Best virtual phone service in 2025

In the business world, something as simple as a phone call can make all the difference between closing a deal and ending up with a bust. Those who’ve been on both ends of the spectrum know how important it is to eliminate any possibility of bad lines and poor connections. Luckily, there’s a quick solution for that in 2025, called a virtual phone system.

Unlike traditional phone lines, virtual phone services operate via the internet through service providers’ servers. They can be used on all types of connections, including LTE and 5G, as well as through on-premise or cloud-based servers. Curious to discover their true value, I dug deep into their benefits and capabilities.

Throughout this guide, I’ll lay down my findings to help you find a perfect virtual office phone for your needs. I’ll go through my top list of service providers with in-depth overviews of each and explain how I tested them and what to look at while picking one yourself.

Our top picks for virtual phone service in 2025

1. Surfshark’s Alternative Number – top-rated virtual phone solution for 2025 overall
2. Dialpad – ideal pick for unlimited domestic calling in the US and Canada
3. OpenPhone – leading choice for internet-based phone and messaging across channels
4. GoTo Connect – excellent cloud VoIP system for virtual office communication
5. Zoho Voice – top virtual phone service for seamless CRM and app integrations
6. Aircall – standout service for call recording and software compatibility
7. 8x8 – highly recommended business phone system for small companies
8. RingCentral – cost-effective global calling with innovative AI assistant features

Comparison of the best virtual phone services

Whether you need the best virtual phone service for a small business or an enterprise solution, you should keep a few key aspects in mind. To help you find a tailored option for your business, I’ve compiled all the qualities of the listed solutions in a single table. If you want to know how they stack up in terms of pricing plans, features, and call/text functions, take a peek below:

Provider	Best for	Price	Platforms	Customer support	Software phone	SMS messaging	Voicemail transcription	Call monitoring	Automatic call-back	Video conferencing
Surfshark’s Alternative Number	Incognito calls, keeping your contact information safe, avoiding spam	From $17.99/month (more affordable plans available with annual subscription) to $21.99/month	Android, iOS, Windows, Linux, macOS	Available (chat support, FAQs)	Android, IOS	Available	Not available	Call logs available	Not available	Not available
Dialpad	AI-powered collaboration lines, Google and Microsoft 365 integrations	From $27/user/month ($15/user/month if billed annually) to $35/user/month (enterprise plans available on request)	Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Google ChromeOS	Available (chatbot support)	Android, IOS	Available (external SMS and MMS, internal chat messages)	Available	Available	Available (in-queue call-back)	Available (dedicated HD conferencing platform)
OpenPhone	Dedicated channels for sales, clients, and in-house messages, lead status setups	From $19/user/month to $47/user/month (enterprise plans available on request)	Windows, Android, iOS	Available (live chat, email support)	Android, IOS	Available (SMS and MMS)	Available (business voicemail greeting)	Available	Available	Not available
GoTo Connect	AI-powered cloud communications tool, shared inbox with WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram integration	Pricing available on request	Windows, Android, iOS	Available (live chat support)	Android, IOS	Available (SMS messaging)	Available	Available	Available (in-queue call-back)	Available (webinars and conferences)
Zoho Voice	Automatic call logging, integration with CRM apps	From $100/month to $1000/month (free plan available)	Windows, Android, iOS	Available (live chat support)	Android, IOS	Available (SMS messaging)	Available	Available	Available (in-queue call-back)	Available
Aircall	Over 100 integrations with API access, unlimited simultaneous calls	From $40/month to $70/month (custom plan available on request)	Windows, macOS, iOS, Android	Available	Android, IOS	Available (business SMS and MMS texts)	Available	Available (call coaching system)	Available	Available (video calls and webinars on request)
8x8	Multiple device connectivity, call performance metrics	Plans available on request	Windows, Android, iOS	Available	Android, IOS	Available (text messaging)	Available	Available	Available (queued call-back)	Available (integrated video conferencing solution)
RingCentral	AI-powered call assistant for transcriptions and video meetings’ summaries	From $30/month to $45/month	Windows, Android, iOS	Available (chat and call support)	Android, IOS	Available (text messaging, group chats)	Available	Available (live calls monitoring via the app)	Available (queued call-back)	Available (integrated conferencing software)

The best virtual phone service – detailed reviews

To make the most out of my all-around comparison table, you’ll need to have a bit of background on each of these options. So, I’ve included detailed overviews of each.

1. Surfshark’s Alternative Number – best virtual phone service overall

Best for:	Incognito calls, keeping your contact information safe, avoiding spam
Platforms:	Android, iOS, Windows, Linux, macOS
Price:	From $17.99/month to $21.99/month
Customer support:	Available (chat support, FAQs)

Visit Surfshark’s Alternative Number

Surfshark is a well-known name in the US online security field, but now it’s not in the spotlight due to its VPN. The Alternative Number add-on proved to be a worthy choice for those in need of the best virtual phone system at a reasonably affordable price. It has significant discounts for those who subscribe via annual plans, even offering an 81% discount on 24-month plans.

It’s mainly used for secure and anonymous calls with a zero chance of scams and data breaches. What I especially liked is the chance to use it together with the Alternative ID function to bundle up the private phone number with a secure email and completely obfuscate your details on the internet.

It’s pretty simple to use – you can generate a virtual phone number and use it within the US and Canada for free calls while keeping your actual number concealed. While it’s a great way of avoiding identity theft, smishing, and other safety risks, it’s not the best business solution due to the lack of office-specific features.

2. Dialpad – great option for unlimited calls in the US and Canada

Best for:	AI-powered collaboration lines, Google and Microsoft 365 integrations
Platforms:	Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Google ChromeOS
Price:	From $27/user/month to $35/user/month
Customer support:	Available (chatbot support)

Visit Dialpad

While Surfshark’s Alternative Number checks lots of boxes related to overall safety and personal use, Dialpad keeps up and doubles up on business-related features. I especially liked its Dialpad Connect option, which has an AI-powered assistant taking call logs and notes for you during communication.

It’s especially convenient while talking to clients, and it’s just a tiny glance at what the tool can do in general. For instance, it has a built-in sales solution for marketing and eCommerce companies that uses AI to automate playbooks and simplify onboarding and other processes.

It even has in-call coaching, Dialpad’s call reporting feature that helps with employee training. On top of that, it’s also among the best cloud-based solutions with secure storage and plenty of other communication-based and business-oriented integrations. For instance, you can use it for conference calls and employee training in combination with Slack for multi-channel text messaging.

3. OpenPhone – best multichannel internet phone service for calls and texts

Best for:	Dedicated channels for sales, clients, and in-house messages, lead status setups
Platforms:	Windows, Android, iOS
Price:	From $19/user/month to $47/user/month
Customer support:	Available (live chat, email support)

Visit OpenPhone

OpenPhone is among the most user-friendly options for companies and personal use with relatively affordable plans and an intuitive interface. What I particularly liked about it compared to other options on this list is its impeccable multi-channel feature that you can use for in-house communication.

For instance, you can share a virtual number for safe calls with other team members but also use its multi-channel messaging potential. You’ll find the Your Team section in the messaging app, where you can conveniently add team members and create custom groups.

While it features a user-friendly interface, don’t let its seemingly simple design fool you – it’s a fully fledged business solution. Each chat you open allows you to enter the company, client, or partner name and assign a role. You can add roles like customer support, manage access, and change lead status, which is perfect for businesses.

4. GoTo Connect – top cloud-based virtual office phone servic

Best for:	AI-powered cloud communications tool, shared inbox with WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram integration
Platforms:	Windows, Android, iOS
Price:	Pricing plans available on request
Customer support:	Available (live chat)

If you need a virtual office phone with cloud-based data storage on par with Dialpad but with an even more diverse business application, you can go with GoTo Connect. It offers a chance to create a complete contact center for simplifying daily tasks and keeping executives informed every step of the way.

This feature allows proper employee performance supervision and a clear overview of clients and pending tasks. It’s all done through the Agent Dashboard feature, which allows you to create custom tickets. For example, if your company is in the sales business, you can design sales/marketing reports for easier project tracking.

It also uses AI for call transcriptions, similar to Dialpad. However, it offers some unique features like routing and smart integrations. You can use the AI agent to pick the right functions and integrations for your company’s needs. In my mind, it’s a perfect option for combining text messaging, social media, calls, and webinars in a single app.

5. Zoho Voice – best app integration phone service compatible with CRM systems

Best for:	Automatic call logging, integration with CRM apps
Platforms:	Windows, Android, iOS
Price:	From $100/month to $1000/month (free plan available)
Customer support:	Available (live chat)

Zoho Voice is a perfect option for those who want an affordable blend of a CRM tool and a virtual office phone service. It can be used as a standalone app or as an addition to Zoho CRM if you need customer interactions software.

Unlike a few other options like Dialpad and OpenPhone, Zoho Voice doesn’t only offer unlimited calls in the US and Canada. Instead, it provides broader coverage in 14 countries with unlimited business calling. On top of that, it has an integrated two-way SMS messaging feature for getting your clients on board and enjoying a safer environment for messages.

It also supports number porting if you wish to add your existing phone number. Of course, that comes with a series of benefits like call queues, transfers, and monitoring, unlike with regular calls. Based on its features, I’d say it’s best suited for eCommerce, marketing, and sales-oriented businesses needing a safe and reliable communications solution.

6. Aircall – best option for phone recording and integrations

Best for:	Over 100 integrations with API access, unlimited simultaneous calls
Platforms:	Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Price:	From $40/month to $70/month
Customer support:	Available

Aircall is more than just a safer option for online calls, as it allows you to create a virtual phone number for business needs with AI-powered call insights and recording features. While it has a slightly higher price tag, it’s not the most expensive option.

In fact, considering its robust features, it’s in the affordable category. Aircall isn’t just a virtual business phone but a complete pick for automating tasks around the company. It uses its AI model to craft clear and precise insights and call logs.

You can use these to boost your relationships with clients, especially if you use all the features of the dashboard. Namely, there is calendar integration to keep track of important dates for closing deals and other business needs. It also has built-in performance stats with answered and unanswered calls.

It’s a good pick if you want more than just virtual phone services like performance monitoring. Using it will tell you how productive your outreach campaigns have been and how much success you’ve had closing deals via client interactions and calls.

7. 8x8 – top virtual phone system for small business

Best for:	Multiple device connectivity, call performance metrics
Platforms:	Windows, Android, iOS
Price:	Plans available on request
Customer support:	Available

8x8 is one of the best options in terms of virtual phones for small businesses, with detailed AI-powered insights that could help you close deals with new clients. It comes with an in-built call center and plenty of integrations. For instance, you can use Microsoft Teams for messaging while relying on 8x8’s native system for calls.

It’s also the only service I used with a post-call survey, giving you detailed insights regarding the call, transcriptions, and overall quality. There are also native sales and support teams you can chat with, as well as a quality evaluation score to indicate what could be improved.

As the cherry on top, 8x8 provides customizable shortcuts for triggering calls, as well as extensive video conferencing options. A single stream can fit up to 500 people, making it an excellent choice for larger companies.

8. RingCentral – affordable international plans with AI assistant integration

Best for:	AI-powered call assistant for transcriptions and video meetings’ summaries
Platforms:	Windows, Android, iOS
Price:	From $30/month to $40/month
Customer support:	Available (chat and call support)

Last, I’ve included RingCentral for its unlimited international calls and plans that bring great value for their price. As just one indication of its prowess, I’d point out the massive array of over 400 integrations with prominent tools like Google’s Workspace, Beetexting, and Microsoft’s suite.

I especially liked the option to build custom integrations based on your company’s needs and preferences. You can use RingCentral’s in-house APIs and widgets for that. Besides integrations, it’s also an excellent tool for synchronizing data and safely storing it away.

Plus, it’s a great group chat option for managing your entire team with a custom chatbot feature that helps automate daily tasks. Overall, it’s among the top few virtual phone providers on my list regarding value for money.

How I tested these virtual phone services

As you can see, I created a shortlist of the best virtual phone systems for small businesses and major enterprises. To achieve that, I used a particular set of criteria you can see below:

1. User reviews (20%). One of the first things I considered was user feedback from other companies and individuals who tested the listed tools. I wanted to hear unbiased customer opinions. Trustpilot, for instance, gave me a realistic overview of tools like OpenPhone, with a decent rating of 4.2 out of 5.0.
2. Pricing plans (15%). Next, I checked the pricing of each option. My goal was to find both the best affordable virtual phone service for small business execs, as well as enterprise-level solutions like Zoho Voice, which could set you back up to $1000/month.
3. Communication features (40%). Another thing I had to explore was the list of features included in each tool. I was curious about options that provide virtual business phone numbers and enable text messages, customizable channels, voicemail setups, and in-call coaching and recording.
4. Integrations (25%). Finally, I included solutions with a solid range of integrations. While not all of them are a match for RingCentral with its jaw-dropping choice of over 400 integrations, I made sure to bring you options that are compatible with Slack, Google, and Microsoft tools.

What is a virtual phone service?

In a nutshell, a virtual number is a software-engineered number that you can use for calls via the internet, so it minimizes the risk of data breaches or identity theft. Of course, it can also be used for managing business calls separately from personal communication channels, so it’s beneficial on multiple levels.

Unlike classic calls processed via telecommunications providers, virtual services only require a stable internet connection. In other words, you won’t be exposed to the risk of spotty connections. This is especially convenient for companies collaborating with international partners since it reduces the estimated costs of international calls.

Besides wide accessibility and convenience, a virtual office phone number can also make a difference when it comes to added features. For instance, business-oriented functions may include automatic call-back schemes, voicemail recording, and video conferences capable of supporting up to 500 participants (like with 8x8).

Some options, like Surfshark’s Alternative Number, bring you peace of mind in terms of safety. They also protect your original number from spam emails and provide private calls not visible on a monthly service report.

Key features to look for in the best virtual phone service

As you can see by my outlined methodology, picking business virtual numbers isn’t as simple as it seems. To help you decide on the best solution for your individual or company needs, I’ll list some key features to keep in mind while searching:

• Call monitoring and automation features. If you’re looking for virtual business phone service solutions, you could use call monitoring functions. For instance, Aircall features a call coaching system that is perfect for employee training, while RingCentral allows you to tune into live business calls via the app.
• Ease of use. Another important thing worth considering is the learning curve. While some of the best virtual phone systems, like Dialpad, are surprisingly convenient for beginners, others, like 8x8, have complex dashboards and features that require an adjustment period.
• Free trials. I’ve also done my best to bring you options such as Zoho’s Voice, which can be used for free in its basic mode but requires a subscription for business needs. Similarly, I’ve included tools that can be checked out for free via trials like OpenPhone’s 7-day testing period.
• Scalability. Customization and scalability are also vital if you wish to get a virtual phone number for small business that adequately follows up on the latest trends as your business grows. A perfect example of a highly scalable option is RingCentral, whose massive range of integrations suit specific business needs.

Benefits of using a virtual phone service

Nowadays, a virtual business phone number makes much more sense than traditional phone lines. Most companies with the ambition of expanding internationally struggle to choose a phone line with guaranteed uptime and affordable services.

That’s where a virtual phone comes in handy, as it allows you to connect with your clients or team members globally in the safest and most cost-effective way possible. Instead of paying high service fees for every minute of international calls, you can use options like 8x8 with unlimited calls for over 14 different countries.

Besides, virtual phones are much more flexible and offer the chance to create a fully fledged virtual office. You can do this by adjusting your business voicemail, monitoring calls, and integrating messaging tools like Slack or Microsoft’s business suite tools. Finally, I’d recommend using virtual phone services simply due to their scalability and integrations, which have the potential to keep up with the growth of your business.

How to choose the best virtual phone service for your needs

Before I wrap up, I'd like to give you a brief guide on picking the best virtual phone number for business or personal use. You can follow these steps to find tailored virtual phone plans:

• Budget and pricing plans. If you need a basic virtual phone option, you can go with affordable picks like Surfshark’s Alternative Number starting at $17.99/month, or even get a massive discount of up to 81% for instantly subscribing for 24 months. But if you need an all-around business solution, you can go with Aircall or RingCentral, which come with hefty price plans.
• Use cases and business size. If you don’t need a fully fledged business virtual phone but rather an option for personal use, you can go with Surfshark’s Alternative Number. However, it lacks some features that business owners might find helpful, such as video conferencing and automatic call-back, which might steer you in a different direction.
• Communication features. I’d also advise you to always check communication features depending on your needs. If you need a solution for a large company, having call monitoring and recording tools provided by Dialpad and similar solutions is worthwhile. Other useful communication features include company voicemail logs and queued call-backs.
• Software integrations. I recommend always checking the available integrations. Sure, you can switch to another option if your business outgrows the virtual phone service, but it’s way easier to just go with an option like RingCentral, with hundreds of apps available from the very start.

Conclusion

Ultimately, it all comes down to what you’re looking for in an online phone system. After an extensive search, I’ve listed some great options covering a variety of use cases. If you asked me to name a winner, all things considered, it would be Surfshark’s Alternative Number. It’s affordable, simple, and extremely safe, especially when bundled with the virtual ID function.

However, there are other noteworthy options, even more so if you need a business solution. So, my final advice is to check all of my recommended picks in more detail and pick one that suits your personal or business needs the most based on communication features and integrations.

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