Virtualization has its perks for small businesses, and can save you money when it comes to operating costs. Many of the perks enterprises have availed of for years are now available for small business and home use, including cloud-based management tools for incoming and outgoing calls. But the wrong VoIP service will still cost you. Here’s three top VoIP services to consider for business or home use, that won’t break the bank.

Ooma Office

For only $19.98 a month, Ooma Office offers unlimited calling in the US and Canada, a virtual receptionist, extension dialing, conferencing, music-on-hold and much more.

Ooma Office is a hybrid solution that utilizes on-site hardware, which means no rewiring is needed, and the power of cloud computing to deliver features akin to that of a business class phone system.  Ooma Office is designed for expansion.  You can add up to five phone extensions and 15 virtual extensions and you don’t need specialized VoIP phones to use Ooma Office, cutting the cost of the service significantly.

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Vocalocity

Now Vonage-owned, Vocalocity offers various plans for different types of businesses that would cater to their specific needs.  It has three plans: the Metered Extensions, Unlimited Extensions, and Virtual Extensions.  Metered Extensions cost $14.99 a month per extension plus $0.03 per minute is a pay-per-minute plan which is great for phones that mainly used for international calls.

The Unlimited Extensions plan costs $39.99 per month, per extension, and features unlimited inbound and outbound calls.  The Virtual Extensions is intended for workers that do not need an office phone and can use their smartphones or mobile phones to make the calls.  It costs $14.99 per month, per extension.

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MagicJack Plus

If you’re a small business just starting out and you don’t want to deal with high monthly bills for VoIP, then you can start off with a MagicJack Plus. This little device connects to your wired internet and existing phone, or connect it with your phone and computer if only WiFi is available.

MagicJack costs $49.95 and it comes with six months of service, free.  It offers free local and long distance calls to US and Canada, caller ID, voicemail, call forwarding, call waiting, and free 411.  For a year of service, you just need to pay $29.95, but it also offers a five-year plan for only $99.75.

photo credit: Michael Simmons via photopin cc