When it comes to business telephony, Voice over IP (VoIP) has become the go-to solution, providing phone services that run over the internet instead of traditional analog phone lines. The advantages of VoIP are numerous, including improved sound quality, cost savings, and a wide range of additional features. Today, cloud-based VoIP services offer bundled solutions that encompass voice calling, video conferencing, instant messaging, SMS support, and seamless integration with other business software like CRM systems. This integration across multiple channels is often referred to as Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS).
If you’re considering a new VoIP system for your business, you need to carefully evaluate various factors beyond just cost. Are you looking to provide phone service to remote workers or manage a call center? Do you operate in a highly regulated industry that requires enhanced security measures? To assist you in making an informed decision, we have thoroughly tested and rated leading VoIP solutions, taking into account these critical considerations and more. Here are our top picks:
Intermedia Unite: A Comprehensive VoIP Solution
Why We Picked It Intermedia Unite offers an exceptional VoIP communication system suitable for businesses of all sizes, from small to midsize enterprises. What sets Intermedia Unite apart is its emphasis on integrating with third-party software, making it an attractive option for businesses that rely on help desks and customer relationship management (CRM) tools. The company even bundles free phones or related devices (cameras, headsets) with each subscribed seat. This flexibility and feature-rich approach have earned Intermedia Unite our Editors’ Choice recognition.
Who It’s For If your organization requires a general-purpose VoIP phone system with room for growth, Intermedia Unite is an excellent choice. While it might not be the cheapest option available, its extensive flexibility and features make it worthwhile. Moreover, if you’re specifically seeking a VoIP system that integrates closely with Microsoft Teams, Intermedia Unite stands out as an ideal solution.
Pros
- Unified communications encompassing voice, video, chat, and file sync.
- Offers a wide range of useful standard VoIP features.
- Robust integration capabilities with third-party services.
- Recently added Chrome compatibility.
Cons
- Requiring a mobile app for importing and initial syncing of contacts.
- Limited call monitoring features.
- The new Chrome web app lacks support for Microsoft Edge.
RingCentral MVP: Enterprise-Class Call Volumes Done Right
Why We Picked It RingCentral has long impressed us with its business VoIP offerings, and their latest iteration, RingCentral MVP, takes it up a notch. The MVP stands for “messaging, video, and phone,” embodying RingCentral’s move toward unified communications as a service (UCaaS). RingCentral MVP has proven its reliability in handling high call volumes, an area where many competitors falter. Notably, their AI-backed transcription and call analysis features stand out as particularly impressive. Overall, RingCentral MVP is a well-rounded platform and another deserving recipient of our Editors’ Choice recognition.
Who It’s For If you’re operating a small to midsize business and looking for a comprehensive VoIP solution, RingCentral MVP is an excellent fit. RingCentral’s pricing tiers, even at the mid-level, offer scalable options without any restrictions on the number of users you can add to your plan. If you anticipate a relatively high call volume, RingCentral’s pricing and capabilities make it an attractive choice.
Pros
- Remarkable improvements in video conferencing.
- AI-powered transcription and call analysis components.
- Enhanced collaboration capabilities.
- Offers numerous add-on apps to extend functionality.
Cons
- Limited customization options for reports.
- The configuration process can be cumbersome and wizard-based.
8×8 eXperience Communications as a Service: Optimal for SMB Unified Messaging
Why We Picked It With its extensive focus on Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS), 8×8 has demonstrated its commitment to providing a unified experience for all business calls and conferencing needs. 8×8 keeps rolling out new features and updates on a regular cadence, ensuring a fast-paced and innovative approach. Their recent addition of the Frontdesk feature simplifies the management of small businesses, mimicking the functionality of a traditional receptionist’s desk. Although it may lack some advanced features compared to competitors, 8×8 is an agile and compelling option for small to midsize businesses in the VoIP space.
Who It’s For While 8×8 may not offer as many advanced features as its competitors, it remains a valuable and fast-moving player in the small to midsize business VoIP market. Its focus on UCaaS showcases a forward-thinking approach and makes it an excellent choice for any organization seeking to leverage the benefits of software-based calling and conferencing solutions. Moreover, 8×8’s pricing structure is appealing to cost-conscious organizations that do not require all the features offered by our Editors’ Choice winners.
Pros
- Provides a plethora of features in the base offering, including video conferencing.
- The latest versions bring improved mobile video capabilities.
- Offers easy setup for mobile and desktop clients.
- The new Frontdesk feature caters to small business receptionists.
Cons
- Lacks productivity features available in other products.
- Some user settings can only be configured using bulk edit operations.
- Analytics reports are not highly customizable.
Vonage Business Communications: The Ultimate Unified Communications Hub
Why We Picked It As a pioneer in VoIP services for both businesses and residences, Vonage has had ample time to refine its offerings and build a robust set of features. Vonage stands out with its wide range of third-party software integrations, including Salesforce, and its support for developing customized applications that seamlessly integrate with their platform. Vonage is an ideal choice for organizations that prioritize a mature and established VoIP service provider. However, if you have less stringent requirements and desire a more user-friendly interface, you may wish to explore alternative options.
Who It’s For If your organization requires an established VoIP service provider with a distinguished track record, Vonage is the top choice. In many ways, Vonage can be likened to the IBM of SMB VoIP due to its industry roots and extensive feature set. However, if your requirements are more flexible and you seek a VoIP option with a better user interface that’s easier to manage independently, you may want to consider competing services.
Pros
- Offers a comprehensive array of features for both administrators and users.
- New AI-based Virtual Receptionist adds increased functionality.
- Provides solid mobile and desktop apps.
- Offers helpful training materials and self-help resources.
Cons
- Importing contacts requires multiple steps, which can be time-consuming.
- Additional features come at an extra cost, potentially increasing expenses.
- Requires careful consideration of add-on features to avoid overspending.
Dialpad: Tailored for Softphone Users
Why We Picked It Dialpad stands out as a software-based communications service provider, prioritizing its role in this domain. While supporting hardware handsets, Dialpad’s primary focus lies in its softphone offering, which they regularly update, ensuring a continuous refinement of their features. Frequent updates may not always be desirable, but we appreciate Dialpad’s commitment to ongoing innovation. Notably, Dialpad utilizes artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques to enhance its automatic call transcription capabilities.
Who It’s For While not a direct competitor to the industry giants in the business VoIP sector, Dialpad still offers a robust set of features. If you favor a vendor with a technology-first mindset that consistently strives for innovation, especially if you plan to deploy softphones as your primary client software, Dialpad’s low-cost solution should definitely be on your radar.
Pros
- The desktop client acts as a centralized communications hub.
- AI-powered call transcription highlights actionable call content.
- The new geographic call routing feature offers enhanced functionality.
Cons
- Video conferencing still requires a $15 add-on for more than ten meeting participants.
- Analytics reports lack call quality information.
- No in-depth customization available for analytics reports.
Microsoft Teams Phone: Ideal for Microsoft 365 Customers
Why We Picked It As Microsoft’s all-in-one team collaboration platform, Teams offers seamless integrations not only with other Teams components but also Microsoft 365. Microsoft Teams Phone serves as the official VoIP add-on for Teams, boasting excellent compatibility with the broader Microsoft ecosystem. While it may not match up to our Editors’ Choice picks in terms of call center functionality, Microsoft Teams Phone delivers a solid VoIP solution with all the benefits of Microsoft’s suite of tools.
