Advertiser Disclosure

Best VoIP Phone Systems For Small Business

Still using outdated landlines in your business? Make the switch to business VoIP with one of these providers.

    Erica Seppala
  • Last updated onUpdated

  • Shelbi Wescott
  • REVIEWED BY

    Shelbi Wescott

    Managing Editor

Our content reflects the editorial opinions of our experts. While our site makes money through referral partnerships, we only partner with companies that meet our standards for quality, as outlined in our independent rating and scoring system.

Today’s best business phone systems utilize the latest technology for reliable phone service, fewer dropped calls, better clarity, and features that make it easy to communicate with customers and employees outside of picking up the telephone. Best of all, VoIP service is surprisingly affordable.

In this post, we present our top picks for the best VoIP phone systems for small businesses. Our list covers everything from basic phone service for smaller businesses to providers that offer a wide range of communication tools suitable for large or multi-location businesses.

Learn More About Our Top Picks

CompanyBest ForNext StepsBest For
RingCentral

Read More

  • Plan Pricing: $30+/month
  • Hardware Pricing: $100+
  • Strong features make it suitable for businesses of all sizes
  • Plan Pricing: $30+/month
  • Hardware Pricing: $100+
  • Strong features make it suitable for businesses of all sizes

Visit Site

Read More

Zoom Phone

Read More

  • Plan Pricing: Starts at $10/month
  • Hardware Pricing: Contact Zoom for a quote
  • Low-cost plans with affordable international calling add-on
  • Plan Pricing: Starts at $10/month
  • Hardware Pricing: Contact Zoom for a quote
  • Low-cost plans with affordable international calling add-on

Visit Site

Read More

Vonage

Read More

  • Plan Pricing: Starts at $19.99/month
  • Equipment: Contact Vonage for a quote
  • Easy-to-use phone system ideal for smaller businesses
  • Plan Pricing: Starts at $19.99/month
  • Equipment: Contact Vonage for a quote
  • Easy-to-use phone system ideal for smaller businesses

Visit Site

Read More

3CX

Read More

  • Plan Pricing: Starts at $0
  • Hardware Pricing: N/A
  • Forever-free plan loaded with great calling features
  • Plan Pricing: Starts at $0
  • Hardware Pricing: N/A
  • Forever-free plan loaded with great calling features

Visit Site

Read More

Nextiva

Read More

  • Plan Pricing: $25+/month
  • Hardware Pricing: $70+
  • Excellent social media and review site management tools
  • Plan Pricing: $25+/month
  • Hardware Pricing: $70+
  • Excellent social media and review site management tools

Visit Site

Read More

Show More Options
Ooma Office

Read More

  • Plan Pricing: $19.95+/month
  • Equipment Pricing: $59.99+ (retail)
  • Budget-friendly phone hardware
  • Plan Pricing: $19.95+/month
  • Equipment Pricing: $59.99+ (retail)
  • Budget-friendly phone hardware

Visit Site

Read More

OnSIP

Read More

  • Plan Pricing: $18.95+/month
  • Hardware Pricing: N/A
  • Robust system that is ideal for large businesses and call centers
  • Plan Pricing: $18.95+/month
  • Hardware Pricing: N/A
  • Robust system that is ideal for large businesses and call centers

Visit Site

Read More

GoTo Connect

Read More

  • Plan Pricing: Contact GoTo for a quote
  • Hardware Pricing: $119+
  • Free international calling
  • Plan Pricing: Contact GoTo for a quote
  • Hardware Pricing: $119+
  • Free international calling

Visit Site

Read More

Show Fewer Options

Read more below to learn why we chose these options.

What Is Business VoIP?

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is technology that allows someone to make and receive phone calls through the internet. VoIP phone systems are scalable, and it’s easy to upgrade your service, add more lines, or create extensions.

These systems also have great features that allow users to connect in more ways than just the telephone.

All of these systems on this list use VoIP technology.

How Does VoIP Work?

The simplest explanation for how VoIP works is that it is a phone system that uses an internet connection, eliminating the need for copper wires and outdated infrastructure.

The end result is phone systems that are reliable, easy to set up, and affordable.

8 Best Phone Systems For Small Businesses

The best VoIP phone systems for business should have competitive pricing, reliable service, good call quality, and features that allow you to communicate more effectively with your customers and employees. Here’s a look at our top picks for the best phone systems for business.

  • RingCentral: Best Overall Business Phone System
  • Zoom Phone: Best Budget-Friendly Business Phone System
  • Vonage: Best Basic Phone System For Smaller Businesses
  • 3CX: Best For On-Premise PBX
  • Nextiva: Best Phone System For Social Media Management
  • Ooma Office: Best For Low-Cost Hardware
  • OnSIP: Best Phone System For Larger Businesses
  • GoTo Connect: Best Phone System For International Calling

Comparison Of The Best Business Phone Systems

PricingHardware For PurchaseOn-Premise or Cloud-Hosted Free Trial
RingCentralStarts at $30/monthCloud-Hosted
Zoom PhoneStarts at $10/monthCloud-Hosted
Vonage$19.99+/monthCloud-Hosted
3CXStarts at $0Both
NextivaStarts at $25/monthCloud-Hosted
Ooma OfficeStarts at $19.95/monthCloud-Hosted
OnSIPStarts at $18.95/monthCloud-Hosted
GoTo ConnectContact GoTo for a quoteCloud-Hosted

RingCentral: Best Overall Business Phone System

Total Rating 4.7
Pricing4.2

Features5.0

Equipment5.0

Security5.0

Customer Service4.7

User Reviews4.0



Pros

  • Scalable
  • Robust feature set
  • Strong mobile apps

Cons

  • Customer service is hit-or-miss
  • Pricing can get expensive with numerous add-ons

Why We Chose RingCentral For Best Overall Phone System

RingCentral gets the distinct honor of being named our pick for best overall phone system. While not the least expensive option on our list, RingCentral does have three competitively-priced plans, especially considering all that's included with each plan. Its feature set is top-notch, and you can further bulk up your system with add-on features. However, this can potentially make the cost a little too high for businesses that are following stricter budgets.

You can find everything you need with RingCentral, including a great selection of hardware from top brands in the business. And if you don't need equipment? No problem, as RingCentral has strong mobile apps that have received great reviews from customers. Throw in strong security features to protect your data and privacy, hundreds of integrations, 24/7 customer support, and many positive reviews from satisfied customers, and you'll see why RingCentral tops our list.

Pricing

RingCentral EX Plan Price When To Use
Core $30/month per user If you need unlimited domestic calling
Advanced $35/month per user If you need unlimited calling plus integrations and additional features
Ultra $45/month per user If you need unlimited calling plus customizable analytics

Pricing starts at $30/month if you sign up for a month-to-month plan. If you sign up for an annual plan, you can save up to 33%. Two additional plans are available that offer additional features, analytics, and integrations.

RingCentral has a wide selection of add-ons that can add to your monthly expenses. Additional numbers, high-volume business SMS, push-to-talk, webinars, and events are all available as add-on features.

RingCentral has strong mobile apps for softphones. However, if you need desk phones and other hardware, RingCentral has a great selection of phones, headsets, and adapters. Expect to pay around $100 for a basic desk phone or upwards of $1,000 for a top-of-the-line conference room phone.

For businesses with one to five users, a 14-day trial is available. If your business has more users, you can set up a demo to see the system in action.

Features

RingCentral’s features are plentiful, and we could spend a great deal of time just listing out everything that this system has to offer.

You’ll find everything from the simple features you’d expect with a business phone system to more advanced features and analytics to help you improve everything from customer service to your training processes.

Here are some highlights of the great features RingCentral has to offer:

  • Local, international, toll-free, and vanity phone numbers
  • AI noise cancellation for call clarity
  • IVR call menus to provide callers with important information
  • Multi-site management for businesses with multiple locations
  • AI-powered video meetings that support up to 200 participants
  • Team messaging and file sharing to improve employee communications
  • SMS and MMS messaging
  • Push to talk for fast and efficient employee communication
  • Numerous reports and customizable analytics
  • Integrations with 300+ apps

Choose RingCentral If...

  • You want a robust phone system at a competitive price
  • You want to customize your phone system with add-ons and integrations

Get Started With RingCentral

Read our in-depth review

Jump back to comparison chart

Zoom Phone: Best Budget-Friendly Business Phone System

Total Rating 4.5
Pricing4.2

Features4.4

Equipment4.5

Security5.0

Customer Service4.7

User Reviews4.7



Pros

  • Affordable monthly calling plans
  • Easy to use
  • Numerous basic & advanced features

Cons

  • Customer service is lacking
  • Non-transparent hardware pricing

Why We Chose Zoom Phone For Best Budget-Friendly Phone System

If you don't need an overly advanced or customized phone system that costs a fortune, consider what Zoom Phone has to offer. This low-priced business phone system starts at just $10 per month. This low-price plan is a pay-as-you-go model, so we actually recommend upgrading to the $15/month plan that includes unlimited calling within the U.S. and Canada.

While Zoom Phone doesn't offer all the bells and whistles of more advanced systems, It offers a good set of features in an easy-to-use package. Zoom Phone also has a neat add-on for making international calls. For just $10/month, you can add unlimited calling to 15+ countries.

Pricing

Zoom Phone Plans Price When To Use
US & Canada Metered $10/month per license Your business needs a phone that will be used occasionally
US & Canada Unlimited $15/month per license Your business needs unlimited calling
Pro Plus $21.99/month per user Your business needs phone service and advanced tools for up to 99 users
Business Plus $26.99/month per user Your business needs phone service and advanced tools for up to 250 users

Plans start at just $10/month, but if you want unlimited calling, you’ll have to upgrade to the $15/month Unlimited plan.

Several add-ons are available, including the aforementioned international calling plan, as well as toll-free numbers and additional phone numbers.

Equipment is available, although you will have to contact sales to learn more about pricing. Leasing options for equipment are available, although you will have to contact Zoom for more details.

Unfortunately, Zoom Phone does not offer a free trial to test out the service. However, you can sign up for a free Basic Zoom account, which allows you to test out the company’s video conferencing feature.

Features

Zoom Phone offers a good set of basic and advanced features that are suitable for smaller businesses or businesses that don’t rely heavily on their phone systems.

Some standout features worth noting include:

  • Toll-free numbers available
  • Basic features including call waiting, three-way calling, and emergency calling
  • Interactive voice response (IVR) to provide information to callers
  • Auto attendants to guide callers to the right person
  • Call whispering, barging, and takeovers to improve customer satisfaction
  • Team messaging for fast communication with employees
  • Video meetings
  • SMS & MMS text messaging
  • Real-time reporting and quality dashboards
  • Integrations with multiple programs, including Salesforce, Slack, Outlook, and Google Calendar

Choose Zoom Phone If...

  • You want a phone system with an affordable monthly cost
  • You want a phone system covers the basics and is easy to use

Get Started With Zoom Phone

Read our in-depth review

Jump back to comparison chart

Vonage: Best Basic Phone System For Smaller Businesses

Total Rating 4.0
Pricing3.7

Features4.0

Equipment3.6

Security5.0

Customer Service4.0

User Reviews3.6



Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Suitable for smaller businesses
  • Reliable phone service

Cons

  • Add-ons can drive up monthly pricing
  • Desk phones can’t be used with lowest priced plan

Why We Chose Vonage For Smaller Businesses

Vonage has always been a leading name in VoIP, and businesses can receive reliable phone service with Vonage Business Communications (VBC). With Vonage, you'll have access to numerous calling features, a user-friendly interface, and security features to protect your data and privacy.

While monthly calling plans are competitively priced, many features such as call recording are paid add-ons. Larger businesses or those that need more advanced features can quickly see their monthly costs rise. For smaller businesses that are looking for a simple, easy-to-use phone system with the basics, Vonage can be a cost-effective option.

Pricing

Vonage Plans Price When To Use
Mobile $19.99/month per line You want to use a VoIP app on your phone or computer
Premium $29.99/month per line You need VoIP phones and features like video meetings
Advanced $39.99/month per line You want access to additional communication features

Vonage’s plans start at $19.99 per month per line. Discounts are available if you pay for an annual subscription.

While the base pricing is pretty competitive, Vonage’s add-ons can really increase your monthly bill. Features like call queues, call groups, and call recording are available as add-ons. Add-on pricing starts at $4.99 per month.

For hardware, Vonage unfortunately does not have a pricing list, and you will need to contact sales to learn more. It’s also worth mentioning that VoIP desk phones can only be used with the Premium and Advanced plans.

There is no trial available for Vonage Business Communications.

Features

Vonage offers a good number of features, whether through its monthly plans or as paid add-ons. While its features aren’t quite as robust as some of its competitors, Vonage covers the basics and then some, with features like:

  • Local, international, and toll-free numbers
  • Standard calling features including call waiting, caller ID, and three-way calling
  • Virtual receptionist to avoid missed calls
  • Team messaging and chat for employee communications
  • SMS and MMS messaging
  • Visual voicemail with transcriptions
  • Video meetings for up to 200 participants
  • On-demand call recording
  • Call logs and call quality reports
  • Over 100 integrations with programs like MS Teams, Salesforce, and Zapier

Choose Vonage If...

  • You’re a smaller business that needs a simple phone system with basic features
  • You want a business phone system that’s easy to learn and use

Get Started With Vonage

Read our in-depth review

Jump back to comparison chart

3CX: Best For On-Premise PBX

Total Rating 3.6
Pricing4.0

Features4.4

Equipment2.9

Security3.4

Customer Service2.6

User Reviews4.2



Pros

  • Forever free plan available
  • Multiple users included in pricing
  • On-premise & hosted options

Cons

  • Requires your own SIP trunk
  • No hardware sales

Why We Chose 3CX For Best On-Premise PBX

3CX is a little different from the other options on this list, as it isn't a plug-and-play solution. In order to use 3CX, you'll need to also sign up with a SIP trunk provider to get connected. While this sounds like it's a pain, there are some benefits to using 3CX -- most notably, a forever-free plan that includes basic calling features and support for up to 10 users. If you need more features or support for additional users, 3CX has affordable yearly pricing plans.

As you dive into the higher-tier plans, 3CX has on-premise and hosted options. Larger businesses with an IT expert or team that would prefer an on-premise installation will find that 3CX has a lot to offer. Businesses that don't have an IT person on staff or experience with business phone systems may find that sourcing hardware, signing up for and configuring a SIP trunk, and not having access to free support to be a burden. However, businesses that are ready to build their system will be rewarded with an easy-to-use and cost-effective solution.

 

Pricing

3CX Plans Price When To Use
Free $0/month You need a free, basic phone system for up to 10 users
SMB $195/year You want a phone system for up to 20 users
Pro Starts at $195/year You want a phone system with integrations & some advanced features
Enterprise Starts at $245/year You need a phone system with recording & other features

3CX is pretty remarkable in that it has a free plan that can be used by up to 10 users. If you want more features and support for additional users, you can upgrade to a yearly plan, which starts at $195/year and includes up to 20 users.

The company’s pricing for its Pro and Enterprise plans is based upon the number of users, whether you need hosting, and the number of simultaneous calls your business will be engaged in.

There are no add-ons — simply upgrade to a higher plan if you want all features. There is, however, a $75 fee for support tickets.

As far as desk phones and other hardware, you won’t find it with 3CX . However, you can download the company’s apps for softphone usage or use one of the many supported devices listed on the company’s website.

If you want to test out the system before investing, a 60-day free trial is available.

Features

3CX has an impressive number of features that make it great for unified communications. The features available are based on the pricing plan you choose, with the more advanced features reserved for higher tier plans.

Here’s a list of notable features offered by 3CX:

  • Basic features including voicemail with transcription and call queues
  • Auto attendants to route callers to the right representative
  • Call barging, whispering, and listening to improve interactions with customers
  • Multi-level IVR
  • Video conferencing for up to 250 participants
  • YouTube video streaming
  • Live chat to connect with customers
  • SMS and MMS business messaging
  • Call and chat reports
  • Integrations with CRM, Microsoft Teams, and more

Choose 3CX If...

  • You want free calling features for up to 10 users
  • You want an on-premise solution that’s competitively priced

Get Started With 3CX

Read our in-depth review

Jump back to comparison chart

Nextiva: Best Phone System For Social Media Management

Total Rating 4.4
Pricing3.5

Features4.6

Equipment4.5

Security5.0

Customer Service5.0

User Reviews4.8



Pros

  • Strong review site & social media management tools
  • Excellent customer support
  • Numerous features & add-ons

Cons

  • Lowest priced plan does not include calling
  • Pricing can be expensive

Why We Chose Nextiva For Social Media Management

Today's VoIP phone systems go beyond phone calls -- just look at what Nextiva has to offer. Nextiva allows you to create a unified communications platform to engage with your customers on and off the phone. Nextiva is unique in that not only can you make phone calls, send texts, and communicate through messaging apps, but it also makes it easy to manage your social media and even ratings and reviews on review sites.

You'll also have access to loads of other features, including the basics like call queues and transfers to advanced features like your own website chatbot and digital faxing. Excellent customer support, great security features, and a good selection of phone system hardware round out the reasons why Nextiva made the cut.

Pricing

Nextiva Plans Price When To Use
Digital $25/month per user Businesses that don’t need phone service and want to engage with customers online
Core $35/month per user Businesses that need phone service and online engagement tools
Engage $50/month per user Businesses that need advanced tools like website chatbots and advanced analytics
Power Suite $75/month per user Businesses that need social media management for unlimited accounts

Pricing starts at $25/month per user, although this plan doesn’t include calling. To be able to make and receive calls, you’ll need to upgrade to the Core plan for $35/month. Two additional plans are available, each with more advanced features.

Add-ons are also available, although pricing is not disclosed. However, many of these add-ons are included in some of the higher-tier plans, so anyone interested should contact Nextiva to find the most cost-efficient option.

As far as hardware goes, Nextiva has a good selection of phones from top brands. Expect to pay at around $70 to $100 for a desk phone, although more expensive options with more features are also available. Monthly payment plans are available, although you’ll have to contact Nextiva for terms and more details.

Nextiva does not offer a free trial, although a demo is available to see what the system has to offer.

Features

Nextiva has a lot of great features in what it bills as its unified customer experience management platform. Many of these features are quite unique, and you won’t find them with most of Nextiva’s competitors.

Standout features include:

  • Standard features such as call queues, call transfers, and free number porting
  • Multi-location management for businesses with phone systems at multiple locations
  • Advanced IVR
  • Website chatbot to provide 24/7 customer support
  • Social media management to connect with customers online
  • Review site management to receive notifications and keep up-to-date on reviews and ratings
  • Video meetings with recording
  • Team chat to communicate with employees
  • Advanced reporting and metrics
  • Integrations with CRMs, social media, review sites, and more

Choose Nextiva If...

  • You want to engage with customers through multiple channels on one platform
  • You want good social media and review site management tools

Get Started With Nextiva

Read our in-depth review

Jump back to comparison chart

Ooma Office: Best For Low-Cost Hardware

Total Rating 4.7
Pricing4.2

Features5.0

Equipment4.8

Security5.0

Customer Service4.7

User Reviews4.8



Pros

  • 24/7 customer support
  • Low-cost hardware
  • Affordable monthly calling plans

Cons

  • Potentially long hold times when calling support
  • Slight learning curve

Why We Chose Ooma For Low-Cost Software

If you need a full business phone system including hardware, you can't go wrong with Ooma Office. Ooma has some of the most affordable hardware we've seen, offering sales and buy-one-get-one-free promos that significantly reduce the cost of your hardware without having to sign a long-term contract.

In addition to low-cost hardware, Ooma Office also has low-cost calling plans that are loaded with basic and advanced calling features. The most expensive plan doesn't cost more than $30 per month, and even the least expensive plan has over 50 calling features. Ooma also has good customer support that's available 24/7/365 and a great public reputation, as seen in its hundreds of positive reviews across the web.

Pricing

Ooma Plans Price When To Use
Office Essentials $19.95/month per user You want to use VoIP on your smartphone
Office Pro $24.95/month per user You want voice, text, and video conferencing on your phone or computer
Office Pro Plus $29.95/month per user You want VoIP with advanced features & CRM integration

Ooma’s plans start at a budget-friendly $19.95 per month. Two additional plans are available if you need additional features like video meetings and CRM integrations.

Ooma Office has a few add-ons that will increase your monthly bill. This includes international calling, toll-free numbers, and additional monthly business text messages.

As previously mentioned, Ooma offers great deals on its equipment. Retail pricing starts at $59.99 for a basic desk phone, although sales and B1G1 promos bring pricing for basic phones down to about $50. Adapters, cordless phones, and conference phones are also available, with pricing topping out at about $600 for an IP conference room phone.

While Ooma doesn’t offer a traditional free trial, it does have a 30-day risk-free guarantee with its hardware and calling plans.

Features

Even though Ooma Office has affordable monthly rates, it isn’t short on features. You may have to upgrade to a higher tier plan to take advantage of all features, but fortunately, the most expensive plan is only $29.95 per month.

Ooma Office has a solid selection of basic and advanced features across all plans. Standout features include:

  • Unlimited calling through the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico
  • Basic features such as caller ID, call blocking, and call forwarding
  • Auto dialing for efficiency when making multiple calls
  • Multi-site management for businesses with more than one location
  • Virtual receptionist to route inbound calls to the right person
  • Team chat to stay connected with employees
  • Video conferencing with recording
  • Intercom, overhead paging, and IP phone paging for quick communication between employees
  • Reports and analytics, including call logs and leaderboards
  • Numerous integrations with programs, including Microsoft Dynamics, Salesforce, and Square

Choose Ooma If...

  • You need to purchase phone system hardware and don’t want to pay a fortune or lease equipment
  • You want an affordable monthly phone plan with a good set of calling features

Get Started With Ooma Office

Read our in-depth review

Jump back to comparison chart

OnSIP: Best Phone System For Larger Businesses

Total Rating 4.1
Pricing2.9

Features5.0

Equipment3.4

Security5.0

Customer Service4.6

User Reviews4.7



Pros

  • Robust feature set
  • Suitable for large businesses
  • Scalable system

Cons

  • Basic plan doesn’t include calling minutes
  • Slight learning curve

Why We Chose OnSIP For Larger Businesses

OnSIP has a unique pricing structure that's beneficial to larger businesses. While a basic plan is available that does not include calling minutes, an unlimited plan with great features is available at a low price -- provided you have at least five users.

While smaller businesses won't benefit as much from the basic plan, larger businesses may not only find this to be a cost-effective system but will also enjoy an abundance of features. OnSIP also has great security features and good customer support. The system is customizable and scalable, making it a good choice for growing businesses.

Pricing

OnSIP Plans Price When To Use
Basic $49.95/month per account Your business has a low call volume
Unlimited $18.95/month per user You want unlimited calling for your business and have at least five users

Pricing for OnSIP is a little unique. The Basic plan for businesses with low call volumes is priced at $49.95. This is a pay-as-you-go plan with calls charged at the standard rate of 3.2 cents per minute.

However, if you have at least five users, you can score the unlimited plan (with more features and unlimited minutes) for $18.95/month per user.

OnSIP has numerous add-ons, many of which may already be available in the Unlimited plan. These add-ons include additional phone numbers, music-on-hold, and number porting. Add-ons range from $1.80 to $19.95 per month.

OnSIP does not sell hardware. However, it does offer a $300 credit if you purchase recommended options from VoIP Supply. There is also a promo that gives you free desk phones if you sign up at least five users on the Unlimited plan.

A 30-day free trial is available to try before you buy.

Features

OnSIP received a perfect 5-star rating for features in our comprehensive review, and it’s not hard to see why. OnSIP has a range of features suitable for larger businesses, multi-location businesses, and call centers. Features include:

  • Standard features including caller ID, call waiting, voicemail, and call blocking
  • Call monitoring, whispering, and barging to improve customer service and training
  • Auto attendant for more efficient call routing
  • Custom ring strategies
  • Automatic call distribution queues
  • Call recording
  • Attended or blind transfers
  • Unified communication tools including Sayso chat, video calling, and announcements
  • Call logs, detail records, and historical queue reporting
  • Integrations with Odoo, Zendesk, and more

Choose OnSIP If...

  • You have a larger business that needs a phone system with a solid set of features
  • Your business has five or more users

Get Started With OnSIP

Read our in-depth review

Jump back to comparison chart

GoTo Connect: Best Phone System For International Calling

Total Rating 4.2
Pricing3.3

Features5.0

Equipment3.6

Security5.0

Customer Service4.7

User Reviews4.2



Pros

  • Free international calling to 50+ countries
  • Good customer service
  • Numerous features

Cons

  • Plan pricing is not disclosed
  • Limited hardware available from vendor

Why We Chose GoTo Connect For International Calling

Most businesses have probably heard of GoTo for its meeting features, but this company also offers a phone service called GoTo Connect. GoTo Connect is loaded with features that make it suitable for businesses of all sizes. The plans are extremely customizable, allowing you to pick the features you need -- and bypass the ones you don't.

What stands out the most about GoTo Connect is that it offers free international calling to over 50 countries. While other providers may offer low calling rates or free calling throughout North America, it's rare to find a company that offers what GoTo Connect does. GoTo Connect is also easy to use, has good customer service, and has reliable, secure service you can count on.

Pricing

GoTo Connect does not disclose pricing online, and you must contact a sales rep for a quote. GoTo Connect is extremely customizable, so it’s understandable as to why the company offers quote-based pricing.

Current and past customers of GoTo Connect indicate in reviews that pricing is competitive. However, you’ll have to contact the company directly and be the judge of that.

A 14-day free trial with no credit card required is available to test out the software.

As far as hardware, pricing starts at $119 for a basic desk phone. Equipment pricing ranges up to $899 for an advanced conference phone.

Features

Free international calling to select countries isn’t all GoTo Connect has going for it. This phone system has an extensive number of features.

These features range from the basics like call waiting and three-way conferencing to more advanced features like call whispering, call barging, call recording, and skills assignment.

Standout features of GoTo Connect include:

  • Toll-free numbers & vanity numbers
  • Auto attendants to route inbound calls
  • Smart call routing to make it easier for customers to connect to the right person
  • Multi-site management for businesses with multiple locations
  • Two-way paging for fast and easy employee communications
  • SMS & MMS messaging, including campaigns, file sharing, and automated messaging
  • Video meetings with support for up to 250 people, recording, and transcriptions
  • Over 20 social and digital channels to connect with customers
  • Numerous reports, including real-time reports, interaction details, and AI chat analysis

Choose GoTo Connect If...

  • Your business makes international calls
  • You want a customizable system with abundant features

Get Started With GoTo Connect

Read our in-depth review

Jump back to comparison chart

Our Rating Methodology

We spend hours researching and evaluating each VoIP business phone provider that we review at Merchant Maverick, placing emphasis on key characteristics to generate our product ratings.

Weighted Rating Breakdown

Pricing 25%
Features 25%
Equipment 20%
Security 15%
Customer Service 10%
User Reviews 5%

When rating VoIP phone systems and providers, we use a 25-point rubric that looks at pricing, features, equipment, security, customer service, and user reviews. We weigh each section differently to calculate the total star rating.

  • Pricing: 25% of the total star rating
  • Features: 25% of the total star rating
  • Equipment: 20% of the total star rating
  • Security: 15% of the total star rating
  • Customer Service: 10% of the total star rating
  • User Reviews: 5% of the total star rating

Each section is further broken down into granular, weighted subsections, in which we look at specific attributes, such as plan availability, discounts for new customers, discounts for multiple users, the availability of advanced and basic features, security and compliance, and third-party integrations. Learn more about how we rate VoIP phone systems.

Does Your Business Need A New Phone System?

Before investing your time and money, consider whether your business needs an updated phone system. Of the types of business phone systems, VoIP is the smartest choice, offering low upfront costs and easy set-up.

Consider upgrading your system if your current service is too expensive, calls are low quality, service is unreliable, or you want a scalable system with additional features and communication tools. In other words, if you want a more reliable, robust system at an affordable price, consider making the switch to VoIP.

Check out more signs that your business needs a new phone system before making this important decision.

How To Choose The Best VoIP Provider For Your Business

To choose the best VoIP provider for your business phone system, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Your budget will influence your decision. While VoIP is often more affordable than traditional landline service, costs can pile up quick (we’ll discuss these costs later). Making and sticking to a budget is important when choosing your provider.

You’ll also need to consider what features, add-ons, and integrations you want for your business. Do you want basic calling features, or do you want to create a unified communications platform to reach your customers through different channels? This is critical to choosing the right provider.

If you’re still on the fence, make sure to take advantage of free trials and demos to get hands-on with different phone systems to find one that feels right to you.

What Does A Business Phone System Cost?

The cost of a business phone system is influenced by several factors. Assuming that you’ll be using a VoIP phone system, here’s a breakdown of possible charges.

  • Monthly subscription fee: You will need to pay a monthly fee to a VoIP provider for voice service and other features. Your plan costs will vary based on what provider you choose and what features you need. You may pay as little as around $10 to $15 for basic service to $50+ for a feature-packed plan.
  • Number of users: VoIP plans charge per user, although some may support a limited number of users for one monthly price. Some may offer discounts for multiple users. Generally, expect to pay the same monthly fee for each user (i.e., a $20/month plan costs $20 for each user).
  • Add-ons: In addition to your monthly subscription fee, you may also purchase add-ons, including integrations and advanced features. Pricing for these add-ons varies. To keep costs down, understand what VoIP features you’ll actually use for your business — and ones you can live without.
  • Hardware: You may choose to add hardware like desk phones, headsets, or adapters that work with your old business phones. You could also bypass this option by downloading VoIP apps to use softphones like your smartphone, desktop computer, or laptop.
  • Internet: To use your VoIP service, you’ll need reliable internet. Costs may include monthly subscription fees and the purchase of hardware including a modem and router.

Keeping all of this in mind, you can see why the cost of a VoIP business phone system varies widely — from less than $100 for a basic system to thousands of dollars for a feature-rich system with multiple lines.

If you don’t have the funds upfront, leasing VoIP hardware may be an option offered by your provider.

What Are The Key Components Of A Business Phone System?

There are a few key components of a business phone system. This includes:

  • Reliable internet connection
  • VoIP plan
  • Hardware and accessories, including ethernet cables, adapters, desk phones, headsets, and backup power supplies

One thing to note is that hardware and accessories, for the most part, are optional. For example, headsets and desk phones are not required to use your phone service if you use a softphone.

How To Get A Business Phone Number

Getting a business phone number is easy! You can get a business phone number by signing up with one of the providers on this list.

Depending on the provider and plan you choose, you may be able to receive:

  • Local phone numbers
  • International phone numbers
  • Toll-free numbers
  • Vanity phone numbers

Some additional fees may apply based on the type of business phone number you select.

If you don’t get a full business phone system, you can also get a virtual phone line with phone number for a low monthly cost (and sometimes even free).

How VoIP Can Transform Your Small Business

VoIP has the power to completely revolutionize small businesses. Here’s a summary of the benefits of VoIP:

  • VoIP can help improve customer service
  • Modern phone systems are better for the environment
  • VoIP’s benefits overcome the challenges faced with outdated phone systems
  • VoIP can help improve productivity in the workplace
  • Remote workers can easily connect with VoIP
  • Businesses can connect internationally using VoIP

Is Your Business Ready For VoIP?

If your current phone system just isn’t doing the job, your business could be ready for VoIP.

With so many plans and options, most businesses can easily make the switch to VoIP without high upfront costs and without the hassles of on-premise installation. In fact, your new system could be up and running on the same day you sign up.

VoIP phone systems offer plenty of benefits at a potentially lower cost than your legacy system. We invite you to explore all of our VoIP content to learn more about this technology, and then take it for a test drive by signing up for a free trial with one of the top providers on this list. Good luck!

Jump back to comparison chart

Erica Seppala

Erica Seppala

Editor & Senior Staff Writer at Merchant Maverick
Erica began writing on small business topics in 2008. She joined Merchant Maverick in 2018 and focuses on loans, accounting, and POS. She is a Certified ProAdvisor for QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Payroll. She has been cited in MSN, Reader's Digest, Vox, U.S. News & World Report, and Real Simple. She is a graduate of Limestone University and resides in Greenville, South Carolina.
Erica Seppala
View Erica Seppala's professional experience on LinkedIn.