Per-line vs per-user phone pricing: which is cheaper?
Short answer: per-line pricing is usually cheaper because you pay for the calls you make at once — not for every staff member. Most providers charge per user; WiseCloud charges per line. Here's how to tell which works out cheaper for you.
The two pricing models
- Per-user pricing: you pay a monthly fee for every person with an extension — even staff who only take the odd call. Your bill grows with headcount.
- Per-line (per-channel) pricing: you pay for the number of simultaneous calls your business needs. Everyone can have an extension; you only pay for concurrent lines.
A WiseCloud line is not a bare SIP trunk. A line is one simultaneous call, and the $29.95 ex GST per line includes the full 3CX phone system: every staff member gets their own extension, mobile app and desktop app, plus IVR, call queues, call recording, hosting and free number porting.
Why per-line is usually cheaper
In most businesses, not everyone is on a call at the same time. A team of 12 might only ever have 3–4 calls running at once. With per-user pricing you'd pay for all 12. With per-line pricing you'd pay for around 4 lines — and still give all 12 staff a full extension.
Worked example: A 12-person office with 4 concurrent lines. At a typical per-user rate of ~$25/user that's about $300/month. With WiseCloud's per-line price of $29.95 ex GST × 4 lines that's about $120/month — for the same team, with calls included.
Same $29.95, very different bill
Some providers advertise $29.95 per user. WiseCloud is $29.95 per line. The number looks identical, but per user is multiplied by every person on the system, while per line is multiplied only by the calls you make at the same time. Here is the same headline price, compared like for like (ex GST, using a typical one line per 2–3 phone-using staff):
| Team | Lines needed | $29.95 per user | WiseCloud $29.95 per line | You save per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 staff | 2 lines | $149.75 | $59.90 | $1,078.20 |
| 10 staff | 4 lines | $299.50 | $119.80 | $2,156.40 |
| 20 staff | 7 lines | $599.00 | $209.65 | $4,672.20 |
| 50 staff | 15 lines | $1,497.50 | $449.25 | $12,579.00 |
Before comparing quotes, check what each price includes. WiseCloud's line price includes calls, every 3CX feature, the mobile and desktop apps, hosting and number porting, with no lock-in contract.
How many lines do you actually need?
A rough rule of thumb is one line for every 3–4 phone-using staff, but it really depends on your call patterns. Reception-heavy or sales-heavy teams need more; back-office teams need fewer. The goal is to cover your busiest moments without paying for idle capacity. WiseCloud can look at your call volumes and recommend the right number.
When per-user can make sense
Per-user pricing can suit very small teams (where lines and users are nearly the same number), or businesses that want a fixed all-features-per-seat bundle and don't mind paying for it. For most growing businesses, though, per-line keeps costs down.
How WiseCloud prices it
WiseCloud's cloud phone system is $29.95 ex GST per unlimited line — not per user. Add staff without adding licence fees, with unlimited calls and every feature included. It's built on the 3CX platform, which is itself licensed by simultaneous calls rather than headcount. For the full cost picture, see how much a business phone system costs in Australia.
Per-line vs per-user — quick answers
Another provider charges $29.95 per user and WiseCloud charges $29.95 per line. Which is cheaper?
WiseCloud, for almost every business with more than two or three staff. The headline number is the same but it buys different things: $29.95 per user is multiplied by every person with an extension, while $29.95 per line is multiplied only by the number of calls you make at the same time. A 10-person office that needs 4 lines pays $119.80 a month ex GST with WiseCloud, versus $299.50 a month at $29.95 per user — the same team, $2,156.40 less per year.
Does adding staff increase my WiseCloud bill?
No. Every staff member gets their own extension, mobile app and desktop app at no extra cost. Your bill only changes if you need more simultaneous calls, which you can add or remove in minutes.
What is the difference between per-line and per-user phone pricing?
Per-user pricing charges a fee for every staff member with an extension, whether they call often or not. Per-line (per-channel) pricing charges for the number of simultaneous calls your business can make at once, regardless of how many staff use the system.
Which is cheaper, per-line or per-user?
Per-line is usually cheaper for businesses where not everyone is on the phone at the same time — which is most businesses. You provision lines for your peak concurrent calls rather than paying for every employee.
How many lines does my business need?
A common rule of thumb is one line for every three to four staff who use the phone, but it depends on your call patterns. WiseCloud can review your call volumes and recommend the right number of lines so you do not over- or under-provision.
Is per-line pricing the same as SIP trunking?
No. A WiseCloud line is one simultaneous call on a full 3CX phone system. The $29.95 ex GST per line includes an extension, mobile app and desktop app for every staff member, plus IVR, call queues, call recording, hosting and free number porting. A 10-person office needing 4 lines pays $119.80 a month ex GST, versus $299.50 at $29.95 per user.
Does WiseCloud charge per line or per user?
WiseCloud charges per line — $29.95 ex GST per unlimited phone line per month, calls included. You can add staff without adding licence fees, because the cost is tied to lines, not headcount.
Find out how many lines you need
We'll review your call patterns and give you a per-line price — usually cheaper than per-user, with calls included.
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