The short answer
For almost every Canadian business in 2026, VoIP is cheaper, more flexible and has far more features than a landline. The main thing to plan for is power and internet outages, and that is easy to solve.
| Landline (copper) | VoIP | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | Often $40 to $70 per line | From $99 a year for a number; about $26/user for a full system |
| Where it works | One building | Anywhere with internet, plus your cell phone |
| Adding a line | Technician visit | A few clicks |
| Features | Ringing, maybe voicemail | Menus, voicemail to email, recording, video, AI tickets |
| Moving offices | Number may change | Number comes with you |
| Power outage | Often still works | Needs a battery backup or rings your cell instead |
| 911 | Address tied to the wire | Address registered per number; keep it current |
Where landlines still win
An old copper line can keep working when the power is out, because the phone company powers it. VoIP needs your internet and router to be up. A small UPS battery on the router and switch keeps you running through short outages, and failover rings your cell phones during long ones. Some alarm panels and elevator phones also still expect a traditional line; we plan for those with adapters or cellular units.
Where VoIP wins (pretty much everywhere else)
- Cost: no per-line rental, and Canadian calling at about a cent a minute.
- Flexibility: your number rings your desk, your app and your cell phone.
- Features: menus, queues, recording, texting and video come standard.
- Information: with AI Call Desk, every call becomes a searchable ticket.
And the handset?
Keep it. VoIP desk phones have real handsets with real cords, so you still get the deeply satisfying option of hanging up with authority. Some traditions are worth keeping.
Ready to compare actual numbers? Build your quote or read VoIP 101.
Quick answers
Is VoIP as reliable as a landline?
With decent business internet and automatic failover to cell phones, yes. The landline's real advantage is that it can work during a power outage, which a small battery backup largely fixes for VoIP.
Is VoIP cheaper than a landline?
Usually by a lot. A business landline from a big carrier often costs $40 to $70 a month per line. Our Essentials number is $99 a year.