Best Call Forwarding Services to Look For in 2025

February 25, 2025

Call forwarding services make sure calls go to the right person or department. This helps businesses with better customer service and lets crisis centers handle urgent calls quickly. A dependable system keeps everything working smoothly. With the growing demand for more advanced communication tools, 2025 is bringing new innovations to the best call forwarding software that improve both reliability and ease of use. If you operate a business or a crisis center, this guide can help you choose the best call forwarding service for your needs.

Call forwarding redirects incoming calls to another number, device, or team based on pre-set rules. This prevents missed calls and keeps communication flowing, even when the intended recipient isn’t available.

Unconditional Forwarding

sends all calls to another number automatically.

Conditional Forwarding

redirects calls based on specific triggers, like a busy line or no answer.

VoIP-Based Forwarding

uses cloud technology to manage calls across multiple devices and locations.

Call Forwarding for Business vs. Crisis Centers & Hotlines

Call forwarding serves different purposes depending on the type of organization. Businesses use it to improve customer service and keep operations running smoothly, while crisis centers rely on it to direct calls quickly and securely to the right person.

Businesses typically use call forwarding to route calls to the appropriate department or representative. They may also use it to support remote teams by forwarding calls to mobile devices.

A business may also want to use a call forwarding service to improve customer service. It can reduce wait times, making sure calls don’t go unanswered. Businesses using call forwarding for this purpose tend to have better customer feedback and online reviews.

Best Call Forwarding Software for Businesses

For businesses, the best call forwarding software offers features that improve customer interactions and internal communication. If you’re shopping around for the right software or service for your business, these are the key features to look for:

Multi-device compatibility so employees can answer calls anywhere.
Customizable routing based on business hours or team schedules.
Call analytics to track performance and improve response times.
Voicemail transcription for better message management.

Some popular options for the best call forwarding service for business include:

Grasshopper – Ideal for small businesses with simple call routing needs.
RingCentral – Offers extensive VoIP features and call forwarding options.
Nextiva – Integrates call forwarding with CRM tools for enhanced workflow automation.

These providers focus on business operations, but crisis centers require a more specialized approach.

Best Call Forwarding for Crisis Management & Hotlines

Crisis centers and helplines have different priorities than businesses, so they need different features, such as integrated databases, customizable shift schedules, and features that protect against call center burnout.

The best crisis call forwarding software must be reliable and secure because calls often involve highly sensitive situations.

The system must handle high volumes and direct callers to the right support staff without delays. Confidentiality is also a key factor, especially for crisis hotlines that protect caller identities (anonymous hotlines).

Crisis hotlines rely on the best call forwarding service for crisis communications to connect callers to trained professionals who can help immediately. Unlike call forwarding software designed for businesses, where calls might be routed based on department or availability, the best crisis call forwarding software requires intelligent routing to match callers with the right specialist in real time.

For many crisis centers, having a call forwarding system that can prioritize high-risk calls and support multiple communication channels, such as text and online chat, is essential.

When shopping around, consider these critical features:

Secure & Confidential Call Routing

Protect caller privacy with encrypted and anonymous call forwarding.

Real-Time Call Analytics

Monitor call trends, wait times, and agent availability.

Smart Routing

Connect callers with the appropriate support team based on urgency and specialization.

24/7 Reliability

Ensure zero downtime with a system built for high-stakes environments.

Integration with CRM & Case Management Tools

Log and track calls for streamlined crisis response and follow-ups.

Automated Follow-Ups

Schedule return calls to reconnect with individuals who may need further assistance.

How Helpline Software Supports Crisis Centers & Hotlines

Helpline Software is designed specifically for crisis call centers, offering the best crisis call forwarding software tools that meet the unique needs of emergency response teams.

Why Crisis Centers Use Helpline Software:

Burnout Protection System – Helpline Software is not just call forwarding software; it’s a comprehensive burnout protection system designed to automate all your hotline processes.
Trusted by Leading Crisis Centers – 75% of the oldest rape crisis centers in the U.S. rely on Helpline Software, proving its effectiveness in critical situations.
Recognized Expertise – Selected to present at the National Sexual Assault Conference, Helpline Software has been recognized as a leader in crisis response technology.
Advanced Crisis Callback Technology – Developed specifically for crisis centers, our system ensures no caller is left without follow-up.
Real-Time Monitoring & Routing – Calls are directed instantly to the right responder, with real-time tracking to optimize response times and staffing.
Multi-Channel Support – Seamlessly integrates voice, text, and online chat forwarding, improving accessibility for those in need.
Automated Follow-Ups – Scheduled callbacks prevent missed connections and ensure ongoing support for callers.

Helpline Software is built to handle the complexities of crisis communication, offering a tailored solution that general business call forwarding software simply can’t match.

Final Considerations: Choosing the Right Call Forwarding Service

The best call forwarding service depends on the needs of the organization. Businesses should focus on efficiency, ease of use, and integration with their customer support tools. Crisis centers, on the other hand, need specialized software that prioritizes reliability, security, and intelligent call distribution.
Before deciding on a service, consider:
- How well it scales with your organization’s needs.
- Whether it integrates with your existing communication tools.
- How it handles security and caller confidentiality.
- The level of support and uptime reliability it offers.
As organizations evaluate their communication needs in 2025, choosing the best call forwarding software can dramatically improve efficiency.
Helpline Software offers a specialized solution for crisis centers that ensures every call reaches the right person at the right time, with the security, reliability, and burnout protection required for on-call response.
Schedule a meeting with us today to find out if Helpline Software is the right solution for your organization.