Small businesses or sole traders just starting out will often search for low cost or free options for call management but they do not necessarily want to use Google Voice. As a tool which is growing in popularity, even more so than Google Voice, WhatsApp can be used with any smartphone making it a great solution for mobile businesses.

Once installed on your phone, the app allows you to create messages, send files such as video and documents, and make an audio call to another user of the app all for free.

Switching from Google Voice to a VoIP provider is the most impactful communications upgrade your business can make. As a leading provider in VoIP communications, RingCentral helps businesses reach their full potential. The company states that they support in excess of 350,000 businesses with their telephone and communication requirements. Based on cloud technology, Ring Central offers a greater choice of services than a regular VoIP or virtual PBX system.

Ring Central currently offers six different solutions for business customers for a wide range of purposes across your business. Ring Central Office, for example, is the all-in-one phone system that integrates with CRM systems file sharing websites such as Dropbox, collaboration with Microsoft and Google and much more. Ring Central Meetings, on the other hand brings a powerful video conferencing tool to your business. You’ll be able to host large meetings and even webinars with some of their options and there’s even a free option for smaller teams.

Another VoIP service, Phone.com claims to offer some of the best prices when it comes to providing a business phone service. Featuring over 40 PBX functions and first class support, this company is a preferred choice for many small businesses.

Specialists in business phone systems, they help small firms develop and launch their own phone systems. Integrate the system with CRM software and use all of the standard call based features such as forwarding, recording and conferencing as well as text messaging, all of which are hosted on the cloud.

Many of the phone systems that are alternatives to Google Voice are managed on the cloud and Telzio is no different. An extremely affordable solution that is packed with features, this is certainly a rival for Google Voice. Unlike other plans, you don’t pay per user; you pay based on how many minutes you use, and can add users to the platform without any added costs.

The costs are really quite low, starting from $0.119 per minute for incoming calls and $0.168 a minute for outbound calls. This is not ideal for everyone so if you don’t like pay as you go, this is not the company for you.

Grasshoppers systems offer a range of features that improve communications and increase productivity. You can define automated instructions so you can transfer customers to the right people first time. You’ll be able to create and customize extensions to redirect to a home office, remote employee, or cell phone anywhere in the world. If you want your business to have a local presence, you can even use toll free or local numbers for your business.

Grasshopper Caller ID is one great function that makes it worth it. Instead of your mobile number displaying to the recipient, your Grasshopper ID will be displayed so customers won’t know that you are calling from your mobile. As Grasshopper uses digital technology for calls and they work with your existing home or office phones, you don’t have to invest in new equipment or devices to make it work.

As one of the top rated phone systems on the market today, Nextiva certainly deserves a spot on this list. Like RingCentral, Nextiva are a VoIP provider, and therefore can offer the most noticeable upgrade to your business communications. Choosing to switch from Google Voice to a provider like Nextiva will bring your business to the forefront of the industry’s innovations and enable you to take advantage of all the latest features and benefits.

With an incredibly easy-to-use interface, comparable prices with other systems, and built-in scalability for growing companies, this phone system understandably boasts a number of big-name clients, including Taco Bell, Netflix, and DirectBuy.

In addition to ease of use and scalability, Nextiva boasts a wide range of helpful features designed to make your business more successful. In addition to an intuitive call center dashboard and comprehensive mobile app, Nextiva offers next level customer analytics to guide your business. You’ll be able to track every stage of a potential customers engagement with your business, helping you see what works and, more importantly, what doesn’t.

One of the older apps, Skype still offers a reliable call management solution. Skype charges per user per month and has a range of features which can be used on mobile devices and desktops. Suitable for business, Skype can coordinate online meetings, calls, video and messaging, supporting up to 250 people at one time.

Integrate with Outlook and schedule meetings and keep your communications secure with enterprise grade security and management of accounts.

Line2 provides business numbers which can be integrated with mobile devices. Their simple three step process can have you up and running in no time. Choose your number, configure your account, and connect with customers. It’s that easy. With the business plan, Line2 offers a comprehensive phone solution which offers unlimited texts and unlimited calling in the US and Canada all in a monthly price.

For larger businesses, seamlessly set up group conferencing and add 20 colleagues from a phone, tablet, or computer. Also include an automated message to direct customers to the right team. All of these features can be easily integrated into the system.

When starting a business, many of us end up running all of our business calls through our personal phones. That can mean extra stress, potentially embarrassing mix-ups, and tricky organization of your voicemail and contacts. OpenPhone is a brand seeking to change all that.

The OpenPhone app makes it easy for professionals and businesses to run a business phone number on their existing cell phones. There’s no need for a second sim card or extra data plan with your network provider. With OpenPhone, you can be up and running with your business phone number in 30 seconds.

OpenPhone offers local US, Canadian and toll-free numbers and comes with unlimited talk and text. It offers professional features like business hours, voicemail transcription and more to give you full control over your business phone, from your personal phone.

For businesses looking for a more advanced solution than WhatsApp, Phonebooth offers its customers an all round VoIP solution. One of the great things about Phonebooth is that you are not tied to long term contracts like some of the other providers. For a small monthly fee, you can access unlimited local and long distance calls which is ideal for businesses who have international reach.

Easily route calls to a landline telephone or mobile selecting a number of your choice. What’s more, Phonebooth users will also receive a free local telephone number they can use to make calls which is great for a business user. Any call that is made to your Phonebooth number is automatically redirected to your chosen telephone number.