The best business phone services offer communication features that go beyond basic calling. From video conferencing to team chat, texting, and automation, teams get everything they need, plus the flexibility to support remote and hybrid work environments.
For this buyer’s guide, I picked RingCentral as the top business phone system because it offers the best value for features and reliability. It’s versatile enough to support teams of all sizes in any work environment, and it delivers all the phone and communication tools you need under one roof.
- Best business phone service overall: RingCentral
- Best for customer experience management: Nextiva
- Best for teams that prefer traditional desk phones: Ooma
- Best for global contact centers: 8×8
- Best for sales teams: Dialpad
- Best for low-volume calling: Zoom Phone
- Best for custom in-app calling solutions: Vonage
- Best for startups: Quo
- Comparing the top business phone services
- RingCentral: Best business phone service overall
- Nextiva: Best for customer experience management
- Ooma: Best for teams that prefer traditional desk phones
- 8×8: Best for global contact centers
- Dialpad: Best for sales teams
- Zoom Phone: Best for low-volume calling
- Vonage: Best for custom in-app calling solutions
- Quo: Best for startups
- How do I choose the best business phone service provider for my business?
- Methodology
- Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Comparing the top business phone services
Comparing vendors can be quite challenging, as it’s difficult to make direct comparisons. However, every buyer should carefully consider how a phone system manages calls and its ability to integrate with other software. I have also evaluated each service’s call management features based on the provider’s entry-level business phone service plan and the starting monthly price per user or line.
RingCentral: Best business phone service overall
RingCentral is the best all-around option for businesses looking for a modern phone service to support daily operations. Although there are lighter, less expensive options for companies with strong in-house telecom and IT teams, not everyone wants to manage a VoIP server, and I don’t blame them.
RingCentral can accommodate whatever technology your organization already uses and is investing heavily in the technology of tomorrow. Whether you need VoIP phone systems or UCaaS, RingCentral excels at delivering capable solutions to a broad range of businesses.
Why I chose RingCentral
RingCentral is a great value for businesses that require unified communication tools and scalable plans. The entry-level phone system comes with a multi-level auto attendant and IVR to help you improve call flows. There are also call queues, call recording, visual voicemail, and shared lines. Plus, each user gets their own dedicated number, and you can choose between a local or toll-free option.
RingCentral also provides extensive team collaboration tools. You’re getting unlimited video conferencing, AI meeting insights, live transcriptions, whiteboarding, collaborative notes, and breakout rooms. There are also plenty of add-ons and options to support advanced sales needs, such as RingCentral’s Conversation Intelligence and AI receptionist.
Take a look at our full RingCentral review for more details.
Pricing
RingEX business phone plans
- Core: $30/user billed monthly, $20/user/month billed annually
- Advanced: $35/user billed monthly, $25/user/month billed annually
- Ultra: $45/user billed monthly, $35/user/month billed annually
- Customer engagement bundle: Contact sales for pricing
Features
- Unlimited domestic calling
- AI meeting insights and live transcription
- Call recording
- Multi-level IVR
- Team messaging and file sharing
- Video conferencing and breakout rooms
- Customer support: 24/7 phone and live chat
- Virtual fax: On select plans
- Single Sign-On (SSO)
- Business SMS and MMS
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Secure network, reliable company, and long-time player in the communications space | Need to upgrade or purchase add-ons to access the most advanced features |
| All plans include key business phone service features and messaging | Deployment may be slower than other options |
| Excellent team collaboration and AI tools included across plans | Limited SMS messaging across plans |
Nextiva: Best for customer experience management
Nextiva is another good all-around option that’s flexible enough to work for just about any business, but where it stands out from the competition is its customer engagement. Yes, they offer business phone and call center services, but Nextiva has been reshaping the foundation of their platform to help companies meet their customers where they are most active today.
Why I chose Nextiva
Nextiva is not only the best for customer experience but also easy to use. From an admin standpoint, the initial setup and deployment of Nextiva is about as easy as it gets. You can onboard users in just a few clicks, and they can start using Nextiva from their existing computers and smartphones, so there’s no need to buy new or expensive phones.
As a user, you’ll have access to all the essentials, plus powerful extras, from a sleek dashboard. You can field an incoming call while simultaneously messaging your team members and even pulling up a fax on the same screen. Nextiva also lets you manage social media accounts and review sites directly in your communications platform. This makes it easier for employees to be responsive and centralizes customer data across channels in a single platform.
Check out our Nextiva review to learn more.
Pricing
- Core: $23/user billed monthly, $15/user/month billed annually
- Engage: $50/user billed monthly, $25/user/month billed annually
- Powersuite: $75/user billed monthly
- Nextiva also offers contact center subscriptions with multiple pricing options, starting at $75/agent/month, and access to an AI receptionist starting at $99/month.
Digital plans do not include inbound/outbound voice. Online fax, live chat, and chatbot channels are add-ons with Core plans.
Features
- Unlimited calling in North America
- Unlimited audio and video conferencing
- Social media management
- Group email inbox
- Online review management
- Xbert AI receptionist
- Voicemail with AI transcription
- Call metrics dashboards
- Team messaging
- Free number porting
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| All-in-one platform for voice, video, and collaboration | Toll-free minutes are not included in the base plan |
| Tools for customer engagement and online reputation management | Pricing can be confusing for add-ons |
| Easy to use in remote, hybrid, and traditional office environments | Need to upgrade for most integrations |
Ooma: Best for teams that prefer traditional desk phones
Ooma is a straightforward business phone system that works best in traditional office environments, especially if your team prefers desk phones to smartphones and computers. Everything about Ooma is built to support the needs of small businesses; it’s easy to use, and Ooma comes with plenty of features that won’t make your head spin.
Why I chose Ooma
Ooma is often the standout provider for businesses looking to switch from a landline to a VoIP phone system. You can even keep your existing phones, and Ooma will work with plug-and-play adaptors. And if you do want to purchase new phones, all of Ooma’s hardware is pre-configured out of the box, so there’s no complex setup or need for IT support.
At the same time, the calling features are somewhat limited compared to other phone systems on the market. But, for small teams that just want a phone that works well, Ooma is sufficient. Plus, Ooma comes with the tools you need to handle in-office communication, like intercom, overhead paging, a company directory, extension dialing, and transfers.
Learn more about all of its services in our Ooma review.
Pricing
- Essentials: Starts at $19.95 per user per month.
- Pro: Starts at $24.95 per user per month.
- Pro Plus: Starts at $29.95 per user per month.
- Enterprise: Customizable solution; Contact sales for pricing.
Features
- Unlimited calling in the US, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico
- Virtual receptionist
- Extension dialing.
- Ring groups
- One DID per user
- Free local or toll-free number
- Free number porting
- Call forwarding and simultaneous ring
- 24/7 access to customer care agents
- Virtual fax: Unlimited
- Desktop and mobile apps
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| No contracts for small business phone service | Conference calling is capped at 10 participants on the Essentials plan |
| More than 50 standard business phone features are included | No call analytics on the entry-level plan |
| Comprehensive call administration with access to office phone devices | Need to upgrade for basic features like texting, video conferencing, and call recording |
8×8: Best for global contact centers
8×8 is an enterprise-grade UCaaS and contact center solution that’s highly customizable. It’s not designed to fly off the shelf and work for anyone. Once deployed, 8×8 is a great option for businesses with a global reach looking to reduce the number of applications they use to communicate.
Why I chose 8×8
In contrast to the small-business tools offered by providers like Ooma, with 8×8, you get a system built to handle your specific needs and tech stack. It’s going to take some time and testing to get it right, but you won’t have to compromise on capability.
Specifically, 8×8 supports audio and video conferences with up to 500 active participants. You’re also getting team chat, SMS/MMS messaging, and all the features you’d expect from a powerhouse business phone system. Hot desking, multi-level auto attendant, presence detection, call queues, live streaming via YouTube, interactive meetings, unlimited internet fax, and CRM integrations are all entry-level features.
To learn more about its features, service, and capabilities, read our in-depth 8×8 review.
Pricing
- Contact sales for pricing on contact center solutions or unified communications subscriptions.
Features
- Global presence in 55+ countries
- High-volume SMS/MMS messaging
- Call analytics and reporting
- 8×8 for Microsoft Teams service bundle
- Team chat and collaboration tools
- Receptionist console
- No-code integration
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Mix-and-match plan types, so each user only pays for what they need | Complex setup and licensing |
| No-code CPaaS to connect more channels | Not great for small teams or domestic-only calling |
| Plans to support remote, hybrid, and traditional call centers with built-in unified communication tools | Need to request a quote for pricing |
Dialpad: Best for sales teams
Dialpad delivers unlimited calling, texting, and team collaboration under one roof. Similar to other tools on my list, it’s great for inbound call handling, outbound dialing, and team meetings. But Dialpad really stands out for the way it’s integrating AI into nearly every feature. While AI is starting to creep into the way all business phone systems are powered, Dialpad is definitely leading the pack.
Why I chose Dialpad
For sales teams that need a business phone system, Dialpad is easy to use, affordable, and can be deployed in minutes. It’s also highly versatile and feature-rich. Real-time AI-generated transcripts are available on every plan, which is a nice perk for such a low entry-level price. As you upgrade your plan tier, you gain access to even more AI capabilities, including advanced automation.
Additionally, Dialpad’s sales-specific contact center packages, while pricier than its base platform, offer features such as power dialers, AI-generated notes, and live AI assistance. These tools help sales reps stay informed, close more deals, and minimize time spent on administrative tasks.
Take a look at the full Dialpad review if you want to learn more.
Pricing
- Standard: $27/user billed monthly; $15/user/month billed annually
- Pro: $35/user billed monthly; $25/user/month billed annually
- Enterprise: Contact sales for pricing
- Dialpad also offers a contact center solution and sales solutions with AI-powered features that benefit teams across the organization.
Features
- Unlimited calling
- SMS/MMS and team messaging
- AI-powered call transcripts
- Multi-level auto attendant
- Call recording
- Virtual fax: $10 add-on
- QoS reports
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Modern platform with powerful AI and automation features | Phone extensions are enterprise only |
| Dedicated plans to make sales teams more productive | Meetings are limited to 150 participants |
| Custom call routing and ring groups | Limited integrations |
Zoom Phone: Best for low-volume calling
All the business phone systems on my list offer unlimited calling; Zoom Phone offers this too, but you can also opt for metered rates if you’re a low-volume user. This is a great way to save money if the average user spends less than eight minutes on outbound calls each day.
Why I chose Zoom Phone
While Zoom isn’t often the go-to platform for video conferencing, it can also be a cost-effective business phone system if you already use it for meetings. This is because Zoom Phone allows you to mix and match plan types. For example, Zoom Phone is a great option if you need a phone system to accommodate 25 users, but only five make many calls, while the others barely touch the phone.
You can easily set up your system so that those five users are on an unlimited calling plan, while your low-volume users pay less under metered billing. All plans come with call recording, hot desking, and virtual fax, which are normally reserved for mid-level plans or higher, making Zoom Phone the affordable option for budget-conscious teams.
Check out our full Zoom Phone review for more details.
Pricing
- US & Canada Metered: Starts at $10/user billed monthly
- US & Canada Unlimited: Starts at $15/user billed monthly
- Global Select: $20/user billed monthly
- Users can also choose one of the Plus plans, which offer a combination of Zoom Workplace + Phone subscription, starting at $21.99/user/month.
Features
- Standard call administration
- Multi-level IVR
- Toll-free numbers
- Call recording
- SMS, MMS, and team messaging
- Desktop and mobile apps
- Hot desking
- Voicemail with transcription
- Live monitoring, whisper, and barge
- Customer support: 24/7 phone and live chat
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Low price for voice communication and video conferencing | Workplace integrations are only available with a Plus+ plan |
| Offers both metered and unlimited domestic calling | International calling is limited compared to other providers |
| An AI companion with post-call summaries and voicemail prioritization | Limited team collaboration tools |
Vonage: Best for custom in-app calling solutions
Vonage offers a basic unified communications system with unlimited calling, SMS/MMS messaging, voicemail, and a virtual receptionist, and the ability to handle calls from your smartphone or desktop computer. But these plans are pretty limited, and you’ll need to upgrade to access team collaboration features. Once you reach that price point, you get a much better, fully featured phone system for the same rate or less.
Why I chose Vonage
Although Vonage’s standard phone system pales in comparison to others, its standalone communication APIs are a great way to add calling capabilities to other software. For example, if you want to set up a virtual video meeting or appointment option from your website or mobile app, you can do this with the Vonage Video API. Or maybe you want to add global calling capabilities to your website or mobile app; use Vonage’s Voice API.
At the same time, you’ll need development resources to assist with coding, which can be an issue for smaller or less tech-savvy teams. But in the world of business communications, you can essentially build anything you want with the Vonage APIs. The platform even allows users worldwide to verify and validate their identities.
Learn more about their pros, cons, mission, and services in our Vonage review.
Pricing
- Mobile: Starts at $19.99 per line per month, billed annually
- Premium: Starts at $29.99 per line per month, billed annually
- Advanced: Starts at $39.99 per line per month, billed annually
Features
- Unlimited calling
- SMS and MMS
- Voicemail
- Virtual receptionist
- Mobile and desktop apps
- Customer support: chatbot (available during limited hours for live agents)
- Virtual fax: $14.99 add-on
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Access to APIs and third-party integrations for custom needs | No team collaboration features on the entry-level plan |
| Virtual receptionist available across all plans | Limited calling features |
| Bring your own device (BYOD), including desk phones | A la carte features can add up fast |
Quo: Best for startups
Quo, formerly known as OpenPhone, is an AI-powered phone system for small teams that’s lightweight, modern, and effortless to deploy. It’s an ideal choice for startups because it blends simplicity with powerful features that enhance team communication. With affordable pricing, Quo also keeps costs manageable while offering accessible tools for small teams.
Why I chose Quo
Quo finishes out this list because businesses don’t always need complex call administration features. Quo offers a user-friendly interface, with shared inboxes, built-in contact management, team collaboration tools, and unified calling and texting in one place
Startups can easily add numbers, automate workflows with AI features like Sona, and collaborate across shared threads so customers always feel heard. With integrations into CRMs like HubSpot and Salesforce and a focus on fast onboarding, Quo stands out as a top choice for startups and small businesses looking to scale while keeping customer communication seamless and straightforward.
Pricing
- Starter: $19 per user month, billed monthly; $15 per user/month, billed annually
- Business: $33 per user month, billed monthly; $23 per user/month, billed annually
- Scale: $47 per user month, billed monthly; $35 per user/month, billed annually
Features
- Unlimited calling and texting in North America
- Call recording
- Voicemail transcripts
- Scheduled messages
- Free local or toll-free number
- Customer support: Standard
- Web, desktop, and mobile apps
- Automated SMS messaging (Add-on)
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Supports high-volume texting and automated campaigns | Priority support is available only for Scale plans |
| Add the Sona AI agent to answer calls 24/7 | Limited integrations compared to other providers |
| Metered rates for international calling and texting | Setup can be difficult for new users |
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How do I choose the best business phone service provider for my business?
Begin by assessing your entire organization’s business needs. It’s important to consider everyone who will use the phone system or be involved in an IVR (Interactive Voice Response) call flow. Take the time to thoroughly gather information on system requirements and the desired capabilities. After that, choose the phone system type that best aligns with the needs you’ve identified.
Broadly speaking, you will have the following options:
- VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is a flexible, internet-based system ideal for businesses seeking cost savings and basic calling features.
- UCaaS (Unified Communications as a Service) expands on VoIP by integrating voice, video, messaging, and collaboration tools into a single platform, making it a strong choice for businesses prioritizing seamless internal communication.
- Unified Communications is a broader term that encompasses both UCaaS and on-premises setups that unify communication channels.
- CCaaS (Contact Center as a Service) focuses on customer engagement, offering tools such as call routing, chat, and omnichannel support to help businesses manage customer service operations.
- CPaaS (Communications Platform as a Service) provides APIs that enable businesses to build custom communication tools into their apps, making it ideal for companies with unique needs or heavy integration requirements.
As you shop around, you will notice that vendors offer some or all of these solutions. You’ll have to assess the strengths and weaknesses of each vendor’s offering. Ideally, you’ll be able to rule out enough potential options to create a shortlist of providers to try or demo.
Once you have tested the software, start to think about costs. It’s really hard to estimate the cost of a VoIP phone system or contact center from a pricing page alone. Providers typically charge setup fees, monthly per-line fees, and additional costs for advanced features.
Don’t forget to factor in the total cost of ownership, including hardware (if applicable), maintenance, and any hidden fees for features such as call recording or CRM integrations.
Methodology
I looked at dozens of business phone services before narrowing down the top eight providers. Each of these top picks was then evaluated using the same criteria, including cost, features, collaboration, and customer service. While basic phone systems are fine for some use cases, I prioritized systems that came with more advanced capabilities.
- Standard and advanced features: Unlimited calling, voicemail, video conferencing, and texting are all standard. Others, like multi-level IVRs, AI-powered automation, and call summaries, are a bit more advanced.
- Customer support: 24/7 phone and live chat support should be the standard, but it’s not. Beyond support hours and channels, I also assessed how helpful each provider’s customer service team is and if they actually solve problems quickly.
- Third-party integrations: You should be able to seamlessly integrate your business phone system with tools such as CRM, ERP, fax systems, cloud storage, and help desks.
- Security and privacy: You shouldn’t have to worry about your calls, messages, or data being intercepted. The best business phone providers have multiple servers and data centers worldwide and regularly audit them. They also offer high-level encryption, a redundant architecture, advanced account management tools, and multi-factor authentication.
- Uptime percentage: Does the provider have an uptime guarantee or SLA? Any technical flaws or infrastructure issues could lead to unplanned outages or downtime.
- Demo or free trial: You should be able to test the system before buying it or committing to a contract.
- Overall cost: I assessed all fees, including per-user costs, installation costs, monthly vs annual pricing, discounts, optional hardware, and more.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
How much does a business phone service cost in 2026?
Business phone service pricing in 2026 typically ranges from $15 to $45 per user per month, depending on features and provider. Basic plans include calling and texting, while higher-tier plans add advanced analytics, AI features, integrations, and international calling.
Can a business phone service work with my existing devices?
Yes, most business phone services support desk phones, mobile devices, and computers. Many providers offer softphone apps that let employees make and receive calls from smartphones or laptops, making remote and hybrid work easier to manage.
What features should I look for in a business phone service?
Key features to look for in a business phone service include auto attendants, call forwarding, voicemail transcription, team messaging, CRM integrations, call recording, and analytics. Growing businesses may also benefit from AI-powered tools, shared inboxes, and unlimited texting options.