What's the Difference Between a Virtual Phone Number and a VoIP Number?

If you have been shopping for a business phone solution you have probably run into both terms — virtual phone number and VoIP number — sometimes used as if they mean the same thing and sometimes as if they are completely different products. They are related but distinct.

A virtual phone number is a telephone number that is not tied to a specific physical phone line or location. Calls to that number can be forwarded anywhere — to a mobile phone, a landline, a VoIP system, or an answering service. The number is virtual because it exists independently of any physical infrastructure. You can have a New York area code while sitting in Alabama. You can forward calls to five different devices. You can change where calls go without changing the number. Virtual phone numbers are often associated with simple call forwarding services — you get a number, it rings your cell. That is the basic version.

A VoIP number is a phone number that operates on a Voice over Internet Protocol system. All calls — inbound and outbound — travel over the internet instead of traditional phone lines. Every VoIP number is technically a virtual number — it is not tied to a physical line. But not every virtual number is a VoIP number. A virtual number that forwards to your landline is not VoIP. A number that operates entirely on an internet-based phone system is.

A virtual phone number from a basic call-forwarding service gives you a number that rings your existing phone, basic call routing, and sometimes voicemail. A VoIP number from a full business phone system gives you a complete cloud PBX, extensions, ring groups, IVR, voicemail to email, call recording, AI receptionist, mobile app, eFax capability, and CRM integration.

The virtual phone number is the simple version. The VoIP number inside a full business phone system is the complete solution.

If you are a solo operator who just needs a second number to separate business from personal — a basic virtual number service might be enough to start. If you are running a real business with employees, customers who call regularly, and a need for professional call handling — you need a VoIP business phone system, not just a virtual number.

Every VoIP number is virtual, but not every virtual number uses VoIP. VoIP refers to the technology; virtual refers to the number's independence from physical lines. VoIP providers including DiaVoice can provision local numbers for any area code regardless of your physical location. For most businesses, a full VoIP phone system is the right choice — a virtual number alone gives you a number but not a phone system. VoIP gives you both.

DiaVoice DiaPBX gives you a real VoIP business phone system — not just a number. Starting at $20/user/month. Call (256) 690-0090 or visit diavoice.net.