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VoIP vs landline at a glance
| Business phone line (Spectrum example) | Cloud VoIP phone system | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | Spectrum Business Voice: $50 for a first line, or $30 for months 1 to 12 then $40 (price guide); $20 a line for a year bundled with its internet (sales page) | $10 to $30 a user on entry plans; $15 to $16 is typical billed annually |
| Setup | $99 installation per location (Spectrum price guide) | Download the apps; desk phones optional |
| Where calls ring | Phones on that line, at that address | Apps on cell phones and computers, plus desk phones, anywhere with internet |
| Phone menu, ring groups, recording | Depends on the carrier's package | Included on many entry plans (Zoom Phone, Ooma, Aircall menus on every plan) |
| Business texting | Not part of a basic line | Included on most plans after carrier registration |
| In a power or internet outage | Depends on the service; Spectrum sells battery backup for its digital voice at extra cost | May not work, per the FCC; keep a cell phone or backup power |
| 911 | Address tied to the line | Provider must collect your physical address before service; you must keep it current |
| Keeping your number | Portable to VoIP | Portable between wireline, IP and wireless providers, per the FCC |
Spectrum figures from its Business Voice price guide (effective September 22, 2025) and business phone page; VoIP figures from each provider's pricing page on October 22, 2026. Spectrum describes Business Voice as a digital phone service; few traditional phone companies publish business line prices.
Cost: what a business line costs vs VoIP
Spectrum is one of the few phone companies that publishes business voice prices. Its price guide lists the Unlimited Local and Long Distance package at $50 a month for a first line, or $30 a month for months 1 to 12 and $40 from month 13 on the current promotion, plus $99 installation per location. Its sales page advertises $20 a line for one year when bundled with Spectrum Business Internet, and adds that taxes and fees are extra.
A cloud phone system's entry plan is $15 to $16 a user billed annually at Dialpad, Quo and Zoom Phone, $19.95 at Ooma with no contract, and $10 for one Google Voice user. Each user gets apps for their cell phone and computer, which a single phone line does not include.
Reliability and outages
The biggest practical difference is what happens when the power or internet goes out. The FCC says VoIP "may not work during a power outage or when the internet connection fails or becomes overloaded" and suggests "a backup power supply, maintaining a traditional phone line or having a wireless phone as a backup" (FCC). Spectrum says battery backup is available for its voice service, subject to limits and extra fees.
Cloud systems have one advantage in an office outage: calls still ring in the mobile apps, so staff can answer from their cell phones. Call quality depends on your connection; Dialpad's targets are at least 100 Kbps per call, latency under 125 ms, jitter under 40 ms and packet loss under 2%.
911 differences
With a fixed line, the address goes with the line. With VoIP, the FCC requires the provider to collect your physical location before service starts and asks you to update it when you move, because a VoIP call can come from anywhere. Multi-line systems must also let callers dial 911 without a prefix like 9 and alert a central location (Kari's Law; FCC).
Features
A basic business line gives you a dial tone and a number. A cloud system adds tools that would otherwise need extra equipment: phone menus, ring groups, call recording, voicemail transcription, business texting, video meetings and AI call summaries on some plans. See which plan includes which feature.
When a landline still makes sense
- Your location has unreliable internet, since VoIP depends on it.
- You need a line that keeps working through power outages and do not want to manage backup power.
- You run equipment such as an alarm panel or fax machine on the line; ask its maker whether it works over VoIP before you switch.
How to switch from a landline to VoIP
- Test your internet against your provider's requirements (Dialpad: 100 Kbps per call, under 125 ms latency).
- Start a free trial (Dialpad and RingCentral 14 days, Quo and Grasshopper 7) with a temporary number.
- Port your number. Start the port with the new provider. The FCC says your old company cannot refuse even if you owe money, and simple ports should take one business day (FCC).
- Keep the landline until the port completes, then cancel it. Do not cancel first or you may lose the number.
- Register your 911 address with the new provider and set up a backup plan for outages.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a landline cost for a business?
Spectrum's Business Voice price guide lists $50 a month for a first line with unlimited local and long distance, or a promotional $30 for months 1 to 12 and $40 after, plus $99 installation per location. Its sales page advertises $20 a line for one year when bundled with Spectrum Business Internet. Taxes and fees are extra.
Is VoIP cheaper than a landline?
Usually per line. Cloud entry plans are $15 to $16 a user billed annually at Dialpad, Quo and Zoom Phone, against Spectrum's $50 standard or $30 promotional first line. VoIP also includes apps for each user's cell phone and computer.
Does VoIP work in a power outage?
Not unless your internet equipment has power and service. The FCC warns VoIP may not work in a power outage or internet failure; mobile apps keep working on cellular data.
Can I keep my landline number if I switch to VoIP?
Yes, in the same area. FCC rules allow porting between wireline, IP and wireless providers. Keep the landline active until the port finishes.
Do I need new phones to switch to VoIP?
No. Use the provider's apps, buy IP desk phones, or connect existing analog phones with an adapter (ATA) where the provider supports it, as Google Voice's paid plans and Zoom Phone do.
Is VoIP reliable enough for a business?
On a stable connection, yes. Dialpad's targets for good calls are latency under 125 ms, jitter under 40 ms and packet loss under 2%. Plan a backup for internet or power outages.