Business Technology

Best Business Phone System (2024): Talkroute Virtual Phone System Reviewed

Nowadays, having a reliable and efficient phone system is more or less crucial to maintain seamless communication, especially for businesses. Among the myriad options available, Talkroute sets itself apart from the rest as an exceptional choice for businesses of all sizes.

Designed with simplicity and affordability in mind, Talkroute addresses the common frustrations associated with traditional phone systems—complexity and high costs. By offering a user-friendly, virtual solution that requires no expensive equipment or hidden fees, Talkroute ensures that businesses can easily manage their communications from any device.

Talkroute Plans Comparison Chart

PlanBasic Plan Plus Plan Pro PlanEnterprise Plan
Price$19 per month$39 per month$59 per monthCustom pricing
Local/Toll-Free Numbers12310+
User Accounts131020+
Voicemail Boxes131020+
Unlimited CallsYesYesYesYes
SMS/MMS Messages500 per monthUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited
Single Digit ExtensionsNoYesYesYes
Multi Digit ExtensionsNoNoYesYes
Simultaneous RingNoYesYesYes
Live Call TransferNoYesYesYes
Call RecordingNoNoYesYes
Scheduled Call ForwardingNoNoYesYes
ReportingNoNoYesYes

At a Glance

Best Business Phone System

Talkroute is a user-friendly virtual phone system created by Paul Howey and developed by Eric, aimed at addressing the complexities and high costs of traditional business phone systems. Designed for small businesses, Talkroute offers an affordable solution starting at $19 per month with no hidden costs, contracts, or expensive equipment. It provides easy setup from any device, unlimited calling, and 24/7 support, along with a 100% free trial, making it an accessible and practical choice for businesses seeking a straightforward communication tool.

Key Features

Best Business Phone System

Talkroute is a virtual business phone system that provides a range of features including customizable local, toll-free, and vanity numbers, call forwarding options, voicemail with transcription, and text messaging capabilities. It also supports video conferencing, custom greetings, and detailed call reporting, all while requiring no additional hardware, making it an efficient and flexible solution for businesses of any size.

Phone Number Options

  • Local, Toll-Free, and Vanity Numbers: Businesses can choose from local numbers, toll-free options (800, 888, etc.), or create vanity numbers that spell out words or phrases for easier recognition.
  • Number Porting: Existing business numbers can be seamlessly transferred to Talkroute at no additional cost for the first port.
  • Flexible Number Management: Numbers can be added or removed as the business needs evolve.

Call Forwarding and Routing

  • Multiple Forwarding Options: Calls can be forwarded to a single phone or multiple phones either simultaneously or sequentially, ensuring no missed calls.
  • Custom Call Schedules: Set specific forwarding schedules to match business hours and manage team availability.

Text Messaging Capabilities

  • SMS and MMS Support: Communicate with customers through text messaging from both local and toll-free numbers, ensuring easy and efficient communication.

Voicemail Features

  • Virtual Voicemail: Voicemails can be accessed through the web, mobile apps, or email, with the option to create separate mailboxes for various departments.
  • Voicemail Transcription: Transcriptions of voicemails are sent via email, making it easier to review and respond.

User Management and Permissions

  • Account Administration: Administrators can assign different permission levels to users, providing control over who can access and manage system features.

Meeting and Collaboration Tools

  • Video Conferencing: Host video meetings for up to 100 participants with added features like screen sharing and file sharing to boost collaboration.

Customization and Branding

  • Caller ID Customization: Display your business name and number on outgoing calls to reinforce brand professionalism.
  • Custom Greetings and Messages: Personalize voicemail greetings and call menus to enhance the caller experience.

Reporting and Analytics

  • Call History and Reporting: Detailed records of incoming and outgoing calls are available, with options to export data for analysis and performance tracking.

Additional Features

  • Call Stacking: Handle multiple calls simultaneously without busy signals, ensuring all customers can connect.
  • Integration Capabilities: Easily connect to other apps through Zapier and webhooks to improve system functionality.
  • No Equipment Needed: Talkroute is a fully virtual system, working with existing phones and devices, so there’s no need for additional hardware.

Compatibility

Best Business Phone System

Talkroute offers wide compatibility across desktop, mobile, and web platforms, supporting MacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android devices. Its web app works with popular browsers like Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari, and the system is compatible with various microphones, headsets, and Bluetooth devices, ensuring seamless communication management from virtually any device.

Desktop App

  • MacOS: OSX 10.10 or later
  • Windows: Windows 7 or later
  • Linux: Fedora 28 or later, Ubuntu LTS 16.04 or later, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.0 or later

Mobile App

  • iOS: Version 10.0 or later
  • Android: Lollipop 5.0 or later

Web App

  • Chrome: Version 80 or later
  • Edge: Chromium, version 85 or later
  • Firefox: Version 75 or later
  • Safari: Version 12 or later

Additional Compatibility Features

  • Accessible from any desktop or mobile browser for unified communications management
  • Supports all microphones, headsets, and Bluetooth earbuds

Plans and Pricing

Best Business Phone System

Talkroute has a range of pricing plans to suit different business needs, from smaller operations to large enterprises. The Basic Plan, priced at $19 per month, includes 1 local or toll-free number, 1 user account, 1 voicemail box, and 500 SMS/MMS messages each month. It also offers unlimited calling within the U.S. and Canada, making it a cost-effective solution for small businesses with moderate communication needs.

The Plus Plan, at $39 per month, expands on the Basic Plan by offering 2 local or toll-free numbers, 3 user accounts, 3 voicemail boxes, and unlimited SMS/MMS messaging. This plan is ideal for growing businesses that need more flexibility, providing unlimited incoming and outgoing calls to handle higher call volumes without worrying about extra charges.

For larger teams, the Pro Plan, available for $59 per month, includes 3 local or toll-free numbers, 10 user accounts, and 10 voicemail boxes. Like the Plus Plan, it includes unlimited messaging and calling, but with more capacity for users and numbers, making it a great choice for businesses with more complex communication requirements.

Talkroute also offers a customizable Enterprise Plan for larger businesses with more extensive needs. Pricing for this plan is tailored to the business, and it includes 10 or more local or toll-free numbers, 20+ user accounts, and additional features based on request. This option is ideal for companies needing a scalable and highly flexible phone system.

In addition to the base pricing, Talkroute allows users to add extra features for a nominal fee, such as additional users, phone numbers, or voicemail boxes at $5 per month each. All plans offer essential features like unlimited calling within the U.S. and Canada, 24/7 U.S.-based customer support, call forwarding, and personalized greetings. Moreover, video meetings with up to 100 participants are included in all plans. While there are no long-term contracts, there is a one-time registration fee for local numbers, though this is waived for Pro and Enterprise customers.

Verdict

In short, Talkroute is a standout option for businesses seeking an efficient and cost-effective phone system. Its user-friendly design, combined with affordability and flexibility, makes it a top choice for companies of all sizes. With plans starting at just $19 per month, Talkroute offers essential features like unlimited calling, SMS/MMS messaging, and 24/7 support, all without hidden costs or the need for expensive equipment. The 100% free trial further underscores its commitment to providing value and ensuring a risk-free evaluation. For businesses looking for a straightforward, reliable, and budget-friendly communication solution, Talkroute is undeniably one of the best options available.