Across the UK, more and more households are making the switch from traditional landlines to internet-based calling. The reasons are clear: lower costs, greater flexibility, and futureproofing as the national PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) shutdown edges closer. By 2025, landlines as we know them will no longer function in their current form, making VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) the natural replacement for home telephony.
Among the many providers available, Plexatalk and Voipfone stand out as two established names offering residential VoIP services. Both promise reliable call quality, user-friendly features, and competitive pricing, but they approach home VoIP in slightly different ways.
In this post, we’ll compare Plexatalk and Voipfone side by side. Our aim is to provide a clear, in-depth overview so that UK households can confidently choose the service that best fits their needs—whether that’s simplicity, affordability, or advanced features for a connected home.
What Residential VoIP Typically Includes
When households consider switching to VoIP, one of the first questions is: what exactly do I get compared to a traditional landline? The good news is that most residential VoIP providers, including Plexatalk and Voipfone, package in a familiar set of features — often with more flexibility than standard telephone services.
Here are the essentials you can usually expect:
- Inclusive minutes to UK landlines and mobiles
Instead of per-minute billing, VoIP services often come with bundled minutes or unlimited calling packages, making it easier to control monthly costs. - Number porting (keep your existing landline number)
You don’t need to lose the number you’ve had for years — most providers will port your existing number across so friends, family, and services can still reach you as before. - Voicemail, caller ID, and call forwarding
Features that were once “extras” with landlines are standard in most VoIP packages. This means better control over missed calls, screening, and routing. - Use of existing handsets with an adapter
You don’t always need to invest in new phones. With a simple VoIP adapter, many traditional home phones can continue to work seamlessly over an internet connection. - Flexibility to switch or cancel
Unlike long-term landline contracts, VoIP services are often pay-monthly with minimal commitment. If your needs change, you can upgrade, downgrade, or cancel without hassle.
In short, residential VoIP provides the same reliability of a home phone — with the added benefit of modern, internet-powered features designed to fit how households communicate today.
Plexatalk Residential Plans
Plexatalk keeps its residential VoIP pricing straightforward, with clear tiers based on how many minutes you need each month. Every plan includes the core features households expect, plus extras that make the service feel complete.
Plans at a glance:
- Micro – £4/month
Includes 100 UK minutes, ideal for light users who mainly want a low-cost home line. - Basic – £6/month
Provides 250 UK minutes, a good middle ground for occasional callers. - Standard – £10/month
Offers 500 UK minutes, designed for homes that rely more heavily on their landline. - Unlimited – £12.50/month
Includes unlimited UK calls (subject to a fair usage policy of 2,000 minutes per month), making it a strong choice for busy households.
What’s included with every plan:
- Free number porting so you can keep your existing landline number.
- Essential features: voicemail, caller ID, and call forwarding at no extra cost.
- International calling: selected destinations, such as North America, are bundled into the plan.
- Hardware flexibility: use an existing handset with an optional VoIP adapter (£50 one-off), or upgrade to dedicated VoIP phones if you prefer.
Plexatalk’s pricing is designed to be transparent, with no hidden setup fees and the ability to upgrade or downgrade plans easily as household calling habits change.
Voipfone Residential Plans
Voipfone’s residential VoIP service is built around three simple packages, each offering a balance of included minutes and useful extras. Like Plexatalk, the plans are contract-free, so you can switch or cancel at any time.
Plans at a glance:
- At Home 100 – £6/month
Includes 100 UK minutes, best for light use or as a backup home line. - At Home 300 – £9/month
Provides 300 UK minutes, a practical choice for moderate household use. - At Home Unlimited – £14/month
Offers unlimited UK calls for frequent callers, with a fair usage policy applied.
What’s included with every plan:
- Free number porting (or the option to choose a new number).
- Essential features: voicemail, call forwarding, and call blocking.
- Call recording available on demand at 3p per minute — a feature not often included with residential VoIP.
- Free softphone app, letting you use your home number on your mobile or computer when you’re away.
- No contracts — plans run monthly, giving flexibility to change as your needs evolve.
Voipfone positions itself as a feature-rich provider, with extras like call recording and mobile app integration making it appealing for households that want more than just a traditional landline replacement.
Plexatalk vs Voipfone: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Plexatalk | Voipfone |
|---|---|---|
| Price range | £4 – £12.50 | £6 – £14 |
| Minutes range | 100 – Unlimited (FUP 2,000 mins) | 100 – Unlimited |
| Number porting | Free | Free |
| Voicemail, Caller ID, Forwarding | ✔ Included | ✔ Included |
| Call blocking | ✔ Supported (contact for details) | ✔ Included |
| Call recording | ✔ Supported (contact for pricing) | ✔ Available at 3p/min |
| International calls | Select destinations included (e.g., North America) | UK only (international charged separately) |
| Adapter | £50 optional (lets you use existing handsets) | Bring your own device or purchase hardware separately |
| Mobile/softphone app | ✔ Supported | ✔ Free app included |
| Contract | No contract – plans are flexible | No contract – monthly, change anytime |
Which Should You Choose?
Both Plexatalk and Voipfone deliver reliable residential VoIP with no contracts and plenty of flexibility — but the best choice depends on how you plan to use your home phone.
- Light users (occasional calls) → Plexatalk Micro (£4/month) is the cheapest entry point on the market, perfect for households that only make the odd call.
- Moderate callers → Plexatalk Basic (£6/month, 250 mins) and Voipfone At Home 300 (£9/month, 300 mins) sit in the same bracket. Plexatalk edges ahead on price, while Voipfone includes slightly more minutes.
- Heavy callers → Both offer unlimited UK calls, but Plexatalk’s Unlimited (£12.50/month) comes in cheaper than Voipfone’s At Home Unlimited (£14/month).
- Feature-focused users → Both providers support call blocking, call recording, and mobile/softphone apps. Voipfone’s pricing is transparent (e.g., call recording at 3p/min), while Plexatalk offers the same functionality but with tailored pricing on request. If you want everything “off the shelf,” Voipfone is slightly more plug-and-play; if you like a provider that can tailor extras, Plexatalk is a good fit.
- International callers → Plexatalk has the advantage, with selected destinations (like North America) included at no extra cost. Voipfone focuses on UK calls, with international charged separately.
Both Plexatalk and Voipfone are strong choices for UK households looking to move away from traditional landlines. The best fit ultimately comes down to your priorities:
- If price and international inclusions matter most, Plexatalk stands out with its low entry-level plans and bundled international calling.
- If you prefer transparent extras and app-driven features, Voipfone is a solid option with its built-in softphone app and clear add-on pricing.
Either way, both providers deliver reliable, flexible VoIP services that will futureproof your home phone setup ahead of the UK’s landline switch-off.
👉 Explore Plexatalk Home Packages
👉 View Voipfone Residential Plans
Voipfone vs Plexatalk – FAQ
Can I keep my existing landline number when switching to VoIP?
Yes — both Plexatalk and Voipfone allow free number porting, so you don’t lose your current number.
Do I need special equipment for home VoIP?
Not necessarily. You can use a VoIP adapter (£50 one-off with Plexatalk) to keep your current handset, or use a softphone app on your mobile/PC.
Which provider is cheaper for light use?
Plexatalk’s entry-level “Micro” plan (£4/month) is the lowest-cost option. Voipfone starts from £6/month.
Can I make international calls with VoIP?
Yes. Plexatalk includes some international destinations (e.g., North America) in all plans. Voipfone focuses on UK calls, with international charged separately.
Is VoIP reliable compared to a landline?
Yes — with a stable broadband connection, VoIP offers clear, reliable calls. Both providers also support emergency service access.
