Which phone solution is better? Landline vs VoIP

When you’re running a business, you need a communications system that’s reliable. While there was once a time when phones were your only option, you can now choose between landlines and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). Both come with their advantages, so it’s worth exploring which type is right for you.

Landlines don’t require a reliable internet connection

One of the main advantages of using a landline is that you don’t need a reliable internet connection. Although the internet has become more dependable in the last decade, outages can spell trouble for your business if you depend on VoIP. Therefore, before you choose your preferred phone system, you need to assess whether your internet connection is dependable.

With more than 1500 businesses providing VoIP, you certainly have a lot of options when it comes to choosing a provider. If you’re unsure whether your current internet connection will hold strong, you can consider looking for something better. Or, there’s always the option of having a landline available as a backup.

Landlines are harder to scale

In a world where business demands are constantly fluctuating, being able to easily scale your communications will come as a relief. Unfortunately, scaling your landlines quickly is rarely possible. It can leave you in a sticky situation when some periods are busier than others.

In contrast, it’s easy to scale your available VoIP so that it matches your fluctuating business needs. Adding more lines to accommodate busy periods is easy, and you can reduce the number you’re using without incurring too many costs.

VoIP may be more budget-friendly

No matter how big or small your budget is, you need to work within it. According to Fit Small Business, you can set up five separate VoIP connections for as little as $150. In contrast, five separate landline connections might cost as much as $435. In some cases, establishing new VoIP connections is free, whereas you’ll need to pay every time you set up a new landline.

VoIP is more budget-friendly when it comes to international calls. While you may pay a premium or additional fees to use your landline for international calls, VoIP doesn’t usually incur any additional charges compared with local communications. As international calls usually vary wildly in terms of cost, this may make it easier for you to plan your budget.

Security is worth considering

As with many internet-based products, VoIP does come with security concerns. Landlines aren’t as easy for cybercriminals to penetrate, which means you may feel more comfortable having confidential discussions using them.

Despite landlines being more secure, there’s nothing to say that you can’t achieve watertight security with VoIP. Choosing a provider that prioritizes cybersecurity should be your first point of call. If you need to maintain compliance within certain industries, make sure your provider satisfies the guidelines of the area you’re working in. If they can’t, move onto someone else, or consider keeping a landline as a backup plan.

When it comes to landlines versus VoIP, both come with their advantages and disadvantages. Although landlines are more reliable in the face of an Internet blackout, they can be expensive and difficult to scale. As with any element of your business communications, you need to decide what best fits your organization.