Written by Aimee Bradshaw Reviewed by James Macey Updated on 30 April 2020 On this page Line rental and setup International calling Free call features Cloud-based phone system Benefits for small businesses Competitor analysis Lily Comms 8x8 4Com Expert verdict Expand Our site is reader-supported – by clicking our links, we can match you with a potential supplier, and we may earn a small commission for this referral. How can a telephone system from one of the UK’s top suppliers benefit your business? Pros Small business focussed with online support and advice Strong customer support; calls handled within three rings International call packages are good value Cons Cloud-based system lags behind rivals Minimum-length contract plans lack flexibility As the owner of a small business, you want to reach new markets, empower your team, and never miss a call from a customer. You want the best telephone system out there without breaking the bank. So you need a provider that delivers fast and focuses on the unique needs of your small business. Right? We’ve reviewed one of the most well-known providers in the UK to help you choose the provider right for you.XLN Telecom is one of the UK’s leading providers of telephone line rental and systems. With 400,000 small businesses served since 2002, they’re fuelling the growth of up-and-coming enterprises like yours. So what can they offer you? We did a review of their line rental, call packages, and phone systems. And, of course, their prices! We also read the small print, and looked at how XLN stacks up to the competition.Read on to find out more about XLN’s telephone solutions, and how they can benefit your small business. And if you’re already sold on a smart telephone system, great news! You’re a couple of clicks away from getting a range of quotes from our top suppliers. Fill out this short form and get comparing today. Line rental and setupBefore you can start dialling, you’ll need phone line rental. XLN offer quick, easy setup of your phone line. They operate on one of the largest networks in the UK, so you’ll get the best connection out there. Attached to your old number? No problem – you can keep it. XLN also claim to offer pay-as-you-go calls 92% cheaper than direct rivals BT.XLN serviceCostNational calls2pMobile calls9.95pLine rental£16.95Installation£99Looking good? For an extra £1/month, you can get unlimited calls to mobiles and landlines within the UK. So what’s the catch?The prices quoted belong to a ‘promotional period.’ After a couple of years they revert to their higher retail rates. Do the research and make sure you know how much you’ll be paying not just now, but in the long-term. International callingDo you do business in other countries? If so, you’ll need to consider international calling packages. XLN offers 500 minutes of calls in 36 countries. It’s a fiver a month, and includes calls to Australia, New Zealand, the US, and most of Western Europe. Free call featuresXLN provide a range of call features with their telephone systems package. These help you prevent unwanted rings and better manage your incoming and outgoing calls. Some of the free call features XLN provide include: Three-way callingChat to up to two others in the same conversationChoose to refuseEasily block unwanted callsCaller displayInstantly recognise a callerCall waitingJump between multiple calls at the same timeCall diversionRe-route calls to a mobile or anywhere in the UK Did You Know? Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) solutions can save your business up to 70% on call costs. Cloud-based phone systemIf your business is looking towards the future, you’ll want to know what a cloud-based VoIP phone system can offer. XLN’s Cloud Voice is a cloud-based phone system hosted over the internet. It’s a great option for multiple users. And XLN claim it’s cheaper and more reliable than traditional phones. We broke it down: Pros No installation or activation fee Keep your old number free Disaster recovery feature reroutes calls if internet goes down Handset provided free with package Cons Setup can take a minimum of 12 working days Expensive to cancel Dependent on a working internet connection Subject to a 36-month contract term Read more: Best business VoIP providers in the UK Benefits for small businessesHow could a switch to XLN boost your business?✔ Save moneyXLN claim to save their average customer £1,750 a year, and provide cheaper alternatives to heavy-hitters like BT.✔ Switch easilyXLN take care of the switch from your old provider at no cost. Free yourself of the hassle and get back to running your business.✔ Speak to real peopleXLN claim to take all calls within seconds. If you get stuck, there’ll be someone on the other side of the phone to help out.✔ Support for your small businessXLN offer the ‘Biz Hub’ – an online portal full of articles and info. It’s full of quick tips and handy tools to help grow your small business.✔ Save timeXLN also supply card payment, high-speed internet, and energy solutions. Don’t worry about juggling bills and suppliers: XLN offer the main resources for your small business all from one place.What Small Business Phone System do you Require? VoIP Traditional Unsure Competitor analysisWhere does XLN weigh in against its rivals? Let’s take a look at some of the phone system providers leading the way for efficiency, value and customer service. Lily Comms Lily Comms holds its own against XLN for offering affordable phone systems to small businesses. Their hosted VoIP service ‘Horizon’ has won awards and been lauded for its innovation and flexibility. Do you have a larger team making lots of calls from different places? Lily Comms is a great option for you. If you’re more focussed on making international calls though, XLN is a better bet. 8x8 When it comes to value, 8×8 is more than a match for XLN. They claim to offer savings of more than 50% on your monthly phone bill. Their intelligent VoIP phone systems let your staff dial from a computer, desk or mobile device. And their customer service is phenomenal, with highly-responsive staff to chat to. Their ‘virtual office’ cloud phone system comes in a three-tiered pricing plan, so you can match the best plan to the unique needs of your business. If you want more flexibility than XLN, 8×8 is the provider for you.Reade our 8×8 review. 4Com 4Com provides a tailored approach to customer service. From the moment you enquire, they’ll give you advice about the best telephone solution for your unique business needs. 4Com excel in their call recording and reporting features. If monitoring your staff’s calls is important to you, choose Ccom over XLN. 4Com’s systems also build the bridge between your phone and computer. Get more info about your callers and create a more personal customer journey.Read our 4Com review. Expert verdictOverall, we love XLN Telecom’s dedication to small businesses. Their customer support is great, and they’re a good option for calling overseas. But in the end, it comes down to the needs of your business. If you’re a cloud-based system, you might be better off with Lily Comms. And if you’re after flexibility, 8×8 is for you. Still on the fence? Try out this handy form to compare quotes from our top telephone system suppliers. Written by: Aimee Bradshaw Writer and researcher Aimee is Expert Market’s resident telephone systems and point of sale go-to. If she’s not writing about business products, you’ll find her daydreaming about dog walking on Dorset beaches. Reviewed by: James Macey Senior Business Software Researcher James thinks all businesses can improve if they use the right technology. At Expert Market, he utilises his 4+ years experience as a researcher to offer specialised advice on a wide range of categories from CRM to Fleet Management.