7 Best alternatives to RingCentral - 2024

In the hunt for an ideal VoIP solution? You are in the right place!

Many businesses find themselves evaluating alternatives to RingCentral due to cost, feature needs, or support requirements. 

In this guide, we cover some popular RingCentral alternatives, explaining their unique features, pricing, and ideal use cases to help you find the best fit.

Our selection method

Over the past six months, we’ve rigorously tested a variety of VoIP platforms. For each service, we signed up, configured it, and made calls to evaluate quality, ease of use, and support. 

Our evaluation criteria were designed to capture both the technical performance aspects and the overall user experience, ensuring a holistic assessment of each platform's capabilities.

To further enhance the objectivity and reliability of our analysis, we took the additional step of cross-referencing our findings with verified third-party reviews. This approach allowed us to validate our insights and maintain a balanced perspective, mitigating any potential biases that might have arisen from our direct testing experiences.

Summary of our selection

Our research highlighted a few standouts in the VoIP landscape, each with unique strengths:

• Allô – An AI-driven VoIP solution perfect for solopreneurs and small businesses looking for a mobile-first, user-friendly phone system with automated customer interactions and no hidden costs. Ideal for those wanting seamless communication without complex setup.
• Google Voice – A budget-friendly solution for freelancers, personal users, and small businesses needing basic communication tools at minimal cost. Particularly beneficial for those already using Google Workspace.
• Grasshopper – A reliable, straightforward option for solopreneurs and small businesses. Grasshopper provides essential calling and texting features, making it an ideal choice for those focused on simplicity and affordability without the need for advanced functions.
• Nextiva – A feature-rich communication platform built for large enterprises or growing teams needing multi-channel support, including voice, chat, and social media. Best for organizations looking for advanced features and scalability, though not as cost-effective for smaller budgets.
• Vonage – A customizable, comprehensive VoIP solution that suits medium to large businesses needing robust call management and team collaboration. With multiple add-on options, Vonage is highly versatile but may not be ideal for smaller businesses due to extra costs.
• Dialpad – An AI-powered communications platform designed for medium to large companies focusing on advanced customer interactions. With real-time transcription, call coaching, and solid integrations, it’s excellent for businesses leveraging AI, although it has a steeper learning curve.
• Microsoft Teams Phone – A cloud-based communication system tailored for organizations already using Microsoft 365. It offers cost-effective internal calls and advanced call management features, making it an excellent choice for companies fully integrated into the Microsoft ecosystem.

If you want a more in-depth analysis with tests, screenshots and real reviews, continue reading.

Allô

What sets Allô apart?

Allô stands out as a mobile-first, AI-powered business phone solution with minimal setup.It is built for small and medium-sized teams prioritizing flexibility and efficiency in communication. 

With features like voicemail transcription, IVR (interactive voice response), and unlimited domestic calling, Allô makes it easy to manage business calls on the go. It also combines advanced AI capabilities, webhook integrations, and seamless mobile functionalities.

Who is it best for? 

Allô is perfect for small to medium-sized teams looking to centralize their communication in a mobile environment and simplifies customer interactions without requiring extensive setup, training, or technical support.

Teams already working remotely or constantly on the go will benefit from Allô’s AI capabilities and integration-friendly architecture.

Pros & cons

Pricing

Allô’s provides a budget-friendly option that caters to mobile-centric teams without skimping on quality or essential features.

• Starter plan: $19/month and includes unlimited inbound calls, call recording, AI-generated call summaries, and more.
• Business Plan: $35/month and includes 3 users, 1000 outbound mins, +1000 integrations, virtual AI assistant, and more

Demo

Reviews

Allô has received positive feedback in the app stores. The app holds a 4.6 out of 5 rating, indicating high user satisfaction. 

Google Voice 

What sets Google Voice apart?

Compared to Allô, Google Voice offers a distinct advantage for personal users and freelancers by providing a free plan for basic phone functionalities. 

Unlike Allô’s AI-powered features and integrated AI receptionist, Google Voice focuses on simplicity and affordability, especially for individuals who just need a secondary number. 

Who is it best for?

For freelancers or users seeking privacy, Google Voice provides a reliable secondary phone number that is suitable for managing calls across multiple devices without the need for a full phone system.It is also a good option for small teams seeking an affordable phone solution that integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace. 

Pros & cons

Pricing

Google Voice offers two account options:

• Personal Use: Free, linked to a Gmail account.
• Starter: $10/month (requires a Google Workspace subscription).

Demo

Reviews

On G2, Google Voice scores a solid 4.1 out of 5. Users highlight its affordability, the convenience of a separate business line on personal devices, and its seamless integration with Google apps. 

However, some report challenges with notifications, spam texts, and occasional call quality issues.

Grasshopper 

What sets Grasshopper apart?

Grasshopper shares some similarities with Allô and Google Voice, offering an accessible, easy-to-use solution aimed at small businesses and solo entrepreneurs. 

However, unlike Allô's AI-powered features and Google Voice's seamless integration with Google Workspace, Grasshopper is more basic, lacking features like call recording, power dialing, and extensive integrations. 

Grasshopper does, however, include a virtual receptionist and group messaging, making it a reliable choice for businesses primarily needing essential calling and texting capabilities.

Who is it best for?

Grasshopper provides a straightforward phone system that’s ideal for small businesses, freelancers, and solo entrepreneurs. With auto-attendant services and limited geographic availability (US, Canada, and UK), Grasshopper covers essential phone functionalities but keeps things simple—no complex setup or extensive integrations required.

Finally, Grasshopper offers a flexible option for smaller teams up to 50 Users, though it may lack scalability as businesses grow.

Pros & cons

Pricing

Grasshopper provides three pricing plans:

• True Solo: $18/month for 1 user, 1 phone number and 1 extension
• Solo Plus: $32/month for unlimited users, 1 phone number and 3 extensions
• Small Business: $70/month for unlimited users, 4 phone number and unlimited extensions

Demo

Reviews

Grasshopper holds a solid 4 out of 5 rating on G2, with users appreciating its ease of use and effectiveness for basic business communication. 

Some users, however, report occasional contact glitches and find Grasshopper less ideal as businesses expand. 

Nextiva 

What sets Nextiva apart?

While Allô focuses on mobile-first simplicity and AI-powered features, and Google Voice and Grasshopper cater to users seeking basic call and text functionalities, Nextiva is designed for larger companies needing an all-in-one solution. 

Nextiva includes voice, video conferencing, team chat (NextivaONE), web chat, online faxing, and even the ability to host webinars. These features make it a strong contender for enterprises looking to streamline all forms of communication in a single platform.

Who is it best for?

Nextiva’s robust platform is ideal for companies seeking a fully integrated communication solution. With features like video calls, team chat, digital faxing, and comprehensive integration options, Nextiva enables larger teams to manage internal and external communication through a single system. 

It’s particularly well-suited for businesses that require advanced customer interaction management with tools like conversational AI and CRM integrations.

Pros & cons

Pricing

Nextiva’s pricing is more expensive compared to solutions like Allô and Grasshopper, especially at entry levels:

• Digital: $25 per user/month
• Core: $35 per user/month
• Engage: $50 per user/month
• Power Suite: $75 per user/month

While Nextiva’s basic plan might lack essential features (like call routing and recording), it shines with its advanced plans that integrate CRM systems and AI-powered IVR. This versatility, however, comes with a higher price tag, which may not appeal to small businesses needing only basic phone functions.

Demo

Reviews

Nextiva holds a 4.5 out of 5 rating on G2, with users praising its flexibility and multi-channel support. Many users appreciate its seamless integrations and comprehensive support options. 

However, the basic plan is often seen as too limited for small businesses, and some users report app reliability issues, particularly during the lengthy SMS registration process.

Vonage

What sets Vonage apart?

While Nextiva provides scalable options for small to large enterprises, Vonage shines for medium and large businesses with high call volumes and advanced call management needs. 

It’s especially useful for call centers and customer service operations, providing tools like call queuing, forwarding, and a receptionist console, ideal for managing large call flows.

However, Vonage's pricing model may be restrictive for smaller businesses, as many essential features are only available in higher-tier plans or as additional paid add-ons.

Who is it best for?

Vonage’s solution is ideal for businesses requiring an advanced communications platform that includes voice calls, video conferencing, messaging, and file sharing. 

This makes it a strong choice for teams that need a unified experience across multiple channels and work with high call volumes, such as call centers or customer service departments.

Pros & cons

Pricing

Vonage’s pricing is competitive at first glance, but quickly adds up as features are added:

• Basic: $19.99 per line/month + taxes and fees
• Premium: $29.99 per line/month + taxes and fees
• Advanced: $39.99 per line/month + taxes and fees

Additional fees are required for features such as call recording ($49.99/month), business inbox ($9.99/month), and toll-free numbers ($39.99/month), making it better suited for larger companies that can justify these expenses.

Demo

Reviews

Vonage maintains a 4.4 out of 5 rating on G2, with users highlighting its unified communications and high-definition voice quality. 

While the platform is praised for its versatility, some users report issues with customer service response times and excessive add-on fees for essential features.

Dialpad

What sets Vonage apart?

Dialpad offers real-time transcription, automated call coaching, and advanced analytics through its AI-powered platform. 

These features make Dialpad a top choice for businesses looking to leverage AI to improve customer interactions and optimize team performance. However, Dialpad’s learning curve and limited phone support on lower-tier plans may pose challenges for smaller teams.

Who is it best for?

Dialpad is ideal for companies needing a unified communication platform that scales with their business and leverages AI for real-time insights. 

This solution is especially appealing for organizations needing AI-driven insights. The AI capabilities, including real-time transcription and call analytics, are valuable for businesses focused on optimizing customer interactions.

Pros & cons

Pricing

Dialpad’s pricing is competitive for its AI-powered features, though it starts at a higher entry point than Allô:

• Standard: $27 per user/month
• Pro: $35 per user/month

While Dialpad offers a range of AI features in its plans, small businesses may find Allô’s lower entry price and more comprehensive set of features—without add-on fees—a more budget-friendly option.

Demo

Reviews

Dialpad holds a 4.2 out of 5 rating on Software Advice, with users praising its AI-driven features like real-time transcription and call coaching. 

However, some users have reported challenges with the setup process and occasional slow customer service response times, which can affect the onboarding experience.

Microsoft Teams Phone

What sets Microsoft apart?

Microsoft Teams Phone offers a highly integrated, cloud-based phone system designed to work seamlessly with the broader Microsoft 365 suite. 

While Allô and Google Voice focus on simplicity and mobile functionality, and Nextiva and Vonage provide unified communications with extensive call management features, Teams Phone allows businesses to replace traditional PBX systems (Private Branch eXchange) within the Microsoft ecosystem. 

It is especially advantageous for organizations already using Microsoft Teams, as it enables users to handle calls internally without incurring PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) costs  and offers robust options for external calls through add-on PSTN connectivity.

Who is it best for?

Teams Phone is ideal for companies that use Microsoft 365 and want a comprehensive, cloud-based calling system. It allows users to place, receive, transfer, and manage calls within Teams, leveraging both internal and external communication. 

With options for connecting to the traditional telephone system used for voice-oriented communications (PSTN). and integration with operator services, Teams Phone is highly customizable and designed for seamless communication across various devices.

Pros & cons

Pricing

Microsoft Teams Phone offers several options to fit various business needs:

• Teams Phone Standard: $8.00 per user/month (internal calls only, PSTN add-on required)
• Teams Phone with Pay-as-you-go Calling: $11.00 per user/month (includes metered outbound calling)
• Teams Phone with Domestic Calling Plan: $15.00 per user/month (3,000 outbound domestic minutes)
• Teams Phone with Domestic & International Calling: $32.00 per user/month (includes international calling)

Each plan requires a Microsoft Teams license, adding a layer of cost for non-Teams users.

Demo

Reviews

Microsoft Teams Phone has a 4.3 out of 5 rating on G2, with users appreciating its powerful communication capabilities within the broader Microsoft Teams platform.

Conclusions

• Allô is best for solo entrepreneurs and small companies looking for an intuitive, AI-powered phone system with essential features at a competitive price. It’s ideal for those who want seamless customer interactions without complex setup or additional costs.
• Grasshopper is best for small businesses and freelancers seeking a budget-friendly, basic phone system for essential calling and texting. Its simplicity and straightforward approach make it perfect for users who don’t need advanced features.
• Google Voice is best for personal users, freelancers, and small businesses needing an affordable, basic communication solution, particularly for those already using Google Workspace. It’s an accessible, cost-effective option for managing essential communications.
• Nextiva is best for large enterprises needing a comprehensive, multi-channel communication platform. It’s ideal for companies looking for voice, chat, and social media support, although smaller businesses may find its entry-level plans lacking in essential features.
• Vonage is best for medium to large businesses requiring robust call management features and integrations. Its extensive toolset is well-suited for call centers and high-volume customer service teams, but the add-on pricing structure may not be as attractive for smaller businesses.
• Dialpad is best for medium to large companies focused on performance optimization and customer interaction. With advanced AI features like real-time transcription and call coaching, it’s an excellent choice for organizations looking to leverage AI. However, its higher starting cost and learning curve may limit its appeal for smaller teams.
• Microsoft Teams Phone is best for organizations using Microsoft 365 that need a scalable, cloud-based communication system integrated into the Microsoft ecosystem. It offers strong internal call handling and advanced call management but may be limiting for businesses not fully committed to Microsoft products due to additional licensing and device requirements.

Frequently Asked questions