CallHippo is a cloud-based virtual phone system designed to meet the communication needs of businesses of all sizes. Whether you’re a small startup or an established enterprise, CallHippo provides an array of VoIP solutions, allowing businesses to manage their customer calls efficiently. This review explores the key products offered by CallHippo, their pricing structure, and the pros and cons that UK businesses should consider.
CallHippo products
CallHippo provides a variety of products to enhance business communications. Here are the primary solutions:
1. Virtual phone numbers
CallHippo allows businesses to purchase virtual phone numbers from over 50 countries. These numbers enable companies to establish a local presence in different regions without needing a physical office.
2. Power dialler
The Power Dialler feature allows businesses to dial a large volume of numbers automatically, increasing productivity for sales and customer service teams. This feature is particularly useful for businesses that need to handle outbound call campaigns.
3. Smart call forwarding
Smart Call Forwarding enables users to forward incoming calls to multiple numbers, ensuring that no important call is missed. It can also be set up with custom rules to suit the needs of the business.
4. Call analytics
Call analytics provides insights into call performance, enabling businesses to track key metrics such as call duration, response time, and customer satisfaction. This helps in making data-driven decisions to improve customer service.
5. CRM integrations
CallHippo seamlessly integrates with leading Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platforms, including Salesforce, Zoho, and HubSpot. This enables businesses to streamline communication processes and maintain comprehensive records of customer interactions.
6. Automatic call distribution (ACD)
CallHippo’s ACD feature routes incoming calls to the most appropriate agent based on predefined rules, helping businesses manage high call volumes efficiently and improve customer satisfaction.
7. Interactive voice response (IVR)
The IVR system automates the handling of incoming calls by guiding customers through self-service options before directing them to the right department. This can reduce the burden on customer service teams while improving the customer experience.
CallHippo pricing
CallHippo offers a range of pricing plans in GBP for businesses of various sizes, with options tailored for both office business phone systems and call centre solutions. Here’s an overview of the pricing structure based on the plans available for the two key solutions:
Office phone system plans
| Plan | Price (GBP) | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | £0 | Unlimited Users, Click To Dial, AI Global Connect, Teams, Voicemail, SMS & MMS |
| Starter | £17 | Everything in Basic + 500 Minutes, 1 Free Phone Number, Basic Report Analytics |
| Professional | £27 | Everything in Starter + 1000 Minutes, Call Recordings, AI Reports, After Call Work |
| Ultimate | £40 | Everything in Professional + Unlimited Minutes, QA Users, Account Manager, Custom Integrations, SSO |
Basic plan: £0 per user/month
- Unlimited users (pay only for phone numbers)
- Features include Click to Dial, AI Global Connect, Teams, Voicemail, and SMS (text messages) & MMS.
Starter plan: £17 per user/month
- Includes everything in Basic plus 500 minutes (landline & mobile calls), 1 free phone number, and basic report analytics.
Professional plan: £27 per user/month (Most Popular)
- Includes everything in Starter plus 1,000 minutes, call recordings, AI intelligent reports/analytics, and after-call work.
Ultimate plan: £40 per user/month
- Includes everything in Professional plus unlimited minutes, unlimited QA users, a dedicated account manager, custom integrations, and Single Sign-On (SSO).
Call centre solution plans
| Plan | Price (GBP) | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | £0 | Unlimited Users, Click To Dial, AI Global Connect, Teams, Voicemail, SMS & MMS |
| Bronze | £14 | Everything in Basic + 1 Free Phone Number, Smart Dashboard, Paid Call Recording, Integrations, Chat Support |
| Silver | £20 | Everything in Bronze + Live Calls, Role-based Access, Free Call Recordings, Pause-Resume, Call Dispositions |
| Platinum | £34 | Everything in Silver + Auto Dialler, QA Users, Voice Broadcasting, AI Reports, SSO, AI DID Routing |
Basic plan: £0 per user/month
- Unlimited users (pay only for phone numbers)
- Features include Click to Dial, AI Global Connect, Teams, Voicemail, and SMS (text messages) & MMS.
Bronze plan: £14 per user/month
- Includes everything in Basic plus 1 free phone number, smart dashboard, paid call recordings, multiple integrations, user rights, and chat support.
Silver plan: £20 per user/month
- Includes everything in Bronze plus live calls, role-based access control, free call recordings, pause-resume recording, after-call work, and call dispositions.
Platinum plan: £34 per user/month
- Includes everything in Silver plus Auto Dialler (power, predictive & speed to dial), unlimited QA users, voice broadcasting, AI intelligent reports/analytics, SSO, AI smart DID routing, and hide number from agent.
Pros of CallHippo
- Affordable for small businesses: CallHippo’s entry-level plans are competitively priced, making it a suitable option for small businesses or startups with limited budgets.
- Wide range of features: CallHippo offers an extensive list of features, including call analytics, IVR, and ACD, giving businesses access to a comprehensive phone system without the need for costly hardware.
- Scalability: The tiered pricing plans make it easy for businesses to upgrade as they grow. The Enterprise plan is customisable, making it ideal for larger businesses with specific needs.
- Global reach: With virtual phone numbers available in over 50 countries, CallHippo is well-suited for businesses looking to establish an international presence.
- CRM integration: The ability to integrate with popular CRM platforms is a significant advantage for businesses that rely on these systems to manage customer relationships and track interactions.
Cons of CallHippo
- Limited support for smaller plans: The Bronze plan offers only basic customer support. Businesses that need priority support may have to opt for higher-tier plans, which are more expensive.
- Additional costs for international numbers: While CallHippo offers virtual phone numbers in multiple countries, businesses may incur additional costs for international calling or purchasing numbers in specific regions.
- Learning curve for advanced features: Some of the more advanced features, like ACD and IVR, may require time and effort to implement effectively, particularly for small businesses without dedicated IT resources.
Getting the best prices
While CallHippo’s pricing is transparent for its primary plans, there are a few advanced costs and considerations that businesses should be aware of before signing up. These may include hidden fees, discounts, and strategies for obtaining the best prices.
Hidden fees to consider
- International call rates: While each plan includes a certain number of free minutes, international calls can incur additional charges beyond these allowances. Businesses that frequently make international calls should review the international calling rates for their specific regions to avoid unexpected costs.
- Additional phone numbers: Although some plans come with a free phone number, businesses may require additional numbers, especially if they have teams operating in multiple countries. Purchasing extra numbers incurs a cost that varies depending on the country.
- Call recording storage: CallHippo offers call recording functionality, but storing large volumes of recordings over extended periods may incur additional storage fees, especially for businesses with extensive call volumes.
- Premium support: Lower-tier plans, such as the Basic or Starter options, may offer limited support options. Businesses that require priority or 24/7 customer support may need to upgrade to higher plans or pay extra for premium support services.
- API usage: Businesses that wish to integrate CallHippo with custom software or use its API extensively may face additional costs for high-volume API requests, depending on their usage.
Discounts and offers
CallHippo provides several ways for businesses to save money on their subscription costs:
- Annual billing discounts: CallHippo offers discounts for businesses that opt for annual billing instead of monthly. By choosing annual billing, businesses can save up to three months’ worth of costs, making it an attractive option for those with long-term communication needs.
- Free trials: Every paid plan comes with a 10-day free trial, allowing businesses to test the features before committing to a paid subscription. This is a great way to ensure the solution fits your needs without upfront financial commitments.
- Scaling discounts: Large businesses or enterprises may be eligible for volume-based discounts if they need multiple users or phone numbers. CallHippo’s sales team can provide custom pricing for businesses looking to scale up their operations, and it’s worth negotiating to get the best deal.
- Referral programme: CallHippo’s referral programme allows existing customers to earn rewards by referring other businesses. This can be a way to offset some costs if your business regularly interacts with other companies looking for communication solutions.
Getting the best price
To secure the best possible deal with CallHippo, here are a few tips:
- Leverage annual billing: As mentioned, opting for annual billing can significantly reduce costs compared to monthly payments. If your business plans to use CallHippo long-term, this is the most cost-effective option.
- Contact sales for custom deals: For larger teams, multi-country operations, or businesses requiring additional features, it’s worth contacting CallHippo’s sales team for a custom quote. You may be able to negotiate discounts, especially if you’re committing to a long-term contract or a high number of users.
- Test with free trials: Make the most of the 10-day free trial period to ensure the plan you select is appropriate for your business. This can help avoid paying for features that you don’t actually need.
- Monitor your usage: If your business doesn’t use all the minutes or features of a particular plan, consider downgrading to a lower tier to reduce costs. CallHippo’s analytics can help you track how much you’re using and whether you’re overpaying for unused services.
- Seek bulk deals for phone numbers: If your business needs several phone numbers across different countries, negotiating a bulk deal for additional numbers can save costs, particularly if they’re in high-demand regions.
Conclusion – CallHippo pricing review
CallHippo offers a robust and feature-rich solution for businesses looking to enhance their communication systems. With its scalable plans, CRM integrations, and comprehensive feature set, it can be an excellent choice for UK businesses, especially those looking to expand internationally.
However, the pricing and potential additional costs for international numbers may require careful consideration.
Overall, CallHippo stands out as a versatile and affordable option for businesses of all sizes, but the decision to adopt it should be based on the specific needs and growth ambitions of your business.
Alternatives
FAQ – CallHippo pricing review
Yes, CallHippo offers a free “Basic” plan. This plan includes unlimited users, with businesses only paying for phone numbers. The Basic plan provides features like Click to Dial, AI Global Connect, voicemail, and SMS/MMS capabilities, making it suitable for startups and small teams.
CallHippo’s paid plans start at £17 per user per month for the “Starter” plan. Higher-tier plans like “Professional” and “Ultimate” are priced at £27 and £40 per user, respectively. Each plan comes with varying features and minute allowances, depending on business needs.
Yes, while some plans include one free phone number, businesses may need additional numbers, especially for international operations. The cost of extra phone numbers varies depending on the country and region, and CallHippo charges separately for each additional number.
CallHippo supports international calling, but rates vary depending on the destination. Some plans include a set number of minutes for both mobile and landline calls, but any additional international calls will incur extra fees. Businesses should check specific international rates before making frequent calls abroad.
Yes, CallHippo offers discounts for annual billing, allowing businesses to save up to three months’ worth of costs compared to paying monthly. Additionally, businesses can reach out for custom pricing if they have large-scale needs or require multiple users.
Call recordings are included in higher-tier plans like Professional and Ultimate. However, if businesses require extensive storage for call recordings or want to retain them for extended periods, they may incur additional storage fees, depending on the usage and plan.
CallHippo offers a 10-day free trial for all paid plans. This trial allows businesses to test features like call recordings, analytics, and integrations before committing to a paid subscription, ensuring that the solution fits their specific communication needs.
Yes, CallHippo offers custom pricing for large businesses or enterprises with specific needs. Businesses that require multiple users, additional phone numbers, or advanced features can contact the CallHippo sales team to negotiate a tailored package that fits their operational requirements.
Some potential hidden fees include costs for international calls, additional phone numbers, and long-term call recording storage. Businesses should review their specific needs and expected usage to avoid these extra costs, especially when expanding to international markets.
CallHippo does not typically offer refunds for unused features. However, businesses can downgrade to lower-tier plans if they find they are not using all the features of their current plan. It’s important to monitor usage to ensure that you’re not paying for unnecessary services.