VoIP phone system features for business

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Core VoIP phone system features

Business VoIP phone solutionss offer far more than just voice calls. From smart call routing to voicemail-to-email, today’s hosted VoIP features are built to help businesses communicate more efficiently, whether your team is based in one office or spread across multiple locations.

Unlike traditional landlines, VoIP operates over your business broadband connection, unlocking a wide range of business phone system features that can enhance customer experience, team productivity, and cost control. Below, we explore the core VoIP phone features available with most modern setups.

Call recording and monitoring

Call recording

Automatically capture all inbound and outbound calls as audio files. Call recording is commonly used for staff training, monitoring service quality, and staying compliant with industry regulations. Recordings can be stored securely and accessed through your online dashboard.

Voicemail and voicemail-to-email

Voicemail

VoIP systems offer enhanced voicemail functionality, including access through desk phones, apps, and email. Voicemail-to-email features enable you to receive audio files directly in your inbox, making it easy to respond on the go or while working remotely.

Call queues

Call queues

Manage high call volumes efficiently by placing incoming calls into organised queues. You can customise queue greetings, add estimated wait times, and keep callers informed while they wait, ideal for sales or customer service teams.

Call forwarding

Call forwarding

Redirect calls to another colleague, department, mobile phone, or even an external number. Call forwarding helps ensure important calls are never missed, especially when staff are working from home or across different locations.

Hold music

Hold music

Choose from a selection of built-in tracks or upload your own audio to create a branded caller experience. Music-on-hold features can also include promotional messages or service updates while customers wait.

Call analytics and reporting

Call analytics

VoIP analytics give you full visibility over how your business phone system is performing. Track metrics like call volumes, average wait times, missed calls, and team activity in real time. Most hosted VoIP systems include built-in analytics dashboards.

Mobile telephone numbers

Mobile app

Most business VoIP systems include a dedicated mobile app or softphone, allowing staff to make and receive calls on their business number from any internet-connected device. Perfect for remote working and field-based teams.

Auto attendant (virtual receptionist)

Auto attendant

Create a professional first impression with a virtual receptionist. The auto attendant features direct callers using keypad options or voice prompts, helping to route enquiries to the right person without relying on a live operator.

Advanced business phone system features

Advanced call handling tools can help your business deliver a smoother caller experience and improve internal collaboration. These are often included by leading business VoIP phone providers and can be tailored to suit how your team works.

Interactive voice response (IVR)

IVR and call queue management

Interactive Voice Response (IVR) lets callers navigate a menu using their keypad or voice. It works with call queue management to route calls efficiently, reduce wait times, and improve how your team handles high volumes.

Data Intensive Businesses

Call recording and monitoring

In addition to basic recording, advanced business phone system features often include listen-in, whisper, and barge functions. These help managers monitor live calls, support staff in real time, and maintain service quality.

CRM integration

CRM integration

VoIP phone systems can sync directly with your CRM, logging calls and linking them to customer records. This reduces admin and helps your team manage conversations more effectively. Many systems offer built-in business VoIP integrations with platforms like Salesforce, HubSpot and Zoho.

HD voice and video conferencing

HD video and conference calling

Many VoIP platforms include built-in video conferencing tools that support internal meetings, client calls, and screen sharing. You can create meeting rooms, invite participants, and collaborate visually, all within the same system your team uses for voice calls.

Hosted VoIP features for remote work and scalability

Hosted VoIP systems are well-suited to remote and hybrid teams. They remove the need for fixed hardware and allow users to access full phone system features from anywhere. These remote VoIP solutions are ideal for businesses that need flexibility, real-time visibility, and room to grow.

Mobile softphone and app integration

Softphones and mobile integration

Use your business number on any device with a softphone app. Staff can make and receive calls using a laptop, tablet or mobile while staying fully connected to the wider phone system.

status

Presence and status indicators

Real-time status indicators show whether colleagues are available, in a call, or away. This enhances communication and facilitates easier coordination among teams across multiple locations.

Multi-device ringing

Multi-device ringing

Set up calls to ring on multiple devices simultaneously, such as a desk phone, mobile, and desktop softphone, thereby reducing the chance of missed calls.

Call analytics and reporting

Call analytics and reporting

Remote teams still need oversight. VoIP analytics tools provide real-time data on calls, missed contacts, response times and agent activity, helping managers stay on top of team performance even when staff aren’t in the office.

Video conferencing

Video conferencing

Built-in video conferencing tools make it easy for remote teams to run meetings, hold virtual catch-ups, and share screens, all within the VoIP platform. There’s no need for third-party apps, and everything stays linked to your business phone system.

Instant messaging and chat

File sharing and instant messaging

Some hosted VoIP systems include secure file sharing and internal messaging, allowing remote staff to send documents, images or updates instantly. It keeps collaboration flowing without needing to switch between platforms.

Collaboration features in VoIP systems

VoIP business phone lines include a range of built-in features that support fast, flexible communication. These tools are especially useful for small business VoIP users, where teams need to stay connected without relying on separate platforms or extra software.

Below are the key collaboration features available with VoIP phone systems.

Conference calling

Conference calling

Host multi-person calls that bring together colleagues, clients or partners in one conversation. Conference calling supports remote meetings, group decision-making and team check-ins, all with reliable VoIP call quality that keeps conversations clear and professional.

Screen sharing

Screen sharing

Present documents, run live demos or walk through complex tasks by sharing your screen with other participants. Screen sharing is built into many VoIP platforms and is ideal for remote training, sales calls and internal walkthroughs.

Call transfer and group call

Call transfer and group call

Transfer live calls to another colleague with or without an introduction. Group calling features also allow additional participants to join an active call, perfect for pulling in support or escalating a conversation on the spot.

Real-time chat and messaging

Real-time chat and messaging

Send quick updates, links or reminders without disrupting a live call. Real-time messaging tools help teams stay aligned and coordinate tasks more efficiently during fast-moving conversations.

Call recording and playback

Call recording and playback

Capture key conversations for future reference. With call recording and playback, teams can review discussions, support quality assurance, and meet industry compliance or training needs.

Enhanced communication VoIP features

Modern VoIP systems come with a range of enhanced features designed to improve how teams communicate, both internally and with customers. These tools make day-to-day interactions quicker, clearer and more efficient, especially when you’re setting up new users, managing remote access, or looking to get more value from your system.

If you’re planning to enable these tools, it’s worth understanding how business VoIP works, reviewing our VoIP installation checklist, and checking what’s included as standard in your business VoIP costs.

SMS integration

SMS integration

SMS integration in VoIP systems lets businesses send and receive texts through their VoIP platform using their business number. It’s ideal for appointment reminders, quick customer updates, or marketing campaigns.

Click-to-dial

Click-to-dial

VoIP’s click-to-dial feature allows users to initiate calls directly from CRM software, emails, or contact lists with a single click, saving time. It also adds a call log to your CRM showing when calls have been made to customers.

Call listening

Call listening

Call listening enables supervisors to monitor ongoing calls in real-time, provide oversight, and offer support to team members as needed. This feature is handy for training new employees and maintaining high-quality customer interactions.

Call queue management

Call queue management

Call queue management organises incoming calls during high-traffic times, placing callers in a queue with estimated wait times or holding music. It improves the caller experience by reducing abandonment rates and ensuring customers know their place in line.

Security and privacy features for VoIP

VoIP phone systems include essential security features that protect your calls, prevent unauthorised access, and keep sensitive business data safe. Here are the most important features built into modern VoIP security setups:

End-to-end encryption

End-to-end encryption

Encrypts voice data to maintain conversation confidentiality, ensuring only the intended participants can access the call content.

SIP security

SIP security

Modern VoIP systems rely on SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) to initiate and manage calls. Secure SIP settings help authenticate users and protect against spoofing and unauthorised access.

TLS encryption

TLS encryption

Transport Layer Security (TLS) encrypts VoIP signalling data in transit, blocking eavesdropping and securing call setup.

Multi-factor authentication

Multi-factor authentication

Adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to confirm their identity through more than just a password.

Static IP

IP access lists

Restrict system access to a defined list of IP addresses, especially useful for businesses with remote or multi-location teams.

Firewall integration

Firewall integration

A strong firewall support allows VoIP traffic to pass through securely while blocking unauthorised attempts to access the system.

Cyber threat detection

Cyber threat detection

Advanced systems include built-in tools to identify suspicious login attempts or unusual usage patterns. These protections help prevent cyber threats like denial-of-service attacks or credential stuffing.