Voipfone vs Sipgate – Full comparison to help you decide

Choosing the right phone system is a crucial decision for any business, especially in the UK market where VoIP solutions have become increasingly popular. Voipfone and Sipgate are two notable providers, each with unique offerings that cater to different business needs. This Voipfone vs Sipgate comparison will examine the key features, pricing, and other factors to help you decide which provider is best for your business.

Voipfone vs Sipgate

Feature/Aspect	Voipfone	Sipgate
Company Origin	UK-based, established in 2004	Germany-based, with a strong UK presence
Target Audience	Small to medium-sized UK businesses	Freelancers, remote teams, and small businesses
Core Offering	Hosted PBX system with extensive call management features	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

Overview of Voipfone vs Sipgate

Voipfone is a UK-based VoIP provider known for offering flexible phone systems designed for small to medium-sized businesses. Established in 2004, Voipfone provides services that are highly customisable and UK-focused, making it an attractive option for businesses seeking a robust telephony solution with local support.

Sipgate, on the other hand, is a German-based provider that has expanded across Europe. Sipgate’s UK service offers innovative VoIP products for both businesses and individuals, with a range of features that suit companies looking for a straightforward and reliable phone solution without heavy upfront costs.

Features comparison

When comparing features, Voipfone and Sipgate both cover the essentials of a modern VoIP phone system. However, there are some differences that may sway your decision depending on your business requirements.

Voipfone key features

1. Virtual PBX: Voipfone’s virtual PBX system is designed to replace traditional phone systems, offering features such as call queuing, call recording, and conference calling.
2. IVR (Interactive Voice Response): This feature allows for customisable call menus to help route calls to the appropriate departments, providing a professional touch.
3. Extensions and direct dials: Voipfone’s PBX system supports multiple extensions, making it ideal for growing businesses.
4. Call recording: An essential feature for businesses needing to maintain call records for training or compliance.
5. Mobile integration: Voipfone offers an app that enables users to take business calls on their mobile devices seamlessly.
6. Flexible contract options: Voipfone operates on a pay-as-you-go model or monthly plans, which is ideal for small businesses seeking flexibility.
7. Number porting: Businesses can retain their existing numbers, which is an essential feature for brand continuity.

Sipgate key features

1. Cloud-based phone system: Sipgate provides a fully cloud-based system, making it easy to manage and access from anywhere.
2. Unified communications: Sipgate combines VoIP with SMS and fax services, ideal for companies needing a range of communication channels.
3. Team collaboration tools: Features like shared contacts, presence indicators, and group call functionalities enhance team communication.
4. Browser-based calls: Sipgate’s web interface allows users to make and receive calls directly from a browser, minimising the need for hardware.
5. Call forwarding and routing: Customisable call routing options allow businesses to set up call flows tailored to their operations.
6. Softphone support: Sipgate offers compatibility with a wide range of softphone applications, useful for businesses with remote teams.
7. No contracts: Sipgate operates on a no-contract basis, providing flexibility for businesses that want to avoid long-term commitments.

Cost comparison – Voipfone vs Sipgate

Pricing structures between Voipfone vs Sipgate differ significantly, with each provider offering a unique approach.

Voipfone pricing

• Basic plan: Voipfone’s basic services start with a pay-as-you-go model, where businesses are charged per minute for calls. This is ideal for businesses with low call volumes.
• Monthly plan: For businesses with higher call volumes, Voipfone offers a £4.99 per month plan, which includes unlimited internal calls and other basic features.
• Add-on services: Voipfone’s additional features, like call recording and IVR, may require an additional fee. For example, call recording costs £2 per month, while IVR is available for £4 per month.
• International calls: Voipfone’s rates for international calls are competitive, but charges vary by country, so it’s worth checking specific rates if your business has international customers.

Sipgate pricing

• Basic plan: Sipgate offers a free tier for its basic services, which includes features like call forwarding and voicemail. However, calls are charged on a pay-as-you-go basis, and UK landline calls cost around 1.19p per minute.
• Business plans: For £10.99 per month, Sipgate’s ‘Team’ plan includes additional features like team collaboration tools, call recording, and softphone integration.
• No hidden fees: Sipgate offers transparency in pricing, with most of the essential features included in their base plans.
• International calls: Similar to Voipfone, Sipgate’s international rates vary by destination, though they are generally competitive.

Additional considerations

Call quality and reliability

Both Voipfone and Sipgate provide reliable call quality, but Voipfone may have a slight advantage due to its UK-based infrastructure. This can result in faster connections and reduced latency for businesses operating primarily within the UK. However, Sipgate’s international infrastructure is advantageous for businesses with a European or global presence.

Customer support

Voipfone is known for its UK-based support, which can be advantageous for businesses that need responsive and localised assistance. Customer support includes phone and email options, with additional resources available through their online knowledge base.

Sipgate offers customer support through email and an extensive online help centre. However, businesses requiring hands-on support may find Voipfone’s UK-based customer service more responsive.

Flexibility and scalability

Voipfone’s pay-as-you-go model is highly flexible and suitable for small businesses and startups. As your business grows, Voipfone’s services are scalable, with additional features available on demand.

Sipgate’s team plans are also scalable, supporting multiple users and offering team collaboration features that make it easy for businesses to add new members as they expand. However, Sipgate’s lack of contract requirements provides added flexibility if your business is uncertain about long-term needs.

Pros and cons summary

Voipfone

Pros:

• UK-based customer support
• Customisable PBX features
• Scalable with pay-as-you-go options
• High call quality for UK-based calls

Cons:

• Additional fees for some essential features
• May not be ideal for businesses with heavy international calling

Sipgate

Pros:

• Comprehensive collaboration features
• Transparent, no-contract pricing
• Strong international infrastructure
• Includes SMS and fax options for multi-channel communication

Cons:

• Limited hands-on customer support
• International-focused infrastructure may lead to minor latency for UK-centric businesses

Final verdict – Which is best for your business?

When deciding between Voipfone vs Sipgate, consider your business’s specific needs:

• Voipfone is ideal if your business is primarily UK-based, values local customer support, and needs a scalable, flexible system that offers high call quality within the UK. It’s a strong option for small to medium-sized businesses seeking a reliable telephony system with professional features like IVR and call recording.
• Sipgate is an excellent choice for businesses with an international presence or those needing a broader range of communication channels, such as SMS and fax. It also suits companies seeking a flexible, no-contract solution with powerful collaboration features.

Both Voipfone and Sipgate offer strong VoIP solutions, but the best choice will depend on whether your business prioritises local support and customisation (Voipfone) or international functionality and multi-channel communication (Sipgate).

FAQ – Voipfone vs Sipgate