Without it, we couldn’t communicate with our customers or each other. Imagine, not being able to use a phone in the office. It would be chaos!
Even though the traditional office phone may be absent in remote work, communication is still necessary through other avenues like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and your business phone.
That’s why having a reliable VoIP phone service is crucial. A good VoIP service will take the stress out of cloud-based communications and encourage growth in your business.
The leading company in this field is Vonage. But do you have to use Vonage as a phone service? No, of course not. Plenty of alternatives dwell in the marketplace, and today we’re talking about six that could be right for you.
But before we discuss those alternatives, let’s first break down Vonage to compare these alternatives better.
We are a value-driven, trusted communications partner and want to see your business succeed in the changing digital workforce. Learn more about our mission here.
What is Vonage?
Vonage is a VoIP phone service that has dominated the market for twenty years. Vonage initially specialized in providing service to homes and small businesses but has expanded its reach globally with several offices spread throughout Europe and Asia.
Like other VoIP companies, Vonage offers cloud-based services for different fields. For example, virtual classrooms and business phone systems. But they still stay true to their original market- homes and small businesses.
Vonage also understands that offering these services isn’t enough. They need to be high quality. Customers rave about the high-definition calls, user-friendly interface, and wide integrations.
Vonage is the top dog in the VoIP field, and the company is not slowing down any time soon.
But you may find that, despite their services and prices, Vonage is still outside your budget. Or perhaps they just don’t offer what you’re looking for in a VoIP provider. It’s okay!
Vonage offers three plans:
- Mobile- $19.99/mo per line
- Premium- $29.99/mo per line
- Advanced- $39.99/mo per line
Prices vary based on employee headcount. Still, for the sake of comparison, we’re going to weigh our options using the Premium plan since that is their most popular option.
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Top 6 Vonage Alternatives in 2022
A popular question amongst business owners shopping for a VoIP service provider is, “What can I use instead of Vonage?”
The best VoIP provider for you depends on your requirements.
The key factors that differentiate cloud communications are voice-recognition-based IVRs, team support, CRM integration, and unified messaging.The number of employees you have also matters.
Vonage may not be in your budget, but alternative VoIP plans exist, so it’s a win-win for everyone. Let’s take a look at six of their popular competitors.
1. G12 Communications
We know we’re the best, here’s why –
G12 Communications was founded in 2011 and has been growing rapidly since. G12 Communications helps people communicate with fully customizable, cost-effective solutions across multiple platforms- not just phones.
We aim to reduce your IT workload by integrating all your tools into one convenient system.
The office is transitioning to remote work, which means how we communicate with our customers and employees is changing. To aid this, some of our best services include cloud PBX and faxing, SIP trunking, call forwarding, direct routing, IVR, and toll-free numbers, amongst many others.
We are best suited for any business aiming to go remote. We work with hundreds of clients in over 45 countries in various industries with ongoing support so you can feel confident in these new solutions.
Best Feature
The unique feature of G12 Communications is Microsoft Teams integration. A fully-integrated Microsoft Teams calling solution offers access to flexible remote communications. You can fully unlock Microsoft Teams by using your existing phone system.
Our unique position in the market has been to understand Microsoft Teams better and help businesses access the untapped potential that Microsoft Teams can provide.
Pricing
We offer competitive pricing and list our international rates here. To better understand your needs, we ask that you get in touch with one of our team members for an accurate quote.
2. CloudTalk
How about trying CloudTalk? It has all the buttons and whistles of Vonage, but the price is a bit easier on the wallet.
CloudTalk has over 70 features, including straightforward and multi-level interactive voice response (IVR). IVR is the voice telling you, “To speak to this department, press 1”.
If you need a straightforward IVR menu or want to create a menu for multiple products, services, and departments, CloudTalk could be useful.
Another feature related to IVR is Intelligent Reconnect. This allows customers to contact the same agent without going through the IVR menu and explaining their problem to another person. We’ve all experienced this, and it’s incredibly frustrating.
If you’re looking for a VoIP tool for your customer support team, then CloudTalk could work for you.
Best Feature
By far, the best feature of CloudTalk is the integrations. CloudTalk allows you to connect dozens of the most popular services to your VoIP, like HubSpot and Zapier.
You can still utilize this feature if you don’t use the popular integrations. They have hundreds from which to choose. Odds are, you’ll find one you use.
Pricing
CloudTalk is one of the cheapest tools on the market (starting from $20 per user) and has a free 14-day trial.
3. Google Voice
Is Google Voice better than Vonage? If the rate per minute is essential to you, then yes.
Google Voice has the upper hand because it’s Google. Everyone is familiar with Google and its features like Gmail, Google docs, and Google Hangouts. Google is a titan of the internet and offers tons of free services.
Google Voice is no exception. Launched in 2009, it’s a VoIP service that provides a telephone number for Google account holders and is compatible with Android and iPhone users.
Google Voice works by choosing a number that Google offers and linking that number to an existing device.
For example, suppose your phone number is 555-555-5555. In that case, Google Voice will assign you the number you’ve chosen and sync it with your already-existing line. That way, you can call, text, and receive voicemails.
Best Feature
Ultimately, Google Voice’s best feature is its compatibility with other Google products. Many businesses use Google for email, documents, sheets- to name a few.
Implementing Google Voice across an organization that already uses other Google products sometimes makes sense for ease of use.
Pricing
The significant part about Google Voice is that the personal phone number is free, so long as you’re communicating with U.S. numbers. Calls overseas are charged per minute based on the country.
The business options are not free. The most basic option is $10 per month and increases to $30 per month.
4. magicJack
magicJack is best suited for individuals, but it can be helpful for businesses too.
magicJack offers unlimited calls anytime, anywhere. You can even enjoy free voicemail, call forwarding, call screening, and blocking. This service is ideal for businesses looking for a low-cost, easy-to-use option if you’re spending a lot of time overseas.
Best Feature
magicJack doesn’t offer as many features as other VoIP services since it is primarily for individual use. Still, it does make up for it by offering free calls, screening, and blocking. Plus, it’s compatible with both Android and iPhone.
Pricing
magicJack offers three different plans based on how long you want to use their service.
The most basic plan starts at $39 for one year. You can choose the 3-year plan for $99, or if you’re confident that magicJack is for you, the VoIP service has a 5-year plan for $130.
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5. Nextiva
Nextiva has been in the market since 2006 and has over 150,000 clients. It’s another titan like Vonage.
Nextiva’s VoIP includes a complete toolset of advanced call routing, caller ID, conference phones, and mobile integration. Users can also manage all of their options from a web-based interface.
Nextiva also offers phones if the business needs the hardware as well.
Nextiva Hosted Call Center systems come in two versions: Call Center Pro and Call Center Enterprise. Call Center Pro is great for small and mid-sized phone centers. Call Center Enterprise offers tools for outgoing call control and DNIS support.
Best Feature
The packages include VoIP phone systems, scalable PBX trunks, HIPPA-compliant online faxing, and hosted call centers. These features are excellent for healthcare organizations.
Nextiva also allows you to track customer interaction on every communication channel.
Pricing
Nextiva offers four different options- great for businesses of all different sizes. But beware, the pricing for international calls is steep.
You can start with their bare-boned option at $11.95 per month, or you can upgrade to the next tier at $20.95 per month if you’re a small business that’s growing.
Mid-size businesses will benefit from their enterprise package at $26.95 per month- review Nextiva’s ultimate package starting at $57.95 per month if you’re a large business.
If you’re unsure if Nextiva is suitable for you, they offer a 30-day free trial.
6. Ooma
Ooma has an interesting history. Ooma was founded in 2004 with actor Ashton Kutcher as its creative director. In 2008, Ooma replaced Kutcher with Richard E. Buchanan, formerly of Sling Media, as their chief marketing officer.
Ooma is great for businesses of all sizes. However, previously Ooma was best for households and startups. Ooma offers the same value of a traditional office phone for less and with no contracts.
With all the features offered for an affordable price, Ooma is great for small businesses. However, mid-sized and large businesses may need to go with a different service as Ooma pricing may be too much or impractical.
Best Feature
Ooma offers all the services of a traditional phone service combined with VoIP, but there’s not a stand-out feature of Ooma’s yet.
For example, you have a virtual receptionist, call blocking, music on hold, call forwarding, voicemail, online fax, and much more. Everything you would need for an office to function.
The downside is, to access video conferencing and recording, you would need to pay for Ooma Office Pro. So, you might not have everything you need unless you pay the higher fee.
Pricing
Ooma phone numbers are free. But Ooma is different from other VoIP services in that it is a paid upfront model. You pay through the purchase of hardware instead of monthly fees or contracts.
This model can scare some people away, but most Ooma customers have reported Ooma paying for itself in their first six months. They have no fear of Ooma going away any time soon.
Ooma Office starts at $19.95 per month per user, and Ooma Office Pro starts at $24.95 per month per user.
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Which VoIP Provider Is the Best?
Remember that what you need in a VoIP service provider is the ultimate determinate, not just price.
Every VoIP service provider brings something different to the table. The service provider you choose should help you find the right solution, not just any solution.
Businesses come in all shapes and sizes, with different unique positions in the market. The perfect VoIP for you will understand your place in the market and know how to bring your business to the next level. If you’re shopping for a VoIP provider, why not take a look at G12 Communications? We value relationships and want to add passion to your mission. If you don’t mind us tooting our own horn, we have over 20+ years of experience.
We’ve done this for thousands of customers. We know this field.
If you’re still not sure, you can talk to one of our team members. We promise we’ll go above and beyond.
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