Best Business VoIP Providers
Traditional landlines are becoming less common in the workplace. To replace them, a lot of businesses opt for voice-over-internet-protocol, or VoIP services. VoIP is a cloud-based technology that can connect your team through phone calls, text, video and more.
There are dozens of VoIP providers to choose from in 2023. Some offer a range of comprehensive features, while others have scalable plans for a growing business. This review will cover the pros and cons of five popular VoIP providers to help you find the best service for your business's needs.
Our Top Picks For Best Business VoIP Providers
- Dialpad - Best For Affordable Prices
- magicJack - Best For International Calls
- Grasshopper - Best For Midsize Businesses
- RingCentral - Best For Advanced Features
- 8×8 - Best For Unlimited Calling
Best Business VoIP Providers Reviews
Before choosing a business VoIP service, take some time to know your options. Some providers offer more features and tools, while others are more affordable for small businesses or solopreneurs. The right VoIP provider will match your business's budget, size and communication needs.
Below are five of the most popular business VoIP providers on the market today. Read on for a brief guide on choosing the best VoIP phone system for your business.
Why we chose it: Dialpad is a fully cloud-based VoIP provider with an affordable plan that covers the basics. It also comes with custom voicemail greetings, unlimited SMS and MMS, voicemail transcriptions, and call forwarding.
Dialpad offers three paid plans: Standard ($15 per user per month when billed annually), Pro ($25 per user per month when billed annually) and Enterprise (custom pricing). When billed monthly, the Standard and Pro plans increase to $23 and $35, respectively. Starting at just $15 per user monthly, Dialpad's Standard plan is the most affordable option for those starting out or working on a budget.
All plans come with unlimited calling and meetings, HD voice, SMS, audio chat rooms, team messaging and more. Those looking for more bells and whistles — like access to 24/7 customer support and international calling — will want to opt for the Pro or Enterprise plan. The Pro plan is still a reasonable deal, starting at just $25/user monthly (when billed annually).
With this VoIP, you can integrate Dialpad with Microsoft Outlook or Google Workspace to easily share documents and streamline communication. One standout feature of this provider is its AI-based Voice Intelligence, which can analyze and transcribe live calls. The Voice Intelligence tool can be turned on and off in case you don't want a call transcribed. Another unique feature is Dialpad's Real Time Assist, or RTA cards. This tool gives agents tips on communicating with customers in real time.
Dialpad receives high ratings (4-5 stars) on third-party review platforms. Because of its unlimited calls and AI-based tools, this is a good VoIP provider for a call center or sales team. You'll get the most out of Dialpad's features with the Pro or Enterprise plan, so this might not be the right business VoIP for a business on a tight budget.
Why we chose it: magicJack is one of the most affordable business VoIP phone systems on the market, and it's great for a company that needs to stay connected across borders. Every magicJack plan comes with unlimited international calls to other magicJack users.
If you need an easy way to communicate with overseas team members and clients, magicJack is one of the best small business VoIP systems for international calls. magicJack offers two plans: one year for $43 or three years for $109. Both plans are paid upfront and come with unlimited international calls.
It's worth noting that international calls are only free when both parties use a magicJack VoIP. Otherwise, the service costs a minimum of $0.02 per minute. Another drawback is that magicJack doesn't offer toll-free numbers for incoming calls. However, you can import your existing phone number to your magicJack phone system, so you won't have to change numbers if you switch to this VoIP provider.
Compared to other business VoIP providers, magicJack's services outside of calls are limited. It offers voicemail transcription and messaging but doesn't have bonus features like video recording, document sharing or integration with third-party apps. magicJack also receives mixed ratings, with 3-4 stars on some consumer review sites. Most negative complaints online refer to a lack of helpful customer service.
Considering the affordable cost and lack of features, magicJack is best for a small business that needs a simple VoIP with international calling. It might not work for a company with more complex needs.
Why we chose it: Grasshopper is an affordable VoIP provider for a growing business. Unlike other services that charge a monthly fee for each user, Grasshopper offers flat-rate plans and unlimited extensions with its highest-paid plan.
One of the biggest downsides of a VoIP system for midsize businesses is the per-user charges. With most providers, the more team members you add, the higher your monthly rates will be. However, Grasshopper three offers flat-rate plans:
- Solo: Includes one phone number and three extensions for $28/month when billed annually and $31/month when billed monthly.
- Partner: Includes three phone numbers and six extensions for $46/month when billed annually and $51/month when billed monthly.
- Small business: Includes five phone numbers and unlimited extensions for $80/month when billed annually and $89/month when billed monthly.
None of those plans charge a per-user fee. Grasshopper comes with Wi-Fi calling, virtual fax, voicemail transcriptions, call reports and business texting. Other benefits include international call minutes, simultaneous call handling and an instant response feature to text a caller when you're unavailable. The main drawbacks of this VoIP provider are that it doesn't offer video conference calls and can't integrate with your company's CRM for seamless communication.
One area where Grasshopper stands out from other VoIP providers is its customer service. This company has a 24/7 customer support line with representatives based in the US. It gets mostly positive reviews (3-4.5 stars) on third-party review platforms. However, larger businesses especially may find it would benefit from more features.
If you want to integrate your business VoIP phone system with your CRM or need video calling, another VoIP may be better. You'll get the most out of this provider if you want a flat-rate, easy-to-use VoIP for your growing business.
Why we chose it: RingCentral comes with tons of bonus features to streamline communication, including CRM integration. This VoIP provider is especially helpful for an all-remote workspace.
If most of your team members work remotely, check out RingCentral. This VoIP provider has plenty of features to facilitate every aspect of your business's communication. RingCentral can integrate with Slack, Microsoft 365, Salesforce, Canvas and other CRMs to keep all of your communication in the same place. This software-based VoIP can be downloaded to desktops and mobile devices. Hardware is also available through RingCentral to install a phone system in your office.
RingCentral offers four plans: Essentials, Standard, Premium and Ultimate.
- Essentials: $20/user monthly when billed annually; $33 per user on a month-to-month plan
- Standard: $28/user monthly when billed annually; $41 per user on a month-to-month plan
- Premium: $35/user monthly when billed annually; $48 per user on a month-to-month plan
- Ultimate: $50/user monthly when billed annually; $63 per user on a month-to-month plan
Each plan includes team messaging, unlimited calls within the U.S. and Canada, unlimited SMS and high-definition video calls. The Standard plan integrates with most apps, and the Premium plan offers custom integration. Another key benefit of RingCentral is its 24/7 customer support line — but that support isn't available with the Essentials plan.
RingCentral can get expensive for a larger business, especially if you opt for the Premium or Ultimate plans. However, you can start with a free 30-day trial of any plan to make sure it's right for you. RingCentral also offers a discount if you pay annually.
RingCentral is a highly rated VoIP provider, with 3.5-5 stars on multiple third-party review platforms. Some customer complaints report minor bugs and issues with the software. Because of the per-user cost, this might not be the best VoIP provider for a small business on a budget. However, if you're looking for a comprehensive business VoIP provider for your remote team, RingCentral is a reliable choice.
Why we chose it: 8×8 is an affordable VoIP provider with unlimited international calls to at least 14 countries (and up to 48) depending on the plan you choose.
8×8 is a fully cloud-based voice-over-internet-protocol provider. It offers voice, video and chat services with no hardware. Those looking for unlimited voice calling will be happy to know that 8×8 offers it in 14+ countries, depending on the plan you choose — including the U.S., Canada, U.K. and more. Gone are the days of limiting your time spent calling — 8×8's unlimited calling makes it a solid choice for those looking for this feature.
While no hardware makes setting up your phone system easier, it also means you can't get desktop phones for your office from this provider. 8×8 offers a toll-free number and allows you to import an existing phone number for an easier transition.
8×8 offers two paid plans: X2 ($24 per user per month) and X4 ($44 per user per month) when billed annually. When billed month-to-month, rates increase to $28 or $57 per user per month for the respective plans. Both plans have unlimited users, unlimited voice calling to at least 14 countries (48 countries on the X4 plan), SMS, MMS and team chat, HD video and audio conferencing and more. The X2 plan comes with unlimited voice calling to 14 countries, while the X4 plan offers it in 48 countries.
All of the features are easy to set up and use. However, some customer reviews report that 8×8's call management features can be tricky to set up without the help of an IT professional. 8×8 has also received some customer complaints for its inconsistent customer service. Aside from that, this is a well-reviewed VoIP provider with 4.5-5 star ratings on third-party review platforms.
If you want more features like document sharing and integration with third-party apps, 8×8 might not be your right provider. However, for those who want a strong option for unlimited calling, 8×8 is a top choice.
Other Business VoIP Providers We Considered
The five services reviewed above are some of the top VoIP providers on the market this year. However, they aren't your only options. Here are a few more popular VoIP providers for business owners and why they didn't make it to the top of this list.
Nextiva
Nextiva is a popular VoIP provider that comes with comprehensive features. This VoIP can integrate with multiple third-party apps and offers 24/7 customer support. Nextiva's plans start at Essential ($19/user monthly when billed annually), Professional ($22/user monthly when billed annually) and Enterprise ($33/user monthly when billed annually).
Why Nextiva didn't make the cut: It could be a good choice for a large company — however, Nextiva is one of the priciest VoIP providers on the market. Every plan costs a per-user rate, and the most affordable option requires a three-year commitment.
GoToConnect
GoToConnect is another high-end VoIP provider for larger businesses. All plans come with third-party app integrations and video conferencing. Plans start at $24 per user monthly when billed annually (Basic) and $29 per user monthly when billed annually (Standard).
Why GoToConnect didn't make the cut: The best customer service and features are reserved for the highest-paid plans. This provider also has limited video conferencing features and can only connect 25 users at a time.
Vonage
Vonage is a trusted business VoIP provider ideal for businesses relying on Microsoft Teams. Vonage plans are per user monthly and include Mobile (starting at $20 when billed annually), Premium (starting at $30 when billed annually) and Advanced (starting at $40 when billed annually).
Why Vonage didn't make the cut: Its basic plan is available for a mid-range fee, but customer service is limited. There is also a cost to add additional features like call recording, which is not ideal.
Business VoIP Providers Guide
The right VoIP provider will help your business receive incoming calls, make outgoing calls, and communicate seamlessly between team members. These services can come with a wide range of features — and some plans are much more than others.
Before you start shopping for business VoIP solutions, you should have an idea of what you're looking for. This quick guide walks you through the ins and outs of VoIPs, including how this technology works and how to find the best provider for your business.
What Is A Business VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) Provider?
VoIP stands for voice over internet protocol. This technology lets you make phone calls over broadband internet, instead of a standard phone line. A lot of VoIP services come with extra features like messaging and videos, but the main purpose of VoIP is to replace your traditional landline.
You may be wondering: Why would you opt for a VoIP over a landline phone? Landlines are a fading technology. Setting up a traditional phone system in your office will become more expensive and harder to maintain as more businesses move away from them. Internet-based calling also comes with tools to make your communication easier, such as integration with your mobile phone and voicemail transcriptions. A VoIP can also connect in-office and remote employees on the same phone system.
How Does A Business VoIP Provider Work?
A landline transmits analog signals through a system of copper wires. VoIP adds an extra step to this system — it converts analog signals (audio) into digital data, transmits it over the internet, then converts it back to analog signals so you can understand it.
It might sound complicated, but a VoIP phone system works like a traditional phone. You can make calls between VoIP phones in your system or to mobile phones. Most VoIP providers also offer messaging, video calls, conferences and more.
Although VoIP is often used as a catch-all term, it's important to understand that VoIP only refers to the audio or voice component of your phone system. Additional features that come with your VoIP plan aren't a part of VoIP technology.
You might also see the acronym "SIP" regularly used when comparing phone systems. SIP, or session initiation protocol, is a technology that helps to facilitate VoIP sessions and transmit more data, like text, images and video. The best business VoIP services include SIP tools to help streamline communication. A VoIP phone system without SIP can only offer voice calls.
How To Choose A Business VoIP Provider
Whether you're looking for the best small business VoIP provider or want a plan with comprehensive features, you should take your time and shop around before you buy a subscription. Some VoIP providers require a year-long contract, and others come with hardware — so you should be 100% sure about your decision.
Here are a few factors you'll want to consider when shopping for the best business VoIP phone system.
Know What Features You Need
While some VoIP plans offer simple calling and messaging, others come with a full range of features, including:
- Video conferencing: Set up video calls between team members and clients without using a third-party service.
- Voicemail transcriptions: Receive a text transcription of your voicemails. This can help you keep track of missed calls and understand what the caller was saying, even if the voicemail was unclear.
- Call recording: Record your calls and listen to them later to avoid missing important information.
- Messaging between groups: Create groups to share information and documents between certain team members.
- Document sharing: Automatically upload and share documents between team members.
- Integration with CRMs and other third-party apps: Integrate your messaging and groups with your company's CRM (like Slack, Google Workspace, Canvas or ZenDesk) to keep track of all your communication in one place.
Decide which features you're looking for before you choose a VoIP provider. Some providers offer scalable plans, so you can upgrade and add more features as your business grows.
Determine What Your Budget Is
Generally speaking, the more features your VoIP plan offers, the more expensive it will be. Decide what your monthly budget is and prioritize the features you absolutely need.
Keep in mind that most VoIP providers charge a per-user, per-month rate. That means that the price of your VoIP system will go up with each team member you add. Flat-rate plans often have limited features but can be affordable if you just want a simple phone system.
Consider Your Business Size And Call Volume
If outgoing phone calls are a regular part of your business, you'll want to find a VoIP provider that offers unlimited calls. It's also important to consider your business size and growth. If you plan on adding more team members soon, your per-user VoIP plan might get much more expensive.
Compare VoIP Plans
Compare VoIP plans before you buy. A lot of providers offer free trials so you can make sure the service is right for you. The trial period might be as short as seven days or as long as thirty days.
Remember to look into each company's contract requirements and payment methods as you compare plans. Some VoIP providers offer discounts for setting up auto-renewal or paying annually.
Look For Plans With Additional Business Tools
Some of the best VoIP providers have tools and features to help you run your business. Conferencing tools, call forwarding, document sharing, digital faxing, AI voice analytics and other tools can help to boost productivity and improve communication in your workplace.
Again, you'll have to balance those tools with your budget — but the more features a VoIP provider offers, the more value you'll get from your plan.
Read Customer Reviews
Like any software or business tool, it's important to read customer reviews before buying. The best VoIP providers should have high ratings on third-party review platforms. Check out sites that post customer complaints like the BBB. That way, you can see where each company falls short and pick a provider you trust.
Business VoIP Providers FAQ
How We Chose The Best Business VoIP Providers
To choose the best business VoIP providers, we looked into some of the most popular providers in the industry and compared them based on a range of crucial features. Notable features of the best Business VoIP providers include:
- Value for the cost: VoIP plans have a wide range of costs. We chose VoIP providers that offer a fair value for the cost — in other words, the more you pay, the more features and tools your VoIP should provide.
- Ease of use: The best VoIP systems are easy to install and use without the help of an IT professional.
- Third-party ratings and reviews: We looked for VoIP providers with high ratings on neutral review platforms and positive customer reviews.
- Multiple plan options: Multiple plans allow you to upgrade your VoIP plan as your business grows.
- Toll-free number available: The best VoIP providers offer a toll-free phone number so your business can receive incoming calls without charging the customer.
- Voicemail transcription: Voicemail transcription makes reviewing missed calls easier and reconnecting with callers. This is a basic feature that comes with most comprehensive VoIP plans.
- Customer service: We looked for VoIP providers that offer customer support, ideally through a 24/7 helpline.