Top Providers: Business Phone Systems That Deliver

Grasshopper, founded in 2003 by Sak Taghos and David Hauser and headquartered in Boston, MA, is a leading virtual phone system provider for small businesses and startups. Acquired by GoTo in early 2022, Grasshopper has served over 400,000 customers. It offers a range of features, including call forwarding, voicemail transcription, custom greetings, and business texting. With user-friendly mobile and desktop apps and 24/7 support, Grasshopper ensures professional and efficient communication for its users. Flexible plans like True Solo and Small Business cater to various needs, making Grasshopper a reliable choice for enhancing business communication.

Founded in January 2019 by Zoom Video Communications, Inc., Zoom Phone revolutionizes business communication with their VoIP service. Based in San Jose, California, they seamlessly integrate video and audio call capabilities, catering to businesses across diverse industries. With a commitment to removing communication barriers, they offer robust features like desk phone support, auto attendance, and video conferencing. Notably, their flexible pricing plans, starting at just $10 per user per month, ensure affordability. Despite drawbacks like metered calling and reported customer service issues, their superior audio and video quality and user-friendly interface make them a compelling choice for businesses seeking efficient communication solutions.

RingCentral, founded in 1999 and based in Belmont, California, provides business telephone systems and other related products. Their services can be deployed across all devices and cater to businesses of all types and sizes, across various industries; as utilized by over 400,000 clients in 46 countries. They offer Unified Communications as a Solution (UCaaS) services, AI-driven contact centers, analytics, and integrations with over 300 apps, including Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace.

Ooma is a Sunnyvale, California-based telecommunications company that was founded in 2004, which offers residential and business phone systems, including fully managed and cloud-based communication platforms. Their Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) platform provides VoIP services, video conferencing, messaging, call center operations, and business software applications. They offer clients over 50 perks along with clear HD-audio calls, and are available in the US, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Canada. Ooma Office primarily targets small businesses, but the company does cater to all business sizes, including larger companies with more than 20 users, through their higher-tier packages under Ooma Enterprise.

Founded in 2006 and based in Scottsdale, Arizona, Nextiva has emerged as a progressive force in communication solutions. With a steadfast commitment to transforming business connectivity, Nextiva offers an extensive array of services, encompassing VoIP phone systems, video conferencing, online fax solutions, and more. Renowned for their unwavering reliability and top-tier customer service, Nextiva stands at the forefront of innovation, delivering cutting-edge technology and unparalleled support. From their advanced auto attendant features to the versatile Receptionist Dashboard capabilities, Nextiva empowers businesses of all sizes and industries with seamless communication experiences, setting the industry standard for excellence.

Headquartered in Boston, GoTo Connect has been a leading business phone system provider specializing in secure business communication solutions since 2003. They offer a comprehensive platform integrating voice, video, and messaging. Key features include custom call flows, unified messaging, AI-powered admin support, CRM integrations, and advanced reporting. GoTo Connect's advantages include robust security, 24/7 support, mobile apps for on-the-go access, and a free trial to evaluate its capabilities. These features enhance productivity and streamline communication, making GoTo Connect a versatile solution for modern businesses.

Aircall, a telecommunications company founded in 2014, provides cloud-based business phone services to international businesses. They serve SMBs and large companies in over 40 countries, with an American headquarters in New York City, and offer tailored solutions to specific teams or company infrastructure. They serve various industries, including healthcare, recruitment, finance, retail, e-commerce, software, technology, marketing, education, travel, and hospitality.

OnSIP is a Manhattan-based telecom company founded in 2004, that provides simple, scalable, and flexible services to over 100,000 SMBs across many industries. They use Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) to connect business users with teams, clients, and stakeholders. Their features include softphone apps, website chat, video conferencing, and support for all SIP-enabled phones. Their pricing is flexible, and their cloud-hosted PBX provides desktop and mobile apps, video conferencing, and expert support.

Founded in 1987 and based in San Jose, California, 8x8, Inc. is a renowned provider of cloud-based communication solutions. Specializing in phone, video, chat, and contact center services, 8x8 integrates these functions into a single platform, enhancing global business communication. They have many special features that put them ahead of the competition, such as unlimited international calling, extensive third-party integrations, AI-driven analytics, and robust security and compliance. Their innovative features, such as multi-level auto attendants and 24/7 support, make 8x8 a top choice for businesses seeking reliable and efficient communication solutions. Their strategic acquisitions further bolster their offerings, demonstrating a commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements.

Vonage, founded in 2001 and based in Holmdel, New Jersey, is a prominent provider in the cloud communications sector. With over 20 years of experience, Vonage excels in unified communications, contact centers, and communications APIs. Despite their innovative solutions and comprehensive features, including advanced call routing and a robust mobile app, the service can be more expensive than competitors due to higher base plan prices and numerous paid add-ons. Additionally, their customer support is available only during limited hours, which might not be ideal for all businesses. However, Vonage’s extensive experience, global reach, and commitment to tailored services make them a strong contender in the business communications market.