Zoom Phone Pricing, Plans, Features, & Alternative in 2024

Zoom Phone offers a cloud-based business phone system that seamlessly integrates with Zoom’s existing video conferencing, streamlining communication and boosting collaboration within your business.

Consolidating phone calls, meetings, and chats into a single platform, Zoom Phone improves communication efficiency and productivity.

But how much does it cost? And is the pricing worth it for your business?

Every business’s phone system needs and feature requirements differ. For some, Zoom Phone pricing and features may complement expectations, while others may find it tricky to use Zoom Phone as their business communication system. 

Let’s break down the factors that influence Zoom Phone pricing and help you decide if it fits your business needs.

Zoom Phone Plans and Pricing: A Deep Dive

Zoom Phone offers a variety of pricing plans, depending on the features you need and the number of users. Here’s a quick look at the main plans (broken down below):

Plan	Monthly Cost (Billed monthly)	Outbound Calling	International Calling	Key Features
US & Canada Metered	$10/month/user	Pay-as-you-go	Additional charges	Auto attendant, dial-by-name directory, voicemail transcription, call recording
US & Canada Unlimited	$15/month/user	All features of the Metered Plan	Optional add-on for 19 countries	All features of Metered Plan
Global Select	$20/month/user	Unlimited domestic calling in 48 countries	Included	All features of Unlimited Plan, DID service

1. US & Canada Metered Plan

This is a pay-as-you-go subscription plan. With a monthly cost of $10 per user, it offers unlimited internal and metered outbound calls. There are additional costs for international calling.

Outbound call charges vary according to the geographic location. The plan comes with a Zoom One management portal, where you can provision and manage users while monitoring call quality and usage data. It’s like a centralized admin portal. 

Zoom Phone offers 24/7 live chat and phone support to help customers if they run into an issue or need help changing settings. 

As a VoIP provider, Zoom Phone delivers decent call quality with the ability to use SMS and MMS for US, Canada, and Australia numbers.

SMS and MMS features work with direct numbers and not company numbers, and they work with many operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, as well as native mobile apps on iOS and Android. 

Below are some notable features of Zoom Phone’s US & Canada Metered Plan: 

• Auto attendant/IVR: Functions as a virtual receptionist to greet callers and transfer their calls.
• Dial-by-name directory: Routes incoming callers to the correct person or extension by searching for the recipient’s name. 
• Toll-free numbers: Let your customers call you for free. They usually begin with three-digit codes, such as 800, 877, 888, 866, 844, 855, or 833.
• Barge, monitor, whisper, takeover: Allow you to interrupt a live call as a participant or monitor it without the participants’ awareness. You can even talk to your teammate without the client listening or simply take over the call from a Zoom Phone user.
• Conference calls: Allow you to add or merge a third party on an ongoing cloud phone call. 
• Call recording: Lets users record a call and return to it for more comprehensive insights into the conversation. 
• Voicemail transcription: Analyzes and converts voicemail audio into text.
• Anonymous call blocking: Enables users to block calls if there’s no caller ID on the inbound calls. You can also choose to block specific phone numbers. 

You get other features such as call handoffs between devices, letting users transfer ongoing calls. Call park capabilities on this plan move incoming calls to “park,” where agents can pick them up at their earliest convenience. This plan lets you chat 1:1 and on team chats (presence, 1:1, and team messaging).

You can choose a hot-desk, plug-and-play VoIP phone, and, if needed, add analog devices such as pagers and other equipment. 

Zoom lets you take calls to video conferencing and transfer them to a Zoom Room. It’s easy to work with and integrates with business apps such as Salesforce, Slack, and other tools. The platform comes with enterprise-grade features such as single sign-on.

Lastly, the US & Canada Metered Plan offers security features with zero-touch phone provisioning while providing real-time reporting and support for a virtual desktop environment. A hybrid integration will serve your requirements if you work with a legacy public switched telephone network. 

While the US & Canada Metered Plan offers a robust set of features, there are a few limitations to consider:

• Unlimited outbound calling: This plan doesn’t include unlimited outbound calling. Calls are charged per minute based on the destination.
• Free international calling: International calls are not included in the plan. You’ll need to refer to Zoom Phone’s international calling rate sheet to determine the cost per minute for calls to specific countries.
• Porting existing numbers: Additional fees might be associated with porting existing phone numbers to Zoom Phone.

2. US & Canada Unlimited Plan

The US & Canada Unlimited Plan comes at a monthly cost of $15 per user. It includes all features of the Metered Plan. You get unlimited outbound calling and an option to purchase an add-on for unlimited calling to 19 countries.

Below is the list of countries you can call with an optional add-on: 

• US
• UK
• Australia
• Canada
• Ireland
• New Zealand
• Austria
• Denmark
• France
• Germany
• Italy
• Portugal
• Spain
• Sweden
• Belgium
• Netherlands
• Switzerland
• Puerto Rico 
• Japan

There are additional fees for international calling, but you get unlimited regional calling with this subscription plan. 

3. Global Select plan

The Global Select plan includes all features of the US & Canada Unlimited Plan and comes at a monthly cost of $20 per user. It offers unlimited domestic calling in one of 48 select countries and territories. 

The plan comes with direct inward dialing (DID) service, allowing people to connect to your company’s private branch exchange (PBX) with a block of numbers.

Zoom Phone Add-Ons

Those who have at least one licensed user can select Zoom Phone add-ons. Below is the list of add-ons you can choose: 

• Additional phone numbers: Provides additional phone numbers starting at a monthly cost of $10. You’ll need a Zoom Phone service to get additional business numbers. You can choose to add local, toll-free, or international premium numbers. 
• Premium developer support: Provides access to prioritized technical resources and committed developer work hours. Developer support helps you quickly resolve technical issues within a guaranteed response time. This can significantly increase the overall cost of Zoom Phone. 
• Hardware as a service: Starts at $5.99 per month to lease office phones. You can add a managed service to install and manage the devices as well. 
• International calling: Offers unlimited international calling to more than 15 countries and regions for $10 monthly. You must have a Zoom Phone plan to get this add-on.
• Zoom Phone Power Pack: Gives enhanced call queue analytics and historical insights for contact center teams for a monthly cost of $25. 

Zoom occasionally offers discounts or promotions on their services. Be sure to check their website or contact their sales team for any current offers.

Zoom Phone Alternatives

While Zoom Phone offers a robust set of features, there might be situations where exploring alternatives proves beneficial. Here’s a look at some reasons why you might consider looking beyond Zoom Phone.

• Focus on video conferencing: Zoom’s core strength lies in video conferencing. While Zoom Phone offers a solid phone system, some competitors like Nextiva might have a more comprehensive phone-centric feature set.
• Pricing structure complexity: With multiple plans and add-ons, Zoom Phone’s pricing structure can appear complex. Evaluating the most cost-effective plan for your specific needs might require careful consideration.

Let’s weigh Zoom Phone against Nextiva to see why a Zoom Phone alternative might better fit your business needs.

Nextiva Pricing & Plans

Nextiva’s cloud phone system and conferencing solution offer an affordable option for lean teams. Below are some details about Nextiva’s pricing for you to compare before making a decision. 

Essential Plan

Nextiva’s Essential plan costs $18.95 per user per month. Compared to Zoom’s US & Canada Metered Plan, you pay an additional $8.95, but its value is worth much more than that.

Nextiva offers more value in its Essential plan, with features typically found in higher-tier plans of other service providers, focusing on integrated business communication tools and customer support features. You get unlimited calling and fax within the US and Canada. 

Below are a few details on the value you get with Nextiva: 

• Voicemail to email service
• 1,000 toll-free minutes per month
• Free number porting
• 24/7 customer support
• Auto attendant for basic call routing
• Integration with Google Contacts and Outlook

Zoom Phone mentions toll-free numbers but doesn’t suggest free minutes like you get with Nextiva. 

Professional Plan

Nextiva’s Professional plan comes at a monthly cost of $22.95 per user. Below are some additional features you get in the Professional plan: 

• Unlimited SMS messaging
• Unlimited conference calls
• One free professionally recorded greeting
• Integration to Salesforce and other CRM systems
• Visibility insights into the team’s presence
• Mobile app for iOS and Android with more features

Enterprise Plan

Nextiva’s Enterprise plan costs $32.95 monthly per user. It offers enterprise features such as single sign-on and more integrations with platforms such as Zendesk and HubSpot. 

Below are some additional features you get over the Professional plan: 

• Call recording
• Voice analytics to gain deeper insights
• Unlimited participants in video conferencing
• More customization options with advanced call flows
• 10,000 toll-free minutes per month

Common features across all Nextiva’s plans

Among these three Nextiva pricing plans, there are a few features common in all, including the following: 

• Call Pop with customer information
• Call forwarding, transferring, waiting, holding, and other advanced call management capabilities
• Customizable call routes
• Voicemail to text service
• 24/7 chat and phone support
• Unlimited virtual faxing 

Top 5 Features of Zoom Phone and Nextiva

When considering a business phone system, you should look for features that cater to your unique business needs. Below are the top Nextiva and Zoom Phone features you can compare to find the right fit for your business.

Zoom Phone

Here’s a list of the top five features of Zoom Phone: 

1. Unlimited regional calling: Offers unlimited regional calling in one of 48 select countries and territories (Global Select plan only). It’s great for businesses with a global presence. 
2. Direct dial numbers: Gives client-facing roles direct inward dial numbers, letting customers directly contact your team when needed. 
3. Advanced call handling features: Manages voice calls effectively with capabilities such as call park, call recording, and call delegation. 
4. Integration with Zoom meetings: Lets businesses access Zoom’s ecosystem to increase ease of use and reliability. 
5. Centralized management portal: Makes administration easy with a centralized admin, helping lean teams with limited IT resources.

Nextiva

Here’s a list of the top five features of Nextiva:

1. Unlimited voice and video calling (US & Canada): Lets small businesses make unlimited calls and send faxes in the US and Canada. 
2. Auto attendants and call flows: Greets callers and routes them to appropriate departments or individuals. It’s a virtual receptionist that helps increase call management efficiency while adding a touch of professionalism. Anyone can adjust call flows without any technical experience. 
3. Unlimited video conferencing: Provides video conferencing for up to 250 participants (Professional and Enterprise plans only). It’s useful for companies looking to conduct large virtual meetings. 
4. Business text messaging and mobile SMS/MMS: Lets clients communicate freely with your team members via text. It doesn’t require hardware. Employees can use Nextiva’s softphone to communicate with customers on the go. 
5. Call recording and analytics: Helps businesses improve call quality while using recordings and analytics to gain insights into customer interactions. Customizable call recording rules let you focus on sales calls, support, or any other business calls whenever you need them. 

Nextiva vs. Zoom Phone Comparison

Here’s a table comparing Zoom Phone’s and Nextiva’s features:

Functionality	Nextiva Essential	Nextiva Enterprise	Zoom Phone US & Canada Metered Plan	Zoom Phone Global Select Plan
Monthly pricing	$18.95	$32.95	$10	$20
Unlimited internal calling	✅	✅	✅	✅
Unlimited voice and video calls (US & Canada)	✅	✅	No	✅
Toll-free numbers	✅	✅	✅	✅
Toll-free minutes	1,000	10,000	❌	❌
Call recording	❌	✅	✅	✅
Auto-attendant	✅	✅	✅	✅
Unlimited internet fax	✅	✅	❌	❌
SMS & MMS	❌	✅	✅	❌

Which Provider Is Right for Your Business?

Both Zoom Phone and Nextiva have their positives and negatives when it comes to pricing and features. There are a few things that stand out for both solution providers, including the following: 

Zoom Phone

Zoom offers a strong video conferencing solution and allows Zoom Phone to integrate seamlessly with Zoom video meetings. You get unlimited calling in one of 48 select countries and territories under the Global Select plan. 

It also offers basic telephony features such as direct dial numbers and centralized administration, making it easier for teams to use. 

Nextiva

Nextiva brings all your voice, video, SMS, email, and CRM communication into one platform. The unified CX platform offers robust collaboration tools and mobile applications for remote or distributed teams. 

You get detailed call insights on the customer support and sales side, helping you manage customer interactions at scale. 

Don’t overlook Nextiva’s conference calling service, either. When it’s time for a scheduled all-hands meeting or a client sync call, all it takes is two clicks, and your team is talking. No apps to download — you can call in from anywhere. 

Nextiva offers a range of integrations, especially CRM integrations, that are crucial for sales and support teams to maintain customer relationships and streamline workflows.

With the NextivaONE app and comprehensive mobile device support, you can easily connect with clients no matter if you’re an on-the-go, hybrid, or remote employee. 

The Final Verdict on Nextiva

Nextiva tops the chart if your priorities include integrated communication, scalability for various business sizes, remote work optimization, and potential value for money with unlimited calling. 

If you rely on a phone system day in and day out for customer support and management, Nextiva is a suitable choice. It offers unlimited calling and a platform to integrate all communication channels into one, so you always stay within context.

Considering the value Nextiva drives, it’s a cost-conscious solution for businesses looking for a full-featured VoIP phone solution. 

On the other hand, if your system is heavily integrated and reliant on the Zoom suite, then Zoom Phone will likely make more sense for your business. 

Zoom Phone Pricing FAQs