23rd April 2026

Choosing the right phone system is one of the most important technology decisions a UK business can make. Two leading contenders dominating the conversation in 2026 are Yeastar and Microsoft Teams Phone—each offering distinct advantages for different business needs. But which one is the right fit for your organisation?

This comprehensive comparison will help UK SMEs navigate the decision between these two powerful communication platforms, examining everything from features and pricing to integration capabilities and call quality.

Understanding Your Options

Yeastar: The Feature-Rich PBX Solution

Yeastar has established itself as a leading unified communications provider, offering both hardware appliances (S-Series, P-Series) and cloud-hosted solutions. Known for exceptional call quality and comprehensive PBX features, Yeastar delivers enterprise-grade functionality at SME-friendly prices.

The platform supports multiple deployment options—on-premises hardware, cloud-hosted, or hybrid configurations—giving UK businesses complete flexibility over their communication infrastructure. Yeastar’s Linkus UC client provides seamless desktop and mobile integration, while the system’s open standards approach ensures compatibility with a wide range of SIP providers and endpoints.

Microsoft Teams Phone: The Collaboration-First Approach

Microsoft Teams Phone represents the evolution of business communication within the Microsoft ecosystem. As part of the broader Teams collaboration platform, it seamlessly integrates voice calling with video conferencing, chat, and file sharing capabilities.

For UK businesses already invested in Microsoft 365, Teams Phone offers an attractive proposition: a unified communication platform that eliminates the need for separate phone system vendors and simplifies IT management.

Feature Comparison: Head-to-Head

Core Telephony Features

Both platforms deliver essential business phone functionality, but with different strengths. Yeastar excels in traditional PBX features—call queues, ring groups, IVR menus, call recording, and advanced routing options are all included as standard. The web-based management console provides granular control over every aspect of your phone system.

Microsoft Teams Phone covers all basic telephony needs, but its real strength lies in integrating voice calls with the broader Teams ecosystem. The focus is on unified communications rather than advanced telephony features.

Call Centre & Customer Service

Yeastar stands out for businesses with significant call handling requirements. Built-in call centre features include:

  • Queue management with customisable hold music and announcements
  • Real-time wallboards showing queue statistics
  • Detailed call analytics and reporting
  • Call recording with search and playback
  • CRM integration for screen pops and click-to-dial

Teams Phone offers basic call queue functionality, but businesses needing advanced contact centre features typically require additional Microsoft products or third-party add-ons.

Mobile and Remote Work Support

Yeastar’s Linkus UC client transforms any smartphone or laptop into a full office extension. Features include presence indicators, instant messaging, video calling, and complete PBX functionality—all without requiring a VPN.

Teams Phone leverages the existing Teams mobile app that many UK workers already use daily. This familiarity can significantly reduce training time and adoption barriers for organisations already embedded in the Microsoft ecosystem.

Hardware Flexibility

Yeastar supports an extensive range of IP phones from manufacturers like Yealink, Fanvil, Grandstream, and Snom. This flexibility allows businesses to choose handsets that match their budget and requirements, from basic desk phones to executive models with colour screens and Bluetooth.

Teams Phone works with Microsoft-certified devices, which while high quality, limits choice and typically comes at premium prices. Teams-certified phones start around £150, compared to £40-50 for entry-level Yeastar-compatible handsets.

Pricing: The UK Perspective

Yeastar Pricing Structure

Yeastar offers predictable, one-time licensing for on-premises deployments or competitive per-user pricing for cloud solutions:

P-Series Cloud Edition:

  • Standard: £8-10 per user/month (includes all PBX features)
  • Enterprise: £12-15 per user/month (adds call centre, video conferencing)
  • No per-minute charges for included SIP trunk bundles

On-Premises (P-Series Appliance):

  • One-time hardware cost: £500-2,500 depending on capacity
  • Annual maintenance: 20% of hardware cost
  • Significant long-term savings for stable user counts

Teams Phone Costs

Microsoft Teams Phone pricing in the UK follows a per-user monthly subscription model:

  • Phone System license: ~£7 per user/month
  • Calling Plan (Domestic): ~£8-10 per user/month
  • Calling Plan (International): ~£15-20 per user/month
  • Total typical cost: £15-27 per user/month

For organisations already using Microsoft 365, this might seem reasonable. However, costs escalate quickly for larger teams, and businesses with high call volumes often find Yeastar’s inclusive minutes more economical.

Comparison at a Glance

| Feature | Yeastar | Microsoft Teams Phone |
|———|———|———————-|
| UK Pricing (per user/month) | £8-15 | £15-27 |
| Deployment Options | On-premise, Cloud, Hybrid | Cloud only |
| Mobile App | Linkus UC (dedicated) | Teams app |
| Call Recording | Built-in (all editions) | Requires compliance add-ons |
| Call Centre Features | Comprehensive | Basic (add-ons needed) |
| Hardware Flexibility | Wide range of IP phones | Microsoft-certified only |
| CRM Integration | Extensive options | Strong Microsoft ecosystem |
| Video Conferencing | Built-in (Enterprise) | Superior Teams integration |
| Vendor Independence | High | Microsoft ecosystem dependent |
| Analytics & Reporting | Comprehensive | Basic (improving) |

Integration Capabilities

Yeastar Integration Options

Yeastar offers extensive integration possibilities with popular UK business applications:

  • CRM systems: Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho, Microsoft Dynamics
  • Helpdesk: Zendesk, Freshdesk
  • APIs: REST APIs for custom integrations
  • Hotel PMS: For hospitality sector

The system’s open standards approach means UK businesses aren’t locked into a specific vendor ecosystem, providing long-term flexibility.

Teams Phone Ecosystem

Where Teams Phone truly shines is Microsoft ecosystem integration. For UK businesses using Office 365, SharePoint, and other Microsoft tools, the synergy is remarkable. Contacts sync automatically, calendar integration enables smart presence, and the unified interface reduces complexity.

Which Solution Fits Your Business?

Choose Yeastar If:

  • You need advanced call handling and call centre features
  • Cost-effectiveness is a priority (especially for 20+ users)
  • You want flexibility in hardware choices
  • Your business requires on-premises deployment options
  • You prefer vendor independence and open standards

Choose Teams Phone If:

  • Your organisation already uses Microsoft 365 extensively
  • Unified communications and collaboration are priorities
  • You prefer simplified IT management through a single vendor
  • Your team regularly uses video conferencing and screen sharing
  • Quick deployment and user familiarity are critical

Recommendations by Business Size:

Small businesses (1-20 users): Yeastar often provides better value with more features included. The P-Series Cloud Edition delivers enterprise functionality at SME prices.

Medium businesses (21-100 users): The choice depends heavily on existing technology investments. Microsoft-centric organisations benefit from Teams Phone, while those seeking advanced telephony and cost control should consider Yeastar.

Larger organisations (100+ users): Teams Phone’s unified approach can simplify management, but Yeastar’s pricing model and advanced features often provide better ROI for call-heavy businesses.

Making the Right Choice for Your Business

The decision between Yeastar and Microsoft Teams Phone isn’t just about features and pricing—it’s about aligning your communication strategy with your business objectives and existing technology investments.

Consider your current IT infrastructure, call handling requirements, future growth plans, and team communication preferences. Both solutions can transform your business communications, but the right choice depends on your unique circumstances.

Ready to explore which solution is right for your business? The experts at Just Business Phones can help you assess your needs and implement the perfect communication solution. As authorised Yeastar partners with extensive Microsoft experience, we can provide unbiased guidance on the best fit for your UK business.

Contact us today for a personalised consultation and discover how the right phone system can drive your business forward.

*Get in touch with Just Business Phones for expert advice on choosing between Yeastar and Microsoft Teams Phone.*

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