VoIP & Phone Services: Buying Advice, Tips, and News
Choosing the right VoIP can transform how your business communicates—whether your team works in-office, remotely, or across multiple locations. Our experts test VoIP phone services for businesses of all sizes so you can find the right solution for your needs.
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The Top VoIP Phone Services for Small and Growing BusinessesEvery company, no matter the size, needs a robust communications platform. The top voice over IP (VoIP) services we've tested deliver enterprise-grade phone system features at a small-business-friendly price.
By Ben Moore
Our Current Top Tested Picks
RingCentral RingEX
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
With helpful AI features and excellent support for third-party apps, RingCentral's full-featured RingEX communications platform suits businesses of all sizes.
Full RingCentral RingEX ReviewPros
- Comprehensive, scalable feature set
- AI-powered call summaries and transcription
- Supports many third-party integrations
- Improved administrative setup
Cons
- Occasionally complex interface
Pros
- Comprehensive, scalable feature set
- AI-powered call summaries and transcription
- Supports many third-party integrations
- Improved administrative setup
Cons
- Occasionally complex interface
Intermedia Unite
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Intermedia Unite's comprehensive functionality, competitive price, and excellent call routing features make it a formidable VoIP and unified communications platform.
Full Intermedia Unite ReviewPros
- Extensive voice administration features
- Chat, file sync, and video call functionality
- AI Assistant can help you write content in seconds
- Responsive support
Cons
- Requires mobile app for initial import of personal contacts
- Web app is technically Chrome-only
Pros
- Extensive voice administration features
- Chat, file sync, and video call functionality
- AI Assistant can help you write content in seconds
- Responsive support
Cons
- Requires mobile app for initial import of personal contacts
- Web app is technically Chrome-only
Zoom Phone
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Zoom Phone is a capable VoIP service with handy AI features and a slick, understandable interface, making it an excellent choice for teams that want to keep costs down.
Full Zoom Phone ReviewPros
- Affordable
- Powerful and useful AI features
- Reliable performance
- Excellent 24/7 tech support
Cons
- Confusing pricing
- Doesn't include the full Zoom Meetings experience
Pros
- Affordable
- Powerful and useful AI features
- Reliable performance
- Excellent 24/7 tech support
Cons
- Confusing pricing
- Doesn't include the full Zoom Meetings experience
8x8 Work
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The X Series is 8x8’s replacement for its Virtual Office platform. The new product has a revised back end and many new features that bring 8x8 squarely into UCaaS territory.
Full 8x8 Work ReviewPros
- Outstanding call and video quality
- Admin features are clear and easy to find
- Basic AI features
Cons
- Meetings analytics dashboard isn't customizable
- Advanced AI features cost extra
Pros
- Outstanding call and video quality
- Admin features are clear and easy to find
- Basic AI features
Cons
- Meetings analytics dashboard isn't customizable
- Advanced AI features cost extra
Dialpad Connect
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The Dialpad Connect VoIP service stands out for its easy-to-use interface and beyond-basic AI features, though its pricing structure could be more flexible.
Full Dialpad Connect ReviewPros
- Extremely intuitive interface
- Helpful AI features
- Clear admin settings
Cons
- Somewhat restrictive pricing
- Video conferencing features are part of a separate app
- Lacks a few call management features
Pros
- Extremely intuitive interface
- Helpful AI features
- Clear admin settings
Cons
- Somewhat restrictive pricing
- Video conferencing features are part of a separate app
- Lacks a few call management features
Microsoft Teams Phone
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Microsoft Teams Phone is a full-featured add-on with powerful AI calling features, but its administrative complexity and high costs are downsides for small businesses.
Full Microsoft Teams Phone ReviewPros
- Reliable performance in testing
- Powerful AI features with the Copilot add-on
- Extensive admin capabilities
- Excellent 24/7 tech support
Cons
- Expensive, with confusing pricing
- Can be excessively complex to manage
Pros
- Reliable performance in testing
- Powerful AI features with the Copilot add-on
- Extensive admin capabilities
- Excellent 24/7 tech support
Cons
- Expensive, with confusing pricing
- Can be excessively complex to manage
Ooma Office
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Ooma Office is an affordable VoIP service with a minimal learning curve, though businesses with more complex needs will likely miss the advanced features of competitors.
Full Ooma Office ReviewPros
- Reliable calling performance
- Easy to use
- Reasonable price
Cons
- No AI or advanced call-monitoring tools
- Video meeting experience could be smoother
Pros
- Reliable calling performance
- Easy to use
- Reasonable price
Cons
- No AI or advanced call-monitoring tools
- Video meeting experience could be smoother
Zoho Voice
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Zoho Voice is an easy-to-use business telephony and call center solution, but alternatives offer more advanced features and a wider range of add-ons.
Full Zoho Voice ReviewPros
- Straightforward interface for call and customer management
- Excellent support
- Works with Zoho's other services
- Free tier with analytics and reporting
Cons
- No video calling or AI features
- Doesn't support third-party add-ons
Pros
- Straightforward interface for call and customer management
- Excellent support
- Works with Zoho's other services
- Free tier with analytics and reporting
Cons
- No video calling or AI features
- Doesn't support third-party add-ons
Vonage Business Communications
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Vonage is a large company, but its Business Cloud squarely targets the small business sector. The robust platform has new features and management tools, though it makes some compromises when it comes to security.
Full Vonage Business Communications ReviewPros
- Well-designed interface
- Excellent call quality
- Streamlined analytics reports
Cons
- Some features require paid add-ons
- Advanced AI capabilities are still in development
Pros
- Well-designed interface
- Excellent call quality
- Streamlined analytics reports
Cons
- Some features require paid add-ons
- Advanced AI capabilities are still in development
Latest VoIP & Phone Service Stories
With helpful AI features and excellent support for third-party apps, RingCentral's full-featured RingEX communications platform suits businesses of all sizes.
Save up to 33% by Paying Annually
Every company, no matter the size, needs a robust communications platform. The top voice over IP (VoIP) services we've tested deliver enterprise-grade phone system features at a small-business-friendly price.
Zoho Voice is an easy-to-use business telephony and call center solution, but alternatives offer more advanced features and a wider range of add-ons.
$34 Per User Per Month
Is your phone situation at work a total mess? RingCentral is the VoIP solution that powers businesses all over the world, and it has a money-saving signup offer going on right now.
RingCentral’s cloud-based service makes upgrading your business communication system easier than ever, and now it’s free for a limited time.
Grasshopper is a virtual phone system that reliably keeps your business and personal calls separate, but similarly priced alternatives with more advanced features offer better value.
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Google Voice is a dependable VoIP service that works best for individuals and Workspace-based businesses that need straightforward calling features rather than advanced communications tools.
Starts Free
A voice over IP (VoIP) service can improve your call quality and save you money compared with a traditional landline. These are the top VoIP services we've tested for home phone needs.
Ditch the switchboard operator drama and move your business to the cloud, now at the unbeatable price of $0 for a full year. Offer valid for businesses with under 400 employees.
Does checking your phone bill put you into panic mode? Step away from your carrier's outlandish charges with a sweet deal on Mint's all-in-one unlimited plan.
Uncomfortable sharing your personal phone number with everyone who needs to reach you? These apps let you quickly generate disposable digits.
The FCC alleges that SK Teleco is the 'primary source' for a robocall campaign that impersonates Walmart and uses bogus PS5 orders to scam people out of personal information.
You'll never have to talk on the phone again once you learn how to take advantage of ringless voicemail services and start recording voice memos.
The Dialpad Connect VoIP service stands out for its easy-to-use interface and beyond-basic AI features, though its pricing structure could be more flexible.
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The Supreme Court rejects a challenge to the FCC's universal service fund, meaning the agency can continue collecting money from telcos to support service in rural and low-income areas.
Microsoft Teams Phone is a full-featured add-on with powerful AI calling features, but its administrative complexity and high costs are downsides for small businesses.
$15 Per User Per Month
Zoom Phone is a capable VoIP service with handy AI features and a slick, understandable interface, making it an excellent choice for teams that want to keep costs down.
$10 Per User Per Month
The affordable NextivaONE VoIP service provides reliable call quality and detailed analytics, but its underwhelming AI capabilities and video conferencing experience limit its utility.
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Ooma Office is an affordable VoIP service with a minimal learning curve, though businesses with more complex needs will likely miss the advanced features of competitors.
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Vonage Business Communications puts reliable VoIP and conferencing capabilities into a user-friendly interface, though it would benefit from streamlined pricing.
