In the landscape of VoIP solutions, selecting the right provider can be pivotal to ensuring smooth business communications and cost-effectiveness. Both Voipfone and Sipgate are established names in the VoIP industry, with unique offerings designed to appeal to UK businesses. This analysis offers an in-depth comparison of Voipfone vs Sipgate for features and pricing, guiding you towards an informed decision.
Overview of Voipfone vs Sipgate
Voipfone
Founded in 2004, Voipfone is a British company offering VoIP services designed with small to medium-sized businesses in mind. Known for its flexible service packages and straightforward setup, Voipfone’s product line includes PBX systems, virtual numbers, and call management features that appeal to companies seeking scalability without technical complexity.
Sipgate
Sipgate, a German-based VoIP provider, entered the UK market with a distinctive approach to business telephony, offering a range of features focused on enhancing remote communication and cloud-based solutions. It supports both freelancers and growing businesses, providing essential services without long-term contracts, which is appealing to budget-conscious enterprises.
| Category | Voipfone | Sipgate |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2004, UK-based | Germany-based, with a strong UK presence |
| Target Audience | Small to medium-sized UK businesses needing scalable, flexible solutions | Freelancers, remote teams, and small businesses needing integration-friendly VoIP options |
| Core Offering | Hosted PBX system with extensive call management features and virtual numbers | Cloud-based VoIP services with PBX features and strong third-party integrations |
| PBX Features | Advanced call forwarding, voicemail-to-email, call routing, virtual switchboards | Call forwarding, hold music, fax-to-email (fewer in-house options compared to Voipfone) |
| Virtual Numbers | Local, national, and international numbers with extensive customisation | UK-wide and international numbers, fewer customisation options but budget-friendly |
| Call Quality | High reliability and low latency, tailored to UK infrastructure | Reliable, with slight dips reported during high traffic times |
| Integration Options | Limited to CRM integrations (Salesforce, Microsoft 365), open API available | Extensive, including Google Workspace, Slack, and Zapier |
| Customer Support | UK-based, available via email, phone, and knowledge base | Email support and user forum, lacks live phone support |
| Basic Service Pricing | PAYG for calls, free internal calls, competitive UK/international rates | PAYG, similar rates to Voipfone for UK and international calls |
| Package Pricing | Starts from ~£4 per month for a basic number, ~£12/month for PBX features | Starts from ~£9 per user per month for ‘Sipgate Team’ with essential features included |
| Additional Costs | Extra charges for advanced call management and integrations | Additional charges for advanced features (fax, call recording) |
| Pros | – Extensive PBX features – UK-based support – High call quality for UK businesses | – Strong third-party integrations – Predictable user-based pricing – Cost-effective for remote teams |
| Cons | – Limited integration options – Higher setup complexity for smaller businesses | – Limited customer support options – Fewer customisation options for virtual numbers |
| Best Suited For | UK-based businesses needing extensive PBX functions and localised support | Small, tech-savvy teams prioritising integrations and predictable monthly costs |
| Verdict | Ideal for scalability, extensive call management, and UK-focused businesses | Great for remote teams and businesses needing integration-focused, cost-effective solutions |
Comparing features – Voipfone vs Sipgate
1. Call management and PBX features
- Voipfone: Voipfone’s hosted PBX system is feature-rich, with options for call forwarding, voicemail-to-email, and virtual switchboards that mimic the capabilities of traditional office systems. The system allows for easy management of extensions and call routing, ideal for businesses that need flexibility as they scale.
- Sipgate: Sipgate offers a robust PBX system that includes call forwarding, hold music, and even fax-to-email. While their PBX functionality is not as comprehensive as Voipfone’s, Sipgate integrates well with third-party applications, allowing for streamlined workflow management, especially for companies using cloud-based productivity tools.
Verdict: For businesses needing extensive PBX functions, Voipfone has a slight edge due to its comprehensive in-house offerings, while Sipgate provides more flexibility in integrating with external tools.
2. Virtual numbers and geographic options
- Voipfone: Voipfone provides virtual numbers with local, national, and even international options, allowing businesses to establish a presence in multiple regions. This feature is beneficial for UK companies aiming to reach wider markets or create a more local feel for different client bases.
- Sipgate: Sipgate also offers a variety of virtual numbers, including UK-wide and international numbers, but with fewer customisation options compared to Voipfone. However, Sipgate’s virtual numbers are competitively priced, making them a budget-friendly option for businesses needing basic geographic diversity.
Verdict: Voipfone is preferable for companies requiring extensive virtual number options, while Sipgate is ideal for businesses prioritising cost-effectiveness over a range of customisation options.
3. Call quality and reliability
- Voipfone: Voipfone boasts a reputation for high call quality and dependable service, with low levels of latency even in peak times. This is partly due to its infrastructure being designed specifically for UK businesses, offering a localised network that reduces connection issues.
- Sipgate: Sipgate’s call quality is generally reliable, although users report occasional dips during high traffic times. As a European company with multiple data centres, Sipgate’s connection stability is good, though it may be slightly less reliable than Voipfone for UK-only users.
Verdict: Voipfone provides a stronger guarantee of call quality for UK-based operations, whereas Sipgate remains a sound choice for businesses working across Europe.
4. Integrations and third-party compatibility
- Voipfone: While Voipfone integrates with CRM and productivity tools like Salesforce and Microsoft 365, it is somewhat limited in scope. It does, however, have an open API, which allows custom integration if your team has the technical capability.
- Sipgate: Sipgate is recognised for its flexibility with integrations, particularly with cloud-based software solutions such as Zapier, Google Workspace, and Slack. This makes it a good choice for businesses aiming to create a unified communications ecosystem with other digital tools.
Verdict: Sipgate’s integration capabilities make it a standout choice for tech-forward businesses, while Voipfone is suitable for companies focused on specific CRM integrations.
5. Customer support
- Voipfone: Voipfone provides UK-based support with options for email, phone, and a self-service knowledge base. Response times are generally fast, and the support team is knowledgeable about common UK-specific communication challenges.
- Sipgate: Sipgate offers email support, an online help centre, and a user forum. However, it lacks live phone support, which may be a drawback for businesses needing immediate assistance or a more personalised experience.
Verdict: Voipfone excels in customer support availability, especially for businesses that value direct, immediate assistance.
Comparing costs – Voipfone vs Sipgate
Voipfone pricing
- Basic service: Voipfone offers pay-as-you-go (PAYG) pricing for calls, with free internal calls and competitive per-minute rates for UK and international destinations.
- Packages: Voipfone’s business packages start from around £4 per month for a basic number and rise to approximately £12 per month for a fully-featured line with PBX services. Additional numbers, advanced call management, and integrations add to the costs.
Sipgate pricing
- Basic service: Sipgate’s PAYG service offers competitive rates, with prices similar to Voipfone for local and international calls.
- Packages: Sipgate’s ‘Sipgate Team’ plan, designed for small businesses, starts from around £9 per user per month. This plan includes virtual numbers, call forwarding, and basic PBX features. However, there are additional charges for more advanced features, such as fax and call recording.
Verdict: Voipfone offers more granular pricing, which may appeal to businesses seeking to customise their service levels. Sipgate’s monthly user-based plan provides clarity for companies that prefer fixed, predictable costs.
Pros and cons – Voipfone vs Sipgate
Voipfone
- Pros:
- Comprehensive PBX features suitable for a wide range of business needs
- Flexible pricing plans, ideal for scalability
- UK-based support and high call quality for local businesses
- Cons:
- Limited integration options compared to Sipgate
- Higher setup complexity for small businesses without dedicated IT resources
Sipgate
- Pros:
- Excellent third-party integrations for seamless digital ecosystem integration
- Predictable pricing structure, particularly for small teams
- Ideal for remote teams with European connectivity needs
- Cons:
- Limited customer support options, lacking phone-based assistance
- Fewer customisation options in terms of virtual numbers and PBX features
Choosing the right provider
The decision between Voipfone vs Sipgate hinges on several key factors:
- Size and scale of the business: Voipfone suits businesses with varied communication needs and a focus on UK-based clients, while Sipgate is ideal for small, remote teams prioritising integrations.
- Budget flexibility: Voipfone’s PAYG structure offers a more adaptable pricing option for businesses needing budget control, whereas Sipgate’s fixed-rate packages simplify monthly budgeting.
- Support preferences: If direct, immediate support is crucial, Voipfone’s UK-based customer service may be more beneficial, while Sipgate’s online resources suit self-sufficient teams.
Verdict – Voipfone vs Sipgate
For UK businesses seeking a comprehensive VoIP provider with robust PBX features, flexible pricing, and local support, Voipfone emerges as a strong choice.
However, for companies looking for cost-effective, integration-friendly VoIP options that cater to remote teams and require minimal management, Sipgate stands out as a viable alternative.
Ultimately, the decision depends on whether your business prioritises detailed customisation and local support (Voipfone) or a straightforward, integration-focused setup (Sipgate).
FAQ
Voipfone generally provides higher call quality for UK-based businesses, thanks to its localised network infrastructure. Sipgate’s quality is reliable but may experience occasional dips in high-traffic periods, making it slightly less ideal for businesses prioritising call clarity within the UK.
Yes, both offer international virtual numbers. Voipfone provides customisable options, including local, national, and international numbers, while Sipgate offers fewer customisation options but includes essential international number coverage for businesses with a global focus.
Sipgate excels in third-party integrations, compatible with Google Workspace, Slack, Zapier, and more. Voipfone has CRM integrations with Salesforce and Microsoft 365, but limited compatibility with other tools, making it better suited for UK businesses prioritising CRM over broader integrations.
Both providers offer fax-to-email capabilities. Voipfone’s feature is integrated into its PBX system, whereas Sipgate includes it as an add-on. Sipgate’s flexibility with fax services is beneficial for businesses still needing occasional fax capabilities without extensive infrastructure.
Voipfone offers PAYG pricing with adaptable service options, ideal for businesses scaling or customising services as needed. Sipgate, by contrast, provides fixed, per-user monthly rates, which can simplify budgeting but offers less pricing flexibility compared to Voipfone.
Voipfone’s UK-based support is available via phone, email, and a knowledge base, making it more accessible for direct assistance. Sipgate’s support is limited to email and online forums, lacking phone support, which may not suit businesses requiring immediate support.
Voipfone’s PBX features are extensive, offering advanced call routing, voicemail, and virtual switchboards. Sipgate’s PBX system is effective but less comprehensive, providing essential call management and routing, which may suffice for businesses needing basic PBX capabilities without advanced functions.
Voipfone provides more options for customising virtual numbers, with a wide selection of local, national, and international options. Sipgate’s selection is competitive but limited, making Voipfone a better choice for businesses requiring highly customisable virtual numbers.
Both Voipfone and Sipgate offer competitive PAYG rates, particularly for local UK calls. However, Voipfone’s PAYG flexibility with added customisation options may be preferable for businesses aiming to control spending and tailor service levels according to specific needs.
Sipgate is ideal for remote teams across Europe, thanks to its extensive third-party integration capabilities and user-friendly setup. Voipfone is best for UK-based operations, offering strong call quality and localised support, making it a sound choice for UK-focused businesses.