What’s the Best VoIP System for Small Business? Everything to Know About Small Business VoIP
Choosing the right landline for your small business is key. It means clear calls, happy clients, and smooth communication with customers.
Your business phone line is a direct channel to your customer base. You want a phone system that's easy to use, reliable, and scalable.
A good business landline system provides an easy-to-use phone system with a great support network at a low entry cost. It keeps your business reachable by phone call and lets you add SMS to your landline phone system.
We've prepared this guide to help you purchase the best business landline or business phone service for your business needs.
Let's break down the top picks and find the best fit for your business.
Why You Need a Business Phone System
In the age of instant connectivity, a dedicated business phone system remains a cornerstone for great customer service.
One-on-One interactions with customers over phone or text foster long lasting relationships. Differentiating your business from the rest in a competitive market.
In fact, 67% of consumers prefer communicating over a phone rather than emailing with businesses for customer support.
Today, customers expect the ability to quickly call businesses or send a quick text to their favorite businesses.
Having a professional business phone system also helps establish your brand and creates a sense of legitimacy for your business. It shows potential customers you are serious about providing quality service and support.
Using a dedicated landline for your business means you won't have to share your personal number with clients or deal with the inconvenience of switching between devices.
A reliable phone system signals to customers that they are valued and their concerns are taken seriously.
Top 10 VoIP Services
Why trust our opinion?
MessageDesk enables businesses to add SMS superpowers to their existing landline phone system by hosting their phone number. While servicing over 1,000+ businesses every day, we've surveyed businesses about what landline services get the job done.
Based on our surveys, here's our top-10 list of business landline providers:
Want to cut right to the chase? Here's our preferred landline provider based on our surveys: CommunityPhone.
The following is in no specific order:
- Nextiva
- Zoom
- Grasshopper
- RingCentral
- 8x8
- Avaya
- Ooma
- Vonage
- Dialpad
- CommunityPhone (Our favorite Landline Provider)
1. Nextiva
Pricing: It starts at $24 per month and offers competitive plans tailored to small businesses.
Features: Offers SMS, a robust VoIP service, and advanced call management.
Customer Service: Renowned for responsive and helpful support with a helpful user community.
Nextiva is more than just a landline provider; it’s a gateway to efficient business communication. With SMS capabilities integrated into its offerings, Nextiva epitomizes the blend of traditional and modern connectivity.
Pros of Nextiva Phone System
- Handset Selection: Nextiva caters to businesses of all sizes with a range of handsets designed to meet specific needs.
- Unified Communications: Nextiva’s phone system combines voice, video, and messaging into a single platform.
- Reliability: Nextiva’s reputation for consistent uptime means businesses can depend on their phone system around the clock.
Cons of Nextiva Phone System
- Pricey Entry Packages: While Nextiva offers competitive plans, the cost can be steep for startups or small businesses with tight budgets who need robust features. The value is there, but initial pricing can be a hurdle for those beginning to scale.
- Complex Feature Set: Some users may find the extensive features overwhelming. While powerful, the learning curve can be steep for those without a tech-savvy background, potentially leading to underutilization.
- Commitment to Contracts: Nextiva's pricing often ties customers into longer-term contracts to secure better rates, which might not always align with the flexible needs of a rapidly evolving business environment.
2. Zoom
Pricing: Scalable options fitting diverse business needs.
Features: Widely known for video, also provides a business phone system
Customer Service: A multi-product support team means you may face delays reaching people who understand your specific Zoom product.
Zoom's evolution beyond video conferencing into the realm of text-enabled landline phones represents the versatility today's businesses need.
Zoom's cloud phone system unifies your entire engagement stack into a single tool. Whether you need to jump on a video call, dial a phone number, or send a quick SMS - Zoom brings it all under a single platform.
Pros of Zoom Phone System
- All-in-One Communication Hub: Zoom consolidates your communication needs, diminishing the clutter of multiple applications by providing video, voice, and chat in a single platform.
- Enhanced Productivity: By integrating various engagement tools, Zoom boosts productivity, enabling users to switch between communication modes seamlessly without losing context or efficiency.
- Reliable Connectivity: With a focus on minimizing downtime and service interruptions, Zoom ensures that businesses remain connected to their customers and team members reliably and securely.
Cons of Zoom Phone System
- Internet Dependence: Zoom's cloud-based system requires a consistent and strong internet connection. A wired landline, in contrast, often proves more reliable in areas with unstable internet service, ensuring uninterrupted communication.
- Complex Pricing Structure: With multiple tiers and add-ons, Zoom’s pricing can become complex, and budgeting for services might be challenging compared to a simple landline package with predictable costs.
- Feature Overload: Some businesses may find the extensive features of Zoom's all-in-one communication hub to be more than they need, potentially leading to a steeper learning curve compared to the simplicity of a traditional landline phone system.
3. Grasshopper
Pricing: Starts at $14/mo. Simple, straightforward packages.
Features: A simple internet-based phone system for your business.
Customer Service: A small-business-oriented customer service team with great ratings.
Grasshopper brings the ease of personal smartphones to your business landscape, allowing SMS to flow seamlessly through your established landline number.
Pros of Grasshopper Landline Services
- Easy to Use: Grasshopper is a simple platform that simplifies calling.
- Transparent Pricing: Grasshopper stands out with its clear and predictable pricing structure, removing any guesswork for budget-conscious businesses. Their packages are designed to minimize unexpected costs, providing straightforward options that cater to various business sizes and needs.
- Simple Setup: Grasshopper prides itself on a plug-and-play setup that's as easy as downloading an app, eliminating the need for complex installations and technical hurdles that can be time-consuming and disruptive to business operations.
Cons of Grasshopper Landline Services
- Limited Hardware Integration: While Grasshopper excels in virtual solutions, businesses requiring integrated landline hardware may find limitations in seamlessly connecting their existing phone systems with Grasshopper's virtual services.
- Inconsistent Features Across Plans: Some features that can be pivotal for business communications, like voicemail transcription or call filtering, might not be available in the basic plans, compelling businesses to upgrade for full functionality.
- Simplicity: Grasshopper offers simple software that's easy to set up. However, some businesses will outgrow the simplicity and want more robust features such as IVR management and AI call recording.
4. RingCentral
Pricing: Starts at $20 per month.
Features: Comprehensive VoIP service with a robust IVR system.
Customer Service: Strong track record of reliable, efficient customer service.
RingCentral offers a robust and reliable service that stands out for its ability to keep small businesses connected in every way, including via SMS.
Pros of RingCentral Landline Services
- Competitive Pricing Structure: RingCentral's landline service offers a comprehensive pricing model designed to serve businesses of various sizes. This flexibility ensures that companies can select a plan that balances cost with necessary features without paying for extras they don't need.
- Advanced IVR Capabilities: For businesses looking for a sophisticated phone experience, RingCentral's advanced Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system allows for efficient call routing and personalized customer interactions.
- Reliable Software Platform: RingCentral consistently delivers a secure and dependable phone calling experience designed with professional settings in mind.
Cons of RingCentral Landline Services
- Complex Pricing: Although competitively priced, understanding the full complexity of RingCentral's pricing can be challenging for those unfamiliar with VoIP services.
- IVR Setup Hurdles: The configuration of RingCentral's sophisticated IVR system can present initial hurdles. Businesses must invest the time to set up the system properly to ensure it aligns perfectly with their operations.
- Internet Dependency: While reliable, RingCentral is a cloud-based VoIP system. This means its services depend on a viable internet connection, unlike a hardwired landline phone system.
5. 8x8
Pricing: n/a - You must request a quote on their website.
Features: An entire communication platform including Voice, Chat and Video.
Customer Service: Exceptional service with a focus on client satisfaction.
Choose 8x8 for a feature-rich service that spans the globe, ensuring your enterprise has the tools it needs to thrive.
Pros of 8x8 Business Phone System
- Cloud-based Flexibility: 8x8's cloud-based system means unparalleled flexibility for your business. Without physical infrastructure, you can easily add lines or modify services to scale with your company’s growth. You can connect with your team and clients anywhere, anytime, over video, voice, or direct chat.
- Seamless Integration: The ability to integrate with various business tools and software ensures that 8x8 can effortlessly become a part of your team's daily workflow, boosting productivity and efficiency by keeping all communications in one easy-to-manage platform.
- All-in-One: 8x8 provides access to voice, video, chat and contact management features. Making it a great all-in-one solution for small businesses.
Cons of 8x8 Business Phone System
- Network Dependent: Like other VoIP solutions, 8x8's service quality depends on your internet connection. This reliance in regions with unstable or slow internet service leads to unreliability.
- Customer Support: 8x8 is a massive company - servicing over 3 million businesses worldwide. This means their support team de-prioritizes small business customers and makes way for larger enterprise users.
6. Avaya
Pricing: Starts at $25 per month.
Features: Extends traditional landline capabilities with SMS functions.
Customer Service: Expert support dedicated to empowering businesses with reliable technology.
Avaya takes pride in its mission to innovate and support the communications of proactive business ventures.
Pros of Avaya Phone System
- Cost-Efficient: Save money with low-cost plans starting from $25.
- Easy to Use: Intuitive design for easy call handling and setup.
- Rich Features: Offers SMS, call logs, and team chats in one system.
Cons of Avaya Phone System
- Hardware Costs: Need to buy phones or adaptors.
- Complex Pricing: Plans can be confused with add-ons and tiers.
- Limited Integrations: Fewer app links than some rivals.
7. Ooma
Pricing: Cost-effective plans to suit tight budgets.
Features: Straightforward business landline system that offers IVR features.
Customer Service: Ooma has local reps in most cities who will help you set up and manage your setup.
Ooma is the go-to provider for those seeking an easy and capable landline phone solution.
Pros of Ooma Phone System
- Simple Setup: Installation is a breeze, creating a seamless start.
- Reliable Service: Dependable connection that rivals competitors.
- Superior Support: Dedicated reps ensure top-notch customer assistance.
Cons of Ooma Phone System
- Feature Limits: Not as robust compared to leading VoIP services.
- Less Scalable: This may not suit rapidly expanding businesses.
- Narrow Integration: Limited third-party app connectivity options.
8. Vonage
Pricing: Starts at $13 per month.
Features: Offers a wide array of voice solutions and physical handsets for your business
Customer Service: Strong emphasis on helping businesses succeed with top-notch support.
Lean on Vonage to provide your business with a complete phone system. Vonage offers a wide array of physical handsets, enabling you to extend your business's reach with reliable and effective phone communications.
Pros of Vonage Phone System
- Steadfast Reliability: Keeps businesses connected with a dependable network.
- Grow-as-you-go Scalability: Easily expands to match your company's growth.
- User-Friendly: Straightforward interface for hassle-free communication.
Cons of Vonage Phone System
- Complex Pricing: Multiple plans can be tricky to navigate.
- Integration Hurdles: Not the broadest selection of third-party integrations.
- Basic Features: Lacks some of the high-end features of more advanced systems.
9. Dialpad
Pricing: $15 per user per month - pricing depends on your desired features.
Features: Ai features across voice, meetings, contact management and sales.
Customer Service: Forward-thinking support ready to assist with modern business needs.
Dialpad disrupts the norms with a future-centric approach, allowing your business landline to carve new paths in connectivity.
Pros of Dialpad Phone System
- Ai-Toolset: Dialpad is an industry leader in Ai communication tools. Specializing in Ai voice, chat, meeting and contact management features.
- Customizable Pricing: Flexible pricing strategies tailored to your business needs.
- One Unified App: Dialpad unifies 4 distinct products (Voice, Video, Contact Management, Sales) into one seamless application.
Cons of Dialpad Phone System
- Learning Curve: Dialpad's innovative features come with a learning curve. If you're new to Dialpad, it's best to meet with their solutions team for guided setup.
- Niche Focus: Prioritizes Ai solutions and overlooks the fundamentals of business phone calls.
- Enterprise-focused: Dialpad's advanced features are tailored to the needs of its enterprise customer base. Small Businesses won't need most of what Dialpad offers.
🏆 10. CommunityPhone
Pricing: $39 per month.
Features: Hardwired Landline services that offer unlimited nationwide calling.
Customer Service: Committed to community and customer-centric support.
CommunityPhone stands as a testament to the resilience of hardwired landline services. It's the only "landline provider" on our list that doesn't require the internet to work.
Pros of Communityphone
- No Internet Required: Today, most voice providers rely on cloud-based systems. CommunityPhone is an easy-to-buy hardwired phone system.
- 30 Second Setup: Get setup within 30 seconds - all you need is a power outlet!
- Easy to Reach Customer Service: CommunityPhone provides an on-demand support team that can be reached via chat, email, or phone.
Cons of CommunityPhone
- Lack of SMS: CommunityPhone is a traditional landline service, meaning it doesn't provide any SMS solutions
How to Add SMS to Any Landline or VoIP Phone System
With MessageDesk, you can add SMS superpowers to your existing business phone system without disrupting your voice provider setup.
MessageDesk plugs into your existing phone number and lets you start sending and receiving SMS.
Add the following SMS superpowers to any of the top 10 Landline providers:
- Shared Team SMS Inbox
- SMS Broadcasts
- SMS opt-in and opt-out management
- SMS campaigns and auto-responses
- SMS forms and Chatbot for gaining subscribers
- SMS compliance and registration assistance
Check out all 40+ SMS features MessageDesk offers by watching a product demo.