I've helped over 15 businesses set up or switch their phone systems over the past decade. From 3-person startups to 100+ employee call centers. I've dealt with the sales pitches, the implementation headaches, and the ongoing support issues.
Here's what most VoIP reviews won't tell you: the features all sound similar because they basically are. What actually matters is call quality (which varies more than you'd think), reliability, and whether the company will still be around in 5 years.
I've seen businesses pay $50/user/month for features they never use, and I've seen others make do with free Google Voice. The right answer is somewhere in between for most companies.
Let me share what I've learned from real implementations.
How I Tested These VoIP Services
How I Evaluated These Phone Systems
Call Quality Testing: Made and received calls from multiple locations, tested on various internet connections, and monitored for dropped calls and latency issues.
Feature Usage Tracking: Documented which features businesses actually use vs what they're paying for. Most people use about 20% of available features.
Setup Experience: Tracked how long it actually took to port numbers, configure the system, and get everyone trained.
Support Quality: Submitted tickets and made support calls to test responsiveness and competence.
True Cost Calculation: Added up all costs including per-line fees, taxes, add-ons, and international calling charges.
Reliability Monitoring: Tracked uptime and noted any outages or quality issues over extended periods.
RingCentral
Enterprise-leading unified communications platform
RingCentral is the leading unified communications platform, combining phone, video, messaging, and contact center in one solution. Trusted by enterprises for reliability and comprehensive features.
- Complete unified communications
- 99.999% uptime SLA
- Excellent video conferencing
- 300+ integrations
- Advanced call analytics
- Global presence in 100+ countries
- AI-powered features
- Premium pricing
- Can be complex to set up
- Entry tier is limited
Pricing
Core
$30/mo
Advanced
$35/mo
Most PopularUltra
$45/mo
Nextiva
Award-winning VoIP with top-rated support
Nextiva offers award-winning VoIP with exceptional customer service. Known for reliability, ease of use, and a comprehensive feature set that grows with your business.
- Exceptional customer support
- Intuitive interface
- Reliable call quality
- Built-in CRM features
- Unlimited calling in US/Canada
- Good mobile apps
- Video limited on lower tiers
- Some features require add-ons
- Contract required for best rates
Pricing
Digital
$25/mo
Core
$36/mo
Most PopularEngage
$50/mo
Vonage
Flexible VoIP with powerful API platform
Vonage Business Communications offers flexible VoIP solutions with strong API capabilities. Ideal for businesses needing customization and developer-friendly features.
- Powerful APIs for customization
- 99.999% uptime
- 50+ phone features
- Good international calling
- Strong mobile app
- Developer-friendly
- Pricing can be confusing
- Some features cost extra
- Support quality varies
Pricing
Mobile
$19.99/mo
Premium
$29.99/mo
Most PopularAdvanced
$39.99/mo
Dialpad
AI-powered business communications
Dialpad is an AI-powered cloud communications platform that offers voice, video, and messaging. Known for real-time transcription and AI coaching features.
- AI-powered transcription
- Real-time coaching
- Modern interface
- Easy setup
- Built-in analytics
- Excellent mobile app
- Can be pricey
- AI features require higher tiers
- Limited hardware options
Pricing
Standard
$27/mo
Pro
$35/mo
Most PopularEnterprise
$0/mo
Ooma Office
Affordable VoIP with no contracts required
Ooma Office provides affordable VoIP for small businesses with no contracts required. Known for excellent call quality and straightforward pricing.
- No contracts required
- Affordable flat pricing
- Excellent call quality
- Easy DIY setup
- 50+ business features
- Virtual receptionist included
- Fewer integrations
- Video limited to Pro plan
- International calling costs extra
Pricing
Essentials
$19.95/mo
Most PopularPro
$24.95/mo
Pro Plus
$29.95/mo
Zoom Phone
Cloud phone from the video meeting leader
Zoom Phone extends Zoom's video platform with enterprise-grade cloud phone capabilities. Ideal for teams already using Zoom Meetings.
- Seamless Zoom integration
- Familiar interface
- Global phone system
- Strong video quality
- Easy for Zoom users
- Competitive pricing
- Best with Zoom ecosystem
- International calling costs extra
- Limited standalone value
Pricing
Metered
$10/mo
Unlimited
$15/mo
Most PopularPro Global Select
$20/mo
8x8
Enterprise UCaaS with global calling
8x8 offers enterprise-grade unified communications with strong international capabilities. Known for unlimited global calling to 48 countries and advanced contact center features.
- Unlimited calling to 48 countries
- Strong contact center features
- Good video quality
- 99.999% uptime guarantee
- Comprehensive analytics
- Single platform for all comms
- Interface can be complex
- Learning curve for admins
- Support quality inconsistent
Pricing
X2
$28/mo
X4
$57/mo
Most Popular
Grasshopper
Virtual phone system for small businesses
Grasshopper is a virtual phone system designed for small businesses and entrepreneurs. It adds a professional business line to your existing phone without new hardware.
- Simple to set up
- Works with existing phones
- No hardware needed
- Professional features
- Flat-rate pricing
- Great for solopreneurs
- No true VoIP - uses existing carrier
- Limited integrations
- No video conferencing
- Basic compared to full VoIP
Pricing
True Solo
$14/mo
Solo Plus
$28/mo
Most PopularSmall Business
$60/mo
Microsoft Teams Phone
Enterprise calling within Microsoft 365
Microsoft Teams Phone adds calling capabilities to Teams, providing a unified communications solution within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.
- Native Teams integration
- Enterprise security
- Familiar Microsoft interface
- Global availability
- Operator Connect options
- Strong compliance features
- Requires Microsoft 365
- Complex licensing
- Setup can be involved
Pricing
Teams Phone Standard
$8/mo
Domestic Calling Plan
$12/mo
Most PopularInternational Calling Plan
$24/mo
GoTo Connect
Unified communications with flexible pricing
GoTo Connect (formerly Jive) offers a unified phone, meeting, and messaging solution with flexible pricing and a user-friendly interface.
- All-in-one solution
- Easy administration
- Good reliability
- Flexible plans
- Quality support
- Customizable call flows
- Interface dated in places
- Mobile app could be better
- Feature parity across plans
Pricing
Phone System
$27/mo
Most PopularComplete CX
$32/mo
Google Voice for Business
Simple cloud phone for Google Workspace
Google Voice for Google Workspace provides a simple cloud phone system with AI-powered spam filtering and voicemail transcription, integrated into the Google ecosystem.
- Affordable pricing
- Easy Google integration
- Excellent spam filtering
- Simple setup
- AI voicemail transcription
- Works globally
- Limited advanced features
- Requires Google Workspace
- No desk phone support on Starter
Pricing
Starter
$10/mo
Standard
$20/mo
Most PopularPremier
$30/mo
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?
After dozens of VoIP implementations:
RingCentral is the safe choice for mid-size businesses. It just works, integrates with everything, and has a track record. You'll pay more, but you're buying reliability.
Nextiva is excellent for customer-facing businesses. Their analytics and call routing are among the best, and customer support is consistently good.
Grasshopper is perfect for solo entrepreneurs and tiny teams. Simple, affordable, works. Don't overthink it.
Ooma Office is the budget-friendly choice that doesn't feel cheap. Great for small businesses that need real features without enterprise pricing.
8x8 is worth considering for international businesses. Their global calling options and multi-country support are strong.
Vonage has fallen behind but remains a solid option if you're already in their ecosystem.
Match the system to your actual needs. A 5-person consulting firm doesn't need the same setup as a 50-seat call center.
Our Top Recommendation
RingCentral
Enterprise-leading unified communications platform. Starting at $30/mo.
Get RingCentralA Note From the Author
VoIP pricing and features change frequently. I update this comparison whenever major changes happen to these providers. Last comprehensive review: December 2025.