When it comes to selecting a communication solution for your business, there are many options available, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Two major providers that cater to UK businesses are Vonage and BT. Both offer extensive VoIP services, but their features, pricing, and overall approaches can differ significantly. In this analysis, we’ll break down the main features, costs, and considerations you should factor in when choosing between Vonage vs BT for your business communications.
Feature comparison – Vonage vs BT
| Feature | Vonage | BT |
|---|---|---|
| VoIP and Unified Communications | Cloud-based VoIP platform with extensive third-party app integrations (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot, Microsoft Teams). Includes voice, video, messaging. | VoIP services through BT Cloud Voice and BT Cloud Work. Integrations mainly focus on Microsoft Teams and Office 365, with more limited options. |
| Mobility and Remote Working | Strong mobile and desktop apps, cloud-based service ideal for remote and hybrid work. No physical hardware required. | Offers mobile apps and cloud-based tools but often involves physical hardware (desk phones). Focus is more on traditional business setups. |
| Collaboration Tools | Video conferencing, chat, SMS, and seamless integrations with collaboration platforms like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and others. | Collaboration tools largely depend on Microsoft Teams integration. Video conferencing and chat included with BT Cloud Work, but fewer app options. |
| Call Handling | Advanced features like auto-attendant, call queues, call routing, call recording, and visual voicemail. | Similar call-handling features, but BT typically requires more setup. Includes auto-attendant, call queues, and voicemail. |
| Third-party App Integrations | Extensive, with CRM integration (Salesforce, Zoho, etc.), collaboration tools (Slack, Microsoft Teams). | Primarily focuses on Microsoft Teams and Office 365 integrations, limited to fewer third-party apps. |
| Video Conferencing | Included in Premium and Advanced plans. Seamless integration with apps like Zoom and Teams. | Available with BT Cloud Work. Integration with Microsoft Teams, but not as flexible with other video conferencing platforms. |
| Pricing Transparency | Transparent subscription-based pricing with clear plan tiers and optional add-ons. | Pricing is less transparent and can vary based on business size and bespoke setups. Often requires a quote for more tailored solutions. |
| Cost (Starting Prices) | – Mobile Plan: From £9 per user/month – Premium Plan: From £12 per user/month – Advanced Plan: From £16 per user/month | – BT Cloud Voice: From £14 per user/month – BT Cloud Work: From £18 per user/month – Bespoke enterprise solutions available, prices vary |
| International Calling | Available with add-ons at an additional cost. | Typically included, but international rates and packages can vary. |
| Physical Hardware | None required; fully cloud-based solution using existing devices. | Often requires desk phones or other hardware, especially in traditional setups. |
| Scalability | Highly scalable, ideal for small and medium-sized businesses. Flexible and easy to scale with cloud-based services. | Scalable but often suited for larger enterprises with complex needs. Scaling may require additional hardware and setup. |
| Customisation | Flexible customisation with multiple integrations and optional add-ons (international calling, advanced features). | Customisable for larger enterprises, with bespoke solutions available. More complex setups typically need BT technical support. |
| Remote Support and Setup | Simple cloud-based setup. Requires minimal technical support. | More involved setup process, especially with bespoke or hardware-heavy solutions. Requires BT’s technical support for larger setups. |
| Best for | Small and medium-sized businesses, remote workers, and businesses that require a wide range of app integrations. | Larger enterprises or businesses with traditional infrastructure that rely on Microsoft Teams and Office 365. |
1. VoIP and Unified Communications
- Vonage: Vonage is a cloud-based VoIP provider that focuses on flexibility and scalability. It offers a range of communication tools within a unified communications platform, which includes voice, video conferencing, messaging, and integration with third-party applications like CRMs (Customer Relationship Management). Vonage is well known for its extensive app integrations, allowing businesses to link their phone system with platforms such as Salesforce, HubSpot, and Microsoft Teams.
- BT: BT also provides VoIP services but tends to focus on larger, more traditional business setups. BT’s VoIP platform, BT Cloud Voice, offers voice calling with additional features like voicemail, call forwarding, and auto-attendant options. While it provides some integration capabilities with Microsoft Teams, BT’s platform may not be as open to integration with other third-party applications as Vonage.
2. Mobility and remote working
- Vonage: With a strong focus on flexibility, Vonage is ideal for businesses that need to accommodate remote or hybrid working setups. Its mobile app allows employees to make and receive calls using the business number from anywhere with an internet connection. Vonage’s services are cloud-based, meaning there’s no need for physical hardware beyond standard devices like laptops or smartphones.
- BT: BT also offers mobile apps and cloud-based solutions that enable remote working, but its focus remains more on traditional business setups, often involving physical hardware like desk phones and routers. BT Cloud Work, the VoIP service integrated with RingCentral, also provides some cloud-based communication tools for businesses transitioning to remote work.
3. Collaboration tools
- Vonage: Vonage offers collaboration tools that include voice and video conferencing, chat, and SMS services. Video calls and conferencing are easy to set up, and Vonage integrates seamlessly with platforms like Slack and Microsoft Teams, making it ideal for businesses that rely heavily on collaboration tools for project management and communication.
- BT: BT’s collaboration tools are centred around its Microsoft Teams integrations. Businesses using BT can benefit from Microsoft’s extensive suite of productivity apps like Office 365, but this may come at an additional cost. BT Cloud Work, in particular, provides video conferencing and chat services, similar to Vonage’s offering, but it is often more limited in terms of third-party integrations.
4. Call handling and advanced features
- Vonage: Vonage excels with a wide array of advanced call-handling features. These include automated attendants, call queues, call routing, and call monitoring, which are all useful for businesses handling a high volume of calls. Features such as visual voicemail, call recording, and on-hold music are included in many of Vonage’s packages.
- BT: BT Cloud Voice offers similar call-handling features, including auto-attendant, call forwarding, and call queues. However, BT may require more upfront setup and support from their technicians. For larger enterprises, BT can provide highly bespoke solutions, but this can involve higher costs and complexity.
Cost comparison – Vonage vs BT
1. Vonage pricing
Vonage offers a transparent, subscription-based pricing model with three main business plans:
- Mobile plan: From £9 per user/month
This plan offers unlimited calls and SMS within the UK, mobile and desktop apps, and basic call management features like voicemail, call logs, and team messaging. - Premium plan: From £12 per user/month
In addition to the mobile plan features, this tier adds video conferencing for up to 100 participants, CRM integration, and more advanced call-handling tools. - Advanced plan: From £16 per user/month
This plan includes all the features of the Premium plan, along with enhanced call analytics, on-demand call recording, and a visual voicemail service.
Vonage also offers add-ons, such as international calling packages and additional integrations, which can drive up the total cost but provide enhanced functionality for businesses with specific needs.
2. BT pricing
BT’s pricing tends to be less transparent online, with many options being bespoke to the business size and needs. However, a rough breakdown includes:
- BT Cloud Voice Standard plan: Starts from £14 per user/month
This includes UK calling, voicemail, auto-attendant, and call forwarding but does not include video conferencing or CRM integration as standard. - BT Cloud Work Standard plan: From £18 per user/month
This plan includes video conferencing, mobile and desktop apps, and unlimited UK calling. Integrations with Microsoft Teams and Office 365 are available but may require additional costs. - BT bespoke solutions: For larger businesses, BT offers bespoke VoIP solutions that can include hardware setups, technical support, and enhanced security features. Pricing for these solutions can vary widely, with significant upfront costs involved in equipment and installation.
Pros and cons of Vonage
Pros:
- Transparent, flexible pricing with add-on options
- Excellent third-party app integrations
- Strong mobile and remote working tools
- Scalable for both small and medium-sized businesses
Cons:
- Requires a solid internet connection for consistent quality
- Higher costs for international calling and premium features
Pros and cons of BT
Pros:
- Trusted provider with a long history in business communications
- Offers both VoIP and traditional telecom solutions
- Strong integration with Microsoft products
- Options for bespoke enterprise-level solutions
Cons:
- Less transparent pricing, especially for larger setups
- Often requires physical hardware, which can increase costs
- Limited third-party app integrations compared to Vonage
Which should you choose?
When deciding between Vonage vs BT, your choice will largely depend on your business’s size, working style, and the specific features you need.
- Vonage is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses looking for flexibility, remote working tools, and extensive app integrations. Its transparent pricing and cloud-based services make it a good choice for businesses that want to scale without the need for physical infrastructure.
- BT is better suited to larger businesses, especially those already invested in Microsoft’s ecosystem. BT’s bespoke solutions can be tailored to fit complex business requirements, but this may come at a higher cost and involve more setup time. Additionally, businesses that need a combination of traditional telecoms and VoIP may prefer BT’s offering.
Both providers have their strengths, but for smaller, tech-driven businesses, Vonage is likely the better option, while larger enterprises with more complex needs may benefit from BT’s tailored approach.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the decision between Vonage vs BT should be based on your business’s communication needs, budget, and infrastructure. Vonage offers greater flexibility, more modern app integrations, and a cloud-first approach, while BT provides a reliable, well-established service with options for both VoIP and traditional phone systems. Consider the features and costs that align best with your business goals to make the right choice.
FAQ
Vonage is better for remote working due to its cloud-based platform, mobile and desktop apps, and flexible communication tools. BT offers remote working features but often involves more physical hardware, making Vonage the more seamless option for businesses prioritising mobility and remote setups.
Yes, Vonage offers more extensive integrations with third-party apps like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Microsoft Teams. BT’s app integrations mainly focus on Microsoft Teams and Office 365, providing fewer options for businesses needing a wide range of CRM or collaboration tools beyond Microsoft products.
Vonage’s pricing is more transparent, with plans starting from £9 per user/month. BT’s pricing starts from £14 per user/month for basic VoIP services but can vary widely for more advanced solutions, often requiring bespoke quotes, especially for larger business setups.
Vonage is more suitable for small businesses due to its flexible, scalable, cloud-based solutions and transparent pricing. BT tends to focus on larger enterprises and traditional setups, making it less cost-effective or necessary for smaller companies that don’t need extensive bespoke solutions.
Yes, both providers support video conferencing. Vonage includes video conferencing in its Premium and Advanced plans, while BT offers it through BT Cloud Work with Microsoft Teams integration. Vonage, however, provides more flexibility with third-party video conferencing app integrations like Zoom and Google Meet.
Both providers handle high call volumes with features like auto-attendant, call queues, and routing. However, Vonage may be easier to scale for smaller businesses, while BT’s enterprise-level solutions are better suited for larger businesses that require more complex call-handling setups.
Vonage offers international calling as an optional add-on, which can be tailored based on your needs. BT generally includes international calling, but packages and rates vary more. Vonage’s flexibility makes it more appealing for businesses with occasional international communication needs.
Vonage does not require any physical hardware, offering fully cloud-based solutions. BT, on the other hand, often involves physical desk phones or other hardware, particularly in traditional setups. Vonage is ideal for businesses looking to avoid the costs and complexity of hardware installations.
BT integrates more seamlessly with Microsoft Teams, as part of its core offering through BT Cloud Work. Vonage also integrates with Microsoft Teams but has a broader range of third-party app integrations, making it a better option for businesses using multiple collaboration platforms.
Vonage is generally easier to set up, as it’s a cloud-based service that doesn’t require extensive technical support. BT’s setup process can be more involved, especially for larger businesses that require bespoke solutions or additional hardware, meaning Vonage is often the quicker option for smaller teams.