel
- Offers auto attendant facility through their Mitel Voice Assist service
- It is an intelligent cloud-based auto attendant that can aid with managing inbound calls
- The system enables users to manage their call flows more effectively and improve customer experience
- It helps companies to optimise their staff with no need for external suppliers or hardware
- Their solution is customisable and can be adapted for your needs, such as greetings, endpoint ringing, scheduled activity, dial-by-name, and more
- Create greetings and dial menus using text-to-speech and speech recognition
- You can set up the system easily, as no coding or advanced programming knowledge is required
- The software can be integrated with your existing platform, apps and devices
- It can be used to aid you in creating a unified communications solution
- Mitel Voice Assist can be used on a range of Mitel’s phone systems
32. Dialpad
- They offer cloud phone systems and an AI-powered communications platform
- Features an auto-attendant that can greet callers and provide a menu of options to choose from, including the use of interactive voice response
- Unified communications to manage phone calls, video meetings, SMS/MMS, chat and more through one platform
- Use any device to make and receive calls, including desktop, mobile and browser with apps for iOS, Android, PC and Mac
- Call management features including ring groups, call forwarding, call routing, call transfer, 3-way calling, and more
- Incorporates AI to transcribe calls in real time and create post-call automation to send a summary email of the actions
- Voicemail services, including transcription of voicemails
- Offer built-in analytics to aid you in tracking and managing your call volumes
- It allows you to integrate it with CRMs, collaboration tools and other business apps
- Simple setup and management through an online dashboard
33. Voipstudio
- Offers a cloud communication system that is designed as an all-in-one solution
- They offer a virtual switchboard and IVR facilities to manage your inbound calls
- The system supports businesses in managing calls, teams and customer engagement
- Call recording is available and stored with instant playback that is PCI-compliant
- Offers a range of call features, including call logging, call transfer, call pickup, call waiting, ring groups, queue management, music on hold, and more
- Optional AI features include call transcriptions, call summaries, call actions, call analysis, and more
- Voicemail is available, which is customisable for each extension
- They also offer collaboration tools, including conference calls, screensharing, file sharing, instant messaging, and agent monitoring and coaching tools
- Managed through the intuitive web portal accessible from anywhere
- It can be integrated with business applications, including CRMs
34. VTSL
- They offer cloud communication systems that include a range of features to support businesses
- An auto attendant facility is available to offer callers a menu of options to reach the department they need
- The auto attendant can be easily set up and managed in the portal
- It provides flexible call routing solutions to meet your needs
- Record different greetings, including time-of-day greetings
- Calls are held in queues with music, information or notices played as they wait
- Call recording is offered for training, compliance and monitoring purposes
- An advanced voicemail system is available, which includes voicemail-to-email and email notifications
- They provide mobile twinning to enable mobiles to be used as a twin of the desktop phone
- A real-time dashboard enables you to monitor performance and gain insight
35. Sipgate
- Offers business telephony that is designed to be flexible and resilient
- They offer flexible solutions where you can add an auto attendant to manage calls
- Can be used on a SIP-compliant phone or download the softphone software for laptops
- Call forwarding functionality that can send calls to other extensions, mobile or voicemail
- Provides parallel calling, allowing calls to be directed to your office and mobile, so calls aren’t missed
- Customisable and flexible call handling and routing
- Voicemail with custom recordings
- Call recording facilities
- Secure online storage of your phone system
- Easy to set up in minutes with landline, SMS and fax
36. Microsoft Teams
- They offer VoIP and PSTN call solutions for businesses
- Provides an easy-to-set-up auto attendant facility
- Direct inbound calls based on the callers’ input
- Voicemail functionality is available with voicemail transcriptions
- Provides advanced call handling features, including call transfers, call forwarding, simultaneous ring, and busy-on-busy settings
- Call recording facilities with the ability to review recordings and transcripts
- Audio conferencing and collaboration tools through Teams features are available
- Can be used on Teams-certified devices, including laptops and smartphones
- 99.999% uptime SLA
- Easy to set up, but a Microsoft Teams license is required in addition to the phone plan