Hosted phone systems at a glance

By Upgrade Your PracticeReviewed by Upgrade Your PracticeLast reviewed 2026-09-12

Choose between dedicated hosted voice and Microsoft Teams Phone using front-desk fit, failover, fax, and licensing — not a paid award.

Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links. Commercial relationships do not change our methodology. Read the disclosure.

Disclosure: Some options below may include affiliate or commercial relationships. Those relationships do not change ranking. See our affiliate disclosure.

Dedicated hosted voice

Hosted voice category

Pricing: Typically per user per month, plus handsets and optional call-path minutes; verify current pricing (verified 2026-09-12)

Best fit: Dental and other professional offices that still think in lines, overflow, and a receptionist console.

Poor fit: Teams-first offices that will not administer a second voice vendor, or practices that need a full contact-center suite.

Vendor site

Microsoft Teams Phone

Microsoft 365 calling

Pricing: Microsoft calling plans or operator connect, plus Teams Phone licenses; verify current pricing (verified 2026-09-12)

Best fit: Offices that already use Teams daily and have someone who can administer it.

Poor fit: Practices that need analog fax without an adapter plan, or a classic front desk with no Teams habit.

Vendor site

Selection criteria

Call reliability and internet failover, voicemail-to-email, dental or legal front-desk fit, E911, fax/analog plan, and pricing you can explain on an invoice.

Material limitations

These are educational fit profiles, not lab tests of every vendor and not a ranking you can buy. Confirm current prices and features before you sign.

FAQ

Is this a paid ranking?

No. Rank is not for sale.

Do affiliate links change the order?

No. Commissions do not change methodology.

Which should we pick this week?

If the front desk still thinks in lines and overflow, start with dedicated hosted voice. If the practice already lives in Teams and will quote calling licenses and fax, consider Teams Phone.

Reviewed 2026-09-12 · Next review 2027-03-01

Use this page to choose a direction for hosted voice: a dedicated phone platform built around handsets and a front desk, or Microsoft Teams Phone if the practice already lives in Microsoft 365 and will fund the extra licensing and analog plan.

The cards above are fit profiles. They are not test-lab scores and not a paid ranking. Verify current pricing, E911, fax, and failover with the vendor before you sign. Affiliate links, if present, do not change the method. Disclosure.

How to decide this week

If the front desk still thinks in lines, greets, and overflow to a person across the room, start with dedicated hosted voice. If everyone already lives in Teams and you have someone who can administer it, Teams Phone can reduce the number of vendors — after you quote call-path licensing, handsets, and fax in writing.

Next reading: Best Business Phone Systems for Dental Practices for dental-specific overflow and scheduling notes. Then assess the practice if phones are only one of several fires.

Not sure where to start?

The Practice Technology Scorecard turns plain-language answers into a prioritized roadmap. Results appear before any contact form.