A UK business phone number normally costs a monthly number or plan fee, plus any usage charges for forwarded calls, freephone minutes or extras. LineHQ's current pricing starts at GBP 4.99 per month for Pay As You Go and rises to GBP 39.99 per month for higher plans with more included standard forwarding minutes and separate 0800/freephone allowances.
Most small businesses do not need a full phone system on day one. They need one clear number, sensible forwarding, voicemail for missed calls and pricing that does not become a guessing game once customers start ringing.
This guide explains what makes up the cost of a UK business phone number, what to check before buying, and when a low monthly plan is enough. Prices and plan details are based on the live LineHQ pricing page checked on 8 September 2026.
What do you actually pay for?
A business number has two parts that are easy to confuse: the number itself and what happens when someone calls it. The monthly plan usually covers the number rental and access to the call-handling features. Usage charges cover the minutes used when calls are forwarded, especially on low-cost or Pay As You Go plans.
| Cost area | What it means | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly plan | The recurring charge for the number and account features | Whether the advertised price includes the number type you want |
| Setup fee | A one-off charge for starting the service | LineHQ currently shows no setup fee on its pricing page |
| Forwarded minutes | The cost of sending inbound calls to your mobile, landline or team | Included minutes, PAYG rates and where calls are being forwarded |
| Freephone calls | 0800 calls are free for customers, so the business carries more of the call cost | Your 0800/freephone allowance, then 8p/min inbound, 10p/min to UK landlines or 12p/min to standard UK mobiles |
| Features | Voicemail, call recording, business hours, routing and reporting | Which features are included and which need a higher plan |
If a provider only shows a headline monthly price, keep reading until you find the forwarding rates. A cheap business number can still become expensive if most calls forward to mobiles and no minutes are included.
How much does LineHQ cost?
LineHQ packages currently run from GBP 4.99 per month to GBP 39.99 per month. Every plan includes a UK number, call forwarding, call recording and voicemail-to-email. Standard forwarding minutes and 0800/freephone minutes are shown separately, with calling credit for any usage over the allowance.
The Pay As You Go plan is built for a business line that mostly takes messages or receives a small number of calls. The live pricing page shows GBP 4.99 per month, or GBP 49.90 per year, with one UK number and voicemail allowance. Standard forwarded calls are charged by the minute at 5p per minute to UK landlines and 7p per minute to standard UK mobiles. 0800/freephone calls are separate: 8p per minute inbound, 10p per minute to UK landlines and 12p per minute to standard UK mobiles.
Higher plans make more sense when you expect regular answered calls and want included standard forwarding minutes. Mobile, Reception and Scale also include a smaller separate 0800/freephone allowance. That is the main decision: pay less each month and pay for forwarding as it happens, or pay more monthly so your normal call volume is already covered.
Why number type changes the bill
Different number types change how callers feel and who pays for the call. A local 01/02 number feels familiar in a town or region. A 0333 number gives a national presence and callers pay the same as an 01 or 02 landline, usually using inclusive minutes. An 0800 number removes caller cost because it is free to call from UK mobiles and landlines, but the business pays more to receive it.
| Number type | Good for | Cost note |
|---|---|---|
| Local 01/02 | Local trades, clinics, shops and service businesses | Usually the simplest low-friction choice for local enquiries |
| 0333 | National support or sales lines | Charged to callers like a normal landline, according to Ofcom guidance |
| 0800 | Sales campaigns, high-value enquiries and support lines | Free for customers to call; LineHQ plans show a separate 0800/freephone allowance and rate |
| 07 mobile | Mobile-first businesses that want a work number separate from a personal SIM | Useful for familiarity, but check voicemail and forwarding allowances |
If you are choosing between ranges, LineHQ's UK number chooser is a better starting point than picking the cheapest option in isolation.
When is Pay As You Go enough?
Pay As You Go is enough when the number is mainly there to make the business look professional, protect your personal mobile and catch enquiries you can return. For a new side business, solo trade, small consultancy or campaign number, that can be all you need.
It works best when:
- you do not receive many long calls yet;
- most missed calls can go to voicemail-to-email;
- you want to test a new number before committing to a bigger plan;
- you need transparent itemised call costs rather than a contract.
The trade-off is simple. If calls grow, the per-minute forwarding charges matter more. At that point, a plan with included minutes can be cheaper and easier to budget.
When should you choose a higher plan?
A higher monthly plan makes sense when answered calls are part of the day-to-day operation. If the number forwards to a mobile for several hours a week, or if more than one person needs to answer calls, the lowest plan may no longer be the best value.
Move up when you need:
- more included standard forwarding minutes;
- team routing instead of one mobile only;
- a clearer budget for regular call volume;
- space to use call recording, voicemail and reporting without constantly watching usage.
This is where the phrase "cheap business number" can be misleading. The cheapest monthly line is not always the cheapest working setup. Compare the plan against real call behaviour, not just the number rental.
How to estimate your monthly cost
Use a rough call forecast before choosing a plan. You do not need a perfect spreadsheet. You just need enough of a picture to avoid buying the wrong thing.
- Choose the number type: local, 0333, 0800 or 07 mobile.
- Estimate how many calls you expect each week.
- Estimate the average length of calls that will be answered, not just received.
- Check whether those minutes use the standard allowance or the separate 0800/freephone allowance.
- Apply the PAYG rate to any minutes outside the allowance.
- Add the monthly plan fee.
For example, a business that mostly receives voicemail enquiries may be comfortable on a low monthly plan. A business that forwards 300 answered minutes to mobiles every month should compare those minutes against a plan with an allowance.
What to check before buying a business phone number
Before signing up with any UK virtual number provider, check the live pricing page and the terms that affect normal usage. Do this even when the monthly price looks clear.
- Is there a setup fee?
- Can you cancel monthly?
- Does the price include the number type you want?
- Are call forwarding, voicemail and call recording included?
- What are the mobile and landline forwarding rates?
- What happens if you exceed included minutes?
- Can you start small and move plans later?
- Can you port the number away if your setup changes?
LineHQ is built around that start-small route. You can begin with a simple number and call forwarding, then adjust the setup as the business gets busier.
FAQs
What is the cheapest LineHQ business number plan?
The current LineHQ pricing page shows Pay As You Go from GBP 4.99 per month, or GBP 49.90 per year. Check the live pricing page before buying because plan details can change.
Do I pay for incoming calls to a business number?
It depends on the number type and plan. You may pay forwarding charges when calls are sent to your mobile or landline. With 0800 numbers, callers do not pay to ring from UK mobiles and landlines, so check your separate 0800/freephone allowance and overage rate.
Is a 0333 number cheaper than an 0800 number?
For the caller, 0333 is charged like a normal 01 or 02 landline and is normally included in bundled minutes. 0800 is free for customers to call. For the business, the better value depends on plan pricing, call volume, your separate 0800/freephone allowance and how calls are forwarded.
Can I use a business number on my existing mobile?
Yes. With LineHQ, your business number can forward to the mobile you already use, so you do not need a second handset just to separate work calls from personal calls.
Should I choose the lowest monthly price?
Choose the lowest plan only if it fits your expected call volume. If you answer regular calls, a plan with included minutes may cost less overall than paying for every forwarded minute on a low monthly plan.
Start with the cost you can understand
A business phone number should make enquiries easier, not add another unclear bill. Start by choosing the number customers will trust, then match the plan to how many calls you expect to answer.
Compare the current LineHQ plans or start with a simple UK business phone number if you only need a clear work line, voicemail and flexible forwarding.
Sources
- LineHQ, Pricing, accessed 19 September 2026.
- LineHQ, Business phone number UK, accessed 8 September 2026.
- Ofcom, Phone numbers, accessed 8 September 2026.
- GOV.UK, Call charges and phone numbers, accessed 8 September 2026.
