If you’ve been using Virtual Landline to manage your UK business number, you’ll know it does a solid job of keeping calls flowing without the cost or hassle of a traditional phone line. But whether you’re outgrowing its feature set, looking for a better price, or simply exploring what else is out there, it’s worth knowing what alternatives exist.
With the UK’s Public Switched Telephone Network being fully phased out by January 2027, every business relying on a traditional landline will eventually need to make the switch to a VoIP-based solution anyway, so it’s a good time to compare your options. From budget-friendly call-forwarding services to full-featured cloud phone systems with advanced call management, there’s no shortage of providers competing for UK businesses’ attention.
Why are Businesses Looking for Alternatives to Virtual Landline?
Businesses are looking for alternatives to Virtual Landline as they seek communication solutions that offer greater flexibility, advanced features, and better value for money. While Virtual Landline services provide basic phone functionality without traditional hardware, many companies find themselves outgrowing these systems and requiring more sophisticated capabilities. Cost is another significant factor, as businesses continuously evaluate whether their current provider offers competitive pricing compared to other VoIP platforms in an increasingly crowded market.
What Should You Look for in a Virtual Landline Alternative?
When comparing alternatives to Virtual Landline, it’s worth looking beyond the headline price to what’s actually included. Watch out for hidden costs such as setup fees, number porting charges, and expensive per-minute overage rates, and pay close attention to whether pricing is shown inclusive or exclusive of VAT.
Beyond pricing, consider practical features like call routing, IVR/auto-attendant options, number porting support, and app quality, as well as free setup and the absence of long contracts, which can make switching or scaling far easier down the line
How Easy Is It to Switch From Virtual Landline to Another Provider?
Generally speaking, switching to a new provider is simple, but how easy it is will depend on whether you want to maintain your present number. It typically takes 7 to 14 days to port your number, and your new provider must ask your old carrier to release it.
Top Alternatives to Virtual Landline
If Virtual Landline isn’t quite ticking every box for your business, there’s a strong field of competitors offering everything from rock-bottom pricing to enterprise-grade features. Below are some of the leading alternatives worth considering.
bOnline
bOnline is the number one choice for startups needing a virtual landline. While it charges per user, you get unlimited UK landline and mobile calls included in the price. Its Starter plan has been identified as the best virtual landline package for UK business owners who want to get set up quickly, offering unlimited inbound calls and over 40 calling features at a competitive price.
Second Ring
Second Ring offers a smart landline for home or business, letting you keep your existing number, go live in minutes, and control calls with IVR, hunt groups, and call recording, all with free setup and no contracts. Calls can be answered in the app, diverted to a mobile, or taken on a compatible desk handset, giving businesses flexibility in how they manage incoming calls.
SwitchboardFREE
SwitchboardFREE has a cost-effective plan, though this plan is severely limited compared to more comprehensive alternatives. It can still be a reasonable entry point for very basic call-forwarding needs, but businesses wanting more robust features should expect to pay closer to what other providers charge for comparable functionality.
Vonage
Vonage’s low-cost Express plan provides a low-cost entry into the world of virtual landlines, though it doesn’t include any minutes in the contract, meaning calls are charged on a metered basis. It includes a desktop and mobile app for making and receiving VoIP business calls, along with features like call forwarding and call flip, which allows seamless call transfers without putting anyone on hold.
Dialpad
Dialpad is aimed at both small and large companies, using communications AI to provide unified products, with a global reach spanning 11 offices worldwide and a customer base of 30,000 businesses. Its Standard plan isn’t a budget option and can be expensive on a monthly billing cycle, but it stands out for offering unlimited domestic calling alongside strong call management features.
Air Landline
Air Landline charges £11.99 a month, including VAT, for a virtual number, with outbound calling costing an additional fee a month on top. This makes it one of the pricier options in the market, particularly for businesses that need outbound calling as a core feature rather than an add-on.
Can You Port Your Existing Number When Switching VoIP Providers?
It is nearly always possible to transfer your current VoIP, landline, or mobile number to another VoIP service. You don’t have to update your personal or business connections thanks to a procedure called number porting.
How to Choose the Right Virtual Landline Alternative for Your Business
The right alternative ultimately depends on the size of your business and how you plan to use the number. If you’re a sole trader who doesn’t need excessive embellishments, a pared-back system that simply gives you the basics may be all you need, whereas growing businesses with multiple staff will likely benefit more from full-featured, cloud-based systems with call queues, hunt groups, and multi-user support.
It’s worth determining which of your staff will definitely need a phone seat and limiting your system accordingly to save on per-seat pricing costs, and if you rely on services with two-factor authentication.
