VoIP systems can benefit your business in many ways, with a number of important features and functions. I've composed a comparison list and detailed reviews of the 10 best business VoIP providers of 2020 to help you find the best VoIP system for your business needs.
These are the 10 best business VoIP providers I tested and ranked:
1. Best overall, focusing on 10+ users : RingCentral
2. Best for contract-free: Ooma Office
3. Best for all-in-one solution: GoToConnect
4. Best for mobile solution: Grasshoper
5. Best for collaboration features: Aircall
6. Best for businesses up to 10 people: CloudPhone
7. Best for unifying communications: Vonage
8. Best for VoIP made simple: Alliance Phones
9. Best for budget-conscious businesses: Verizon
10. Best for SMBs: Intermedia
The Best Business VoIP Services: Quick Reviews
- No. of usersUnlimited
- Pricing$14.99-$39.99
- Best forBusinesses that want lots of features
Vonage was one of the very first VoIP providers, and it has only improved its product offerings over the last 20 years. Offering a fully unified communications platform for businesses of all sizes, Vonage is an excellent solution for any type of connection. Whether your company is looking for a virtual receptionist to make your business sound more professional, a more convenient directory assistance tool, or the ability to connect multiple devices to a single line, Vonage has the tools and the flexibility to let your business run like a pro.
What really makes Vonage stand out is the incredible set of features available on its plans. From privacy to customer service, personalization, and collaboration, Vonage makes every aspect of running your business better. The plans include important features such as caller ID blocking, call screening, spam shield, and do not disturb settings to ensure that you and your team have the utmost control over incoming calls.
What’s more, Vonage allows you to control the call flow as well, providing tools like call hold, call continuity, and call parking. You can even avail yourself of the call recording, call queues, and call waiting that will give your business a professional edge.
Read Vonage ReviewPros- Fabulous mobile app
- Superior voice quality
- 24/7 customer support in English
Cons- Add on features can get pricey
- You need to add on some basic features
- No. of usersUnlimited
- Pricing$24.99-$59.99
- Best forBusinesses with a lot of call traffic
RingCentral is another frequently-heard name among VoIP pursuers. The company provides solid offerings for both small businesses and enterprise level ones, so you can get the features that are important to your business needs.
Small businesses will appreciate how easy it is to set up and use RingCentral. In fact, you can have everything up and running in a matter of minutes. And you’ll have access to 24/7 customer support in case you have any questions along the way. SMBs will also appreciate the deep pocket savings that you’ll get from using RingCentral. You can cut back on phone bills and other communications costs using this all-in-one communications solution.
RingCentral is also well-suited for enterprise businesses, offering a more robust set of features for these larger scale companies. For one thing, RingCentral has excellent administration tools to make managing the front and backend of your operations a cinch. Things like cloud PBX, multi-level IVR, and call monitoring help managers stay on top of multiple tasks at all times. Other tools, such as multi-site management and Cloud Connect, ensure that you can handle your team members from wherever you are. For another, RingCentral allows you to connect with more than 100 third-party applications, so you can use the system seamlessly with all the tools your staff is already using and familiar with.
Read RingCentral ReviewPros- Up to 10 users for cheapest plan
- Generous toll-free minutes per month
- Enormous array of features
Cons- Rates are higher than some competitors
- Customer service is not US-based
- No. of usersUnlimited
- Pricing$24-$115
- Best forSmall to mid-sized businesses
8X8 is trusted by some of the biggest businesses around the world, like McDonald's. It caters to industries like high-tech, retail, manufacturing, sales, collections, government, healthcare, and more. So, no matter where your business falls, 8X8 has a unified communications solution to get you up and running with your customers and team members instantly.
8X8's X series provides business VoIP solutions for every situation you could imagine. Need an integrated communications solution? The X2 plan has one-click connection that brings you everything from chat to voice to video meetings, meetings for 100 people at a time, and integrations with most major business applications. Looking for speed and efficiency? The X4 and X6 plans deliver features to help you out. With things like 4,000 minutes per agent, customer engagement analytics, and customizable dashboards, you’ll be maximizing your resources to the hilt.
8X8 also has plans to enhance customer experience, including integrated voice, email, web chat, and social channels, advanced speech and interaction analytics, and predictive outbound campaigns. Managers will love using the 8X8 system because it makes designating and handling call flow so simple. The Switchboard Pro takes care of all calls automatically.
Read 8x8 ReviewPros- Affordable pricing plans
- Lots of features included in plans
- Easy to set up and use
Cons- Customer support is limited
- No open API
- No. of usersUnlimited
- Pricing$19.95-$39.90
- Best forInclusive plans for virtual calling
MegaPath is an obvious choice for small business because of its competitive pricing, remote availability, and flexible integrations. But this communications solution company is also well-suited for larger companies with all the right features to make it comprehensive, powerful, and efficient. MegaPath has hosted PBX, unified communications, hosted voice integrations, call center, SIP trunking, and PRI & analog line solutions. So, there’s really something for everyone in this mix.
If you work remotely on a regular basis, the hosted PBX will be your best solution. MegaPath helps you cut costs, provides solid mobile features and collaboration tools to connect team members, and simple self-service management. Of course, if you’re looking for a full-service solution, MegaPath’s unified communications solutions will work well for you. This option provides businesses with a more robust set of features like video and voice conference calls, group messaging, and video calls for that quick question and answer. This is an excellent solution because it's all in one. So, there’s no switching from one platform to the next to get the job done.
Read MegaPath ReviewPros- No contracts required
- US-based tech support
- Good collaboration tools
Cons- Have to pay more for some standard features
- Video conferencing not available
- No. of usersUnlimited
- Pricing$21.95-$29.95
- Best forAll-in-one solution
Jive is a fun and user-friendly business VoIP option, and this is certainly not your grandma’s VoIP service. With sleek apps, punchy text, and advanced features, Jive makes using a unified communications solution fun, easy, and cool. What’s more, Jive has a whopping 80+ features, and you get all of them for a single monthly rate. That’s a dizzying amount of features, and it means you will have everything you need within one software. No need to switch over constantly to another service for optimal use. Jive’s got it all.
Jive gives you full control over your call flow. You can set up different call rules for when your business is open and closed, so the calls will go to sales or customer support during business hours, and to the auto attendant after hours. Jive also lets you use neat features like simultaneous paging of all agents or specific group paging for a more personalized but still public announcement.
Connect team members using Jive’s conference bridge, good for up to 10 members at once, listen to your business voicemail wherever you are, and use collaboration tools to really stay connected. Want to really get serious about your communications? Use Jive call analytics, call logs, and call monitoring to analyze and go over calls to improve customer experience and tweak staff members’ techniques. Use custom greetings, dial by name directory, and local directory on phone to give a more professional appearance to your business. Handle calls more efficiently using tools like presence monitoring, shared line appearance, and ring groups.
Read GoToConnect ReviewPros- Unlimited extensions
- First month free
- Flexible pricing plans
Cons- International calling is pricey
- Limited video conferencing feature
- No. of users3-unlimited
- Pricing$26-$80
- Best forBusinesses looking for mobile solutions
Grasshopper is the business VoIP solution for small businesses everywhere that want to look big. The secret behind this cleverly-named service is simple: you don’t have to BE a big company to appear to be one. You just have to make a big noise (like a grasshopper!). Grasshopper provides small businesses with all the communications tools and features they need to look big and impress their clients while remaining the same cozy size they are currently.
Grasshopper offers 2 types of plans, the Grasshopper plans and the Grasshopper Connect option. The first option is the more traditional VoIP service you are used to and comes in 3 flavors. You can get Solo, Partner, or Small Business plans for this service, and all 3 can be billed monthly or annually.
It’s nice that Grasshopper lets you sign up for a single month contract because it means you aren’t tied into any long-term commitments. Of course, if you sign up for an annual plan, you’ll save more than 10%. Most businesses will decide that the savings are worth the commitment. Grasshopper VoIP plans run $26 per month for a single number with 3 extensions included, $44 a month for 3 numbers and 6 extensions, and $80 a month for 5 numbers. With the last plan, you get unlimited extensions, a huge benefit if you’re hoping to scale your business over the year.
Read Grasshopper ReviewPros- Unlimited domestic calling
- 24/7 live support
- Easy setup
Cons- Missing the robust features of larger brands
- Not as attractive if you’re not going mobile
- No. of usersUnlimited
- PricingFrom $35 per month
- Best forMid-sized businesses
This VoIP from the powerhouse wireless provider Verizon comes with some expected benefits courtesy of the company’s infrastructure, including excellent connection via Verizon’s fiber optic internet.
Verizon offers different pricing structures depending on business size and needs. However, all of the VoIP plans include essential services that can help medium-sized businesses and larger. One of the main differences in plans is the amount of lines the business will need. The cheapest plan accommodates 5 lines, and you can upgrade from there.
Verizon offers around 45 VoIP features that cover most if not all of essential needs. This includes a virtual receptionist that deftly handles call routing, providing a professional veneer to small and medium-sized businesses and helping them stay organized and aligned within departments.
Read Verizon ReviewPros- Leading name in wireless internet
- Fiber optic internet
- Scalable for growing businesses
Cons- Complex pricing structure
- No live chat support
- No. of usersUnlimited
- PricingFrom $19.95
- Best forContract-free service
Ooma is the PCMag VoIP Business Choice award winner for 7 years running. That ought to tell you a bit about what a great service this is. Ooma is a cloud system, which means it's effortless to run, easy to learn, and can be taken anywhere you are. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, this system ensures that you are always available for your customers when they call. While Ooma is a great solution for any size business, it is particularly attractive for small businesses because it offers advanced phone features at affordable pricing. Plus, Ooma has simple step-by-step DIY set up instructions and videos. So, you don’t have to wait for tech to get started.
Let’s take a closer look at some of those features. For starters, Ooma offers free unlimited calling to anywhere in the United States, Mexico, or Canada and Puerto Rico. This already translates to major savings for most businesses that frequently spend a fortune on phone bills each month. On top of that, Ooma has competitive, low international rates. You can call Australia for just $0.038 per minute, the United Kingdom for just $0.028 per minute, and China for just $0.025 per minute.
Read Ooma Office ReviewPros- Excellent call quality
- Simple & easy setup
- Can keep the same phone number
Cons- Limited customizations
- Some complaints about customer service
- No. of users5
- PricingFrom $18.95
- Best forBudget-conscious businesses
You may have heard of OnSIP before as it is a major communications provider for businesses of every size. And if you haven’t, you probably know a few of its customers like Mozilla, Tumblr, and Disqus, just to name a few of the SMALL businesses that use OnSIP on a daily basis. It is particularly popular among businesses that love it for the handy BYOD (bring your own device) functionality, making the software easy to use with just about any device you could whip out. With a rich set of features, competitive pricing, and flexible payment options, OnSIP is a strong hosted VoIP solution for businesses.
OnSIP has all of the usual VoIP features you’d expect like voicemail, group ring, and personal attendants. Plus, you’ll get more premium features like voicemail to email, third-party softphone integration, and web-hosted PBX. You can also take advantage of the robust admin portal that makes managing and changing things up a cinch.
One of the things that makes OnSIP so popular is how flexible it is to work with. You can use desk phones exclusively if this is the way your business operates. Alternatively, you can use softphones with the OnSIP software if that’s your preference. And OnSIP even has a convenient method for combining both desk phones and softphones, so no matter how you roll, OnSIP has you covered.
Read OnSIP ReviewPros- Unwavering reliability
- 30-day free trial
- Lots of integrations
Cons- Have to know (or learn) SIP
- Ala carte style can get expensive
- No. of usersUnlimited
- Pricing$24.99-$34.99
- Best forSmall businesses of up to 10 people
CloudPhone is known to be a great business VoIP solution for smaller businesses. Everything from its pricing structure to its features tells us that it is working hard for the little guys in the industry. And it shows. With a CloudPhone unified communications solution, even the smallest businesses can put up a big front, winning the respect and the clients they deserve.
Some of the great features you can get with a CloudPhone account are toll-free numbers, automatic call distribution, and call recording. Businesses will appreciate the Find Me Follow Me feature, which basically has a call ring to each of the designated phone lines one after another until the caller finds you. So, it’ll ring at your office desk first, then your home phone, then your cell until you finally pick up. It’s a very convenient feature that ensures you won’t miss an important business call because you stepped out for a few minutes or had to leave the country for some reason.
Read CloudPhone ReviewPros- Unlimited minutes and SMS
- Integrates with existing devices
- Lifetime 50% off Small Business plan
Cons- No video conferencing
- International calling isn’t unlimited
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What Makes a VoIP Service Provider the Best?
If you’re running a business in 2020, then chances are, you have already heard of and might even use some form of VoIP or internet phone service through your business phone line. If you’ve ever used Skype or Facebook Messenger—or any kind of internet service to make a call—you’re experiencing the power of Voice Over IP (VoIP).
VoIP systems have become the norm for businesses large and small, as they provide an easy, surefire way to make telecommunications more efficient—and affordable. For small and medium-sized businesses, these savings can make a big difference. The efficiency of a VoIP system can also ease some headaches for companies that may not have the manpower to handle complicated or less streamlined communication needs. Small businesses generally don’t need some of the more sophisticated VoIP features—like video conferencing that can accommodate 100 or more participants—but the flexible pricing, ease of operations, and customer service offered by many VoIP providers can be of real assistance.
Finding the Best VoIP Phones for Your Small Business
When it comes to integrating VoIP into your business, there are some factors to consider before you choose a provider. The top VoIP providers can help you lower costs, reach more customers, and even enhance your mobility and productivity. For example, the what you need to take into consideration when looking at VoIP for small businesses is very different to a VoIP service for your home.
The most important features to look for when searching for a VoIP solution are:
- Ease of operation and setup
- Reliability and customer service
- Features and customizability
- Mobile options
- Video conferencing and screen sharing
Switching to a VoIP system entails some initial costs, which are quickly offset by the savings. VoIP services can also increase the efficiency, convenience, and flexibility of your communications and help you incorporate the business tools of a larger company. Before you choose your VoIP provider, try to determine how easy it will be to adopt the system and operate it, and also if it has any specific features you need. For example if you want your business to present a professional and polished impression, such as that of a law firm, then you'll want to make sure you have the necessary features.
Types of VoIP Systems
The biggest difference in cost is going to depend on the type of VoIP service you choose for your business. There are 3 main systems available:
Hosted System
Similar to a website hosting plan, this means that the vendor owns the hardware, and your business leases or buys the phones. Maintenance will be handled by the vendor, too. Companies will usually charge a subscription to use the internet business phone system.
Best for: Smaller businesses
On-Premise System
In this scenario, your business owns the hardware, which means you are responsible for any upgrades or maintenance work. This sort of setup can be prohibitive for a smaller business because of the higher initial costs of purchasing the hardware. In addition, the upkeep may require the manpower that a small company doesn't have. On the other hand, these systems can provide better options for customization and a higher level of security.
Best for: Larger businesses
Managed System
With this system, the business still owns the equipment, but the vendor is in charge of set up and maintenance. This is a great “best of both worlds” option, in that it allows the customer to use their own equipment—like with the on-premise system—while still being able to enjoy the assistance provided by a hosted system.
