7 Best Business Landline Providers (2024)

In the era of mobile, email, AI bots, and instant messaging, you could be forgiven for thinking calling people is dead. But nothing could be further from the truth.

In fact, one study* found that customers prefer phone calls (68%) vs email (55%) and online chat (33%) when dealing with business issues. Bots don’t even come close (13%). A significant 87% also said getting answers by phone made them more confident to make “high-consideration” purchases.

It’s clear: phone calls still have their place in business. And if you’re reading this, you probably already know your business phone system needs to be as robust and reliable as ever. So if you’re looking for the best business landline phone service providers, you’re in the right place.

We’ve compared nine of the leading phone providers available for business today, looking at their top features, pricing, and customer reviews to help you make the right choice.

We’ve also looked at why a traditional “landline” might not be the best option in today’s communications landscape, and how internet-based telephone systems could be a game-changer for your business, offering you the features you want, plus many more you never knew you needed.

Let’s get this dialed in!

Key takeaways:

• Landlines still have their place in business, and the majority of customers prefer phone to email, especially when making high-value or high-consideration purchases.
• Some of the most popular landline options on the market today include Community Phone, Spectrum, Vonage, AT&T, Frontier, Verizon, and Xfinity by Comcast.
• CloudTalk offers the reliability of landlines plus the modern, innovative features that internet-based phone systems can offer, for better performance and business results

*Invoca Buyer Experience Benchmark Report.

Business Landlines vs Internet-Based Systems: Which is best?

First, let’s consider if a business landline is your best option. 

Of course, landlines still have a place in some businesses, but many modern companies are turning towards exclusively internet-based telephone systems that use VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) instead, due to extra functionality and benefits.

Here’s a quick comparison table showing the main differences between a traditional business landline, and an internet-based telephone system like CloudTalk:

Depending on your needs, internet-based telephone platforms could provide the functionality you want, more effectively and at a lower cost than a landline.

Top Business Landline Phone Service Providers

As mentioned, you can do more with cloud-based providers like CloudTalk than with traditional landlines. But don’t take it from us:

However, if you’re not ready (or able) to make the jump to a completely internet-based, VoIP-enabled system, we’re still here to help. 

We’ve compared some of the leading business landline providers (some of which have internet capabilities too). This way, you can see the differences and decide which truly is best for your business needs.

#1 Community Phone

Community Phone has several packages designed for business communications, combining the reliability of landlines with the flexibility of mobile. This provides an efficient business phone line platform that can improve sales and customer care.

Key features: 

• Easy to set up, even without internet
• Can send texts automatically, using the same number as your landline, to capture missed calls
• Call transfers between departments and teammates
• Customizable numbers
• Ability to block all incoming calls from marketing “robots”

Pricing:

• Business Plan: Starts at $99 per month

Best for: 

Companies that want a simple, plug-and-play landline phone service with helpful business extras such as professional customer texting included. 

Most helpful user review: 

“The whole process was super simple and the landline base was easy to install.” — Source Forge

#2 Spectrum

Spectrum Business is part of the Charter Communications group—offering small to medium business phone plans (“Business Voice”) as well as high-speed internet (and TV for homes). It features an extensive online knowledge base with many frequently asked questions and answers on its website. 

Key features: 

• Call hold and logs
• Custom caller ID and voicemail
• Call forwarding and transfer
• Auto attendant and call guard
• Three-way calling

Pricing

• Business Voice: $29.99 per user/month
• Business Voice + 300 Mbps Internet: $69.98 per user/month

Best for: 

Small to medium-sized businesses that need an efficient landline system with good support, that may also need high-speed internet in the same bundle.

Most helpful user review: 

“It works pretty well. The service is good during business hours, with very few interruptions.” — Source Forge

#3 Vonage

Part of the globally recognized Ericsson group, Vonage offers a business phone system that combines the modern features of VoIP platforms with the reliability of plug-and-play desktop landlines.

Key features: 

• Customizable numbers so you can keep your own business line
• Customizable virtual receptionist
• Call groups, call recording
• Option to buy ready-to-use physical phone hardware direct, with pre-assigned extensions
• Extensive support via online chat, web articles, and how-to videos 

Pricing:

• Premium: $20.99 per line/month. Supports desk phones, domestic calling, and voicemail. 
• Advanced: $27.99 per line/month. Everything in Premium, plus call recording and call groups. 

Best for: 

Companies looking for a simple VoIP service that functions like a straightforward landline system.

Most helpful user review: 

“I think the reliability is really solid and I’ve never had any issues with it.” — G2

#4 AT&T

The well-known phone service, reimagined for business needs. It boasts super clear sound quality that works quickly with your existing analog phones. AT&T also offers voice tech with high-speed fiber internet bundles for extra features.

Key Features

• Secure, reliable connections designed to be super-clear, even internationally and long-distance
• Physical landline phone system that also connects to video and messaging services
• Bundles with an AT&T fiber for 30+ calling features including forwarding and three-way calling
• Flexible Caller ID settings, for one business number or multiple individual employee lines
• Connects with AT&T Office@Hand system for phone, video, chat, text messaging, and fax

Pricing

• Standard: $35.99 per user/month, including telephone, video, chat, SMS, fax, and automations.
• Premium: $49.98 per user/month. Everything in Standard, for thousands of users and multiple locations.

Best for: 

Larger businesses with a budget to match that are looking for clear calls and a wide range of calling features, as well as bundled fiber internet and extra communication functions.

Most Helpful User Review: 

“We’ve been with them through a couple of jobs and they are usually pretty dependable.” — Community Spiceworks

#5 Frontier

Frontier is another internet-based phone system that focuses on simple but necessary call features to improve business performance for companies relying on desktop phones and calls.

Key features: 

• Voicemail-to-email so you never miss a call or message
• Virtual receptionist to answer more calls, more quickly
• Unlimited local and nationwide calling
• Ability to switch easily between desktop and mobile, on the same number
• Extensive online support and help center

Pricing: 

• Frontier asks potential clients to contact it online for a package and price offer.
• However, it does start at $19.99/month if telephone services are bundled with 1 or 2 Gig business fiber internet.

Best for: 

Companies that want the simplicity of landline-style calling, with the extra features that cloud-based telephone and messaging systems can bring.

Most helpful user review: “Our phone (landline) has always been reliable, so I give them credit for that.” — Trustpilot

#6 Verizon

Verizon’s business phone packages come with the reliability you would expect from such a large network, with clear audio and features designed to improve productivity and teamwork. 

Key features: 

• Unlimited nationwide calling
• Automatic callback for missed calls
• Works with simple phone hardware
• Call hold and transfer
• Internal and external ringtones

Pricing:

• Preferred Voice: From $59 per month.

Best for: 

Small to medium businesses without dedicated IT teams that need simple call features especially designed for business goals.

Most helpful user review: 

“I rely heavily on my phone for work and have always had good call quality with Verizon.” — Trustpilot 

#7 Xfinity by Comcast

Comcast Business aims to combine the flexibility of mobile-based communications with fixed, desktop lines, with a host of customizable features that work for both on-site and remote workers.

Key features: 

• Readable voicemail
• Customizable Caller ID
• Works with your existing hardware equipment, or new hardware
• Audio conference feature for multiple-site collaboration
• Desktop phones and mobile features

Pricing: 

• Comcast Business pricing depends on your geographical location and needs, and can be checked via the company website.

Best for: 

Fast-growing small businesses that need a phone platform that works well for both in-office and remote teams.

Most helpful user review: 

“Comcast Business Internet is reliable, affordable, and consistent. Is a bit more costly but its network is definitely worth it.” — TrustRadius

The Best Business Landline Providers: What’s Best For You?

The “best” business landline for you will depend on your needs, industry, budget, and existing set-up.

A platform like Community Phone could work best if you’re looking for straightforward, easy-to-use features; while AT&T’s Office@Hand could be best if you want the reliability of a large network that offers phone features with video, SMS, and fax functionality.

Similarly, platforms like Vonage or Frontier might be the best choice for your business calls if you want the reliability of a landline set-up with the modern additional features, benefits, and innovation of internet-based systems.

And CloudTalk might be your best communications solution if you’re looking to go beyond traditional landlines, boost productivity, and improve the customer experience. 

It offers all the reliability of landline hardware, with all the advantages of a modern VoIP phone set-up, such as international calls at no extra cost, AI-enhanced conversations, real-time metrics, auto-transcriptions, call analysis, and call workflows.

This lets you foster a productive, successful business workplace that harnesses the benefits of modern tools, without forgetting the power of real-life phone conversations.