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VoIP vs Landline: What’s best for your business |
Key Takeaways
VoIP is generally the best telephone system for businesses with a reliable and fast internet connection.
Landlines are better for businesses located in more rural locations or areas with slower internet speeds.
VoIP calling uses the internet, while landline calling uses less reliable and older copper cables.
What is VoIP?
VoIP is the modern way for businesses to make phone calls, using your broadband connection instead of a landline. It stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol.
VoIP is an alternative to landline calling services. The key difference between VoIP and landline calling is that VoIP uses broadband to connect the call. This means the calls will usually run through fibre cables, which makes them more stable, faster and higher quality. Landline calls use older copper cables to make calls, which can be less reliable.
The UK is planning to discontinue the copper cables that landline technology relies on in 2025. There will be an alternative way to use landline calling, but it’s important to be prepared. The first step is understanding what is VoIP.
What are the pros and cons of VoIP?
When deciding between VoIP vs. landline for business, it’s best to consider the pros and cons.
| Pros of VoIP | Cons of VoIP |
|---|---|
| Lower call costs | Dependant on internet quality e.g. bandwidth and speed |
| Usually quicker to set up than landlines | Power outages stop VoIP working |
| Minimal hardware needed | Latency or jitter issues can be a concern |
| Ideal for remote work | |
| Move your number with your business | |
| Integrate calls with other comms like email and video conferencing, and your CRM | |
| Easy to scale | |
| Better call quality | |
| Accessible globally | |
| More secure |
Pros of VoIP
VoIP is becoming an increasingly popular option for businesses, and it’s easy to see why.
Scalable and flexible
In an increasingly international world, and with many employees wanting the flexibility to work from home, VoIP is often the best choice for modern businesses.
VoIP is quick to set up and costs are the same if you want to call internationally as if you only need to make calls within the UK, allowing you to easily scale your business. It’s simple to add more phone lines and additional team members, whether they’re in the office or at home.
When you outgrow your office or change premises, you’ll be able to take your number with you easily.
Reliable
VoIP uses broadband networks, which usually means fibre cables, rather than the older copper wires landlines use. This means you’re likely to enjoy more reliable and better quality calls, especially if you have fast internet with plenty of available broadband.
Seamless integration
VoIP is a more modern way of calling clients, which means it is easy to integrate with other modern technology. This includes your CRM, video conferencing, SMS, email and other messaging apps.
Future-proof
The UK is aiming to switch off landline technology in 2025, with landlines running through broadband cabling. Landline infrastructure is also likely to be maintained less frequently in future compared to broadband infrastructure.
VoIP integrates with other modern technology, which means all of your data is likely to be preserved. It also uses broadband infrastructure which will be maintained for years to come.
VoIP for your business
VoIP is usually the best calling solution for modern businesses.
For more details, read more about Hyperoptic’s business VoIP system with Ring Central.
Cons of VoiP
There are a few things to consider before switching your business to VoIP calling technology.
Requires a constant internet connection
VoIP calling technology requires a constant connection to the internet. It also works best if you have a fast internet connection and high bandwidth. So in some rural areas, a landline may be the best option when choosing between VoIP vs. landline for business.
Needs electricity to operate
If your business is located in an area where a constant electricity supply is not available, a landline may be the best option.
Emergency calls from VoIP will not be location based
When calling emergency services through a landline, they can automatically detect your location. This is not possible with a VoIP service.
What is the difference between VoIP and a landline?
Before making the decision between VoIP vs. landline for small business, it’s important to understand what is the difference between VoIP and landline.
Technology infrastructure: VoIP uses broadband infrastructure to make calls. This usually means more reliable fibre cables. Landlines, on the other hand, use older copper cables.
Price: Landline systems require expensive technology and usually longer setup times.
Hardware: Landline calling requires more expensive technology, whereas VoIP allows you to use your smartphone, computer, tablet and most other devices you have to hand.
What is a landline
A landline is a telephone or telephone system that uses copper cables to make calls. It is hardwired, which means it cannot easily move, for example from desk to desk, or to a different premises.
VoIP, on the other hand, is a telephone system that uses the internet to make calls. It is portable and calls can be made from smartphones, computers, and other compatible devices.
What are the pros and cons of a landline?
When deciding between VoIP vs. landline for small business, it’s best to consider the pros and cons.
| Pros of landlines | Cons of landlines |
|---|---|
| Consistent quality (not usually affected by latency or jitters) | Use at the office only, and difficult to move |
| No dependence on the internet | Generally higher cost |
| Automatic location detection (useful if you’re calling emergency services) | Extra charges for international calls |
| No risk of data breaches | No video calls, instant messaging or integration with digital tools |
| A useful backup method | Ageing tech, which is maintained less than other forms of communication |
| Susceptible to physical damage | |
| Hard to scale | |
| Inefficient energy consumption | |
| Difficult to relocate with the same number |
Pros of landline
Landlines have been used by businesses for years. There are still some pros to using this technology.
Doesn’t need an internet connection
Landline systems don’t need an internet connection, which can be better if your business is in a very rural location or an area without fast internet.
Call quality can be better
If you’re located in an area with an unreliable internet connection, the call quality may be better when using a landline vs. VoIP for your small business.
Hardwire is fixed and easy to use
If you aren’t planning to move your business and don’t plan to expand quickly, a landline system may be right for you. The fixed hardware is easy to use and requires very little staff training.
Emergency calls are location based
When making emergency calls from a landline, it is easy for the receiver to locate you, which means if you’re cut off from the emergency services they can still get to you quickly without needing much information.
Cons of using a landline
Although right for some areas, it’s worth considering the downsides of using a landline for your business.
Limited integration
Joined up communications with clients is vital for modern business. Landlines don’t integrate with your CRM, conference calling, SMS, messaging, email and other business communication tools.
Requires physical installation
Landlines require specific hardware which needs to be installed. This means it can take longer to get up and running, and also makes it difficult for businesses that want to expand quickly.
Higher costs
Landline infrastructure is more expensive for telecoms companies to maintain, and these costs are often passed on to customers. If you’re planning to make a lot of calls or call internationally, landline costs are also likely to be higher than VoIP calls.
ISDN phase out
The copper-based ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) and PSTN (public switched telephone network) network will be phased out in 2025 in the UK. This means the infrastructure landlines have traditionally relied on will be removed. Although most landlines will switch to new wiring, these are likely to receive less maintenance and become more expensive and patchy over time. Find out more about the ISDN switch off in the UK.
Is VoIP or landline the best option for my business?
When deciding between landline vs. VoIP for your business, it’s important to have all of the information you need.
If your business is based in an area with reliable, medium or high speed internet, and has available bandwidth, VoIP is likely to be the best option. It’s generally more cost effective, flexible, scalable, and can integrate with your current technology and apps.
If your business is in a rural area or somewhere with an unreliable internet connection, a traditional landline is likely to be the best choice. Landlines do not need an internet connection and give you better call quality if you’re in an area with a slow internet connection.
Most popular FAQs
How does security compare with VoIP vs. a landline?
Both VoIP and landline systems have some security risks you need to take into consideration.
Calls made through VoIP are transmitted through the internet, rather than being routed through the PSTN (public switched telephone network). This means the line is likely to be more secure.
However, VoIP may be more susceptible to internet hacking, since more devices and users are likely to be connected.
It’s important to maintain suggested safety protocols when using either VoIP or a landline.
Is VoIP the same as a landline?
VoIP and landlines are not the same. They are both systems businesses use to make telephone calls. However, VoIP uses the internet to make phone calls. Landline systems use traditional copper landlines to make phone calls.
This means landline systems are likely to be slower and more expensive than VoIP, unless you live in an area with slow internet, or no internet connection at all.
Does VoIP or landline have better call quality?
If you have a fast internet connection, VoIP call quality is likely to be better than a landline.
However, VoIP relies on a fast internet connection with plenty of bandwidth for high quality calls. Without a stable internet connection, VoIP calls are susceptible to jitter and latency. And because VoIP uses digital systems, the sound is less likely to be influenced by wiring issues.
Can VoIP replace landline?
Yes, VoIP can replace landline technology. Most businesses will use one or the other for their calling system. VoIP is the more modern solution and uses the internet to make calls instead of relying on traditional copper wiring.
Is home broadband worth it?
If you’re using your broadband connection as a business, we wouldn’t recommend purchasing a home or residential broadband package. This is because a home broadband package may not include the additional features that a business would typically require.
What are the benefits of business broadband?
Business broadband is designed specifically for the needs of businesses. Offering an enhanced range of speeds and plans, our full fibre business broadband packages are ultra-reliable and come with a selection of features and benefits specifically suited to the needs of businesses.
Business broadband packages are often faster, to accommodate bandwidth-heavy activities and to support a higher number of users. They also often come with service level agreements (SLAs) that guarantee service uptime and reliability, along with dedicated customer support.
