Are VoIP calls free? What a business phone system really costs
Some VoIP calls are free, most are included, and a few are always extra. A straightforward look at what you pay for with a cloud phone system.
"Are VoIP calls free?" is one of the questions we hear most. The honest answer is: some are, most are included in your plan, and a few always cost extra. Here is how it breaks down.
Calls that are free
Calls between people on the same phone system are free, whether they sit next to each other, work in different offices or are at home. If you have staff in several locations, that alone can make a noticeable difference.
Calls that are included
Calls to UK landlines and major UK mobile networks are covered by the minutes in your plan. With Alphatalk, every user on the Standard plan gets 1,000 free UK minutes a month, and the Bundle plan includes 5,000, enough for people who are on the phone all day.
Calls that cost extra
As with any phone service, some calls are never included in bundles: international calls, premium rate and other service-charge numbers, and calls to small or offshore mobile networks. These are charged per minute. It is always worth checking the rate before calling an unusual destination.
The full monthly cost
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Cloud phone system user | From £4.99 per user a month |
| Phone numbers | £4.99 a month each; standard numbers have no setup fee |
| Phones | Optional: use apps, or buy IP handsets once |
| Internet connection | The broadband you probably already have |
All prices exclude VAT. There is no phone system hardware to buy and no maintenance contract.
Where businesses save
- No line rental for each phone. Calls run over your internet connection.
- No hardware to buy, maintain or replace.
- Free internal calls between offices and home workers.
- Pay per user, so you are not paying for capacity you do not use.
For a quote based on your team and call patterns, get in touch, or see all our prices on the pricing page.