How to get a free business phone number
Getting a business phone number is one of the first steps when setting up a new business or preparing for an expansion. A dedicated business line provides a way for customers to contact you and helps your company appear more professional and established.
Finding the right phone number provider can be challenging, especially if you’re looking for free or low-cost options. Ideally, you’ll want to look for a provider with a variety of number types, useful call features, and an easy setup process.
We evaluated dozens of voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) systems and selected six of the market’s best free business phone number providers. Here are our top recommendations:
- Phone.com: Best for call management features
- Grasshopper: Best for phone number sharing
- CallHippo: Best for globally expanding businesses
- Sideline: Best for text marketing campaigns
- Google Voice: Best for individual users
- Callcentric: Best for custom call plans
Expert score
Best for
Key Features
Phone.com
3.85
Best for call management features
- Metered and unmetered calls
- Up to 50 standard call features
- Video conferencing
Grasshopper
4.28
Best for phone number sharing
- Instant response
- Unlimited users at no extra cost
- Simultaneous call handling
CallHippo
4.24
Best for globally expanding businesses
- Shared inbox
- Interactive voice response (IVR)
- Phone numbers for 70+ countries
Sideline
3.91
Best for text marketing campaigns
- Auto-reply
- Custom caller ID
- Voicemail-to-text
Google Voice
4.42
Best for individual users
- Voicemail transcription
- Spam call filtering
- Ring groups
Callcentric
2.63
Best for custom call plans
- Call return
- Conference room
- Anonymous call rejection
Phone.com: Best for call management features
Pros
Cons
Our Rating: 3.85/5
Phone.com is a hosted private branch exchange (PBX) system that allows businesses to combine metered and unmetered call plans based on their call volume requirements. All plans include a variety of VoIP features and video conferencing functionalities. Upgrading to higher tiers includes video meeting tools and a larger participant capacity. Besides its bundled plans, Phone.com’s a la carte services let you add premium features, such as live receptionist and international dialing. Another notable feature is the variety of phone number types offered—local, toll-free, vanity, and international numbers. Discounts are available if you buy numbers in bulk.
Grasshopper: Best for phone number sharing
Pros
Cons
Our Rating: 4.28/5
Grasshopper is a VoIP phone service offering local, toll-free, and vanity numbers within the U.S. Once you sign up, you can choose from its selection of local, toll-free, and vanity numbers without extra charges. All plans are all-inclusive, meaning you get the same number of features regardless of your purchase plan.
A provider like Grasshopper works best for businesses wanting to take advantage of professional features, such as automated greetings, voice studio, and live receptionist services. This helps small businesses project an image of a larger company while efficiently managing incoming calls and improving the overall caller experience.
CallHippo: Best for globally expanding businesses
Pros
Cons
Our Rating: 4.24/5
CallHippo is a virtual phone system equipped with basic call center features for improving agent productivity and tracking team performance. Like Google Voice, CallHippo is one of the few VoIP solutions offering a free plan for low-level VoIP users on a budget.
A free business number is included on all paid CallHippo plans, along with a wealth of call features, such as call recording, intelligent reports, and custom greetings. Besides its business phone system, CallHippo offers additional services, such as a predictive dialer and WhatsApp Business, perfect for outbound sales campaigns.
Sideline: Best for text marketing
Pros
Cons
Our Rating: 3.91/5
Sideline is a business communications app that lets you set up a second phone number to separate your work calls and texts from your personal number. It works with your existing carrier network instead of VoIP to deliver excellent call quality and reliability. On top of your second phone number, Sideline delivers a wealth of features, such as group messaging, SMS/MMS, custom voicemail, and call announcement.
There are only two types of Sideline plans to choose from, and both are priced similarly at $14.49 per month. The Standard plan is for individual users who simply need a second phone number, while the Enterprise plan is for companies managing multiple numbers. Subscriptions can be billed monthly, quarterly, and annually.
Google Voice: Best for individual users
Pros
Cons
Our Rating: 4.42/5
Google Voice offers a local phone number for calling, voicemail, and text messaging. The service is available to Google account users in the U.S. and a few select countries, including France, Germany, and Italy.
There are two options when signing up for a Google Voice account: personal and business. Signing up with your personal Google account gives you free access to Google Voice. However, purchasing a Google Workspace account includes professional call features and the ability to support an unlimited number of users.
Callcentric: Best for custom call plans
Pros
Cons
Our Rating: 2.63/5
Callcentric is an internet phone service offering low-cost plans for both domestic and international calling. Its unique selling point is it sells inbound and outbound services separately to give customers the flexibility to configure their phone service based on their specific requirements.
Monthly fees start as low as $1, making it one of the cheapest VoIP solutions on the market. Phone numbers for business and personal use are available in the U.S. and Canada. Despite its cheap rates, Callcentric intends to make its service useful by providing over 50 basic call features, including auto-attendant, call forwarding, and four-way calling.
While Callcentric has a noticeably dated website, it contains an extensive library of user guides tailored for various devices. So if you’re wondering how to get a free business phone number, Callcentric offers a step-by-step process to help you set everything up quickly.
Types of business phone numbers
There are different options available for setting up a business phone number catering to specific needs and preferences. The type of phone number you choose will determine the level of service you offer and how customers will perceive your brand. To help you find the right option, we shared the five common types of business phone numbers below:
Local number
Local phone numbers start with a three-digit area code representing a specific region or city. These numbers are tied to a specific geographic location, making it easy for customers to recognize and trust the number. Setting up local numbers is quick, easy, and more affordable than other options.
Businesses use local numbers to establish a sense of familiarity among their target market. Local numbers create an impression that a business operates within the local community. Larger companies even purchase multiple local phone numbers for every country they serve.
Toll-free number
Toll-free numbers are commonly identified by one of the following three-digit codes: 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877, and 888. Dialing these numbers allows customers to call a company at no cost, which helps in boosting sales inquiries over the phone. Since they’re easy to remember, toll-free numbers are often used in marketing campaigns.
Another highlight benefit of toll-free numbers is that they help businesses project an image of a trustworthy national brand or a larger organization. This is partly due to the assumption that only big businesses can afford toll-free numbers. This is no longer the case since many VoIP providers now offer affordable toll-free number options.
Vanity number
A vanity number is a customizable phone number that uses a memorable sequence of letters and numbers. An example is a plumbing service’s vanity number—877-PLUMBER—which translates to 877-758-6237.
Vanity numbers should be easy to recall so customers can quickly associate the numbers with your product or service. Personalized numbers leave a lasting impression and strengthen your brand visibility.
Virtual phone number
Virtual phone numbers are referred to as direct inward dialing (DID) numbers, available in both local and toll-free options. Since they operate entirely online, virtual numbers are not tied to a specific phone line. Users can route calls to any device, whether via landline or an internet-connected smartphone.
The mobility of virtual numbers benefits remote employees needing constant communication access from anywhere. For solopreneurs and business owners, virtual phone numbers serve as a secondary number to separate business and personal communications.
International number
International numbers allow businesses to build a local presence in global markets by providing customers with a local number to call. This is ideal for companies that don’t have a physical office or a team operating in their target region. With an international number, customers can directly contact your business without paying for long-distance charges.
While international numbers are typically priced higher, they offer invaluable benefits to companies seeking to establish credibility and improve client accessibility across borders.
Why do you need a business phone number?
Having a dedicated business phone number is standard practice for setting up a new business or expanding to a new location. Aside from providing customers with a way to reach you, it offers a wealth of benefits to companies wanting to build credibility and streamline call management.
If you’re an employee or a business owner, a business phone number serves as a second phone number to keep your work and personal communications separate. This lets you easily recognize calls intended for work, so you know which calls to answer during business hours and which ones to leave after hours.
Providers of business phone numbers include additional voice features on top of the second phone number. For example, VoIP platforms provide call management tools like greetings, auto-attendant, and hold music. When a customer calls, they will be greeted with a custom message instead of hearing a normal dial tone. This projects professionalism to your business, which helps in instilling trust among customers.
Choosing the best free business phone number provider
Having a free phone number provides budget-conscious businesses with a dedicated phone line without incurring additional costs. With so many options available, taking a closer look at each provider will help you make a more informed decision that meets your requirements.
Google Voice stands out for its free-forever version and low-cost plans—a perfect choice for individual business users with no plans of scaling soon. Small teams wanting to share phone line responsibility will realize greater cost-savings with Grasshopper since it offers multiple phone numbers at a fixed monthly rate.
If you want to expand your global reach, CallHippo provides phone numbers in up to 70 countries. But if you simply need a phone number for your SMS campaigns, Sideline is an excellent choice. Phone.com can also be a great option if you prioritize call management features, while Callcentric might be a better fit for small businesses with seasonal call volumes.
For those willing to invest in a robust business phone system, check out our top recommendations for the best VoIP for small businesses.