Start your search for a better business phone system with these top VoIP providers:
- 8×8 – Priced at $25 to $55 per month according to desired features, 8×8 offers unlimited calling to local numbers and locations in as many as 47 countries around the world. Features include business SMS, team messaging, voicemail, fax and audio and video conferencing with up to 100 participants.
- Dialpad – Easy setup and scalability meet cross-platform device support in plans starting at $20 per user per month. Conference calls under 45 minutes are free for up to 10 users, and services for customer support and sales teams may be added for an extra fee. A feature allowing for call transfer between devices provides extra flexibility.
- Nextiva – Highlighted by FitSmallBusiness as the best for small business use, Nextiva includes unlimited calling, SMS messaging, analytics and CRM tools at prices ranging from $34.95 to $44.95 per user per month. Long-term contract options are available.
- RingCentral – For $19.99 to $44.99 per user per month, businesses get unlimited calls to the U.S. and Canada, along with unlimited business SMS and video conferencing with up to 200 participants. All features are included in the mobile app, and lines and numbers can be added a la carte as needed.
- Vonage Business – Support for CRM integrations and phone, video and web conferencing powered by Amazon Chime are included in higher-level plans from Vonage. Businesses pay $19.99 to $39.99 per line per month for these and other tools, including unlimited calling and SMS, team messaging and mobile and desktop apps.
What’s the Benefit of Upgrading to a VoIP System for Business?
Good communication is at the heart of every successful company. You can have the best marketing plan, stellar branding and a great product but still get nowhere if your complicated or confusing phone and messaging systems are holding you back. VoIP simplifies phone calls, conferencing, sales and customer service through a single unified solution. Many services are now completely based in the cloud and allow you to choose to use physical phones designed for VoIP, make calls on other devices through an app or a combination of both. Because calls are carried over the internet rather than traditional phone lines, there’s no need to run new wiring to get started with a VoIP system. VoIP providers offer all of the features you get from a landline, plus additional services specifically for business communications. Using VoIP, you can enjoy:- Call waiting, forwarding and screening
- Voicemail with speech-to-text transcription
- Teleconferencing and video conferencing
- Custom menu creation
- Screen and file sharing in video calls
- Call recording for use in future training
- Cost savings on domestic and international calls
Tips for Comparing VoIP Business Providers
Don’t know how to choose a VoIP phone system? It’s pretty straightforward if you start by assessing what you need to improve internal communications and serve your customers better. Here are a few key considerations to keep in mind as you look for a provider:- Monthly price per user or line
- Functionality of the basics, such as sending and receiving calls
- Call quality and guaranteed uptime
- Flexibility and scalability of plans
- Features included at each plan level
- Feature-rich mobile app with cross-device compatibility
- Call management and forwarding
- Sales and customer service integrations
- Ease of upgrading
- Availability and quality of customer support
- Security of customer and call data