Answering cost comparison

Picture three quotes on your desk. One charges per call, one per minute, one a flat monthly fee with a set number of calls included. Comparing them is fiddly, because each one looks cheapest from a different angle. This calculator puts them on the same footing using your call volume. Enter how many calls you get a month and how long they usually last. Then put in the prices from the quotes you have, under per call, per minute or monthly plan. You'll see what each model costs a month, which one is cheapest at your volume, and the call count where the winner changes. No provider names, no preset prices.

Calls a month (calls)

Average call length (minutes)

Enter every price the same way, all with GST or all without.

Per call

Price per call ($)

Monthly fee ($ a month)

Per minute

Price per minute ($)

Monthly fee ($ a month)

Billing increment

Monthly plan

Fee ($ a month)

Calls included (calls)

Price per extra call ($)

Enter your calls, the call length and the prices from at least one quote.

How this works

Per call: calls times the price per call, plus any monthly fee. Per minute: calls times the billed minutes times the price per minute, plus any monthly fee, where the billed minutes are your average call rounded up to the billing increment. Monthly plan: the fee, plus the calls above the number included times the price per extra call. A year is 12 months.

The cheapest model at your volume is marked. For each pair of models, the calculator finds the first call count above 0 where the two cost the same and says which one is cheaper above it. Every price is from your own quotes.

Frequently asked questions

Why does the billing increment matter?

If a provider rounds every call up to the next full minute, a call of 2 minutes 10 seconds is billed as 3 minutes. The calculator rounds your average call up the same way, so treat the result as a rough figure.

Does it include GST?

Enter every price the same way, either all with GST or all without, and the comparison stays fair.

Can I compare more than three quotes?

Run it again with the next set of numbers, and jot down each result as you go.

General information only, not tax, legal or financial advice.