Sonetel Review, Pricing, & Top Alternatives

By Cora Olson | January 2, 2020
Copy of CallFowarding.com Banners (1)

Sometimes, we are asked by potential customers about what virtual number provider we would recommend if they wanted to weigh their options. In this post, we'll be showcasing Sonetel, a communications provider. We'll go over pricing in the most popular locations about the world, review features, and include information of the top Sonetel alternatives and a pricing comparison.

This post was made to help inform you and help you make the best possible decision when choosing your next communications provider. If you read this post and still need more information, let us know! Your feedback helps us make it possible to update our reviews to be as informative as possible for readers.

Let's get into the review-- first, we'll start with a basic overview of Sonetel.

Sonetel Company Bio

Sonetel is a Swedish company operating out of Hyderabad, India and Stockholm, Sweden. Sonetel offers international virtual number services focused for entrepreneurs and small or medium businesses.

Sonetel Standard Features Overview

Sonetel has a few standard features that are included with any plan. With a Premium plan, other advanced features or additional customizability is available.

Sonetel Standard Features:

  • Global call forwarding.
  • Free conference calling for up to 4 participants.
  • Conference call rooms for up to 100 participants.
  • Voice Response.
  • Free call recording.
  • Custom Caller ID.
sonetel cost

Sonetel Advanced Features & Add-Ons

Next, let's go over some of Sonetel's advanced features and add-ons that they provide:

Unlimited Calling with Premium Plans

Sonetel's Premium plan advertised unlimited calling, but this feature is still subject to their fair use policy. This policy does not allow minutes or services that are connected through a PBX or for calls being forwarded to another location. There are other limitations as well, including:

  • Free call forwarding to landlines (up to 2,500 minutes).
  • Free conference calling up to 25 participants (local numbers only).
  • Free fax-to-email (up to 1,000 faxes per month).
  • Free SMS-to-email (up to 2,500 SMS per month).

VIP Customer Service

Sonetel's Premium plan advertised unlimited calling, but this feature is still subject to their fair use policy. This policy does not allow minutes or services that are connected through a PBX or for calls being forwarded to another location. There are other limitations as well, including:

  • Free call forwarding to landlines (up to 2,500 minutes).
  • Free conference calling up to 25 participants (local numbers only).
  • Free fax-to-email (up to 1,000 faxes per month).
  • Free SMS-to-email (up to 2,500 SMS per month).
sonetel top alternatives

Sonetel Pricing

Next, we'll go in depth on the top things you need to know about Sonetel's pricing, as well as Sonetel pricing by country.

How Sonetel Pricing Works

Sonetel sells virtual phone lines in 160 countries, which customer can purchase through their website after registration and validation process. From their website, it seems that their services may be best for entrepreneurs and small businesses looking to have an international presence. Many other international number providers route calls through VoIP, but Sonetel relies on routing calls through a traditional phone line or through mobile phones.

Sonetel offers two pricing plans for customers: Standard and Premium. Both packages share similarities in that both have a one-time setup fee, a monthly per-user fee, and additional minute rates for inbound calls and forwarding. Sonetel's Premium plan includes unlimited calls* and VIP handling by customer service for an additional monthly fee.

*Note: As stated previously, Sonetel's fair usage policy does not actually allow unlimited minutes or service for numbers connected to a PBX or calls forwarded to call centers.

Sonetel Pricing By Country

Next, we'll look at pricing comparisons of Sonetel and the best Sonetel alternatives. We'll take a look at pricing in the US, the UK, Australia, the UAE, China, and Brazil. The top Sonetel alternatives include:

  • Global Call Forwarding. This virtual number provider has toll free, local, and mobile phone numbers in 150+ countries. Pricing varies in five bundled packages based on minutes with additional per minute overage rates. The more expensive the plan, the cheaper the overage rate.
  • TollFreeForwarding. This company has virtual numbers in 120+ countries and 1,000 cities across the globe. Like Global Call Forwarding, pricing is structured as bundled minutes with additional per minute overage rates.
  • AVOXI. AVOXI is a communications provider of virtual numbers in 160+ countries as well as a call center software provider. Like the previous two providers, pricing varies on packages based on number of minutes.

Australia

Sonetel's Australia toll free numbers cost a monthly fee of $7.49, with varying pricing for incoming calls and call forwarding. There is also a $68.00 one-time setup fee. Below, we've included the estimated monthly cost for both Sonetel's Standard and Premium plans with forwarding to the United States as an example.

Standard Plan:

  • One-Time Setup Fee: $68
  • Monthly Fee: $7.49
    • Incoming Calls: $0.07/min
    • Call Forwarding: $0.01/min

Premium Plan:

  • One-Time Setup Fee: $68
  • Premium Fee:  $13.95
  • Monthly Fee: $5.99
    • Incoming Calls: $0.07/min
    • Call Forwarding: Free
sonetel australia pricing

Sonetel's Australia local numbers cost a monthly fee of $9.99, with varying pricing for incoming calls and call forwarding. Below, we've included the estimated monthly cost for both Sonetel's Standard and Premium plans with forwarding to the United States as an example.

Standard Plan:

  • One-Time Setup Fee: None
  • Monthly Fee: $9.99
    • Call Forwarding: $0.013/min

Premium Plan:

  • One-Time Setup Fee: None
  • Premium Fee:  $13.95
  • Monthly Fee: $9.99
    • Call Forwarding: Free
sonetel australia local number

Sonetel Alternatives - Australia

Global Call Forwarding

Standard toll free number plans start at $13.95 a month. Global Call Forwarding's standard plan includes:

  • 85 minutes (forwarded to VoIP)
  • Additional Inbound Minute Costs:
    • Toll free: $0.0816 minute.
  • Setup Fees: None
  • Set of standard Features

Global Call Forwarding's standard local number plans start at $12.95 a month:

  • 133 calling minutes.
  • When forwarding to VoIP
  • Additional Inbound Minute Costs
    • $0.045 minute.
  • Setup Fees: None
  • Standard Features

TollFreeForwarding

Standard toll free number plans start at $19 / month. TollFreeForwarding's starter Pay As You Go plan includes:

  • Inbound Minute Costs:
    • Toll free: $0.061 / minute.
  • Setup Fees: None
  • Set of standard Features

TollFreeForwarding's standard local number plans start at $5 / month:

  • Additional Inbound Minute Costs:
    • $0.044 / minute.
  • Setup Fees: None
  • Standard Features

AVOXI

Standard toll free number plans start at $7.99 / month. AVOXI's standard plan includes:

  • Inbound Minute Costs (forwarded to VoIP):
    • Toll free: $0.055 / minute
  • Setup Fees: None
  • Set of standard Features

AVOXI's standard local number plans start at $4.49 / month:

  • Additional Inbound Minute Costs (forwarded to VoIP):
    • $0.051 / minute
  • Setup Fees: None
  • Standard Features

United States

Sonetel's United States toll free numbers cost a monthly fee of $7.49, with varying pricing for incoming calls and call forwarding. Below, we've included the estimated monthly cost for both Sonetel's Standard and Premium plans with forwarding to Australia as an example.

Standard Plan:

  • One-Time Setup Fee: None
  • Monthly Fee: $7.49
    • Incoming Calls: $0.030/min
    • Call Forwarding: $0.034/min

Premium Plan:

  • One-Time Setup Fee: None
  • Premium Fee:  $13.95
  • Monthly Fee: $7.49
    • Incoming Calls: $0.030/min
    • Call Forwarding: Free
sonetel alternatives

Sonetel's United States local numbers cost a monthly fee of $3.99, with varying pricing for incoming calls and call forwarding. Below, we've included the estimated monthly cost for both Sonetel's Standard and Premium plans with forwarding to Australia as an example.

Standard Plan:

  • One-Time Setup Fee: None
  • Monthly Fee: $3.99
    • Call Forwarding: $0.034

Premium Plan:

  • One-Time Setup Fee: None
  • Premium Fee:  $13.95
  • Monthly Fee: $3.99
    • Call Forwarding: Free
top sonetel alternatives

Sonetel Alternatives - United States

Global Call Forwarding

Standard toll free number plans start at $12.95 a month. Global Call Forwarding's standard plan includes:

  • 303 minutes (forwarded to VoIP)
  • Additional Inbound Minute Costs:
    • Toll free: $0.04 / minute.
  • Setup Fees: None
  • Set of standard Features

Global Call Forwarding's standard local number plans start at $7.95 a month:

  • 139 calling minutes when forwarded to VoIP
  • Additional Inbound Minute Costs:
    • $0.04 / minute
  • Setup Fees: None
  • Standard Features

TollFreeForwarding

Standard toll free number plans start at $9 / month for a Pay As You Go plan. This TollFreeForwarding's plan includes:

  • Inbound Minute Costs:
    • Toll free: $0.046 / minute.
  • Setup Fees: None
  • Set of standard Features

TollFreeForwarding's standard local number plans start at $5 / month:

  • Inbound Minute Costs:
    • $0.044 / minute.
  • Setup Fees: None
  • Standard Features

AVOXI

Standard toll free number plans start at $4.49 / month. AVOXI's standard plan includes:

  • Inbound Minute Costs (Forwarding to VoIP):
    • Toll free: $0.052 / minute
  • Setup Fees: None
  • Set of standard Features

AVOXI's standard local number plans start at $4.49 / month:

  • Inbound Minute Costs (forwarded to VoIP):
    • $0.040 / minute
  • Setup Fees: None
  • Standard Features

United Kingdom

Sonetel's United Kingdom toll free numbers cost a monthly fee of $5.19, with varying pricing for incoming calls and call forwarding. Below, we've included the estimated monthly cost for both Sonetel's Standard and Premium plans with forwarding to the United States as an example.

Standard Plan:

  • One-Time Setup Fee: None
  • Monthly Fee: $5.19
    • Incoming Calls: $0.130/min
    • Call Forwarding: $0.013/min

Premium Plan:

  • One-Time Setup Fee: None
  • Premium Fee:  $13.95
  • Monthly Fee: $5.19
    • Incoming Calls: $0.130/min
    • Call Forwarding: Free
sonetel competitors

Sonetel's United Kingdom local numbers cost a monthly fee of $5.19, with varying pricing for incoming calls and call forwarding. Below, we've included the estimated monthly cost for both Sonetel's Standard and Premium plans with forwarding to the United States as an example.

Standard Plan:

  • One-Time Setup Fee: None
  • Monthly Fee: $5.19
    • Call Forwarding: $0.013/min

Premium Plan:

  • One-Time Setup Fee: None
  • Premium Fee:  $13.95
  • Monthly Fee: $5.19
    • Call Forwarding: Free
sonetel review

Sonetel Alternatives - United Kingdom

Global Call Forwarding

Standard toll free number plans start at $18.95 a month. Global Call Forwarding's standard plan includes:

  • 212 minutes (forwarded to VoIP)
  • Additional Inbound Minute Costs:
    • Toll free: $0.083 / minute.
  • Setup Fees: None
  • Set of standard Features

Global Call Forwarding's standard local number plans start at $12.95 a month:

  • 303 calling minutes when forwarded to VoIP
  • Additional Inbound Minute Costs:
    • $0.04 / minute.
  • Setup Fees: None
  • Standard Features

TollFreeForwarding

Standard toll free number plans start at $19 / month with a Pay As You Go Plan. More expensive plans include various sets of minutes. TollFreeForwarding's starting plan includes:

  • Inbound Minute Costs:
    • Toll free: $0.099 / minute.
  • Setup Fees: None
  • Set of standard Features

TollFreeForwarding's standard local number plans start at $5 / month:

  • Inbound Minute Costs:
    • Toll free: $0.044 / minute.
  • Setup Fees: None
  • Standard Features

AVOXI

Standard toll free number plans start at $7.99 / month. AVOXI's base plan includes:

  • Inbound Minute Costs (forwarded to VoIP):
    • Toll free: $0.107 / minute
  • Setup Fees: None
  • Set of standard features

AVOXI's standard local number plans start at $4.49 / month:

  • Inbound Minute Costs (forwarded to VoIP):
    • $0.040 / minute
  • Setup Fees: None
  • Standard features

China

Sonetel's China local numbers cost a monthly fee of $26.40, with varying pricing for incoming calls and call forwarding. Below, we've included the estimated monthly cost for both Sonetel's Standard and Premium plans with forwarding to the United States as an example.

Standard Plan:

  • One-Time Setup Fee: None
  • Monthly Fee: $26.40
    • Call Forwarding: $0.013/min

Premium Plan:

  • One-Time Setup Fee: None
  • Premium Fee:  $13.96
  • Monthly Fee: $26.40
    • Call Forwarding: Free

Sonetel does not offer toll free numbers in China.

best sonetel alternatives

Sonetel Alternatives - China

Global Call Forwarding

Standard toll free number plans start at $44.98 a month. Global Call Forwarding's Basic plan includes:

  • 106 minutes (forwarded to VoIP)
  • Additional Inbound Minute Costs:
    • Toll free: $0.408 / minute.
  • Setup Fees: None
  • Set of standard Features

Global Call Forwarding's local number Basic plan starts at $28.95 a month:

  • 52 calling minutes when forwarded to VoIP
  • Additional Inbound Minute Costs:
    • $0.273 / minute.
  • Setup Fees: None
  • Set of standard Features

TollFreeForwarding

Standard toll free number plans start at $19 / month. TollFreeForwarding's starting Pay As Your Go plan includes:

  • Inbound Minute Costs:
    • $0.442 / minute
  • Setup Fees: None
  • Set of standard features

TollFreeForwarding's standard local number plans start at $24 / month:

  • Inbound Minute Costs:
    • $0.087 minute.
  • Setup Fees: None
  • Standard Features

AVOXI

AVOXI's local number plans start at $25.99 / month:

  • Inbound Minute Costs (forwarded to VoIP):
    • $0.180 / minute
  • Setup Fees: None
  • Standard Features

Brazil

Sonetel's Brazil toll free numbers cost a monthly fee of $14.49, with varying pricing for incoming calls and call forwarding. Below, we've included the estimated monthly cost for both Sonetel's Standard and Premium plans with forwarding to the United States as an example.

Standard Plan:

  • One-Time Setup Fee: None
  • Monthly Fee: $14.49
    • Incoming Calls: $0.013
    • Call Forwarding: $0.013/min

Premium Plan:

  • One-Time Setup Fee: None
  • Premium Fee:  $13.95
  • Monthly Fee: $14.49
    • Incoming Calls: $0.480/min
    • Call Forwarding: Free
top sonetel competitors

Sonetel's Brazil local numbers cost a monthly fee of $9.99, with varying pricing for incoming calls and call forwarding. Below, we've included the estimated monthly cost for both Sonetel's Standard and Premium plans with forwarding to the United States as an example.

Standard Plan:

  • One-Time Setup Fee: None
  • Monthly Fee: $9.99
    • Call Forwarding: $0.013/min

Premium Plan:

  • One-Time Setup Fee: None
  • Premium Fee:  $13.95
  • Monthly Fee: $9.99
    • Call Forwarding: Free
sonetel pricing

Sonetel Alternatives - Brazil

Global Call Forwarding

Standard toll free number plans start at $22.65 a month. Global Call Forwarding's standard plan includes:

  • 80 minutes (forwarded to VoIP)
  • Additional Inbound Minute Costs:
    • Toll free: $0.2265 / minute.
  • Setup Fees: None
  • Set of standard Features

Global Call Forwarding's standard local number plans start at $17.95 / month:

  • 361 calling minute when forwarded to VoIP
  • Additional Inbound Minute Costs:
    • $0.046 / minute
  • Setup Fees: None
  • Standard Features

TollFreeForwarding

Standard toll free number plans start at $24/ month. TollFreeForwarding's standard pay at you go plan includes:

  • Inbound Minute Costs (forwarded to VoIP):
    • Toll free: $0.199 minute.
  • Setup Fees: None
  • Set of standard Features

TollFreeForwarding's standard local number plans start at $9 / month:

  • Additional Inbound Minute Costs:
    • $0.044 minute.
  • Setup Fees: None
  • Standard Features

AVOXI

Standard toll free number plans start at $21.49 / month. AVOXI's Classic plan includes:

  • Inbound Minute Costs (forwarded to VoIP):
    • Toll free: $0.240 / minute
  • Setup Fees: None
  • Set of standard Features

AVOXI's standard local number plans start at $12.95 a month:

  • Inbound Minute Costs (forwarded to VoIP):  
    • Toll free: $0.240 / minute
  • Setup Fees: None
  • Standard Features

Choosing Between Sonetel and its Competitors

As you weigh your options between Sonetel and it's competitors, we hope that this review and alternatives comparison proved useful. Be sure to take into account what your business's communication needs are, and consider your call volume, inbound and outbound calling locations, and VoIP features that you might need when deciding your next virtual number provider.

Interested in AVOXI as your Sonetel Alternative?

Set up a virtual phone number today and see how AVOXI stacks up as an alternative to Sonetel! Every virtual number plan includes:

  • No setup fees, no minimum contracts
  • 20+ VoIP business features at no extra cost
  • 15 days of free call recording, with affordable extended plans available
  • Multiple layers of failover routing so you get the highest uptime possible
  • A dedicated support team of VoIP experts available anytime you need them, 24/7
  • Global VoIP infrastructure to ensure amazing call quality, no matter where you do business

Try any virtual number plan risk-free!

CHOOSE YOUR NUMBER
Posted in Uncategorized