(The BusinessCall website shows only the unlimited plan, but the Android and iOS apps prominently display the $6/mo. plan that includes 100 voice minutes and 200 text messages, or a $13/mo. Although the app made its debut in 2013, the company behind it, uReach, started way back in 1998.īusinessCall offers a $6/mo. And it offers a few basic CRM tools to help you keep tabs on customers and potential sales. It gives you a new number in the area code of your choice or lets you port an existing number at no charge. In case the name didn't make it abundantly clear, BusinessCall adds business calling capabilities to your Android phone or iPhone. Platforms: Android, iOS Price: Starts at $6/mo. Thankfully, save for a few setup hiccups here or minor operational hassles there, in my tests all eight of these services delivered on their promise of a functional, useful second line. You should also check to see how recently each app has been updated anything that hasn’t been touched for a long time (say, upwards of a year) could pose compatibility issues with newer operating systems. Where possible, you should sign up for a trial so you can make sure calls, messages and notifications are delivered consistently and reliably. However, because it would be logistically impossible to do so, I wasn’t able to test these services long-term. I performed most of my call and messaging tests on an iPhone 6S Plus, but checked each app's Android counterpart for any functional or interface differences. Your carrier might offer unlimited calling on your primary line, but your second-line provider might impose limits. And if yours is a call-heavy business, check how many voice minutes come with your plan. For example, some services charge extra for features like text messaging and voicemail transcription - two options business owners are likely to want. The latter is a rarity most individual and small-business users can expect to pay $10 to $15, although the lone freebie option - Google Voice - can get the job done if you're willing to accept a few compromises.Īs you shop for a second line service, keep in mind that seemingly comprehensive plans may not include all the features you want. I tested a variety of services - BusinessCall, eVoice, Flyp, GoDaddy SmartLine, Google Voice, Grasshopper, Line2 and Sideline - with prices ranging from free to $89 per month. So, what does a second line cost? Considerably less than a second phone. If you're using an app-powered second line as your personal number, though, that number can stay with you as you move from one phone to another. That means if you leave or get fired, you lose your mobile number. For example, many employers are willing to cover the cost of a smartphone and monthly plan, but only as long as you work there. This is great stuff, not just for small-business owners, but also for individuals. You can also send and receive text messages via that number, and in some cases add extras like auto-attendants and voicemail transcription. Incoming calls typically have a distinctive ring (and often caller ID as well) so you can tell they're business-related. When you want to place an outgoing call, you use an app similar to your phone's native dialer. (Possibly even more than two.) You keep your current number, then add a second one (new or ported, your choice) that's strictly for business. Good news: Thanks to a growing roster of apps, one smartphone can have two separate and distinct phone lines. Whatever the case, juggling two phones feels like a special form of torture - and let’s not overlook the expense. Or you’ve started your own business and need a dedicated line. Perhaps your company issued you a phone for business purposes but won’t let you use it for personal calls. Madness!Īctually, for many it’s not a question of sanity it’s a matter of necessity. Can you imagine someone crazy enough to carry around two smartphones? That’s two phones to keep charged, two phones to keep track of, two phones to stow in your pocket, purse or carry-on.
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