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Deciding on the right business phone system for your company can take a lot of research. What do you want to accomplish with your new business phone system? Are you looking for a basic system that provides separate numbers for business calls and can route them to different employees? Or do you require a fully-featured system with capabilities for video conferencing, file sharing, app integration, and global reach?
Sometimes a small business only needs a few features whereas a larger corporation might not be able to function without those extra integrations. Understanding your specific requirements and how you intend to grow as a business is crucial before diving into the world of business phone systems.
Thursday, March 20th
VirtualPBX has been in operation since 1997, and it's unique in that it runs its entire company remotely using its own platform. They put an emphasis on ease of access and transparency.
Integration options
VirtualPBX offers numerous integration options through Zapier, enabling connectivity with popular services such as Slack, Trello, HubSpot, and Gmail. While this approach may differ from direct integrations offered by other providers, it provides accessibility and efficiency, particularly for small business owners without extensive technical expertise. However, larger enterprises may find it limiting compared to systems allowing direct integrations.
14-day free trial
If you're hoping for a free trial from VirtualPBX, you're in luck. The second you land on their main page, you can see the "free trial” button on the top menu bar. The free trial lasts 14 days and you can check out any of VirtualPBX's three plans to see which fits your business best. One of the standout features of VirtualPBX's site is transparency. You can find everything with a quick click. You don't have to hunt for trials, plans, or prices to find out everything you need to know.
Impressive features across three plans
You can pick between three plans at VirtualPBX.
Prices starting from $9 to $28 per month
The pricing for VirtualPBX is clear and straightforward. By adjusting the slider on the pricing page to indicate the number of users you anticipate, you can quickly see the cost per user for each of their three package options. Prices range from $9 per user per month when paid yearly for the Starter, $17 per user per month (yearly payments) for Pro, and $28 per user per month (yearly payments) for Ultra. If you add extra users or change to monthly payments, the cost per month will go up, but the baseline prices are very impressive for the features you get.
Impressive feedback on all counts
VirtualPBX holds an "A+" rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau, with no registered complaints - a remarkable achievement for a company with nearly 25 years in operation. Customer feedback generally echoes this positive sentiment, praising the responsiveness and helpfulness of company representatives, despite occasional system upgrade challenges. Across different third-party review sites, VirtualPBX has an average rating of 4.8 stars out of 5 as well as a whopping 4.9-star average on ConsumerAffairs specifically. As one of the highest rated but lowest-cost services in our review, this feedback is particularly impressive.
Top pick for customer satisfaction
In today's remote work environment, VirtualPBX stands out as a dependable option for business phone systems. Its commitment to consistent uptime, convenient integrations, and top-notch customer support makes it a preferred choice, especially for distributed workforces. With lower-than-average prices, impressive review feedback across the board, and a wide array of tech integrations and features, VirtualPBX earns high marks for its reliability and value. This, plus its customer-focused approach, earns VirtualPBX the top spot and a 5-star rating in our review.
GoTo Technologies USA, Inc., formerly known as LogMeIn Inc., is a leading provider of software as a service (SaaS) and cloud-based tools for remote work, collaboration, and IT management.
Rebranded in 2022
Established in 2003 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, the company underwent a rebranding in 2022, transitioning from LogMeIn to GoTo. This rebranding unveiled a unified application featuring GoTo Connect for collaboration purposes. GoTo Connect is known particularly for its capabilities to connect businesses with phone systems, along with a wide variety of other connectivity features, making it a go-to choice (pun intended) for many organizations.
Free demo offered
To get started with GoTo Connect, you can easily start browsing the features of the company's "all-in-one” approach. Or, if you prefer to jump right in, there's a button in the top right corner that will allow you to access the GoTo Connect demo. Unfortunately, during our research, we couldn't find the length of time available for the demo, so you may need to reach out to GoTo's customer service team to see how long you'll be able to access the free features.
Four main plans
GoTo Connect presents four distinct plans based on what services you want to use.
No prices online
The cost of GoTo Connect services varies based on factors like the selected payment plan and the number of users. However, unlike some of its competitors, GoTo Connect doesn't offer any pricing online. Instead, you have to contact a representative to get the pricing details. This sets the company behind in terms of transparency.
Impressive reviews across the board
Feedback from GoTo Connect customers is overwhelmingly positive, with many praising its affordability and feature-rich offerings compared to competitors. The company currently holds an impressive "A+” rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau. On top of this, the third-party customer reviews show that GoTo Connect has an average rating of 4.5 stars out of 5. Customers agree that GoTo Connect is generally easy to use and implement across their businesses and that the customer service team at GoTo Technologies is top tier.
Top one-stop shop
Despite the lack of pricing transparency, GoTo Connect stands out for its scalable and dependable plans that allow you to choose what features you need for your business phone system. Offering a one-stop-shop approach, GoTo Connect is praised for being extremely easy to use, with impressive tech support when needed. For these reasons, GoTo Connect earns a solid rating in our review. It would rate even higher if it offered online pricing for its plans.
Established in 2006, Nextiva operates as a VoIP provider situated in Scottsdale, Arizona, emphasizing cloud-based communication services. With its technology supporting over 150,000 businesses, Nextiva offers NextOS, a one-stop shop platform delivering cloud-based communication, CRM, videoconferencing, email services, analytics, screen sharing, AI, and machine learning capabilities. This platform integrates with various applications such as Outlook, Google Cloud products, QuickBooks, DropBox, and ZenDesk.
Free trial missing from site
Getting started with Nextiva is simple. On the main page of the site, there are three quick links to get you where you need to go. You can choose to review the benefits of Nextiva through the "Explore” button, learn more, and get quotes through the "Get a Quote” link, or jump right in on the "Get Started” in the top navigation bar if you're ready to commit. While Nextiva used to have a 7-day free trial, we struggled to find any current offers on the Nextiva site. During our research, we tried looking on multiple pages and the site's FAQ, but couldn't find any option for a free trial. This may be something you'll need to bring up with a rep if you decide to call.
Three plans to choose from
Nextiva offers three service packages: Essential, Professional, and Enterprise.
Prices from $18.95 to $40.95 per month
The pricing is easy to access from the "Pricing” page, where you can compare the different plans side by side. The Essential package is the most affordable at $18.95 per user per month. The Professional package costs $22.95 per user per month, and the Enterprise package is $32.95 per user per month. These prices are all based on an annual commitment. If you prefer to pay as you go, the month-to-month cost is $25.95 for Essential, $30.95 for Professional, and $40.95 for Enterprise.
Praise for reliability
Nextiva currently holds a top-tier "A+" rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau, and its customer feedback is similarly impressive. According to third-party review sites like Trustpilot and ConsumerAffairs, Nextiva has an impressive average of 4.6 stars. Customers who used it for their "major business ventures” have been using Nextiva for years and praise it for its reliability. Customers also loved the attentiveness of support reps at Nextiva and the assistance with setup to help the software run smoothly.
Good for large or growing businesses
Nextiva is a great option for larger enterprises, and it may be worthwhile for small businesses too. Given that the prices are similar to some "basic” companies in our review but offer more features for small businesses looking to grow, this could be a great way to prepare your communications for future expansion. With stellar reviews from customers who've used Nextiva for years, it stands out as a favorite with business owners and large teams. For this reason, it gets a very high rating.
RingCentral positions itself as a global communications and collaboration solution, offering a one-stop shop for communication needs. The offerings include voice, team collaboration, messaging, video meetings, and a contact center for your whole business.
Over 100 countries
Standing out as a perfect option for international teams, RingCentral offers services in over 100 countries. RingCentral's open API platform allows integration with existing software such as Salesforce or Zendesk, as well as custom applications and integrations. With an emphasis on security and uptime, RingCentral provides data protection through seven layers of security and geographically dispersed data centers.
14-day free trial
RingCentral provides a full product demo to help you gain insights into its business phone systems. However, accessing the demo requires providing personal details, such as name, email, and business phone number. Once you do this, you'll gain access to 14 days free on any of the plans to preview the tools and functionality for your business. You'll be able to demo Cloud PBX, Business SMS, Management and Reports, and Call Management.
Three plans for business
RingCentral offers three primary business phone plans: Core, Advanced, and Ultra.
Pricing starts from $20 to $35 per month
Pricing is a little higher here than with other companies. However, it's still highly competitive for the features. The Core plan starts at $20 per user per month, the Advanced plan costs $25 per user per month, and the Ultra plan is $35 per user per month. These prices are based on one user as a base, so the costs can go up depending on how many users you plan to have with your RingCentral plan.
One-stop-shop could save you long-term
Despite the apparent cost, investing in RingCentral's business phone system could lead to long-term savings for businesses. Case studies on RingCentral's website show cost reductions ranging from 25% to 35% depending on which bundle or solution you choose for your business. While actual savings depend on various factors, exploring RingCentral's one-stop-shop approach could be helpful to save money in the long run.
Praise for the all-in-one packaging
RingCentral has an "A+" rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau, along with multiple Editor's Choice awards from PC Mag for cloud PBX with collaboration. Reviews on ConsumerAffairs show some concerns but feedback is mostly positive with a 3.9-star average out of 5. The positive reviews show that setup is easy and customers love having access to international calls included in the price. Despite the higher price, customers frequently call RingCentral affordable due to its one-stop-shop approach. You don't have to cherry-pick extras and pay more monthly fees. There is also significant praise for the IT team at RingCentral, with most customers having their questions answered or problems solved within a matter of hours.
Best for international teams
RingCentral stands out as a solid choice for businesses seeking a reliable and feature-rich phone system. With its emphasis on security and uptime, and positive customer feedback, RingCentral earns high praise as a leading provider in the industry. While it could be a little cheaper, the one-stop shop approach offers impressive value for your money. Plus, you get access to lots of international features. For all these reasons, it earns a solid rating in our review.
Grasshopper is a company that offers a virtual phone system with features like calls, texts, custom greetings, extensions, and inbound faxes, serving as an extra phone number on your current personal device.
Take both business and personal calls
With Grasshopper, you can separate business and personal calls while using the same mobile phone. Whether you prefer a standard local, vanity, or toll-free number, or if you seek to transfer an existing business number, Grasshopper offers several different business phone system options. Established in 2003 by Siamak Taghaddos and David Hauser, Grasshopper is presently owned by GoTo (another service you'll find reviewed separately here). The company's focus is on affordability and assisting small businesses to operate more professionally by safeguarding their private contact information.
7-day free trial
When you first land on the Grasshopper website, it feels a bit more cluttered than some of its competitors. There are pop-up ads and the dark background with white text makes everything feel a bit jumbled. You can either do your research by scrolling through the main page or jump right to the "Plans” page via the top navigation bar. While there is a free trial, it's not immediately apparent. You do have to scroll down a little before you'll find the "start free trial” button. To start your free trial, you don't need to put in a credit card or make any commitment which is a bonus, but the trial period is only 7 days, which is shorter than many competitors. During this period, you gain access to one phone number, three extensions, 100 Business Talk minutes, 100 Business Texts, and an array of features available in the full version of the service.
Three plans for individuals and businesses
There are three plans to choose from at Grasshopper.
Business provides unlimited extensions as well
All three Grasshopper plans come with core features like 24/7 support, unlimited business texting (registration required), and local and toll-free number registration. You'll also have access to mobile and desktop apps, call forwarding, VoIP and WiFi calling, virtual fax, voicemail, and other useful features to streamline your communication needs.
Prices from $15 to $70 per month
Pricing is listed directly on the website and is easy to access. You can also compare the pricing and features of each plan side by side to help you determine the best fit for your business. The True Solo plan costs just $15 per month, Solo Plus is $25 per month, and Small Business costs $55 per month. These are all based on annual commitments. If you prefer to pay month-to-month, the prices change to $18 per month for True Solo, $32 per month for Solo Plus, and $70 per month for Small Business.
Solid reviews from tech bloggers
Grasshopper operates under the umbrella of GoTo, Inc. which holds an "A+" rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau. However, specific feedback about Grasshopper remains somewhat elusive. There aren't many customer reviews for Grasshopper, with most of the reviews for the company coming from tech magazines and blogs. From those reviews, we found that Grasshopper has an average rating of 4.3 stars out of 5. Some customer reviews for Grasshopper show praise for the platform's user-friendly interface and call routing, while others have faced challenges with customer service and found that Grasshopper wasn't ideal if their businesses started to expand. On the other hand, startups and small businesses were generally very happy with the results from Grasshopper.
Best for small businesses
Overall, Grasshopper fulfills its promise as an entry-level business phone system suitable for startups and sole proprietors. While it may not offer the most comprehensive feature set or scalability for larger corporations, it stands out as a convenient and user-friendly solution for small business owners and startups. For this reason, it earns a solid rating in our review and praise for being the top option for a sole proprietor or small business looking for a phone system with decent features.
Freedom Voice's CloudNumber service offers a convenient solution for businesses seeking a dedicated phone number managed through a smartphone. Since its establishment in 1996, Freedom Voice has served over 250,000 small businesses, earning a reputation for affordable and dependable service.
Good value
If you're a startup looking to separate your business and personal communications while retaining the convenience of using your current mobile phone, Freedom Voice is a great option. Freedom Voice stands out as promising low-cost but not "cheap” (or low-quality) services and may be a great starting point for new businesses looking to add their own 800 numbers.
30-day free trial
When you land on the Freedom Voice website, you're presented with pricing right away. You can browse the site, which comes across as pretty bare bones, and find details about the Freedom Voice process and details. You also have the option to call one of their reps to get more details, if you want to talk through the service with someone. You can also click on a floating pop-out ad for a free trial, and get 30 days free to test Freedom Voice. You do need to put in payment information, though, so keep that in mind if you decide not to keep Freedom Voice down the line.
Prices from $9.95 to $29.95 per month
Select from three cost-effective plans provided by the company.
Notably, all of these plans are just for 800 numbers. You're not getting call services, AI tools, or chat features with Freedom Voice. It's just a basic business phone number, but for startup companies who don't have a lot of calls to field, this could be a solid cost-effective option.
Choose your number to fit your business
With Freedom Voice's CloudNumber, you can choose any desired business number, including transferring an existing number. Whether you prefer a vanity number, such as 1-800-BIZ-GUYZ, or a more standard number, you can easily check availability for certain numbers during the signup process. You can also text with your number and make international calls to Canada if you wish.
Top scores from reviewers
Despite its simplicity, Freedom Voice excels in customer service, earning praise from satisfied clients for its attentive and dedicated support team. With an average rating of 4.9 stars out of 5, and over 1,950 total reviews to back up the rating, it's easy to see that Freedom Voice customers love the easy access to a customized 800 number. Tons of reviews praise the customer service and helpfulness of reps at Freedom Voice, making it a standout for customer satisfaction.
Good basic phone option
For small businesses seeking a cost-effective solution for obtaining a dedicated phone number and basic phone features, Freedom Voice's CloudNumber stands out as an excellent choice. While it may not offer advanced requirements like integrations or video conferencing, Freedom Voice is a cost-effective way to give your business phone system a boost. For its outstanding review presence and usefulness for small businesses, Freedom Voice earns a respectable rating in our review.
8x8, Inc. is an American company that offers VoIP solutions, serving businesses with a range of cloud-based communication products such as voice, contact center, video, mobile, and unified communications. Since 2018, 8x8 has been overseeing Jitsi. Originally founded in 1987 by Chi-Shin Wang and Y. W. Sing, formerly of Weitek, as Integrated Information Technology, Inc. (IIT), the company started as an integrated circuit designer before changing its name in the mid-1990s.
Free trial but no pricing
Finding what you need on 8x8's website is simple. You can either jump to the Plans and Pricing page or join a call with one of their representatives for demos, questions, or customer support. You can also sign up for a demo by putting in your personal information on the website. This allows you access to a 30-day free trial of 8x8's services. The only downside to checking out 8x8 is that the site doesn't offer any details on pricing unless you call for a quote. This lack of transparency may cause customers to choose other companies over 8x8 due to more available information.
5 business phone plans
There are 5 different plans to choose from at 8x8.
No pricing details online
Years ago, 8x8 used to be a favorite due to its straightforward pricing structure. However, now 8x8 doesn't offer any kind of pricing information online. You have to contact 8x8 for a quote either by phone or by entering all of your personal information into the system. This lack of transparency keeps 8x8 from being as competitive as it should be.
Secure data-driven program
8x8 offers security, privacy, and compilation of your business data through third-party certifications, offering features like call activity reporting, AI-driven speech analytics, and virtual agents. By consolidating and analyzing data from various communication channels, it provides valuable insights that improve productivity, reduce costs, and foster revenue growth. It also offers 3-factor security, so you can trust that your data remains confidential.
Solid scores despite missing prices
Despite our concerns about 8x8's lack of transparency, the company has a perfect "A+” rating and accreditation with the Better Business Bureau. In terms of third-party reviews, the feedback is a little mixed. Most recent customers love their experience with 8x8, praising things like the ease of use, and the integration of tools like chat and callback systems. There are a handful of negative reviews, but these appear to be few and far between and the complaints are centered around specific customer service reps at 8x8 rather than the service itself.
A solid choice if you don't mind digging for prices
While 8x8 may offer viable solutions for some businesses, you may still prefer alternatives due to the lack of pricing transparency. However, if you don't mind sitting on a call with a sales rep, 8x8 has an impressive reputation for success from both the BBB and customers. For this reason, 8x8 earns a balanced rating with room to improve significantly if it adds more transparency to its website.
Originally introduced as "UberConference" at TechCrunch Disrupt in May 2012, Dialpad is an AI-powered business communications platform. It consolidates all your essential communication methods into a single app, whether you're making calls to clients, holding meetings with your team, or sending texts to colleagues.
Award winning service
Dialpad offers a cloud-based video conferencing system and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. From earning a spot on Forbes' Best Startup Employers list in 2021 to receiving RemoteTech's Breakthrough award for Overall Remote Communication Solution of the Year, Dialpad is leaving its mark by aiding businesses of all sizes in managing their communication needs effectively.
14-day free demo
When you first land on the Dialpad site, it's a clean and easy-to-navigate experience. You can jump right in with the "Get Started” button, or you begin simply with the demo. Dialpad just needs your work email, details about what you want to use Dialpad for, and the number of employees that might use the program to get you started. You get access to the demo content for 14 days so you can decide if Dialpad's AI-driven toolset is ideal for your business.
3 plans for your business
Dialpad offers three different phone system plans for businesses.
Prices from $15 to $35 per month.
Dialpad's pricing starts at $15 per user per month for the Standard plan and increases to $25 per user per month for the Pro tier, which includes more advanced features and integrations. For enterprise-level services, pricing isn't listed on the site. For this tier, you'll need to contact Dialpad for a custom quote. You can also sign up for annual or monthly commitments with Dialpad. The prices listed above are based on an annual commitment. If you prefer a month-to-month approach at Dialpad, the prices are $23 per month for Standard and $35 per month for Pro.
Extras from $5 to $15 a month
Dialpad offers a range of add-ons if you want even more features for your business phone system. These extras include options like a conference room line, internet faxes, added international or toll-free numbers, and extra local numbers. Prices start at $15 per number per month for conference room lines, $10 per number per month for internet fax, $15 per number per month for additional international or toll-free numbers, and $5 per number per month for extra local numbers.
Mixed reviews but positive customer service
Unfortunately, Dialpad's rating with the Better Business Bureau has fallen significantly in the past few years. Currently, Dialpad has an abysmal "F” rating from the BBB. Despite this, Dialpad maintains a positive reputation among customers, with an average rating of 4.4 stars from customers on third-party review sites like Trustpilot. Customer reviews highlight Dialpad's commitment to addressing concerns promptly and efficiently as well as the friendliness of representatives at Dialpad. It is unclear from the reviews out there why Dialpad has an "F” rating from the BBB, but it does suggest some caution is warranted when you're making your decision.
Mixed feedback lands Dialpad around mid-tier
Although no service is without flaws, Dialpad's proactive approach to problem-solving and its dedication to staying at the forefront of business telephony innovations make it a compelling choice for businesses of all sizes. However, the "F” rating from the BBB raises some questions about its reliability beyond the positive reviews on customer service. Still, with its range of features and responsive customer support, Dialpad is worth considering for businesses seeking a modern communication solution. For this reason, it earns a better-than-average rating in our review.
Phone offers a cloud-based PBX business phone solution designed for small businesses. With over 50,000 customers spanning healthcare, retail, legal, education, finance, business services, and more, Phone serves any business that engages in phone communications.
Professional features at a lower cost
You gain access to voice, video, text, call management, and collaboration features similar to those of enterprise phone systems but without the hefty price tag. Phone allows businesses to use desktops running on Mac OS or Microsoft Windows as PBX extensions, supporting both voice and video calling while allowing you to manage and adjust your call settings.
Discounts and free trial offered
Phone's website offers a simplistic approach that makes it easy to find what you need right away. One of the benefits we quickly spotted was the option for discount codes. At the time of our review, Phone was offering 20% off every user for its services for 3 months. The demo link is also easy to find on the top navigation bar of the site, but there are no details as to how long the trial period lasts. You need to contact the service team at Phone to get access to the demo itself as well as the details.
Three plans
Phone offers three distinct packages.
Tons of standard features
All of the options include standard features like text messaging, voicemail-to-email, call routing, and video meetings are included across all plans. Phone offers over 50 possible features, allowing users to tailor their phone systems to meet specific needs. Furthermore, various add-ons such as Live Receptionist, IP desk phone compatibility, call recording, and international dialing capabilities are available.
Prices start from $12.99 to $29.99 per month
The pricing is simple but does require you to know how many users will be on the system. The Basic plan starts at $12.99 per month per user, the Plus plan costs $19.99 per month per user, and the Pro Plan is $29.99 per month per user. If you want one user with additional phone lines, you can do so for $4.99 per month rather than adding an entirely new user.
Reviews show service issues
Phone enjoys an outstanding reputation, with an "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau and a minimal number of complaints. However, there are some concerns registered on third-party review sites like Trustpilot. Currently, Trustpilot shows a 1.6-star average for Phone. Customers complained about tech issues when increasing the number of phone lines or otherwise scaling up their business. Other customers had accounts suspended without warning and there are a range of complaints about the complexity of signing up too. While other review sites and blogs seem to love Phone, these reviews raise some questions about reliability.
Mid-tier due to concerning reviews
While Phone was formerly a favorite, the negative reviews raise some red flags about how reliable Phone is in the long term. Considering that there's a lack of transparency with the free trial and the prices are based per person rather than the service as a whole, there are some sites out there that offer better deals and better reliability. While Phone still has impressive features for the price, you may want to check carefully before signing up.
Founded by Andrew Frame and Michael Cerda, Ooma introduced its initial product as a "VoIP in a box" device, with peer-to-peer VoIP technology. The goal was to offer phone calls over other Ooma users' landline services.
Both personal and home plans
Since then the company has expanded significantly to include other tech integrations and video conferencing. The company's service portfolio encompasses two primary business models: Ooma Telo for personal or home use, and business solutions including Ooma Office Pro and Ooma Enterprise.
30-day free trial
Ooma's website exhibits signs that it may not be entirely up-to-date. Some of the links travel to blank pages. For example, if you click on the "Plans” link on the top navigation bar, it will take you to a blank page. To get to actual plan information, you have to select one of the items from the dropdown list instead. Further, it was a bit difficult to find details for the free trial. Ooma offers a 2-month free trial for its home phone features, but the business side of the company doesn't offer a free trial at all. Instead, you get a 30-day money-back guarantee that stands in place of a free trial. While you do have to put your payment information in to get the software, you have 30 days to try the program and return it for a refund if you don't like how Ooma works.
Three plan tiers
There are three business plans offered by Ooma.
Prices from $19.95 to $149.75
The initial prices listed on the website (starting at $19.95 per month for the Essentials plan) are based on the number of users, and the base price assumes one user only. You can see prices for up to 5 users ($149.75 per month for the Pro Plus plan) before you need to call Ooma for a quote. On anything 6 users or higher, the plan will be tailored to your business instead.
Try Enterprise for large businesses
For businesses requiring more sophisticated capabilities like API integrations and customized call center flows, Ooma offers Enterprise Solutions. To learn more about Enterprise Solutions, you'll need to call for a free consultation, but the general gist is that the Ooma Enterprise option is for large business ventures looking for more data analytics and automation features in their business phone systems.
Outages and lackluster customer service
Unfortunately, Ooma fell from an "A+” rating to an "NR” designation on the Better Business Bureau, and that slide from popularity is also reflected in customer reviews. Between reviews on Trustpilot and ConsumerAffairs, Ooma holds an average rating of just 2 stars out of 5. Customers complain about troubles installing new devices and the lack of 24-hour assistance from Ooma. Several customers claimed that Ooma didn't honor their 30-day money-back guarantee, making it even more frustrating when they wanted to cancel. There are also a host of reviews talking about service outages and long periods where the Ooma phone systems were completely unavailable for use.
Too many problems and no solutions
Ooma doesn't stand out in a lot of areas, making it the lowest-rated service in our review. First, the prices are high for what they offer, especially when you get into multi-user systems. Further, there isn't a dedicated free trial, forcing you to pay before you decide. Finally, Ooma's inconsistent service and customer support may pose challenges (and is a source of grief in plenty of customer reviews). With numerous complaints highlighting reliability issues and frustrations with cancellation procedures, Ooma receives a low rating in our review.
Regardless of your business size, there are plenty of ways to serve your company with a new phone system. Even solo entrepreneurs can find suitable providers with features meant to help out a single business owner specifically.
Some systems are as simple as adding an 800 number to your existing device, making it simple to separate your business from personal calls while still managing your life on one phone. Other systems are primed for large, even international, businesses that need to field hundreds of calls, record videos, or send out automated texts.
While a business phone system might have been an expensive venture before, the landscape has evolved from the days of purchasing equipment and installing landlines. Nowadays, most business phone systems rely on mobile phones and offer totally online or cloud-based calling systems. Companies can use existing hardware and minimize upfront costs significantly. However, monthly expenses can still range from $12 to over $100 per user, depending on features and provider choices.
Despite potential initial costs, investing in a business phone system can yield some serious benefits. Enhanced productivity, quicker response times, and better data collection can be essential to your business and its future growth. Make sure to weigh the long-term advantages against the upfront costs when considering a business phone system for your company.
When picking out your new business phone system, you might get overwhelmed by the many available options out there. Here are several factors to consider to help you find the perfect phone support for your business:
To help you pick out the best phone system for your business, Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked the top providers on the market. Our research aims to give you the tools and techie details to navigate through the options and find the perfect phone system match for your company. We hope this helps you confidently choose a business phone system that meets your operational needs and helps you get back to the most important thing: running your business!
On March 10, 1876, Alexander Graham Bell - the inventor credited with creating the first telephone - uttered the first words ever spoken into a working device.
The telephone has come a long way since its crudest form in those early years. With crystal clear reception and phones available in all sizes, Bell would surely be shocked at what has become of his modest invention.
Phones can now be found in just about every household and business in the industrialized world. And for some businesses in particular, a working phone system is the difference between being in the red and being in the black. The kind of business phone system that is ideal for you depends on the nature of your business and the size of the company.
For some businesses, there is no need for a fancy telephone system that is capable of transferring calls to 20 different offices, complete with voicemail for every employee and videoconferencing capabilities. Small companies may find that they can get along just fine without a big, expensive business phone system, and instead opt for a cloud-based business phone system.
So when do you need a business phone system?
The first thing to ask yourself is what you intend to do with the phone system and where will you be using the phones.
Most businesses require a phone at the main reception desk, as well as one in every office or cubicle. Also, if you have data ports for computers, you will need a line for each of those. If you have a fax machine or credit card terminal, those also will require phone lines. Once you have decided on the number of phones you require, you will need to determine the number of phone lines required to guarantee calls can be received and made simultaneously. A busy signal on a business phone is the worst thing that a company could have happen. If a customer can't get through, they likely will give up and take their business elsewhere.
The important thing to keep in mind is that there is no "one size fits all" model of business phone system that will work for every business out there. For example, smaller companies likely have little need for a receptionist option on their system. Callers can be greeted with an automated message directing them to dial the person's extension they wish to reach. A separate option that lists extensions for every employee can be a part of that automated greeting.
Select any 2 Business Phone Systems to compare them head to head