Virtual Phone Number Costs Explained: What Are You Actually Paying For?

A virtual phone number may look inexpensive at first, but the monthly number price does not always tell you what your business will actually pay.

Call forwarding, usage rates, optional features, and the way you receive calls can all affect the final cost. In some cases, choosing SIP, VoIP, or an app instead of traditional phone forwarding can also make a significant difference.

So, how much does a virtual phone number really cost? Here are the key expenses to compare before choosing a provider.

Key Factors That Impact Your Real Virtual Number Cost

1. The Monthly Virtual Number Fee

The first cost is usually the monthly subscription for the phone number itself.

Pricing can vary based on the provider, country, and type of number. Local, national, toll-free, and premium numbers may have different monthly rates. Some countries may also have regulatory or documentation requirements before a number can be activated.

With SendMyCall, many local and national virtual numbers start at $9.95 per month.

When comparing providers, check whether the advertised price is simply for the number or whether it includes additional business phone features.

2. Call Forwarding Costs: PSTN vs. VoIP

Where you send your calls can make a significant difference in your total monthly cost.

If an incoming call is forwarded through the traditional telephone network to a mobile phone or landline, a per-minute forwarding charge may apply. The rate usually depends on the destination.

SendMyCall customers can use business call forwarding to route calls to mobile phones, landlines, SIP devices, or other VoIP destinations.

3. Can You Avoid Per-Minute PSTN Forwarding Charges?

Depending on how you receive your calls, yes.

With SendMyCall, incoming calls forwarded to SIP, VoIP, or the Phone.Systems app do not have PSTN forwarding charges. This can reduce costs for businesses that receive a large number of calls.

This setup can be especially useful for remote teams, international businesses, and employees who work from different locations.

4. Are Business Phone System Features Included?

Some providers charge separately for phone system features such as extensions, voicemail, call menus, routing, and other PBX tools.

SendMyCall includes access to a free cloud PBX with its virtual number service.

Depending on your setup, you can use features such as extensions, IVR voice menus, voicemail to email, call queues, business-hours routing, and custom greetings.

5. Local, Toll-Free, and International Number Costs

Not every virtual number costs the same.

A standard local number may cost less than certain toll-free, international, or high-demand numbers. Regulations and availability can also vary between countries.

In the United States and Canada, businesses interested in how area codes and telephone numbering work can find additional information from the North American Numbering Plan Administrator.

If you need an international number, compare both the monthly number price and the cost of forwarding calls to your preferred destination.

6. Features and Other Charges

A low advertised monthly price does not necessarily mean a lower total cost.

Before choosing a provider, check whether voicemail, IVR, additional users, extensions, call recording, call queues, apps, or advanced routing cost extra. You should also check for setup fees, minimum commitments, and contract requirements.

Virtual Number Pricing Checklist: What Should You Compare?

• Base cost: What does the virtual number cost each month?
• Setup fees: Is there an activation or setup charge?
• Forwarding rates: What does it cost to forward calls to mobile phones and landlines?
• VoIP alternatives: Can you receive calls through SIP, VoIP, or an app without PSTN forwarding charges?
• PBX features: Are IVR, extensions, voicemail, and routing included or sold separately?
• Multiple users: Can several employees receive calls without buying separate phone systems?
• Contracts: Is there a long-term commitment or minimum usage requirement?

Comparing these costs gives you a much better picture of what your business will actually spend.

Example: A Small Business With a Remote Team

Imagine a small company wants one business number for three employees working from different locations.

The company could buy a virtual number and forward every incoming call to employees’ mobile numbers. That setup is simple, but PSTN forwarding charges may apply.

Another option is to route calls through a cloud PBX and have employees answer through SIP or the Phone.Systems app. The company can then create extensions, set business hours, and route calls without purchasing office phone hardware.

The right setup depends on how your team works and where you want calls delivered.

So, What Does a Virtual Phone Number Really Cost?

The true cost of a virtual phone number is the combination of the monthly number fee, call usage, forwarding destination, and any additional phone system features.

For some businesses, a basic number and simple forwarding are enough. Others need IVR, multiple users, voicemail, schedules, or more advanced call routing.

SendMyCall virtual numbers start at $9.95 per month for many destinations and include access to a free cloud PBX. Incoming calls can be routed to traditional phone numbers or received through SIP, VoIP, and the Phone.Systems app.

Before choosing a service, decide how your business will actually receive and manage calls. This makes it much easier to compare the real cost instead of choosing based only on the advertised monthly price.

Ready to Choose a Virtual Number?

Explore SendMyCall virtual numbers and choose a local, national, toll-free, or international number for your business. You can then configure your call routing and cloud phone system around the way your team works.