There are an endless number of business phone and unified communications systems available in 2020. Businesses have the choice of landline or Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) systems and cloud-hosted or on-premises solutions. And for those not needing a traditional business phone system, virtual systems are also option. With so many choices, finding the right one for your business can be a tough chore. To help ensure you choose the phone system that will work best for your business, we researched dozens of options. Based on our research, here are our recommendations of the business phone systems we think are best for different types of businesses.
\r\nRingCentral Office is one of the best business phone services because of its wealth of features, ease of use and multiple price points. The VoIP service is hosted in the cloud and requires no special equipment or wiring to install. All businesses need is the required bandwidth to support their call volume and a router that prioritizes their voice traffic.
\r\n\r\nOnce the service has been activated and IP phones are plugged into Ethernet ports, your business can start making and receiving calls. The entire system is controlled via an online portal from which administrators can assign employees phone numbers and extensions, configure the auto receptionist, and set up answering rules.
\r\n\r\nThis is a true unified communication system as it provides phone service, audio and video conferencing, instant messaging, and online faxing all from one platform. When it comes to conferencing, each user can host conference calls with up to 1,000 participants. In addition, each can host their own video conference that allows for screen sharing.
\r\n\r\nAvailable on iOS and Android devices, RingCentral's mobile app lets users make and receive calls from their business lines, send and receive online faxes, and participate in conference calls.
\r\n\r\nRingCentral's phone service is available in four different plans that vary by price and included features. Costs range between $27 and $60 per user, per month.
\r\n\r\nIn addition to its standard phone service, call center services can be tacked on to any user's plan. The contact center offerings include IVRs, call distributors, outbound dialing and preview, and progressive and predictive dialers.
\r\n\r\nThis phone service is extremely reliable. RingCentral boasts a 99.999% uptime, which means service is down for only a handful of minutes each year.
\r\n\r\nRingCentral provides customer support by phone 24/7. Its website is also filled with user guides, FAQs, webinars and how-to videos.
\r\n\r\nMay 2020: RingCentral has launched a new unified desktop app for both Windows PC and Mac computers. The new app allows users to quickly switch between message, video and phone solutions. It also offers advanced search functionality that enables users to search for messages directed to an individual user. RingCentral features calendar integrations with Microsoft Office 365 and Google.
\r\n\r\nJanuary 2021: RingCentral's video meetings are getting \"smarter\" as a result of the company's recent acquisition of the conversational intelligence company DeepAffects. The new platform uses artificial intelligence to analyze the conversations that take place during video meetings. The platform can recognize emotion from speakers, identify when different people are speaking, recognize different languages and convert audio to text.
\r\n","descriptionTest":"","fullTitle":"Best Business Phone Service for Collaboration","isFeaturedBestPick":false,"isJumpLink":false,"tabTitle":"Best for Collaboration","review":{"displayName":"RingCentral","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/reviews/ringcentral-business-phone-systems/","id":"0a7931a57b393ef7787449f9bd958038","url":"https://www.ringcentral.com/","review":{"pros":["No special equipment or wiring is needed for this cloud-hosted business phone system.","RingCentral offers an array of calling, collaboration and mobile features."],"cons":["Audio and video conferencing is not included in the cheapest service plan."],"fullReviewTest":"RingCentral is our choice for the best business phone service because it's a robust cloud-hosted VoIP phone system and a great option for businesses of all sizes. The system offers nearly every calling, collaboration and mobile feature businesses would want from a phone system. RingCentral is also our choice for the best conference calling service within a phone system because it's easy to use and allows every user to host calls with up to 1,000 participants.
\r\nRingCentral offers four service plans that vary in price and features to fit the budgets and needs of a wide range of businesses. All of the plans include unlimited calls in the U.S. and Canada, unlimited business text messaging, a mobile app for iOS and Android devices, HD voice, visual voicemail, voicemail-to-email, file sharing, instant messaging and chatrooms, 24/7 customer support, call logs, call recording, and integrations with Box, Okta, Outlook and Google. Here is a breakdown of how each plan differs from the others:
\r\nPrices drop by 33% per user if you pay annually instead of monthly. RingCentral offers all users a 30-day risk-free trial.
\r\nWhile each plan comes with one local or-toll-free number, there is an additional cost if you want more numbers. Toll-free numbers are $4.99 per month, local numbers are $5.99 per user per month, and vanity numbers are available for a one-time $30 fee.
\r\nBusinesses have the option to buy or rent desk phones from RingCentral. Desk phones can be purchased for $80 to $400 each or rented for $5 to $21 per month. RingCentral does not offer a free plan, but you can request a 15-day free trial.
\r\nRingCentral is a cloud-hosted system that doesn't require any special equipment or wiring. All you need is a high-speed internet connection with enough bandwidth to handle the number of calls your small business makes. RingCentral recommends that you use a high-speed DSL, cable, or fiber optic connection with dedicated upload and download bandwidth for voice of at least 90Kbps for each voice line. You don't need a dedicated IT team to maintain this system; RingCentral handles all of the maintenance and upgrades.
\r\nPart of what makes RingCentral such a solid business phone solution is its reliability. It boasts a 99.999% uptime, the highest possible for cloud-hosted phone systems. This means the service is down for just a few minutes each year.
\r\nRingCentral has 17 data centers worldwide. Should one center shut down or have a problem, clients will have no loss of service, because the data will instantly transfer to one of the other centers. Each data center is monitored 24/7 and staffed by onsite engineering specialists and security guards.
\r\nRingCentral allows number porting. This means businesses with an established phone number can transfer their number over to RingCentral after signing up for the service. When transferring your number, you'll choose a temporary number to use until the porting process is complete, which is typically in 2-4 weeks.
\r\nThe system is controlled entirely from an online portal. From this portal, administrators can assign employees numbers and extensions and create ring groups. Employees can also log in to change their personal settings and make calls from their computers using a softphone.
\r\nUsers are encouraged to set their mobile phone as a forwarding number. If you and your team do this, you won't miss any calls should your business lose power or its internet connection. All calls will automatically be forwarded to the appropriate staff member's mobile phone in those situations.
\r\nRingCentral Office has over 50 calling, collaboration, and mobile features, including caller ID control, one-touch calling, call recording, call flip, call park, call screening, intercoms, paging, call logs, message alerts, missed-call notifications, auto-attendants, multilevel IVRs, call reports, on-hold music, answering rules, extensions, and the ability to forward calls to multiple devices.
\r\nThere are several voicemail options as well: traditional voicemail, voicemail-to-email, visual voicemail and voicemail transcription to text. Among the collaboration tools are audio and HD video conferencing, presence indicators, and team messaging.
\r\nThe RingCentral mobile app, available on iOS and Android devices, lets employees make and receive calls from their business lines on their mobile phones. The RingCentral app also lets users send and receive faxes and texts, set up and join conference calls, check voicemail, change their individual settings, and receive notifications.
\r\nRingCentral also offers a softphone. This lets your employees make and receive calls from their computers, whether from desktops in the office or internet-connected laptops outside the office. To use the softphone, all you need to do is plug in a headset or use the computer's speakers and microphone.
\r\nFor businesses that want to connect with colleagues or customers overseas, RingCentral offers a number of international calling options, including full-service coverage in 40 countries and international inbound virtual numbers in 119 countries.
\r\nIn addition to being the best business phone system, RingCentral tops our list of the best conference calling services within a phone system.
\r\nEach user has access to their own conference bridge. This means that each employee can host unlimited conference calls with up to 1,000 participants at a time. You don't have to worry about limiting your guest list or running out of minutes. The 1,000-caller limit is significantly higher than the thresholds of the other phone systems we reviewed. Multiple employees can host conference calls at the same time.
\r\nRingCentral's conferencing service is reservationless, which means you can begin calls instantly. While you can still schedule conferences in advance, this gives you the option to host an impromptu meeting when the need arises.
\r\nWhen you set up your conferencing preferences, you can select \"enable join before host,\" which lets the call begin and continue without you or another host being present. You can also enable settings that lock the call once it has started and everyone has joined so no one else will be able to enter your call. The lecture mode lets you mute all the attendees' lines; your guests can still hear you, but no one can hear them. This is a useful feature for large meetings where there could be a lot of background noise.
\r\nYou can send conference invites via Microsoft Outlook or your email provider. You simply click \"invite with email,\" and RingCentral generates an email with the dial-in number and the participant access codes.
\r\nIf you are hosting a call with participants outside the U.S., they can dial in using local numbers. RingCentral offers local numbers in more than 50 countries.
\r\nWhen you are hosting a call, you can record your conference free of charge and listen to it later. You can also share your recordings with anyone who was unable to attend the conference.
\r\nRingCentral makes it easy for hosts and meeting participants to join conference calls from mobile devices, typically by tapping a button or link. This saves you the hassle of entering the dial-in number and access code.
\r\nThe biggest feature missing from RingCentral's conference calling service is operator-assisted calls. With this option, you'd have a representative from the service to set the call's itinerary, greet callers and take down their contact information, moderate Q&A sessions, and provide transcripts. If your company hosts large meetings that need this type of dedicated attention, you will need to find a provider that specializes in operator-assisted calling services.
\r\nThe customer support we've received from RingCentral has been mostly positive. During our research, we contacted the company numerous times by phone, email and live chat, posing as a business owner interested in phone service. While most of our interactions have gone well, we did have a couple of calls and chats that were less than helpful. Our most recent interactions with the company were significant improvements from our first calls and chats.
\r\nIn our recent interactions with RingCentral, all of the representatives we dealt with were extremely helpful. They took our calls immediately and provided in-depth answers to all our questions. They also highlighted points we hadn't thought to ask about. By the end of our calls, we had a clear understanding of how RingCentral works, the features it offers and its price points.
\r\nThe RingCentral website offers an array of valuable information, such as FAQs, videos, case studies, webinars and whitepapers. The company provides phone and chat support 24/7.
\r\nOne area of concern is the number of complaints filed against RingCentral with the Better Business Bureau. As of April 2020, 273 complaints had been filed against the company over the past three years. Despite the complaints, RingCentral is accredited with the BBB and has an A+ rating on the site. Such a high rating means that the company is addressing all of these complaints. While RingCentral might not be able to provide everyone the solution they demand, it is at least attempting to resolve issues to everyone's satisfaction.
","fullReview":"RingCentral is our choice for the best business phone service because it is the complete package for unified communications. It can handle all of your communication needs, regardless of how small or large your business is. The system is extremely reliable, offers multiple price points to fit your budget, and has nearly every calling, collaboration and mobile feature businesses could want from a phone system. While several phone systems excel in some of these areas, RingCentral nails them all.
\r\nRingCentral is also our choice for the best conference calling service within a phone system because it's easy to use and allows every user to host calls with up to 1,000 participants.
\r\n\r\n
View all our recommendations for business phone systems and conference call services on our best picks pages.
\r\nRingCentral offers four service plans that vary in price and features to fit the budgets and needs of a wide range of businesses. While most systems have multiple price points, few offer as many options as RingCentral does. This flexibility gives many businesses the opportunity to use the service, regardless of their budgets. All of the plans include unlimited calls in the U.S. and Canada, unlimited business text messaging, a mobile app for iOS and Android devices, HD voice, visual voicemail, voicemail-to-email, file sharing, team messaging, and call logs.
\r\nRingCentral offers both monthly and annual subscription pricing options for each of its service plans. Here is a breakdown of how each plan differs from the others:
\r\nRingCentral does not have a free plan, but it offers all users a 30-day risk-free trial.
\r\nWhile each plan comes with one local or-toll-free number, there is an additional cost if you want more numbers. Toll-free numbers and local numbers are $4.99 per month, and vanity numbers are available for a one-time $30 fee.
\r\nBusinesses have the option to buy or rent desk phones from RingCentral. You can purchase desk phones for $80 to $400 each or rent them for $5 to $21 per month.
\r\nRingCentral Office is loaded with features. It has over 50 calling, collaboration, and mobile features, including caller ID control, one-touch calling, call recording, call flip, call park, call screening, intercoms, paging, call logs, message alerts, missed-call notifications, auto-attendants, multilevel IVRs, call reports, on-hold music, answering rules, extensions, and the ability to forward calls to multiple devices.
\r\nThere are several voicemail options as well: traditional voicemail, voicemail-to-email, visual voicemail and voicemail transcription to text. Among the collaboration tools are audio and HD video conferencing as well as team messaging.
\r\nThe RingCentral mobile app, available on iOS and Android devices, lets employees make and receive calls from their business lines on their mobile phones. The RingCentral app also lets users send and receive faxes and texts, set up and join conference calls, check voicemail, change their individual settings, and receive notifications.
\r\nRingCentral also offers a softphone. This lets your employees make and receive calls from their computers, whether from desktops in the office or internet-connected laptops outside the office. To use the softphone, all you need to do is plug in a headset or use the computer's speakers and microphone.
\r\nFor businesses that want to connect with colleagues or customers overseas, RingCentral offers a number of international calling options, including full-service coverage in 40 countries and international inbound virtual numbers in more than 100 countries.
\r\nIn addition to being the best business phone system, RingCentral tops our list of the best conference calling services within a phone system.
\r\nEach user has access to their own conference bridge. This means that each employee can host unlimited conference calls with up to 1,000 participants at a time. You don't have to worry about limiting your guest list or running out of minutes. The 1,000-caller limit is significantly higher than the thresholds of the other phone systems we reviewed. Multiple employees can host conference calls at the same time.
\r\nRingCentral's conferencing service is reservationless, which means you can begin calls instantly. While you can still schedule conferences in advance, this gives you the option to host an impromptu meeting when the need arises.
\r\nWhen you set up your conferencing preferences, you can select \"enable join before host,\" which lets the call begin and continue without you or another host being present. You can also enable settings that lock the call once it has started and everyone has joined so no one else will be able to enter your call. The lecture mode lets you mute all the attendees' lines; your guests can still hear you, but no one can hear them. This is a useful feature for large meetings where there could be a lot of background noise.
\r\nYou can send conference invites via Microsoft Outlook or your email provider. You simply click \"invite with email,\" and RingCentral generates an email with the dial-in number and the participant access codes.
\r\nIf you are hosting a call with participants outside the U.S., they can dial in using local numbers. RingCentral offers local numbers in more than 50 countries.
\r\nWhen you are hosting a call, you can record your conference free of charge and listen to it later. You can also share your recordings with anyone who was unable to attend the conference.
\r\nRingCentral makes it easy for hosts and meeting participants to join conference calls from mobile devices, typically by tapping a button or link. This saves you the hassle of entering the dial-in number and access code.
\r\nThe biggest feature missing from RingCentral's conference calling service is operator-assisted calls. With this option, you'd have a representative from the service to set the call's itinerary, greet callers and take down their contact information, moderate Q&A sessions, and provide transcripts. If your company hosts large meetings that need this type of dedicated attention, you will need to find a provider that specializes in operator-assisted calling services.
\r\nRingCentral is a cloud-hosted system that doesn't require any special equipment or wiring. All you need is a high-speed internet connection with enough bandwidth to handle the number of calls your small business makes. RingCentral recommends that you use a high-speed DSL, cable, or fiber optic connection with dedicated upload and download bandwidth for voice of at least 90Kbps for each voice line. You don't need a dedicated IT team to maintain this system; RingCentral handles all of the maintenance and upgrades.
\r\nPart of what makes RingCentral such a solid business phone solution is its reliability. It boasts a 99.999% uptime, the highest possible for cloud-hosted phone systems. This means the service is down for just a few minutes each year.
\r\nRingCentral has numerous data centers worldwide. Should one center shut down or have a problem, clients will have no loss of service, because the data will instantly transfer to one of the other centers. Each data center is monitored 24/7 and staffed by onsite engineering specialists and security guards.
\r\nRingCentral allows number porting. This means businesses with an established phone number can transfer their number over to RingCentral after signing up for the service. When transferring your number, you'll choose a temporary number to use until the porting process is complete, which is typically in 2-4 weeks.
\r\nThe system is controlled entirely from an online portal. From this portal, administrators can assign employees numbers and extensions and create ring groups. Employees can also log in to change their personal settings and make calls from their computers using a softphone.
\r\nUsers are encouraged to set their mobile phone as a forwarding number. If you and your team do this, you won't miss any calls should your business lose power or its internet connection. All calls will automatically be forwarded to the appropriate staff member's mobile phone in those situations.
\r\nOne potential downside of RingCentral is that the Essentials plan doesn't include any audio or video conferencing. If those are communication tools you need, you will either have to upgrade to another service plan or go purchase separate conferencing calling and video conferencing solutions.
\r\nOne area of concern is the number of complaints filed against RingCentral with the Better Business Bureau. As of July 2020, 301 complaints had been filed against the company over the past three years. That number is higher than we saw with some of RingCentral's competitors. Despite the complaints, RingCentral is accredited by the BBB and has an A+ rating on the site. Such a high rating means that the company is addressing all of these complaints. While RingCentral might not be able to provide everyone the solution they demand, it is at least attempting to resolve issues to everyone's satisfaction.
\r\nThe customer support we've received from RingCentral has been mostly positive. During our research, we contacted the company numerous times by phone, email and live chat, posing as a business owner interested in phone service. While most of our interactions have gone well, we did have a couple of calls and chats that were less than helpful. Our most recent interactions with the company were significant improvements over our first calls and chats.
\r\nIn our recent interactions with RingCentral, all of the representatives we dealt with were extremely helpful. They took our calls immediately and provided in-depth answers to all our questions. They also highlighted points we hadn't thought to ask about. By the end of our calls, we had a clear understanding of how RingCentral works, the features it offers and its price points.
\r\nThe RingCentral website offers an array of valuable information, such as FAQs, videos, case studies, webinars and whitepapers. The company provides phone and chat support 24/7.
"},"pricing":{"isCapped":false,"isFeatured":false,"primary":true,"selected":"affiliate","widgetId":null,"widget":null,"affiliate":{"cta":"Visit Site","link":"https://businesscom.go2cloud.org/aff_c?offer_id=102&aff_id=1000&source=business-phone-systems&aff_sub4=revenue|QT&aff_sub3=deal|RingCentral&url_id=1","name":"HasOffers/Tune"}},"thumbnail":{"path":"https://staging.business.com/images/rz/5de96c9d9c658a7a718b4569/ringcentral.png"}}},{"bullets":["Easy to install and operate","Controlled from an online portal","Unlimited calling"],"description":"Ooma Office is a phone system designed specifically for very small businesses. The system is ideal for microbusinesses because it works with any type of phone -- IP or analog -- or no phones at all.
\r\n\r\nFor those using IP phones, all you need to do is plug them into your local area network to start making calls. If you are using analog phones, there is some onsite equipment you need. Whether you are using phones or not, the entire system can be set by someone without IT expertise in just minutes.
\r\n\r\nThe main piece of equipment is the base station, which is a router that prioritizes voice data to ensure reliable service. If you are using analog phones, you need the system's Linx devices, which wirelessly connect the phones to the base station. The base station connects to up to four Linx devices.
\r\n\r\nWhile Ooma Office doesn't have all the extras that some phone systems offer, it has many of the features and tools very small businesses find most valuable. These features include unlimited local and long-distance calling, dedicated phone numbers and extensions, a virtual receptionist, voicemail, call transfers, call logs, daytime and after-hours modes, ring groups, music on hold, conference calling, and online faxing.
\r\n\r\nEach Ooma extension includes a conference bridge, which allows users to host conference calls with up to 10 callers at a time.
\r\n\r\nA mobile app is also available for iOS and Android devices. From the app, users can make and receive calls using their business lines, transfer calls to other employees, and manage voicemails.
\r\nNovember 2020: Ooma Office now includes video conferencing services. Offered as part of the Ooma Office Pro plan for no additional cost, users can host meetings with up to 25 participants at one time. Meetings can be joined through the Ooma desktop app or any web browser.
\r\n\r\nApril 2020: Ooma now offers two service plans: Ooma Office and Ooma Office Pro. The plans differ by price and included features. Ooma Office costs $19.95 per user, per month and includes most of the features Ooma offers. Ooma Office Pro costs $24.95 per user, per month, and includes several added features, including a desktop app that lets you use your computer as your business phone, call recording, enhanced call blocking and voicemail transcription.
\r\n\r\nRegardless of the phones you are using, all businesses pay a $19.95 per user, per month fee. For those with analog phones, there is a one-time equipment fee that starts at $129. This includes the base unit, which is a full router, and several Linx devices. You can purchase IP phones from Ooma; costs range from $70 to $400 per phone. The system comes with a 30-day, risk-free trial.
\r\n\r\nOoma provides customer support by phone, email and live chat 24/7.
","descriptionTest":"","fullTitle":"Featured Sponsor","isFeaturedBestPick":true,"isJumpLink":false,"tabTitle":"Featured Sponsor","review":{"displayName":"Ooma","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/reviews/ooma/","id":"eadc12b671761ac74949cce58317ac21","url":"https://www.ooma.com/","review":{"pros":["Ooma offers a range of core features: virtual receptionists, voicemail, on-hold music and conference calling.","Users can make and receive calls from their business line on their mobile devices."],"cons":["Not as feature-rich as some other business phone systems."],"fullReviewTest":"Thanks to its simplicity, flexibility and affordability, Ooma Office is our choice as the best phone system for very small businesses. The system was built with small businesses specifically in mind.
\r\nAn easy-to-use phone system is critical for small businesses. Since they don't have the luxury of a full-time IT staff to manage a complex system, it is crucial to find a business phone system that combines ease of use with necessary features.
\r\nOoma Office fills this need. It is easy to install, doesn't require an IT team to maintain, and works with both analog and IP phones. While the system doesn't have all the features some of its larger competitors do, it offers some of the most valuable ones, like auto attendants, voicemail and call forwarding. The system is extremely affordable and offers round-the-clock support.
\r\nThe pricing structure for Ooma Office depends on what type of phones your business uses. If you use IP phones, all you have to pay are per-user monthly fees. If you want to use analog phones with the system, there are also some one-time equipment fees to consider.
\r\nWhether you use IP or analog phones, you'll pay $19.95 a month per user. This cost includes all the features Ooma offers, along with unlimited calling and a dedicated phone number for each user.
\r\nIf you have analog phones you want to continue using, you will need a few pieces of equipment. The basic equipment package starts at $129.97. It includes the base station, which is the system's main component, and two Linx devices, which are used to connect analog phones to the system. IP phones can be plugged directly into an Ethernet port and don't need any special connection. Should you need additional Linx devices, they are $50 each. Since each base station supports five analog phones, you may need additional base stations; each added base station is $100.
\r\nAnother cost to consider is desk phones. Unlike with other business phone solutions that require IP phones, you can use analog phones with Ooma Office. However, you can add more users to the system if you use IP phones. Ooma offers several different Yealink and Cisco phones, ranging from $70 to $400.
\r\nThere are no contracts with Ooma Office. You make all payments on a month-to-month basis. The company offers a 30-day, risk-free trial.
\r\nEven someone without any phone system expertise can install the Ooma Office on-premises VoIP system in less than 20 minutes. While the system only supports up to 20 analog phones, it can support as many as 200 IP phones.
\r\nIf you use IP phones, you can set up the system quickly. All you need to do is plug the phones into your LAN. Once plugged in and powered up, they are ready to make and receive calls.
\r\nIf you use analog phones, you need to set up your base station and Linx devices to get the system working. The base station serves as a full router, prioritizing voice data on your internet connection. This helps ensure solid reception on each call. The other main component is the Linx device.
\r\nYou first connect the base station to your high-speed internet connection. You then plug the base station's AC adapter into an electrical outlet. For the best service, Ooma recommends that you have at least 256Kbps upstream and downstream for each simultaneous call during peak usage times. Once the base station is connected, you then plug an analog phone into the unit.
\r\nOnce everything is up and running, you control the system via Ooma's online portal. The portal, which is easy to use and navigate, is where system administrators assign employees extensions and phone numbers, set up the automated attendant, and create ring groups.
\r\nWhile it doesn't have the selection of features that other phone systems offer, Ooma Office does have the calling and mobile tools very small businesses need most. Although it sounds nice to have all the accessories today's phone systems offer, most would go unused by very small businesses. Ooma keeps its prices down by only providing the features very small businesses need most.
\r\nOoma Office's features include unlimited local and long-distance calling, a virtual receptionist, voicemail, call transfers, call logs, daytime and after-hours modes, ring groups, music on hold, call forwarding, and online faxing.
\r\nOoma has a mobile app for both iOS and Android devices that lets employees make and receive calls using their business lines. When you make an outgoing call from the app, the person you call will see your business phone number on their caller ID, not your personal mobile number. With the mobile app, you can also transfer calls to other employees, listen to and manage your voicemails, and easily access co-workers' extensions.
\r\nAgain, though, Ooma doesn't offer nearly as many features as many phone system providers do. Some of the features you might want that it lacks are call recording, instant messaging and video conferencing.
\r\nOoma Office has a conference calling service built into its phone system. With the conference bridge feature, which is included at no extra charge, each employee can hold their own conference call with up to 10 callers.
\r\nIf your company is looking to host conference calls with more than 10 people, you will need to use a conference calling service. These services allow for hundreds, sometimes thousands, of people on each call. You can find more information on these services on our conference call services best picks page.
\r\nWe were pleased with the customer support we received from Ooma. To test the level of service, we contacted the company numerous times by phone, email and live chat, posing as a very small business owner interested in its phone system.
\r\nMost of our interactions with the company were positive. Representatives immediately answered most of our calls. There were a couple of times, however, when our calls weren't immediately answered – or were picked up, but no one was on the other end of the line.
\r\nOverall, the representatives we spoke to gave detailed answers to our questions about how the system works, the available features, the mobile app and pricing. There were a few times the responses didn't provide as much detail as we wanted, though, and we then had to contact Ooma again for further information. Each time we followed up with a representative over email, they immediately responded.
\r\nWe also found the live chat service helpful. With some providers' live chat services, it took a long time for a customer service representative to answer our questions, but we got prompt responses from the Ooma team.
\r\nOoma provides 24/7 phone, email and live chat support.
\r\nThanks to its simplicity, flexibility and affordability, Ooma Office is our choice as the best phone system for very small businesses. The system is built with small businesses specifically in mind. Unlike many of today's business phone systems, Ooma provides flexibility in how the system is run and the types of phones it can work with. You have the choice of installing some equipment – which you can do on your own, without IT experience, and using analog phone you may already own – or you can use IP phones with a traditional cloud-hosted setup. These aren't options most business phone system providers offer.
\r\nWhile the system doesn't have all the features some of its larger competitors do, it offers some of the most valuable ones, like auto-attendants, voicemail and call forwarding. The system is extremely affordable and offers round-the-clock support.
\r\n\r\n
View all our recommendations for business phone systems on our best picks page.
\r\nThe pricing structure for Ooma Office depends on what type of phones your business uses. If you use IP phones, all you have to pay are per-user monthly fees. If you want to use analog phones with the system, there are also some one-time equipment fees to consider.
\r\nWhether you use IP or analog phones, you have a choice of two service plans: Ooma Office or Ooma Office Pro. Ooma Office is $19.95 per user per month, while Ooma Office Pro is $24.95 per user per month. Ooma Office Pro is a relatively new offering. We like that it increases the number of features and tools and the likelihood of businesses sticking with the solution as their needs grow. Instead of having to switch providers altogether, you can pay an additional $5 a month per user for that increased functionality.
\r\nOoma Office offers more than 35 features, including a virtual receptionist, music on hold, extension dialing, voicemail and call blocking. Ooma Office Pro adds features like call recording, a desktop app and voicemail transcription.
\r\nIf you have analog phones you want to continue using, you will need a few pieces of equipment. The basic equipment package starts at $129.97. It includes the base station, which is the system's main component, and two Linx devices, which are used to connect analog phones to the system. IP phones can be plugged directly into an Ethernet port and don't need any special connection. Since each base station supports five analog phones, you may need additional base stations, which are $100 each. If you don't have analog phones you need to use, none of this equipment is necessary.
\r\nAnother cost to consider is desk phones. Unlike with other business phone solutions that require IP phones, you can use analog phones with Ooma Office. However, you can add more users to the system if you use IP phones. Ooma offers several different Yealink and Cisco phones, ranging from $70 to $400.
\r\nThere are no contracts with Ooma Office. You make all payments on a month-to-month basis. The company offers a 30-day, risk-free trial.
\r\nWhile it doesn't have the wide selection of features that some other phone systems offer, Ooma Office does have the calling and mobile tools very small businesses need most. Although it sounds nice to have all the accessories today's phone systems offer, most would go unused by very small businesses. Ooma keeps its prices down by only providing the features very small businesses need most.
\r\nOoma Office's features include unlimited local and long-distance calling, a virtual receptionist, voicemail, call transfers, call logs, daytime and after-hours modes, ring groups, music on hold, call forwarding, and online faxing.
\r\nOoma Office Pro offers even more features and tools. For the extra $5 a month per user, you have access to a desktop app, which lets each user check out the company directory, manage calls and set up ring groups. Other features in the upgraded plan include call recording, enhanced call blocking, voicemail transcription and overhead paging. Ooma Office Pro also includes video conferencing services for up to 25 participants at one time.
\r\nOoma has a mobile app for both iOS and Android devices that lets employees make and receive calls using their business lines. When you make an outgoing call from the app, the person you call will see your business phone number on their caller ID, not your personal mobile number. With the mobile app, you can also transfer calls to other employees, listen to and manage your voicemails, and easily access co-workers' extensions.
\r\nEven someone without any phone system expertise can install the Ooma Office on-premises VoIP system in less than 20 minutes. While the system only supports up to 20 analog phones, it can support up to 200 IP phones.
\r\nIf you use IP phones, you can set up the system quickly. All you need to do is plug the phones into your LAN. Once plugged in and powered up, they are ready to make and receive calls.
\r\nIf you use analog phones, you need to set up your base station and Linx devices to get the system working. The base station serves as a full router, prioritizing voice data on your internet connection. This helps ensure solid reception on each call. The other main component is the Linx device. The option to use analog phones you already have, without having to purchase new IP phones, can be a big cost-saver for very small businesses and a nice benefit of this service.
\r\nYou first connect the base station to your high-speed internet connection. You then plug the base station's AC adapter into an electrical outlet. For the best service, Ooma recommends that you have at least 256Kbps upstream and downstream for each simultaneous call during peak usage times. Once the base station is connected, you then plug an analog phone into the unit.
\r\nOnce everything is up and running, you control the system via Ooma's online portal. The portal, which is easy to use and navigate, is where system administrators assign employees extensions and phone numbers, set up the automated attendant, and create ring groups.
\r\nOoma doesn't offer all of the features that some of its competitors do. So, if you are looking for a solution that offers every possible feature and tool, this system might not be a perfect fit.
\r\nAnother potential downside is the conference calling participant restrictions. If you only get the Ooma Office plan, you are limited to 10 callers at a time. The good news is that Ooma has upped those limits with the recent introduction of the Office Pro plan.
\r\nWe were pleased with the customer support we received from Ooma. To test the level of service, we contacted the company numerous times by phone, email and live chat, posing as a microbusiness owner interested in its phone system.
\r\nMost of our interactions with the company were positive. Representatives immediately answered most of our calls. There were a couple of times, however, when our calls weren't immediately answered – or were picked up, but no one was on the other end of the line.
\r\nOverall, the representatives we spoke to gave detailed answers to our questions about how the system works, the available features, the mobile app and pricing. There were a few times the responses didn't provide as much detail as we wanted, though, and we then had to contact Ooma again for further information. Each time we followed up with a representative over email, they immediately responded.
\r\nWe also found the live chat service helpful. With some providers' live chat services, it took a long time for a customer service representative to answer our questions, but we got prompt responses from the Ooma team.
\r\nOoma provides 24/7 phone, email and live chat support.
\r\n\r\n
Nextiva is a cloud-hosted VoIP phone system whose service can be spread throughout multiple offices or stores. This setup is ideal for businesses with multiple locations, because all you need to get the system up and running is to plug the IP phones into an Ethernet port. The system then automatically syncs all of the locations and allows them to be managed from the same online platform.
\r\n\r\nWithin the online portal, administrators can add employees to the system, assign phone numbers and user IDs, record automated greetings, create call queue routes and priorities, and designate which features each employee can access.
\r\n\r\nThis is a unified communications system that provides users with several valuable calling, collaboration and mobile features and tools. Features of this system include unlimited local and long-distance calling, unlimited online faxing, an automated attendant, music on hold, HD call connections, and the option to receive voicemails via email and text messages. There is also conference calling and a softphone that allows users to make calls directly from their computer.
\r\n\r\nNextiva's mobile app, available on iOS and Android devices, allows users to make and receive phone calls on their business lines, make video calls, instant message with co-workers, and update call settings.
\r\n\r\nNextiva's business communication suite is available in three service plans, which vary in prices based on the number of employees using the system and if a long-term contract is signed. Costs range from $20 to $55 per user, per month.
\r\n\r\nNextiva has several fully redundant data centers worldwide and a reported uptime of 99.999%.
","descriptionTest":"","fullTitle":"Best Business Phone System for Multiple Locations ","isFeaturedBestPick":false,"isJumpLink":true,"tabTitle":"Best for Multiple Locations","review":{"displayName":"Nextiva","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/reviews/nextiva/","id":"2bf7e7613afff5ec7e1006a060755069","url":"https://www.nextiva.com/products/voip-phone-system.html","review":{"pros":["Nextiva combines VoIP phone service, a CRM and help desk software into one cloud-hosted platform.","The platform includes an array of calling, productivity, mobility, conferencing and collaboration tools."],"cons":["The Essential plan only includes audio conferencing with up to four participants."],"fullReviewTest":"Nextiva combines a complete unified communications system with a robust built-in CRM, which is why it is our choice as the best business phone system for CRM integration.
\r\nUnlike most business phone systems that allow you to connect your CRM with the phone service, Nextiva takes things to the next level by including a fully functioning CRM in its platform. The company also gives you the option of integrating the phone service with a third-party CRM, so you are covered from all angles.
\r\nThe system is simple to get up and running, and the online portal is easy to navigate. The phone system is extremely reliable, offers several service plans and includes excellent customer support. Nextiva also has a wealth of valuable calling, collaboration, and mobile features and tools.
\r\nNextiva has three service plans for both its business phone and CRM services. You can bundle the two together, or if you only want its business phone service or its CRM, you can purchase them individually. Each plan's price varies depending on the number of employees using the system and whether you sign a 12-, 24- or 36-month contract.
\r\nThe phone service, on its own, ranges from $20 to $45 per user, per month. The cost of only the CRM ranges from $15 to $45 per user. However, you do save money when bundling the two. The representatives we spoke to said for a business with 20 employees that wants the two services packaged together, one can expect to pay about $55 per user, per month, or about $40 per user, per month when signing a long-term contract.
\r\nIf you need desk phones, Nextiva offers a wide selection. Their desk and conference phones range from $70 to $625. Phone rentals are an option too.
\r\nNextiva's phone service offers just about every calling, collaboration, and mobile feature and tool a small business needs in a phone system. All of the service plans include unlimited local and long-distance calling, unlimited online faxing, a multilevel automated attendant, customizable music on hold, HD video and voice, and the option to receive voicemails via email and text messages.
\r\nUpgraded plans offer team messaging, private group messaging, screen sharing, SMS service, voice analytics and unlimited video calling.
\r\nOne standout feature that isn't offered by many business phone systems is the caller AI tool. This uses artificial intelligence to provide users with instant information on the person whom they are speaking with. This includes information on the customer's journey, their value and what their experience score is.
\r\nNextiva's mobile app, available on iOS and Android devices, lets employees make and receive phone calls on their business lines, make video calls, chat via instant message with co-workers, access the company directory, and update and modify call settings. In addition, you can start calls on a desk phone and move them to a mobile phone, and vice versa.
\r\nNextiva has conference calling built into its phone system. With the conference bridge feature, which is included at no extra charge, each employee can hold their own conference call. The number of participants on each call depends on the service plan you use. The Basic plan only supports four callers, while the Professional plan lets you have 40, and an unlimited number of callers can attend with the Enterprise plan.
\r\nThe CRM solution offers its own set of valuable sales and service features and tools. The system allows you to store an unlimited number of accounts and contacts. You are also able to see a single unified view of each customer and their overall experience.
\r\nOther CRM features include contact management tools, workflow automation, email case routing, account alerts, sales and service reports, and custom reports.
\r\nWhen looking at the specific sales CRM features, there are customizable Kanban sales pipelines, leads and pipeline management, product catalogs, time triggers on pipeline stages, canned responses and custom sales views.
\r\nWhen you combine all of what Nextiva offers in terms of both its phone service and CRM, you will be hard-pressed to find a unified communication system that provides you with more in one platform.
\r\nThe Nextiva Business Communication Suite is a cloud-hosted VoIP phone system that doesn't require any equipment or hardware. All it needs is a high-speed internet connection and IP phones. Since this is a cloud-hosted system, you don't need an IT team to install or maintain it; Nextiva handles all maintenance and upgrades.
\r\nThe entire system is run and configured through Nextiva's online portal. This portal lets you add employees to the system, assign phone numbers and user IDs, record automated greetings, create call-queue routes and priorities, and designate which features each employee can access.
\r\nEmployees can also access the system online. They can log in to set their preferences, change settings, conduct video conferences with screen sharing, and chat with co-workers.
\r\nIf you are an established business and want to keep your current phone numbers, you have that option with Nextiva. For an extra fee, you can transfer local or toll-free numbers over to Nextiva after you sign up for the service. This process typically takes two to four weeks.
\r\nNextiva is an extremely reliable phone service. The company has a reported uptime of 99.999%. It has several fully redundant data centers worldwide to ensure customers never lose service.
\r\nOne potential downside to Nextiva is that if you are using the Basic plan, you can only host conference calls with up to four participants. If you plan on holding calls with more participants, you will need to either upgrade to the Professional plan or spend money on a dedicated conference call service.
\r\nWe were also a little disappointed with the live chat service we received. We tested it on multiple occasions, asking the same set of questions each time. While the agents are some of the most responsive we have ever encountered on live chat, we often got different answers to our questions. We would have felt more comfortable knowing that all of their agents are on the same page.
\r\nDespite the lack of consistency we had with the live chat service, overall, we were impressed with the customer support Nextiva provides. To determine the level of service a typical customer would receive, we contacted the company multiple times by phone, email and live chat, posing as a new business owner interested in phone systems.
\r\nDuring our phone interactions, the Nextiva representatives could not have given us a clearer understanding of what the company offers. They spent as much time as we needed explaining how the system works, its features, uptime stats and pricing. In some instances, representatives took the time to demonstrate the different features. For example, one rep toggled back and forth between a regular connection and an HD connection to show us how much clearer the sound was, and put us on hold so we could hear the on-hold music and announcements.
\r\nWe especially liked that the representatives didn't pressure us to make a quick decision on purchasing the service. They were always respectful of our needs and timelines. We didn't always receive that level of respect from other services we investigated.
\r\nAfter some of our calls, we followed up by email to see the type of response we'd get. Each time, a rep promptly responded with detailed answers to our questions and an offer for another call if we needed additional information.
\r\nThe entire support team is U.S.-based and available by phone, email and live chat. In addition, the Nextiva website is filled with helpful support materials.
","fullReview":"Nextiva is our choice as the best business phone system for businesses with multiple locations. Nextiva is a cloud-based VoIP system that can be spread across several offices and stores yet still be managed from one central platform.
\r\nView all our recommendations for business phone systems on our best picks page.
\r\nBusinesses with more than one location need a system that can support all of their sites. Rather than piecing your phone service together with a different system or provider for each store or office, you need a solution that connects systems in multiple places and can be controlled from one central location. Nextiva fits that bill.
\r\nThe system is simple to get up and running, and the online portal is easy to navigate. The phone system is extremely reliable, offers several service plans and includes top-notch customer support. Nextiva also has a wealth of valuable calling, collaboration, and mobile features and tools. All of Nextiva's service plans have integrated CRM features that allow you greater insight into the customers you speak with.
\r\nNextiva's business communication suite is available in three service plans – Basic, Pro and Enterprise – that differ in price and features. Each plan's price varies by the number of employees using the system and whether you sign a 12-, 24- or 36-month contract. Monthly per-user prices range from $20 to $55.
\r\nNextiva doesn't require businesses to sign long-term contracts. You can sign up for month-to-month service and cancel at any time, but prices drop when you agree to a contract. There are no setup fees or hidden charges.
\r\nEach of the three service plans includes unlimited calling, free local and toll-free numbers, online faxing, music on hold, and an auto attendant. Here's how the plans differ.
\r\nIn addition to the calling features, this plan includes a number of CRM features, such as call pops, contact management tools, call logs, sales pipeline management, workflow automation, email case routing, account alerts, standard reports and a customer database. These are the costs for this plan:
\r\nThe Pro plan includes everything in the Basic plan, plus text messaging, mobile app access, professionally recorded greetings and conference calling. Added CRM features include custom reports, the ability to create surveys, and data on usage and team performance. These are the costs for this plan:
\r\nThis plan includes everything in the Pro plan, plus call recording, voicemail-to-text, voice analytics, live chat, survey scheduling and custom dashboards. These are the costs for this plan:
\r\nIn addition to the preset plans, Nextiva allows you to purchase features and tools on an a la carte basis.
\r\nNextiva offers a wide selection of desk and conference phones that range from $70 to $625. Phone rentals are also an option.
\r\nThe Nextiva Business Communication Suite is a cloud-hosted VoIP phone system that doesn't require any equipment or hardware. All it needs is a high-speed internet connection and IP phones. Since this is a cloud-hosted system, you don't need an IT team to install or maintain it; Nextiva handles all maintenance and upgrades.
\r\nThe entire system is run and configured through Nextiva's online portal. This portal lets you add employees to the system, assign phone numbers and user IDs, record automated greetings, create call-queue routes and priorities, and designate which features each employee can access.
\r\nEmployees can also access the system online. They can log in to set their preferences, change settings, conduct video conferences with screen sharing and chat with co-workers.
\r\nIf you are an established business and want to keep your current phone numbers, you have that option with Nextiva. For an extra fee, you can transfer local or toll-free numbers over to Nextiva after you sign up for the service. This process typically takes two to four weeks.
\r\nNextiva is an extremely reliable phone service. The company has a reported uptime of 99.999%. It has several fully redundant data centers worldwide to ensure customers never lose service.
\r\nNextiva Office offers just about every calling, collaboration, and mobile feature and tool a small business needs in a phone system. Calling features include unlimited local and long-distance calling, unlimited online faxing, an automated attendant, music on hold, HD call connections, and the option to receive voicemails via email and text messages.
\r\nBusinesses with multiple locations will appreciate the shared call appearance. This feature allows you to assign the same line to several phones. Employees can make and receive calls on their own lines from more than one location.
\r\nThe Nextiva Anywhere feature is a valuable tool for staff members who often work outside the office. They can have calls to their business lines ring not only their desktop phones but any other phones of their choosing, such as their mobile or home phones.
\r\nNextiva's mobile app, available on iOS and Android devices, lets employees make and receive phone calls on their business lines, make video calls, chat via instant message with co-workers, access the company directory, and update and modify call settings. In addition, you can start calls on a desk phone and move them to a mobile phone, and vice versa.
\r\nAnother nice feature is the softphone. This allows you to make and receive calls from your desktop computer or laptop. To use this tool, all you have to do is plug headphones into your computer or use the microphone and speakers to make and receive calls.
\r\nNextiva has conference calling built into its phone system. With the conference bridge feature, which is included at no extra charge, each employee can hold their own conference call with up to nine callers.
\r\nIf your company is looking to host conference calls with more people than this, you will need to use a conference calling service. These services allow for hundreds, sometimes thousands, of people on each call. You can find more information on these services on our conference call services best picks page.
\r\nWe were impressed with the customer service from Nextiva. To determine the level of support a typical customer would receive, we contacted the company multiple times by phone, email and live chat, posing as a new business owner interested in phone systems.
\r\nDuring our interactions, the Nextiva representatives could not have given us a clearer understanding of what the company offers. They spent as much time as we needed explaining how the system works and its features, uptime stats, and pricing. In some instances, representatives took the time to demonstrate the different features. For example, one rep toggled back and forth between a regular connection and an HD connection to show us how much clearer the sound was, and put us on hold so we could hear the on-hold music and announcements.
\r\nWe especially liked that the representatives didn't pressure us to make a quick decision on purchasing the service. They were always respectful of our needs and timelines. We didn't always receive that level of respect from other services we investigated.
\r\nAfter some of our calls, we followed up by email to see the type of response we'd get. Each time, a rep promptly responded with detailed answers to our questions and an offer for another call if we needed additional information.
\r\nWe also tested the live chat on several occasions, and it was just as helpful. When we had quick questions, they were answered within seconds. Many of the other providers we considered don't offer this support option, or weren't nearly as responsive with it as Nextiva was.
\r\nThe entire support team is U.S.-based and available by phone, email and live chat. In addition, the Nextiva website is filled with helpful support materials.
\r\nNextiva is an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating. As of November 2019, there had been 94 closed complaints against the company.
\r\nEditor's note: Looking for the right business phone system for your company? Fill out the below questionnaire to have our vendor partners contact you about your needs.
\r\n"},"pricing":{"isCapped":false,"isFeatured":false,"primary":true,"selected":"affiliate","widgetId":null,"widget":null,"affiliate":{"cta":"Visit Site","link":"https://businesscom.go2cloud.org/aff_c?offer_id=87&aff_id=1000&source=business-phone-systems&aff_sub3=deal|Ooma&aff_sub4=revenue|QT&url_id=1","name":"HasOffers/Tune"}},"thumbnail":{"path":"https://staging.business.com/images/rz/5de969cc5a215ec0708b456b/nextiva.png"}}},{"bullets":["More than 80 features and tools","Phone, email and live chat support","No PBX equipment to install"],"description":"GoToConnect powered by Jive is one of the best VoIP business phone systems because of its array of included features and tools. The unified communications system combines Jive's phone service with GoToMeeting's video conferencing solution.
\r\n\r\nJive's cloud-based VoIP system, which has 11 servers to ensure top-notch reliability, has an impressive set of more than 80 features and tools. Some of the more valuable ones are auto attendants, call recording, three-way conference calling, custom on-hold music, voicemail and voicemail-to-email.
\r\n\r\nGoToMeeting is an online web conferencing service that includes screen sharing, call me and cloud recording. GoToMeeting is our choice as the best video conferencing service for small businesses.
\r\n\r\nThe system integrates with many popular programs organizations may already use, such as Outlook, Salesforce and Oracle. GoToConnect provides businesses with a wealth of analytical data about their calls, including call logs, geography-based heat maps, time-of-day histograms and user statistics.
\r\n\r\nAvailable for iOS and Android devices, GoToConnect's mobile app allows users to make and receive calls from their business line, conduct conference calls, send and receive text messages, and review call histories.
\r\n\r\nGoToConnect's pricing is tier-based. The more employees you have, the cheaper the per-user costs are. Costs range from $20 to $30 per user, per month. What's nice about this system is that there is only one service plan, so all users have access to every feature.
\r\n\r\n\r\nCustomer support is available by phone, email and live chat 24/7.December 2020: 8x8 recently updated its pricing; the price increases affect both the X2 and X4 month-to-month and annual plans. The cost of the Express plan remains unchanged at $12 per user, per month. The X2 plan now costs $32 per user, per month when paying monthly and $24 per user, per month when paying annually. The X4 plan now costs $57 per user, per month when paying monthly and $44 per user, per month when paying annually.
\r\n","descriptionTest":"","fullTitle":"Best Business Phone System for Features and Tools","isFeaturedBestPick":false,"isJumpLink":true,"tabTitle":"Best Features and Tools","review":{"displayName":"GoToConnect","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/reviews/gotoconnect/","id":"9424bc06c460855c6b95ce23da03444b","url":"https://www.goto.com/connect","review":{"pros":["No multiple service plans with different included features.","All GoToConnect users have access to all of the features and tools offered. The entire system can be controlled from an online portal that is accessible from any internet-connected device."],"cons":["If you require robust contact center services, you need to work with InConnect, one of GoToConnect's partners."],"fullReviewTest":"GoToConnect is our choice as the best business phone system for features and tools because of all that it has to offer for an affordable price. GoToConnect is a complete unified communications system that combines business phone service with audio and video conferencing services.
\r\nOut of the more than 70 business phone systems we investigated, few had as many features and tools as GoToConnect did. It has every key feature businesses are looking for in a unified communication system, including attendants, call recording, voicemail transcription, call queuing and conference calling. Additionally, it integrates well with existing CRM systems and offers contact center services.
\r\nOne appealing aspect of GoToConnect is that unlike the majority of business phone systems on the market today that have different service plans based on the number of features included, GoToConnect offers all users access to nearly all of its tools. Pricing varies based on the number of employees you have. The more users you have, the less you pay per person.
\r\nGoToConnect has five pricing tiers that range from $20 to $30 per user, per month. The pricing tiers are as follows:
\r\nCustom pricing is available for businesses with more than 100 employees.
\r\nGoToConnect offers users a wide selection of desk and conference phone options. Desk phone prices range between $75 and $800 per phone. It doesn't require businesses to sign contracts or pay annually; however, companies that do are eligible for better deals on service or phones.
\r\nWhat really makes GoToConnect stand out is its breadth of features. The system provides users with more than 80 features and tools. There are 45 basic VoIP features, such as auto attendants, barge, call monitoring, call recording, three-way conferencing, custom hold music, custom greetings, dial by name or extension, paging, ring groups, voicemail, voicemail-to-email and virtual fax. The system includes custom schedules that allow administrators to set time-based call routing. This feature can be used to route calls during open and closed business hours, for example.
\r\nOne valuable feature for businesses where employees share workspace is the hot-desking tool. This lets more than one employee use the same phone.
\r\nCall-management features include call history, call park, auto reject, auto divert, call queues, call routing, call waiting, call transfers, caller ID, do not disturb and Find Me/Follow Me.
\r\nA nice aspect of GoToConnect is that all users receive some contact center services at no extra cost. This includes advanced ring strategies; custom queue hold messages and music; precall announcements; report caller hold time; queue call barge; recording, spy, and whisper; and wait-time announcements. These types of features aren't free with most of the other business phone systems we evaluated.
\r\nHowever, one downside is that if you need more extensive contact center tools, like skills-based routing, automatic call back and agent scripting, you will need to work with one of its partners, InContact.
\r\nWhat really makes GoToConnect a solid choice is that it includes access to GoToMeeting, which is our choice as the best video conferencing service for smaller businesses. You can host video meetings with up to 250 participants, 25 of which can have their webcams on at the same time. Features include dial-in options, recording, drawing tools, and keyboard and mouse sharing. Read our review of GoToMeeting.
\r\nWith GoToConnect's mobile app, available for iOS and Android devices, users can make and receive calls from their business line, conduct conference calls, send and receive text messages, view call histories, and choose ringtones.
\r\nGoToConnect integrates with many third-party business applications like Salesforce, Zoho, Redtail CRM, Chrome, Slack and Outlook.
\r\nSince GoToConnect is a cloud-hosted VoIP phone system, there is no PBX equipment to install. The system runs on the same internet connection you use to get online – you don't need a trained IT staff to keep it running smoothly. Because it is a cloud-hosted system, GoToConnect handles the maintenance and upgrades. If you buy your phones from GoToConnect, they come preconfigured and are ready to use as soon as you plug them in.
\r\nThe entire system is controlled via an online portal. From the portal, which you can access any internet-connected device, administrators can configure new phones, add or delete users, manage extensions, change on-hold music, set auto-attendant greetings, and update call filter settings.
\r\nEmployees can log in to change their call forwarding, voicemail and online fax settings. They can use a softphone to make and receive calls from their computer, instant message with co-workers, and start video meetings.
\r\nGoToConnect is extremely reliable. The system has a 99.999% uptime service level agreement, which guarantees the system is never down for more than a handful of minutes each year.
\r\nWhile GoToConnect has a conference calling service built into its system, it only allows for conferences with up to 10 callers at a time. That caller limit is smaller than a number of the other business phone systems we considered.
\r\nDepending on your needs, you may be forced to use an additional conferencing calling service. These services allow for hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of callers on each call. You can find more information on these services on our conference call services best pick page.
\r\nWe were pleased with GoToConnect's customer service. We contacted the company multiple times by phone, email and live chat, posing as a business owner interested in a phone system.
\r\nEach time we contacted the company, we were greeted by helpful representatives who provided us detailed answers to our questions. They helped us better understand the system's platform, how it worked, the available features, the pricing structure and the mobile app. By the end of our calls, we always had a clear understanding of GoToConnect and all it had to offer.
\r\nCustomer support is available by phone, email and live chat 24/7. In addition, the company's website offers helpful information, including data sheets, user guides, FAQs and videos.
","fullReview":"Offering a complete unified communications system that combines Jive's business phone service with GoToMeeting's audio and video conferencing services, GoToConnect is our choice as the best business phone system for features and tools.
\r\nThe system has every feature a business is looking for in a unified communication system, including attendants, call recording, voicemail transcription, call queuing and conference calling. The service efficiently supports both voice and video calls, integrates well with existing CRM systems, and offers contact center services. Further, the service is reliable and works well for both small and large businesses.
\r\nView all our recommendations for business phone systems on our best picks page.
\r\nUnlike other phone systems that have different service plans based on the number of features included, GoToConnect powered by Jive offers all users access to nearly all of its tools. Pricing varies based on how many employees you have. The more users you have, the less you pay per person.
\r\nGoToConnect has five pricing tiers that range from $20 to $30 per user, per month. The pricing tiers are as follows:
\r\nCustom pricing is available for businesses with more than 100 employees.
\r\nGoToConnect offers users a wide selection of desk and conference phone options. Desk phone prices range between $75 and $800 per phone. It doesn't require businesses to sign contracts or pay annually; however, companies that do are eligible for better deals on service or phones.
\r\nSince GoToConnect is a cloud-hosted VoIP phone system, there is no PBX equipment to install. The system runs on the exact same internet connection as you use to get online. With that in mind, GoToConnect recommends having a business class router; an Ethernet switch capable of Quality of Service; and a firewall that allows you to access HTTP, HTTPS, and UDP traffic on your network. It is also critical to have the necessary bandwidth to handle your company's call volume. Each call requires 100 Kbps of internet bandwidth.
\r\nWith this system, you don't need a trained IT staff to keep it running smoothly. Since it is a cloud-hosted system, GoToConnect handles the maintenance and upgrades. If you buy your phones from GoToConnect, they come preconfigured and are ready to use as soon as you plug them in. If you buy your phones from another provider, you will need to work with the support team to properly configure the phones.
\r\nYou can choose local or toll-free numbers. For local numbers, you can select options from more than 200 area codes nationwide. If you are an established business wanting to keep the number you currently have, you can port your number over from your current provider.
\r\nThe entire system is controlled via an online portal, which can be accessed from any internet-connected device. From the portal, administrators can configure new phones, add or delete users, manage extensions, change on-hold music, set auto-attendant greetings, and update call filter settings.
\r\nEmployees can change their call forwarding, voicemail and online fax settings. They can use a softphone to make and receive calls from their computer, instant message with co-workers and start video meetings.
\r\nGoToConnect is extremely reliable. The system has a 99.999% uptime service level agreement, which guarantees the system will never be down for more than a handful of minutes each year. To help keep the system up and running, GoToConnect has 11 data centers worldwide, including seven in the U.S.
\r\nGoToConnect provides all users with unlimited calling in the U.S. and Canada. (The company says there are some locations in Alaska and Hawaii callers might be charged extra for.)
\r\nThe Jive phone system has more than 80 features. There are 45 basic VoIP features, such as auto attendants, barge, call monitoring, call recording, three-way conferencing, custom hold music, custom greetings, dial by name or extension, paging, ring groups, voicemail, voicemail-to-email and virtual fax. The system includes custom schedules that allow administrators to set time-based call routing. This feature can be used to route calls during open and closed business hours, for example.
\r\nOne valuable feature for businesses where employees share workspace is the hot-desking tool. This lets more than one employee use the same phone.
\r\nCall-management features include call history, call park, auto reject, auto divert, call queues, call routing, call waiting, call transfers, caller ID, do not disturb and Find Me/Follow Me.
\r\nA nice aspect of GoToConnect is that all users receive some contact center services at no extra cost. This includes advanced ring strategies; custom queue hold messages and music; precall announcements; report caller hold time; queue call barge; recording, spy, and whisper; and wait-time announcements.
\r\nHowever, one downside is that if you need more extensive contact center tools, like skills-based routing, automatic call back and agent scripting, you will need to work with one of Jive's partners, InContact.
\r\nWhat really makes GoToConnect a solid choice is that it includes access to GoToMeeting, which is our choice as the best video conferencing service for small businesses. You can host video meetings with up to 250 participants, 25 of which can have their webcams on at the same time. Features include dial-in options, recording, drawing tools, and keyboard and mouse sharing. You can read our full review here.
\r\nWith GoToConnect's mobile app, available for iOS and Android devices, users can make and receive calls from their business line, conduct conference calls, send and receive text messages, view call histories, and choose ringtones.
\r\nGoToConnect integrates with many third-party business applications like Salesforce, Zoho, Redtail CRM, Chrome, Slack and Outlook.
\r\nGoToConnect has a conference calling service built into its system. With the conference bridge feature, each employee can hold their own conference call with up to 10 callers.
\r\nIf you host conference calls with more than 10 callers, you'll need to use a conference calling service. These services allow for hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of callers on each call. You can find more information on these services on our conference call services best pick page.
\r\nWe were pleased with GoToConnect's customer service. We contacted the company multiple times by phone, email and live chat posing as a business owner interested in a phone system.
\r\nEach time we contacted the company, we were greeted by helpful representatives who provided us detailed answers to our questions. They helped us better understand the system's platform, how it worked, the available features, the pricing structure and the mobile app. By the end of our calls, we always had a clear understanding of Jive and all it had to offer.
\r\nRepresentatives always followed up by email to ensure we didn't have any follow-up questions and provided us with a detailed price quote. Any time we responded to their emails asking a question, we received a prompt response.
\r\nCustomer support is available by phone, email and live chat 24/7. In addition, the company's website offers helpful information, including data sheets, user guides, FAQs and videos.
\r\nEditor's note: Looking for the right business phone system for your company? Fill out the below questionnaire to have our vendor partners contact you about your needs.
"},"pricing":{"isCapped":false,"isFeatured":false,"primary":true,"selected":"widget","widgetId":"10144","widget":{"id":"10144","cta":"Compare Quotes","isExclusive":false},"affiliate":{"cta":"Visit Site","link":"https://www.goto.com/connect","name":""}},"thumbnail":{"path":"https://staging.business.com/images/rz/5dd727307b4374801e8b456e/gotoconnect.png"}}},{"bullets":["Easy to manage","Incorporates voice intelligence","14-day free trial"],"description":"Dialpad Talk is a robust business phone system that provides organizations with a mobile, flexible and secure communication solution. The system provides native voice intelligence features such as real-time transcriptions and post-call summaries with called-out action items. To help boost productivity, Dialpad Talk also offers integrations with a number of other business cloud applications, including G Suite, Salesforce and Zendesk. Built on the Google Cloud Platform, Dialpad Talk is used bymore than 70,000 businesses around the world.","descriptionTest":"","fullTitle":"Best Business Phone System for Voice Intelligence","isFeaturedBestPick":false,"isJumpLink":false,"tabTitle":"Best for Voice Intelligence","review":{"displayName":"Dialpad","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/reviews/dialpad/","id":"50f7fc4be03b29c3a3f182d07b3103a9","url":"https://dialpad.com/pricing","review":{"pros":null,"cons":null,"fullReviewTest":"","fullReview":"Dialpad is a cloud-hosted unified communications system designed with computers and mobile devices in mind. While it can work with a desk phone, the Dialpad system – which offers voice calling, video conferencing and text messaging – can also be used without them. Your employees can access all the functions of a traditional phone system using desktop and mobile apps, giving them full access to everything the system has to offer wherever they are. Additionally, Dialpad incorporates artificial intelligence to provide most call notes and real-time advice for sales representatives.
View all our recommendations for business phone systems on our best picks page.
\r\nDialpad Talk is available in three service plans that vary in price and included features. All plans include unlimited calling in the U.S. and Canada; unlimited text messaging; call controls like transfer, hold and mute; voicemail transcription; multilevel auto-attendants, softphones; and integrations with G Suite and Office 365.
\r\nHere's how the plans differ:
\r\nIf you need toll-free numbers, they start at $7 per month, plus 2 cents per minute. Dialpad offers all users a two-week free trial.
\r\nSince it is built around the concept that you don't need a desk phone, Dialpad's standout features are its mobile app and desktop app. Both apps give you full access to the phone system and all its functions.
\r\nThe mobile and desktop apps work seamlessly with each other. From each of the apps, employees have full control over their phone systems. These apps eliminate the need for a traditional desktop phone. From the apps, you can make and answer voice calls, have video chats, view contact lists and your company directory, switch live calls between devices, transfer calls to colleagues, conduct three-way calls, send and receive text and group messages, message co-workers, and see which co-workers are available for calls and which ones are busy or out of the office.
\r\nOther calling features Dialpad offers are visual voicemail, the ability to instantly respond to calls by text message, a \"do not disturb\" setting that automatically sends callers to your voicemail, call recording, call screening, call waiting, and the option to have all of your devices ring simultaneously when a call comes through.
\r\nAdministrative features include virtual attendants and interactive voice response (IVR), call logging, customer greetings and music, call operators, custom abbreviated dialing, single sign-on, dial by name, and customer call routing.
\r\nThe phone system has an executive assistant feature that allows you to assign incoming calls to another employee. Your colleague can then answer the call and take a message or send the call back to you if it is important.
\r\nDialpad has multiple built-in integrations that allow you to access various documents, emails and contacts without ever leaving the Dialpad app. The system integrates with Google's G Suite, Office 365, Salesforce, HubSpot, Slack, Zapier, Zendesk, Azure, OneLogin and ServiceNow.
\r\nDialpad also gives its customers access to UberConference, which provides audio conference calls, web conferencing and screen sharing. Among the features in UberConference are document sharing, call recording, custom hold music, the ability to dial out to add callers, analytics and call summaries.
\r\nDialpad Talk is a cloud-hosted VoIP business phone system. There is no PBX equipment to install or maintain. All you need is a high-speed internet connection. To ensure the best call quality, Dialpad recommends a high-speed DSL, cable or fiber optic connection with dedicated upload and download bandwidth of 100Kbps for each line you plan to run. Since it's a cloud-hosted system, Dialpad handles all maintenance and upgrades.
\r\nYou can control your entire phone system through the online management portal. Within the portal, you can add and remove users and permissions, add extensions, enable and disable various officewide call settings, assign business hours, manage your integrations, view analytics, set security preferences, and review billing information.
\r\nYour employees can tap into their business phone lines from their mobile or desktop Dialpad app. The desktop app has a built-in softphone so employees can make and receive calls. The system supports some desktop phones, but they must be SIP-capable to connect to the system.
\r\nIn addition to making and receiving voice and video calls, users can tap into their apps to change their individual call settings, set up their integrations and review their own analytics.
\r\nA real standout of Dialpad is its use of artificial intelligence. The VoiceAI technology processes the calls your team is having in real time. With the data it collects, it provides instant call transcriptions. If you use the phrase \"action item\" during a call, the system automatically notes what that action item is and sends it to you in a call summary.
\r\nVoice intelligence is also built into the system. Dialpad analyzes calls as they happen and gives sales reps real-time tips on what to say to potential customers.
\r\nIf you need to host audio or web conferences with more than 10 people, you will have to pay for an upgraded UberConference account. The UberConference Pro plan, which allows 100 participants in a conference, is $15 a month per user when you pay annually, or $20 a month per user when you pay month to month. You can read more about UberConference in our conference call service reviews.
\r\nAnother potential downside is that you don't have access to phone support on the Standard plan. If you have this plan, you can only ask questions online and by live chat. You also only have access to the support team five days a week. Both the Pro and Enterprise plans have 24/7 support and allow you to contact the company by phone.
\r\nWe were happy with the customer service Dialpad provided us. To test the level of support, we contacted the company multiple times by phone and email, posing as a business owner interested in a phone system.
\r\nEach time we reached out to the company, our calls were immediately answered. We never had to wait on hold for long to talk to a representative. Each representative we spoke with was extremely helpful. They took the time to answer our questions in detail. By the end of our calls, we clearly understood how the system works and everything it has to offer.
\r\nWe appreciated that Dialpad's representatives did not pressure us once to sign up for the service. They were all patient and understanding when we said we wouldn't be deciding on their service at that moment. Each representative we spoke to followed up by email with an offer to answer any additional questions we had in the future. Each time we sent a follow-up message, our questions were quickly answered.
\r\nPhone support is only available to Pro and Enterprise plan users. Other users can only reach the support team online. In addition to live support, Dialpad's website has several valuable resources, including user guides, FAQs and videos.
\r\nDialpad is not an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau, but it has a respectable B+ rating on the site.
\r\nEditor's note: Looking for the right business phone system for your company? Fill out the below questionnaire to have our vendor partners contact you about your needs.
"},"pricing":{"isCapped":false,"isFeatured":true,"primary":true,"selected":"affiliate-widget","widgetId":"10144","widget":{"id":"10144","cta":"Compare Quotes","isExclusive":false},"affiliate":{"cta":"Visit Site","link":"https://businesscom.go2cloud.org/aff_c?offer_id=97&aff_id=1000&source=business-phone-systems&aff_sub3=deal|Dialpad&aff_sub4=revenue|QT&url_id=1","name":"QT Program"}},"thumbnail":{"path":"https://staging.business.com/images/rz/60aeacdb54d26d970a8b4567/dialpad-logo.png"}}},{"bullets":["Works with mobile and home phones","Three service plans","Unlimited talking minutes"],"description":"Grasshopper is a virtual phone system that doesn't require any special equipment or phones, making it ideal for a remote workforce. Grasshopper offers a sophisticated call-forwarding service that works in conjunction with mobile and home phones.
\r\n\r\nWith this system, customers who call a business are automatically routed to an employee's mobile or home phone, instead of a desk phone. When a customer calls, the system's automated attendant answers the call and then forwards it to the employee or department they are trying to reach. Employees designate the phone numbers they want their calls forwarded to, which could be a mobile device, home phone or any other phone of the employee's choosing. Employees can also decide the order in which those numbers are rung. Numbers can be rung in sequential order or simultaneously.
\r\n\r\nEmployees can use the Grasshopper mobile app on iOS and Android devices to make and receive calls from their business number, check voicemail messages, see their faxes and call history, set up push notifications for missed calls and messages, and change call-forwarding options. Each user can host conference calls with up to 10 participants at a time.
\r\n\r\nEach of Grasshopper's three service plans includes unlimited minutes and a 30-day, money-back guarantee. The three service plans differ in price and included phone numbers and extensions. Prices range between $29 and $89 per month. There is a 10% discount if you pay annually.
\r\n\r\nCustomer support is available by phone 24/7.
","descriptionTest":"","fullTitle":"Best Virtual Business Phone System","isFeaturedBestPick":false,"isJumpLink":true,"tabTitle":"Best for Virtual","review":{"displayName":"Grasshopper","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/reviews/grasshopper/","id":"155883ca66058b541b361d69adcf1106","url":"https://grasshopper.com/","review":{"pros":["With Grasshopper, you don't need any equipment or desk phones.","All calls are forwarded to your mobile or home phone. You determine which phones you want calls forwarded to and the order in which they are rung."],"cons":["Grasshopper doesn't have a traditional phone system. If you need one at some point, you'll need to change providers."],"fullReviewTest":"Grasshopper is our choice for the best virtual phone system because it gives businesses the ability to present a professional image at all times without investing in a traditional in-office phone system. Grasshopper is the market leader in virtual phone systems because of its affordable pricing plans that include unlimited minutes, its ease of use for both administrators and employees, and its extensive call routing system in which employees can direct their calls to any phone in any order at any time.
\r\nGrasshopper is available in three service plans, all of which include unlimited minutes and all of the available features. The plans differ in the number of phone numbers and extensions they include.
\r\nHere's a rundown on each plan:
\r\nThere are no contracts with Grasshopper, and the company offers a 30-day, money-back guarantee.
\r\nGrasshopper offers professionally recorded greetings for your automated attendant. You can get a professional recording of up to 250 words for $75.
\r\nWhat makes Grasshopper stand out as the best virtual phone system is that it includes a number of features that give remote employees the tools many traditional in-office phone systems provide. Some of the more valuable features are automated attendants, hold music, a name directory, call screening, voicemail-to-email, voicemail transcription, text messaging and online faxing.
\r\nWith the Grasshopper mobile app, available on iOS and Android devices, employees can make and receive calls from their business lines, check voicemail messages, see their faxes and call history, set up push notifications for missed calls and messages, and change call-forwarding options. Additionally, iOS app users can sign faxes and PDF email attachments using their finger.
\r\nGrasshopper also has a desktop app that features a softphone. With the softphone, you can make and receive business calls and text messages from your business line.
\r\nSince this is a virtual service, absolutely no equipment or desk phones are needed to use the system. Instead of connecting with desk phones like most traditional phone systems do, Grasshopper's virtual service works in conjunction with mobile and home phones.
\r\nWhen a customer or client calls, the system's automated attendant answers the call and then forwards it to the appropriate employee or department. With this service, employees designate the phone numbers they want their calls forwarded to. This could be a mobile device, a home phone or any other phone of their choosing.
\r\nEmployees have total control over how calls are routed to them. They choose the numbers – up to 15 – they want their calls sent to, in which order those numbers should be rung, how many rings should occur before switching to the next, and when they want calls forwarded to them. For example, they can choose to receive calls 24/7, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays or only on the weekends.
\r\nWhen employees get calls, they have several options as to how they want to handle them: They can answer the call, send the caller to voicemail, or hear the caller's phone number or name to decide if it is someone they want to speak with right away.
\r\nBesides each employee having their own extension, employers can create department extensions, such as for sales or customer service. Employers then group workers into the proper department and set those employees' numbers to ring when someone contacts their department.
\r\nThe entire system is controlled through an online portal. Each user can access the portal to set the call-forwarding tree. They can designate the numbers they want calls forwarded to and the order in which they will ring.
\r\nGrasshopper doesn't offer a traditional phone system. So, if your business outgrows this service, you will have to look for a new provider. Some phone system providers offer both types of service, which makes switching from a virtual system to a traditional system a smooth and easy process.
\r\nIn addition, you should know that Grasshopper doesn't offer all of the features you would find in a traditional VoIP cloud-hosted phone system, such as call recording or integrations with programs like Microsoft Office.
\r\nAnother potential negative is that while Grasshopper allows for conference calling, it limits the number of participants in those meetings to 10. If you plans to host calls with more than 10 participants, you will need to use a conference calling service. These services allow hundreds, sometimes thousands of people on each call.
\r\nWe were pleased with the customer service Grasshopper provided. To test the quality of support, we contacted Grasshopper multiple times, posing as a business owner interested in a virtual phone system.
\r\nEach time we reached out, a helpful representative immediately answered our call. They always took as much time as needed to answer our questions and never tried to rush us off the phone. There were times when we felt they could have provided more thorough answers to our questions, but by the end of each call, we had a good understanding of how the system works, the features it offers and the pricing options.
\r\nThe Grasshopper support team is available by phone 24/7. In addition, you can request help via online form. On Grasshopper's website, there is a comprehensive user guide that walks you through each aspect of the system.
\r\nGrasshopper is our choice for the best virtual phone system because it gives businesses the ability to present a professional image at all times without investing in a traditional in-office phone system.
\r\nView all our recommendations for business phone systems on our best picks page.
\r\nBusinesses wanting a virtual phone system don't have the same the requirements as organizations searching for a more traditional solution. With a virtual system, you don't have to worry about the phones it can connect with or how it will be hosted. Those searching for virtual phone systems are looking for a service that lets them look professional to callers for a low cost. They aren't looking for some high-priced solution that has every phone system feature imaginable. Mostly, they want a system to keep them and their remote workers connected under one umbrella.
\r\nGrasshopper serves this purpose well. The service works with mobile and home phones, offers many important features, and includes unlimited minutes. The system, which is easy to set up, is available in three different service plans that vary in price, phone numbers and extensions.
\r\nGrasshopper is available in three service plans, all of which include unlimited minutes and all of the available features. The plans differ in the number of phone numbers and extensions they include.
\r\nHere's a rundown on each plan:
\r\nThere are no contracts with Grasshopper. You pay month to month and can cancel at any time. However, you can save 10 percent on each plan by paying annually. The company offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
\r\nGrasshopper also offers professionally recorded greetings for your automated attendant. You can get a professional recording of up to 250 words for $75.
\r\nSince this is a virtual service, absolutely no equipment or desk phones are needed to use the system. Instead of connecting with desk phones like most traditional phone systems do, Grasshopper's virtual service works in conjunction with mobile and home phones.
\r\nWhen a customer or client calls, the system's automated attendant answers the call and then forwards it to the appropriate employee or department. With this service, employees designate the phone numbers they want their calls forwarded to. This could be a mobile device, a home phone or any other phone of their choosing.
\r\nEmployees have total control over how calls are routed to them. They choose the numbers – up to 15 – they want their calls sent to, in which order those numbers should be rung, how many rings should occur before switching to the next number and when they want calls forwarded to them. For example, they can choose to receive calls 24/7, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, or only on the weekends.
\r\nWhen employees get calls, they have several options for how to handle them. They can answer the call, send the caller directly to voicemail, or hear the caller's phone number or name to decide if it is someone they want to speak with right away.
\r\nIn addition to each employee having their own extension, employers can create department extensions, such as for sales or customer service. Employers then group workers into the proper department and set those employees' numbers to ring when someone tries to reach their department.
\r\nThe entire system is controlled through an online portal. Each user can access the portal to set the call-forwarding tree. They can designate the numbers they want calls forwarded to and the order in which they will ring.
\r\nGrasshopper includes a number of features that give remote employees the tools many traditional in-office phone systems provide. Some of the more valuable features are automated attendants, hold music, a name directory, call screening, voicemail-to-email, voicemail transcription, text messaging and online faxing. However, Grasshopper doesn't offer the wide range of features that a traditional phone system does, such as call recording or integrations with programs like Microsoft Office.
\r\nThe Grasshopper mobile app, available on iOS and Android devices, allows employees to make and receive calls from their business lines, check voicemail messages, see their faxes and call history, set up push notifications for missed calls and messages, and change call-forwarding options. Additionally, the iOS app lets users sign faxes and PDF email attachments with their finger.
\r\nGrasshopper also has a desktop app that features a softphone. With the softphone, you can make and receive business calls and text messages from your business line.
\r\nGrasshopper allows you to choose local, toll-free or custom vanity numbers. Established businesses that don't want a new number can have their current number transferred to the Grasshopper system. The number-porting process usually takes 7-10 business days for a local number and 3-5 days for a toll-free number.
\r\nGrasshopper doesn't offer a traditional phone system. If your business outgrows this service, you will have to look for a new provider. Some phone system providers offer both types of service, which makes switching from a virtual system to a traditional system a smooth and easy process.
\r\nGrasshopper has a complete conference calling service built into its phone system. With the conference bridge feature, which is included for no extra charge, each employee has the ability to hold their own conference call with up to 10 callers – or unlimited participants on the Small Business plan. If your company is looking to host conference calls with more callers than your Grasshopper plan provides for, you will need to use a conference calling service. These services allow hundreds, sometimes thousands of people on each call. You can find more information on these services on our conference call services best picks page.
\r\nWe were pleased with the customer service Grasshopper provided. To test the quality of support, we contacted Grasshopper multiple times, posing as a business owner interested in a virtual phone system.
\r\nEach time we reached out, a helpful representative immediately answered our call. They always took as much time as needed to answer our questions and never tried to rush us off the phone. There were times when we felt they could have provided more thorough answers to our questions, but by the end of each call, we had a good understanding of how the system works, the features it offers and the pricing options.
\r\nWe were a little disappointed that the representatives never offered to follow up with an email, as that would have given us contact information for the representative we spoke with in case we had more questions. However, when we did have additional questions, our follow-up calls were always answered immediately.
\r\nThe Grasshopper support team is available by phone 24/7. In addition, you can request help via online form. Grasshopper's website also offers a comprehensive user guide that walks you through each aspect of the system.
"},"pricing":{"isCapped":false,"isFeatured":false,"primary":true,"selected":"widget","widgetId":"10144","widget":{"id":"10144","cta":"Compare Quotes","isExclusive":false},"affiliate":{"cta":"Visit Site","link":"https://grasshopper.com/","name":""}},"thumbnail":{"path":"https://staging.business.com/images/rz/5c9e83787b4374702a8b4582/grasshopper3.png"}}},{"bullets":["99.999% uptime","More than 50 standard features","24/7 customer support"],"description":"8x8 is a cloud-hosted VoIP phone system that's a top option for small businesses: It is easy to use, has a variety of valuable features and offers excellent customer service.
\r\n\r\nFebruary 2021: 8x8 recently unveiled several new features and tools for its unified communications systems. Users can now flip between dark and light modes, use a Flip Call banner to easily switch devices in the middle of a call, and set predefined messages to use when declining a call. Additionally, the platform now supports multimedia attachments, and Android users can quickly search past conversations.
\r\n\r\nDecember 2020: 8x8 recently updated its pricing; the price increases affect both the X2 and X4 month-to-month and annual plans. The cost of the Express plan remains unchanged at $12 per user, per month. The X2 plan now costs $32 per user, per month when paying monthly and $24 per user, per month when paying annually. The X4 plan now costs $57 per user, per month when paying monthly and $44 per user, per month when paying annually.
\r\n\r\nMarch 2020: 8x8 has recently updated the pricing of its most expensive plan, the X6, to $115 per user, per month. Overall, 8x8 offers four service plans. The service plans include 8x8's latest offering, the Express plan, which costs $12 per user, per month. This new self-service plan is designed for businesses with just a handful of employees. The other three service plans now range from $25 to $115 per user, per month.
\r\n\r\nWith the 8x8 mobile app, available on iOS and Android devices, employees can make and receive calls from their business lines, video chat, and check voicemail and online faxes.
\r\n\r\n8x8 is extremely reliable. It has 17 data centers worldwide to ensure uninterrupted service. The company reports a 99.999% uptime, which means service is down for just a few minutes each year. The company provides excellent customer service. Customer support is available by phone, email, chat and the 8x8 website 24/7/365. The website also includes a number of helpful training and user materials.
\r\n","descriptionTest":"","fullTitle":"Best Business Phone System for Small Businesses","isFeaturedBestPick":false,"isJumpLink":false,"tabTitle":"Best for Small Businesses","review":{"displayName":"8x8","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/reviews/8x8/","id":"163ce7b78166db306f0d380bfaba8a08","url":"https://www.8x8.com/","review":{"pros":["A desktop app allows users to make and receive calls from their computer.","Audio and video conferencing support up to 50 participants at a time."],"cons":["The 8x8 Express plan does not include online faxing."],"fullReviewTest":"8x8 is our choice as both the best phone system for small businesses and best video conference service in a unified communications system. The Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone system is hosted in the cloud, and it is easy to use, affordable and reliable. Each license includes video conferencing capabilities that gives each employee the ability to host meetings with up to 100 people at a time.
\r\nSeveral factors make this an excellent phone system for small businesses. For example, you don't need full-time IT staff because with a cloud-hosted VoIP system like 8x8, there is nothing to install, and the phone system provider handles all maintenance and upgrades.
\r\nAdditionally, with tools like auto attendants, voicemail, voicemail-to-email, ring groups, mobile apps and conference calling, 8x8 offers a wide range of phone features at an affordable price.
\r\nThis is an excellent unified communication system that is well suited for small businesses, especially those looking for a VoIP phone system with video conferencing capabilities and all the accessories they could want. 8x8 also provides excellent customer support, offers contact center services and supports businesses with multiple locations.
\r\n8x8 offers four small business service plans that differ in the included features and prices. However, all 8x8 plans include unlimited calling, text messaging, instant messaging, an auto attendant, voicemail, mobile and desktop apps, and integrations with G Suite and Office 365.
\r\nEach plan includes audio and video conferencing that allows for meetings with up to 50 people at a time, or as many as a 100 if you want stream the conference over YouTube.
\r\nHere's a breakdown of the plans:
\r\nCustomers sign at least a 12-month contract. Fees are paid monthly, not annually.
\r\n8x8 is a cloud-hosted VoIP system that doesn't require any special equipment or wiring. Since the system runs on a data connection, all businesses have to do to use 8x8 is properly configure their routers and ensure they have the necessary bandwidth to handle the volume of calls they expect. With that, it's as simple as plugging phones into an Ethernet port to start making and receiving calls.
\r\nA benefit of a cloud-based system is that you aren't responsible for any of the system's maintenance or upgrades. 8x8 handles all of that for you.
\r\nFor established businesses, 8x8 allows you to bring your current phone number with you for no additional cost. This process typically takes at least eight days for a local number and up to five weeks for a toll-free number.
\r\nThe entire system is controlled via an online portal. Admins log in to the portal (which 8x8 refers to as the configuration manager) to assign employee telephone numbers and extensions, set up the automated attendant, and create ring groups. All of this can be completed on a self-service basis and doesn't require the assistance of an IT team.
\r\nEmployees can also log in to the portal to manage their phone features from anywhere. From the portal, they can access the softphone, check their voicemail, view a company directory, message other users, see which of their co-workers are free and which are busy, and conduct online video conferences. There is also a desktop app that employees can download to access the system.
\r\nTo get businesses up and running smoothly, 8x8 provides one free hour of training from a technical installation specialist. More hands-on and onsite training is available at an extra cost.
\r\n8x8 is an extremely reliable service. It has a 99.999% uptime, meaning the system is only down for a few minutes each year. In addition to its high uptime, 8x8 has 15 data centers worldwide. This built-in redundancy allows the company to easily move data around should one of its centers go down. All of the data centers are SSAE 16 audited.
\r\n8x8 offers all of the calling, collaboration and mobile tools small businesses find most valuable. In total, the system has more than 50 standard features and more than 20 optional features.
\r\nThere's a mobile app employees can use to tap into their business phone lines from their smartphones. With the app, which is available on iOS and Android devices, employees can make and receive calls, chat with other employees, check their voicemail, see the status of co-workers, join and collaborate in online meetings, and view online faxes.
\r\nEach user license includes video conferencing services. This means all users can host HD-quality video meetings whenever they choose with up to 50 participants. What's nice is that all of those attending a meeting can be seen on users' screens. Other video conferencing services we evaluated limit the number of video feeds that can be on during a video conference.
\r\nYou have the option of expanding the reach of a conference by streaming it over your YouTube channel. With this approach, which basically turns your conference into a webinar of sorts, as many as 100 people can attend your meeting. However, in this scenario, not everyone can have their camera turned on.
\r\n8x8's video conferencing system has a range of features, including both HD video and audio for crystal-clear picture and sound. One of the most useful tools is screen sharing. The meeting host can share their desktop with attendees, which is helpful when giving a presentation, highlighting information in a document or explaining how to use the software.
\r\nThis video conferencing service also includes meeting recording options, integrated scheduling with Microsoft Outlook and Google Calendar, the ability to add co-hosts to a meeting, and team and private chat tools.
\r\nYou can start or join an 8x8 video conference from a computer or mobile device, and you can add video conferencing equipment to a conference room to participate in meetings that way.
\r\nIf attendees can't join a meeting over video feed, dial-in numbers allow them to connect by phone. While they won't be able to see what is going on, they can still hear the audio and join in the conversation.
\r\nAll of 8x8's service plans include video conferencing. There is no additional cost for these services. You can find more information on these services on our video conferencing best picks page.
\r\n8x8 has a conference calling service built into its phone system service. With the conference bridge feature, which is included at no extra charge, each employee can hold their own conference call with up to 15 callers.
\r\nIf your company is looking to host conference calls with more than 15 callers, you will need to use a conference calling service. These services allow for hundreds, sometimes thousands, of people on each call. You can find more information on these services on our conference call services best picks page.
\r\n8x8 provides some of the best customer service we encountered during our research. We contacted the company multiple times by phone, email and live chat, posing as a small business owner interested in phone systems. Our calls were all immediately answered, and the representatives we spoke with were extremely helpful.
\r\nThey answered our questions thoroughly and left us with a clear understanding of what the service offers and how it works. We never felt pressured to make an immediate decision on the service. Not all of the services we evaluated operated in that manner.
\r\nWe followed up with some representatives by email. Each time, they quickly answered our messages, providing us with the information we were looking for. In addition, they always offered to host a call with us to discuss the issue in more detail and answer any other questions we had.
\r\nWe also tested 8x8's live chat support. While you are initially greeted by a chatbot that tries to answer your question first, you can request to connect with a live person. When we did so, our questions were answered right away.
\r\nCustomer support is available by phone, email, chat and the 8x8 website 24/7/365.
\r\nWhile 8x8 offers round-the-clock support, there are times when the representative you are speaking with might be in another country. This can be a problem if you need service at an irregular hour and can't get the level of support you expect. That being said, each of our interactions with the company, regardless of the time we reached out, was a positive one.
\r\nAdditionally, the website features a number of valuable resources, including white papers, infographics, data sheets, videos and webinars.
\r\n\r\n
\r\n
8x8 is our choice as both the best phone system for small businesses and the best video conference service in a unified communications system. It has everything small businesses look for in a unified communications system at a price that is hard to beat. What really sets 8x8 apart is its starting price, which is lower than all of its competitors' starting prices. The ability to use this service for as low as $12 a month per user will appeal to many small businesses and is something not many other business phone systems can offer.
\r\nIn addition to its affordable price tag, the system is easy to use and includes all of the calling, mobile and conferencing features a small business needs. Each license includes video conferencing capabilities that give each employee the ability to host meetings with up to 50 people at a time.
\r\nView all our recommendations for business phone systems on our best picks page. If you are in need of video conferencing services, you can see all of our recommendations here.
\r\nThe pricing options for 8x8 are a big part of its appeal. Its Express package is built with small businesses in mind and has one of the lowest per-user costs we found in our research of business phone systems. Such a low cost gives small businesses the ability to use a top-notch phone platform without breaking their bottom line. The other plans allow you to add on services as your business grows, so if you outgrow the Express plan, you can easily upgrade to one of the other options.
\r\n8x8 offers three small business service plans that differ in the included features and prices. However, all 8x8 plans include unlimited calling, text messaging, instant messaging, an auto-attendant, voicemail, cloud recording, team messaging, mobile and desktop apps, and calendar integrations with G Suite and Office 365.
\r\nEach plan also includes audio and video conferencing that allows for meetings with up to 50 people at a time, or up to 100 if you want to stream the conference over YouTube.
\r\nHere's a breakdown of the plans:
\r\nIn case your business requires contact center services, 8x8 offers three additional plans for that service, which range from $115 to $175 a month per user.
\r\nCustomers sign at least a 12-month contract. Fees are paid monthly, not annually.
\r\n8x8 offers all of the calling, collaboration and mobile tools small businesses find most valuable. The system has more than 50 standard features and more than 20 optional features.
\r\nThe features small businesses will find particularly useful are unlimited calling, texting and faxing, visual voicemail, call recording, music on hold, ring groups, call monitoring, three-way calling, caller ID, call blocking, and call queues.
\r\nThe system integrates with a number of programs your small businesses might already use, including Office 365, Microsoft Outlook, G Suite, Slack, Salesforce, HubSpot, Zendesk and Zoho. 8x8 offers more than 25 built-in integrations in all, which is equal to or more than the integration selections many of its competitors offer.
\r\nYour employees can use the 8x8 mobile app to tap into their business phone lines from their smartphones. With the app, which is available on iOS and Android devices, employees can make and receive calls from their business lines, chat with other employees, check their voicemail, see the status of co-workers, join and collaborate in online meetings, and view their online faxes.
\r\nIn addition to the mobile app, 8x8 has its own desktop app that lets employees access the phone system straight from their computers. Not all business phone systems provide desktop apps.
\r\n8x8 has a conference calling service built into its phone system service. With the conference bridge feature, which is included at no extra charge, each employee can hold their own conference call with up to 15 callers.
\r\nEach user license includes video conferencing services. This means all users can host HD video meetings with up to 50 participants whenever they choose. What's nice is that all of the meeting's attendants are visible on the other users' screens. Other video conferencing services we evaluated limit the number of video feeds that can be on during a video conference.
\r\nYou have the option to expand a conference's reach by streaming it over your YouTube channel. With this approach, which turns your conference into a webinar of sorts, up to 100 people can attend your meeting. However, in this scenario, not everyone can have their camera turned on.
\r\n8x8's video conferencing system has a variety of features, including both HD video and audio for crystal-clear picture and sound. One of the most useful tools is screen sharing. The meeting host can share their desktop with attendees, which is helpful when they're giving a presentation, highlighting information in a document or explaining how to use the software.
\r\nThis video conferencing service also includes meeting recording options, integrated scheduling with Microsoft Outlook and Google Calendar, the ability to add co-hosts to a meeting, and team and private chat tools.
\r\nYou can start or join an 8x8 video conference from a computer or mobile device, and you can add video conferencing equipment to a conference room to participate in meetings that way.
\r\nIf attendees can't join a meeting over video feed, dial-in numbers allow them to connect by phone. While they won't be able to see what is going on, they can still hear the audio and join in the conversation.
\r\nAll of 8x8's service plans include video conferencing; there is no additional cost for these services. You can find more information on these services on our video conferencing best picks page.
\r\nSeveral factors make this an excellent phone system for small businesses. Most importantly, you don't need in-house IT staff to install it, because 8x8 is a cloud-hosted VoIP system that doesn't require any special equipment or wiring. 8x8 also handles all of the maintenance and upgrades.
\r\nSince the system runs on a data connection, all you have to do to use 8x8 is properly configure your routers and ensure your business has the necessary bandwidth to handle the volume of calls you expect. With that, it's as simple as plugging phones into an Ethernet port to start making and receiving calls.
\r\nFor established businesses, 8x8 allows you to bring your current phone number with you to your new phone system for no additional cost. This process typically takes at least eight days for a local number and up to five weeks for a toll-free number.
\r\nThe entire system is controlled through an online portal. Admins log in to the portal (which 8x8 calls the Configuration Manager) to assign employee telephone numbers and extensions, set up the automated attendant, and create ring groups. All of this can be completed on a self-service basis; it doesn't require the assistance of an IT team.
\r\nEmployees can also log in to the portal to manage their phone features from anywhere. From the portal, they can access the softphone, check their voicemail, view a company directory, message other users, see which of their co-workers are free and which are busy, and conduct online video conferences. They can also download a desktop app to access the system.
\r\nTo get businesses up and running smoothly with the system, 8x8 provides one free hour of training from a technical installation specialist. More hands-on and onsite training is available at an extra cost.
\r\n8x8 is an extremely reliable service. It has a 99.999% uptime, meaning the system is only down for a few minutes each year. In addition to its high uptime, 8x8 has 15 data centers worldwide. This built-in redundancy allows the company to easily move data around should one of its centers go down. All of the data centers are SSAE 16 audited.
\r\nThere aren't many negatives with 8x8, but one minor downside is the limit on conference calling participants. If your company is looking to host conference calls with more than 15 callers, you will need to use a dedicated conference calling service. These services allow for hundreds, sometimes thousands, of people on each call. You can find more information on these services on our conference call services best picks page. However, 8x8 does offers video conferencing with higher participant limits, so you can always use that instead of a traditional conference call.
\r\n8x8 provides some of the best customer service we encountered during our research. We contacted the company multiple times by phone, email and live chat, posing as a small business owner interested in phone systems.
\r\nOur calls were all immediately answered, and the representatives we spoke with were extremely helpful. They answered our questions thoroughly and left us with a clear understanding of what the service offers and how it works. We never felt pressured to make an immediate decision on the service. Not all of the services we evaluated operated in that manner over the phone.
\r\nWe followed up with some representatives by email. Each time, they quickly answered our messages, giving us the information we were looking for. In addition, they always offered to host a call with us to discuss the issue in more detail and answer any other questions we had.
\r\nWe also tested 8x8's live chat support. While you are initially greeted by a chatbot that tries to answer your question first, you can request to connect with a live person. When we did so, our questions were answered right away.
\r\nCustomer support is available by phone, email, chat and the 8x8 website. Additionally, the website features a number of valuable resources, including whitepapers, infographics, data sheets, videos and webinars.
\r\n\r\n
Editor's note: Looking for the right video conference service for your business? Fill out the below questionnaire to have our vendor partners contact you about your needs.
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| RingCentral | \r\n$29.99 per user | \r\n15 days | \r\nCloud | \r\n50+ | \r\n
| Ooma Office | \r\n$19.95 per user | \r\n30 days | \r\nBoth | \r\n40+ | \r\n
| 8x8 | \r\n$12 per user | \r\n30 days | \r\nCloud | \r\n70+ | \r\n
| GoToConnect | \r\n$19.95 per user | \r\nNone | \r\nCloud | \r\n80+ | \r\n
| Grasshopper | \r\n$29 | \r\n30-day, money-back guarantee | \r\nCloud | \r\n20+ | \r\n
| Vonage | \r\n$14.99 per user | \r\n14 days | \r\nCloud | \r\n60+ | \r\n
| Nextiva | \r\n$19.95 per user | \r\nNone | \r\nCloud | \r\n100+ | \r\n
Multiline business phone systems have a variety of price points and structures. How the PBX system – and the equipment that is used to run the phone system is hosted – are the determining factors governing how your costs will be structured.
\r\nThe costs of an on-premises system are mostly one-time, upfront expenses, while cloud-hosted phone system costs revolve around monthly fees. The prices for each type of system vary based on the provider, how many users your small business has and how many features you want access to.
\r\nSince the hosted PBX equipment is stored in the cloud, there usually aren't any large installation or setup costs. Cloud-based VoIP phone systems typically cost between $10 and $75 per user, per month. Many office phone system and unified communications system providers have several service plans that vary based on price and included features. Many allow businesses to mix and match service plans, so each employee has access to the features they need.
\r\nFor example, a service plan that includes the basic features like unlimited calling, voicemail and caller ID, and call forwarding might be $25 per user, per month, with an upgraded plan that includes more advanced features such as automated attendants, call recording and ring groups costing $35 to $40 per user, per month.
\r\nTo give you a better idea on pricing, here are some estimates of what it might cost for businesses of various sizes. These estimates do not include taxes or other surcharges that all providers add:
\r\nIn addition to monthly fees, a company using a cloud-hosted system will likely want new IP phones. Phones typically cost between $50 and $400 each. If you have a cloud system, some providers will rent you phones for as little as $5 each per month.
\r\nWhile cloud-hosted systems mostly revolve around monthly recurring fees, on-premises system costs comprise mostly one-time, upfront fees. On-premises systems cost anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per user. In addition, since all associated equipment is housed onsite at your business, there are large installation and setup charges. Some providers have a set installation fee, while others charge a percentage of your per-user equipment fees. At a minimum, you can expect to pay several thousand dollars.
\r\nThe costs of on-premises systems are much more customized than they are for cloud-hosted systems. On-premises systems are typically used by larger organizations that can afford the upfront fees.
\r\nFor a business with 50 employees, you should be prepared to spend $30,000 to $60,000 in one-time fees for all the equipment and installation needed for an on-premises system.
\r\nThere are some smaller monthly fees with on-premises phone systems. To connect to a dial tone, on-premises VoIP phone service users have to pay for SIP trunking or PRI circuits. Depending on your call volume, this could be several hundred or several thousand dollars per month.
\r\nAnother expense users of either type of system could incur are for toll-free numbers. While some systems include toll-free numbers, they usually only offer businesses a set number of minutes per month. Businesses that go over that set number of minutes pay a per-minute fee for their toll-free numbers.
\r\nWhen running a business, every penny counts. You want to make sure you aren't overpaying for the services you use. Whether you go with an on-premises or cloud-hosted system, follow these steps to get the best deal possible:
\r\nWhen you commit to a business phone system provider, they will likely require you to sign a contract. It is imperative that you read all the details carefully before signing it. Make sure the terms of the contract are what you negotiated and that there are no hidden fees.
\r\nYou should also ask what taxes or surcharges will be added on top of your monthly service (as well as the estimated cost of those charges). It's important to know what your full bill will be before agreeing to the deal – not just what the service charges are. The last thing you want is to open up your first month's bill only to realize it is significantly more expensive than you anticipated. That not only negatively impacts your budget, you start off on the wrong foot with your vendor.
\r\nYou should also know what you are in for should you cancel your service or change providers. Are there cancellation fees? Do you have to provide advance notice? Can you take your local and toll-free phone numbers with you if you switch to a different service? These are questions you want answered before agreeing to a contract.
\n"}},{"__typename":"SectionBuyingGuide","id":"phone-system-types","isInToc":true,"type":"buying-guide","title":"Buying Guide","containers":[{"title":"Types of Phone Systems","html":"\nThe process of choosing a business phone system requires you to answer a couple of questions. First, what type of phone connection do you want – landline, VoIP or virtual? Second, how you want to host the system – on premises or in the cloud?
\r\nRegardless of the type of system you choose, all business phone systems today are PBX phone systems. The PBX equipment is what allows these systems to provide all of the features and tools, such as multiple extensions, voicemail, call recording, etc., they they do. However, the type of system you choose affects where that PBX equipment is physically located.
\r\nWith on-premises systems, your IT staff needs to install and maintain PBX equipment. Conversely, cloud-hosted solutions require very little IT resources since all of the PBX equipment is housed and maintained by the phone system provider. With the cloud-hosted option, IT teams focus more of their attention on managing the system's features rather than the infrastructure.
\r\nRead a breakdown of each type of phone system.
\r\nPreviously, businesses used traditional analog landline telephone systems. These systems were connected to the Public Switched Telephone Network and ran on the telephone company's copper wiring.
\r\nWhile these multiline phone systems were extremely reliable, they required equipment that was expensive to install and maintain. Besides the copper wiring that had to be run through the business, landline systems also required costly PBX equipment. The PBX is what is used to switch calls between the business and the telephone network. It's also what is needed to offer various calling features, such as voicemail, conference calling and automated attendants.
\r\nAll of this PBX equipment (and the other hardware needed to run the phone system) are housed onsite in your businesses, typically in a server room or closet.
\r\nToday, analog multiline landline phone systems are becoming obsolete. Telephone companies aren't developing new analog systems and are no longer providing updates to the systems they used to offer. Finding IT professionals with the skills to keep these systems running is becoming increasingly difficult. Telephone companies have largely shifted their attention to VoIP technology.
\r\nSome landline systems now use a mix of landline and VoIP technology. There might a traditional landline connection to a business, but instead of having traditional wiring throughout the building, organizations use an internet connection to tap into that outside landline.
\r\nVery few new businesses are choosing landline phone service for their phone system needs. Knowing that support for these systems is diminishing, the organizations they are best served for are those with an in-house IT team that is skilled with these systems and can handle the maintenance and upgrades on their own.
\r\nIn addition, landline systems are the only option for businesses in communities where there isn't high-speed internet access.
\r\nNearly all new business phone systems use VoIP. Instead of running on copper wiring like landline systems do, VoIP systems run on a high-speed internet connection. It's the same connection most businesses already use to get online.
\r\nWhen making a phone call, the user's voice is instantly converted into a data packet that is moved throughout the internet like other pieces of data, such as emails and images. Tapping into an existing data connection saves you the trouble and expense of installing and maintaining phone lines throughout your offices or stores.
\r\nIn addition, VoIP systems work in conjunction with cheaper and less bulky PBX equipment. This allows small businesses to access calling features they previously couldn't afford, like an auto attendant, conference calling and call recording.
\r\nVoIP systems easily integrate with computers, which lets employees make calls from their devices and have voicemails sent directly to their email, among other things. It can also be beneficial for businesses using CRM programs.
\r\nSimilar to how a landline system works, the VoIP provider allows you to choose a phone number with a local area code, a toll-free number or both.
\r\nEase of use and scalability are a big benefit to VoIP phone systems. Most VoIP systems can be totally managed from an online portal. By logging into the system, administrators can assign phone numbers and extensions, and turn various features on and off.
\r\nIn addition, VoIP providers make it easy to add new users. Administrators can quickly log into the system to add new lines on their own within the system's online portal. This simplifies the process of setting up new employees with their own line.
\r\nWhen VoIP was first introduced, there was concern about call quality. Many felt calls sounded staticky; others had problems with calls dropping off. As technology has improved, so, too, has call quality. In fact, the difference between VoIP and landline is now so insignificant that most users have no idea when they are using VoIP when they are on a landline connection.
\r\nVoIP is becoming a standard option for all businesses. Soon, nearly all U.S. phone users will use VoIP. Research from IBIS World projects that by next year there will be more than 3 billion VoIP users worldwide.
\r\nCost is a huge benefit of VoIP. Research has shown that moving to a VoIP system from a traditional landline system can save businesses up to 75% on their phone service costs.
\r\nThe only businesses that can't take advantage of VoIP phone systems are those in communities without access to high-speed internet service or with unreliable internet service.
\r\nA huge factor when choosing a phone system for your business is deciding how you want the PBX equipment, which is what's needed to run the system, hosted. Some providers offer on-premises or cloud-based systems, while others offer both options.
\r\nWith on-premises systems, the PBX equipment is installed inside your business. Your IT team is responsible for securing it, keeping it up and running, and upgrading it when necessary. Hosting on-premises gives businesses the ability to keep a few traditional landlines working alongside SIP-trunked VoIP lines.
\r\nSimilar to landline systems, on-premises VoIP systems have all the equipment installed and housed onsite inside each business. The hardware is typically stored in your company's server closet.
\r\nWith this option, you are in total control of your system. You aren't relying on anyone else to make sure it is running, and you can configure it to your exact specifications. However, since it is located onsite, your IT staff handles all repairs and upgrades. On-premises systems need to be professionally installed.
\r\nIf you have a VoIP on-premises system, you will need SIP trunking or PRI circuits to connect a dial tone to the system.
\r\nAnother difference is security. On-premises systems don't have the same security concerns as cloud-hosted solutions, since all the data is stored within your business.
\r\nExperts say businesses concerned with privacy are best served by on-premises systems. This option allows businesses to configure their firewalls exactly as desired to protect the phone system from any type of intrusion.
\r\nOther businesses well suited for on-premises phone systems are large corporations that can afford the upfront costs and businesses that want a system they can customize.
\r\nCloud-hosted phone systems are becoming popular among small businesses. With this system, the equipment is housed in the cloud by your service provider, which handles all maintenance and upgrades. The only equipment the business needs is the phones themselves.
\r\nMost cloud systems are essentially plug-and-play ready. Once you activate your service and receive your phones, they can be plugged into any Ethernet port, and calls are ready to be made and received.
\r\nThe downside to cloud-based solutions is that businesses are at the mercy of the provider to keep their service up and running. To ensure this happens, most of the top vendors have several redundancies built into their systems. This includes having multiple data centers so that if one goes down, the data can be transferred seamlessly to another to ensure the continuation of the business's communications service.
\r\nOne important factor to consider if you are considering a cloud-hosted system is bandwidth. Consult your business's internet service about obtaining the bandwidth required to support a new phone service. Most of the cloud-providers we considered required just short of 100 Kbps per phone call for the best quality. You'll also want to estimate internet needs for other equipment, such as computers, servers and Wi-Fi-connected devices.
\r\nCloud-based VoIP systems are ideal for small businesses – they have few upfront costs, the consistent monthly charges fit easily into a budget, plus they don't require trained IT experts to keep them running.
\r\nBusinesses using these systems are best served by installing backup equipment that can reroute calls during power or internet outages. With these systems, new users and features can be added via an online portal. Cloud-based options also easily support multiple locations.
\r\nNearly all of the providers we examined had an uptime of at least 99.990%. That means their systems are down for just a handful of minutes each year.
\r\nVirtual phone systems differ from regular office phone systems in that when phone calls are made to your business phone line, they aren't necessarily calling a dedicated number inside your business. Instead, they are calling a virtual phone number that routes calls to you (or your employees) wherever you are located.
\r\nVirtual phone systems are essentially extensive call-forwarding systems. Businesses have a main number, with each employee receiving their own extension. However, instead of transferring customers to an employee's office phone, the virtual system transfers calls to mobile devices and home phones. Employees control the numbers they want their business calls sent to and the order in which those numbers are rung.
\r\nIn addition to automated attendants, virtual PBX systems offer other valuable features, including voicemail, voicemail-to-email, music on hold, call forwarding and online faxing.
\r\nHosted/virtual systems are ideal for businesses that don't need a full-fledged phone system. This could include solopreneurs who work out of their home and don't want to give out their mobile or home numbers to clients as well as small businesses with a large remote workforce. This type of service allows them to present a professional image at a fraction of the cost of more complete phone systems.
\r\nOnce you decide on the type of phone system you want, then you need to choose a phone. This doesn't apply to virtual systems, though.
\r\nMost business phone services are compatible with a variety of IP phones and offer adapters so analog phones can connect to their systems. It's likely that you can continue using the phones your company already owns.
\r\nIP phones come in a variety of styles. There are traditional corded options as well as cordless phones and conference room phones. The phones can range anywhere from $50 to $1,000 each. In addition to buying the phones outright, some providers let you rent phones for a monthly fee.
\r\nThe per-phone analog adaptor can cost as much as $60, and a traditional fax-machine adaptor can cost $100 to $150.
\r\nThe benefit of buying IP phones from your phone system provider is that they come completely configured and are immediately ready to be used once they are plugged in. If you buy phones from an outside source, your IT team will need to configure the phones on their own to work with the system you are using.
\r\nIf you can afford it, it makes sense to upgrade your phones. If you cannot afford new phones, carefully consider how much the workaround will cost the company in the long term.
\n"},{"title":"Phone System Features","html":"\nToday's business phone systems are filled with valuable features and tools. The number of features each VoIP provider offers varies. Some offer a couple dozen features; others offer more than a hundred.
\r\nAmong some of the available calling features business phone systems offer are:
\r\nIn addition to all of the calling features today's phone systems offer, some providers offer unified communications systems. Besides phone service, unified communications systems include conference calling, video and web conferencing, online faxing, text messaging and instant messaging.
\r\nHere are some specifics on the added features unified communications systems provide businesses:
\r\nMobility is another important aspect that today's business phone systems and unified communications systems allow for. Most offer an app for iOS and Android mobile devices that let employees tap into their business line wherever they are.
\r\nThe biggest benefit of the mobile app is that users can make and receive calls from their business line. This gives you the freedom to leave the office, even if you are expecting an important call. In addition, should you need to make a call when outside of the office, you can do so from your business phone number by using the app. This allows you to keep your mobile number private, without needing multiple cell phones.
\r\nThe mobile apps also let users review the call history, check and manage their voicemail, instant message with colleagues, start one-on-one video calls and view online faxes.
\n"},{"title":"Frequently Asked Questions ","html":"\nRegardless of which type you choose, there is always a need for a business phone system. At the very least, a business phone system allows you to present a professional image to those you work with. Having customers or clients reach you on your personal phone lines might be practical in some instances, but it doesn't allow you to present that image most businesses are striving for.
\r\nEven if you don't want to spend the money, or have a need for office phones, you can still use a virtual phone system to project professional appearance. This allows you to have calls directed to your mobile phones while still having access to key features like automated attendants and voicemail transcription.
\r\nAs your business grows, so, too, will your communication needs. Having a robust unified communication system will provide you with everything you need. Not only will your employees have their own business lines, which they can access from anywhere with a mobile app, they can take advantage of other communication tools, like video conferencing.
\r\nIn all, your business, regardless of its size and whether you operate out of an office or brick-and-mortar store or your own home, would be best advised to invest in some type of business phone system.
\r\nHow long a business phone system lasts depends on the type of phone system you use. In the case of a cloud-hosted system, however, how long it lasts isn't really a concern. Cloud-hosted providers handle all of the maintenance and upgrades. And all of that key equipment is stored on their end, so they can work on it at anytime without interrupting your services.
\r\nOn-premises systems, however, are different. Since the equipment for these systems is housed on your own servers, there is a shorter life span. If you provide regular maintenance to this equipment, you can expect it to last anywhere from five to eight years, according to Total Communication Services.
\r\nThe exact way business phone systems work is based on the type of solution you choose (landline, cloud-hosted, virtual), but the general principal is the same for each. Business phone systems provide you with ways for your customers and clients to reach you by telephone, and vice versa.
\r\nEach user of a business phone system has either a dedicated phone number or extension that can be called when someone is trying to reach them. When someone calls that number, their office phone, or any other phone they are having their calls forwarded to, will ring.
\r\nBusiness phone systems utilize PBX equipment that provide many features and tools that add to the functionality of the phone system. This includes being able to have automated attendant answer calls to your business and then route those calls to the specific person trying to be reached. It also allows for things like voicemail, caller ID, conference calling, instant messaging and call recording.
\r\nThe cost of just one business landline can run anywhere from $50 to $100 per line. However, businesses typically require more than just one line, and they want PBX equipment as well as the added features that business phone systems include.
\r\nIn all, businesses can expect to pay between several hundred to several thousand dollars for a landline system. However, most landlines are becoming obsolete. Phone system providers are investing resources into the continued development of VoIP phone systems. This in turn has resulted in no new technology surrounding landline phone systems and a declining number of technicians who can maintain and service these systems,
\r\nRather than a simple phone system, many providers are offering complete unified communications systems that give businesses all of the communication tools they want to use in one platform.
\r\nBesides phone service, unified communications systems include conference calling, video and web conferencing, online faxing, instant messaging, and text messaging.
\r\nHaving these tools in one platform can not only boost employee productivity, but it can save businesses hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars a month.
\r\nFor your workers, accessing video conferencing or online faxes from the same platform makes things easier on employees. Instead of having to toggle back and forth between different services to access each tool, employees log into their unified communications portal and tap into them from the same place.
\r\nA four-line phone system is designed for very small businesses. Instead of having only one phone line, a four-line system provides phone service for up to four users.
\r\nFour-line systems are typically not as robust as cloud-hosted VoIP systems as they don't include the wide range of features those business phone systems do.
\r\nThere are a number of factors you should consider when choosing a business phone system. First and foremost, it should support all of your employees. Most systems today allow you to easily add lines and allow for hundreds, if not thousands, of users. However, if you are a very small business, some providers require a minimum number of users. So, make sure it can support your needs.
\r\nThe second factor to consider is whether it offers all the tools your employees need. Besides the traditional calling features, does it offer things like video conferencing, conference calling and text messaging? You may want to look for a solution that allows you to mix and match service plans. This gives you the flexibility of ensuring each employee has the tools they need without paying for upgraded plans for employees that don't need every feature.
\r\nPrice should be another consideration. With so many options to choose from, you should be able to find a service that fits in your budget. In addition to the per-user cost, you should get a true sense of what your monthly bill will be once the added fees and taxes have been included.
\r\nThe final quality you need to consider when choosing a business phone system provider is customer support. In an ideal world, the system will always work perfectly. But that is rarely the case with any piece of technology. Make sure the provider you choose offers the support options you are looking for. That may be 24/7 phone support, live chat operators or helpful online guides.
\r\nWhile there used to be big differences between phone systems for large and small businesses, today they both have access to the same types of solutions.
\r\nBefore cloud-hosted PBX systems became an option, typically only larger business had the ability to use sophisticated phone systems that had tons of features and tools. That's because the on-premises PBX equipment required to power those features was so expensive to buy and maintain that only larger businesses could afford them. That left small businesses with simpler options that didn't have the bells and whistles that their larger counterparts could take advantage of.
\r\nCloud-hosted business phone systems have leveled the playing field. Instead of having to pay thousands of dollars for PBX equipment, small businesses can now tap into the same features for a fraction of the cost. Cloud-hosted systems provide all the features and tools for a much smaller monthly fee. In addition, since the equipment is housed in the cloud, there is nothing to maintain or upgrade.
\r\nWhen it comes to phone service, the cloud has given small businesses the chance to use phone systems that they never would have been able to before. This allows them to access features like auto attendants, on-hold music, call recording, voicemail-to-email and video conferencing that previously only large businesses were using. Cloud-hosted VoIP phone systems give every business the means to present a professional image, regardless of how large or small they are.
\r\nVoIP business phone systems run off the same internet connection you use to get online, so the first thing you need is a strong internet connection. In order for the system to run smoothly, you need to have the bandwidth to support your calling volume and the rest of your online needs. You also need to set your router to prioritize voice calls over other online use.
\r\nIf you are using a cloud-hosted system, the only other supplies you need are the phones, since all of the PBX equipment is hosted in the cloud. The PBX equipment is what provides all of the phone system's functionality.
\r\nIf you are operating an on-premises VoIP phone system, you will need all of the PBX equipment installed inside your business. This type of equipment typically needs professional installation.
\r\nMost of today's systems are compatible with IP phones and analog phones. However, if you use analog phones, you will also need a special adapter to connect them to your system.
\r\nVoIP is the type of connection used to run the phone system. With a VoIP system, calls are made and received over an internet connection. Traditional landline systems relied on copper wiring to provide those functions.
\r\nPBX (private branch exchange) is the equipment that provides the features and tools of the phone system. Both VoIP and landline systems rely on PBX equipment. The difference is that some VoIP systems are housed in the cloud, which means you don't need to install PBX equipment within your business location. On-premises VoIP systems and traditional landline systems use PBX equipment that is installed and stored inside your business, most often in the server room.
\n"},{"title":"Community Expert Insight","html":"\nWe spoke to unified communication and business phone system users to find out which systems they found most valuable and what they liked about them.
\r\nIan Kelly, vice president of operations for NuLeaf Naturals, said they had been a longtime user of Ooma, and were pleased with the service, but eventually switched when their needs became more advanced. It was then that they decided a switch to 8x8 would be in their best interest.
\r\n\"Ooma was very simple and a great option for us until we decided to upgrade our needs,\" Kelly told business.com. \"The main reason for the switch was the video conferencing feature which was lacking in Ooma.\"
\r\nPricing also came into play. Kelly said as a small business, affordability is a critical factor.
\r\n\"8x8 had an express plan, which was cheaper than what we were paying for [with] Ooma,\" Kelly said. \"That was the deal-breaker.\"
\r\nSimilarly to Kelly, Will Ward, CEO of Assistive Listening HQ, said as his company grew, so did his communication needs. Originally, they had been using Grasshopper. He said they liked it because was the most hassle-free installation, no equipment was needed, and it was available in a monthly subscription.
\r\nHowever, Ward said they came to conclusion that they needed to have dedicated equipment inside their office.
\r\nWhen using their mobile phones, people got distracted,\" Ward said of the virtual service Grasshopper provided. \"So, we switched to Ooma, and it was a great decision. The installation was very simple, and they even gave unlimited calling.\"
\r\nTyler Roark, president of Kentucky Printing Richmond, said his company was operating from two locations. One was using a simple home wireless phone, while the other was using a 30-year-old system that had very limited functionality. It had no answering system, caller ID or voicemail. It really only allowed employees to put callers on hold and transfer to other phones within the building.
\r\nWhen that system died, Roark ran the numbers and determined the capital outlay required to replace the system wasn't worth the investment.
\r\n\"We ended up settling on a Voice over IP system by Intermedia with Yealink T465 phones,\" Roark said. \"It was going to cause our monthly expenses to go up a little but had very little expense in terms of initial setup.\"
\r\nAfter getting the system up and running, Roark said they uncovered a number of advantages they hadn't foreseen. One big advantage was that his company could use one employee to answer and route calls for both locations.
\r\n\"This has allowed us to free up time from having to deal with as many spam calls and gives us a more consistent presentation,\" Roark said.
\r\nAnother benefit is that the system can connect with each employee's mobile phone.
\r\n\"So we aren't necessarily tethered to our desks anymore,\" Roark said. While cost is always a major consideration, Roark said there is another key factor businesses should consider when looking at a new unified communications system.
\r\n\"Next to [cost], and perhaps more important than that, you really have to consider how the system will impact the overall systems within your business,\" he said.
\n"},{"title":"Methodology","html":"\nTo determine the best business phone systems, we started with more than 70 providers. Next, we separated all the vendors that had a good online reputation, such as those services that were consistently ranked highly by other websites.
\r\nWe also, at periodic intervals, queried business owners to see which services they use. If multiple business owners raved about a particular vendor, the service was added to the final list of contenders.
\r\nWe then visited each company's website. If a company stood out to us, we added them to the list of contenders. We also eliminated most companies that only served businesses in their local region.
\r\nWe ultimately narrowed down our pool to 8x8, Avaya, Cisco, Dialpad, Digium, FreedomVoice, GoToConnect, Grasshopper, Mitel, Nextiva, OnSip, Ooma Office, Phone.com, RingCentral and Vonage.
\r\nWe researched each provider by investigating its services, watching tutorials and how-to videos, and reading user comments. We contacted each company posing as business owners to gauge the support it offers its users. In all, we analyzed each system based on the following factors:
\r\nIn 2020, the persistent growth of cloud-hosted VoIP systems will continue to take hold. While there has been a steady move to the cloud by businesses in recent years, research shows this march to hosted systems will increase in the years to come.
\r\nProjections from Statista reveal that for the second straight year, the money businesses spend on using hosted-VoIP systems in 2020 will surpass spending with on-premises systems. That trend is projected to continue over the next five years. The research found that in 2024, the cloud-hosted unified communications market is expected to top $13 billion, compared to just $9 billion for on-premises solutions.
\r\nAnother trend expected to take more of a foothold in 2020 is the increased incorporation of CRM systems in business phone solutions. While many business phone systems have long offered integrations with Salesforce and other top CRM programs, many unified communications providers are building their own CRM software right into their platforms.
\r\nOne example of this is Nextiva's business communication suite, which now includes a built-in CRM solution. For no additional cost, the phone system includes call pops; contact management tools; account history information; email, notes, and call logs; and sales pipeline management tools.
\r\nWe expect more unified communications providers to join in on this and offer these services as an added value to businesses looking to consolidate the programs and services they use.
\r\nOctober 2020: Like it has so many other ways, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way employees communicate. A new study from 8x8 shows increased remote work has given way to a rise in using desktop and mobile apps for business communications.
\r\nThe new study revealed that the use of desktop and mobile apps for voice calls, video conferencing, team chat, and SMS increased by more than 107% since January. Additionally, average daily call volumes using desktop and mobile communications apps are rising at a compound monthly growth rate of more than 11.5%. In the last nine months, that has resulted in a 138% increase.
\r\nDejan Deklich, chief product officer at 8x8, said the quick move to remote work because of the pandemic forced businesses to reassess how they communicate and collaborate.
\r\n\"These findings clearly demonstrate they not only need to have the right technology platform to ensure business resilience, but that cloud communications, seamless collaboration, and holistic insights are critical for ongoing business growth and success,\" Deklich said in a statement.
\r\n\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\n"}},{"__typename":"SectionMoreCoverage","id":"","isInToc":false,"type":"morecoverage","isActive":null,"title":"More Coverage","articles":[]},{"__typename":"SectionServices","id":"other-services-considered","isInToc":false,"type":"services","title":"Other Services Considered","services":[{"canonical":"https://staging.business.com/reviews/comcast-business/","id":"9685f340789f411d9a650983934157cc","description":"Comcast offers multiple business phone services for companies of all sizes. Available as on-premises or cloud-based service, these solutions can grow with your business. You can choose a solution for small businesses of up to 20 employees, or for midsize businesses of up to 1,000 employees. 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