Business phone number apps: 8 best options for 2023

There’s no denying it: VoIP business phone number apps are simply better than traditional business landlines. Not only do they result in a 90% cost reduction for small businesses (wowza), but they are fully equipped to provide international calls, advanced call screening, and call transferring using nothing but an internet connection. How’s that for functionality? 🙌

While the benefits of VoIP apps are clear, picking the right provider is anything but. If you’re stuck comparing phone apps for small business owners, you might be struggling to know what features work best for text messages, phone calls, and other business needs. Which service provider offers the best bang for your buck, and which platform has the benefits you need to scale over time?

Sifting through the sheer mass of business phone services can feel overwhelming, but with a little comparison and lots of insight, you can start separating the good from the great quickly.

And just to make things easier, we’ve already done most of the work for you.

Let’s explore eight of the best phone apps for business calls and texting in 2023, including what each platform does best and why you might want to use it for your team. We’ll also explain why you should use a virtual phone number in the first place (just in case you’re on the fence).

The best business phone number apps compared

Let’s get down to brass tacks. Check out this full comparison chart between all eight of the best virtual business phone number apps of 2023:

The best virtual business phone number apps of 2023 in more detail

If you’re looking for a more detailed exploration of how these virtual phone systems stack up, we’ve got just what you’re looking for. Here’s how these eight virtual phone services can simplify your business communications, ranked from highest to lowest based on their price, functionality, and integrations.

1. OpenPhone: The best virtual business phone number app for growing teams

At OpenPhone, we’re over the moon about providing business owners ways to effortlessly reach others around the world. When it comes to streamlining your phone communications, OpenPhone makes it easy as possible:  

• Get as many local virtual numbers (or North American toll-free numbers) as your team needs
• Use OpenPhone from our mobile (Android and iOS), desktop, and browser apps
• Internal threads, contact notes, and call recordings to help team members stay in the loop
• Free business calls and texts (SMS and MMS) to anyone in the US or Canada
• Auto-attendant functions (IVR) for inbound calls

These are all available on the OpenPhone Standard plan — no hidden fees or expensive equipment is necessary to get started. Our Standard Plan starts at just $13 per user per month, making it ultra-accessible for new business owners.

And we’re not the only ones who think so, either. According to our amazing customers, there’s a good reason why we keep ranking number one on G2 as the best business phone system. Just have a look! 👇

“I worked with one tech person at OpenPhone who was proactive, communicative, and really made me feel like my business was super important to them.” – Adam T.

“There is no doubt that this is one of the best services of its kind. The sound quality is great and the iOS app is easy to use.” – Daniel H.

“Love the cadence of new releases like recording inbox and a Mac app. Voice quality is excellent and I don’t need to give out my personal number for clients and prospects.” – Kamil R.

Get signed up with OpenPhone in under 15 minutes. Try out OpenPhone for a week by signing up for our free trial.

Key features

• Unlimited calls and texts throughout Canada and the US
• Voicemail transcriptions
• Auto-replies, snippets, and dozens of other ways to save time on business texting
• Unlimited numbers with local area codes
• Shared phone numbers for teams
• Integrations with Slack, HubSpot, Salesforce, Zapier, Google Contacts, and more

Prices

• Standard: $13 per user per month
• Premium: $20 per user per month
• Enterprise: Custom per plan

See our pricing page for international call and text rates. 

App download links

• iOS
• Android

2. Google Voice

If you’ve ever Googled ‘VoIP,’ you’ve no doubt run into Google Voice. This is one of the most popular business solutions on the market, and pairs well with the G-Suite of tools. 

Keep in mind that Google Voice does not provide a free business phone number. A line is free for personal phones (i.e. the Google Voice plan) but costs $10 a month per user minimum for businesses through Google Voice for Google Workspace. And an additional $6 per user per month as you must have an active Google Workspace account.

That’s not all: Google Voice doesn’t offer toll-free numbers, call recordings, or differentiation between personal phone calls and your second number.

Key features

• Android and iOS apps
• Access to 1 local phone number
• Integrations with G-Suite
• App notifications
• Unlimited calls throughout North America

Prices

• Starter: $10 per month/user*
• Standard: $20 per month/user*
• Premier: $30 per month/user*

* This includes an extra $6 per user per month for Google Workspace

App download links

• iOS
• Android

3. Grasshopper

As a legacy VoIP provider, Grasshopper is one of the oldest and most well-known virtual business phone number apps. Users can pick and choose different tiers of access for each member of their team — and enjoy cost savings to boot.

Compared to other provides mentioned in this article, their platform is relatively bare with basic features like call recordings and phone menus. Even when they go the extra mile and offer features like auto-replies there are enough limitations in place you won’t get the full value out of them. Auto-replies in Grasshopper only go out to first-time callers — not anytime someone contacts you over calls or texts.

Also, keep in mind that limitations in phone numbers (a max of 5 on the highest plan without paying extra) and zero integrations can be a problem as your business grows. Sharing responsibility for incoming calls also costs extra ($10 per month) on their dated platform. 

Key features

• Unlimited calls to Canada and the 48 continental states
• Android and iOS mobile apps
• Vanity numbers
• Call transfers
• Voicemail to text

Prices

• Solo: 1 number and 3 extensions for $28 billed monthly
• Partner: 3 numbers and 6 extensions for $46 billed monthly
• Small Business: 5 numbers and unlimited extensions for $80 billed monthly

App download links

• iOS
• Android

4. Nextiva

Video calls and screen sharing are what Nextiva does best. Built for teamwork-based industries like eCommerce and IT, this provider’s unified communication platform supports 10-digit and toll-free numbers. Integrations with Salesforce, Zendesk, and CRM platforms are provided on their second and third-highest plans.

But without business texting services on the Essential plan, many teams seek out Nextiva alternatives. 

If you happen to have a smaller team, expect to pay more. Their base plan starts at $23.95 per user per month for 1-4 licenses. The fewer employees you have, the more you pay per head. 💸

Key features

• Virtual faxing services
• Integration with Google Contacts
• Unlimited voice or video conference calling
• Voicemail transcriptions (requires upgrade)
• WiFi call management

Prices

• Essential: $23.95 per user per month*
• Professional: $27.95 per user per month*
• Enterprise: $37.95 per user per month*

* These prices are based on teams with 1 – 4 users.

App download links

• iOS
• Android

5. Ooma

The VoIP mobile app from Ooma was specifically designed for small businesses. Users can access free inbound and outbound calling in North America and Mexico. Better yet, extension dialing and call forwarding are available to all in-app users.

However, Ooma may be restrictive to business growth once your brand gets to a certain size. A lack of analytics may prevent you from measuring activity on your second phone number. And you’ll need to upgrade to be able to access their desktop app if you want to call and text from your computer using Ooma. Any sort of text messaging requires you to pay for one of their higher-tier plans. If you need also voicemail transcriptions or call recording software get ready to upgrade. 

Key features

• Smartphone mobile apps
• Virtual receptionists
• Multi-ring and ring groups
• Overhead paging
• Text messaging (requires upgrade)

Prices

• Ooma Office: $19.95 per user per month
• Ooma Office Pro: $24.95 per user per month
• Ooma Pro Plus: $29.95 per user per month

App download links

• iOS
• Android

6. eVoice

Popular VoIP eVoice provides virtual phone and live receptionist services to small businesses of all kinds. The eVoice app is currently compatible with iOS and Android. However, the interface is a throwback to older apps.

Further, eVoice pricing plans are a little confusing, only offering tiers for 1, 6, 10, or 11 monthly users. With eVoice, you have to pay an additional fee to get features you should expect from a business number app including call recordings.

Additionally, a standard limit of 30,000 minutes per month may be restrictive on growing industries. And in case you’re wondering: yes, SMS costs extra. 💬

Key features

• Call forwarding after hours
• Inbound caller ID screening
• Unlimited calls
• Call queuing
• Sequential ringing

Prices

• Elite Monthly: $14 per user per month
• Elite 6 Monthly: $13 per user per month
• Elite 10 Monthly: $10 per user per month
• Elite 11 Monthly: $13.50 per user per month

App download links

• iOS
• Android

7. Sideline

Sideline provides lean functionality with its business phone services. Both desktop and mobile apps allow users to access call logs across devices. SMS texting capabilities are perhaps its most notable business solution. You can’t get all its features on a single plan, though — and you’ll have to compromise to get what you want.

Keep in mind while Sideline is a second number app, it isn’t a VoIP solution. This platform requires you to have a pre-existing phone service to take and place calls. You’ll need to pay for their services as well as a traditional phone carrier. 📱

Key features

• Group messaging
• Call announcement software
• WiFi calling
• Auto-replies
• Mobile app downloads
• Free and unlimited calls (US only)

Prices

• Standard: $9.99 monthly
• Pro: $14.99 monthly

App download links

• iOS
• Android

8. Phone.com

Some solopreneurs rely on Phone.com to make business and personal calls alike. Call blocking, queue handling, and sharing features make it relatively efficient for team-based communications. Shared phone lines and call recordings are available for an extra fee ($8 and $5, respectively).

The basic plan only provides access to pooled minutes and text segments. In other words, each time anyone on your team makse a call or sends a text, that’s deducted from your pooled amount. This leads existing customers to Phone.com alternatives as they grow. Only one number per account is permitted without paid upgrades. 📞

Be aware that you will need to pay for the highest plan in order to access CRM integrations. 

Key features

• Desktop and mobile phone apps
• Free conference calls
• Dial-by-name directories
• HIPAA compliance 
• Voice tagging

Prices

• Basic Users: $12.99 per month per user
• Plus Users: $19.99 per month per user
• Pro Users: $29.99 per month per user

App download links

• iOS
• Android

How we ranked the best phone apps for business

We determined the top options after reviewing the following key factors across each app:

• Reliability – Call drops and system outages are a dealbreaker.
• Bang for your buck – What value does the app generate for your business? The cheapest option is usually not the best app, but you need a system that saves your team time and has predictable monthly costs.
• Third-party integrations – Speaking of saving time, integrations can help your team cut repetitive tasks out of their daily responsibilities.
• Low learning curves – Customizing your phone settings and getting team members up and running shouldn’t take hours. The best business number apps have intuitive interfaces that aren’t taxing to operate if you’ve ever used a smartphone.
• Customer service – If questions come up and you don’t see your question addressed in their Help Center, you need a support team that’s responsive.

When should you get a business phone number app?

VoIPs are slowly but surely supplanting the traditional desk phone. More than 350 million people use some sort of virtual phone number, which is almost the entire population of the United States.

Businesses use virtual phone lines to make free calls and texts over WiFi. Meaning they can manage incoming calls and messages from anywhere (and with any device). Business owners use local numbers to reach customers on cell phones, laptops, and other mobile devices — and stop receiving calls instantly when business hours show they’re done for the day.

Virtual phone numbers can also allow you to:

• Send contacts to different business lines with call routing
• Integrate auto-replies and snippets for more effective communications
• Simplify business texting without messaging from your personal cell number

OpenPhone offers one of the best business phone apps for 2023

If there’s one thing we’re not at OpenPhone, it’s limited. With transparent price plans, dozens of features, and integrative options that make life easier, we’re always looking for new ways to add value. That’s just how we roll!

Interested in trying out OpenPhone for free? It’s easy! Sign up for a seven-day free trial to test out calling and texting, or drop by for a demo to see why thousands of happy business owners put us at the top of their list.

Meagan Shelley

Meagan is a professional writer in VA that has covered business phone communication since 2021. If she’s not helping companies navigate VoIP technology, she’s helping companies craft their own stories.