// circleloop alternative
A simpler CircleLoop alternative
// the short answer
CircleLoop is an app-first business phone system priced per user (from £5/user/mo + VAT, as of July 2026). LineHQ is deliberately not a phone system: your mobile stays the phone, and LineHQ is the number that remembers every call — it rings the mobile you already carry, writes a free AI call card for each transcribed voicemail (the gist, the caller’s mood, what to do next), and is priced per package not per seat, with no contract, from £4.99/mo. If you want a team taking calls inside an app, choose CircleLoop.
CircleLoop and LineHQ both give you UK virtual numbers with no long lock-in, but they’re built around different ideas. CircleLoop routes your calls through its desktop and mobile apps and charges per user. LineHQ forwards your number to the phone you already own and charges per package. Here’s the side-by-side.
Last reviewed September 2026
| LineHQ | CircleLoop | |
|---|---|---|
| How you take calls | Forwards to your existing phone (mobile from 7p/min on PAYG) | Through the CircleLoop app (desktop & mobile) |
| Pricing model | Per package (number + forwarding minutes) | Per user / per seat |
| From | £4.99/mo + PAYG forwarding | £5/user/mo + VAT |
| App required | Not for basic forwarding; optional app/SIP devices available | Yes — calls run in the app |
| Contract | None — rolling monthly | Rolling monthly |
| Recording & voicemail-to-email | Included | Available |
| AI call transcription & summaries | Included (metered) on paid tiers | Not a core feature |
| UK company & support | Yes — Budd and Todd Ltd, Hull | Yes — UK |
Competitor details were researched from public sources in September 2026 and may have changed — check the provider’s own website for current pricing and terms. LineHQ details are ours.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the best CircleLoop alternative in the UK?
If you want a business number that rings your existing mobile rather than an app you dial from, LineHQ is a strong CircleLoop alternative. It’s priced per package rather than per user, includes recording and voicemail-to-email, and has no contract — a UK number from £4.99/mo, with standard UK mobile forwarding at 7p/min on Pay As You Go.
How is LineHQ different from CircleLoop?
CircleLoop is app-first and priced per user — you make and receive calls through its app. LineHQ starts with forwarding to the phone you already own and is priced per package; the app and SIP devices are optional when you want app ringing or outbound calling. For a sole trader or small team, that is often a lower total cost.
Is LineHQ cheaper than CircleLoop?
It depends on your setup. CircleLoop charges per user (from £5/user/mo + VAT as of July 2026), so costs rise with each seat. LineHQ charges per package from £4.99/mo, with forwarding minutes included on Mobile, Reception and Scale, which is usually cheaper for one person or a small team sharing a number. Calls you answer in the LineHQ app don’t use those forwarding minutes.
Can I move my CircleLoop number to LineHQ?
In most cases yes — UK numbers can be ported between providers. Start a new LineHQ number today and port your existing one across when you’re ready. Standard single-number ports are included and usually complete within a couple of weeks; linked-number requirements are shown before you continue.
Sources
Try LineHQ
A UK number with recording, voicemail-to-email and a receptionist, from £4.99/mo — Pay As You Go mobile forwarding at 7p/min. No contract, cancel anytime.