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1
T-Mobile
Customer Reviews
Great
Number of States Covered
27
2
Xfinity
Customer Reviews
Great
Number of States Covered
36
3
AT&T Internet
Customer Reviews
Excellent
Number of States Covered
21
The 5 Best Landline Home Phone Service Providers of 2023
- Vonage
- Community Phone
- Spectrum by Charter
- Frontier
- Xfinity by Comcast
Vonage
On Vonage's Website
4.2
All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
BBB Grade
A+
Customer Reviews
Excellent
Number of States Covered
50
Vonage
BBB Grade
A+
Customer Reviews
Excellent
Number of States Covered
50
On Vonage's Website
Why We Picked It
Vonage has a nice variety of plans at affordable entry rates and offers some international calling plans, which other landline home phone service providers don’t always do. If you have frequent international calls, Vonage might not be your best bet because it only offers plans up to 400 minutes before standard rates apply. While 400 minutes seems like a lot initially, it’s a little more than six hours a month.
Pros & Cons
- Equipment included
- Some packages include international minutes
- Plan flexibility
- Spotty customer service according to some customers
- Need the Vonage Extensions App to answer calls to your Vonage phone almost anywhere
- Additional minutes over plan allowance incur $0.05 a minute charges
Best Landline Plans Vonage Offers
- North America (Domestic Plan)
- U.S. & Canada 400 (Limited Domestic Plan)
- World Prime (International Plan)
- U.S. & Canada World Prime 400 (Limited International Plan)
North America (Domestic Plan)
The North America plan starts at $9.99 a month for six months with a one-year agreement before jumping to $26.99 a month , plus taxes and fees. Or you can purchase the plan for $26.99 a month with no annual contract. The plan requires high-speed internet.
It includes unlimited calls to the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico.
U.S. & Canada 400 (Limited Domestic Plan)
The U.S. & Canada 400 (Limited Domestic Plan) provides 400 minutes a month for calls to the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico, but after reaching 400 minutes, each additional minute is $0.05 . The plan starts at $9.99 a month for six months with a one-year agreement but increases to $14.99 a month plus taxes and fees.
World Prime (International Plan)
The World Prime (International Plan) includes unlimited calling to more than 60 countries and 20-plus mobile numbers. Some terms and conditions apply for unlimited calls. The plan also includes unlimited calls to the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico. It starts at $9.99 a month for six months with a one-year agreement before increasing to $29.99 a month.
U.S. & Canada World Prime 400 (Limited International Plan)
The Limited International Plan includes 400 minutes a month, if the monthly cap is exceeded, the cost is $0.05 a minute . It covers calls to the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, plus more than 60 countries and 20-plus mobile numbers.
Community Phone
4.1
All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
BBB Grade
A
Customer Reviews
Great
Number of States Covered
50
4.1
All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Community Phone
BBB Grade
A
Customer Reviews
Great
Number of States Covered
50
Why We Picked It
Community Phone is a good alternative for those who don’t want or need an internet connection. Community Phone uses a landline base that uses cell signals to connect to towers near a home. You can keep your existing phone number, if you want. Community Phone costs $32 a month and has a battery backup so you will continue to have service even if the power goes out.
The landline base comes with a $99 deposit cost , and Community Phone doesn’t work with medical alert systems or home security systems, which might still need landline connections, though many can connect through the internet.
Pros & Cons
- Uses a backup battery if power goes out
- Does not require internet connection
- No contracts
- Equipment costs $99
- No caller ID
- International calls not included
Best Landline Plans Community Phone Offers
- Community Phone Unlimited Local and Long-distance Calling
- Community Phone Unlimited Local and Long-distance Calling Plan
- Community Phone offers just one plan, an unlimited local and long-distance plan for $32 a month.
Community Phone has partnered with nationwide carriers to provide coverage even in rural areas. You can make international calls with Community Phone, however, those calls get billed at international rates. Also, if you use 411 directory assistance, you will incur a cost of $2.39 a minute.
Spectrum by Charter
4.1
All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
BBB Grade
F
Customer Reviews
Excellent
Number of States Covered
41
4.1
All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Spectrum by Charter
BBB Grade
F
Customer Reviews
Excellent
Number of States Covered
41
Why We Picked It
If you want to bundle phone service with your internet and TV service, Spectrum by Charter has some options. You can’t get phone service by itself through Spectrum but when bundled with internet, you can have phone service for $14.99 a month. There are no contracts with Spectrum, which is nice should you decide to end your service, plus international calling is only an additional $5 a month.
Pros & Cons
- International calls rate
- Will buyout contracts up to $500
- No contract required
- Has to be bundled
- More expensive than competitors
- Poor customer service reputation
Best Landline Plans Spectrum by Charter Offers
- SPECTRUM VOICE® Reliable Home Phone Services
- SPECTRUM VOICE + Internet Ultra
- SPECTRUM VOICE® International Calling Plans
SPECTRUM VOICE® Reliable Home Phone Services
SPECTRUM VOICE® Reliable Home Phone Services carries a monthly fee of $14.99 when bundled with other Spectrum services. It includes free nationwide calling to the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa. It comes with more than 28 home phone features, like readable voicemail and caller ID on your TV.
SPECTRUM VOICE + Internet Ultra
Spectrum Voice + Internet Ultra can start at $54.98 a month when bundled for 24 months. The plan includes internet speeds up to 500 Mbps. It comes with a free modem, no data cap and free antivirus software in addition to the same phone service as the SPECTRUM VOICE® Reliable Home Phone Services.
SPECTRUM VOICE® International Calling Plan
The SPECTRUM VOICE® International Calling Plan adds $5 a month to your home phone service and connects to 70 countries. Spectrum also allows people to pay per international call at international calling rates.
Frontier
Via Angi's Website
3.9
All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
BBB Grade
F
Customer Reviews
Excellent
Number of States Covered
25
Frontier
BBB Grade
F
Customer Reviews
Excellent
Number of States Covered
25
Via Angi's Website
Why We Picked It
Frontier offers a reasonable rate for phone service at around $50 a month, depending on location and promotions. Frontier doesn’t lock customers into a contract and has some unique features. Phone service has to be bundled with internet, in most cases. Frontier says you don’t need Frontier internet for a landline but it depends on the situation.
Neither plan Frontier offers seems extravagant, and international call packages are available separately. Finding pricing and plan details can be a little tricky, but Frontier will show what’s available in your area when you enter your address. In some cases you can qualify for a free router.
Pros & Cons
- Price
- No contract
- Nomorobo service that prevents robocalls
- $85 activation fee
- Less availability
- International call plans come separately
Best Landline Plans Frontier Offers
- Digital Phone Essentials
- Digital Phone Unlimited
Digital Phone Essentials Plan
The Digital Phone Essentials Plan is a simple option that offers unlimited local calling, caller ID andcall waiting with fewer long distance minutes. With this plan, customers get just 30 minutes of long-distance calling per month.
Digital Phone Unlimited Plan
Unlimited Digital Voice comes with 20 calling features, including Nomorobo, which stops unwanted robocalls. Unlimited Digital Voice also includes a Locate Me feature where an incoming call will ring three different numbers in the order you choose.
Xfinity by Comcast
On Xfinity's Website
BBB Grade
A+
Customer Reviews
Excellent
Number of States Covered
35
On Xfinity's Website
Why We Picked It
Xfinity launched in 2010 as Comcast Communication’s internet provider. The company is the nation’s largest cable provider and is available in 41 states. Xfinity landed a spot on Forbes’ list of the best internet providers this year, and it takes the top spot as the cheapest provider as well for value pricing without requiring a contract.
With an introductory cost of just $29.99 per month for the first two years, and a maximum advertised download speed of 75 Mbps for the lowest cost plan, Xfinity service provides plenty of speed for families or individuals with just a few devices that don’t consume massive data amounts. For convenience, Comcast can also provide your home with television, phone and security services at moderately discounted pricing, all through one company.
Pros & Cons
- Low rates
- Some plans include international calling
- No contracts
- Professional installation cost $100
- Equipment fees
- International calls are added monthly charge
Best Landline Plans Xfinity by Comcast Offers
- Xfinity Voice
- Xfinity Voice Unlimited
- Internet 300 + Voice
- Internet 600 + Voice
- Internet 1200 + Voice
Xfinity Voice
Xfinity Voice provides unlimited nationwide calling for $20 a month when bundled, but you’ll need to buy or rent an Xfinity Gateway for VoIP service. Xfinity voice comes with three-way calling, anonymous call rejection, call forwarding, call forwarding selective, call return, call screening, call waiting, caller ID, caller ID blocking per call, caller ID with call waiting, repeat dialing and speed dial.
Xfinity Voice Unlimited
Xfinity Voice Unlimited provides unlimited calling locally, long-distance and internationally to Mexico, Canada, China, India, Mexico, Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore and Puerto Rico.
Internet 300 + Voice
Xfinity bundles internet and phone together starting at $99 a month with 300 Mbps of internet.
Internet 600 + Voice
For 600 Mbps internet with phone, the rate is $149.99.
Internet 1200 + Voice
For 1200 Mbps and phone, the monthly charge is $169.99.
Summary: Best Landline Home Phone Service Providers
| Company | Company - Logo | Forbes Home Rating | Forbes Advisor Rating | Lowest Price Plan Available | Customer Rating | States Available | Learn More CTA text | Learn more CTA below text | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vonage |  | 4.2 |  | A+ | Excellent | 50 | Learn More | On Vonage's Website | |
| Community Phone |  | 4.1 | | A | Great | 50 | View More | ||
| Spectrum by Charter |  | 4.1 | | F | Excellent | 41 | View More | ||
| Frontier |  | 3.9 | | F | Excellent | 25 | Learn More | Via Angi's Website | |
| Xfinity by Comcast |  | 3.8 | | A+ | Excellent | 35 | Learn More | On Xfinity's Website |
How to Choose the Best Landline Home Phone Service Provider for You
Finding landline service takes some patience to navigate through the multitude of packages available with phone service. Some providers do have plans with just landline service, but there aren’t many. Getting landline service bundled with other services, like internet or television isn’t always a bad thing.
Oftentimes you can get better rates for phone service when it’s bundled with other items.
Deciding on the right landline company can come down to a number of factors and some of them might be dependant on things like the type of service available in your area. Landline providers point to better call quality with their services, but it’s more important to break down the features each service offers, along with equipment fees and whether you need a contract with the company.
Call Quality
Every landline provider likes to tout call quality since landlines can provide consistently clear calls unlike cell phones, which can still suffer from weak signal strength. The quality between different landline providers is tough to quantify, but you should be satisfied with the call quality before deciding on a provider.
Features
Landline providers tend to offer many of the same features, but some do provide some extras, like the ability to block robocalls, which is a nice addition. Landlines tend to generate a fair share of robocalls, but if your provider has a feature that blocks them, it could be a major pro.
Satisfaction Guarantee
A satisfaction guarantee shouldn’t serve as a standalone deciding factor, but you should compare the satisfaction guarantees each landline servicer offers. A longer guarantee can indicate a stronger confidence a company has in its service.
Equipment Fees
Equipment fees vary between service providers, plus the type of equipment can vary. With some landline providers you have to use their equipment either by purchasing it or renting it. You might also need a modem or a router.
Contract
Some landline providers only use contracts, which might not be a great thing if you start having issues midway through the contract. There are a mix of companies that have contracts and those that don’t. A contract can sometimes lock in a great rate, but some people prefer the flexibility of month-to-month payments.
Reasons to Get a Landline Home Phone
There are several reasons to get a landline. If you live in a rural area with spotty cell phone coverage, you might want a landline to ensure a quality connection. Some items like medical alert systems and home security systems might still need a landline connection for proper operation.
Connect with Home Security System
Home security systems have evolved, so most don’t need a landline connection, but some still do. Having a landline-connected security system can help protect you in case you experience a power outage, ensuring a clear connection.
Bundled Savings
If you can get landline service for $20 a month when it’s bundled with TV and internet, that’s a pretty attractive offer, especially if your landline serves a purpose. Some people can use a landline for international calls.
International Calling
International calls can add up, but some landline providers offer unlimited calls to a number of countries, which is great if you have family overseas. Other plans have allotments of a certain amount of minutes a month before standard pricing takes effect. Either way, a landline can provide an opportunity to save on costs.
Medical Alert Systems
Several medical alert systems require a landline because a landline won’t lose power during a power outage, thus ensuring functionality in the midst of a disaster. There are medical alert systems that don’t need a landline but having one that does can provide an additional layer of security.
Methodology
To determine the best landline home phone service providers ranking, the Forbes Advisor editorial team analyzed data on 30 plans, with each plan’s rating determined by evaluating a variety of metrics, including:
- States covered (20%)
- Customer rating (15%)
- BBB ratio of complaints to reviews (15%)
- Highest installation fee (10%)
- Average contract length (10%)
- Data package features available: including voicemail, simultaneous ringing, caller ID, call waiting, call routing, call forwarding (10%)
- North America calls included (10%)
- International minutes included (5%)
- Free equipment included (5%)
| Compare Best Landline Home Phone Service Providers |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much is a landline per month?
A landline by itself can cost between $5 to $30 a month, but finding rates like that usually means the landline comes bundled with internet and television.
What companies still offer landlines?
There are many that offer landlines, though most offer them for businesses. However, these are a few companies that continue to offer residential landlines.
- Xfinity by Comcast
- Vonage
- Verizon
- Spectrum by Charter
- Optimum
- Ooma
- Frontier
- Community phone
- CenturyLink
- AT&T
Which landline phone is best for home?
Several landline service companies also offer phones. AT&T offers phones and other manufacturers like Panasonic and VTech earn high ranks.
What is the cheapest way to have a landline?
Bundling a landline with internet and television might be the cheapest way to have a landline in your area. It just depends on what’s available where you live. You might find standalone landline service near you, too.
How much longer will landlines be around?
Landlines will continue to be around, however, in August 2022, the FCC issued an order that no longer requires providers to offer landline service. While major providers will likely back away from landline service, smaller providers can step in and purchase the use of the larger providers copper wire service. Companies like Community Phone have sprouted in order to provide landline service to consumers.
Information provided on Forbes Home is for educational purposes only. The products and services we review may not be right for your individual circ*mstances.
Forbes Home adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our partners.
Nick GerhardtContributor
Nick is a content creator with a background in DIY home renovation, maintenance, repair and trends. When he's not writing, Nick likes to rehab vintage or kitsch furniture for his home.
Lowe SaddlerEditor
Lowe is a lead editor, covering all things related to home improvement and good design. She previously worked in the decor and lifestyle spaces for digital publishers like Hunker and Ranker and has multiple years of experience creating design and DIY content.
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