Introduction
Finding the right hosted phone system providers for your UK business can be overwhelming. Every company claims to be the best, showing long feature lists, and most sound nearly identical. Most guides online? Copy paste comparisons that don’t reflect real world business needs.
This guide is different. We focus on the best hosted PBX providers, cloud PBX providers, and hosted telephone systems that genuinely solve business problems in the UK, with clear pricing, reliable support, and practical features.
What Is a Hosted Phone System?
A hosted phone system (also called hosted PBX providers or cloud PBX providers) is a modern telephony solution where your calls, messages, and video are managed through the cloud instead of traditional on-site hardware.
Unlike traditional landlines, hosted telephone systems are scalable, flexible, and include features like call recording, AI analytics, team messaging, video conferencing, and mobile apps.
The benefits? Cost savings, seamless remote work, simplified maintenance, and modern communication tools all without investing in expensive hardware.
Why UK Businesses Are Moving to Hosted Phone Systems
UK businesses are rapidly adopting hosted phone system providers and cloud PBX providers because they offer:
- Cost savings – Traditional phone systems can cost £35,000–£50,000 annually for a 50-person team. Switching to hosted PBX providers reduces costs to £12,000–£18,000. Over three years, savings reach £60,000–£100,000+.
- Scalability – Add employees or offices without ripping apart your infrastructure. Teams across Manchester, Bristol, London, or even globally stay connected.
- Modern features – HD video calls, AI-powered analytics, CRM integration, and mobile apps. Hosted telephone systems provide functionality your old system couldn’t.
- Hands-off maintenance – Providers handle updates, security, and administration, freeing your IT team to focus on growth.
Switching to the best hosting provider UK ensures local support, smooth implementation, and reliable service.
Quick Comparison: Top 12 Hosted Phone System Providers
Provider | Best For | Pricing | Key Feature | Free Trial | UK Support |
The VoIP Shop | UK businesses | £15–25/user/month | Local support, straightforward pricing | 14 days | ✓ UK team |
RingCentral | Large enterprises | £13–50/user/month | All-in-one platform | 15 days | ✓ Available |
Nextiva | Growing teams | £15–25/user/month | Exceptional support | 30 days | ✓ Yes |
8×8 | Global teams | £15–30/user/month | Unlimited international calls | 30 days | ✓ 24/7 |
Dialpad | Sales teams | £20–40/user/month | AI-driven coaching | 30 days | ✓ Yes |
Zoom Phone | Zoom users | £15–30/user/month | One-click video integration | 14 days | ✓ Yes |
Vonage | Call centres | £15–50+/user/month | Complex call routing | 14 days | ✓ 24/7 |
Ooma | Startups | £15/user/month | Affordable and reliable | 30 days | ✓ Yes |
GoTo Connect | Mid-size companies | £20–30/user/month | Balanced, reliable solution | 14 days | ✓ Yes |
Cloudtalk | Sales-focused | £20–35/user/month | CRM integration & automation | 14 days | ✓ Yes |
Ringover | Speed-focused | £18–25/user/month | Fast setup in days | 7 days | ✓ UK-based |
3CX | Technical teams | £15–30/user/month | Full customisation & control | 30 days | ✓ Yes |
Detailed Provider Reviews
1. The VoIP Shop – UK-First, Reliable, Cost Effective
- Pricing: £15–25/user/month, no hidden fees
- Features: Call recording, auto-attendant, voicemail transcription, CRM integration, mobile app, video conferencing
- Setup: 48–72 hours
- Why pick it: Fast, reliable, local UK support
Best for:
UK businesses under 150 people
2. RingCentral – Best for Large Enterprises
- Pricing: £13–50/user/month
- Features: All-in-one platform with calls, messaging, video, and SMS
- Setup: 1–2 weeks
- Why pick it: Handles complex communication needs at scale
Best for:
Large enterprises with 500+ employees
3. Nextiva – Support Heroes
- Pricing: £15–25/user/month
- Features: Exceptional support, call recording, CRM integration, mobile app
- Setup: 3–5 days
- Why pick it: Fast, helpful support from real humans
Best for:
Growing companies (20–200 employees)
4. 8x8 – For Global Teams
- Pricing: £15–30/user/month
- Features: Unlimited international calls, video conferencing, remote collaboration
- Setup: 4–6 weeks
- Why pick it: Ideal for international teams needing predictable call costs
Best for:
Remote-first global businesses
5. Dialpad – AI for Sales Teams
- Pricing: £20–40/user/month
- Features: AI-driven call suggestions, real-time coaching, sentiment analysis
- Setup: 2–3 days
- Why pick it: Sales teams improve performance with AI insights
Best for:
Customer service and sales teams
6. Zoom Phone – Integrated for Zoom Users
- Pricing: £15–30/user/month
- Features: Phone calls integrated into Zoom meetings
- Setup: 1–2 days
- Why pick it: Ideal for teams already using Zoom heavily
Best for:
Remote-first Zoom users
7. Vonage – Call Centre Power
- Pricing: £15–50+/user/month
- Features: Complex call routing, dashboards, scalable call management
- Setup: Weeks to months depending on size
- Why pick it: Handles large call volumes efficiently
Best for:
Call centres with 50+ agents
8. Ooma – Honest Budget Pick
- Pricing: £15/user/month
- Features: Simple, reliable, call recording, voicemail transcription
- Setup: 1–2 days
- Why pick it: Affordable and dependable
Best for:
Startups and small businesses
9. GoTo Connect – Balanced Mid-Market Solution
- Pricing: £20–30/user/month
- Features: Balanced pricing, reliable service, basic reporting
- Setup: 2–3 days
- Why pick it: Good for mid-market businesses needing stability
Best for:
Companies with 20–200 employees
10. Cloudtalk – Built for Sales
- Pricing: £20–35/user/month
- Features: CRM integration, call automation, performance tracking
- Setup: 1–2 days
- Why pick it: Saves time and improves sales coaching
Best for:
Sales teams using SaaS
11. Ringover – Speed-Focused
- Pricing: £18–25/user/month
- Features: Fast deployment, simple interface
- Setup: 3–5 days
- Why pick it: Start calls quickly without complex setup
Best for:
Startups needing urgent migrations
12. 3CX – Full Control
- Pricing: £15–30/user/month
- Features: Self-hosted or cloud, fully customisable
- Setup: 4–8 weeks
- Why pick it: Total control for technical teams
Best for:
MSPs, technical consultancies, or IT-focused companies
How Hosted Phone Systems Beat Traditional Landlines ?
Cost-effective: £12–18k vs £35–50k annually
Scalable: Add employees or offices easily
Remote-ready: Teams work seamlessly from anywhere
Modern features: CRM integration, AI analytics, HD video, mobile apps
No maintenance headaches: Provider handles updates and security
Easy to Scale: Add or remove lines anytime without extra hardware
How to Choose the Right Hosted Phone System?
Questions to Ask Yourself:
- Team size: 5, 50, or 500 employees?
- International calls needed?
- Current frustrations: slow setup, poor reporting, limited remote access
- Budget: realistic monthly cash flow
- UK support required?
Trial and Testing:
- Run a 7–30 day trial
- Test with real team members
- Call support to measure responsiveness
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What exactly is a hosted phone system?
A hosted phone system is a cloud-based solution that handles business calls online. Unlike traditional PBX, there’s no hardware to manage. Features often include call routing, voicemail, CRM integration, and mobile apps, helping UK teams stay connected anywhere.
2. Why should UK businesses switch to a hosted PBX?
Hosted PBX providers reduce costs, simplify management, and improve flexibility. You can add employees, set up multiple offices, or enable remote work without complicated infrastructure. Modern cloud PBX providers also include analytics, video calls, and team messaging.
3. Who are the best hosted phone system providers in the UK?
Top providers include The VoIP Shop, RingCentral, and 8×8. These companies deliver reliable hosted telephone systems, local support (in some cases), and features tailored to small, medium, and international UK businesses.
4. Can I integrate my hosted phone system with other software?
Yes. Most cloud PBX providers allow integration with CRMs, helpdesk software, and productivity tools. This ensures calls, customer data, and team communication all work seamlessly together
5. What internet requirements are needed for a cloud PBX?
Stable broadband is essential. Minimum 100 kbps per call works, but 500 kbps+ is recommended for high-quality voice and video. Proper setup guarantees your hosted telephone system performs reliably for remote teams.
Final Verdict Recommended Hosted Phone System Providers
- Recommended UK SME Option: The VoIP Shop
- Best Overall Provider: RingCentral
- Best AI-Powered Solution: Dialpad
Explore hosted PBX solutions and choose the one that fits your team’s workflow and growth plans.
