Top 10 Dialpad Alternatives & Competitors [2024]

While Dialpad offers a robust suite of features, its AI focus and pricing might not align with every business’ needs.

All you need is a reliable phone system that’s user-friendly, affordable, and meets your current requirements (without added complexity!).

This guide explores top alternatives to Dialpad, catering to various needs and budgets. We’ll delve into each option’s strengths and weaknesses, helping you navigate the options and find the perfect communication solution for your growing business.

Dialpad’s Strengths

Dialpad is a cloud-based communications provider that offers Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) and Contact Center as a Service (CCaaS) solutions. Before diving into its alternatives, let’s see why businesses choose Dialpad:

• AI-powered features: Dialpad leverages AI for tasks like bot-assisted live chat and intelligent call routing, enhancing efficiency and customer experiences.
• Scalability: The platform scales to accommodate growing businesses, supporting a range of user sizes.
• Contact center features: Dialpad offers features like automatic call distribution (ACD) and real-time analytics for businesses requiring advanced contact center capabilities.

Why Look for Dialpad Alternatives

Businesses might explore Dialpad competitors for various reasons: seeking a more budget-friendly option, needing a broader range of integrations, or prioritizing video conferencing capabilities.

Here are a few key ones:

1) Focus on AI

If your communication strategy prioritizes human interaction over AI-driven automation, Dialpad’s emphasis on AI might not be ideal.

Dialpad excels when businesses fully use its AI features, such as bot-assisted live chat for identification and verification. However, if you have established human-centric processes, relying heavily on AI might not align with your current priorities.

In such cases, you may be paying for features you’ll never use, and it might be worth exploring alternatives that better match your needs.

2) Complex implementation

For some users, the AI features and setup process might feel overwhelming, especially for smaller teams.

Setting up Dialpad can be time-consuming, especially when dealing with complex AI elements like bot scripts and data pre-loading. Rushing through the provisioning and configuration phases may result in suboptimal outcomes.

If you need to set up a contact center solution quickly, other business phone systems might be better suited for quick and self-service onboarding, offering more straightforward setup processes and requiring less upfront configuration.

3) Cost concerns for small businesses

Dialpad’s pricing might not be the most budget-friendly option for all businesses, particularly for those with limited needs.

Dialpad’s UCaaS tools are priced at $23 (Standard) and $35 (Pro) per user per month, but getting a clear picture of the costs for your contact center implementation often requires a lengthy conversation with its sales team.

Smaller businesses with straightforward requirements prefer alternatives that offer more transparent and accessible pricing information, allowing for easier comparison without extensive sales interactions.

Top 10 Dialpad Alternatives & Competitors in 2024

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick comparison of the top five Dialpad competitors.

Feature	Nextiva	Aircall	3CX	Grasshopper	Zoom Phone
Pricing (per user/mo)	Starts at $18.95	Starts at $30	Free (limited for up to 10 users)	Starts at $14	Starts at $10
Integrations	Extensive	Popular Apps	Limited	Limited	Popular Apps
Mobile App	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
International Calling	Yes	Yes	Yes (add-on)	Yes	Yes
Video Conferencing	Yes	No	Yes	No	Included
Target Audience	SMBs, Enterprises	SMBs	Solopreneurs & SMBs	Solopreneurs, SMBs	SMBs
Best For	Small businesses looking to move quickly and want one phone system for all their team members with plenty of integrations	Businesses who spend all day in an app like Zendesk or Slack	Basic requirements if you’re looking for a no-frills approach to VoIP	Adding a business number to your personal phone	Users familiar with Zoom

Here’s a quick guide to which alternative might be a good fit:

• For value-conscious businesses: Consider OpenPhone (basic plan).
• For extensive integrations: Nextiva or Aircall offer a wide range of options.
• For video conferencing-centric needs: Zoom Phone integrates seamlessly with Zoom meetings.
• For international calling: 8×8 is a strong contender.
• For call centers: Nextiva offers features specifically designed for high-volume calling environments.

The following options cater to a range of business needs and communication styles:

1. Nextiva

Nextiva is a comprehensive cloud-based phone system and UCaaS solution combining voice calls, email, video conferencing, web chat, and social media into a single platform. Nextiva excels for small and medium businesses seeking a user-friendly platform that fosters team collaboration and enhances customer experience.

Key features

• Omnichannel support across phone, email, video calls, web chat, and social media
• Cross-channel reporting and analytics
• UCaaS and CRM integration library for access to back-office data
• Single interface for team messaging and business communications
• Advanced telephony features include auto-attendants, intelligent virtual assistants, voicemail transcription, and more

Why Nextiva is a good Dialpad alternative

Nextiva stands out from other communication platforms by offering three unique features:

1. Combining all communication channels into a single thread
2. Integrating team and customer collaboration into one tool
3. Merging business communications and customer support in a single app

With a 99.999% SLA and 24/7 support, including chat and ticketing options, Nextiva ensures reliable service and assistance whenever needed. The Nextiva Support Center provides webinars, phone guides, and documentation for self-administration.

Nextiva pricing

Nextiva offers tiered pricing based on the features you need. Here’s a rundown:

• Essential: Starts at $18.95 per user, per month. A basic plan suitable for small teams.
• Professional: Starts at $22.95 per user, per month. Offers additional features like video conferencing and voicemail transcription.
• Enterprise: Starts at $32.95 per user, per month. Designed for small and medium businesses with advanced needs.

Check out all of Nextiva’s pricing options ↗

Who is Nextiva best for?

Nextiva is an excellent choice for small to medium-sized businesses looking for a comprehensive, cloud-based communication solution.

It’s particularly suitable for companies that require seamless integration between front and back-office operations, as well as those seeking a scalable and easy-to-set-up communication platform.

Pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Easy to set up when you need to move quickly	Fewer AI options compared to Dialpad
Integration of front and back office	No integration with Apple Business Chat
Scalable and cloud-first approach

2. Aircall

Aircall is a cloud-based call center software ideal for businesses that prioritize a streamlined experience for agents working within a single application like Slack or Zendesk. Aircall offers real-time analytics, call recording, and customizable IVR.

Key features

• Real-time call analytics and reporting
• Call recording and monitoring for quality assurance and training purposes
• Customizable IVR to efficiently route calls
• Softphone functionality for making and receiving calls directly from a computer or mobile device

Aircall pricing

Aircall offers two main subscription plans with a free trial available:

• Essentials: At $30 per user per month (billed annually) or $40 per user per month (billed monthly). It includes core call center features, unlimited inbound calls (excluding toll-free numbers), integrations and API access, smart call queuing, and phone support. One phone number is included in this plan.
• Professional: At $50 per user per month (billed annually) or $70 per user per month (billed monthly). It includes all the features of the Essentials plan, plus additional benefits like Salesforce integration, a PowerDialer tool, advanced analytics, and more.

*Extra phone numbers can be added to either plan for an additional $6 per month. Aircall requires a minimum of 3 users for all its plans. You can also request a personalized quote from its sales.

Who is Aircall best for?

Small to medium-sized businesses and startups that need a reliable and scalable call center solution find Aircall suitable. The platform’s pay-as-you-go pricing model and free trial option make it an accessible solution for growing companies.

Pros and cons

Pros	Cons
User-friendly interface and easy setup	Limited multichannel support (voice-focused)
Real-time analytics and reporting	Advanced features may require higher-tier plans
Customizable IVR for efficient call routing	Some integrations may require additional setup

3. 3CX

3CX is a feature-rich Dialpad alternative offering phone systems, video conferencing, and live chat functionalities. 3CX provides deployment flexibility (cloud or on-premise) and caters to businesses with varying IT infrastructures.

Key features

• Advanced phone service functionality for granular control and customization
• Web browser and mobile app access for convenient communication
• QR code softphone configuration for easy user setup

3CX pricing

3CX offers a freemium model with paid plans. Here’s a breakdown of the different plans billed annually:

Its pricing changed in August 2022, so it might be best to consult their official website for the latest info.

Who is 3CX best for?

The software’s focus on simplicity makes it an attractive choice for smaller teams or those with basic communication requirements. 3CX is also an excellent choice for businesses with technical expertise and a desire for granular control over their communications system.

Pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Microsoft Teams integration for direct call routing	Lacks modern collaboration features
Softphone installation and setup	Not a true contact center solution
DIY VoIP phone service option	Technical skills required for maintenance and configuring PBX systems.
Free plan for up to 10 users	Limited scalability for larger enterprises

4. OnSIP

OnSIP is a user-friendly VoIP replacement for on-premises phone systems. Ideal for businesses seeking a basic solution that prioritizes simplicity and doesn’t require advanced collaboration features.

Key features

• Basic call management features, including call forwarding, voicemail, and call parking
• Integration with popular business tools like HubSpot and Zendesk
• Ability to configure an informal contact center using VoIP capabilities
• Web-based administration portal for easy system management

OnSIP pricing

OnSIP’s pricing structure revolves around a base subscription with additional features available for separate fees. Here’s a breakdown:

• Unlimited: At $18.95 per month per user (minimum 5 users), including unlimited call recording, voicemail, auto-attendants, and ring groups.
• Per-feature pricing: OnSIP charges extra for some advanced features like auto attendants: $19.95 per menu, per month.
• Free Trial: Offers a free trial, so you can test out the service before committing.

Who is OnSIP best for?

OnSIP is best for small to medium-sized businesses that don’t require advanced collaboration features or a full-fledged contact center solution, OnSIP’s straightforward approach to VoIP communication makes it an attractive Dialpad alternative.

Pros and cons

Pros	Cons
User-friendly interface and easy-to-use features	No omnichannel experience
Ability to configure an informal contact center	Expensive to configure contact center capabilities
Reliable VoIP provider	Limited collaboration features
	Fewer advanced features compared to Dialpad
	Complex pricing structure

5. OpenPhone

OpenPhone is a modern solution for startups and small businesses. OpenPhone offers a unified interface for managing business calls, texts, and contacts, making it a straightforward and user-friendly communication solution.

Key features

• Custom phone book for easy contact management
• Shared phone numbers for seamless team collaboration
• Integration with Salesforce and HubSpot CRMs
• A lightweight solution that eliminates the need for traditional VoIP desk phones

OpenPhone pricing

OpenPhone offers three pricing plans with a la carte options for additional features:

• Starter: $15 per user, per month (billed annually) or $19 per user, per month (billed monthly). It includes unlimited calling and texting within the US and Canada, one domestic phone number per user, text messaging, and more.
• Business: $23 per user, per month (billed annually) or $33 per user, per month (billed monthly). It includes all the features of the Standard Plan, plus advanced call routing features, call recording transcripts, and HubSpot and Salesforce integrations.
• Enterprise: For organizations with more complex requirements, request a quote from OpenPhone’s sales team.

Who is OpenPhone best for?

OpenPhone is an ideal choice for startups and small businesses that don’t need the complexity of feature-rich solutions like Dialpad. The platform’s focus on basic phone use cases and its streamlined interface make it an attractive option for small teams.

Pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Flexible pricing plans	No contact center option
User-friendly mobile and web apps	Limited CRM integrations (Salesforce and HubSpot only)
Customizable business phone numbers	Some integrations require higher pricing tiers
Integrations with popular business tools	Not suitable for enterprises with advanced requirements

6. Grasshopper

Grasshopper provides a virtual business phone number that can be used on personal mobile devices. Grasshopper benefits small business owners and entrepreneurs seeking a professional presence without a separate business phone.

Key features

• Virtual receptionist feature for call forwarding based on caller input
• Toll-free number selection for a professional business presence
• Easy setup and management through a user-friendly interface

Grasshopper pricing

Grasshopper offers virtual phone system plans with features suitable for solopreneurs, small businesses, and even larger teams.

• True Solo: For a single-person business and includes 1 phone number for $14 per month billed annually.
• Solo Plus: For a business with multiple users and includes 1 phone number for $25 per month billed annually. You can add additional users to your account for free.
• Small Business: For businesses that need flexibility and customization and includes 4 phone numbers for $55 per month billed annually. You can add additional users to your account for free.

Grasshopper also offers a free trial for 7 days. You can also purchase add-ons like additional phone numbers ($9/month each).

Who is Grasshopper best for?

Grasshopper works best for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and freelancers who want a professional presence without the complexity and cost of a full-fledged business phone system.

Pros and cons

Pros	Cons
7-day free trial to test the service	Only available in the USA and Canada
Easy toll-free number selection	Call recording is not permitted
Separates business and personal communication	No contact center option
	Limited international calling capabilities

7. Zoom Phone

Zoom Phone banks on the familiarity and ease of use of the popular Zoom video conferencing platform. Zoom Phone offers a smooth transition for businesses seeking a UCaaS solution with a consumer-grade interface.

Key features

• UCaaS suite including phone, meetings, chat, mail, and calendar
• Ability to transform the Zoom interface into a contact center console
• Support for popular communication channels like email, web chat, and social media
• Integration with other platforms, such as Microsoft Teams

Zoom Phone pricing

Zoom Phone offers a freemium pricing model with tiered paid plans catering to individual users, small teams, and enterprises.

• US & Canada Unlimited: Unlimited calling to the US and Canada for $180 per year per user.
• US & Canada Metered: Pay-as-you-go calling for $120 per year per user, plus additional fees for outbound calls.
• Global Select 48 Countries: Unlimited calling to 48 countries, including the US, Canada, and many European countries, for $240 per year per user.

Zoom Phone also offers a number of add-on features, such as unlimited calling to 19 additional countries and SMS/MMS messaging.

Who is Zoom Phone best for?

Zoom Phone remains a strong contender as a Dialpad alternative, particularly for organizations that value user adoption and ease of use. Its comprehensive UCaaS suite and ability to function as a contact center console make it a versatile choice for businesses with diverse communication needs.

Pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Free access to 40-minute meetings	New to the contact center market
Familiar interface for easy adoption	Complex configuration for automated workflows and IVR
Seamless integration with other Zoom apps and features	Regular new product releases may overwhelm small businesses
	Potential security concerns due to a large user base

8. Vonage

Now owned by Ericsson, Vonage offers a UCaaS solution with features like chat, calling, and meetings within a single application. It caters to businesses with a focus on customer engagement and conversational commerce.

Key features

• Developer-friendly products for programmable voice, messaging, and SMS automation
• Conversational commerce add-on for enhanced customer engagement
• Access to composable Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS) options

Vonage pricing

Vonage offers a variety of phone plans for businesses. Here’s a summary of the pricing options:

• Mobile: $19.99 per month/per line, plus taxes and fees. Includes the VBC Mobile App, unlimited domestic calling, SMS and MMS, voicemail, and a main local company number.
• Premium: $29.99 per month/per line, plus taxes and fees. All the features of the Mobile plan, plus unlimited video meetings (up to 200 participants), team messaging, VBC App Center, and single sign-on.
• Advanced: $39.99 per month/per line, plus taxes and fees. All the features of the Premium plan, plus on-demand call recording (15 hours per month), visual voicemail (with transcription), and call groups.

There is a 12-month promotional discount available for all plans.

Who is Vonage best for?

Businesses focusing on customer engagement and conversational commerce will benefit from Vonage’s add-on features. The platform’s developer-friendly products and composable CPaaS options make it attractive for organizations with specific customization and integration requirements.

Pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Global coverage and reliability	Relatively new to the unified communications market
Robust unified communications platform	An amalgamation of previous apps can be confusing for users
Advanced call management features	Products tend to be more developer-focused, requiring API knowledge
Scalable for businesses of all sizes	Pricing may be complex due to API-based structure

9. GoTo Connect

GoTo Connect is a unified communications platform integrating chat, phone calls, and meetings. GoTo Connect also offers a dedicated contact center solution and excels for businesses using Microsoft Teams due to its direct routing option.

Key features

• Add-ons for business continuity and SD-WAN
• Direct routing option for Microsoft Teams integration
• Access to webinar and conference calling tools
• User-friendly interface and easy setup

GoTo Connect Pricing

GoTo Connect offers a variety of plans that can be customized to fit the needs of your business. However, specific pricing information is not available on their website. They do offer a free trial. Contact GoTo Connect for more details on pricing.

Here’s another GoTo Connect pricing guide to refer to.

Who is GoTo Connect best for?

Companies that use Microsoft Teams benefit from GoTo Connect’s direct routing option, allowing for seamless integration between the two platforms. Additionally, businesses that frequently host webinars or conference calls will find value in GoTo’s robust tools for these purposes.

Pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Direct routing option for Microsoft Teams	Lack of maturity in the cloud communications market
Access to webinar and conference calling tools	Limited customization options compared to some competitors
User-friendly interface and easy setup	Potential learning curve for users accustomed to other platforms

10. 8×8

8×8 offers a unique “experience communications as a service” (XaaS) solution, allowing businesses to create customized communication platforms. 8×8 caters to enterprises with complex communication needs and offers features like VoIP calls, video meetings, chat, and contact center functionalities within a single platform.

Key features

• Seamless integration between components
• Prescriptive options for contact center, unlimited calling, video, and chat
• Ability to choose from phone and multimedia channels

8×8 pricing

8×8 offers a tiered pricing structure with cloud-based communication features. The exact pricing information isn’t available on its website and you need to contact its sales for a quote.

Here’s some information based on other sources.

Paid plans start at $24 per user, per month (billed annually). Month-to-month billing might be slightly higher.

• X2: Starting at $24 per user/month (annual). Ideal for growing businesses.
• X4: Starts at $44 per user/month (annual) and builds on X2 features.
• Contact Center Plans (X6, X7, X8): Caters to businesses needing advanced contact center functionalities and start at $64 per user/month (annual).

Who is 8×8 best for?

Enterprises with complex communication infrastructures benefit from 8×8’s single-platform approach, which integrates VoIP calls, video meetings, chat, and contact center capabilities.

Pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Advanced analytics and reporting	Frequently changed model may cause confusion
Global coverage and reliability	Some basic features only available in higher pricing tiers
Advanced contact center features	Steep learning curve to customizing VoIP solutions
Seamless third-party integrations	Higher prices compared to some competitors

How To Choose the Right Dialpad Alternative

To choose the right Dialpad alternative, understand your specific business needs.

• Budget: Determine your budget for a communication solution and compare the pricing structures of different options.
• Number of users: Consider the number of users requiring access to the communication platform.
• Desired features: Prioritize the features most important to your business, such as video conferencing, international calling, or voicemail transcription.
• Integrations: Ensure the platform integrates seamlessly with your existing CRM, calendar, or other business tools.
• Team size and structure: Remote teams might have different needs compared to in-office teams.

Weigh the pros and cons and assess your needs (AI functionality, contact center capabilities, VoIP solution, etc.) to find the best fit.

Nextiva: Your Feature-Rich & Best-Practice Option

If you’re looking for a no-frills, best-practice Dialpad alternative, Nextiva has all bases covered.

Nextiva offers a comprehensive unified communications platform that combines voice calls, email, video conferencing, web chat, and social media into a single hub. It caters to small and medium businesses seeking a solution that focuses on driving team collaboration and better customer experience.

Key features include:

• Omnichannel support
• Cross-channel reporting and analytics
• Scalable cloud-based platform
• User-friendly interface

Its phone call quality is noticeably sharp and clear, but that’s not all people like about it. Its Android and iOS mobile apps rock a user-friendly interface quite familiar to its desktop apps.

Nextiva has been named the Best Business Phone System by U.S. News for four years. It also scores 4.6 out of 5 with Forbes and is described as highly reliable by CrazyEgg.

Companies like Shelby America, Veterans Home Care, and Orange County Rescue Mission have chosen Nextiva for their business communications needs.

Dialpad, Aircall, 3CX, OnSIP, OpenPhone, Grasshopper, Zoom, Vonage, GoTo Connect, and 8×8 have no relationship with Nextiva, Inc. and are the registered trademarks of their respective owners.