25 best hosted and cloud-based phone system providers – reviewed and compared

For businesses in the UK, hosted and cloud-based phone systems have revolutionised the way communication is handled. Shifting from traditional systems to cloud-based ones allows for increased flexibility, reduced costs, and the potential for integration with other digital tools. In this review, we’ll take a look at the top 25 providers to give you a clearer idea of your best options.

Best hosted and cloud telephony providers

When choosing a hosted and cloud-based phone system for your UK business, it’s crucial to find a solution tailored to your needs. Here’s an in-depth review of the top providers, including their pricing and where you can find more information.

1. BT Cloud Voice

• Website: www.bt.com/business
• Pros: Recognised brand, scalability, and flexibility.
• Cons: Pricier than some competitors; sometimes less intuitive interface.
• Typical pricing: Starting at £15/user/month.

2. RingCentral

• Website: www.ringcentral.co.uk
• Pros: Rich functionality, many integrations, and good customer support.
• Cons: Somewhat complex user interface and higher learning curve.
• Typical pricing: From £7.99/user/month.

3. 8×8

• Website: www.8×8.com/uk
• Pros: Comprehensive UCaaS offerings, globally recognised, and good reliability.
• Cons: Initial setup can be cumbersome; customer service inconsistencies.
• Typical pricing: Starting at £12/user/month.

4. Vonage Business

• Website: www.vonage.co.uk
• Pros: Reliable, wide array of integrations, and a clear interface.
• Cons: Mixed customer service feedback; pricing can be higher.
• Typical pricing: From £9/user/month.

5. Gamma Horizon

• Website: www.gamma.co.uk
• Pros: Tailored for UK, reliable, and easy scaling.
• Cons: Mobile app usability; limited advanced features.
• Typical pricing: Approximately £14/user/month.

6. Mitel MiCloud

• Website: www.mitel.com
• Pros: Comprehensive features, high reliability, and supportive customer service.
• Cons: Slightly more expensive; interface can be non-intuitive.
• Typical pricing: From £10/user/month.

7. VoIPstudio

• Website: www.voipstudio.com
• Pros: Excellent customer service, clear pricing, and user-friendly.
• Cons: Limited advanced features; some call quality issues.
• Typical pricing: Starting at £3.99/user/month.

8. NFON Cloud Telephone System

• Website: www.nfon.com/uk
• Pros: Scalability, user-friendly interface, and competitive pricing.
• Cons: Call quality inconsistency; limited features for larger enterprises.
• Typical pricing: Around £8/user/month.

9. Wildix

• Website: www.wildix.com
• Pros: Web-based platform, easy browser communication, and modern design.
• Cons: Pricier for small businesses; limited integrations.
• Typical pricing: Starting at £20/user/month.

10. CircleLoop

• Website: www.circleloop.com
• Pros: UK-focused, easy setup, and clear pricing.
• Cons: Limited advanced features; mobile app glitches.
• Typical pricing: From £5/user/month.

11. Lily Comms

• Website: www.lilycomms.co.uk
• Pros: Customised solutions, strong UK focus, and user-friendly interface.
• Cons: Limited third-party integration options; less established reputation.
• Typical pricing: Starting at £12/user/month.

12. Virgin Media Business VoIP

• Website: www.virginmediabusiness.co.uk
• Pros: Established brand, reliable service, and solid infrastructure.
• Cons: Less competitive pricing; occasional downtimes.
• Typical pricing: From £10/user/month.

13. Gradwell

• Website: www.gradwell.com
• Pros: Diverse solutions, UK-focused services, and helpful customer support.
• Cons: Mobile app needs optimisation; slightly pricier.
• Typical pricing: Around £15/user/month.

14. SureVoIP

• Website: www.surevoip.co.uk
• Pros: Quality-driven service, UK-based support, and reliable uptime.
• Cons: Limited features for larger enterprises; slight learning curve.
• Typical pricing: From £8/user/month.

15. Voipfone

• Website: www.voipfone.co.uk
• Pros: Clear monthly billing, user-centric design, and competitive pricing.
• Cons: Less suitable for larger firms; limited integrations.
• Typical pricing: Starting at £3/user/month.

16. Sipgate

• Website: www.sipgate.co.uk
• Pros: Flexible contracts, well-established in the UK, and good customer feedback.
• Cons: Dated interface; occasional call drop issues.
• Typical pricing: From £9/user/month.

17. Telappliant

• Website: www.telappliant.com
• Pros: Customised solutions, user training offerings, and solid uptime.
• Cons: Occasional call quality issues; limited third-party integrations.
• Typical pricing: Around £10/user/month.

18. Telsis

• Website: www.telsis.com
• Pros: UK heritage, telecom expertise, and emphasis on security.
• Cons: Limited feature set compared to global competitors; steeper pricing.
• Typical pricing: Starting at £14/user/month.

19. Soho66

• Website: www.soho66.co.uk
• Pros: Affordable rates, straightforward setup, and good for SMEs.
• Cons: Interface is less modern; limited support channels.
• Typical Pricing: From £2/user/month.

20. Windsor Telecom

• Website: www.windsor-telecom.co.uk
• Pros: Recognised customer service, reliable uptime, and diverse package offerings.
• Cons: Advanced features require higher packages; limited integrations.
• Typical Pricing: Around £7/user/month.

21. Yay.com

• Website: www.yay.com
• Pros: Intuitive platform, excellent mobile features, and competitive pricing.
• Cons: Might not scale well for very large organisations; limited customisations.
• Typical pricing: Starting at £4.99/user/month.

22. VoiceHost

• Website: www.voicehost.co.uk
• Pros: Custom solutions, focus on user needs, and UK-based support.
• Cons: Niche offerings may not appeal to all; slightly pricier.
• Typical pricing: From £6/user/month.

23. Orbtalk

• Website: www.orbtalk.co.uk
• Pros: Competitive pricing, tailored solutions, and user-centric design.
• Cons: Learning curve for complete feature utilisation; limited global presence.
• Typical pricing: Around £8/user/month.

24. Hello Telecom

• Website: www.hello-telecom.co.uk
• Pros: UK support, feature-rich offerings, and focus on customer feedback.
• Cons: More involved setup; might be overwhelming for smaller firms.
• Typical pricing: Starting at £10/user/month.

25. iHub

• Website: www.ihub.co.uk
• Pros: Seamless CRM integration, competitive pricing, and focus on innovation.
• Cons: Less established reputation; limited third-party tool integrations.
• Typical pricing: From £7/user/month.

How to choose a hosted or cloud telephony provider – essential features to look for

Choosing the right hosted cloud telephony provider is more than just comparing prices. While cost is a significant factor, there are other essential elements and features you should take into account to ensure you pick the most suitable solution for your business.

1. Understand your business needs

• Size: The provider you choose should be able to scale with you. Some services are tailored for SMEs, while others cater to larger corporations.
• Global Presence: If your business has international clients or plans to expand globally, consider providers that offer international calling at reasonable rates.

2. Reliability and uptime

Choose a provider with a strong track record of uptime. Downtime can be expensive, both financially and in terms of reputation. Providers should offer at least 99.9% uptime.

3. Features to look for

• Integration: Ensure the system integrates seamlessly with your existing software, like CRMs, email platforms, and team collaboration tools.
• Mobile Access: As remote work becomes more prevalent, mobile apps or forwarding features are crucial.
• Voicemail and Transcription: Accessibility to voicemails via email or transcribed messages can improve response times.
• Auto-attendant: An automated system that can direct callers to the right department or person without human intervention.
• Call Analytics: Understanding call volumes, durations, and peak times can help improve your customer service and streamline operations.
• Multi-level Interactive Voice Response (IVR): This allows customers to self-select their path based on their needs, reducing wait times and improving satisfaction.
• Call Recording: Essential for training, quality assurance, and compliance purposes.
• Conference Calling: For team collaboration, especially if members are dispersed geographically.

4. Customer support

Reliable and readily available customer support can be a lifesaver. Check for providers with 24/7 support, preferably based in the UK for faster response times.

5. Reviews and testimonials

Existing customer feedback can provide insight into the real-world performance and reliability of the provider. Look for reviews that specifically address your concerns.

6. Costing and contract flexibility

Understand the pricing structure. Are there setup fees? How about costs for adding or removing users? Also, ensure there’s flexibility in the contract to scale up or down based on your business needs.

7. Security and compliance

Given the increase in cyber threats, it’s crucial to ensure your provider meets industry standards for security. Also, if you’re in a regulated industry, check for relevant compliances.

Conclusion

Selecting the right hosted cloud telephony provider is a combination of understanding your current and future business needs and ensuring the provider you choose offers the features, security, and flexibility to meet those needs. Always remember that the cheapest option isn’t necessarily the best one; it’s about getting value for your investment.

FAQ – Hosted and cloud telephone systems