A virtual phone number is a phone number that allows you to choose the area code and is not tied to a physical location like traditional phone numbers. They are offered by VoIP providers and can be used with a cell phone or landline to differentiate between business and personal calls. In this article, we will evaluate the best virtual phone number providers based on price, convenience, call management features, extensions, multi-line management, quality of phone calls, auto-attendant, and customer support.
Virtual Numero
VNumero.com is a virtual phone number provider that offers a variety of services for free, including voicemail, call forwarding, call recording, and an automated attendant. It includes all the features of the listed services below for free, making it a convenient solution for business owners. Its call management features include call forwarding, call blocking, and call screening, and it has extensions for routing calls. It has a multi-line management feature that allows users to easily keep business and personal calls separate on a landline or mobile phone. It has good quality phone calls and an auto-attendant to greet and route callers to the appropriate line. In addition to its website, VNumero.com has a mobile app that can be used to make outbound calls, receive inbound calls, check voicemails, and alter call settings. Customer support is available through a contact form on the VNumero.com website or through its social media channels.
Grasshopper
Grasshopper is a high-quality provider that offers phone features to business owners without requiring equipment to be installed in their office, home, or smartphone. It provides users with unlimited calling, call forwarding, and an automated attendant for a low base price, making it a great option for remote workers and business owners who need to stay in contact with customers and clients. Grasshopper has three service plans with competitive pricing: the solo plan offers one business number with three extensions for $29 per month, the partner plan offers three numbers and six extensions for $49 per month, and the small business plan offers five numbers with unlimited extensions for $89 per month. It also has a 7-day free trial with a $75 discount.
Google Voice
Google Voice is a simple-to-use virtual phone number provider that allows users to receive calls and SMS messages on any phone of their choice. It has voicemail transcription and sends notifications through SMS and email. However, it lacks some standard features offered by other providers, such as an automated attendant and multiple-user extensions. Satisfied customers appreciate its routing abilities, voicemail capabilities, screening capabilities, and SMS features, while unhappy customers complain about the difficulty of porting numbers and the lack of customer support. To use Google Voice, users with a Gmail account simply need to log in and choose a number provided by Google or port their own number.
eVoice
eVoice pairs integrated fax abilities with virtual phone number services and have an auto attendant, the ability to forward calls, the ability to block calls, and text capabilities. It offers an affordable option for customers who prefer to send and receive important information by fax instead of email. It has four service plans that range in price from $12.99 to $79.99 based on the number of minutes, extensions, and phone numbers desired, and allows users to add outbound fax capabilities for a fee. All of its plans include call forwarding, inbound fax, an auto attendant, and voicemail, and it also has a mobile app for making and receiving calls, checking voicemails, creating call forwarding schedules, and altering call settings. It has three types of extensions for call routing: standard, sub-attendants, and information only. Its setup is simple and its interface is easy to use, but it does not offer discounts for businesses with multiple lines and does not have a call recording feature.
Nextiva
Nextiva has a simple but possibly confusing setup process and an interface that may be difficult for some new users. Its call-forwarding features are easy to manage, but customizing greetings and setting business hours can be cumbersome. While it has a good combination of pricing and features, its pricing structure on its website can be confusing and its website may be awkward. Nextiva customers have generally been satisfied with its customer service, ease of use, and reliability, but some have complained about the website. Business owners who want a complete business phone system with a virtual phone number should consider Nextiva, which can be demoed for free by contacting a sales agent through its website.
Line2
Line2 offers a virtual phone number service that allows users to have multiple phone lines on one device, as well as a business phone system with features such as voicemail, call forwarding, and an automated attendant. It has three service plans ranging in price from $14.95 to $49.95 per month, and allows users to add additional lines for a fee. Line2 also has a 7-day free trial. Its call management features include call forwarding, call blocking, and call screening, and it has extensions for routing calls. It has a multi-line management feature that allows users to easily keep business and personal calls separate on a landline or mobile phone. It has good-quality phone calls and an auto-attendant to greet and route callers to the appropriate line. Its customer support is excellent, with 24/7 live support and a knowledge base for self-help.
Conclusion
In conclusion, virtual phone numbers are a convenient and cost-effective solution for business owners looking to separate their personal and professional phone calls and texts. The 7 virtual phone number providers discussed in this article – Grasshopper, Google Voice, eVoice, Nextiva, Line2, VNumero.com, and RingCentral – are among the best in the industry, each offering a unique set of features and services at competitive prices. Business owners can choose the provider that best fits their needs and budget, whether it is Grasshopper’s low base price and high-quality features, Google Voice’s simplicity and voicemail transcription, eVoice’s integrated fax abilities and auto attendant, Nextiva’s complete business phone system and call management features, Line2’s excellent customer support, and 7-day free trial, VNumero.com’s Free Services that includes all features, or RingCentral’s live chat and phone support options.
