A business phone system utilizes VoIP technology to offer a comprehensive multi-line communication solution. It includes unlimited calling, business texting, call recording, voicemail features, advanced call management, and more. Unlike traditional phone systems, it enhances internal and external communication for customers and employees while reducing costs. Moreover, it ensures high levels of reliability and security, contributing to improved business efficiency and productivity
Which Systems Are Leading?
The Top Business Phone Solutions of 2024
- Dialpad: Recognized for its top-notch AI capabilities
- Vonage: Stands out for its robust APIs, customization options, and unlimited texting within the US
- OpenPhone: Known for its unparalleled phone number flexibility
- Ooma Office: Notable for offering the best mobile-only plans
- Grasshopper: Highly regarded for its basic mobile calling and texting features
Dialpad- Best AI features
Dialpad stands out with its comprehensive team collaboration tools and AI-driven telephony services. It covers various communication needs, including voice and video calls, team chat, virtual faxing, and SMS texting.
One notable aspect is its exceptionally user-friendly desktop app interface, which offers a seamless experience for users. What’s impressive is that even the basic plans come with valuable features like live call transcription and real-time analytics, typically reserved for higher-tier packages. Dialpad offers these perks for just $15 per month.
Moreover, Dialpad includes all essential phone system features such as global virtual phone numbers, call queues, multi-level IVR, ring groups, and file sharing within team chat, ensuring comprehensive communication capabilities
What do we admire
- Value: Dialpad’s Standard plan at $15 offers outstanding value, providing access to advanced features like live call transcription, real-time analytics, and interactive video-conferencing capabilities. These features make it a compelling choice for small teams operating on a tight budget.
- Analytics and AI: Dialpad’s analytics dashboard presents data clearly and understandably. It offers an easy-to-interpret overview of call volumes, message activity, and video meeting records, enabling users to gain valuable insights effortlessly.
- User experience: The app delivers a modern and spacious interface, despite its rich feature set. Surprisingly, the live transcription feature seamlessly integrates with active call controls, enhancing the user experience without overwhelming users during call
What we don’t admire
- Small video capacity: While Dialpad Meetings offers useful features such as waiting rooms and virtual backgrounds, the 10-user capacity can be restrictive for team meetings. Small businesses may find this sufficient, but as teams grow beyond 20 employees, larger capacity options may be necessary.
- Limited integrations: Dialpad’s Standard plan supports integrations exclusively with Google Workspace. For businesses requiring integrations with platforms like Salesforce or
- HubSpot, upgrading to the Pro plan is necessary.
Cost
- A free 14-day trial is available for Dialpad services.
- Annual subscriptions for the unified communications platform range from $15 to $25 per user monthly.
- Month-to-month billing options vary from $23 to $35 per user.
Equipment
Dialpad exclusively provides Polycom and Yealink desk phones for VoIP users. However, it doesn’t offer any special deals or include phones in service bundles.
Phone models sold by Dialpaid include
- Polycom VVX 350: Supports 6 lines, 4 soft keys, and features a 3.5” color backlit display.
- Yealink SIP T33G: Accommodates 4 lines and includes a 2.4” color backlit display.
- Yealink SIP T54W: Offers a robust capacity of 16 lines and comes with built-in Bluetooth functionality
Vonage-Best APIs, and customization, texting
Vonage’s Business Communications platform presents a comprehensive solution, featuring both desktop and mobile applications equipped with VoIP calling, video conferencing capabilities, team messaging, and SMS integration. Notably, users benefit from unlimited calling and texting within the US, Canada, and Mexico, alongside essential routing functionalities such as IVR, analytics, and call grouping. Vonage stands out for its diverse array of virtual numbers, offering a rich selection of toll-free and local options spanning North America and numerous other countries. However, certain desirable features, like the shared messaging inbox, are available only as supplementary add-ons
What we admire
- Unlimited SMS: Vonage offers unlimited texting within the US and Canada, eliminating concerns about exceeding monthly limits experienced with other providers.
- Meeting setup, logs, and usage: Vonage’s video meetings, while lacking some interactive features like whiteboards and breakout rooms, are effortlessly scheduled and accessed within the app. Hosts can easily record meetings with a single click and access all recordings in the meeting log.
- Phone number availability: When purchasing virtual numbers through Vonage, we discovered a vast array of DID numbers available in desired area codes across the US, as well as ample offerings in international countries, providing flexibility and options for business communication needs.
What we don’t admire
- Lacks advanced features: Vonage Unified Communications offers only basic features such as auto attendants and voicemail, leaving users wishing for more comprehensive functionalities like call management, call monitoring, and analytics. Even basic features like call queues require an additional add-on.
- Call recording as an add-on: Unlike many competitors that include automatic call recording as a standard feature, Vonage provides call recording as an add-on service priced at $4.99 per user monthly.
- Key features are overpriced: Features like video meetings and multi-level auto attendants are reserved for the Premium plan, priced at $29.99 per user monthly. This pricing model contrasts sharply with competitors who offer similar features in their basic plans at significantly lower rates.
Cost
- Vonage Business Communication provides three distinct plans catering to different business needs.
- Pricing for 1-20 users varies between $19.99 and $34.99 per user per month, with occasional seasonal discounts available.
- Each plan offers a range of features and services tailored to suit varying organizational requirements and budgets.
Vonage
Vonage Business users are presented with multiple choices for desk phone systems. - However, it’s worth noting that Vonage does not provide deals or bundle phones with its service packages.
- Users have the flexibility to select and purchase desk phones separately based on their preferences and requirements.
Phone models include
- Yealink SIP T48U: Offers 16 lines and features a 7” color backlit display for clear visibility and usability.
- Yealink T57W: Provides 16 lines and boasts a multipoint touch screen along with 29 touch keys for enhanced interaction and functionality.
- Polycom VVX 250: Equipped with 4 lines and a 2.8” color LED screen for basic communication needs and straightforward operation.
- Poly CCX 600: Stands out with 54 lines, integrated wifi, and Bluetooth functionalities, a sizable 7” screen, and advanced noise reduction technology for superior audio quality
OpenPhone-Best phone number flexibility
OpenPhone presents a straightforward yet versatile calling and texting solution. While lacking video capabilities, its user-friendly interface is complemented by distinctive number-sharing tools that foster collaboration among small teams. With the ability for multiple users to concurrently make calls and send texts from a single number, the platform facilitates seamless communication workflows. We optimized call routing by configuring custom ring orders for team members sharing the same number. Moreover, users can effortlessly manage multiple numbers, toggling between them with a simple click. Recently integrated AI features, such as call summaries and suggested message replies, have proven to be reliable and beneficial additions to the platform.
What we admire
- Shared phone numbers: Unlike some alternatives, OpenPhone allows seamless sharing of phone numbers among numerous team members. Users can send texts and make calls simultaneously from the same number, enhancing productivity significantly.
- AI: OpenPhone stands out among VoIP providers by integrating cutting-edge AI capabilities. These include generating responses to customer texts, as well as providing call transcription and automated call summaries. Users found the call summaries to be particularly accurate in capturing crucial conversation points.
- Collaboration: OpenPhone simplifies collaboration by enabling users to effortlessly switch between phone numbers with just one click. Within each phone number, users have access to both messaging and phone inboxes, streamlining communication workflows
What we don’t admire
- Lack of analytics: One notable absence in OpenPhone is the availability of analytics features. Users cannot access essential phone system data such as inbound vs. outbound calls, missed call rates, and other key performance indicators (KPIs), which limits comprehensive insights into communication effectiveness.
- Limited Google integrations: While OpenPhone offers integrations with Google Contacts, email, and CRM platforms, users express a desire for deeper integration with Google Workspace, similar to what some competitors offer. This would enhance workflow efficiency and streamline communication processes further.
- No Hardware/headphones: It’s important to note that OpenPhone does not support physical phone systems and exclusively operates through softphone applications on desktops or mobile devices. This limitation may impact users seeking traditional hardware-based phone solutions.
Cost
- OpenPhone provides three distinct plans with pricing ranging from $15 to over $23 per user per month.
- The Starter plan, starting at $15 per month, includes essential features such as voice calling, SMS, group messaging, and voicemail transcripts.
- The Business plan, priced higher at over $23 per month, offers additional functionalities including AI call summaries, group calling with multiple users per call, and the ability to set custom ring orders
Ooma Office – Best for mobile- only plans
Ooma Office serves as a Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) platform tailored for small businesses, providing VoIP calling capabilities across North America and Mexico, along with SMS texting and video meetings accommodating up to 25 participants. Notably, the platform offers a complimentary toll-free number and 500 toll-free minutes upon each account registration. While the interface may appear slightly outdated, it delivers essential features, albeit lacking in some areas such as call monitoring and AI support tools. Video meetings offer basic functionalities like chat and screen sharing. However, the Pro Plus plan stands out with its robust analytics, facilitating easy utilization of call routing tools such as ring groups and call queues.
What we admire
- Simple call controls: Ooma impressed us with its straightforward call management features. During calls, functions like call parking, hold, and forwarding were easily accessible from the active call interface, requiring just a single click for seamless execution.
- Multichannel analytics: Unlike some competitors that offer solely call analytics, Ooma’s analytics platform provides comprehensive insights across both phone systems and messaging channels. We found it beneficial to track trends and insights, including messaging volume fluctuations by hour and day, enhancing our understanding of communication patterns and trends.
What we don’t admire
- No team chat: Ooma’s platform lacks team chat functionality, which, while not indispensable, was missed during our usage. Unlike several alternative phone systems that incorporate built-in team chat, which fosters collaboration, Ooma’s omission of this feature limits communication options.
- Basic video meetings: Although Ooma’s video meetings offer standard features like screen sharing and recording, we noted the absence of certain interactive tools found in competitor platforms, such as whiteboards or breakout rooms.
Equipment
- Ooma Office provides three distinct plans priced between $19.95 and $29.95 per user per month.
- The Essentials plan, starting at $19.95 per month, features a mobile-only phone system equipped with IVR, ring groups, and unlimited calling throughout North America and Mexico.
- The Pro plan, priced slightly higher, incorporates video conferencing capabilities and includes access to the desktop application for enhanced versatility.
- The Pro Plus plan, the most comprehensive option at $29.95 per month, introduces additional functionalities such as call queueing and seamless CRM integrations, catering to businesses seeking advanced features and integrations.
Ooma phone options include
- Ooma 2603: Priced at $79.99, this model supports 3 lines and boasts HD audio quality.
- Ooma 2613: Available for $99.99, it offers 6 lines and features 24 programmable keys for enhanced customization.
- Ooma 2615W: Retailing at $179.99, this model supports 10 lines and comes equipped with WiFi and Bluetooth capabilities, offering flexibility in connectivity options.
- Yealink T33G: Priced at $119.99, it supports 4 lines and features electronic hook switches along with a backlit color display for improved visibility and usability.
Grasshopper – Best basic mobile calling and textile
Grasshopper stands out as a straightforward business phone solution, primarily focusing on calling and SMS functionalities. Its simplistic interface makes it an ideal choice for solopreneurs and small teams seeking a no-frills phone system. Both the desktop and mobile interfaces offer essential features such as voicemail, call logs, messaging history, and basic call controls like forwarding and hold
Users particularly appreciate Grasshopper’s user-friendly experience on desktop platforms and its support for unlimited texting within the US.
What we admire
- Simplicity: Grasshopper is renowned for its straightforward approach, offering one of the simplest phone systems available. Both the desktop and mobile applications are equipped with basic features like voicemail and call records, ensuring ease of use for newcomers to the platform.
- Unique pricing structure: Unlike competitors who typically employ user-based pricing, Grasshopper adopts an account-based pricing model. This makes it particularly appealing for small teams consisting of 5 to 20 employees who intend to share phone extensions among multiple users. For businesses prioritizing cost-effectiveness and simplicity over advanced features, Grasshopper presents an attractive option.
What we don’t admire
- Pricing structure: While Grasshopper’s pricing model may benefit some businesses, it may not suit others. Teams seeking individual phone numbers for users may find more cost-effective alternatives elsewhere.
- Lack of routing features: Grasshopper lacks essential routing functionalities such as IVR and queueing, which are crucial components of a comprehensive VoIP phone system. This limitation can restrict businesses seeking advanced call routing capabilities.
- No hardware/hard phones: It’s important to note that Grasshopper solely operates via desktop and mobile applications and does not support compatibility with desk phones, potentially limiting options for businesses preferring traditional hardware-based phone solutions.
Cost
- Grasshopper presents four distinct pricing plans, based on account subscription rather than individual user count.
- These plans differ in the number of supported users, bundled phone numbers, and extensions included.
- Notably, all plans offer identical features, encompassing unlimited calling and SMS within the US, access to desktop and mobile applications, instant text response capabilities, voicemail services, and basic call controls.
FAQs
Q: What is a business phone system?
A. business phone system utilizes VoIP technology to provide a comprehensive multi-line communication solution. It includes features such as unlimited calling, business texting, call recording, voicemail functionalities, advanced call management, and more.
Q: How does a business phone system differ from traditional phone systems?
A: Unlike traditional phone systems, a business phone system enhances both internal and external communication for customers and employees. It leverages VoIP technology to reduce costs while ensuring high levels of reliability and security.
Q: What are some key features to look for in a business phone system?
A: Essential features to consider include unlimited calling and texting, voicemail services, call recording, advanced call management tools, analytics, and integration capabilities with other business tools.
Q: What are the leading business phone solutions of 2024?
A: The top business phone solutions include Dialpad, Vonage, OpenPhone, Ooma Office, and Grasshopper, each offering unique features and benefits tailored to different business needs.
Q: How can I choose the right business phone system for my company?
A: To select the best business phone system for your company, consider factors such as your communication requirements, budget, scalability, integration capabilities, and customer support offerings.
Conclusion
In 2024, businesses continue to seek advanced communication solutions to streamline operations and boost productivity. VoIP-based business phone systems present many features, including unlimited calling and texting, sophisticated call management tools, analytics, and seamless integration capabilities. Among the prominent business phone solutions of 2024, Dialpad distinguishes itself with its robust team collaboration tools and AI-driven telephony services. Vonage excels with its robust APIs, extensive customization options, and unlimited texting within the US. OpenPhone stands out for its unmatched phone number flexibility, while Ooma Office earns recognition for its focus on mobile-centric plans. Grasshopper earns acclaim for its straightforward mobile calling and texting functionalities, catering well to solopreneurs and small teams. Ultimately, selecting the optimal business phone system for your company hinges on specific communication needs, budget constraints, and organizational preferences. By conducting a thorough assessment of the features and benefits offered by each provider, you can make an informed decision that aligns perfectly with your business goals and objectives.
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