
Landlines are fading out – and UK homeowners are switching to VoIP for crystal-clear calls and lower bills.
As the traditional phone network (PSTN) gets phased out, more households are discovering how easy and affordable it is to make calls over the internet. That’s where home VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) comes in — a modern phone solution that lets you make and receive calls using your broadband connection instead of old copper lines.
Choosing the right residential VoIP provider makes all the difference. You’ll want one that delivers reliable call quality, helpful UK-based support, transparent pricing, and the right mix of features — from call forwarding and voicemail to mobile apps and number porting.
In this guide, we compare some of the top UK residential VoIP providers — including Plexatalk, Voipfone, Andrews & Arnold (A&A), Phonely, Vonage, and more — to help you find the perfect fit for your home.
Home VoIP Pricing Comparison (2025 Update)
Before diving into detailed reviews, here’s a quick at-a-glance look at how the UK’s leading residential VoIP providers stack up on pricing, features, and best use cases.
Provider | Monthly Price | Minutes Included / Structure | Over-Usage / Fair Use | Contract / Cancellation | Best For |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Plexatalk | £4 / £6 / £10 / £12.50 | 100 / 250 / 500 / Unlimited (2,000-min fair use) | 2p/min landline, 5p/min mobile beyond allowances | No contract – monthly rolling | Families Light to moderate users |
Voipfone | £6 / £9 / £14 | 100 / 300 / Unlimited UK minutes | 3p/min for call recording; other rates vary | No contract – plans flexible monthly | Balanced usage with pro-level features |
A&A (Andrews & Arnold) | Pay-as-you-go | Usage-based billing | ~1.5p/min (01/02 calls, peak) | No fixed term – fully flexible | Technical Occasional or tech-savvy users |
Phonely | £9.97 intro → ~£11.97 | Unlimited (≈2,000-min fair use) | Subject to fair-use policy | 12-month minimum, then 30-day rolling | Budget Simple, unlimited calling |
Vonage | £10–£25 (Express / Core / Max) | Varies by plan | Fair-use limits apply | Monthly rolling | Heavy callers & premium features |
Plexatalk – Best for Cheapest Entry & UK Focus
Why it stands out
A low-cost, UK-focused VoIP option that’s simple to set up and flexible with monthly rolling contracts.
Plans (monthly):
- Micro – 100 UK mins (£4)
- Basic – 250 mins (£6)
- Standard – 500 mins (£10)
- Unlimited UK calls (£12.50, with ~2,000-min fair use)
Pros
- Lowest-cost entry point for UK households
- Fully UK-based support with fast response times
- HD audio, voicemail-to-email, and mobile app included
Cons
- Heavy users may need to upgrade to the Unlimited plan sooner rather than later
Best for
- Light to moderate callers, families, and budget-conscious users wanting a reliable UK-first VoIP provider
Voipfone – Balanced Features & Mid-Tier Pricing
Why it stands out
Combines a strong feature set with flexible, no-commitment plans ideal for most households.
Plans (monthly):
- At Home 100 – £6 (100 mins)
- At Home 300 – £9
- At Home Unlimited – £14
Pros
- Feature-rich, with softphone app and optional call recording
- No long contracts and easy plan switching
- Balanced setup for home and light business use
Cons
- Unlimited tier slightly higher in cost
- Optional extras can raise the overall monthly price
Best for
- Homes that want a solid mix of features without necessarily needing unlimited minutes
A&A (Andrews & Arnold) – Expert / Pay-As-You-Go Option
Why it stands out
Transparent, usage-based billing that appeals to technically minded users.
Pricing model:
- Pay per minute for outbound calls
- Around £1.44/month for a UK VoIP number
Pros
- Clear, transparent pricing with minimal fixed costs
- Fine-grained control over setup and configuration
Cons
- Not designed for heavy users
- More complex setup may not suit beginners
Best for
- Occasional callers, tech enthusiasts, or those wanting full billing control
Phonely – “Unlimited” All-Inclusive Home VoIP
Why it stands out
An affordable, all-in-one option offering the feel of unlimited calling with fair-use protection.
Price:
- £9.97/month initially, rising to around £11.97/month (fair-use policy applies)
Contract:
- 12-month minimum, then 30-day rolling cancellation
Features
- Free number porting, CallGuard protection, optional adapters
Pros
- Great value for frequent callers
- Built-in spam protection and call-blocking tools
Cons
- Slightly higher base cost than entry-level competitors
- “Unlimited” calling still governed by fair-use rules
Best for
- Households with regular daily calling that value simplicity and bundled protection
Vonage – Feature-Rich, Brand-Led Option
Why it stands out: A well-known name offering premium features, high reliability, and flexible plans.
UK tiers (guide):
- Express – around £10
- Core – around £15
- Max – around £25
- Also offers capped plans that include UK and international minutes
Pros
- Reliable network and polished mobile apps
- Deep feature set for busy households or home offices
Cons
- Higher pricing than most UK-centric alternatives
- Fair-use limits still apply on unlimited tiers
Best for
- Users seeking a premium, feature-rich service and are less price-sensitive
Support, Reliability & User Experience
UK-Based Support
Support quality and responsiveness can make or break a VoIP experience, especially for home users who just want their phone to work.
- Plexatalk provides full UK-based support, making it easy to reach real people who understand local setups and broadband environments.
- Voipfone is also praised for its UK call centre and fast response times — customers often note that they can get through to a person quickly.
- Andrews & Arnold (A&A) has a reputation for technically skilled, UK-based staff who offer fast, knowledgeable assistance.
- Phonely support appears responsive, though reviews don’t always specify location.
- Vonage delivers reliable support overall, but as a larger global brand, their helpdesk may operate from mixed locations.
Takeaway: Plexatalk, Voipfone, and A&A stand out for clearly UK-based, personable support — an important consideration for non-technical home users.
Reliability & Uptime
Few residential VoIP providers publish exact uptime statistics, but general reliability can be inferred from user experiences and technical transparency.
- Plexatalk promotes reliable, affordable service and has not been associated with major outage complaints.
- Voipfone enjoys a strong reputation for stability and call clarity, with many long-term users reporting no downtime.
- A&A maintains public service transparency and is generally considered robust, though it caters to more technical users.
- Phonely offers dependable day-to-day performance, though user reports occasionally mention short-term connectivity blips.
- Vonage maintains enterprise-grade infrastructure and typically resolves any service issues quickly.
Takeaway: Voipfone and A&A are noted for transparency and reliability, while Plexatalk and Phonely offer solid everyday performance at home-user pricing.
Real-World User Feedback
Across public reviews and forums, a few clear patterns emerge:
- Voipfone earns consistent praise for fast, helpful customer service and excellent call quality.
- A&A scores highly among technical users who appreciate its direct access to engineers and strong uptime.
- Phonely feedback is generally positive, highlighting easy setup and value, though some mention slower responses during busy periods.
- Vonage customers often highlight fast issue resolution and good after-sales support.
- Plexatalk receives positive comments for affordability and simplicity, with some users appreciating the personal support style of a smaller UK team.
Overall sentiment: UK-based providers tend to excel in customer contact and personal touch, while larger brands deliver more scale and polish.
Ease of Setup for Non-Technical Users
Ease of installation is a major consideration for home users moving away from landlines.
- Plexatalk aims for straightforward setup with support-assisted migration and simple device configuration.
- Voipfone is known for being beginner-friendly — setup typically takes just a few minutes, and support can guide users through remotely if needed.
- A&A offers excellent documentation but assumes more technical confidence; ideal for users comfortable with routers and SIP settings.
- Phonely focuses on simplicity, often pre-configuring adapters or devices before shipping to customers.
- Vonage uses a plug-and-play adapter and app system that most users find intuitive once connected to broadband.
Best for ease of setup: Voipfone and Phonely lead for simplicity, while Plexatalk provides a friendly middle ground with direct support. A&A is best suited to those comfortable with technical configuration.
UK Residential VoIP Providers Compared: FAQ
Is home VoIP cheaper than BT landlines?
Yes — in most cases, home VoIP is significantly cheaper than traditional BT landlines.
While a standard landline often costs £20–£30 per month before adding call charges, VoIP plans typically start from around £4–£6 per month, including a bundle of minutes. Because VoIP runs over your broadband, you’re not paying for a separate phone line, and calls (especially to other VoIP numbers) are often free or much lower in cost.
Can I keep my existing number?
Absolutely. You can port your existing landline number to a VoIP provider so you don’t lose your familiar contact number.
The process usually takes a few days, and your provider will handle it with your current network. There may be a small one-time porting fee, but once it’s complete, you’ll be able to use your number from any VoIP phone or mobile app, anywhere in the UK (or even abroad).
What kind of internet speed do I need?
VoIP doesn’t need much bandwidth — just a stable, reliable connection.
A single high-quality VoIP call typically uses 100–150 kbps (less than 0.2 Mbps), so even basic broadband or 4G can handle several calls at once. The key factor isn’t speed but stability: make sure your connection has low latency and minimal packet loss for the best audio quality.
For best results:
Aim for at least 2 Mbps upload and download if multiple people will be calling or streaming.
Use a wired connection or strong Wi-Fi signal for desk phones and adapters.
Is VoIP secure?
Yes — when configured correctly, VoIP is safe and secure.
Modern providers use encryption (such as TLS and SRTP) to protect your calls and credentials. It’s also worth enabling strong passwords on your VoIP devices and avoiding open public Wi-Fi for sensitive conversations.
Reputable UK providers, including Plexatalk, also monitor for fraudulent or unusual activity, helping prevent unauthorised use of your account.