Pricing and Costs of Business Phone Systems

Find business phone systems that fit your company's size and budget

By Amy Lynn

Office phone systems must be able to accommodate the size and demand of your business needs while also accommodating your budget. Business phone system suppliers offer four main types of phone systems; KSU-less systems, Key systems, PBX systems and VoIP (voice over IP) systems. The pricing and costs of business phone systems varies greatly depending on the number of employees and the number of features needed on the system.

KSU-less systems can be as small as two lines and cost as little as $20 to $30 dollars; however, corporate phone systems, like PBX systems, can cost thousands of dollars, depending on the size of your company. Consider the following when determining which office phone systems suit your specific business needs:

1. If you have a small business with only a few employees, cut installation costs by using a business phone system that doesn't require a central unit.

2. If you have a rapidly growing business, look for a phone system that can easily be upgraded.

3. If you are looking to cut costs in a small or large business, consider voice over IP systems.

Consider KSU-less small business phone systems

KSU-less business phone systems are often the choice of small business owners with less than 10 employees. The technology is in the actual phones, which makes installation and relocating easy. The average cost of a KSU-less phone system is anywhere from $30 to over $400 per phone.
Try: E System Sales offers individual and sets of KSU-less phones ranging from $30 to over $350. Tele Technology has AT&T, Panasonic and RCA phone systems with an assortment of features and prices.

Get your business phone service with a Key phone system

Key business telephone systems are ideal for small businesses with up to 40 employees. The key systems have a central unit, called a key system unit (KSU), which allows users to have functionality above and beyond a regular phone. The cost of these systems range from $300 to over $1,000 per extension.
Try: Find Norstar KSU phone systems at INeedTelephones.com. Choose from key phone systems at Legacy Phones, starting at around $650.

Look into a PBX business phone system

PBX phone systems are a step above the Key systems, and are geared toward businesses with over 40 employees. These systems also have a central unit into which all the phone lines are tied, but have more advanced features than a Key system. The cost of this type of phone system averages around $1,000 per extension, but can go up or down from there depending on the advanced features requested and the number of employees.
Try: Fonality offers PBX phone system packages starting at around $1,000 and allows you to get a customized quote. Find affordable PBX phone systems at Neobits starting under $1,000.

Think about VoIP office phone systems

VoIP (voice over IP) systems uses a high-speed Internet connection to send data and then completes the message through a standard telephone line. This type of system works well for both small and large companies. The price for VoIP phone systems averages around $175 to $200, but when combined with a PBX system, can cost anywhere from under $1,000 to over $4,000.
Try: Telephone Magic has a supply of quality VoIP telephone systems for small business use. Visit VoIP Supply to purchase voice over IP telephone systems and products.

Keep in mind when purchasing phone systems for small businesses that the cost will go up with the more advanced features and phones you choose. Also, factor in the cost of installation, especially for Key and PBX systems, which require professional installation.