Have you thought about getting an 800 Number for your business? Perhaps you just started a Business, and you want the credibility and trust factor of having an 800 number. Or maybe you are an established business, and you want to appeal to a broader client base. However, you don’t want it to limit you to your geographic area.

Toll-free numbers might seem like they’re only for big corporate giants. But today any small business or entrepreneur can get an 800 number at an affordable price. You just need to choose the right company and the right plan to suit your business needs.

I’m here to help you in that search process. Today I am going to compare seven different companies that offer 800 numbers. Also, we’ll talk about whether or not an 800 number might be right for you and your business.

800 Number Comparison

Many companies offer 800 numbers. However, for this article, I’ll focus on some of the best options for 800 numbers.

1. Grasshopper

My favorite Phone service is Grasshopper as this is one that I have personally used. The app is user-friendly. And you can even have unlimited extensions which are great if you have multiple employees.

They currently offer three different plans:

• Solo Plan: $29 a month for one number with three extensions ($26 per month if you pay annually)
• Partner Plan: $49 a month for three numbers and six extensions ($44 per month if you pay annually)
• Small Business Plan: $89 a month for five numbers and unlimited extensions ($80 per month if you pay annually)

As of this writing, all three plans have free activation as well as a 30-day money back guarantee. In addition, they all include unlimited minutes.

Try it risk-free for 30 days by clicking here! You can also save $75 on your annual plan by using code “75dollars”.

Click here to see our full review of Grasshopper.

2. Ring Central

It is worth noting that Ring Central offers a free trial. So you can try it out for free and see if it is a good fit for you.

Their 800 number plans for small businesses are as follows:

• Essentials Plan: $29.99 monthly per user ($19.99 per month if you pay annually). You get up to ten users and 100 toll-free minutes
• Standard Plan: $34.99 monthly per user ($24.99 per month if you pay annually). You get unlimited users and 1,000 toll-free minutes
• Premium Plan: $44.99 monthly per user ($34.99 per month if you pay annually). You get unlimited users and 2,500 toll-free minutes
• Ultimate Plan: $59.99 monthly per user ($44.99 per month if you pay annually). You get unlimited users and 10,000 toll-free minutes

There are two things that you should know about Ring Central.

First, they have a $30 activation fee for some services. Many other companies do not hit you with an activation fee at all. Second, they only convert voicemail to text with the Ultimate Plan.

3. eVoice

The third company is called eVoice. Like most other companies, eVoice offers a free 30-day trial with all of their plans.

EVoice provides 800 numbers for businesses of all sizes. In addition, they have a 24-hour, seven day a week auto attendant, call routing to your home, office and mobile number. They also have voicemail which allows messages to be sent to your email or your cell phone as a text.

EVoice has four different plans for business clients to choose from. The details on each plan are listed below.

The $12.99 Lite Plan

With eVoice’s $12.99 per month plan, you have access to a total of six numbers (local or toll-free). You get options for two extensions, and you’re allowed 300 minutes with the plan. This is a very affordable plan for a new or smaller business.

The $29.99 Plan

The $29.99 per month plan is eVoice’s most popular plan, according to its website. With this plan, your business can have access to a total of fifteen numbers (local or toll-free). You get options for up to five extensions and 1000 available minutes to use.

The $49.99 Plan

EVoice’s $49.99 per month plan gives your business access to a total of thirty numbers (local or toll-free). With this plan, you get ten extensions and 2000 available minutes.

This plan would work well for a larger business.

The $79.99 Plan

The company’s $79.99 per month plan gives business owners access to up to forty-five numbers (local or toll-free). You get fifteen extensions and 4000 available minutes.

This plan would be one you would choose if you had a large business. Or it could be right if you spend quite a lot of time on calls with customers.

You’d need to spend a total of at least sixty-six hours per month on the phone with clients to reach a 4,000-minute limit. That’s a lot of talking. Think about that before you sign up for this plan.

All of the eVoice plans allow customers to buy additional minutes for a price of 3.9 cents per minute.

eVoice did seem to include more numbers with each of their plans. This would be a nice benefit for businesses that need or want to have several toll free numbers.

However, it does not include a minute plan in the 10,000 minute-plus range. So it may not be a good fit if you have a larger business.

4. Phone.com

Next up on the list is Phone.com.

Phone.com has three different plans to meet different small business needs:

• $12.99 per month for 300 minutes ($9.99 per month if paid annually). This includes one number and unlimited extensions
• $19.99 per month for 500 minutes ($14.99 per month if paid annually). This includes two numbers and unlimited extensions
• $39.99 per month for 1000 minutes ($29.99 per month if paid annually). This includes three numbers and unlimited extensions

All plans include the following:

• A local or toll-free number
• Integrated mobile app
• Unlimited users
• Hold music
• Dial-by-name directory (great if you have multiple employees with extensions)
• Call screening
• Call Recording
• Fax to email
• Call routing
• Schedules
• Voicemail to email
• And more

All plans through Phone.com have a 30-day money back guarantee. This feature will help you determine if the plan you chose is right for your small business. Get 15% off your first six months of service through this link.

5. Freedom Voice

FreedomVoice calls themselves “the voice of small business.” They’ve been around since 1996 and were acquired by GoDaddy in 2016.

FreedomVoice helps your business get an 800 number in a couple of different ways.

CloudNumber

FreedomVoice’s CloudNumber plan helps your business to have a more professional appearance right from your smartphone.

With the CloudNumber app, your 800 number calls go right to your smartphone. This gives you a way to use your phone to receive – and return – phone calls from business clients from your personal 800 number.

The CloudNumber service also provides a professional message using a virtual attendant. That way you can let clients know if you can’t answer the phone right away.

There are three CloudNumber plans to choose from with FreedomVoice.

• START plan, which costs $9.95 per month and offers 400 minutes per month
• EDGE plan, which costs $19.95 per month and offers 1200 minutes per month
• MAX plan, which costs $29.95 per month and offers unlimited minutes per month

CloudPhone

FreedomVoice’s CloudPhone plan is for businesses with a brick and mortar location that needs separate business phones.

The CloudPhone service offers three different phones to choose from for purchase, starting at $150. The service itself starts at $29.95 per month.

For more details about FreedomVoice’s Cloudphone service, click here.

6. RingBoost

RingBoost provides both local and toll-free numbers to businesses, including vanity numbers. The company has three different available plans for businesses to choose from. Here are some details on each plan.

The Starter Plan

Ringboost’s Economy plan costs an extremely affordable $1.99 per month. However, there are zero minutes included with this plan and each minute used costs 6 cents.

The Business Pro Plan

The company’s Deluxe plan costs $10.99 per month and includes 200 minutes. Each additional minute used will cost you 5 cents.

The Premium Plan

Ringboost’s Premium Plan costs $19.99 per month and includes 400 minutes. Like with the Business Pro plan, additional minutes cost 5 cents per minute.

Ringboost offers a nice array of plans for small business owners. But be sure to read the fine print for additional details on any other charges.

7. Vonage

Vonage has long been known for its cell phone service and virtual number service. In contrast, they’ve not been as recognized in the world of 800 number advertising.

An 800 number is available for those who are already Vonage Business Cloud customers. To clarify, it is an ADD-ON feature to any of their plans for an extra $39.99 per month (plus taxes and fees).

And be sure to read the fine print for additional details on any other charges with their Business Cloud Plans.

Vonage has three different Business Cloud Plans to meet different small business needs:

• MOBILE Plan which costs $19.99 per month/per line (plus taxes and fees) and includes unlimited calling in the US and Canada.
• PREMIUM Plan which costs $29.99 per month/per line (plus taxes and fees) and includes unlimited calling in the US and Canada.
• ADVANCED Plan which costs $39.99 per month/per line (plus taxes and fees) and includes unlimited calling in the US and Canada.

All Vonage Business Cloud business phone plans include:

• Phone service via your high-speed internet
• 14 day free trial
• Keep your number
• 40+ business phone features—standard
• 24/7 US-based service and tech support
• No annual contracts

Other Business Phone Features

Most companies offer a host of other features along with their plans. Some of those features include voice mail, conference call options and call forwarding. Also, some offer the ability to hook your number to either your landline or your cell phone. Here is some more info on each of those features.

Conference Calling Ability

By using an 800 number for your business, you have easy access to conference calls with employees or clients. The professionalism and clear connections for your conference calls are unbeatable.

Specialized Number Choices

Specialized number choices can help current and potential clients remember your phone number more easily.

For instance, if you have a landscaping business, you may be able to choose a number such as 1-800-CUT-LAWN.

Fax to Your Phone

You can get faxes delivered to your cell phone that are viewable as PDF’s. This is a great feature if you don’t have a traditional phone line but want to receive faxes.

Adding Specific Department and Employee Options

Helping your business to have a more polished appearance is another great reason to use an 800 number.

You can give clients the option to choose from a number of departments or employees within your business. Here’s an example.

“Hello, welcome to (your business name). Please choose carefully from the following options. Press 1 to place an order. Press 2 to schedule repair service.”

A professional voice system will establish trust with clients and potential clients. Also, it will make contacting the right area in your business easier for clients as well.

Custom Greetings

Most companies allow you to have a phone greeting that can be customized. You can design your greeting to fit your specific business. And the phone connection will be clear even if your clients are calling from all over the world.

Don’t risk losing clients due to a bad phone connection because you’re using your cell phone for customers to call. Instead, choose an affordable 800 number plan that will help your business sound as professional as it is.

No Expensive Hardware to Install

Grasshopper and other 800 number providers partner with your landline or cellular phone line on a virtual level. That means there’s no need for a technician to come and install expensive hardware onto your existing phone system.

No expensive hardware means money savings on purchasing and repair of hardware systems as well.

Call Forwarding

Get calls forwarded to your cell phone from your 800 number. This means that you never have to miss a call to your business if you don’t want to.

Caller ID

As a business owner, you know that you need to answer some calls right away. But other calls may need to wait as you tend to a current client’s needs.

With the caller ID service, you have the option to accept the call or to direct the call to voicemail. Also, you can see the number and name of the person calling to help determine the urgency of taking the call.

Caller ID is just one more feature of an 800 number service that will bring the professionalism of your business to a new level.

The use of 800 number plans is increasing. And today’s technology means a much larger number of companies both large and small can use them. An 800 number means convenience and professionalism for your business.

Unlike in days of old, getting an 800 number for your business doesn’t require the presence of an office building. And it doesn’t require setting aside a day so that phone techs can come and install 800 number services in your office or on your phone.

Today’s remote technology means that you can have an 800 number for your business with a simple phone call. That technology also means that 800 numbers for your business are more affordable than ever before.

There are some questions you can ask yourself to determine if your business would benefit from an 800 number. I’ll share a few of those questions now.

Do You Have a Business with a Separate Office?

Is your business run out of your home office or in a separate rented or owned space? Having an 800 number would give your business the appearance of professionalism. Besides, it would enhance your ability to show clients that you are serious about what you do.

And if you’ve got other employees that help you run your business, a separate 800 number phone line is a must.

Do You Run Your Business From Your Cell Phone?

Self-employed business owners often use their cell phone as a business phone. One problem with this is that when a call appears on your cell phone with a number you don’t recognize, you have no idea whether it’s a business call. Do you answer as your business? Or do you answer as an individual?

By hooking an 800 number to your current phone, you solve your problem.

Grasshopper is one of the top 800 number service companies available today. They can show incoming calls to your 800 number with a separate identity, even if the calls are being routed to your cellular phone.

With this valuable service, you’ll know whether each caller is calling for you or your business.

Do You Have More Than One Small Business?

Maybe you own more than one business. If you use the same phone to promote them all, this can be troublesome. When a call comes in, how do you know which business they’re calling?

Grasshopper can set you up with an 800 number for each business. Then you can identify which business a caller is calling. So you’ll know how to answer before you even pick up the phone, no matter how many businesses you own.

What Level of Professionalism Do You Want to Present to Clients?

Let’s face it: An 800 number adds an air of professionalism to a business. Potential clients evaluating your business will likely be encouraged by its appearance.

They know you’ve taken the step to establish your business as professional. And that you’re here for the long-term because you’ve invested in an 800 number service.

Are 800 Numbers Affordable?

As you can see, 800 number plans range from $12 a month up to $200 a month. This means an 800 number is affordable for even the smallest of businesses. You can choose the plan size that’s best for your business and your business budget.

What If You Want a Separate Business Phone Number With a Local Area Code?

Some businesses benefit more by having a business phone number with a local area code. This can give clients comfort in knowing that their business resides in their hometown city.

Grasshopper can provide local numbers for your business as well as 800 numbers. Whatever type of business phone number you decide will help you put your best foot forward, they’ve got you covered.

As you can see, an 800 number or a local phone number for your business is an affordable and convenient option. It will help you bring your company’s image to a higher level of professionalism.

Sign up for a free trial with Grasshopper to see whether an 800 number or a local number is right for your business.

Are Phone Customers and Phone Calls a Large Part of Your Business?

Only you can answer this question. And the answer depends in part on what you supply for your customer. For instance, a freelance writer might not benefit from having a toll-free number for their business. With freelancing it is acceptable to conduct most business transactions via the Internet and e-mail.

However, do you have a retail business where you’re selling something to customers? If so, an 800 number might be a valuable addition to your business.

It would present an image of professionalism. And be an easy way for customers to contact you should they have a question about an order.

Can Your Business Afford an 800 Number?

As we’ve seen, all of the companies we researched here have very affordable plans for any size business. But maybe you’re not making enough each month to cover even the smallest plan cost.

Or you have no interest or plan in place for increasing your revenue. Then an 800 number might not be a smart choice for your business.

However, if you plan to continue to grow your business, it may be well worth the investment.

What Are Your Plans for Expanding Your Business in the Future?

Do you have ideas or plans in place to expand your business? Will you be doing so in a way that would invite customer calls and contact? If so, it might be a wise idea to put an 800 number in place now.

That way you’ll have that mode of contact for customers solidly in place for when your business expansion takes flight.

Quality Matters

If you search a phrase such as “cheapest 800 numbers” on the Internet, you’ll also find a few other 800 number companies. Some of these companies boast 800 number service for businesses for low prices such as $2 or $5 a month.

Legit companies are offering 800 numbers in this fashion. However, it’s important for your business to have a truly professional appearance if you want to keep clients coming back.

Therefore, it might be a better option to stick with an 800 number service provider that’s established. Choose one that specializes in providing toll-free numbers for business owners and isn’t in the industry just to make cash.

Toll-free number providers such as Grasshopper and the others mentioned above make 800 numbers their business. They work to ensure your business phone system gives a great first impression to its callers.

Your business phone service system is one area where it’s not always a good idea to go frugal. Instead, it might be better to find the company that gives you the best balance of price and service.

In other words, look for value without focusing so much on “cheap.”

Summary

An 800 number for your business will give potential customers the impression that your business is important to you.

If you are looking for your business to stick around for the long run, choose your 800 number provider wisely.

The appearance of a well-established business, along with a great product and quality customer service will do wonders for present and future business growth.

An 800 number can give the appearance of a national company at an affordable price. Click on one of the options above to begin a free trial and see which service is best for you.

Do you have an 800 number for your business? If so, please share your experience in the comments below.