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ONSIM vs PiPcall: which is right for you?
PiPcall and ONSIM are among the few UK providers that take the same view: business calls and call recording should run on the mobile network, not a VoIP app. PiPcall layers its Mobile+ features over EE, O2, Vodafone and Three plans and is strong in rail and field teams. ONSIM runs its own network, records calls and SMS, and publishes flat monthly prices.
This page is a fair side-by-side, including where PiPcall is the better pick.
Side-by-side
All prices ex VAT. PiPcall details checked on pipcall.com in October 2026. Mobile+ pricing isn't published, so verify live before deciding.
| ONSIM | PiPcall | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Own mobile network: landline numbers on SIM, network-level recording | Mobile+ business phone layer over major-network SIM plans |
| How calls run | Mobile voice network, native dialler, no app | Mobile voice network, native dialler (SIM/eSIM) or Mobile+ App |
| Published pricing | £10/user/mo Landline SIM; +£10 recording; +£10 AI Insights | SIM plans from £5-£10/mo; Mobile+ by quote |
| Contract | Monthly rolling, cancel anytime | Listed SIM plans on 24-month terms |
| Networks | ONSIM on the UK's leading network (EE); native in 34 countries | Choice of EE, O2, Vodafone, Three, mixable |
| Call recording | Network level, inbound + outbound, can't be bypassed | Automatic, both sides, stored in PiPcall cloud |
| SMS recording | Yes, plus optional SMS Intercept | Not mentioned on PiPcall's site |
| AI transcription & search | Yes (AI Insights, £10/user/mo) | Call assessment scoring (rail-focused) |
| Regulatory focus | FCA, MiFID II, Dodd-Frank; archive delivery to Smarsh, Verint, Global Relay etc. | Rail (NR/L3/OPS/301); GDPR-ready |
| Landline number on SIM | Yes: 01, 02, 03, 08 natively on SIM/eSIM | Business and landline numbers on mobile |
| Desk phones / softphone | Mobile-first; Landline Replacement box for analogue phones | Softphone and most desk phones supported |
| Entry option | £5/mo Virtual Landline | From £5/mo network plans |
| Trading | Since 2013; 7,500+ customers | 15+ years; "1,000s of UK businesses" (PiPcall Ltd, reg. 4994562) |
When ONSIM is the better choice
- You need SMS recorded as well as calls, for FCA, MiFID II or Dodd-Frank
- Recordings must flow into a regulated archive (Smarsh, Theta Lake, Verint, NICE, Global Relay) via SFTP, SIP-REC or API
- You want published, flat pricing: £20/user/mo for SIM, unlimited UK calls and recording, on a monthly rolling contract
- You want every call transcribed and searchable in plain English (AI Insights)
- You want a landline number living natively on the SIM, with a £5 Virtual Landline option for lighter users
When PiPcall is the better choice
- You're in rail or safety-critical operations and need NR/L3/OPS/301 recording and call assessment
- You want to stay on, or mix, EE, O2, Vodafone and Three across your team
- Some users need business numbers through an app without swapping SIM
- You want mobiles, softphones and desk phones on one system with IVR and ring groups
More about PiPcall at pipcall.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions before choosing between the two.
What's the main difference between ONSIM and PiPcall?
They're closer than most comparisons on this site. Both put business numbers and call recording on the mobile voice network, through the phone's native dialler, rather than a VoIP app. The differences are in packaging. PiPcall sells its Mobile+ layer alongside SIM plans from EE, O2, Vodafone and Three, and specialises in rail and safety-critical compliance. ONSIM runs its own network with flat published pricing and records SMS as well as calls. It also integrates with regulated archives such as Smarsh, Verint and Global Relay for FCA and MiFID II firms.
How does pricing compare?
ONSIM publishes its prices. A Landline SIM is £10/user/month + VAT with unlimited UK calls and SMS (fair use). Call recording adds £10/user/month + VAT, and AI Insights (transcription and search) another £10, so a recorded user is £20 all in, and £30 with AI Insights. The plans on PiPcall's pricing page run from £5 to £10/month ex VAT on 24-month terms. The Mobile+ add-on, which brings call recording, ring groups and IVR, wasn't priced publicly when we checked in October 2026. Ask PiPcall for a quote before comparing like for like.
Do both record SMS as well as calls?
ONSIM records calls and SMS at network level, and can even sit in the SMS path to check messages before they're sent. That matters for FCA, MiFID II and Dodd-Frank, where text messages are in scope. PiPcall's call recording page covers both sides of every call. When we checked in October 2026 it didn't mention SMS recording, so confirm with PiPcall if you need texts captured.
Which is better for financial services compliance?
ONSIM's recording is built for regulated firms. It's mapped to FCA SYSC 10A and MiFID II Article 16(7), covers SMS, and delivers recordings to your archive via SFTP, SIP-REC, API or HTTPS (Smarsh, Theta Lake, Verint, NICE, Global Relay and others). See Mobile Compliance Recording. PiPcall describes its recording as GDPR-ready, and its published compliance material focuses on rail rather than financial services regulation.
Which is better for rail and safety-critical teams?
PiPcall. It has a dedicated rail product that records, retains and assesses designated mobile communications against Network Rail's NR/L3/OPS/301 standard. It also has a call assessment platform that scores calls on identification, repeat-back, clarity and closure. ONSIM can record those calls at network level, but doesn't offer a rail-specific assessment workflow.
Can I keep my current mobile network?
PiPcall lets you choose EE, O2, Vodafone or Three plans and mix them across a team, and its Mobile+ App works without changing SIM. ONSIM records at network level, so you move onto ONSIM SIMs or eSIMs, which run on the UK's leading network (EE) with native service in 34 countries. With dual-SIM phones and eSIM, an ONSIM business line can sit alongside a personal SIM on the same handset (BYOD).
What about contracts?
ONSIM Landline SIM, Virtual Landline, call recording and AI Insights are all monthly rolling, and you can cancel anytime. The SIM plans on PiPcall's pricing page are on 24-month terms, and Mobile+ terms aren't published. Check with PiPcall before signing.
Can I port my numbers between PiPcall and ONSIM?
Yes, in both directions. UK number portability is mandatory for both mobile and landline numbers. ONSIM landline port-in typically completes in 10-14 working days, and is included on Landline SIM (a one-off £20+VAT on Virtual Landline). The port-out fee is £20+VAT. See keep your landline number.