A cloud based virtual phone system is a complete business phone system that runs entirely in the cloud. Instead of a physical exchange or SIMs, it gives you a business number, extensions, IVR, call routing, voicemail and recording that you manage from a browser — and your team makes and takes calls through mobile and desktop apps. There's no hardware to buy or maintain.

A personal mobile gives you a number but no IVR, routing, recording or reporting, and the number belongs to the handset. An on-premise PBX gives you all those features but needs hardware on-site and IT to run it. A virtual PBX business phone system gives you the business features of a traditional PBX without the cost and complexity of on-site hardware.

No. The whole point is that it runs on the devices your team already owns — they install a softphone app on their mobile or laptop and make and receive business calls through it, showing your business number rather than their personal one. You can also use IP desk phones if you prefer, but they're optional.

Yes — these are core features of a virtual phone system. You can set up a professional greeting and multi-level IVR, give each team member an extension, route calls by team or business hours, and record calls for quality and training. The comparison shows which features are included in each plan versus charged as add-ons.

Used properly, yes. Voice calling is subject to TRAI norms, including DND and consent rules for promotional outreach, and any commercial SMS you send must go through the DLT framework. The providers we list operate on licensed infrastructure and support DND scrubbing and DLT registration. This is general guidance, not legal advice — confirm current requirements with TRAI or your provider for your specific use case.