If you’re looking for a reliable and cost-effective way to communicate with your customers and partners, it’s time to consider switching to a Voice over IP (VoIP) phone system. Unlike traditional analog networks, VoIP systems offer a range of features, including video calling, SMS support, and instant messaging, that can help streamline your business communications. Plus, they’re often more affordable than their analog counterparts.
To help you find the best VoIP provider for your business, we’ve tested and rated leading options from across the industry. Whether you’re looking for a general-purpose internet calling system or a specialized solution for a call center or highly regulated industry, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading for our top tested picks and tips to help you make an informed buying decision.
Intermedia Unite
Best Overall Business VoIP
Intermedia Unite is an outstanding VoIP communications system that can be scaled to meet the needs of small, midsize, and enterprise businesses. The company includes free phones or related devices such as cameras and headsets with each subscribed seat, making it an excellent choice for businesses that require a comprehensive and integrated communications system.
Why We Picked It
We selected Intermedia Unite as the best overall business VoIP service because of its flexibility and features that allow it to grow with your business. Additionally, its tight integration with Microsoft Teams makes it an excellent choice for businesses that require a VoIP system that has a robust integration with third-party software.
Who It’s For
Intermedia Unite is an excellent choice for businesses that require a general-purpose VoIP phone system. Although it is not the cheapest business VoIP service available, it has enough flexibility and features to meet the needs of most businesses. It is also an excellent choice for businesses that require a VoIP system that has tight integrations with Microsoft Teams.
PROS
Intermedia Unite offers a wide range of benefits, including:
- Unified communications with voice, video, chat, and file sync
- Many useful, standard VoIP features
- Robust integration with third-party services
- New Chrome compatibility
CONS
Intermedia Unite has a few drawbacks, including:
- Mobile app required for importing and initial syncing of contacts
- Limited call monitoring features
- New Chrome web app doesn’t support Microsoft Edge
SPECS
Intermedia Unite offers a comprehensive set of features, including voicemail transcription software, phone SMS messaging, automatic call-back, call monitoring, voicemail to email, electronic fax, E911 service, SIP phone support, toll-free option, and video conferencing.
RingCentral MVP
Best for Enterprise-Class Call Volumes
RingCentral MVP is a top choice for enterprise-class call volumes. This platform has proven to be reliable under high call volume situations, which is something that many of its competitors struggle with. Additionally, RingCentral MVP offers AI-backed transcription and call analysis features that are particularly impressive.
Why We Picked It
RingCentral MVP is a UCaaS (Unified Communications as a Service) platform that offers messaging, video, and phone services. This platform has evolved from basic voice services and now offers enhanced collaboration capabilities. We appreciate RingCentral’s administration capabilities that give admins many options in an easy-to-navigate UI.
Who It’s For
RingCentral MVP is a well-rounded platform that includes virtually every capability you’d want in a small to midsize business. It is especially attractive if you’re expecting a relatively high call volume. Even its mid-level pricing tiers place no caps on the number of users you can add to your plan.
PROS
RingCentral MVP has numerous pros, including:
- Much-improved video conferencing
- AI-backed transcription and call analysis
- Enhanced collaboration capabilities
- Numerous add-on apps
CONS
RingCentral MVP has a few cons, including:
- Limited report customization
- Tedious, wizard-based configuration
SPECS
RingCentral MVP offers a wide range of features, including voicemail transcription software, phone SMS messaging, automatic call-back, call monitoring, voicemail to email, electronic fax, E911 service, SIP phone support, toll-free option, and video conferencing.
8×8 eXperience Communications as a Service
Best for SMB Unified Messaging
If you are a small to midsize business looking for a reliable and affordable unified messaging solution, 8×8 eXperience Communications as a Service (XCaaS) is an excellent option.
Why We Picked It
8×8 has a strong focus on Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS), which is evident in its new branding. The platform offers a unified experience for all your business calls and conferencing, and the company regularly updates its features. For example, 8×8 recently introduced the Frontdesk feature, which makes it easier for small businesses to manage their calls and emulate the traditional receptionist’s desk.
Who It’s For
Although 8×8 may not have all the advanced features of some of its competitors, it is a fast-moving and innovative player in the SMB VoIP space. Its focus on UCaaS makes it an attractive option for organizations that want to leverage software-based calling and conferencing solutions. 8×8’s pricing is also attractive to organizations with limited budgets that do not require all the features found in other Editors’ Choice winners.
PROS
Here are some of the benefits of using 8×8 XCaaS:
- The base offering includes a wide range of features, including video conferencing.
- The latest version of the platform has improved mobile video capabilities.
- The setup process for both mobile and desktop clients is straightforward.
- The Frontdesk feature is a great addition for small businesses.
CONS
Here are a few potential drawbacks of using 8×8 XCaaS:
- The platform lacks some of the productivity features found in other products.
- Some user settings can only be configured using bulk edit, which may not be ideal for some organizations.
- Analytics reports are not configurable.
Overall, 8×8 XCaaS is an excellent choice for SMBs looking for an affordable and reliable unified messaging solution. Its focus on UCaaS and regular updates make it a forward-thinking option, and the Frontdesk feature is a great addition for small businesses. While it may not have all the advanced features of some of its competitors, its pricing and ease of use make it a solid choice for organizations with limited budgets.
Vonage Business Communications
Best for a Unified Communications Hub
Vonage Business Communications is an excellent choice for companies that need a unified communications hub. The platform offers a wide range of features that allow businesses to streamline communications and increase productivity.
Why We Picked It
We chose Vonage Business Communications because of its extensive experience in the VoIP industry. The platform has had the opportunity to refine its features, making it a mature and established provider. Additionally, Vonage offers a good selection of third-party software integrations, including Salesforce, and even provides support for companies that want to build bespoke applications that integrate with the platform.
Who It’s For
Vonage Business Communications is ideal for organizations that require a mature and established VoIP provider. However, if your requirements are not as strict, and you’re looking for a VoIP option that might offer a better user interface and be easier to self-manage, it’s worth considering other competing services.
PROS
- Long list of features for admins and users, including a new AI-based Virtual Receptionist that can improve call routing and customer experience.
- Solid mobile and desktop apps that allow users to make and receive calls, send messages, and access voicemail from anywhere.
- Good training and self-help materials that can help businesses get the most out of the platform.
CONS
- Importing contacts requires multiple steps, which can be time-consuming.
- Add-on features cost extra, and can quickly add up, potentially making the platform more expensive than other options.
In summary, Vonage Business Communications is an excellent choice for businesses that require a unified communications hub. Its extensive experience in the industry, wide range of features, and good selection of third-party software integrations make it a mature and established provider. However, it may not be the best option for companies that need a more affordable solution or a better user interface.
Dialpad
Best for Softphone Users
Dialpad is an ideal choice for softphone users who want to deploy a technology-driven solution that is regularly updated. The company’s focus on software-based communications services is evident in its dedication to refining its softphone, which receives new software updates every two weeks. Dialpad’s use of artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance its automatic call transcription capabilities is another noteworthy feature.
Why We Picked It
We chose Dialpad for its commitment to constantly improving its offering and its use of innovative technologies. The company’s software-based approach and frequent updates make it an attractive option for softphone users. Additionally, Dialpad’s use of artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance its call transcription capabilities sets it apart from other providers.
Who It’s For
If you’re looking for a low-cost solution that prioritizes innovation and technology, Dialpad is a great choice. While it may not be able to compete with the largest players in the business VoIP field, it offers many features that make it a worthwhile option. Softphone users, in particular, will appreciate Dialpad’s focus on software-based communications services.
PROS
Dialpad’s desktop client acts as a comprehensive communications hub, making it easy to manage all your communication channels in one place. The AI-based call transcription feature is particularly impressive, as it highlights actionable call content and makes it easier to keep track of important information. Additionally, Dialpad’s new geographic call routing feature is a useful addition for businesses with multiple locations.
CONS
One downside of Dialpad is that video conferencing is still a $15 add-on for meetings with more than 10 participants. Additionally, the analytics report does not provide any information about call quality, which may be a concern for some users.
Microsoft Teams Phone
Best for Microsoft 365 Customers
Microsoft Teams Phone is an official VoIP add-on for Microsoft’s all-in-one team collaboration platform, Teams. It offers excellent integrations with not only other Teams components but also Microsoft 365. This makes it a top choice for dedicated Microsoft shops.
Why We Picked It
Although it falls short of our Editors’ Choice picks, Teams Phone is hard to ignore as it is the market leader in office productivity software for business communications. Teams Phone’s integration with Microsoft Teams and Microsoft 365 is deep and detailed call quality metrics provide deep insight into the system.
Who It’s For
If you are a dedicated Microsoft shop, Teams Phone is an excellent choice for VoIP provider. Its UI is familiar, and Teams Phone customers receive support from Redmond. However, if you haven’t bought into the broader Teams platform for business collaboration, we do not recommend that route if all you’re looking for is a standalone VoIP system.
PROS
- Deep integration with Microsoft Teams and Microsoft 365
- Detailed call quality metrics with deep insight into the system
- Expanded range of local calling plans
CONS
- Calling plan still limited to 3,000 minutes (50 hours) per month
- Some administration tasks still require PowerShell scripting
Teams Phone is an excellent choice for Microsoft 365 customers who want to integrate their VoIP system with their collaboration platform. Its deep integration with Microsoft Teams and Microsoft 365, detailed call quality metrics, and expanded range of local calling plans make it an attractive option. However, its calling plan is still limited to 3,000 minutes per month, and some administration tasks require PowerShell scripting.
Ooma Office
Best for Legacy Handset Hardware
Ooma Office is a great choice for small to midsize businesses that want to quickly set up a VoIP phone system. It’s not as feature-rich as some of its competitors, but it’s easy to use and manage. Ooma Office’s latest version has added features such as SMS messaging, video conferencing, and contact syncing, which keep it competitive.
Why We Picked It
Ooma Office is a solid choice for businesses that want a VoIP system without all the bells and whistles. Its wizard-based setup and management approach is perfect for small IT departments. While it may not have AI-based transcription or deep integrations with other software, its simplicity and affordability make it a good option for cost-conscious businesses.
Who It’s For
If you’re looking for a reasonably priced VoIP system that’s easy to use, Ooma Office might be the right choice for you. It’s perfect for businesses that don’t need a lot of features and don’t want to be overwhelmed by a complex setup process. However, if you’re looking for a feature-packed system, you may want to consider other options.
PROS
- Flexible service with no fixed contract
- Full-featured meetings with no client installation required
- Easy to use
CONS
- Call-quality reporting is based only on user feedback
- Lacks integrated productivity features
- Username and password are the only authentication options
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Voicemail Transcription | Software Phone |
| SMS Messaging | Automatic Call-Back |
| Call Monitoring | Voicemail to Email |
| Electronic Fax | E911 Service |
| SIP Phone Support | Toll-Free Option |
| Video Conferencing | All Specs |
Mitel MiCloud Connect
Best for Traditional PBX Capabilities
Mitel’s MiCloud Connect VoIP system is a top choice for businesses that want to replicate the features of traditional, on-premises PBX systems. The system makes it easy to interconnect remote offices and offers real advantages in call quality. However, it may be harder to set up than some other business VoIP services.
Why We Picked It
As a longtime player in business voice communications, Mitel has a wealth of experience in the field. Its MiCloud Connect VoIP system is designed to leverage a well-managed LAN for optimal call quality, even when acting as a cloud service. This approach makes it a top choice for midsize to large businesses that are in the process of bringing employees back into a central office.
Who It’s For
While tiny shops may want to skip this one, Mitel’s PBX-focused approach suggests that it’s better geared for midsize to large businesses. Highly distributed workforces might not gain as much benefit from MiCloud Connect as they could from other competitors. However, if you’re in the process of bringing employees back into a central office and want to leverage a well-managed LAN for optimal call quality, Mitel’s offering deserves a look.
PROS
MiCloud Connect offers a handy Bluetooth handset, contact import from CSV plus Google and some Microsoft 365 syncing, and a long list of available CRM integrations.
CONS
One drawback of MiCloud Connect is that there is a fixed number of reports, and modifying or adding new ones costs extra. Additionally, overall costs are incremental and can therefore rise quickly.
SPECS
MiCloud Connect includes voicemail transcription software, phone SMS messaging, automatic call-back, call monitoring, voicemail to email, electronic fax, E911 service, SIP phone support, toll-free option, and video conferencing.
Freshdesk Contact Center
Best for Customer Support, Call Centers
Freshdesk Contact Center is an excellent choice for organizations that prioritize customer support and have high call volumes. It is specifically designed for call centers, including customer help desks. The solution offers a range of features that can be integrated with various e-commerce, help desk, and CRM systems.
Why We Picked It
We picked Freshdesk Contact Center because of its focus on call center operations and its impressive collection of call metrics. The solution offers admins the ability to manage and tune a large-scale calling operation effectively. It also provides call monitoring and management options that surpass the competition’s offerings to ensure a high-quality customer experience.
Who It’s For
Freshdesk Contact Center is ideal for organizations that have high call volumes and are organized around functions such as customer phone support. If you are looking for a low-cost call center solution that is easy to configure, Freshdesk is a great option. However, if your organization does not prioritize customer support or has low call volumes, Freshdesk Contact Center may not be the best fit.
PROS
Freshdesk Contact Center offers a range of benefits, including:
- Easy to configure: Freshdesk Contact Center is easy to set up and configure, making it an excellent choice for organizations that need a quick and straightforward solution.
- Great feature set for a low-cost call center solution: Freshdesk Contact Center offers a range of features that are typically found in more expensive solutions.
- Call transcription support: Freshdesk Contact Center offers call transcription support, making it easier to keep track of conversations and ensure accuracy.
CONS
However, Freshdesk Contact Center does have some limitations, including:
- Limited support for desktop phone equipment: Freshdesk Contact Center has limited support for desktop phone equipment, which may be a concern for some organizations.
- Lacks external syncing, so contacts must be imported using a CSV file: Freshdesk Contact Center does not offer external syncing, meaning contacts must be imported using a CSV file.
- Transcription only available at the Enterprise pricing tier: Call transcription support is only available at the Enterprise pricing tier, which may be a consideration for organizations on a tight budget.
Line2
Best for Very Small Businesses
If you’re a very small business looking for a stripped-down cloud business VoIP service, Line2 might be a good fit for you. While it lacks the features found in more integrated VoIP systems, such as video conferencing, it provides well-designed softphone apps that provide basic telephony functions on desktop and mobile devices.
Why We Picked It
Line2’s cloud business VoIP offering is incredibly easy to get up and running, and you don’t need to be a VoIP expert to use it. It’s a simple, straightforward option that’s best suited for very small businesses that don’t need advanced features.
Who It’s For
Line2 is best for very small businesses that only need to provide business phone numbers to their employees and don’t want the hassle of a full-fledged VoIP system. Anyone can set it up, and you won’t need to take time away from more important business tasks to manage it. Just be aware that once your organization starts to grow beyond its earliest stages, you’ll probably find yourself looking for something that offers more features.
PROS
Line2 has a few noteworthy advantages:
- Simple setup
- Intuitive softphone client
- Includes incoming fax
CONS
However, there are also some downsides to consider:
- Limited reporting; analytics cost extra
- Lacks third-party integrations
- No video conferencing or collaboration features
SPECS
Here are the key specs for Line2:
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Voicemail Transcription | Yes |
| Software Phone | Yes |
| SMS Messaging | Yes |
| Automatic Call-Back | Yes |
| Call Monitoring | Yes |
| Voicemail to Email | Yes |
| Electronic Fax | Yes |
| E911 Service | Yes |
| SIP Phone Support | Yes |
| Toll-Free Option | Yes |
| Video Conferencing | No |
Overall, Line2 is a solid choice for very small businesses that need a simple, easy-to-use cloud business VoIP service. However, if you need more advanced features or room to grow, you may want to consider other options.
What Is a VoIP Phone System?
A VoIP phone system is a digital communication solution that allows voice calls to be transmitted over the internet or other IP-based networks. Unlike traditional landline phones, which use analog telephony, VoIP systems convert voice calls into network packets for transmission. These systems often include a bridge to traditional phone systems, allowing non-VoIP users to receive calls as well. Additionally, VoIP systems typically offer features such as conference calling, call routing, and call monitoring, emulating the functions of traditional PBX business phone systems.
How Much Does a Small Business VoIP System Cost?
When it comes to small business VoIP systems, the cost is usually determined by the number of users and the features you require. Most vendors offer multiple pricing tiers, so you can choose the one that best fits your needs and budget.
The cost per user per month can vary widely, with prices ranging from $15 to $65 for an advanced, enterprise-grade product. However, most small businesses can expect to pay around $20 per user per month.
It’s worth noting that some vendors may require you to commit to a specific term, while others offer more flexible options. Additionally, paying for a full year of service in advance can often result in a discount.
To help you compare pricing and features, we recommend creating a list of your must-have features and the number of users you need to support. Then, research vendors that offer plans that fit your criteria and compare their pricing and contract terms.
What’s the Advantage of a VoIP Phone System?
A VoIP phone system offers several advantages over traditional PBX phone systems. One of the biggest advantages is cost savings. VoIP systems are less expensive and offer more features than conventional phone systems.
Modern VoIP systems integrate multiple channels and features such as conference calls, call recording, mobile communications, video conferencing, team collaboration, and social media. These features make VoIP systems a unified communications-as-a-service (UCaaS) solution.
Most VoIP solutions are now managed, cloud-based services. Moving to the cloud helps reduce costs, increase reliability, and lift the management burden off your organization’s staff, making cloud VoIP systems a clear winner. With cloud-based VoIP systems, you don’t have to worry about managing hardware or software, and you can easily scale your system as your business grows.
How to Choose a Business VoIP System
When it comes to choosing a business VoIP system, the options can be overwhelming. However, it’s important to remember that the solution that looks best on paper might not necessarily be the right fit for your company. Your first step should be to consider how your business plans to use its phones.
If you’re looking to upgrade an existing PBX, replacing it entirely might not be feasible, especially if some parts of the system can’t be easily changed over to softphones or desktop VoIP handsets. In some cases, it might be best to use VoIP only for office and remote workers, while keeping rugged old outdoor phones for heavy manufacturing environments with outdoor activities.
It’s also important to think about the features you’ll need now and in the future, as well as the ones you won’t. Without careful planning, you could end up paying for capabilities you’ll never use, or creating unnecessary complexity that makes your phone system hard to manage.
To make the right decision, it’s essential to sit down with all stakeholders who will be affected by the eventual choice. This includes the IT staff and data security personnel, as voice calls will now be data communications. However, it’s also crucial to involve department heads and employees who use the system to get work done, especially those who drive revenue and engage customers.
While it’s important not to skimp on features, you also don’t want to overwhelm your workers with options they don’t understand. The best VoIP system for your business will be one that not only meets your employees’ needs but also feels comfortable to use.
To help you make an informed decision, consider the following factors when choosing a business VoIP system:
Features
Consider the features that your business needs now and in the future. Some examples include call forwarding, call waiting, caller ID, voicemail, and conference calling. You may also want to consider features like call recording, auto-attendant, and CRM integration. In addition to these features, many providers also offer advanced call management options, such as phone number lookup services, which can help businesses streamline their communications.
Ease of Use
Your VoIP system should be easy to use for all employees, regardless of their technical expertise. Look for a system with a user-friendly interface and clear instructions for setup and use.
Cost
While cost is an important factor, it shouldn’t be the only one. Consider the total cost of ownership, including hardware, software, installation, and ongoing maintenance and support.
Reliability
Your VoIP system should be reliable and able to handle the volume of calls your business receives. Look for a system with a high uptime guarantee and a solid reputation for reliability.
Customer Support
Choose a provider with excellent customer support, including 24/7 availability, multiple support channels, and knowledgeable staff.
By considering these factors and involving all stakeholders in the decision-making process, you can choose a business VoIP system that meets your needs and helps your business succeed.
What Are Softphones?
Softphones are applications that replicate the features of traditional desktop business phones and offer additional functionality, such as video conferencing and text chat. They are a significant innovation in modern VoIP systems that make business communications more efficient and productive.
With softphones, you can use the speakers and microphone on your PC, laptop, or other devices to mimic the capabilities of a desktop phone. They offer many additional advantages, including screen-based interfaces that make it easier to switch between communications channels, even mid-call. Softphones also help the system integrate with other software, such as help desk and customer relationship management (CRM) systems.
Moreover, softphones provide mobility, which is essential for most workers who are accustomed to taking calls on the go. Using a mobile phone’s built-in calling features means sacrificing VoIP’s productivity-enhancing features, such as call monitoring, logging, transferring, and integrations with other apps. However, many VoIP systems offer softphone apps that run on Android and iOS devices, and in some cases, these apps have full feature parity with their desktop versions.
It is important to investigate these options thoroughly if your staff includes a significant number of road warriors. Softphones offer a more flexible, feature-rich, and cost-effective solution for business communications, and they are becoming increasingly popular in modern VoIP systems.
Can Your Network Handle VoIP?
When considering implementing a VoIP system, it is important to assess whether your network can handle the additional traffic. VoIP traffic is more sensitive to network issues than general office traffic, so a lack of bandwidth can result in garbled conversations, dropped calls, or difficulty connecting.
If your small office network consists of wireless routers rather than dedicated Ethernet jacks, monitoring and maintaining traffic quality can be more challenging. Additionally, with the rise of remote work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some of your staff may be working from home, and your IT staff may have little control over their home networks.
It is important to note that the business VoIP systems in this roundup are all managed cloud services, rather than on-premises products. While cloud VoIP services can offer greater reliability, easier management, and more features at a lower cost, they also increase your reliance on the public internet for communication needs.
Unfortunately, there is little your company can do to control networking conditions on the public internet. Managing your connectivity is primarily the responsibility of your network provider or providers if your workforce is geographically dispersed. Your best course of action is to hope for the best and consider subsidizing high-speed connections for your remote workers.
In summary, before implementing a VoIP system, it is important to assess your network’s ability to handle the additional traffic and consider the potential challenges of relying on cloud services and the public internet for communication needs.
Does VoIP Work With Alarm Systems?
If your business relies on alarm systems that connect to alarm monitoring services via traditional analog phone lines, you may be wondering if switching to VoIP is possible. While it is possible, it’s important to exercise caution as digital codecs used to encode voice calls can interfere with electronic signaling devices like alarm monitoring systems.
Consult with your alarm company to see if they have a list of pre-vetted VoIP providers for this purpose. It’s important to note that sustained power is another factor to consider. Analog phone lines operate on power provided by the telephone company, which is separate from the main energy grid. VoIP lines, on the other hand, need AC power, just like any other digital device.
To ensure that your alarm monitoring service doesn’t fail in the event of a power outage, make sure you have backup power available for your network routers, VoIP servers, and any other hardware your VoIP system requires.
Recommended by Our Editors
We recommend that you consult with your alarm company to ensure that your alarm monitoring system is compatible with VoIP. It’s important to have a list of pre-vetted VoIP providers and to have backup power available for your VoIP system. By taking these precautions, you can ensure that your alarm system continues to function properly while using VoIP.
What Is UCaaS?
Unified Communications-as-a-Service (UCaaS) is a fast-evolving field that offers flexibility and integration features that only software-based communications can bring. While replacing traditional PBX systems with Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) offers marginal cost savings, UCaaS provides real value by integrating various communication channels into one platform.
UCaaS solutions vary widely from vendor to vendor, but most include options for video conferencing, shared meeting and online collaboration tools, integrated faxing, and mobile VoIP integration. However, the real game-changer is when UCaaS integrates with other systems used within your business. For example, UCaaS can integrate with your Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, letting it recognize a customer’s phone number and automatically pull up the customer’s record for the technician or salesperson answering the call.
UCaaS can also integrate with help desk software and marketing automation tools, and some vendors even offer industry-specific features for certain verticals, such as healthcare. These backend software integrations explain the significant growth in the UCaaS market over the last several years. The concept is constantly evolving to include more communication and collaboration technologies.
According to Statista, UCaaS is projected to grow in the US through 2024. The market growth reflects the increasing demand for software-based communication systems that offer flexibility and integration features. As businesses continue to adopt UCaaS, they can improve their communication and collaboration capabilities, streamline their workflows, and enhance their customer experiences.
What’s Next for Business VoIP?
As technology continues to evolve, so do the communication trends that businesses rely on. VoIP is the only way to keep up with these trends, and software integration is at the heart of VoIP and UCaaS. When making a purchasing decision, it’s important to consider what you’ll need in the next five years, as well as the product development and trend-keeping of each vendor over the last half-decade.
PCMag has identified three essential trends that almost all vendors mentioned as crucial capabilities for their customers in the last year, and that they will want to add to their platforms in 2022:
Network Mobility
Mobile handsets are on the downslope, and seamless voice switchover based on geofencing is becoming the norm. With this technology, your smartphone detects that it’s inside your company’s wireless network and seamlessly engages your VoIP client over Wi-Fi, not your cell service. You can make and receive calls from your calling plan, as well as your business’s VoIP service. This generally goes beyond simple calls and includes texts, voicemail-to-email, and collaborative online meetings.
5G Integration
Although some vendors already connect their services to current mobile technology, 4G’s latency limits often deliver a sub-optimal experience. With the advent of ubiquitous 5G, several VoIP vendors will connect their services to 5G, allowing workers to access their business VoIP service wherever they are and across any device as long as it’s 5G compatible. 5G is the first mobile service that promises the bandwidth necessary to make true mobile UC a reality.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
UCaaS vendors will pitch you on artificial intelligence, which can be used to detect security issues and extend tendrils to your website’s e-commerce features. In addition to the chatbot features discussed earlier, AI can help route customer calls more efficiently. Expect to see more AI integration in the future of VoIP.
In conclusion, VoIP will continue to be the go-to choice for the vast majority of SMBs due to its lower costs and ability to keep up with evolving communication trends. As technology continues to advance, businesses will need to stay up-to-date with these trends and consider the future when making purchasing decisions. With the addition of network mobility, 5G integration, and artificial intelligence, the future of business VoIP is looking brighter than ever.
Frequently Asked Questions
What factors should you consider when choosing a VoIP provider for your small business?
When choosing a VoIP provider for your small business, there are several factors to consider. First, you should look at the provider’s pricing and features to ensure they align with your budget and business needs. Additionally, you should consider the provider’s reliability and customer support, as well as their ability to integrate with your existing business infrastructure.
How do the top VoIP providers compare in terms of pricing and features?
The top VoIP providers vary in terms of pricing and features, so it’s important to compare them to find the best fit for your business. Some providers offer unlimited calling plans for a flat monthly fee, while others charge per minute or per user. Features such as call recording, auto-attendants, and mobile apps also vary by provider, so be sure to consider which features are most important for your business.
What are the benefits of using a VoIP phone system for a small business?
There are several benefits to using a VoIP phone system for your small business. VoIP systems typically offer lower costs than traditional phone systems, as well as more flexibility and scalability. Additionally, VoIP systems often come with advanced features such as call forwarding, voicemail-to-email, and virtual faxing.
Which VoIP services are known for their reliability and customer support?
Several VoIP services are known for their reliability and customer support, including RingCentral, Nextiva, and Vonage. These providers offer 24/7 customer support and have high uptime rates, ensuring that your business is always connected.
How does VoIP technology integrate with existing business infrastructures?
VoIP technology can easily integrate with existing business infrastructures, including CRM systems, email clients, and other communication tools. Many VoIP providers offer integrations with popular business software, making it easy to streamline your communication processes.
Are there any VoIP options tailored specifically for home-based businesses?
Yes, there are several VoIP options tailored specifically for home-based businesses, including Grasshopper and Ooma. These providers offer features such as virtual phone numbers, call forwarding, and mobile apps, making it easy to run your business from anywhere.