Having the best business cell phone plans makes all the difference in terms of communications and the way your team works and interacts with clients. When choosing a plan, consider price and mobile security, and assess whether it comes with advanced features like spam call detection and safe browsing. This article outlines our top picks for business cell phone plans. Here’s a list of the top business phone plans on the market, as well as their best use cases:
- Verizon: Best overall business cell phone plan
- RingCentral: Best for voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) call management
- Nextiva: Best for long-distance calling
- T-Mobile: Best for unlimited phone plans
- Google Voice: Best low-cost plans for solopreneurs
- AT&T: Best for mobile security
Verizon: Best Overall Business Cell Phone Plan
What We Liked
- It gives users the option to bring their own smartphones and phone numbers.
- It provides faster internet speed with 5G Ultra Wideband.
- You can save up to $10 per line and month through your work or organization.
Where It Falls Behind
- It is the priciest provider on this list.
- Caller ID and personal block list features are not available in the base-level plan.
- Mobile security requires a separate activation fee of $5 per device.
Verizon Monthly Pricing*
- Unlimited Welcome: $75 for unlimited, reliable 5G
- Unlimited Plus: $90 per line for 5G Ultra Wideband, 30GB premium on mobile hotspot data
- Unlimited Ultimate: $100 per line for 60GB premium mobile hotspot data, high-speed international data, talk, and text
*Use Auto Pay and paper-free billing to pay your bill and get a monthly discount of $10.
Verizon is our best business cell phone plan because it ticks all the marks, including network reliability, coverage, and extensive business features (e.g., device discounts, roaming, and premium data). As one of the most reliable networks in the country, it offers extensive coverage in rural and suburban areas. It has various features, like mobile device management tools and priority customer support.
According to the JD Power reliability measure, Verizon has the fewest network quality problems per 100 connections. It features 5G Ultra Wideband in several major cities with extensive 5G, LTE, and 3G reach. It’s ideal for teams needing business mobile plans for on-the-go employees. Give employees internet connection for multiple devices using premium mobile hotspots, which ensure speedy internet even during network congestion. Verizon allows up to 200GB of premium hotspot data.
Aside from the mobile hotspot, the provider offers unlimited premium smartphone data. This means your cellular data gets higher priority on the network and won’t be subject to slowdowns. Unfortunately, Verizon has the most expensive package among the business cell phone plans listed here, with the entry-level plan at $75 per line a month. For more affordable cell phone plans, Google Voice is your best option. Its monthly base-level package is $10 per user and even offers a free plan for solopreneurs.
Verizon Features
Block high-risk calls automatically using Verizon’s spam filter. (Source: Verizon)
- Call filter: Screen and block incoming spam calls and those from unwanted numbers. Upgrade to Call Filter Plus to access caller ID for robocall control and total spam protection.
- Business Mobile Secure: Get alerts when a device tries to connect to unsecured Wi-Fi. It protects your phone against phishing and other cybersecurity risks.
- Bring your own device (BYOD): Verizon allows users to keep their smartphones and numbers when switching to the provider. Simply check your eligibility, bring your smartphone and number, and activate them with one of Verizon’s unlimited business plans.
RingCentral: Best for VoIP Call Management
What We Liked
- It provides free local and toll-free numbers in all plans.
- It has unlimited storage for files, messaging, and recordings.
- 99.999% uptime is guaranteed.
Where It Falls Behind
- Internet fax isn’t available in the entry-level plan.
- It only offers up to 200 business texting credits per user.
- Phone rentals are only available for those tied to a multiyear contract.
RingCentral Monthly Pricing*
- Core: $30 per user for local or toll-free numbers, 25 texting credits, on-demand call recording, team messaging, and video conferencing for up to 100 participants
- Advanced: $35 per user for 100 texting credits, automatic call recording, advanced call monitoring, and hot desking
- Ultra: $45 per user for 200 texting credits, unlimited storage for messages and files, and video conferencing for up to 200 participants
- Free trial: 14 days
*Pricing is based on one to five users under a monthly billing arrangement. Save up to 33% by paying annually; discounts are available for 50+ users.
Out of all the small business cell phone plans on this list, RingCentral offers the most advanced call management tools, such as call queues and an interactive voice response (IVR) system. Its entry-level plan comes with these features, which other providers offer at higher tiers. The multilevel auto-attendant automatically directs calls to the right departments based on the caller’s key presses. Its call queue accommodates up to 25 waiting calls.
This VoIP phone system offers individual service representatives tools such as call flip, which allows them to move calls from one device to another. The call park feature enables agents to place calls in a communal “parking spot” for other team members to retrieve. These assist agents in delivering faster and more accurate customer support.
Before choosing RingCentral, note that it doesn’t offer unlimited texting. Depending on your plan, it only provides a set amount of texting credits. In contrast, our top choice among the best small business cell phone plans, Verizon, offers unlimited texting.
RingCentral Features
Get an overview of all your voicemail messages on RingCentral.
(Source: RingCentral)
- Visual voicemail: Access and manage your voicemail through RingCentral’s admin portal. Read the voicemails instead of listening to audio files and playing them repeatedly to understand the message. Users have the option to preview, delete, and forward these messages.
- Team huddle: Let members hold spontaneous virtual meetings resembling informal, face-to-face huddles. Easily host audio and video conferences where participants come and go as they please.
- Video conferencing: Host virtual meetings for up to 200 participants. If you get the large meeting add-on, your sessions can accommodate a maximum of 500 attendees.
Nextiva: Best for Long-distance Calling
What We Liked
- It supports BYOD.
- It offers free number porting services.
- It offers free number porting services.
Where It Falls Behind
- Call recording and voicemail transcription are locked behind the most expensive plan.
- It only allows a 45-minute duration in video calls.
- SMS isn’t available in the entry-level plan.
Nextiva Monthly Pricing*
- Essential: $35.95 per user for free local and toll-free number, up to 1,500 toll-free minutes, voicemail to email, and call log reports
- Professional: $40.95 per user for up to 3,000 toll-free minutes, voicemail to SMS, unlimited conference calls for 40 participants, and 1,000 messages sent and received per user
- Enterprise: $50.95 per user for up to 12,500 toll-free minutes, call recording, unlimited conference calls for unlimited participants, and 2,000 messages sent and received per user
*Annual billing is available, starting at $28.95 per user, monthly.
Nextiva is included in this list of the best small business cell phone plans and is ideal for companies catering to a national client base because of its generous toll-free minute allowance. It offers a maximum of 12,500 toll-free minutes, allowing customers from different parts of the country to reach out to the business without any charge.
Toll-free minutes enable you to save more on communication costs while conveniently serving your national customer base better. When making international calls, simply contact Nextiva to enable international dialing. Once enabled, you can make international calls using the Nextiva app or your physical phone.
Nextiva offers various VoIP features, but one disadvantage you need to know before subscribing to Nextiva is that its video calls only last 45 minutes. Consider other best cell phone plans for businesses if you frequently go on long video calls for client and team discussions. RingCentral is a good option, as its video meetings have a duration of 24 hours.
Nextiva Features
Set your status on Nextiva to let colleagues know if you’re available for a call. (Source: Nextiva)
- Call recording: Capture phone calls and store the recordings to secure a reliable reference for business deals and agreements. These files may serve as training materials for new customer service representatives.
- Call presence: Know who among colleagues is available for calls. The phone system’s presence displays user status: available, on a call, unavailable (do not disturb), or offline.
- Call pop: See who’s on the other end of the line before answering a call. Use the call pop feature to determine the customers’ last interaction, account value, and experience score or customer sentiment.
T-Mobile: Best for Unlimited Phone Plans
What We Liked
- It has generous mobile hotspot data allotment at a maximum of 200GB.
- A dedicated customer support team is available across all plans.
Where It Falls Behind
- Wi-Fi for traveling isn’t available in the entry-level plan.
- Base plan only comes with 5GB hotspot data per line, per month.
- In-flight Wi-Fi isn’t included in the entry-level plan.
T-Mobile Monthly Pricing*
- Essential Saver (BYOD): $55 per line for unlimited talk and text (with Mexico and Canada), unmetered 3G hotspot, unlimited 5G & 4G LTE with 50GB of premium data, standard video streaming quality (480p)
- Essentials: $65 for the same features as the Essential Saver without a device
- Go5G: $80 per line for 100GB premium data, 15GB of high-speed mobile hotspot data, six months complimentary Apple TV+, four full-flight streaming sessions a year, unlimited in-flight texting with one-hour streaming, and inclusive of taxes and fees
- Go5G Plus: $95 per line for annual upgrade-ready, Netflix standard, 4K UHD video streaming quality, scam shield premium, upgrade-ready every two years, and voicemail to text
- Go5G Next: $105 per line for the same features as Go5G Plus but upgrade-ready every year
*New customers can get a third-line discount, depending on your chosen package. T-Mobile also offers AutoPay discounts.
T-Mobile is the best business cell phone plan for unlimited plans because all users get unlimited talk and text, nationwide 5G coverage, and unmetered 5G and 4G LTE data. Customers get unlimited text and up to 5GB of data in 215-plus countries and destinations. Once you reach the data allotment limit, you still get unlimited data at a speed of 256Kbps.
In addition to the broad international coverage and texting and data features, T-Mobile allows users to use its in-flight Wi-Fi with streaming solutions. This is available on Alaska Airlines and select American, Delta, and United flights. For those who travel a fair amount and spend hours on plans or in transit, T-Mobile offers various entertainment features, like Netflix, Apple TV+, and ViX Premium subscriptions, as an additional perk.
One downside of T-Mobile is that the business cell phone plan has a more expensive subscription when you want to secure unlimited premium data—useful for remote work and business travel. You must upgrade to its highest-tier package, which costs $105 per line, monthly. Verizon offers unlimited premium data in its Unlimited Plus plan, which is slightly more affordable at $90 per line.
T-Mobile Features
Block spam calls automatically using T-Mobile’s Scam Shield app. (Source: T-Mobile)
- Microsoft 365 access: Higher T-Mobile plans like the Advanced and Ultimate packages come with a single Microsoft Office license. Access popular productivity tools like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and collaboration features like Microsoft Teams and OneDrive (1TB cloud storage).
- Scam Shield: This feature automatically identifies and prevents spam calls, which may put your security at risk or negatively affect productivity. It features a caller ID that displays callers’ information even on numbers not registered on your contact list. Additionally, it provides a proxy number to keep your real phone number private.
- T-Mobile Tuesdays: The T-Mobile app offers exclusive access to free offers and attractive deals from different brands. The perks include prizes and discounts on food, fuel, hotel stays, gadgets, and app subscriptions.
Google Voice: Best Low-cost Plans for Solopreneurs
What We Liked
- It integrates seamlessly with Google products.
- It has easy-to-use desktop and mobile interfaces.
- All subscription plans offer service level agreement (SLA).
Where It Falls Behind
- It doesn’t have call recording in the entry-level plan.
- Users must subscribe to the most expensive package to access advanced reporting.
- It lacks advanced VoIP features other providers offer, like toll-free minutes and call monitoring.
Google Voice Monthly Pricing
- Personal: Free for one user, local phone number, unlimited calls and text messages within the US, and voicemail
- Starter: $10 per user for calls to the US and Canada, unlimited text messaging, usage and activity reporting, and integration with Google Calendar and Meet
- Standard: $20 per user for unlimited domestic locations, multilevel auto-attendant, ring groups, and eDiscovery for calls, voice mails, and text messaging records
- Premier: $30 per user for unlimited international locations, advanced reporting, and automatic call recording
Among the business telephone plans we reviewed, Google Voice is the ideal provider for solopreneurs because of its free version and highly accessible pricing point. Its free features are enough for business people who need a no-frills communications solution—a straightforward VoIP phone system for calling, texting, and voicemail services. It includes one local phone number, unlimited calls and texts within the US, and voicemail.
If you need more VoIP features, upgrade to the paid plans, which start at $10 per user. The entry-level plan includes voicemail transcription, call forwarding, and integration with Google products, useful tools for managing customer interactions.
Google Voice has the cheapest business phone plans listed here. However, it doesn’t have advanced features like robust analytics capabilities. To better track call activities and key performance indicators (KPIs), consider other small business VoIP services like RingCentral or Nextiva.
Google Voice Features
Get spam call alerts from Google Voice. (Source: Google Voice)
- Multilevel auto-attendant: Send callers to different departments by letting them choose from a phone menu. Record your greetings using Google Voice’s text-to-speech tool, or upload professionally recorded audio.
- Enhanced spam protection: The phone system automatically labels spam calls as such using advanced AI. On top of this, it marks suspicious text messages on Android and iOS devices.
- Ring groups: Delegate a ring group to a specific Google Voice user. A ring group manager can configure the members, call routing rules, ring duration settings, and working hours of a ring group.
Explore pay-as-you-go and prepaid VoIP options to manage your VoIP costs better. Consider your business and communication priorities when deciding between the providers mentioned in our buyer’s guide.
AT&T: Best for Mobile Security
What We Liked
- It offers unlimited texting from the US to 200-plus countries.
- All subscription plans feature mobile app security.
- It offers waived activation fees for new customers who buy plans and devices online.
Where It Falls Behind
- Its subscription plans are more expensive compared with those from other providers listed here.
- 5G+ is available in limited parts of select cities only.
- Hotspot data speed slows to a maximum of 128Kbps when your allotted data is consumed.
AT&T Monthly Starting Pricing*
- Standard: $45.99 per line for unlimited talk, text, and data within and between the US, Canada, and Mexico, 5GB of mobile hotspot data, standard streaming, and basic ActiveArmor security
- Advanced: $50.99 per line for 75GB of high-speed data, advanced ActiveArmor security, and 30GB of mobile hotspot data
- Premium: $60.99 per line for unlimited high-speed data with no slowdown, 60GB of mobile hotspot, and unlimited talk, text, and high-speed data in 20 Latin American countries
*Prices shown are after AutoPay and paperless billing discounts. Under the Premium plan, save up to $10/mo. per line through your work or organization.
Among the best cell phone plans for small businesses included in this article, AT&T is the best for mobile security because of its ActiveArmor smartphone app. This is a proprietary security app aimed at providing customers with advanced protection against various mobile threats—enhancing the overall security of their mobile experience. It offers spam risk call blocking, safe browsing, public Wi-Fi protection, and identity monitoring. The last one involves tracking the dark web for your personal information.
In addition to these key features, you’ll be able to receive data breach alerts, run reverse number lookups, identify unknown caller details, and get information about your Android smartphone if it gets lost or stolen. While AT&T offers excellent mobile security among the best cell phone plans for small businesses listed, its data offering may be a deal-breaker. It slows down the hotspot data to a maximum of 128Kbps when the user hits their data cap.
In contrast, Verizon’s mobile throttling speed is 600Kbps, a more acceptable speed for professionals who need to stay connected. Consider this option if you need internet access when working remotely. The provider offers some valuable mobile security features as well, such as Wi-Fi protection and robocall blocking.
AT&T Features
Turn on data roaming when traveling internationally. (Source: AT&T)
- Video streaming: Depending on your plan, you can watch shows on your smartphone in standard definition, high definition, or ultrahigh definition. Regardless of your plan, the provider’s Video Management feature, which controls data usage, is available.
- International roaming: Call, text, and use mobile data in Latin America with no usage limits. With this, you can conveniently connect with colleagues and customers whenever needed.
- Mobile hotspot: Plug your devices into your hotspot and secure your internet connection instantly. With AT&T’s broad coverage nationwide, you can connect and work remotely without the hassle.
How We Evaluated the Best Business Cell Phone Plans
In our cell phone business plan comparison, we created a scoring rubric to determine the best options. It evaluates the vendors in critical areas, namely accessible pricing points, valuable features, user-friendliness, and customer care. Moreover, we included their popularity and value for money in our assessment.
Learn how we evaluated the best business cell phone plans by clicking on the tabs below:
15% of Overall Score
The providers with an entry-level plan priced at $35 or less earned more points in our evaluation. We also checked if they offer a free plan and discounts for annual billing and bulk phone lines.
25% of Overall Score
Unlimited calling, call forwarding, and data encryption were among our considerations for general features. Those with robust third-party integrations earned higher points.
20% of Overall Score
For niche features, we considered spam blockers, in-flight texting, and video meeting capabilities. We favored providers that support international calling.
10% of Overall Score
Since most businesses want a fast transition process to mobility solutions, we gave more points to providers that make setting up the plan and using the features easy. Similarly, we determined how intuitive the providers’ device management apps are.
10% of Overall Score
Timely assistance is a top priority for companies. Thus, we looked at each vendor’s customer service hours and awarded more points to those accommodating concerns 24/7. We also considered the variety of communication channels for customer support, giving more points to providers with live chat, phone support, and email.
20% of Overall Score
This involves assessing standout features, affordability, and user-friendliness. Besides our own testing, we consulted third-party review sites to gauge popularity among business users.
*Percentages of overall score
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
According to the Federal Communications Commission’s national broadband map[1], AT&T and Verizon have the broadest 4G LTE coverage, covering 55.11% and 55.05% of the country, respectively. Meanwhile, T-Mobile covers 35.3%. AT&T and Verizon are excellent options if you prioritize coverage.
Small businesses can reduce communication expenses by selecting a business cell plan that balances features and costs. Some things to consider include opting for volume-based discounts for multiple lines or devices, selecting prepaid options, and periodically assessing and tweaking plans to match usage patterns.
In a nutshell, these are the factors you must consider when comparing cell phone plans:
- Data and voice coverage: Check the carriers’ coverage maps to see if your business areas are included. Ask contacts as well which providers work well in different locations.
- Device options: If you plan to get a new device, see if your carrier offers your preferred brands and models. Meanwhile, if you plan to stick to your existing phone, ensure your phone plan provider supports BYOD.
- Plan inclusions: Compare the high-speed data limits for each provider’s unlimited data offerings. If you frequently travel for work, check if mobile hotspot access is part of your preferred plan. Those traveling overseas should benefit from a package that features international coverage. If you choose VoIP platforms, check if the plan includes a toll-free minute allowance and robust call routing tools.
- Subscription rates: Determine how much you will spend on your mobile plan each month. When comparing quotes, take into account the taxes and fees in addition to the subscription rates. Note that some providers offer discounts for bulk lines, enrollment in AutoPay, and paperless billing. VoIP vendors provide discounted prices for those who choose annual billing.
Bottom Line
Finding the right business cell phone plan for small businesses depends on your communication needs, travel frequency, and budget. The best business phone plans are cost-effective and include essential tools like unlimited calling, call forwarding, and mobile hotspots. These mobile plans support remote work and prioritize mobile security while also simplifying the process of acquiring new devices.
Based on our review, Verizon is the best overall small business phone plan, especially if you’re looking for an all-in platform that delivers security, reliability, call quality, and business features. Visit its website today to learn more about this provider and its business cell phone plans.
