Landline vs. VoIP: Which is the better option for your company?

Your business phone system choices include VoIP and landline. Choose the correct communication solution for your business.
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology enables devices such as desktop computers, smartphones, and tablets to make and receive phone calls. Instead of analog signals like traditional phone landlines, VoIP converts voice into digital signals that can be transmitted to any computer or mobile device.
As working from home becomes increasingly popular, people are turning to VoIP as a telephone service that can be used over a broadband Internet connection for business. Even better, a VoIP phone number is the same as a traditional one, so you can still call friends, family, or colleagues who use traditional phone service.

Many free VoIP services, such as Google Voice, may impose restrictions on long-distance calls or voice accuracy. There are also paid VoIP services, which can accommodate multiple phone numbers and lines.

Here is an overview of business VoIP and traditional landlines to help you decide which kind of business phone system is suitable for your organization.

What is the difference between VoIP and Landline?

The most crucial difference between VoIP and landline is the flexibility of VoIP. A traditional landline requires a physical connection to the telephone network, which requires a switch to transmit analog voice to other telephones worldwide. On the other hand, VoIP depends on a broadband internet connection.

Some other differences between VoIP and landlines are given below:

Cost: There are some significant differences in price between the two commercial phone systems. VoIP depends on your existing Internet connection, so you don’t need to purchase additional hardware.

Scalability: With VoIP, you can add new numbers to your company’s plan with just a few mouse clicks. But because landlines are connected to physical locations and equipment, adding new lines can become costly as your business grows.

Capabilities: A VoIP phone line provides expanded capabilities that deliver the technology an edge in functionality, such as short message service (SMS), video conferencing, recording, and archiving.

What are the advantages of VoIP?

VoIP technology is an excellent alternative to business phone systems. Take a look at the pros of VoIP.

VoIP pros:

Low cost: VoIP phone lines have a lower total cost of ownership than landlines because they are compatible with multiple devices. Employees are usually assigned a company computer to quickly access a dedicated VoIP phone line without needing additional hardware. VoIP phone lines are available for individual users and corporate accounts, making it easy to add lines as a company expands and its workforce grows.

Rich Functionality: As VoIP phone lines work with computers and smart devices, callers can send text, images, video files, and fax. VoIP lines include typical business phone system features such as caller ID, conference calling, and video conferencing. A VoIP number can quickly forward calls to remote teams or employees working from home, allowing you to provide continuous support to your consumers.

Portability: VoIP phone lines are entirely independent of specific devices or locations. You can link it to a mobile device or laptop to access your VoIP number and receive calls from clients and colleagues.

Scalability: Since VoIP is a cloud-based technology, VoIP phone lines are easily scalable for growing teams and businesses. Your IT administrator can quickly create new VoIP lines as needed in seconds without calling your service provider. Once a new VoIP line is completed, new team members can make and receive calls without purchasing additional equipment. VoIP phone lines rely on equipment the company owns, such as computers; most companies already have the necessary equipment and can expand rapidly as the business grows.

Perfect solution for global teams: VoIP is ideal for teams deployed worldwide with flexibility and scalability. You can set up VoIP phone lines for specific regions or countries to provide local support without long-distance charges.

Alternatively, your company can use VoIP lines to forward calls to the appropriate team members, ensuring consistent customer support.

What are the disadvantages of landlines?

Many companies use traditional landline telephone systems.

Disadvantages of landline phones

High cost: The traditional phone service option is expensive, to begin with. The service cost is generally higher than lower-cost options, and that price increases for each line you add. Consider running a business with 100 people with a dedicated landline, for which you pay some money per month per number, and you’ll see how quickly costs can spiral out of control.

Regular spam calls: There are no anti-spam regulations for landlines, so spam calls occur regularly.

Limited functionality: It is preferable to use a landline for voice calls. Built before texting, video conferencing, or picture sharing, traditional phone lines did not provide the versatility of the broadband communication devices we use today.

Fixed hardware: When working with a traditional landline, you are limited to where your dedicated phone is installed. If you leave the desk, even for a few moments, you will likely miss an important call from a colleague.

Do you know that the best business phone systems promote effective communication with mobility, collaboration, and conferencing tools?

How to Choose Between VoIP and Landline

When choosing a business phone system and between VoIP phone service and a traditional landline, there are some critical questions to ask.

What is the size of your team?

VoIP may be the right decision if you have a large team working from home or employees across different regions. Due to VoIP’s scaling and portability options, it is an ideal and affordable option for sections that do not work together.

What is your device concern?

If you do not need the added expense of a personal phone for each employee, focus on VoIP options. But if hardware costs are still part of the setup process, getting a phone for your landline might be the way to go.

What features do you need?

A landline is a good option if you only want to make short local calls. However, if you’re going to transfer files from the field, send videos to employees or colleagues, or video conferencing with your entire workforce, VoIP is the way to go.