VoIP Cost Savings Calculator
Compare what your current phone system really costs against cloud VoIP — including the maintenance, hardware and call charges that quotes usually leave out. No sign-up, no email required.
estimated first-year saving
Unlimited domestic calling is included in Salamtalk plans, so current call charges are counted as saved. International and premium-rate destinations are still metered — if most of your spend is international, reduce that figure accordingly. The first-year result includes your one-off switching cost; later years do not.
What does a business phone system actually cost?
The honest answer is that the per-user price is the smallest part of it. A legacy premises system carries line rental, a maintenance contract, hardware that depreciates on a five to seven year cycle, metered long distance, and engineer time for every move, add and change. Cloud VoIP folds most of those into one per-user fee, which is why the comparison usually favours it — but only once you count the whole picture.
| Cost item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Legacy line rental | $25–$50 per line / month | Analog or PRI channel rental from an incumbent carrier. Varies widely by region and contract age. |
| On-site PBX maintenance | $1,200–$3,500 / year | Support contract, firmware updates and engineer call-outs for a premises PBX. |
| PBX hardware refresh | 5–7 year cycle | Capital cost amortised. Cloud systems move this to the provider. |
| Long distance / international | Metered per minute | Often the largest hidden line item for distributed teams. |
Count switching costs honestly
Any comparison that ignores the cost of moving is selling you something. Budget for handset replacement if your existing phones are not SIP-compatible, network preparation such as QoS configuration, and staff training time. Number porting is free with Salamtalk, though not with every provider.
These are one-off costs. The calculator above includes them in the first-year figure, which is why year one shows a smaller saving than the years that follow. Our PBX migration guide covers the full cutover checklist.
When VoIP does not save money
It is worth stating plainly: cloud VoIP is not always cheaper. If you have a fully depreciated PBX, low call volumes, no remote staff and no appetite for new features, running the existing system for a few more years can cost less in pure cash terms.
The switch makes clear financial sense when you have distributed or hybrid staff, headcount that changes through the year, significant long-distance volume, or a PBX approaching end of vendor support — at which point the maintenance line stops being optional. See VoIP vs landline for the feature-by-feature comparison.
Frequently asked questions
How much does VoIP actually save compared to a landline system?
Most businesses switching from a premises PBX to cloud VoIP report 30 to 50 percent lower total cost, though the real figure depends heavily on how much you currently pay for line rental and long distance. The saving comes less from the per-user price and more from eliminating maintenance contracts, hardware refresh cycles and metered call charges.
What costs do people forget when comparing phone systems?
The per-user price is the easy part. The commonly missed items are PBX maintenance contracts, hardware depreciation, the engineer time spent on moves and changes, separate conferencing subscriptions, and the cost of a second system for remote staff. Counting only line rental understates legacy cost substantially.
Are there switching costs when moving to VoIP?
Yes, and an honest comparison includes them. Expect number porting (free with Salamtalk, chargeable with some providers), possible handset replacement if your existing phones are not SIP-compatible, network preparation such as QoS configuration, and staff training time. These are one-off costs that typically pay back within the first year.
Does VoIP always work out cheaper?
Not always. If you have a fully depreciated PBX, low call volumes, no remote staff and no need for new features, keeping it running can be cheaper in pure cash terms for a few more years. VoIP wins clearly when you have distributed staff, growing headcount, high long-distance volume, or a PBX approaching end of support.
Can I keep my existing phone numbers?
Yes. Number porting moves your existing local, toll-free and international numbers to the new provider. Salamtalk does not charge for porting. Plan for the port to take a few business days and keep the old service active until it completes.
Use this calculator on your own site
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<a href="https://www.salamtalk.com/tools/voip-cost-savings-calculator">VoIP Cost Savings Calculator</a> Want these numbers checked against your actual bills?
Send us a recent invoice and we will build the comparison properly, including the costs that are easy to miss.