Toll-free number for your business, with IVR built in
Give customers a 1800 number they can call for free. MsgClub answers with your greeting, routes each call to the right agent's phone, records it and logs it in your CRM.
- Free for callers across India
- Multi-level IVR menu
- Calls ring agents' mobiles
- Recording, reports and webhooks
What is a toll-free number?
A toll-free number is a business phone number, in India usually starting with 1800, that customers can call without paying for the call. The business that owns the number pays for incoming call minutes instead. Toll-free numbers are typically connected to an IVR that greets callers and routes them to the right team.
- Number series
- 1800 followed by the subscriber digits
- Who pays
- The business, for incoming call minutes
- Callers
- Mobiles and landlines within India
- Allocation
- Through a licensed telecom operator after business verification
- Works with
- IVR menus, routing, recording, reports, webhooks
- Pricing model
- Monthly rental plus per-minute usage
Updated
Why do businesses use a toll-free number?
Customers call more readily when the call costs them nothing, and a single national number is easier to print, remember and trust than a list of branch phones.
Support and service lines
Complaints, warranty claims and order issues reach you without the customer worrying about call charges, which lowers frustration on difficult calls.
More enquiries from ads
A free number on a hoarding, newspaper ad or product box invites the call. Use separate numbers for campaigns to see which one brings leads.
One number for all India
Publish one number nationally and route callers by menu choice to regional teams, languages or branches behind the scenes.
Who pays for a toll-free call, and how is it billed?
With a 1800 number, the charge for the call moves from the caller to your business. The customer dials for free from any mobile or landline in India, and you pay for the minutes your number receives.
That is why toll-free pricing has two parts: a monthly rental for the number and IVR plan, and usage for incoming call minutes. Keep calls short and useful with a clear menu, and send routine information such as order status by SMS or WhatsApp instead of reading it out on the call.
We do not publish rupee rates because they depend on call volume and plan. See the pricing page for how voice services are billed, or ask for a quote.
| Number type | Caller pays | Business pays |
|---|---|---|
| 1800 toll-free | Nothing | Rental and incoming minutes |
| Virtual mobile or landline | Their normal call charge | Rental and plan usage |
| 1860 series | Generally charged | Rental |
How do you get a toll-free number in India?
Toll-free numbers are allocated through licensed telecom operators after the business is verified. MsgClub handles the paperwork with you and sets up the IVR on top.
- Share your requirementExpected calls per day, number of agents, and the menu options you need.
- Submit business documentsUsually company registration or GST details, address proof and the authorised signatory's ID. The exact list can change, so we confirm it with you.
- Number allocationThe operator allocates your 1800 number after verification. Ask early if you want a preferred number.
- Set up the IVRGreeting, menu, routing to agents' phones, business hours and voicemail.
- Connect your CRMTurn on recording and add a webhook so each call creates or updates a record.
- Test and publishCall it yourself from a few networks, then print it everywhere customers look.
Toll-free number or virtual mobile number: which should you choose?
Both can run the same IVR, routing and reports. The difference is who pays for the call, how fast you can start and what the number signals to customers.
| Toll-free (1800) | Virtual mobile number | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to caller | Free | Normal call charge |
| Cost to business | Rental plus incoming minutes | Rental plus plan usage, usually lower |
| Setup time | Longer, needs operator verification | Faster |
| Looks like | A national brand helpline | A regular 10-digit number |
| Best for | Support, service and national campaigns | Sales lines, regional teams, missed call campaigns |
| IVR, recording, webhooks | Yes | Yes |
Many businesses use both: a 1800 number on packaging and the website for service, and virtual numbers for each sales campaign so call tracking shows which ad produced which lead.
What happens when someone calls your toll-free number?
The IVR answers on the first ring with your greeting, offers a short menu and connects the caller to the agent or team for that option. If nobody is free, or it is after hours, the caller hears your closed message and can leave a voicemail.
- Calls are recorded and available to play or download
- Returning callers reach the same agent with sticky agent routing
- Missed calls trigger an SMS or WhatsApp follow-up
- Each call is sent to your CRM through the IVR API and webhooks
Need to connect customers with delivery staff without sharing numbers? Pair your toll-free line with call masking. To plug calls into any CRM, see API and webhooks.
Frequently asked questions
Who pays for calls to a toll-free number?
The business that owns the toll-free number pays for incoming call minutes. The caller is not charged when dialling the 1800 number from a mobile or landline in India. This is why toll-free plans include a usage charge in addition to the monthly rental.
How long does it take to get a 1800 number?
It depends on document verification and allocation by the telecom operator, so it usually takes longer than a virtual number. Share your documents early, and use a virtual number with the same IVR in the meantime if you need to launch quickly.
Can international customers call a 1800 number?
Indian 1800 toll-free numbers are meant for callers within India and generally cannot be dialled from abroad. If you serve customers outside India, publish an additional regular number or a WhatsApp contact alongside your toll-free number.
Can I choose a memorable toll-free number?
You can ask for a preferred or easy-to-remember number, and we will check what is available with the operator. Availability of specific digits is not guaranteed, so keep two or three options ready.
Can calls on a toll-free number go to my team's mobiles?
Yes. The IVR routes each call to the mobile or landline numbers you choose for each menu option, so your agents can answer from anywhere without desk phones or a call centre setup.
What is the difference between 1800 and 1860 numbers?
1800 numbers are toll-free, so the caller pays nothing and the business pays for the call. 1860 numbers are generally charged to the caller, so they are not toll-free. Check the current rules with the operator before you print either on marketing material.
Is a toll-free number better than a virtual mobile number?
A toll-free number is better when you want customers to call without worrying about cost, such as for support and service lines. A virtual mobile number is quicker to set up, costs less to run and suits sales lines, missed call campaigns and regional teams.
Related products
Use them together from the same MsgClub account, with one API and shared reports.
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