When evaluating Cisco Webex Calling, the first questions from IT leaders and business decision-makers are almost always the same.
What are the available plans, and how much do they cost?
Cisco Webex Calling plans are designed to make cloud calling adoption straightforward, bundling licenses and PSTN connectivity into a predictable subscription model.
Cisco’s position as a leader in Gartner’s UCaaS Magic Quadrant reinforces this appeal, giving IT and business leaders confidence in Webex Calling as a secure, enterprise-grade platform.
But while Calling Plans offer a simple starting point, the right choice depends heavily on your organization’s size, geography, and long-term PSTN strategy.
This article explains how Cisco Webex Calling pricing is structured, what features are included in the different plans, and where the trade-offs lie.
What Is Cisco Webex Calling?
Cisco Webex Calling is a cloud-based phone system that delivers enterprise-grade voice services without the need for on-premises PBXs. It’s part of Cisco’s broader Webex suite, which integrates calling, messaging, and meetings into one collaboration platform.
Cisco’s recognition in the UCaaS Magic Quadrant reflects its ability to serve both SMBs and global enterprises, offering a platform that scales across industries and regions.
For IT teams, Webex Calling means simplified management and predictable licensing. For executives, it means reduced overheads, improved scalability, and the assurance of Cisco’s global security standards.
If your organization already uses Cisco Webex Meetings or Messaging, adopting Webex Calling can streamline vendor management, reduce licensing complexity, and unify collaboration under a single platform.
Cisco Webex Calling Plans at a Glance
Cisco Webex Calling Plans are Cisco’s out-of-the-box option for PSTN connectivity. Instead of sourcing a carrier or configuring complex integrations, you simply purchase a per-user license from Cisco that includes both the Webex Calling platform and the PSTN calling service.
Typically, these plans are licensed per user, per month. A Calling Plan includes:
- A dedicated phone number for each user
- Calling minutes (domestic and sometimes international bundles)
- Core PBX-style features such as voicemail, call transfer, call forwarding, hunt groups, and multi-device support
- Native integration into the Webex app for calling, messaging, and meetings
This model is designed to be simple and predictable. For IT admins, it means faster setup, fewer moving parts, and a single bill from Cisco. For smaller businesses, it can reduce procurement complexity by consolidating collaboration and telephony into one contract.
Where Cisco Webex Calling Plans Fit Best
For many organizations, Cisco Calling Plans are a logical first step into cloud calling. They work particularly well for teams looking for simplicity, predictability, and a fully managed telephony solution without complex integrations or carrier contracts.
- SMBs and single-region organizations that want an all-in-one phone system without managing carriers
- Businesses with minimal IT resources who value ease of deployment over flexibility
- Organizations already using Webex Meetings and Messaging that want to quickly enable calling
Where Cisco Webex Calling Plans Fall Short
However, as businesses grow or diversify geographically, the limitations of Cisco Calling Plans become clearer.
What begins as a convenient entry point can create constraints around scalability, carrier choice, and integration — particularly for enterprises with multi-region or hybrid communication needs.
- Regional availability is limited — you can’t deploy Cisco Calling Plans everywhere
- Carrier choice is restricted — you must use Cisco as your provider
- Scalability is capped — enterprises often outgrow this model when they expand into multiple regions or need advanced routing
- Integration options are limited — hybrid environments, legacy PBX connections, or custom SIP routing aren’t supported
Best Practice for IT Leaders: If you’re considering Calling Plans, model both your current and future requirements. What works well for 100 users in one country may not scale efficiently when you expand globally.
Comparing Cisco Webex Calling PSTN Options (Pricing View)
When organizations evaluate Cisco Webex Calling, Calling Plans are often the first option explored — mainly because of their simplicity and predictable pricing. But they’re not the only route to PSTN connectivity.
Many IT leaders also compare Calling Plans with Cisco’s Cloud Connected PSTN (CCP) model or a Local Gateway approach, particularly as requirements around geography, integration, or cost optimization evolve.
| Option | Cost | Flexibility | Carrier Choice | Best Fit |
| Cisco Calling Plans | Predictable per-user | Low | Cisco only | SMBs, single-region orgs |
| Cloud Connected PSTN | Moderate, provider-based | Medium | Cisco-certified carriers | Mid-market, cloud-first orgs |
| Local Gateway | Variable (BYOC/Callroute) | High | Any carrier | Enterprises, hybrid, MSPs |
From a pricing and simplicity perspective, Calling Plans are the fastest way to get started, particularly for SMBs and single-region organizations.
As businesses grow, however, Cloud Connected PSTN or Local Gateway can provide more flexibility — often with different commercial structures depending on carrier contracts and global reach.
👉 For a deeper dive into how CCP and Local Gateway work, and which PSTN model might be right for your organization, see our companion article: Connecting Webex Calling to the PSTN: Understanding Your Options.
Cisco Webex Calling Pricing: What to Expect
Cisco Webex Calling pricing is influenced by four key factors:
- License type – almost always per-user, though discounts may apply at scale
- PSTN connectivity – Cisco Calling Plans, Cloud Connected PSTN, or Local Gateway all carry different cost implications
- Geography – license availability and PSTN pricing vary by region
- Add-ons – features such as compliance recording, analytics, or integrations add to the base cost
For SMBs, this usually results in a predictable per-user cost that is easy to budget for. For enterprises, however, the total cost of ownership (TCO) is highly dependent on PSTN choice and global availability.
Best Practice for IT Leaders: Don’t evaluate Cisco Webex Calling pricing in isolation. Model the TCO, including PSTN, migration, and carrier charges, to avoid unexpected costs during deployment.
Cisco Webex Calling Features Across Plans
Every Cisco Webex Calling plan includes a strong set of baseline features:
- HD voice quality
- Voicemail and call forwarding
- Webex app integration for messaging and meetings
- Multi-device support (desk phones, PCs, mobiles)
- Cisco’s enterprise-grade security and reliability
Enterprise plans extend these with features such as:
- Advanced compliance and analytics
- Hybrid support for integrating legacy PBXs
- Enhanced number management and reporting
Pro Tip: Align Webex Calling features with defined user personas. For example, frontline staff may only require basic calling, while executives and contact center teams may need enterprise analytics or compliance tools.
Cisco Webex Calling for SMBs vs Enterprises
For SMBs:
A Cisco phone system for small business delivered through Webex Calling offers predictable subscription pricing, low management overhead, and rapid deployment. Cisco Calling Plans can be sufficient for small, single-region organizations where simplicity matters more than flexibility.
For Enterprises:
Enterprises typically require a Cisco Webex enterprise deployment that integrates with existing UC tools, supports multi-region PSTN, and ensures regulatory compliance. Cisco Calling Plans rarely meet these needs. More flexible PSTN models — Cloud Connected PSTN or Local Gateway — are better aligned to enterprise requirements.
Best Practice for CIOs: Even if you start small, plan for scale. Many organizations that adopt Cisco Calling Plans later face migration costs when moving to Local Gateway or CCP for enterprise-grade requirements.
Webex Calling vs Traditional Cisco Phone Systems
Traditional Cisco phone systems (on-premises PBX) were once the standard, but they require significant capital investment, ongoing maintenance, and specialist IT resources.
By contrast, Cisco Webex Calling delivers:
- Subscription-based costs
- Cloud-first agility
- Lower IT overhead
- Faster scaling and feature updates
How PSTN Choices Impact Webex Calling Plans
While this article focuses on Cisco Webex Calling plans, it’s important to note that PSTN connectivity directly affects cost, scalability, and control.
• Cisco Calling Plans = simple but limited
• Cloud Connected PSTN = certified carriers, but Cisco-approved only
• Local Gateway = full flexibility with your own carrier or a provider like Callroute
For a detailed breakdown of these options, see our companion article: Connecting Webex Calling to the PSTN: Understanding Your Options.
Why Work With Callroute for Webex Calling
While Cisco Local Gateway (Option C) gives you the technical flexibility to connect Webex Calling to the PSTN using your own carrier, the Local Gateway alone doesn’t solve the broader operational challenges of multi-system voice management.
That’s where Callroute transforms the experience, combining the flexibility of Cisco’s Local Gateway model with a modern, intuitive platform that makes managing PSTN connectivity effortless.
- Hybrid Environments Made Simple – Not every organization is 100% Webex. Callroute enables hybrid voice environments that bridge Microsoft Teams, Webex Calling, and legacy PBXs in one connected ecosystem. This lets IT teams support gradual migration strategies without disruption.
- Ease of Migration – Move users, numbers, and services at your own pace. Callroute’s automation and number-porting tools simplify transitions from on-prem PBXs, SIP trunks, or other cloud systems — with minimal downtime or re-provisioning overhead.
- Unified Management Portal – The Callroute web portal provides centralized control over users, numbers, SIP channels, and routing rules. IT admins can configure, monitor, and report across multiple carriers and tenants from a single pane of glass.
- Support for All Phone Systems – Whether you’re integrating Cisco Webex Calling, Microsoft Teams, or third-party SIP devices, Callroute’s Local Gateway supports them all. This flexibility eliminates siloed environments and simplifies compliance.
- Consolidated Number Management – Rationalise number ranges across multiple platforms and regions. Callroute lets you manage, port, and allocate numbers instantly, reducing carrier complexity and cost.
- Mix and Match Connectivity – Combine Cisco Local Gateway and Microsoft Teams Direct Routing within the same tenant to create unified, cross-platform telephony that evolves with your organization.
- Agility and Scalability – Add new sites, carriers, or integrations in minutes. Callroute’s cloud infrastructure adapts to business growth and supports MSPs managing multiple customers.
Where Cisco Local Gateway provides the technical bridge, Callroute adds the intelligence, visibility, and simplicity that modern enterprises and MSPs need. It’s the flexible PSTN solution for hybrid communication environments – helping you consolidate telephony, accelerate migration, and future-proof your investment in Cisco Webex Calling.
Explore Callroute’s Webex Calling offering and get a free 14 day trial to discover how it works.
Cisco Webex Calling Plans: Key Takeaways for IT Leaders
Cisco Webex Calling plans provide a clear entry point to cloud telephony. For small, single-region organizations, Cisco Calling Plans may be sufficient. But IT and business leaders planning for scale, compliance, or global operations quickly discover their limitations.
The smarter path is to view Cisco Calling Plans as one option among many and to partner with providers like Callroute who can deliver the flexibility, control, and scalability that modern businesses demand.
Read next: Connecting Webex Calling to the PSTN: Understanding Your Options.
