Last Updated On January 07

OpenPhone Review 2024: Best Virtual Phone for Small Biz?

Discover why OpenPhone is the best virtual phone system for small businesses in 2024. Get insights on features, pricing, pros, cons, and if it’s worth the cost.

If you’ve ever wished for a better way to handle business calls without mixing them up with personal ones, you’re not alone.

That’s exactly what OpenPhone aims to solve.

Built for businesses that want a no-fuss, efficient phone system, it’s like OpenPhone took the best parts of traditional phone lines, added a modern twist, and left the headaches behind. But is it as good as it sounds, or just another tool in an already crowded field?

So, what exactly is OpenPhone? In the simplest terms, OpenPhone is a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) app designed to give businesses the flexibility of a phone system without the tangle of cables and complex setups.

It lets you call, text, and even set up business voicemail greetings directly from an app. Need a free business phone number for customer support, or want team phone numbers to keep things organized? OpenPhone has you covered.

It’s a little like that reliable work buddy who’s always there to help without making things overly complicated.

Ease of Use

Customer Service

4.4

Customer Service

Features

4.3

Features

Ease of use

4.5

Value for Money

Value of Money

4.6

OpenPhone Review

OpenPhone Overview

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Now, OpenPhone isn't for everyone. One might argue it’s geared more towards small businesses, freelancers, and teams who want to stay agile. If you're looking for something scalable and cost-effective—whether you're a solopreneur or running a small team—this could be your jam.

Those looking for a full-blown enterprise solution might find OpenPhone lacking in some bells and whistles.

But hey, not everyone needs a Swiss Army knife when a simple blade will do, right?

OpenPhone brings some fantastic benefits for both solo entrepreneurs and businesses on the hunt for a smart, cost-effective phone solution. But, like any service, it has its own mix of pros and cons.

Let’s dive into what makes OpenPhone shine—and where it may fall a bit short.

PROS

  • Budget-Friendly Choice - OpenPhone’s affordability makes it an appealing pick for small businesses and freelancers alike. No sky-high bills here!

  • User-Friendly App - With a clean and intuitive interface, the OpenPhone app makes handling calls and messages a breeze—even for those who aren’t tech-savvy.

  • Say Goodbye to Roaming Fees - No more worrying about those pesky international roaming charges. OpenPhone lets you call and receive messages from anywhere without extra fees. It’s perfect for people and businesses who need to stay connected globally, minus the hefty costs.

  • Packed with Features - OpenPhone is a virtual phone system that’s affordable yet loaded with valuable tools, like call recording. You get the perks of a professional phone setup without the wallet-busting price.

  • Team Collaboration Made Easy - Multiple team members can share a single number, boosting collaboration and ensuring quicker responses to customers.

  • Separate Business and Personal Lines - Keep your work and personal life separate without the need for a second phone—a true convenience!

  • Smooth Integration with Key Tools - OpenPhone plays nicely with Slack, HubSpot, and Zapier, making it easier to streamline your communications and keep everything connected.

  • Automatic Voicemail Transcription - No need to listen through lengthy messages. Voicemails are transcribed automatically, so you can scan them quickly and save precious time.

CONS

  • Limited to U.S. and Canadian Numbers - OpenPhone only provides numbers in the U.S. and Canada, so if you need numbers from other regions, you might feel restricted.

  • No Fax Support - For those who still rely on faxing, OpenPhone doesn’t offer it, which could be a drawback if faxing is essential to your business.

  • Live Chat and Email Support Only - While support is available through chat and email, there’s no phone support—something to consider if you prefer speaking with a representative directly.

  • Internet Dependency - OpenPhone is a VoIP service, meaning it requires a stable internet connection. Without it, you might experience call quality issues or even lose access to the service altogether.

  • Premium Features at a Price - Some features are only accessible with a higher-tier plan, so if you’re after the full range of tools, you may need to budget a bit more.

Choosing a VoIP tool is all about balancing your needs with what each software can offer. Think about what matters most to your business: does OpenPhone tick the boxes, or is there another tool that might fit the bill a bit better?

OpenPhone offers a 7-day trial, so you can take it for a spin before making a commitment. This free trial gives you hands-on time with the features, helping you decide if it’s the right fit for your daily operations.

Taking advantage of the trial period can offer insight into how it might work for your team. And if you decide to subscribe, you’ll do so with the confidence that it’s a solid choice for your business’s growth.

When you’re figuring out if OpenPhone is the right fit, checking out reviews and testimonials from other users can be incredibly helpful.

These firsthand accounts shed light on what people love (and sometimes don’t) about OpenPhone, giving you a feel for overall satisfaction with the tool.

By exploring others’ experiences, you can get a better sense of whether OpenPhone might meet your needs—and even shape your own perspective on it. Just remember, everyone’s experience is different, so taking in multiple points of view can help you make a well-rounded decision.

Here’s a sampling of what real users have to say about OpenPhone:

  • "OpenPhone is one piece of my business toolkit that I simply cannot be without. I own and manage two small businesses and was finding giving out my personal number unmanageable as I didn't know who was calling me and for what purpose. Having a dedicated local number that I can tie to my business in Google Maps, Facebook, and my websites was a huge piece of my business toolkit. OpenPhone has been amazing."

This user highlights how OpenPhone has become a vital tool, helping them separate personal and business calls—a must for running multiple businesses.

  • "Separate contacts lists, Windows desktop app, many features with new ones constantly being rolled out, and all for a very reasonable monthly charge are why I love OpenPhone, but what truly separates them from others I've tried has been the support I received during implementation and porting my number."

Here, the user loves the features and budget-friendly pricing, but what really sets OpenPhone apart is the support they received during setup—a key factor for many.

  • "Worst onboarding and support experience ever! If you expect to just sign up and immediately get going—forget about it... I've been trying to speak with someone on OpenPhone who can get our account approved ASAP for outbound messages. We've applied twice and failed and cannot get any concrete information as for why. They have no phone number where I can reach support, nor do they have a human chat, and I'm very disappointed as a customer."

Not everyone has an easy time with OpenPhone, though. This reviewer faced a rough onboarding experience and felt frustrated by the limited support options.

  • "There is only one con. Once in a while, I run into a glitch where I want to enter this number into documents, but the phone number is not recognized as a real phone number, so I have to put my personal number. So it's great as the forward-facing phone number for customers for my business, but I have to use my personal number for certain administrative accounts."

This user appreciates OpenPhone’s customer-facing benefits but mentions a glitch where their business number isn’t always recognized, which can be a bit of a hassle.

  • "I love many things—it works wonderfully, hardly ever a glitch! Customer service is great. Love that I can see texts, phone calls, and voicemails from customers all in one spot! Anyone on my team can log into OpenPhone from their device and make a call/respond to the customer from the app."

For this reviewer, OpenPhone makes team communication simple and easy, with everything in one place, and they’ve had a great experience with customer service, too.

  • "There is a bit of a lag on my phone calls. It's not brutal, but enough to be noticeable. It has gotten better over time but still exists. They are working on integrations, but I am still waiting for a native Integromat/Make integration. They need to contact Integromat/Make to set this up, but haven't done so. Not sure why."

This user mentions some call lag and hopes for more integrations, showing that OpenPhone still has room for growth.

  • "My experience with OpenPhone is really awesome. I use this every day to communicate with my prospects and clients. I always keep this in my arsenal. Their mobile app is too good and user-friendly, plus the UI looks too good. You can do everything from their mobile like calls, SMS, and voicemails, and the most interesting part is their snippets feature."

This reviewer uses OpenPhone daily and appreciates the easy-to-use mobile app, especially loving the snippets feature for quick replies.

These reviews paint a picture: OpenPhone is a solid tool with plenty of fans, though there are still areas to improve, like onboarding and integration options.

If you’re genuinely interested in OpenPhone, I’d recommend giving it a test drive. Trying it out firsthand will let you see if it clicks with your workflow and if it’s the right tool for your needs.

For more detailed reviews, check out Capterra. It’s a trusted platform where you can dig deeper into user feedback on OpenPhone and similar software—perfect for getting even more insights and seeing what others think.

OpenPhone keeps its pricing plans flexible and transparent, making it easy to find the right fit, whether you're a solo user, a small business, or managing a larger team. Each plan is laid out clearly, with plenty of features to meet a variety of communication needs.

Let’s break down the pricing options OpenPhone has in store.

Plan Starting Price Features
Starter $19 per user/per month One new local or toll-free phone number per user, Calling and messaging to US and Canadian numbers, Voicemail transcripts
Business $33 per user/per month Everything from Starter, plus: Group calling, Custom ring orders, Call transfers, AI call summaries and transcripts, HubSpot and Salesforce integrations, Phone menus, Analytics and reporting, Auto call recording
Enterprice Custom Price Everything from Business, plus: Custom contract and pricing, Dedicated account manager, Priority support, Audit log
OpenPhone Pricing

OpenPhone Pricing

OpenPhone also offers a 7-day free trial, giving you the chance to test-drive its features before committing to a paid plan—ideal if you want to see how it works for you first.

And here’s a nice perk: OpenPhone includes discounts for those who go with an annual subscription.

Choosing the yearly plan means saving more compared to paying month-to-month, helping you keep your budget in check while still getting access to all of OpenPhone’s features and benefits.

So, is OpenPhone worth the investment? In my view, if you’re looking for an affordable, efficient solution to keep your personal and business calls separate, then OpenPhone more than pays for itself.

For freelancers or small businesses especially, it’s a gem. But if you’re hoping for a full-fledged call center… well, you might find yourself wanting more.

OpenPhone comes packed with key features designed to simplify calls and boost communication for both individuals and teams.

In this part of our OpenPhone review, we’ll dive into these essential features and see if they might be the right fit for your needs.

  • OpenPhone's Phone Numbers

OpenPhone gives you a flexible virtual phone setup, where you can pick out a dedicated business number (or multiple numbers) right from the app. You’ve got options for local area codes in the U.S. and Canada, making it easy to establish a local presence in different regions—even if you’re nowhere near them.

Perfect for remote teams or businesses reaching customers in multiple places.

Why It’s Helpful:

Having a dedicated business phone number means you can separate your work and personal calls without needing a second phone.

Whether it’s for customer service, sales, or department-specific lines, OpenPhone lets you manage everything seamlessly in one place.

Quick Tip:

Link your OpenPhone numbers to your Google Maps, social media, or website. Clients will find it easier to reach you, and since it’s virtual, you only need a device with the app—no extra hardware required.

openphone numbers

OpenPhone's Phone Numbers

  • OpenPhone's Teams

OpenPhone’s team tools make it easy for multiple people to share access to one or more business numbers. So, whether it’s calls, messages, or voicemails, team members can jump in and respond in a single, organized workspace.

Plus, you can assign specific roles and permissions, ensuring only the right folks have access to each conversation.

Why It’s Helpful:

Ideal for customer service or sales teams who need a united front. By sharing numbers, you avoid duplicate responses and keep everyone in the loop. Managers can also keep track of interactions, ensuring consistent service for clients.

Quick Tip:

OpenPhone’s team collaboration essentially acts as a central hub for all communication. With notifications and a streamlined interface, it’s easier for remote teams to stay connected without anything slipping through the cracks.

openphone teams

OpenPhone's Teams

  • OpenPhone's Calling

With OpenPhone, calls happen over the internet (VoIP), so you can make and receive business calls on your smartphone, desktop, or any other device with internet access.

There’s also a call recording option, which you can toggle on for important conversations.

Why It’s Helpful:

VoIP calling saves on traditional phone line costs and offers flexibility—ideal for remote or distributed teams. Call recording is especially useful for training, quality control, or simply keeping a record of key conversations.

Quick Tip:

With a strong internet connection, you can expect good call quality. OpenPhone also supports international calling, making it affordable to stay connected globally without those high roaming fees.

You can even forward calls when you’re unavailable, so you’re always reachable.

openphone calling

OpenPhone's Calling

OpenPhone supports both SMS and MMS, meaning you can send texts, share images, and respond to clients directly from the app.

Each contact has its own message thread, making it easy to review past interactions and stay on top of ongoing discussions.

Why It’s Helpful:

Messaging offers a quick and convenient way to connect with clients, whether it’s for confirming appointments, handling inquiries, or sending updates. It’s often faster than calling and adds a level of accessibility clients appreciate.

Quick Tip:

Messaging and calling are seamlessly integrated, so you can easily switch between the two for a single contact. OpenPhone also includes text templates, which are handy for responding to frequently asked questions or routine inquiries.

  • OpenPhone's Messaging

OpenPhone messaging

OpenPhone's Messaging

  • OpenPhone's Contacts

OpenPhone organizes your business contacts in-app, letting you store names, emails, and notes on each conversation. You can add contacts manually or sync them with other tools (more on integrations below), giving you a complete, easy-to-access address book.

Why It’s Helpful:

Keeping all client details in one place makes relationship management easy. You can view past interactions at a glance, add notes, and set reminders for follow-ups. Perfect for teams looking for an organized, straightforward way to manage contacts without a separate CRM.

Quick Tip:

Since contact info links to both calls and messages, you have a complete history of each client interaction. OpenPhone’s search feature helps you find contacts fast, and with team access, everyone stays up-to-date on client relationships.

OpenPhone contacts

OpenPhone's Contacts

  • OpenPhone's Integrations

OpenPhone integrates smoothly with popular business tools like Slack, HubSpot, and Zapier, allowing you to sync data or create workflows that make communication seamless.

Set up Slack notifications for new OpenPhone messages, or sync contacts with HubSpot for added CRM power.

Why It’s Helpful:

Integrations extend OpenPhone’s functionality, connecting it to the tools your team already uses. With HubSpot, you can track client interactions, while Zapier opens up endless automation possibilities—logging calls, updating records, or even triggering emails based on specific actions.

Quick Tip:

Integrations let you customize how OpenPhone fits into your business, saving time and reducing repetitive tasks. This helps your team stay efficient, with all tools working together harmoniously.

openphone integrations

OpenPhone's Integrations

These key features make OpenPhone a flexible, user-friendly option for businesses of all sizes.

Whether you need a straightforward phone solution or a robust team communication hub, OpenPhone can streamline your operations and boost client relationships.

While OpenPhone offers some solid support, it’s largely web-based. There’s help to be had, but don’t expect a hotline you can call at all hours.

From what I gather, support is friendly and helpful, though some might wish for quicker responses.

But, hey, it’s easier said than done to please everyone, right?

In my view, OpenPhone strikes a fine balance between modern functionality and simplicity.

For smaller teams or solo entrepreneurs, it’s a refreshing option that’s reliable without the fuss. It’s like having a virtual assistant for calls and messages, only without the constant coffee breaks.

OpenPhone probably won’t replace enterprise-level systems, but if you’re looking for the best virtual phone system for small business, OpenPhone is worth a look.

  • OpenPhone is a cloud-based phone system that is primarily used for business communication. OpenPhone offers features such as call forwarding, voicemail, automated greetings, and integration with popular productivity tools like Slack and Zapier.

    It enables businesses to streamline communication processes, manage and track calls effectively, and maintain professional interactions with customers and clients.

    OpenPhone provides an all-in-one solution for business communication needs by offering features like flexible calling options, voicemail management, automation capabilities, integration with productivity tools, team collaboration features, and valuable analytics.

  • OpenPhone is not completely free to use, but it does offer a free trial for users to test out its features. After the trial period, you will need to subscribe to one of OpenPhone's paid plans to continue using the service.

  • With OpenPhone, you can make and receive calls internationally; however, you can only do so using a US or Canadian phone number.

  • OpenPhone can be used outside of the US. While it primarily uses US and Canadian phone numbers, you can make and receive calls internationally using the OpenPhone app, regardless of your location.

  • OpenPhone is known for its reliability. It provides a high-quality and stable phone service, ensuring that you can make and receive calls without any issues.

    The platform has a strong infrastructure to support seamless communication, making it a reliable choice for individuals and businesses alike.

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