Phone lines are the backbone of all business communications and are probably one of the biggest essential services. The right phone line provider needs to offer reliable service combined with the most cost-effective call plans for your needs. There is a wide selection of providers that offer phone lines with a variety of call packages and features. Below we have explored what each of the providers can offer.
The table below gives a quick price comparison of the top UK providers for business phone lines.
| Company | Price from (monthly) |
|---|---|
| XLN | £18.95 |
| BT | £19.70 |
| Plusnet | Not stated |
| TalkTalk | £16.95 |
| Virgin Media | £27.50 |
| Zen | £17 |
| KCOM | £20 |
| O2 | £11.50 |
| Vodafone | £14 |
| Toople | £13.99 |
| Woav | £14.55 |
| Total Web Solutions | £14.49 |
| Pulse8 | £12.75 |
| CloudScape | £12.50 |
| Direct Save | £12.54 |
| Telecoms World | £15.99 |
| Cerberus Networks | Not stated |
| FluidOne | Not stated |
| Lily | Not stated |
| OptaNet | £14.99 |
| Southern Communications | Not stated |
| Spitfire | £10 |
| Structured Communications | Not stated |
| 4Com | Not stated |
| Reach Digital | Not stated |
| Voipfone | Not stated |
| SoConnect | £4.95 |
| Best 4 Business Communications | Not stated |
| Focus Group | £17.95 |
| Pioneer Global Services | Not stated |
* 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 off 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
Some of the features and benefits of XLN’s business phone lines.
- Low-cost phone line deals
- Simple and affordable packages
- Choice of PAYG or unlimited
- Claims to be cheaper than BT
- Operates on the UK’s largest network
- Offers international call packages
- Offers hassle-free switch
- Award-winning service
- Highly rated on Trustpilot
- UK-based customer service
2. BT
Some of the features and benefits of BT’s business phone lines.
- Operate and manage the national network
- Offer a range of packages
- Can include UK and international call bundles with unlimited calls
- Offers 12-60 month contracts
- Installation fees apply
- Includes answerphone and caller display
- Features increase with package level
- Some packages can include call management tools
- Includes fault fix in 2 working days
- Provides 24/7 support
3. Plusnet
Some of the features and benefits of Plusnet’s business phone lines.
- Offers tailored business packages
- Offers PAYG and inclusive minutes packages
- 12 or 24-month contracts
- Reduced line rental available on longer contracts
- Reliable and flexible packages
- Products can include UK unlimited anytime calls
- Offers international and mobile call tariffs
- Voicemail, withheld number and last caller included as standard
- Additional features available including call waiting, reminder call and ring back
- 24/7 customer support
4. TalkTalk
Some of the features and benefits of TalkTalk’s business phone lines.
- Provides traditional lines and ISDN
- Offers a range of packages
- Can also tailor their products to meet your needs
- Also offers hosted voice
- Contracts from 12 months
- Flexible solutions
- Offers PAYG calls or unlimited call options
- Provides management tools to see calls and costs
- Designed for small to medium-sized businesses
- Provides 99.95% network reliability
5. Virgin Media
Some of the features and benefits of Virgin Media’s business phone lines.
- Offers future-proof digital service
- Scalable solutions
- Provides combined voice and data services
- Competitive tariffs
- Can choose to have unlimited calls
- Provide a hassle-free switching process
- Also provide mobile and VoIP lines
- Offers a range of additional features and bolt-ons
- Suitable for small to large businesses
- 24/7 support and SLA
6. Zen
Some of the features and benefits of Zen’s business phone lines.
- Choice of single line and high-quality ISDN
- Provides a variety of call bundles
- Offers a range of features and optional extras
- Minimum contract of 1 month
- Can include mobiles and international calls in the package
- Includes call identity and ex-directory
- Will install new phone lines if needed
- Offers a range of optional extras
- Free and simple switching process
- UK-based support
7. KCOM
Some of the features and benefits of KCOM’s business phone lines.
- Offers a choice of phone lines
- Lines include analogue, ISDN and SIP trunking
- Reliable and resilient service
- Flexible products
- Add features and lines when needed
- Provides pay-as-you-go or unlimited calls
- Bespoke packages available
- Provides seamless migration when transferring to them
- Offers additional voice services such as call routing, recording and conferencing
- Can combine your phone services with internet
8. O2
Some of the features and benefits of O2’s business phone lines.
- Provides landline solutions as well as mobile and broadband packages
- Offers deals on single and multiple lines
- 24-month contracts
- Tailors their packages to your needs
- Offers combined bills if you take other services from them
- Provides a simple switch service
- Can keep your number when switching
- Will install new lines if required
- Claims that average savings are 25%
- Also offers ISDN lines
9. Vodafone
Some of the features and benefits of Vodafone’s business phone lines.
- Offers 2 phone line packages
- 12 and 24-month contracts available
- PAYG and inclusive minutes packages available
- Offers a range of additional features such as 3-way calling and call management
- Voicemail included as standard
- Can add international and mobile call packages
- Includes caller display
- Connection charges may occur
- Offers service levels with as little as 8 hours at additional costs
10. Toople
Some of the features and benefits of Toople’s business phone lines.
- Offers business phone lines combined with phone systems
- Provides a choice of packages based on the number of phones
- 3-month contracts
- Includes unlimited calls in the UK and mobiles
- Simple and quick plug and go setup
- No maintenance charges or hidden fees
- Includes call transfer, on hold, call waiting and voicemail
- Setup fees apply
- Designed for smaller businesses
- UK-based customer services
11. Woav
Some of the features and benefits of Woav’s business phone lines.
- Offers tailored phone packages
- Contract lengths of 1, 12 and 24-months
- Unlimited call bundles available
- Reliable and flexible packages
- Includes FraudDefender security
- Simple e-billing
- Installation fees are charged on some packages
- Can combine phone line with broadband
- Offers a range of other business services
- Designed to meet the needs of small businesses
12. Total Web Solutions
Some of the features and benefits of Total Web Solutions’ business phone lines.
- Offers 2 business line deals
- Line rental-only product
- Line rental with inclusive minutes
- Minimum 1-month contract
- Does per second billing
- Doesn’t charge call connection charges
- Offers competitive call rates
- Can combine with broadband
- Easy switching service
- UK-based technical support
13. Pulse8
Some of the features and benefits of Pulse8’s business phone lines.
- Offers a range of business phone lines
- Traditional phone lines
- CloudPhone line packages
- SoftPhone line packages
- SIP line product
- ISDN line product
- Some packages include unlimited calls
- Also provide broadband
- UK-based support
14. CloudScape
Some of the features and benefits of CloudScape’s business phone lines.
- Tailored packages
- Per second billing
- Doesn’t charge a call setup fee or minimum call charges
- Offers international call packages
- Provides a choice of maintenance levels
- Will install new lines at a charge
- No setup costs if transferring a working line
- Can transfer your line and number to them
- Operates on the Openreach network
- UK-based call centres
15. Direct Save
Some of the features and benefits of Direct Save’s business phone lines.
- Offers a range of line rental and call plans
- Claims to offer higher discounts
- Call bundles which offer free calls to certain numbers
- Calls are charged by the second
- Some packages include call diversion and call waiting
- Can provide bespoke tariffs
- Claim to offer great value call plans
- Offer free bill appraisal
- Higher-level plans include extras to support your business
- UK-based fault repair teams
16. Telecoms World
Some of the features and benefits of Telecoms World’s business phone lines.
- Claim to offer most competitive UK landline only deals
- Offers free line installation
- Lines are maintained by Openreach
- Provides an online portal to manage your account
- Offers PAYG or inclusive minute call plans
- Unlimited call bundles can be added to your package
- Easy switching process
- Also offer VoIP systems
- Highly rated on Trustpilot
- UK-based dedicated account manager
17. Cerberus Networks
Some of the features and benefits of Cerberus Networks’ business phone lines.
- Offers a range of phone line services
- Provides analogue and digital services
- They offer services for both voice and broadband
- Competitive charges for line rental and calls
- Offers simply tariffs
- Provide international inbound call routing
- They can expedite the installation of lines if required
- Also offers cloud-based systems and SIP trunking
- Offers unified communications
- Provide mobile phone services too
18. FluidOne
Some of the features and benefits of FluidOne’s business phone lines.
- Offer a range of landline services
- Tailored packages to meet your business’ needs
- Provides services suitable for remote workers through to demanding sites
- Scalable solutions
- Offers PSTN and ISDN services
- Clear and simple billing
- No hidden charges
- Built-in disaster recovery
- 99% service level agreement
- 24/7 support
19. Lily
Some of the features and benefits of Lily’s business phone lines.
- Offer a choice of business phone lines and call options
- Tailored solutions to meet your business needs
- Aims to reduce your costs
- Offers SIP trunking
- Delivers high-quality communications
- Reliable solutions
- Free inclusive minutes for local, national and mobile numbers
- Offers disaster recovery solutions
- Dedicated account manager
- Provides 24/7 support options
20. OptaNet
Some of the features and benefits of OptaNet’s business phone lines.
- Provides a range of voice solutions for businesses
- Offers traditional lines and cloud-hosted VoIP products
- Also offers mobile and SIM packages for businesses on the move
- No charge for call connections
- 30-day terms on phone lines
- Free activation on existing lines
- Installation charges apply on new lines
- Award-winning company
- Provide a technical and account manager
- UK-based support
21. Southern Communications
Some of the features and benefits of Southern Communications’ business phone lines.
- One of the UK’s largest telecoms providers
- Offers competitive call rates
- Inclusive call packages
- Inbound call routing services
- No minimum call charge
- No connection fee
- Includes disaster recovery services
- Designed for small to large businesses
- Cater for single or multi-site as well as home workers
- Includes free call management software and reporting to monitor and manage your communications
Southern Communications website
22. Spitfire
Some of the features and benefits of Spitfire’s business phone lines.
- Offers a range of phone line options
- Provides ISDN lines as well as standard lines
- Free connection
- Can be implemented as single Direct Exchange Lines
- Offers cheaper line rental than BT
- Competitive call charges
- Easy switch service
- Will install new lines if needed
- Also offers SIP trunking
- UK-based customer support
23. Structured Communications
Some of the features and benefits of Structured Communications’ business phone lines.
- Offers a direct to network providers
- Claims to offer lower cost and faster provision
- Fast fault resolution
- Transfer of existing lines with no downtime or equipment changes
- Provide new lines when needed
- Flexible contracts
- Contracts starting from 30 days
- Offers standard, ISDN and SIP lines
- Highly rated on Trustpilot
- Phone and online customer support
Structured Communications website
24. 4Com
Some of the features and benefits of 4Com’s business phone lines.
- Offers a variety of business phone lines
- Use Tier 1 carriers
- High-quality voice connectivity
- Purchase calls at wholesale to offer lower rates
- Offers a range of ISDN lines
- Provide SIP lines and SIP trunking
- Can add broadband and mobiles
- Provides an online billing
- UK-based support team
- Highly rated on Google Reviews
25. Reach Digital
Some of the features and benefits of Reach Digital’s business phone lines.
- Offers a variety of telecoms products
- Provides reliable connections
- Will search the whole of the market for the best solution
- Offers a hassle-free switch service
- Will install new lines if required
- Offers on-site consultation to assess what you need
- Can provide services including call reporting, call reporting and on-hold marketing
- Can provide equipment including handsets
- Also offers broadband and mobiles
- 24/7 UK-based customer support
26. Voipfone
Some of the features and benefits of Voipfone’s business phone lines.
- Provides outbound call services to businesses with existing BT lines
- Can use existing line and number
- Utilise existing equipment
- Simply transfer process
- Not a VoIP service
- No transfer costs
- No call connection fees
- Requires you to have a BT line and pay line rental to them
- Can still use BT to make calls by pre-fixing a number
- Caters for a wide range of small businesses
27. SoConnect
Some of the features and benefits of SoConnect’s business phone lines.
- Offers tailored phone line and call packages
- They cater for a variety of business sizes and multiple sites
- Provides a reliable connection
- Offers a host of features
- They will assess your needs to offer the right solution
- Monthly rolling contracts
- Quick response time
- Offer inclusive call bundles
- Easy transfer process
- Also offers digital and VoIP lines
28. Best 4 Business Communications
Some of the features and benefits of Best 4 Business Communications’ business phone lines.
- Offers a variety of business phone lines
- Analogue lines
- Choice of ISDN lines
- SIP lines
- Provide bespoke solutions
- Offers a variety of tariffs
- Reliable service
- Simplified billing
- Award-winning provider
- 24/7 UK-based customer support
Best 4 Business Communications website
29. Focus Group
Some of the features and benefits of Focus Group’s business phone lines.
- Provides a range of phone lines and call packages
- Bespoke packages available
- Reliable and resilience
- Guaranteed improved communications
- Seamless transition
- Uses the latest voice technologies
- Offers PAYG and unlimited call bundles
- Installation charges apply
- Transparent billing and reporting
- 24/7 fault reporting and dedicated account manager
30. Pioneer Global Services
Some of the features and benefits of Pioneer Global Services’ business phone lines.
- Offers a range of telephony solutions
- Provides alternative solutions to traditional lines
- Hosted phone systems
- VoIP lines
- SIP trunking
- Offers a variety of telephone services
- Quick setup times
- Offers shorter contracts
- Also offers broadband and SMS services
- They cater for a wide variety of businesses
Pioneer Global Services website
* Please note we have an affiliate relationship with XLN.
How Much Is A Business Phone Line In The UK?
The cost of a business phone line in the UK can vary significantly depending on the provider and the type of service you choose. Here are some price ranges and options from different providers as of 2023:
1. Standard Business Phone Line Costs:
- XLN: £18.95 per month
- BT: £19.70 per month
- TalkTalk: £16.95 per month
- Virgin Media: £27.50 per month
- Zen: £17 per month
- KCOM: £20 per month
- O2: £11.50 per month
- Vodafone: £14 per month
- SoConnect: £4.95 per month
2. VoIP (Voice over IP) Providers:
- RingCentral: £7.99 – £29.99 per month
- 8×8: Prices start from £10 per user, per month
- Nuacom: Prices start from £14.99 per user, per month
- bOnline: Prices start from £6 per user, per month
- GoTo Connect: Prices start from £10 per user, per month
3. Advanced Phone Systems:
- The cost for more advanced phone systems like PBX systems can range between £100 to well over £1,000 per month.
The costs for business phone lines can also be affected by the specific features and call packages you require, contract lengths, and whether you opt for traditional phone lines or VoIP solutions. It’s advisable to assess the communication needs of your business, compare different providers, and choose a plan that offers the best value for the services you need.
You can get started by using the form at the top of this page.