Business VoIP providers offer Voice over IP phone service to businesses of all sizes. Business VoIP service offers reliable call quality and a host of powerful communication features. Compare the best Business VoIP providers currently available using the table below.
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Ooma
CloudTalk
LogMeIn
VirtualPBX
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Talk to an AdvisorTelnyx
Phone.com
Intrado
VoIP.ms
GoVoIP
Freshworks
VoIPco Telecom
Intulse
RingCentral
Datagate Innovation
CallTrackingMetrics
3CX LTD
InfoFlo Solutions Inc
Insider Telecom
T-Max
Infinite Connect
UltraSMSScript
Dynamics Telephony
Zoom Video Communications
MightyCall
There are many different types of VoIP available to businesses. From cloud-hosted PBX providers to unified communications to wholesale VoIP, there is definitely a solution that will meet your needs. One of the best things about a VoIP phone solution is that it is scalable and flexible, and can easily grow alongside your business. Plus, VoIP comes with different types of plans depending on your calling needs and usage.Types of VoIP
With a VoIP phone system, you are more mobile than ever. A business VoIP solution offers flexible options to include users who work in remote offices or are constantly on the go. A majority of business VoIP providers offer free mobile apps for both iOS and Android to keep users connected to their contacts, features, and more within their VoIP phone system. Plus, VoIP presents users with features that help them no matter where they are. Things like call forwarding, find me/follow me, virtual extensions, and more are all catered towards keeping employees connected to their business and nested within the same phone system.
Business VoIP not only gives you the option to choose what type of VoIP is right for you, but also which plan is right for you. Some providers have specific plans for a specific limit of users, while others have a “one size fits all” plan. So before shopping for business VoIP, you should ask yourself: “What are my calling habits and where do I call to?” If you use your phone system sporadically, then a Pay As You Go or Metered Plan might be best, where you are charged per minute on the calls you make. If you’re constantly on the phone, then an Unlimited Plan is your best bet. Furthermore, some providers also offer international calling plans if you make calls overseas.
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a protocol that you can use to make calls using your internet connection as a phone line. Since you're already paying for internet access, the only added cost is purchasing the VoIP service, thereby reducing your cost of phone services.
Mobile apps are also available from the top VoIP providers, allowing you to use your mobile phone to make and receive calls from anywhere.
Especially useful for business, some of the more important aspects of using a VoIP system include video calling, screen and file sharing, web conferencing and chat. Additional high-end features include solutions also offer digital assistants, call queues and integrated email.
More prominent VoIP providers include Avaya, Skype, 8x8, and Viber. Our team of B2B experts provide comprehensive reviews of these platforms, including RingCentral, one of the highest scoring solutions in the VoIP category.
VoIP cuts the traditional landline wires often used in a business telephone system and anticipated to diverge and effectively displace traditional landlines in modern businesses for the foreseeable future. Realistically, the increasing volume of worldwide VoIP service providers demonstrates that fast and reliable online phone service will permanently institute Voice over Internet Protocol as our standard communication outlet more quickly than we can imagine.
Why cut the cord on traditional landlines for VoIP? It's elementary – Today's VoIP systems for nearly any businesses and SMBs are multi-faceted, customizable, omnipresent, and cost so much less than the convoluted landline systems! Although the benefits of software-based VoIP systems vary from one platform to the next, what remains a common thread is that they all rely on IP networks to transmit voice calls. This translates to a much more efficient customer connection throughout your entire business system.
You may dream of having a more state-of-the-art business; however, you should consider whether a VoIP solution would be beneficial to your needs. Two benchmarks must be met first before opting for a VoIP system: One – will a VoIP system minimize the call traffic you receive each day? Second – do you have the necessary internet systems prepared to install and initiate an advanced VoIP platform to handle those calls?
The basis of any VoIP platform requires a stable broadband internet connection and solid bandwidth, followed by the flawless performance of all of your switches and routers. VoIP translates voice calls to data, so your internet system will be data-heavy. This requires a system that can compile traffic according to priority and help you select the correct system provider, specifically one that offers caps on bandwidth so you don't have to set them yourself.
Not only does your internet system need to be adequate, you also require the correct hardware (telephones, fax machines, routers, adapters, etc.) that can recognize and protect against probable security threats. Defense against your security include anticipating traffic volume, installing DDoS and password control to prevent hacks to your network.
Often the VoIP service is hosted elsewhere, eliminating any difficulties you may have with its installation. You can also bypass the need of redirecting or forwarding calls without added hardware installation.
A more complicated option is investing in a VoIP compatible PBX system that uses a PSTN gateway that converts data to voice calls. While this type of a system may be less expensive, it also requires a much more arduous installation process and may not be worth the investment in the long run.
The basis of VoIP technology itself is three-fold, all working toward the primary function of any VoIP system - the ability to make virtually free phone calls.
One installation option is to use IP phones. They look like conventional telephones; however they use an RJ-45 Ethernet connection rather than the standard RJ-11 connection. Via the Ethernet, all calls are transmitted to your network router so you can implement them online via Wi-Fi.
Secondly, and also requiring a solid and quick internet connection, is to install an analog adapter. With this installation, the analog adapter converts all analog phone calls to digital data. Although this seems like a convoluted approach, it is one of the easiest ways to install and launch your VoIP system quickly.
The third installation option also manages long-distance calls. In this instance, you must establish a connection between multiple devices through a DSL modem. Since you will also have monthly payments to your ISP for the modem and services, this once again spotlights the lower cost features of VoIP.
The try-before-you-buy concept is critical before making the final decision on your new system. It's important that you thoroughly understand what each service option is, what it does and how it can positively affect your business's productivity.
In comparing various VoIP service platforms, we found the following two benefits:
This is another benefit for the discerning businessperson who is always on the go. You can use your cell phone to call and receive calls right from the home office just by installing an app.
Unheard of with traditional landline phone services, VoIP provides multi-faceted, powerful and timesaving services including, but not limited to instant notifications, voice mail, voice recording and transcription.
Depending on the quality of your internet connection, you may experience disruptions in your phone service or poor quality calls. While these risks are not seen in traditional landline systems, if your internet provider is stable and your connectivity is solid, the cost and timesaving features far outweigh the risks. You can use a VoIP monitoring software solution in order to continuously monitor and troubleshoot your VoIP QoS and call quality.
To offset any disruptions, if your employees' internet connections are reliable, you can offer them the option of working from home if your office experiences a loss of connection so you don't miss many calls if any.
Some unique calls require additional payment, for example, emergency calls or international calls to countries with higher rates. You should inquire about free-minutes packages if you know you'll be calling overseas often.
If you regularly route unencrypted confidential or critical business information toward the internet, you risk hackers getting that information. Having a virtual private network (VPN) offers relative protection but it isn't 100% foolproof and shouldn't be completely relied upon.
Furthermore, unless you configure your wireless security during installation, your network may be exposed to a number of vulnerabilities in the VoIP system.
There are myriad VoIP providers today, and they may continue to increase in the near future. Taking this into consideration, there is obviously a wide range of pricing structures that vary from one provider to the next.
There are also varying degrees of features, all with their own costs including specific hardware necessary to run the service and additional costs for hosting, installation and maintenance. Some providers detail the total costs before you purchase and install the system. Others offer contract-specific costs based on your needs and the detailed costs involved, including any special add-on services.
Overall, you can find a VoIP provider from as little as $19.99 in case of popular solutions like MightyCall, RingCentral, or 8x8, or up to $5000 for enterprise systems; however we advise you to check and compare providers and use their trial or demo programs first before making a final decision.