Overview
Business phone services have evolved significantly over the past decade, with VoIP services replacing traditional desk phones. This has allowed employees to use their mobile devices on the go, using an app to connect with the company’s network for chat, conferencing, and online fax services. Setting up these services is easy and straightforward, requiring little more than signing up for a digital service and accessing it once paid for. Different service tiers are commonly offered, with cheaper plans offering essential features, and more expensive plans offering additional features if required. In this section, we will discuss the best business phone services of 2024, including the best overall, best budget, best with CRM, best for conferencing, and best established business phone service.
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The best business phone services in 2024 in full:
Here are the top business phone services of 2024, along with our main choices and additional options to consider.
Best overall business phone service
RingCentral MVP is the best cloud-powered business phone service, offering a unified communications strategy that means plenty of integration options. The most basic tier offers call management and phone system administration, as well as phone rental options for conference phones and desks. However, it’s the pricing tiers above this where RingCentral MVP really shines, with a comprehensive set of features that should be integral to any modern phone service. RingCentral also provides Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) as well as Contact Center as a Service (CCaaS), meaning that it can provide the enterprise experience for even small businesses. On top of this, RingCentral can also deliver a Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS), which means access to a developer network that allows you to use APIs to truly customize and integrate your phone system with other software you use.
Best budget business phone service
Ooma Office is an affordable business phone service that aims to deliver a big business phone experience to small businesses. Ooma Office gives you all the core features you would expect, plus some more advanced functions like a virtual receptionist that allows for calls to be automatically directed to the right department. Subscribers also benefit from hold and transfer music, and Ooma provides mobile apps for iOS and Android, so you can set up capabilities such as call forwarding, enabling calls to be sent from your desk phone to your mobile when you’re out and about. Generally speaking, Ooma gives you a lot of functionality for a relatively modest outlay, with the exception of CRM integrations.
Best business phone service with CRM solution
Aircall is a cloud-hosted business phone service solution that provides your business with a complete communications center solution for calls, video, and messaging from the web, desktop, or mobile. Aircall is also very easy to set up, and includes a wide range of CRM, helpdesk, and productivity functions to both support your phone service, as well as improve how your sales and support teams handle calls, not least in terms of transferring them as well as approaching customers. There are also a large number of integrations available, not least for SalesForce, Zendesk, Hubspot, Zoho, Freshdesk, and Slack.
Best for conferencing
Dialpad Talk is a VoIP system that is especially known for its video and audio-conferencing software, Uberconference. The basic tier offers single sign-on, which is missing from a lot of other providers. The basic plan includes integrations such as Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) and Microsoft 365. The pricing structure for Dialpad makes it much more accessible for businesses of any size, which is welcome as other providers favor enterprises over small businesses. Users can also try the service with a 14-day free trial. The annual subscriptions offer discounted monthly rates making it even more cost efficient.
Best established business phone service
Mitel is an established business phone service that offers a comprehensive range of features for businesses of all sizes. Mitel provides a range of features, including call routing, voicemail, and conference calling, as well as integration with popular business software like Microsoft Office and Google Workspace. Mitel also offers a range of hardware options, including desk phones and conference phones, as well as mobile apps for iOS and Android.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-rated phone systems for small to medium-sized businesses?
There are several phone systems that are highly recommended for small to medium-sized businesses. Some of the top-rated phone systems include:
- RingCentral
- Grasshopper
- Nextiva
- Vonage
- 8×8
These phone systems offer a range of features and pricing options that can fit the needs of different businesses. It’s important to evaluate each system carefully to determine which one will work best for your business.
How do I choose a business phone number app that fits my company’s needs?
Choosing a business phone number app can be overwhelming, but there are a few things to consider when making your decision. Some key factors to look for include:
- Call management features
- Pricing and affordability
- Integration with other business tools
- Customer support and reliability
By evaluating these factors, you can find a phone number app that fits your company’s needs and budget.
Which VoIP phone system features are essential for a small business?
When choosing a VoIP phone system for your small business, there are a few essential features to look for. These include:
- Call forwarding and routing
- Voicemail and call recording
- Conference calling
- Auto-attendant
- Mobile app integration
These features can help your small business stay connected and operate efficiently.
How can I find the best business phone service providers in my local area?
To find the best business phone service providers in your local area, you can start by researching and comparing different providers. Look for reviews and ratings from other businesses, and consider factors such as pricing, features, and customer support. You can also ask for recommendations from other business owners in your network.
What should I look for in a business landline phone service?
When choosing a business landline phone service, there are a few key factors to consider. These include:
- Call quality and reliability
- Pricing and affordability
- Features such as voicemail and call forwarding
- Customer support and service
By evaluating these factors, you can find a landline phone service that meets your business needs and budget.
How do I compare the best business cell phone plans for cost-effectiveness and features?
To compare the best business cell phone plans for cost-effectiveness and features, you can start by researching and comparing different plans from different providers. Look for plans that offer the features you need at a price that fits your budget. Consider factors such as data limits, international calling, and customer support. You can also ask for recommendations from other business owners in your network.