If you’re running a small business and want to look more professional, build trust, and keep your personal number private, getting an 800 number service for your small business is one of the easiest upgrades you can make.
An 800 number is a toll-free phone number that customers can call without being charged. It instantly makes your business look more established and gives you the flexibility to take calls from anywhere.
Since 2011, I’ve used an 800 number that forwards calls directly to my cell phone for my e-commerce business and other online ventures. It’s one of the simplest tools that made a big impact early on—and it still does today.
In this guide, I’ll break down:
- The best 800 number services for small businesses
- Benefits of using a VoIP phone system
- Frequently asked questions
- A detailed comparison of each service
- How to choose the right one for your business
Please note that plan prices change frequently, so you'll find the latest information on their websites. Also, many of the links in this post are affiliate links which means I'll receive a commission for a recommendation if you choose to go through one of my links to get a free trial or a product. Using my links helps support my business and family, so I'd like to thank you for using a link if one of these services is right for you.
My Quick Picks
- BEST OVERALL: Grasshopper
- BEST FOR GROWING TEAMS: RingCentral
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Phone.com
- BEST SIMPLE SETUP: eVoice
Comparison Table
| SERVICE | BEST FOR | STARTING PRICE | KEY FEATURES | FREE TRIAL |
| Grasshopper | Solo businesses | ~ $14/mo | Call forwarding, voicemail, extensions | Yes |
| RingCentral | Teams | ~$20/mo | Full phone system, video, team messaging | Yes |
| Phone.com | Budget-friendly setups | ~$13/mo | Flexible plans, pay-per-minute options | Yes |
| eVoice | Simple toll- free setup | ~$12/mo | Auto attendant voicemail, basic routing | No |
* Prices change—always check current pricing before signing up!
Why use an 800 Number Service?
Toll-free numbers are an ideal way to meet your potential customers. As a small business owner, it will benefit you as it will help boost your revenue and save money for your customers. Listed below are some of the benefits of having a vanity toll-free numbers like 800 number.
- Credibility: makes your business seem larger and more established
- Remote friendly: redirect business calls to remote employees anywhere
- Travel friendly: forward business calls to your cell phone anywhere you are
- Text capability: text customers from a business number, not your personal number
- VoIP advantages: speed, security, data capabilities, cloud storage, analytics
- Professional greeting: “Press 1 for sales, 2 for customer service, etc.”
My Experience Using an 800 Number (Real Benefits)
There are many benefits to having an 800 number for your small business. I’ll share a few of the benefits I’ve experienced.
Freedom and Flexibility
An 800 number service can be set up to forward to any phone and multiple phones. I forward my 800 number to my cell phone so I can answer a business call no matter where I am and don't need a separate phone. Calls can be answered no matter where I’m traveling. While on vacation, I can either send them to voicemail or even forward it to an extension of an employee.
Credibility – Sound like a national company!
Having an 800 number service instantly gives your small business a boost of credibility. People generally think that companies with 800 numbers are more reputable and reliable. Adding extensions provides another way to sound like you have more employees or are a larger team. I originally started my small online sign business out of my home. People who called in often asked where my warehouse was located, what our turnaround time was, and who would help them out with their order. They were always so surprised to find out they were either talking to an owner or one of just a couple employees. The 800 number made us sound much bigger than we actually were.
Extensions
Extensions give you the ability to forward calls to different departments or employees. You can turn your smart phone into a business line! My 800 number call greeting says:
“Thank you for calling our business and we hope you are having a great day! For sales, press 1. For customer support, press 2. To talk to Kate S, press 3. For Pete, press 4.”
You get the picture. But this can be a great way to manage calls for businesses with employees who work remotely. It’s also an excellent way to save money by forwarding calls to phones you already own.
Great for Remote Teams
800 number services provide extensions that are able to be routed individually to your team's cell phone numbers wherever they are. This is really handy for today's world of remote working. You can have a team across the country or even the world, and thanks to VoIP technology, they can all be connected to the same phone line and answer calls 24/7 from anywhere.
Vanity 800 Numbers
Vanity numbers are easy to remember and can help brand your name or slogan into an 800 number. Finding the perfect vanity number isn’t easy these days with 800 numbers, but newer toll free pre-fixes like 888 and 877 can also be customized through the 800 number services. The full range is 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, and 833.
Local Numbers
800 number providers like Grasshopper also offer local numbers. So you can get a number with any area code you'd like, if you are not in the market for an 800 number. This is especially useful if you'd like all the services of an 800 number, but want a local feel -- like a restaurant or some other business that provides local services.
Toll Free
What is a toll free number? The toll free benefit isn’t a big deal these days since long distance calling isn’t really a thing anymore. However, having the “Toll Free” benefit used to be a big deal because the caller did not have to pay a long distance fee. International calls are billed.
Breakdown and Review of each Service
BEST OVERALL:
If you want something simple that just works, Grasshopper is one of the easiest options out there.
Includes:
- Unlimited minutes
- Text from business number
- Auto-text missed callers to keep their business
- Transcribes voicemail to email text
- Receives faxes as email PDFs
- Download the app to smartphone and/or computer
- VoIP is not default but possible
- Use current phone, no new hardware needed
- 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, 833 available
- Vanity numbers available
- Local numbers available
- $75 Off Coupon for Think Entrepreneurship Readers
What I like:
- Super easy to set up
- Works with your existing phone
- Great for solo business owners
Downside:
- Not as advanced as full systems like RingCentral
Best for:
Contractors, freelancers, and small business owners who want a professional number without complexity
Verdict:
Best balance of simplicity + professionalism
I’ve used Grasshopper 800 number service for several years now and interviewed their original founder, David Hauser—so I am a little biased—but for me and my needs, Grasshopper is the best 800 number service especially for small businesses. They have a great track record, over 400,000 + happy entrepreneurs, a slick app, and tons of features included with every level of plan—especially unlimited minutes.
Grasshopper VoIP set-up
Grasshopper primarily uses your service provider’s cellular network for incoming and outgoing calls. It does offer both WiFi and VoIP Calling options, but they are not the default. If you're in a place with Wifi, you probably have cell service, so that’s not a big deal, but just be aware of your minutes use if your cellular plan is not unlimited. Or you can just turn on Wifi as the default in the App, if you prefer VoIP. Grasshopper must be used as a secondary number—you will need to keep your primary number and cell phone service as the actual number that the Grasshopper number gets forwarded to.
Professional Services
Simply download the app on your phone and/or computer, and you can: call and text, get voicemails emailed as text, and receive faxes as PDFs—all from the same phone number and which, most importantly, is not your personal number. Using a non-personal number helps you screen against spam and prepares you to answer the phone in a professional voice.
Vanity Numbers
If you want a vanity number, be ready to be creative and flexible… it’s tough to get exactly what you want. Honestly, I feel like most people just search for your business and click a link to call, so a vanity number seems less important now than it did in the days before smart phones.
Easy to Transfer Your Current Number
If you already have a business number in use but want the great features offered by Grasshopper, it’s free and easy to transfer your current number to function as a Grasshopper number.
Auto-text Reply to Missed Calls
One of the coolest features is that Grasshopper can automatically text a caller if you missed their call, so you don’t lose that potential customer. If you were busy helping another customer or busy working (or playing!), you can still make contact and make that potential customer feel heard—and save them from taking their business somewhere else!
Free Trial + Pricing
If you’re ready to try it, they currently offer a 7-day free trial period. Otherwise, the most basic plan starts $14/mo for one number and one extension, $25/month for unlimited users, one number and three extensions and $55/month for four numbers and unlimited extensions. There is a registration fee of $19.50 one-time-fee and a $1.50/mo messaging fee for all plans. If you pay for the whole year at once (“billed annually”) you save 10%, which is what the prices are above. These are the prices in 2026 but prices change so double check their site.
BEST FOR GROWING BUSINESSES:
If you’re planning to grow your business or already have a team, RingCentral is a much more advanced system than something like Grasshopper. Instead of just forwarding calls, it acts as a full business phone system with built-in communication tools.
If you want everything in one place (calls, texts, video, team messaging), this is where RingCentral really stands out.
Pricing + Free Trial
If you’re ready to try it, they currently offer a 14-day free trial period for new subscribers only. You will receive support for up to 20 phone lines. You can use any combination of RingCentral desktop phones (up to 2 devices during free trial) and the RingCentral app. Otherwise, the most basic plan starts $20/mo, $25/month for the Advanced plan, and $35/month for everything in advanced + more. If you pay for the whole year at once (“billed annually”) you save ~33%, which is what the prices are below. These are the prices in 2026 but prices change so double check their site.
What RingCentral Does Best
RingCentral is built for businesses that need more than just a phone number. It’s designed to handle:
- Multiple employees
- Departments and call routing
- Team communication
- Customer management
It has all the features needed to act as your complete business communication hub.
Key Features
- Full VoIP phone system (no personal phone required)
- Call routing, extensions, and auto-attendant
- Team messaging (like Slack built in)
- Video meetings (Zoom alternative)
- Mobile + desktop apps
- CRM integrations (Salesforce, HubSpot, etc.)
- Call recording and analytics
- Toll-free AND local numbers available
What I Like
- All-in-one platform (calls, video, messaging)
- Scales extremely well as your business grows
- Professional setup for teams
- Strong integrations with other business tools
- Reliable call quality and performance
- Everything runs through one system instead of multiple apps.
Downside
- More complex setup compared to simpler tools like Grasshopper
- Higher cost as you add users
- More than you need if you’re a solo business owner
Best For
- Businesses with employees or teams (sales team, customer service reps, remote employees)
- Companies planning to scale operations
- Anyone who wants a more professional phone system
Verdict
RingCentral is the best long-term solution if you're building a team.
BEST BUDGET OPTION:
If you’re trying to keep costs low, Phone.com gives you that flexibility.
What I like:
- Lower starting cost
- Pay-per-minute options
- Customizable plans
Downside:
- Interface isn’t as polished
Best for:
Budget-conscious small businesses
Verdict:
Best value option if you don’t need a ton of features
Phone.com Overview
Phone.com is another great 800 number service with many additional features. Phone.com is a fully cloud-based VoIP system, which means everything is always through the internet, which means there are trackable analytics and space to store tons of information, like recording your calls (an add-on feature).
Pricing
Like with most plans, you save money with paying annually when compared to monthly. Phone.com you save 17% and those prices are reflected above with the three plans available. There is no start up fee and you can cancel anytime. All plans are HIPPA compliant. There are also premium services listed below that you can add or are included with some plans. ProSIM is an extra $10/mo for all plans.
If Phone.com seems like the right fit for your business, use our code in the link to save 50% off all users for 3 months.
User Reviews
Phone.com has been in business for a number of years and has a top notch reputation. I have a few friends who have used Phone.com and they have told me they are very happy with it. According to their website, their award winning business phone system is trusted by more than 50,000 customers. After diving into the backend and learning more about it, I've found it to be another competitive option with excellent features. Their app has mixed feedback and a review number of 4.6, with 260 reviews. It does not appear to be the most up-to-date with the biggest complaint is that it is unreliable.
There's an App For It AND Optional Desktop Phones
Like Grasshopper, there’s an app for it. They sell actual desk phones. These phones range from $80-220 for a desktop corded phone, to $500 for a big conference phone for the center of your table. I’m sure these could be useful in some larger settings, but you don’t need them if you’re fine with using your current smart phone and/or computer.
International Numbers
Phone.com is better geared for international use than Grasshopper, offering local numbers in foreign countries. For example, your UK-based clients could call a number that is familiar to them and it would still route to your Phone.com business number. There is a difference between Standard Countries for $4.99/month and a handful of Premium Countries for $14.99. Below are the lists of Standard Countries and Premium Countries.
Voicemail Transcription
For voicemail, the audio file is automatically transcribed. This saves you time but is not included in the Basic Plan
Software Integrations
The service does offer integrations with several other softwares, CRM software like Salesforce, chatbots like Haptik, or many others including Google Docs and Dropbox.
Video Meetings & Security
They also offer a video meeting service that is comparable to Zoom, with strong security features including AES-256 encryption and HIPAA compliance on higher-tier plans.
BEST SIMPLE SET-UP
eVoice is another straightforward option if you just want a toll-free number and basic features.
What I like:
- Easy setup
- Basic auto attendant
- Solid core features
Downside:
- Not as modern or feature rich add-ons
Best for:
Simple use cases where you just need a business number
Verdict:
Good, simple option that doesn't require much learning curve
Pricing
There are two plan options for eVoice. These options are billed monthly or yearly as well, saving 14% if you are billed annually. That is the price displayed below with a 30-Day Money Back Guarantee.
eVoice also has add- on features such as:
- Call Recording
- Live Receptionist
- Voicemail Transcriptions
- Professional Greeting
Frequently Asked Questions about the 800 Number Service
How much does an 800 number cost?
You’ll find out that 800 number service providers are much more affordable than you might think. Some 800 number services like Phone.com start for as little as $15/ month. That rate is if you choose to get billed annually—all at once, instead of being billed every month. Others like Grasshopper.com start at $14 / month (also billed annually). Depending on the service, plans can be cheaper in the long run if you choose to pay all at once—that's what “billed annually” means. However, you also have the option to pay month-to-month. For example, for Grasshopper, it's $14/month but you pay $168 up front for the True Solo Plan; if you choose to pay month-to-month, it's $18 each month which adds up to $216 for the year. Also, plan options change over time, so these are the updated prices of 2026 for the True Solo Plan.
Is an 800 Number Free?
No, it is not free to have your own 800 number service. However, they are very affordable and will give your business the freedom to answer calls anywhere. Simply forward an 800 number to your cell phone or phone of your choice. 800 numbers are free for your customers to call—that's the whole ‘toll free' part about 800 numbers.
How do you get an 800 Phone Number for Business?
You can get an 800 phone number by finding an 800 number service like Grasshopper.com, Phone.com, or RingCentral.com. Make sure to look for coupons like the ones on my website to get a deal or discount for the product. The process of getting an 800 number for a small business only takes about 10 minutes to set up. Simply choose a number with the prefix 800, or even 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, and 833. Functionally they are identical for callers. There is no difference between the prefixes. Purchase the number and then use the provider's website to set up the number, voicemail, extensions, and forwarding to your cell phone. Some services may take more time to set up, and larger businesses with more employees will be more time consuming.
Do you have to be a major corporation to have an 800 number?
Nope! That's exactly what this whole article is about—ANYONE can get an 800 number by using one of the best 800 number services that we review, or there are a handful of other services too.
Can I get the features of an 800 number service but use a local number?
Yep! Some folks prefer a local number, especially if you’re a restaurant or some sort of vendor where a local source or local office is important to your customers. You can still get the professional features like a professional greeting menu (press 1 for reservations, etc.), call forwarding/redirecting, the ability to choose your own number, AND still have a local prefix.
Can I get a local vanity number that isn't an 800 number?
Sure can! All of the best 800 number services provide local numbers and local vanity numbers. You may have to be creative and flexible to find a vanity number that is still available.
What is the difference between 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, 833 numbers?
Nothing really. The different toll-free prefixes all work the same. The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) released more prefixes when the 1-800 numbers were running out.
Does having an 800 number work well for remote workers?
YES. Using an 800 number for your business is especially valuable these days for the ability to direct calls to a team of remote workers anywhere. The world continues to move toward a landscape of remote workers, and a reliable VoIP service may be the link you need to make remote-working work for your business.
Will an 800 number have a professional greeting and extensions menu?
Yes, you can set up a greeting menu to direct calls to different departments or employees. “Press 1 for sales, press 2 for customer service, or press three to speak with Lindsay.” You can even add hold music while your callers wait!
What is VoIP?
VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. It is a different system than how your normal cell phone works. Traditional cell phone networks transmit your voice as radio waves from tower to tower, while VoIP converts the information to a digital signal and sends it through the internet.
How to Choose the Right 800 Number Service
Here’s how I’d think about it based on your situation to make the right choice for your business.
If you’re a solo business:
Go with Grasshopper
- Simple
- Fast setup
- No learning curve
If you’re building a team:
Go with RingCentral
- Handles multiple users
- Scales easily
- More professional system
If you want the cheapest option:
Go with Phone.com
- Flexible pricing
- Lower monthly cost
If you just want basic functionality:
Go with eVoice or GoogleVoice
- Simple and straightforward
- Gets the job done
Summary
Is an 800 number worth it for a small business? In my opinion YES, especially if you:
- Want to build trust
- Look professional
- Take customer calls regularly
- Don’t want to use your personal number
At the end of the day, the best option is the one that:
- Fits your workflow
- Doesn’t overcomplicate things
- Makes it easier for customers to reach you
We have tried to provide an objective review of the many features of three of the best 800 number services, but please explore for yourself, too! There are a handful of other services out there. If you decide to go with one of our recommendations, please click through our links and use our coupons to get the best deal. Swing by our Resources page for a few more helpful software recommendations, too!
Get Started
- Start your free trial with Grasshopper and up to $75 off (Best Overall)
- Compare pricing on RingCentral (Best for Teams)
- Explore budget options with Phone.com with 50% the first 3 months (Best Budget Option)
Comment below!
What is the most important feature that you're looking for in a business phone service? The 800 credibility, an international number, voicemail to text, HIPAA security, amount of minutes? Please comment below, and it can help us decide on future content for our site to help entrepreneurs find the right tools for their business!