3-person team
Compare the model first.
D Line Base: $20/workspace/month. Advanced: $35/workspace/month. RingEX Core example: $60/month annually or $90/month monthly.
Small business phone systems
Best business phone system for small business
We make D Line, so we're biased. This guide explains how we would compare a per-workspace system with a typical per-user plan, using RingEX Core as a sourced example rather than publishing unsourced competitor claims.
At a glance
Compare the details that matter.
| Feature | D Line Base | D Line Advanced | Typical per-user plan: RingEX Core |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan model | $20/workspace/month | $35/workspace/month | $20/user/month annually; $30 monthly |
| Calling | 2,000 included minutes, then metered | Unlimited US and Canada calling | Unlimited domestic calling |
| Texting | $5/month SMS/10DLC add-on | SMS/10DLC included | 25 SMS per user/month |
| AI and recordings | 5 GB rolling recordings; no transcription | ~1,000 transcription minutes with summaries; auto recording | On-demand recording and AVA included |
| Devices | Browser, apps, and quoted pre-configured IP phones | Browser, apps, and quoted pre-configured IP phones | Desktop, mobile, and web apps; supported desk phones |
Competitor pricing and features as listed on RingCentral's public pricing page on October 3, 2026; they can change. Check ringcentral.com for current pricing.
RingCentral and RingEX are trademarks of their respective owner. D Line is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by RingCentral.
Quick guidance
Choose a phone system around the work, not the logo.
A flat workspace price can be easier to predict as a small team grows. A per-user system can make sense when its particular integrations, organization controls, or published commitments match your needs.
5-person team
Compare the model first.
D Line Base: $20/workspace/month. Advanced: $35/workspace/month. RingEX Core example: $100/month annually or $150/month monthly.
10-person team
Compare the model first.
D Line Base: $20/workspace/month. Advanced: $35/workspace/month. RingEX Core example: $200/month annually or $300/month monthly.
Competitor pricing and features as listed on RingCentral's public pricing page on October 3, 2026; they can change. Check ringcentral.com for current pricing.
RingCentral and RingEX are trademarks of their respective owner. D Line is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by RingCentral.
How to choose
Five questions worth asking before you switch.
Who answers?
List the people who answer calls, the numbers they need, and whether part-time coverage changes the price calculation.
What is included?
Separate the plan price from texting, recording, AI, phone numbers, and any receptionist add-on.
Apps or handsets?
Teams can use browser, desktop, mobile, and Chrome extension apps; pre-configured IP phones are also available by quote.
How will texting work?
Plan SMS/10DLC activation before launch. On D Line, it is a $5 Base add-on and included with Advanced.
How will you move numbers?
Request a port and never cancel the old provider first. Eligibility and timing are confirmed before the move.
D Line in plain terms
What the workspace gives a small team.
Calls and messaging
Base includes 2,000 minutes; Advanced includes unlimited US and Canada calling and SMS/10DLC.
Call intelligence
Advanced includes auto recording, about 1,000 transcription minutes, AI summaries, and Ask about calls when transcription is available.
A receptionist when needed
The AI receptionist can capture caller details, collect appointment requests, route callers, and cover after-hours when your workspace turns it on.
Your existing tools
D Line supports Zoho, HubSpot, and Salesforce, with other CRM requests welcomed.
Questions
Before you choose.
What is the best phone system for a five-person business?
The best fit depends on calling volume, devices, texting, and the functions you need. Compare the price model with the specific features your team will actually use.
Is per-user or per-workspace pricing cheaper?
For three, five, and ten people, D Line Base remains $20/month per workspace before add-ons; the RingEX Core annual example is $60, $100, and $200/month.
Do I need desk phones, or can my team use apps?
No desk phone is required. Teams can use browser, desktop, and mobile apps. Pre-configured IP phones can be shipped to US locations and are quoted separately.
Is there a free offer?
The paid trial is 14 days for $3. Separately, every new workspace gets two months of free AI call transcription and AI call analysis.
Find a plan that fits the way your small team answers calls.
Create a D Line workspace, choose your number, and keep your team reachable wherever work takes them.