Having a phone line dedicated to customer support is incredibly important, whether you’re running a small, midsize, or large business. If you’re still using an analog phone line, it’s the perfect time to switch to a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service and instantly improve your customer support.
A VoIP service, also known as IP telephony, uses a broadband Internet connection to deliver voice communications and other multimedia sessions over different Internet Protocol networks.
It equips businesses with everything they need for a modern-day customer support service and ensures that they stay in touch with their customer base.
Top 10 most popular VoIP services for small businesses
There are countless VoIP services available online, but not all of them are equal, especially not for small business owners. That’s why we have singled out the top 10 VoIP services for small businesses that are currently available on the market.
- Nextiva Best option overall
- RingCentral Very easy to use
- 8×8 Offers unlimited international calls and global number support
- Grasshopper Very flexible
- GoTo Connect Great video conferencing features
- Ooma Office Tailored for startups and entrepreneurs
- Dialpad Innovative AI capabilities
- Phone.com Metered subscription with low call volumes
- CallHippo Great for businesses with international calls
- Google Voice Free for a single user
Nextiva — Best option overall
Nextiva is one of the most popular cloud-based VoIP services, and it provides a comprehensive set of features for businesses of all sizes. It offers virtual phone numbers, call forwarding, voicemail, call center software, and more.
Nextiva is known for its exceptional customer support and focus on the customer experience, which is precisely what makes it the best option overall.
Key features
- 99.999% uptime – with zero reported outages in 2019 and 2020, Nextiva offers its users impressive 99.999% uptime provided by 8 data centers in strategic locations across the US.
- Outstanding security – thanks to ISO/IEC 27001 certification, you can rest assured that Nextiva meets all security requirements and keeps your data safe.
- Award-winning support – with five consecutive Stevie awards, it’s safe to say that no one can come close to the customer support provided by Nextiva.
Pricing
Nextiva offers two different pricing plans for its users. They can choose from Professional and the Enterprise plan.
Professional
-
$21.95 per user/month
The Professional plan includes unlimited calling within the US and Canada because users receive a free local and toll-free number. Alongside video and audio meetings, users also access the top-rated mobile app.
Enterprise
- $31.95 per user/month
The Enterprise plan includes all of the features from the Professional plan. In addition, Enterprise plan users can enjoy numerous CRM and business integrations as well as real-time voice analytics. Call recording is also enabled.
RingCentral — Very easy to use
RingCentral is a cloud-based VoIP service known for its ease of use. This service offers virtual phone numbers, call forwarding, voicemail, and virtual meetings, among other features. It also has a user-friendly interface that makes it simple to manage your communications. The intuitive interface is ideal for smaller businesses.
Key features
- Numerous app integrations – the 300+ integrations make it easy to automate workflows and streamline your business processes.
- Compatibility with all devices – it doesn’t matter whether you use a computer, tablet, mobile phone, or VoIP phone; RingCentral is compatible with all of your devices.
- Use across different industries – whether your business is in healthcare, education, retail, high tech, or some other industry, this tool is versatile enough to be used in all industries.
Pricing
Let’s take a look at the four pricing plans available at RingCentral.
Essentials
- $32.99 per user/month
-
$19.99 per user/month
(billed annually)
The Enterprise plan includes all of the features from the Professional plan. In addition, Enterprise plan users can enjoy numerous CRM and business integrations as well as real-time voice analytics. Call recording is also enabled.
Standard
- $40.99 per user/month
-
$27.99 per user/month
(billed annually)
The Standard plan offers everything available in the Essentials plan plus business phone numbers in more than 100 countries, unlimited users, audio conferencing, internet fax, 24/7 support, and video meetings with up to 100 members.
Premium
- $47.99 per user/month
-
$34.99 per user/month
(billed annually)
The Premium plan includes some additional features compared to the Standard plan, such as automatic call recording, hot desking, real-time analytics, CRM, and industry-specific integrations, as well as video meetings with up to 200 members.
Ultimate
- $62.99 per user/month
-
$49.99 per user/month
(billed annually)
Bonus features available with the Ultimate plan are device status reports, alerts, and unlimited storage.
8×8 — Offers unlimited international calls and global number support
8×8 is a VoIP service that offers unlimited international calls and global number support, making it an excellent option for businesses with international clients or customers. In addition to voice services, 8×8 also offers virtual meetings, call center software, and virtual desk phones.
Key features
- Secure and compliant – 8×8 follows the most rigorous compliance standards, from which end-to-end encryption is just one of the supporting tools.
- Intelligent analytics – unified analytics help you to make smarter and more informed decisions.
- Reliable integrations – Microsoft Teams, Salesforce, and other business app integrations accelerate workflow.
Pricing
8×8 offers three different pricing plans.
Express
- $15 per user/month
The Express plan includes a basic communications package for small businesses. It supports up to 5 users.
X2
- $28 per user/month
-
$24 per user/month
(billed annually)
The X2 plan is the most popular choice because it provides services for larger teams such as all-in-one voice, chat, and video for unlimited users.
X4
- $57 per user/month
-
$44 per user/month
(billed annually)
The X4 plan offers advanced analytics and call-handling features.
Grasshopper — Very flexible
Grasshopper is one of the most flexible VoIP services on the market. It allows businesses to manage multiple phone numbers and extensions on a single account. This service offers a range of features, including virtual phone numbers, call forwarding, and voicemail, making it a great option for businesses that need a scalable and reliable solution.
Key features
- Desktop and mobile apps – now you can stay connected with Grasshopper via computer, iPhone, or Android.
- Call transfers – easily place callers on hold or transfer them to a different number when needed.
- Detailed reporting – detailed call reports keep you posted on all of the latest developments in your business.
Pricing
The three pricing plans available at Grasshopper include Solo, Partner, and Small Business.
Solo
- $31 per user/month
-
$28 per user/month
(billed annually)
The Solo plan comes with a toll-free number and up to three extensions. It also includes unlimited domestic calls, unlimited text messaging, and voicemail transcription.
Partner
- $51 per user/month
-
$46 per user/month
(billed annually)
The Partner plan comes with three toll-free numbers and up to six extensions. Unlimited domestic calls, texts, and transcription are also part of the plan.
Small Business
- $89 per user/month
-
$80 per user/month
(billed annually)
The Small Business plan includes five toll-free numbers and unlimited extensions. Other features available in the previous plans are included here as well.
GoTo Connect — Great video conferencing features
GoTo Connect is a VoIP service that offers strong video conferencing capabilities, making it an ideal choice for businesses interested in enhancing their virtual meeting capabilities. Virtual conferencing is becoming the go-to setting for meetings at most companies, so knowing that GoTo Connect offers above-average video conferencing features is significant.
Key features
- Extremely simple use – call routing and creating dial plans are incredibly simple when you use GoTo Connect.
- Increased flexibility – their solutions work anywhere and on every app, so you can easily remain flexible even when on the go.
- Impressive system uptime – 99.999% uptime ensures that you can rely on GoTo Connect at all times.
Pricing
Basic, Standard, and Premium plans are available to GoTo Connect users.
Basic
- $27 per user/month
This plan covers all of the essentials you could need from a basic business phone system.
Standard
- $32 per user/month
The Standard plan comes with more features to equip you with an extensive chat, phone, and video-conferencing system.
Premium
- $43 per user/month
The Premium plan unlocks additional exclusive features and offers access to the support center.
Ooma Office — Tailored for startups and entrepreneurs
Ooma Office is a VoIP service designed specifically for startups and entrepreneurs. It offers a comprehensive set of affordable features, including virtual phone numbers, call forwarding, voicemail, and virtual meetings. If you’re an entrepreneur or running a startup, Ooma Office could have precisely what you need.
Key features
- Multi ring – receive calls on your mobile app, office phone, and another external device.
- Virtual receptionist – choose how to manage all incoming calls.
- Intercom calling – users can call Ooma Office, and the speakerphone automatically picks up their call.
Pricing
The three available pricing plans are outlined below.
Essentials
- $19.95 per user/month
Users receive 50+ standard features with the Essentials plan, including the virtual receptionist, ring groups, and music on hold.
Pro
- $24.95 per user/month
The Pro plan offers additional features such as text messaging, call recording, voicemail transcription, and numerous third-party integrations.
Pro Plus
- $29.95 per user/month
The Pro Plus plan takes your Ooma Office VoIP service to another level by incorporating Salesforce integration, call queuing, and advanced call management.
Dialpad — Innovative AI capabilities
Dialpad leverages artificial intelligence to provide innovative capabilities, such as speech-to-text transcription and real-time call analytics. It’s also equipped with standard VoIP service features, however, the innovative AI capabilities make Dialpad an ideal solution for those who want to take their VoIP to a whole new level.
Key features
- HD call quality – Dialpad offers a global service network that secures the highest call quality for users.
- Unified communications – with screen sharing, video conferencing, and other unified communication features, it’s easy for an entire team to be on the same page.
- Call recording, forwarding, and routing – AI features make it easy to get everything you want from your VoIP calls.
Pricing
Choose from the Standard, Pro, and Enterprise pricing plans.
Standard
- $23 per user/month
-
$15 per user/month
(billed annually)
Subscribing to the Standard plan equips users with unlimited calling, video meetings, SMS, and MMS. Also, users receive AI-powered voicemail and call transcriptions.
Pro
- $35 per user/month
-
$25 per user/month
(billed annually)
Additional features available in the Pro plan include multiple phone numbers, CRM integrations, and 24/7 live agent support.
Enterprise
- Custom pricing
Exclusive features only available through the Enterprise plan include 100% uptime, unlimited ring groups and office locations, data retention policies, and live agent support priority.
Phone.com — Metered subscription with low call volumes
Phone.com is a metered subscription service with low call volumes, making it a cost-effective option for businesses with limited calling needs. If you don’t need a comprehensive VoIP tool but would still like to offer this option to your customers, Phone.com provides essential services for a reasonable price.
Key features
- Affordable pricing plans – Phone.com offers some of the most affordable pricing plans for VoIP services.
- Automated features – automated greetings, attendants, and hold music make the entire phone call experience much more enjoyable for customers.
- Additional features for efficiency – features such as Audio Conferencing, Do Not Disturb, and Click-to-Call help you stay efficient.
Pricing
Below is more pricing info for the affordable plans provided by Phone.com.
Basic
- $14. 99 per user/month
-
$11.99 per user/month
(billed annually)
With one phone number per account, Basic plan users receive 500 minutes, 1,000 text segments, and video conferencing with up to 10 participants.
Plus
- $19.99 per user/month
-
$15.99 per user/month
(billed annually)
Plus plan subscribers receive one phone number per user, unlimited minutes, conversational text messaging, and video conferencing for up to 25 participants.
Pro
- $29.99 per user/month
-
$23.99 per user/month
(billed annually)
The Pro plan includes call recording, CRM integration, video conferencing with up to 100 participants, and live streaming.
CallHippo — Great for businesses with international calls
CallHippo is particularly well-suited for businesses with a significant volume of international calls. It offers competitive rates for international calls and a range of features to enhance the call experience so that companies with many international clients or partners can secure a safe and reliable connection globally.
Key features
- Better call outputs – various integrations allow software users to enjoy better call quality and improved efficiency.
- Removed location barriers – all CallHippo physical limitations are removed by using the Internet.
- Low cost-per-call rates – stay in touch with your partners from other countries with low costs on international calls.
Pricing
Users can choose from four different pricing plans offered by CallHippo.
Basic
- Free of charge
Startup owners can enjoy basic VoIP service features for free. This includes SMS, global connect, voicemail, and call forwarding at no cost at all to users.
Bronze
- $16 per user/month
A small team can benefit from the Bronze plan, which includes a free number, paid call recording, campaign management, and much more.
Silver
- $24 per user/month
Fast-growing teams are advised to go with the Silver plan, which is equipped with call reminders, call queuing, call feedback, and gamification.
Platinum
- $40 per user/month
The Platinum plan includes premium features such as a power dialer, conference calls, report analytics, multiple device forwarding, and many others.
Google Voice — Free for a single user
Google Voice is a free VoIP service for single users, making it an economical option for freelancers or small businesses with minimal call volume. Voice is equipped with all of the fundamental features that a VoIP service should have, so if you’re running your business on your own and don’t need anything fancy, Google Voice should meet your needs.
Key features
- Clarity and simplicity – keeping everything minimalistic and simple makes Voice easy to use.
- AI-powered features – enjoy numerous AI tools that allow you to block spam calls and transcribe voicemails automatically.
- Increased scalability – deploy Google Voice whenever and wherever with almost no administrative work needed.
Pricing
While it is free for a single user, Google Voice also offers three team pricing plans.
Starter
- $10 per user/month
This plan supports up to 10 users and domestic locations.
Standard
- $20 per user/month
The Standard plan incorporates an unlimited number of users and domestic locations.
Premier
- $30 per user/month
Premier plan subscribers can enjoy a limitless number of users as well as domestic and international locations, among other additional features.
How to find the best VoIP for your small business
Finding the best VoIP for your small business can be daunting, but with the proper research and consideration, you can discover the perfect solution to meet your needs.
Consider all the costs
The first step is to consider all of the costs involved. This includes the initial setup fee, monthly or annual charges, and additional features or integration costs. It’s important to know the total cost of specific VoIP services and to compare them with your budget.
Level of security
Ensure that the provider offers robust security measures to protect your communication and sensitive data. The provider should offer end-to-end encryption, firewalls, and multi-factor authentication options.
Available integrations
The VoIP should have the ability to integrate with your CRM, project management, and other tools that you use. This will help you to streamline your work processes and increase productivity.
Level of customer support
Make sure that the provider offers 24/7 support and has a reliable and responsive support team. This will help you to resolve any issues quickly and minimize downtime when challenges arise.
Number of features
The provider should offer a comprehensive range of features such as video conferencing, voicemail, call forwarding, and more. Consider the specific needs of your business and choose a solution that offers the features that are essential for you.
Uptime
Finally, consider the uptime of the VoIP solution. The provider should offer a high level of reliability and verify that the system is always up and running. Your chosen solution must be able to handle a high volume of calls and provide stable call quality. Uptime is crucial for keeping your business connected and available to your customers.
Best options for different needs
Although all VoIP services mentioned here are an excellent choice for your small business, some are better than others. Here are our top choices that represent the best of the best.
Best for growing businesses
Growing businesses need scalable solutions that can meet their changing needs. Not every VoIP service is flexible enough to provide its users with exactly what they’re looking for at the time, which is why it’s necessary to choose a solution designed for growing businesses.
Best for growing businesses
Growing businesses need scalable solutions that can meet their changing needs. Not every VoIP service is flexible enough to provide its users with exactly what they’re looking for at the time, which is why it’s necessary to choose a solution designed for growing businesses.
Best free option
If you’re looking for a high-quality and reliable VoIP service that comes at no cost, you’ll want to determine the best free VoIP tool available. This way, you can access all of the essential features free of charge.
Best features for the price
Just because a VoIP service is expensive doesn’t necessarily mean it’s equipped with the best features. That’s why it’s essential to compare the listed features and the price plans of different VoIP providers to discover the best solution out there.
FAQs
VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol, allows people to make phone calls online instead of through traditional telephone networks, also known as analog connections.
VoIP works by breaking down audio into packets of data sent over the internet and reassembled into an audible call at the receiving end. As a result, users can count on faster, cheaper, and more reliable call services.
Yes, there are several good free options for VoIP services, such as Google Voice and CallHippo. Some people even include Skype, WhatsApp, and Viber as examples of excellent free VoIP services.
VoIP services can be priced in several ways, including per minute, per user/per month, or with a flat rate for unlimited calling. Some providers may also offer tiered pricing plans based on the number of included features.
Conclusion
Using a VoIP service can instantly transform how you do business. Not only can the switch from a traditional phone line to a broadband Internet connection ensure faster, more reliable, and more efficient customer service, but it can also motivate more people to become loyal members of your client community.
Choose your favorite VoIP service from the list above and finally make the change.
