MoneySavingPro independently researches the products & services to bring you our recommendations. We may earn money when you click our links - disclosure policy.
Ah, the classic landline – a household staple for many years.
But with technology advancing so rapidly these days, there are now a few alternatives to consider that can help you save money while still enjoying reliable home phone service.
In this guide, we'll explore the best alternative landline services, including costs and features, and highlight the benefits of each.
Whether you're looking to save a few dollars a month or completely cut the cord, at MoneySavingPro, we've got you covered.
Cheap landline phone service alternatives
- Download
- Channels
- Calls
- Unlimited
- Monthly Price
- $0-1230 day money back guarantee
Ooma offers landline service with plans starting at $0.
Ooma Landline Plans
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
Unlimited | $11.99 | |||
Unlimited | $0.00 | |||
Unlimited | $9.99 |
For those of you who love having a landline service, you'll be pleased to hear that the world of landlines is growing. And it's adapting alongside today's technology.
Upgrade your landline phone experience with Ooma. With crystal-clear call quality and amazing features like call blocking, 911 alerts, and Alexa integration. You'll get more than you bargained for. And the best part? These features are free!
You only need to pay for your equipment and the monthly taxes and fees with Ooma's basic home phone plan. Plus, you can keep your current phone number.
Stay connected with Ooma's mobile phone app, which lets you use your home phone on the go. You'll find reliable home phone service at an affordable price.
Benefits of Ooma phone service
There are a number of benefits to choosing VoIP services from a home phone provider like Ooma:
- Lower costs: Running on your existing internet line means there's no need for an additional telephone line. So VoIP phones are nearly half the price of a landline from a cable provider.
- Keep your number: You can easily transfer your number over.
- Flexibility: You can take your home phone number wherever you go. With your provider's app, you'll be able to make and receive calls through the app when you're connected to the internet.
- Clearer voice quality: Operating on high-speed internet, the voice quality is crystal clear.
- Reliability: As long as you have a good internet connection, VoIP home phones are very reliable.
- Easy installation: Connecting to your existing internet, your VoIP home phone is easy to set up and install.
- Extra features: Using the internet for your home phone means there are many additional features available. Like three-way calling, video and conference calling, call forward, and many more.
- Portability: If you move home, it's easy to take your VoIP service to your new address.
- Download
- Channels
- Calls
- Unlimited
- Monthly Price
- $40-50Coverage Guarantee - No Internet Required
Community Phone offers landline service with plans starting at $40.
Community Phone Landline Plans
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
Unlimited | $39.99 | |||
Unlimited | $49.99 |
Enjoy cellular home phone services with Community Phone. Their wireless home phone system uses cell towers, ensuring you have access to your landline wherever you have network coverage.
Say goodbye to the hassle of having to bundle unwanted services with the internet, as Community Phone doesn't require it. Their plans start from $35 a month, providing you with a cost-effective home phone.
Benefits of Community Phone
Check out these benefits with wireless home phone providers:
- Lower costs: With affordable monthly bills, plus unlimited local and long-distance calls.
- No internet required: Powered by cell service, you don't need an internet connection for your wireless home phone provider.
- Easy setup: You'll receive a small modem device that you can just plug and go.
- Keep your existing number: Easily transfer your current number over.
- Works in power outages: With a battery backup in case there's a power outage, you're never without your home phone.
- Flexibility: Your home number can be used on your cell phone, so you can take your landline wherever you go.
Compare cheap home phone plans
Provider | Minutes | Monthly Price |
---|---|---|
Community Phone | Unlimited | $39.99-49.99 |
Ooma | Unlimited | $0-11.99 |
Find the best landline alternative in your area
Comparing landline phone alternatives
When choosing a landline service, there are several important factors to consider in order to ensure that you get the best service for your needs and budget.
- Coverage: Home phone providers vary, depending on where you live. So, it's important to check coverage and what providers are available in your area. You can do this by checking coverage in your ZIP code.
- Features: Before choosing your landline phone package, you'll want to know what features you need. Things like call waiting, call forwarding, and voicemail-to-text are not always available or may cost extra.
- Cost: How much do you want to spend on your landline service? There are plenty of options available for all budgets and needs.
- Customer reviews: Make sure to check out reviews on the provider to see what current customers are saying.
Landline alternative features & benefits
Home phone service providers offer a number of benefits and calling features. But these can vary depending on the home phone service and the package you choose. Common features include;
- Caller ID: Not just a feature for cell phones. You can get caller ID on your landline too.
- Call forwarding: You can direct your incoming calls to another device or number.
- Three-way calling: This is great for group calls with family or friends.
- Call waiting: Be alerted if someone is trying to call you while you're on another call.
- Call blocking: Reject or block unwanted calls from unwelcome numbers. It is also referred to as anonymous call rejection and is ideal to avoid telemarketing calls.
- Voicemail-to-text transcription: This feature isn't offered with all providers, but some offer the option to have your voice messages sent to your email in text format.
- Unlimited calling: If you like spending hours on the phone, some providers offer unlimited calling, which can also be unlimited nationwide calling.
- International calling: If you've got family and friends abroad, check out providers that offer international calling with their plans. With VoIP providers using your existing internet connection, long-distance calls may be free or at a lower cost.
- Reliable landline: With a connection to high-speed internet for VoIP service or a backup battery with Wireless providers like Community Phone, you'll have reliable landline service.
- Keep your number: You can easily transfer your number over to your new landline phone service.
- Traditional home phone service: Old-school landline providers like Verizon, Frontier, and AT&T landlines don't offer stand-alone home phone plans anymore, so you'll have to bundle with the internet.
- Bundles: If you want an internet connection and TV with traditional landline phone service providers like AT&T home phone, you can add internet and cable TV service to your home phone package.
- Cheap landline phone service: Wireless and VoIP phone services offer the cheapest landline service deals. VoIP providers like Ooma offer their basic service plan for free.
How to switch home phone services
In a few quick steps, you can switch your landline service to a VoIP or Wireless provider:
- Depending on whether you're looking to switch to a VoIP provider or a Wireless landline. You'll want to check your internet connection and speed or your cell network coverage in your area.
- Choose your provider and get the required equipment.
- Want to keep your current phone number? Let your new provider know so they can transfer it over.
How do traditional landline providers compare?
Of course, you can still opt for traditional landline service from one of the big cable companies like AT&T, Spectrum, Frontier, or Verizon. However, due to wired landlines gradually being phased out, they no longer offer landlines as a stand-alone.
You'll be required to bundle with internet, and these packages can cost anywhere from $65 upwards.
- Alternative to AT&T landline
- Alternative to Verizon landline
- Alternative to Xfinity landline
- Alternative to Cox landline
- Alternative to Optimum landline
- Alternative to CenturyLink landline
- Alternative to Vonage home phone
Landline alternative FAQs
There are many home phone services you can use instead of the traditional landline service. Including digital services like VoIP, which works on your existing internet connection. Or a Wireless landline that uses a modem to connect to cell towers so you can make phone calls without using the internet.
Yes, these days, you don't need to have a landline. But there are pros and cons to having a landline service, and it's a personal preference with many more flexible options available.
VoIP service providers can offer many advantages to cable landline service. There are more features available with VoIP. But, the downside is you'll need reliable high-speed internet to enjoy most of the features.
Ooma offers their VoIP basic plan for free. Yes, that's $0. All you need to pay is a one-off cost for the equipment, monthly fees, and taxes.
VoIP and Wireless landlines still provide clear call quality and reliability for many. When it comes to a landline phone service, it doesn't have to be the old-style plugged-in phone. There are plenty of cellular or internet-based landline phone options available at budget-friendly prices.
Recap - What are the best alternatives to landline phones?
Over 97 million people in the US still have a landline service provider. And the good news is you don't have to be tied into expensive contracts or be forced to bundle your services with internet or TV - unless you want to!
Let's recap the best home phone deals.
- Cheapest home phone: Ooma home phone plans provide the best value for money. The only cost is a one-off fee for the equipment and monthly taxes and fees.
- Most reliable: This will come down to coverage in your area. But the Community Phone landline uses cellular networks and comes with a backup battery to keep you connected in power outages.
- Best overall provider: With free plans and consistently high reviews, Ooma is our choice for the best home phone provider.
- Most flexible provider: Ooma offers different plans depending on your preference. With a choice of VoIP or Wireless, either service is great value for money.
Best landline alternatives
- Best Alternatives to Landline Phone Service
- AT&T Landline Phone Service Alternatives
- CenturyLink Landline Phone Service Alternatives
- Cox Landline Phone Service Alternatives
- Optimum Landline Phone Service Alternatives
- Verizon Landline Phone Service Alternatives
- Xfinity Landline Phone Service Alternatives
- Vonage Landline Phone Service Alternatives
Provider | Minutes | Monthly Price |
---|---|---|
Community Phone | Unlimited | $39.99-49.99 |
Ooma | Unlimited | $0-11.99 |