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Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) VoIP September 14, 2024

6 Best RingCentral Alternatives: How They Compare in 2024

Competitors and Alternatives to RingCentral to Try
Researching a better RingCentral alternative? Here are six business VoIP providers worth considering. See why people switch to a competitor.
Alex Doan
Author

Alex Doan

Competitors and Alternatives to RingCentral to Try

When considering a business phone service, RingCentral frequently pops up in searches and conversations. And for good reason: with over two decades of experience, it’s well-known in the VoIP market.

RingCentral offers impressive features, from phone systems and video conferencing to team collaboration tools and contact center solutions, all wrapped up in a unified platform.

However, like any solution, RingCentral isn’t perfect. Some users express frustrations with its user interface, setup complexities, and occasional call quality issues. While offering various plans, its pricing structure can be a hurdle for budget-conscious businesses and those with limited needs.

This is where exploring RingCentral alternatives becomes crucial.

We’ve reviewed six notable RingCentral competitors, comparing features, pricing, customer support, integrations, and user satisfaction to answer the question: Is there a better alternative to RingCentral?

If you’re short on time, we’ll cut to the chase—

What is the best RingCentral alternative?

The best alternative to RingCentral is Nextiva due to its superior customer service ratings, reliability, and better value for businesses. Nextiva outperformed several rivals, such as Vonage, Ooma, and Dialpad.

What Users Typically Like About RingCentral

Here’s why top companies opt for RingCentral as their business communication platform.

Feature-rich & unified

RingCentral offers diverse communication tools, including phone systems with features like unlimited voice calling and team conferencing, HD video conferencing, team collaboration platforms, and specialized contact center solutions.

The extensive feature set within a unified platform serves various business communication needs, from small teams to large enterprises. Businesses can centrally manage multiple communication channels like voice, email, fax, and SMS, driving collaboration even for distributed teams.

Global reach & accessibility

RingCentral’s international calling capabilities are another highlight. Local PSTN support is available in 46 countries, including major markets like the U.S. and Canada. Toll-free numbers and local numbers can be provisioned in over 100 countries for businesses to establish a strong presence worldwide.

RingCentral also supports eighteen languages across its desktop and mobile apps (Android and iOS).

Integration capabilities

Third-party integrations easily connect the communication platform with other essential tools in RingCentral’s tech stack. Notable examples include Salesforce for data-driven customer personalization and Microsoft Teams for convenient in-app cloud calling.

High scalability

To accommodate different business needs, RingCentral offers several solutions tailored to business sizes and growth stages. The scalable solution eliminates frequent service changes as your company expands.

RingCentral MVP product screenshot.
Source: GetVoIP

Why Look for a RingCentral Alternative?

Despite its popularity, RingCentral may not ideally fit every organization.

User reviews on platforms like G2 paint a mixed picture:

Let’s get into a few reasons why businesses look for an alternative to RingCentral.

1. Cost concerns

RingCentral’s pricing plans are on the higher end for small businesses, especially those with basic calling needs.

The monthly cost per user ranges from $30 to $45, which can add up quickly for smaller teams. Limitations on toll-free minutes and the need to purchase add-ons for features like additional local numbers, webinar licenses, and vanity numbers can strain budgets.

Small businesses may find themselves paying for advanced features like analytics and API access that they don’t fully use, making RingCentral less cost-effective for their specific requirements.

The monthly cost of RingCentral is between $30–45 per user.
The monthly cost of RingCentral is between $30–45 per user.

2. Usability & reliability challenges

While quote dependable, RingCentral’s reliance on two U.S. data centers can occasionally result in increased call latency and reduced redundancy.

Some users, particularly those new to the platform, report difficulties navigating the administrative features and switching between the web and desktop apps.

3. Slow customer service

From account managers who are hard to reach and billing or renewal concerns to slow support response times, service quality remains a top reason why businesses look for a RingCentral alternative.

Unfortunately, RingCentral drops the ball here. Some users report wait times as long as multiple weeks:

quote

“Customer service was atrocious. You had to make a request and wait for a callback from a person in a totally different time zone. If you missed the call, you had to wait for that agent to call you back, nobody else. When I canceled and wanted to port my numbers, it was a multi-week saga where I could not get a response from anyone.”

Stephanie Y., Attorney (Law Practice)

RingCentral, although solid, may not work for every business type or need. Businesses that need more budget-friendly options, simplified user experiences, or responsive customer support can find many worthwhile alternatives.

6 Top RingCentral Alternatives

We’ve handpicked six strong alternatives to RingCentral, each with unique strengths catering to different business needs. Here’s an overview:

FeatureNextivaVonageOomaAircallDialpadGrasshopper
Monthly User Price and Plan $30
(Core)
$20.99
(Premium)
$24.95
(Pro)
$50
(Pro)
$25
(Pro)
$25
(Solo Plus)
Unlimited Calling✅*Contact Aircall
Video Conferencing
Team Messaging
Voicemail TranscriptionLimited
Auto Attendant/IVRIncludedIncludedIncludedIncludedIncludedIncluded
Mobile App
Ideal ForSmall to mid-size businessesBusinesses needing customizationSmall businesses on a budgetCall centers & support teamsTech-savvy teamsSolopreneurs & small businesses
User Satisfaction (G2)4.5/5
(3,219 reviews)
4.3/5
(464 reviews)
4.6/5
(126 reviews)
4.3/5
(1090 reviews)
4.4/5
(2077 reviews)
4.0/5
(147 reviews)
*Ooma Office Pro Plus plan required for unlimited calling

Let’s take a detailed look at each VoIP phone service.

1. Nextiva

Unified customer experience management (UCXM) solution with built-in CRM capabilities.

Nextiva cloud phone system is the best alternative to RingCentral.

Nextiva stands out as a well-rounded business phone system, providing VoIP services, video conferencing, team messaging, and unified customer experience management (UCXM) in one platform. It also offers both inbound and outbound contact center solutions.

One of Nextiva’s key strengths is its exceptional customer service, a rarity in the business communications industry. Users consistently praise timely issue resolution and the support team’s patience.

Here’s how one user described their support experience with Nextiva:

quote

“No more robo calls, great auto attendants, lots of extra features, Customer support is 24/7, easy to use and I use it all the time. Nextiva keeps all of my calls from 12 different numbers well organized. They have it set up where I see the caller’s ID and also see from which auto attendant they are calling. This is vital.”

Robert H., G2 Review

Beyond the core offerings, Nextiva packs many advanced phone features at no extra cost, offering a better value proposition than RingCentral.

YouTube Video

Key features

Nextiva is cost-effective, reliable, and user-friendly and a top alternative to RingCentral. Here are some of its key features:

Nextiva pricing plans

PlanKey featuresStarting priceBest for
DigitalOmnichannel digital customer sales & service (live chat, social media messaging, review management)$20Startups & small businesses needing digital customer engagement tools
CoreDigital channels, voice, video, SMS$30Small teams requiring basic communication across multiple channels
EngageAll Core features + call center + chatbot$40Growing teams that need a call center and chatbot functionality
Power SuiteAll Engage features + advanced features (intelligent routing, transcription & summarization)$60Service & sales teams needing advanced features for streamlined operations
Plans priced per user per month

Pros & cons

ProsCons
Excellent valueSome features require an add-on fee
Top-notch support
High reliability
User-friendly

Who is Nextiva ideal for?

Businesses seeking a unified platform for communication and customer management. From startups to large enterprises, Nextiva offers flexible and adaptable plans and features, meeting your business communication needs, no matter your size or industry.

Related: RingCentral vs. Nextiva: Which VoIP Provider Is Best?

2. Vonage

Extensive customization options via APIs, user-friendly.

Vonage phone system is among the top alternatives to RingCentral.

Vonage is the preferred business phone system for organizations that want to customize their communication workflows extensively. It has a wide range of custom APIs you can use to connect your VoIP phone system to different native and third-party applications.

Despite its extensive integration capabilities, Vonage is easy to set up and use. One user said they didn’t require any training to use the phone system: “My experience with Vonage was good because their app is user-friendly and visually appealing. It was simple to use and didn’t require any training from what I recall.”

Key features

Here are some top features of Vonage:

Vonage pricing plans

Vonage offers metered and unlimited international calling plans, along with add-ons like toll-free numbers and virtual fax.

PlanKey featuresStarting priceBest for
MobileUnlimited domestic calls, SMS/MMS, voicemail, main local company number$13.99Small businesses with basic communication needs
PremiumAll Mobile features, plus unlimited video meetings (up to 200 participants), team messaging, access to VBC App Center$20.99Businesses that need video conferencing and integrations
AdvancedAll Premium features, plus on-demand call recording, visual voicemail, call groups$27.99Businesses that require call recording, visual voicemail, and call groups
All plans are available monthly or annually. Prices are per line, per month, plus taxes and fees

Pros & cons

ProsCons
Highly customizableSome features require an add-on fee
Easy-to useCan be complex for some
Feature-rich Customer support could be improved

Who is Vonage ideal for?

If you’re looking for an easy-to-use business phone system with extensive features and great call quality, you should definitely check Vonage out.

3. Ooma

Budget-friendly with essential features, simple setup.

Ooma is among the top competitors to RingCentral.

Ooma is a great VoIP phone service for small businesses on a budget. It provides all the essential features you’ll need to get your business communication needs off the ground — CRM integrations, hot desking, and call management capabilities such as call routing.

Here’s how one user described their experience with Ooma:

“I am now saving hundreds of dollars per year! The quality of the VoIP service is outstanding, and no one would be able to tell the difference between this digital system and an analog system. It has an app that is feature-rich and is an excellent backup to have in the event of an internet failure. I can also modify account settings from right within the app.”

Key features

Here are some top Ooma features

Ooma pricing plans

Ooma offers three tiers of business phone service plans starting at $19.95 per user per month.

PlanKey featuresStarting priceBest for
Ooma Office EssentialsVirtual receptionist, extension dialing, music on hold, ring groups, mobile app$19.95Small businesses with basic communication needs
Ooma Office ProCall recording, text messaging, video conferencing, desktop app$24.95Growing businesses
Ooma Office Pro PlusCall center, hot desking, team chat, call queueing, voicemail transcription, CRM integrations$29.95Businesses with advanced needs
Prices are per user per month, plus taxes and fees.

You can also get a variety of add-ons, including additional phone numbers, fax capabilities, and integrations.

Pros and cons

ProsCons
Budget-friendly pricingLimited international calling options
Simple setup and managementSome features require add-ons
Essential features like virtual receptionist and call forwarding

Who is Ooma ideal for?

If you’re looking for a straightforward solution without the complexity of more extensive phone systems, Ooma is definitely one to try.

4. Aircall

Cloud phone system with analytics and integrations.

Aircall is one of many alternatives to RingCentral.

Aircall’s cloud-based call center software works best for small and mid-sized businesses. You get essential features and capabilities such as call queuing, analytics, and integrations to help you administer a lean call center.

What users love best is Aircall’s data analytics feature, which allows you to view data sets per user for more granular insights. The integration capabilities also work well, especially in how Aircall syncs with HubSpot. You can make calls to customers directly from your CRM.

Key features

Aircall’s key features include:

Aircall pricing plans

Aircall’s available in three core plans:

PlanKey featuresStarting priceBest for
EssentialsUnlimited calling within US & Canada, essential telephony features, 100+ integrations$30Small businesses with basic call management needs
ProfessionalSalesforce integration, advanced analytics, advanced sales features$50Growing businesses that need productivity features
CustomCustom onboarding, service-level agreement, API developer supportQuoteEnterprises with specific needs
Plans billed annually per license per month, and have to be purchased for a minimum of 3 users.

The platform offers various integrations and add-ons, including international numbers and call whispering.

Pros and cons

ProsCons
User-friendly interfaceCan be expensive for larger teams
Powerful analyticsSome limitations in mobile app
Extensive integrations

Who is Aircall ideal for?

Aircall is particularly appealing for teams looking for a simple yet powerful call center solution with a strong emphasis on collaboration and integration.

5. Dialpad

A cloud-based communication platform with advanced AI capabilities.

Dialpad is one of the leading alternatives to RingCentral.

​​Dialpad is a budget-friendly, AI-powered contact center solution. It offers a range of AI-driven capabilities, such as transcriptions and real-time analytics.

Dialpad’s interface and user experience stand out. For example, you can organize call centers by teams and track callbacks using voice AI.

Key features

Dialpad’s pricing plans

PlanKey featuresStarting priceBest for
StandardUnlimited domestic calling, Ai Meetings, SMS/MMS, Ai transcriptions, Web & chat support$15 per userIndividuals and small teams
Pro24/7 live agent support, CRM integrations, Open APIs & Webhooks, ring groups$25 per userGrowing teams
EnterpriseUnlimited ring groups, dial-by-extension, data retention policies, priority live agent supportContact SalesLarge enterprises
Plans billed annually per user, per month.

Dialpad’s AI features, such as real-time transcription and sentiment analysis, may incur additional costs.

Pros and cons

ProsCons
Easy to useLearning curve for advanced features
AI capabilitiesMixed customer support experiences
Cost-effectiveLimited integrations compared to others

Who is Dialpad ideal for?

Businesses prioritizing AI-driven insights and data-driven decision-making.

6. Grasshopper

Virtual phone system perfect for solopreneurs and small teams.

Grasshopper is one of many alternatives to RingCentral.

Grasshopper is ideal for solopreneurs and small businesses that don’t want to be held back by a complex VoIP phone with extensive features they don’t need. It has features such as virtual phone numbers, call forwarding, and voicemail transcription.

Here’s how one user described their experience with this virtual phone system:

“Grasshopper was very user-friendly. It was easy to use, and we never really had a need to contact customer support. The implementation was easy, and we loved that we could use it on a line/VOIP or also log into the Grasshopper app and answer on the go.”

Key features

Grasshopper’s key features include:

Grasshopper pricing plans

PlanKey featuresStarting priceBest for
True Solo1 user, 1 phone number, call forwarding to a single number, voicemail$14Single person business
Solo PlusUnlimited users, 1 phone number, call forwarding to multiple phone numbers, ability to set permissions for each user$25Businesses that need to add multiple users
Small BusinessUnlimited users, 4 phone numbers, call forwarding to multiple phone numbers, ability to set permissions for each user$55Small businesses that need flexibility and customization
Plans are billed annually per extension per month.

Grasshopper’s plans are based on the number of phone numbers and extensions rather than users.

Pros and cons

ProsCons
AffordableLimited features
Easy setupSome call quality issues on mobile
Works with existing phonesLimited customer support options

Who is Grasshopper ideal for?

If you need a simple, no-frills virtual phone system that’s easy to set up and manage, Grasshopper is worth checking out.

Why Nextiva Is the Best RingCentral Alternative

Nextiva stands out as a compelling RingCentral alternative due to its more affordable pricing, exceptional customer support, and robust unified communications features.

✅ Flexible pricing plans

Both RingCentral and Nextiva offer VoIP and contact center solutions with plenty of features. RingCentral may better fit larger enterprises needing advanced features like Workforce Management and built-in transcription.

However, Nextiva provides a compelling value proposition with its lower price point, ease of use, and excellent customer support. It’s a strong contender, particularly for small to medium-sized businesses.

Nextiva new small business pricing
Nextiva’s updated pricing plans (Learn more)

✅ Superior ease of use and setup

A handful of our customers made the switch from RingCentral to Nextiva because of how easy Nextiva is to use. In one user’s words:

“I recently changed from RingCentral to Nextiva for several reasons, one of which was to make things SIMPLER. So far, using Nextiva has been remarkable. It’s everything and more than I previously imagined. If you are looking into a VoIP provider, I highly suggest you take a close look at Nextiva.”

Nextiva offers a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to set up and manage your VoIP system, including complex tasks such as call flows and voicemail workflows. The platform is intuitive and easy to navigate, allowing you to quickly make changes to your system and add new users as needed.

Nextiva also provides actionable training and support materials to onboard you quickly, and the support team is always on deck to answer your questions and resolve any issues.

nextiva VoIP set up

✅ Amazing customer support

Nextiva has a stellar 9.0 customer support rating on G2 compared to RingCentral’s 7.6 rating. Our support team is available 24/7 across multiple channels to help customers resolve issues.

One user said Nextiva’s support function beats that of most of the other VoIP phone services on the market:

“I’ve used many VOIP service providers over the years. It always seems like they overpromise and underdeliver, and the customer service is terrible if you’re a small account. With Nextiva, it has been the opposite. The setup was easy. The tech support through chat is responsive and knowledgeable. Short wait times and the IT support knows the product well.”

YouTube Video

✅ Stellar performance and reliability

Nextiva’s cloud architecture guarantees 99.999% uptime. In other words, you’ll only experience, on average, six minutes of service downtime in an entire year. RingCentral users reported, on average, 43 minutes of downtime in 2023.

Unlike RingCentral, which is built around two data centers in the U.S., Nextiva has a redundant data architecture across eight North American locations. This spreads the data service bandwidth evenly, limiting congestion and latency.

✅ Robust unified communications features

Beyond core VoIP features, Nextiva has additional unified communication capabilities to improve your overall experience.

Call Pop, for example, lets contact center agents see callers’ customer data, such as account value and customer experience score, before and during the conversation. This helps them personalize interactions for a better customer experience.

That’s not all. Nextiva offers a comprehensive business intelligence add-on tool that provides insights into call performance for data-driven decision-making. It lets you track advanced metrics, such as call volume and total talk time, and generate reports to give you a bird’s-eye view of your business communication status.

Nextiva-unified-CX-platform

✅ Overall customer satisfaction

A VoIP comparison survey by GetVoIP found that Nextiva is the best-rated VoIP phone service when compared with alternatives, including RingCentral.

Nextiva outperformed RingCentral in six core categories: quality, installation, support, reliability, features, and price. It’s no surprise that Nextiva is among the best RingCentral competitors you should consider for your business — get a free quote and see why it’s consistently ranked the best in customer service.

Level Up Your Business Communications

While RingCentral has its merits, exploring alternatives like Nextiva can equip you with a more cost-effective, user-friendly, and reliable communication solution tailored to your business needs.

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