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Top Factors to Consider in a VoIP Free Trial Before Purchase
Updated: March 11, 2024
VoIP phone systems cost less while offering advanced features and increased flexibility. These inherent benefits can improve business operations and the bottom line in various ways, so it is easy to see why they continue to drive the adoption of these phone systems among businesses.
With so many options on the market, you must remember that not all are created equal. Therefore, you must take your time and compare the options to make an informed decision when selecting one that is right for your business. Free trials allow VoIP phone system providers to provide proof of concept.
This blog post will share some insights on why you must take advantage of a free trial before buying a VoIP phone system for your business. We’ll also explore some features to look out for during the free trial. Lastly, we’ll examine a few examples of VoIP phone systems with free trials and what they offer.
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Understanding the Importance of Free Trials
Any prospective system, including a VoIP phone system, needs a real-world test drive before you can make the final decision. Selecting from several options can be less stressful when you try each before buying. With VoIP phone systems for businesses, the free trial is an opportunity to experience what the system has to offer firsthand. You can use this experience to make a better-informed decision.
During the trial period, you can assess the call quality of the VoIP phone system, given your available bandwidth and internet speeds. The trial period is also excellent for seeing if the VoIP phone system will work with your equipment. If incompatible, this would mean investing in additional hardware.
Free trials allow you to assess the ease of use before purchasing the VoIP phone system. Easy-to-use systems improve employee satisfaction rates.
Assessment of Communication Needs
What are your communication needs? These specific needs will help you narrow down what features are important to you. As you think of the features you wish to have in the phone system, consider the size of your business and, by extension, the number of users on the system. Again, think of the business tools and systems you are currently using and what it will mean to have a VoIP phone system that integrates with them.
In assessing your communication requirements, think long-term. Picture how your business may change and how these changes will impact your communication needs and strategies. This critical consideration will ensure you give the system flexibility and scalability the attention it deserves when selecting.
Key Features to Look for in a VoIP Free Trial
As you assess the call quality as a fundamental deliverable, don’t neglect to consider other factors such as ease of setup and use, integration compatibilities, and more. Here is a look at the top 5 among these features:
1. Duration and limitations of free trials
The length of free trials varies from one VoIP provider to the next. Similarly, limitations associated with trial accounts also vary among VoIP service providers. Ensure you fully understand the specifics around the duration and limitations before starting your free trial.
It ultimately depends on how effectively you use it, but trial periods can last 7, 14, 21, or 30 days. Also, some providers allow unrestricted access to everything their VoIP phone systems offer, while many will limit your user count and restrict access to most features. As you work with the features in the trial account, ask for a demo first. Seeing the VoIP service in action will help you understand how the different features impact your business and help you learn how to set up the service so it works best for your business.
2. Ease of system setup and use
An easy and intuitive setup and configuration process ensures you are off to a good start with using the VoIP phone system. It also means you don’t have to rely on support.
Assess the user-friendliness of the interface. Your team will appreciate an intuitive platform that doesn’t require them to review so much material in technical manuals. With a user-friendly interface, your team members can efficiently perform routine requests and don’t have to keep calling the service provider. Factors such as how easy it is to access the VoIP services system from different devices will affect the overall experience, influencing whether or not to buy the phone system after the expiration period.
3. Scalability and future-proofing
Your business will undoubtedly change over time. You may need to add or remove users and features from your VoIP phone system in response to these changes. Think of how your business might change in the near and distant future. Features that may not seem as important presently may be critical as your business grows. For efficient future-proofing, look through each plan's complete list of features. It’s better if the provider offers affordable and flexible plans where you can customize the plan settings and features according to what you require and prefer.
4. Compatibility and integration with existing devices and systems
Use the VoIP phone system with other devices and tools you already use for various business functions, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Similarly, platforms and tools commonly used in businesses include email, CRM software, and social media.
Streamlining and enhancing communication and collaboration among existing devices and systems can improve operational efficiency and productivity. Beyond the compatibility and integration capabilities of the VoIP phone system, ensure the VoIP service provider offers easy installation and setup for easy integration.
5. Mobile accessibility and remote work support
The VoIP phone system you choose should be able to support hybrid and remote work if your organization has embraced these work models. It should be able to support collaboration across multiple devices efficiently, so dispersed teams can use their mobile devices, tablets, and computers to receive and make calls.
Mobile apps, softphones, virtual extensions, and other features facilitate on-the-go communication. Video and audio conferencing support are also crucial remote working requirements the VoIP phone system should meet.
Best VoIP Phone Systems With Free Trial
1. Ooma
Ooma’s trial period is a 30-day money-back guarantee. The provider offers a Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) solution with features that include, but are not limited to
• Unlimited domestic calling with low international rates
• Free number porting
• Unlimited ring groups
• Virtual receptionist
• Virtual faxing
• Video conferencing
Ooma Office is for smaller businesses with three plans
• Ooma Office Essentials: $19.95/month/user
• Ooma Office Pro: $24.95/month/user
• Ooma Office Pro Plus: $29.95/month/user
On the other hand, Ooma Enterprise plans are for businesses with more than 20 users
• Standard: $19.99/month/user
• Enhanced:$27.99/month/user
• Call Center: $49.99/month/user
2. OnSIP
OnSIP offers a free plan that has no apparent time limit. Add phones and make unlimited SIP-to-SIP calls on this free trial account. You would, however, need to load up credit to access features and make regular calls.
You can also pay for any OnSIP plan and enjoy features such as E911, call recording, call blocking, video conferencing, and more.
• Basic: $49.95/month/user
• Unlimited: $18.95/month/user
3. 8x8
8x8 offers a 30-day free trial. This VoIP phone system provides a contact center and unified communications products, delivering several features, including the following:
• Unlimited calling
• Video conferencing
• Call recording
• Auto attendants
• Unlimited ring groups
• Conversation IQ, including live transcription
After the trial period, you can select any of the following pricing plans by 8x8
• Express Plan: $15/month/user
• X2 Plan:$24/month/user
• X4 Plan: $44/month/user
Conclusion
Free trials allow you to experience what you would get if you purchased. Leverage the free trial to see if the VoIP service works for you. Before starting the trial, understand your communication needs and assess the features and capabilities against these needs. After all, you need to get value for your money, and only a VoIP phone system that aligns perfectly with your current and future business requirements will deliver that value.
Keep in mind that free trials are limited. Whether you get seven days or four times as much, ensure you make the most of this period. Try out all the features that you can access on the trial account. If available, contact support for that initial demo and any inquiries you may have about the capabilities and limitations of the VoIP phone system. The reliability and responsiveness of the support team are, in fact, critical considerations.
Read our business phone system company reviews and blog posts to learn more about the various business phone system providers, including what you can expect from their free trials. You can also visit our comparison page to see how different companies stack against each other.