Local vs. Toll-Free Numbers
Choosing the right phone number type affects how customers perceive your business and what you can do with that number. This guide compares local numbers and toll-free numbers available on Textr Team to help you decide which fits your businesses.
What Is a Local Number
A local number uses a geographic area code tied to a specific city, state, province, or country. When someone sees a local number, they associate it with a particular region.
Textr Team offers local numbers in:
- United States: All 50 states
- Canada: All 12 provinces and territories
- United Kingdom
- Australia
- Hong Kong
- Israel
- Mexico
- Austria
- Brazil
For example, a US local number might have a 212 area code (New York) or 310 (Los Angeles).
What Is a Toll-Free Number
A toll-free number uses a special prefix that allows callers within the same country to reach you without being charged for the call. The business owner pays for incoming calls instead.
Textr Team offers toll-free numbers with these prefixes:
- 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877, 888 (US and Canada)
Toll-free numbers are only available for the United States and Canada. They do not have a geographic association and project a national presence.
Note: Toll-free number availability depends on current inventory. Not all prefixes (800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877, 888) may be available at the time of subscription. If you need a specific prefix, please contact our support team.
Comparison Table
For learning plans in other regions, refer to the Pricing page. For detailed pricing and overage rates, see the international rate table.
Which Should You Choose for Businesses
Your choice depends on where your customers are and how you plan to use the number.
Choose a Local Number If
- You target a specific country or region. A local number in that market makes your business appear established and accessible. Customers are more likely to answer or return calls from a familiar area code.
- You make outbound calls. Local numbers perform better for cold outreach and follow-up calls because recipients recognize the area code and are less likely to mark the call as spam.
- You operate in markets outside North America. Toll-free numbers are limited to the US and Canada. For UK, Australia, Hong Kong, Israel, Mexico, Austria, or Brazil, a local number is your only option.
Choose a Toll-Free Number If
- You serve customers across the entire US or Canada. A toll-free number removes long-distance charges for callers and signals that you operate at a national scale.
- Your primary use case is inbound customer support. Customers expect to call an 800-style number for service inquiries, returns, and account issues.
- You want a memorable, branded number. Vanity toll-free numbers (e.g., 1-800-8888888) are easier to advertise in marketing materials than local numbers with unfamiliar area codes.
How to Get Started
1. To purchase a local or toll-free number, follow the steps in Get A Phone Number for Your Team.
2. If you already have a number and want to switch types, see How to Change the Phone Number.
3. To manage assignments, view usage, or release numbers, see Manage Your Phone Numbers.