When choosing a business phone number, one of the first decisions you’ll face is whether to use a toll-free or a local number. Both options can help your company look professional, but they serve different purposes depending on your audience and goals.
At SendMyCall, we make it easy to get either — and both come with free cloud PBX features that help your business stay connected, organized, and professional.
What Is a Toll-Free Number?
A toll-free number starts with prefixes such as 800, 888, 877, or 866. It allows your customers to call you without being charged for the call — the cost is covered by your business.
Toll-free numbers are ideal for companies that:
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Serve customers nationwide or internationally
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Want to offer free, easy access to support or sales lines
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Need a memorable, professional brand presence
Example: A U.S.-based company using 1-800-MY-BRAND instantly appears established and reachable from anywhere in the country.
💡 On Toll-Free numbers, your customer doesn’t pay for the local call — you pay additional per-minute rates.
See current prices here: Toll-Free Forwarding Rates
What Is a Local Number?
A local number starts with a standard geographic area code (like 212 for New York or 44 for London). It helps your business appear local and trusted in a specific region — even if your team works remotely.
Local numbers are perfect for:
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Small businesses or startups targeting local markets
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Companies expanding into new cities or countries
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Brands that want to build community trust and accessibility
With SendMyCall, you can instantly get local numbers in over 65 countries and forward incoming calls to any mobile, VoIP, or landline destination worldwide.
Comparing Toll-Free vs Local Numbers
| Feature | Toll-Free Number | Local Number |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Cost | Free for the caller | Standard local rate |
| Business Image | National or international | Local and community-focused |
| Best For | Customer support, hotlines, sales | Local shops, offices, startups |
| Call Forwarding | Yes (worldwide) | Yes (worldwide) |
| PBX Features | Included | Included |
| Monthly Price | From $9.95/month + per-minute rate | From $9.95/month |
Which One Should You Choose?
If your business serves customers across regions or countries, a toll-free number helps you look bigger and more accessible.
If you focus on a specific city or want to build local relationships, a local number offers familiarity and trust.
Many businesses actually use both — a local number for their main office and a toll-free number for customer support or marketing campaigns.
Get Started with SendMyCall
Whether you choose toll-free or local, every SendMyCall number includes:
• Free Cloud PBX with IVR, voicemail, and time-based routing
• Unlimited extensions for your team
• Call recording and simultaneous ringing
• Worldwide call forwarding options
• No long-term commitment
Start for just $9.95/month and manage your entire business phone system online.
👉 Get your number today: https://sendmycall.com