Expert-tested communication solutions to transform how your team connects, collaborates, and grows.
Working in business communications and marketing, part of my role is to explore solutions that make it easier for teams and customers to stay connected. Over the past five years, I've tested many of the best VoIP providers and want to share practical insights to guide you toward making the right choice for your company.
VoIP, or voice-over-internet protocol, works by transmitting phone calls through the internet instead of traditional landlines. In a business setting, this means employees can make and receive calls on desktops, laptops, or mobile devices as long as they are connected to the internet. Calls are converted into digital signals, routed through secure servers, and delivered to the recipient's phone number, just like a standard call.
The shift to cloud-based VoIP calling is part of a broader industry trend, where 96% of North American organizations are expected to adopt cloud or mobile private branch exchange (PBX) solutions by the end of 2026.
For businesses, VoIP provides a centralized communication system that supports calling, messaging, and even video conferencing under one platform. Businesses can scale easily by adding virtual phone numbers or features like call forwarding and voicemail-to-email without new hardware. This flexibility allows teams to stay connected from any location, while reducing costs compared to maintaining traditional phone lines.
| Best VoIP software | Monthly starting price | Free trial | Key features | My rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $23 | ❌ | Shared SMS inbox Custom call routing rules Local & toll-free numbers | 4.9 | |
| $10 | ❌ | Voicemail task extraction Online faxing Post-call summaries | 4.86 | |
| $30 | 14 days | 24/7 AI answering In-depth call analytics Multi-level phone menus | 4.56 | |
| $19.99 | 14 days | Unlimited SMS 40+ phone features Visual voicemail | 4.48 | |
| $19.95 | ❌ | Toll-free minutes Company directory Custom caller ID | 4.31 | |
| $18 | 7 days | Vanity phone numbers Unlimited extensions Custom phone greetings | 4.25 | |
| Free or $25 | 10 days | Free VoIP plan Unlimited landline/mobile calls Omnichannel inbox | 4.16 |
Below, you'll find my top six best VoIP providers, each with its own use case to fit different business needs:
Businesses with client-facing teams often adopt VoIP to improve customer interactions, and if that's your main goal, Nextiva stands out as a strong choice. In my years of testing VoIP platforms, I've noticed that most providers limit you to just three customer channels: phone, SMS, and chat. Nextiva goes further by adding social media, web chat, and even review sites, giving your team a true omnichannel experience.
Although VoIP is its foundation, Nextiva positions itself more as a customer experience management platform. It unifies every customer touchpoint and integrates tightly with CRM systems (e.g., HubSpot, Zendesk, Zoho), allowing you to place calls directly within the platform or pull up customer data in real time.
That said, I don't recommend Nextiva for startups with only basic communication needs. If you mainly connect with customers through phone and SMS, a simpler and more affordable option like Grasshopper will give you better value for your money.
If you're an individual or running a small team on a budget, I know that price is often the biggest factor when choosing a business VoIP service provider. Most basic VoIP plans cost around $20 to $30 per user monthly, but Zoom Phone stands out with plans starting at just $10 per user per month.
At this entry price, you still get access to core call management features like call recording, business-hour routing, and even faxing. Domestic calls follow a pay-as-you-go model, making it a smart option if you only make occasional calls. You can also upgrade to unlimited calling for just $5 more per month, which remains affordable compared to most prepaid VoIP plans at $20 per user.
That said, Zoom Phone falls short when it comes to advanced call analytics. For teams handling high call volumes that need detailed performance insights, RingCentral is a stronger option, thanks to its built-in business analytics and customizable reporting tools.
If you've been researching the best VoIP providers, chances are you've come across RingCentral more than once, and for good reason. RingCentral is a leading name in business communications, offering everything from complete call management and collaborative meetings to AI-powered team chat. I've seen how it equips teams with all the essential tools to stay connected with colleagues and customers, all supported by AI.
RingCentral also stands out for reliability. It maintains a 99.999% uptime record over five years across 46 countries, backed by global security and privacy certifications. Switching between phone, text, video, and chat is seamless from the navigation bar. Plus, every plan includes a personal AI assistant at no extra cost, giving you call notes, real-time transcription, translations, and even a writing editor.
That said, these feature-rich capabilities come with a higher price point, making RingCentral less practical for individual users or small businesses just getting started. I usually recommend it for companies planning to scale quickly and needing a robust, future-ready solution.
Like RingCentral, Vonage is a well-established name in the VoIP space, especially for businesses that want custom communication solutions. It offers extensive developer resources (code snippets, guides, and documentation) that make it possible to embed calling, messaging, and video features directly into your company's website or app.
When integrated, Vonage allows agents to place and receive calls, send texts, or join video meetings without leaving the platform they're working in. For example, a sales rep can connect with a lead directly from the page they're visiting, while call notes and recordings are automatically logged into the system.
Vonage offers pre-built plans starting at $19.99 per month, but many advanced features are sold as add-ons. If you're just starting out with VoIP and want everything bundled into a single plan, Nextiva may be a better fit since its packages include multiple communication channels upfront.
If you're shopping for a VoIP-focused system without the AI frills, Ooma is a solid choice. While it was first known for home phone services, Ooma offers a business phone system that covers all the essentials, including unlimited calls to the US, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, more countries than many competitors cover in their local calling plans.
Advanced features like video conferencing, team chat, and CRM integrations are reserved for higher tiers, so you won't feel overloaded with tools you don't need if your focus is simply phone calling. Its interface is simple to navigate, with accessible options for adding contacts, configuring calls, and checking voicemail.
That said, Ooma can be too basic for teams that rely heavily on advanced customization. If your business requires a more comprehensive communication platform, I recommend RingCentral, which combines calling, messaging, video, and AI-powered tools in a single solution.
Grasshopper is another strong recommendation for those who still find Ooma too feature-heavy. As a virtual phone system, Grasshopper gives you a dedicated business number (local, toll-free, or vanity number), which you can use to separate work calls and create a professional image. It doesn't include video, chat, or app integrations, making it perfect if you simply want a phone number for business calls.
One standout feature I appreciate is that Grasshopper lets you secure a vanity number during sign-up without extra charges on your monthly subscription. As you upgrade to higher tiers, you can also add unlimited users without paying per-user fees, something unique compared to most VoIP providers that bill individually per seat.
Of course, Grasshopper has limitations. It lacks the advanced features needed to handle high call volumes, so it isn't the best fit for customer support teams. If you're looking for a more complete VoIP platform for client interactions, I recommend Nextiva, which provides a full suite of tools for sales and support communications.
One thing worth noting when shopping for VoIP is that many providers also offer call center plans for high-volume users, usually at a higher price point. You might wonder if there's a budget-friendly option, and the answer is yes. CallHippo includes agent productivity tools in its business phone plans starting at just $25 per user, making it one of the most affordable ways to access call center features.
What I like is that CallHippo offers two versions of its phone system for both low- and high-volume usage. This flexibility lets you choose a plan that matches your call center's traffic instead of paying for features you don't need. As your call center grows, you can add outbound campaign tools like power dialers and automatic machine detection to support sales teams.
That said, while CallHippo includes unlimited minutes for both mobile and landline calls, there are restrictions. Certain countries and number types aren't included in unlimited calling. If you need more flexible options, I recommend Zoom Phone, which provides customizable call plans.
Choosing the right VoIP platform means asking the right questions about your business needs. The questions below will help you compare VoIP providers and ensure you're investing in a solution that fits both your budget and workflow.
Strong call management ensures your team can route calls, set business hours, record conversations, and manage voicemail without disruptions. These features directly affect how smoothly customer and internal communications are handled.
A user-friendly interface shortens the learning curve and helps your team adopt the system quickly. The easier it is to navigate, the less time you'll spend on training and troubleshooting.
Integration with tools like CRMs, helpdesks, and productivity software allows your team to work from one hub. This eliminates manual data entry and gives you a more complete view of customer interactions.
Some business VoIP providers go beyond calling by offering video meetings and messaging. These features allow teams to communicate in real time without switching between multiple apps.
Security compliance ensures sensitive business and customer data is protected from breaches or misuse. Look for providers with certifications like HIPAA, GDPR, and end-to-end encryption to safeguard your communications.
AI-powered tools help with tasks like call transcription and conversation summaries. With 85% of customer service leaders set to pilot conversational Gen AI in 2025, voice bots are expected to shift from a nice-to-have feature to a core requirement.
The best VoIP phone providers give you more than just phone service, as they streamline communication and keep your business flexible as it grows. By focusing on call management, ease of use, and security, you'll be able to narrow down providers that truly fit your needs.