Every business requires proper communication to keep everyone connected, right? Thankfully, there are many means of communication, including chat services, email, and phone systems.
Out of them all, phone calls bring the most satisfaction and clarification, and that's why Voice over the Internet Technology (VoIP) or cloud-based phone services have become popular.
During your search for the best cloud-based phone system, you have probably come across RingCentral™. RingCentral is a cloud-based phone solution with multiple features that make it the most popular system on the market today.
Entrepreneurs and businesses use RingCentral for online phone communications, meetings, conferences, and so much more. But is RingCentral the only great phone system solution out there? Of course not; other close competitors make great alternatives, too.
Here at AIS, we want you to choose the best phone solution for your budget and preferences, so we’re focusing on a few different phone systems in this article. Read on to learn more about RingCentral and its alternatives.
What Makes RingCentral Better Than Most Options?
RingCentral has been the leading cloud-based phone provider for more than 20 years. Over the past two decades, the company has had enough time to study market needs and customize phone solutions based on business size and specific user demands.
Although RingCentral is based in the United States, it also supports many countries worldwide. The pricing package typically ranges from $19.99 to $34.99, and each package comes with unique features specific to your business needs.
Below are some of the most notable features of RingCentral:
- An auto-receptionist feature that enhances auto call forwarding and recording
- Cloud PBX reduces the costly storage and maintenance requirements.
- Greeting and voicemail features
- Multi-level Interactive Voice Response (IVR)
- Good call quality and video features—make it easier for online conferencing
- Optimized uptime in case of emergencies or low internet connection
- Directory Listing
RingCentral comes with an easy-to-use app for both the end-users and the administrators. Apart from the web-based access, you can access the RingCentral app through Windows, Mac, iPhone/iPad, and Android.
What Are The Main Alternatives To RingCentral?
Here are some other business phone system options that you can consider as RingCentral alternatives:
1. Grasshopper
Grasshopper has fewer features than RingCentral and other VoIP solutions, making it ideal for small and mid-sized businesses that need light features. With Grasshopper, you can make and receive calls and set personalized messages or auto-calls.
One of the main differences between Grasshopper and RingCentral is that RingCentral focuses on businesses of all sizes, while Grasshopper focuses primarily on smaller organizations.
Grasshopper packages start at around $26 to $80 per month. However, the solution does not include international calls or video conferencing.
2. 8×8
8×8 is an excellent option if you make many international calls at your organization. The system conveniently allows you to communicate well with more than 47 countries and offers real-time analytics for the same.
The pricing starts at around $12 to $44 per user every month, which is slightly expensive compared to RingCentral.
This phone solution offers features similar to RingCentral but does not provide live or chat services. Also, the interface might be a bit messy, and the setup process may not be the easiest. Nevertheless, it’s still another alternative business phone system to consider.
3. Phone.com
Phone.com is the best option if you need to use only a few simple features. Users can choose the features they use most according to the size and nature of their business.
For instance, you can choose to use 2,000 messages and 1,000 calls monthly and pay for only that. The monthly subscription payment starts from $10.39 to $23.99.
Most features are similar to some of the RingCentral features, but Phone.com prices can rise quickly when choosing from their different features. Also, the video conferencing feature becomes available only when you select the higher-tier plans.
4. Vonage
Vonage allows users to make and receive calls virtually through any device. Like RingCentral, Vonage comes with multiple desktops and mobile apps that will enable you to control everything through your machine. You can also easily integrate these apps with your current apps and programs, such as Salesforce, Slack, and Google Workspace.
The notable downside for Vonage is that it does not have built-in video conferencing features; you must use third-party providers such as Amazon Chime Pro Tier whenever you need to make a video call. Also, the customer service is not available 24/7.
5. Nextiva
Nextiva is typically the second most popular name that often pops up after RingCentral. It has been around since 2006, and more than 150,000 firms of all sizes use it. One of the most notable features of Nextiva is collaboration.
Many team collaboration features exist, from the business communication suite to the customer collaboration suite. Therefore, you can rely on Nextiva if you have remote employees with whom you need to collaborate more often.
The cheapest plan starts at $19.95 per user per month. The other features are similar to RingCentral. One of the most noticeable drawbacks of Nextiva is the high cost if you need to use many features.
The Final Say: Which is The Best Alternative To RingCentral?
As you can tell, the cloud-based phone system (or virtual phone system) industry is highly competitive. From older solutions like Nextiva to modern ones, you can always get a business phone solution that fits your needs. But before you choose, we advise you to understand your business needs first to get the best.
You should also establish a budget and then review the available solutions. Other vital factors to consider when choosing a phone system include customer service, reliability, and ease of use. Don't hesitate to seek professional help and guidance to select the best.
