Top 4 Virtual Switchboard Phone Systems in Canada

Switchboard phone system

Don’t be scared to make the switch – find out how a virtual phone system can boost your business, without busting your budget


Virtual switchboard phone systems, more commonly known as virtual PBX phone systems, are basically a slightly more affordable and stripped-back version of VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol).

If you’re still using traditional phone lines or are unhappy with your current virtual PBX system, switching to any one of these systems will save you time and money from day one.

We’ve compared features, prices and customer reviews to find the best virtual switchboard phone systems on the market today. But which came out on top, and why? Read on to find out, or our free comparison tool now to get tailored quotes for your business.


The Best Virtual Switchboard Phone Systems in Canada

The best virtual phone systems in Canada are: GoToConnect, Vonage Enterprise, Nextiva Small Business and Versature Professional.

1GoToConnectBest for value
2Vonage EnterpriseBest for scalability
3Nextiva Small BusinessBest for reliability
4Versature ProfessionalBest for customer satisfaction

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1. GoToConnect

Best for value

Starting at just $31.20/user/month, the GoToConnect system delivers over 80 great features. The system allows you to create custom schedules to fit around your working hours, set time-based routing, and use its ‘find me/follow me’ feature to route incoming calls to several phones in sequence. This means you can carry on doing business, even when you’re on the move.

Pros

  • Your business in your pocket; the GoToConnect app means leaving the office doesn’t have to mean dropping calls
  • Affordable, with a simple pricing structure
  • 24/7 customer support, all year round

Cons

  • Some customer reviews suggest the app is a little way behind the rest of the system

2. Vonage Business

Best for scalability

Vonage Enterprise is Vonage’s virtual switchboard phone system aimed at mid-sized corporations, or smaller ones which are fast-growing. It’s not the easiest system to get going with, but once it’s all set up, you’ll benefit from tons of features including VonageFlow team messaging for easy collaboration. Prices start at $15.00/user/month.

Pros

  • Excellent reporting features to monitor team and individual performance – especially beneficial for call centers
  • Great call quality

Cons

  • Difficult to work out a price without contacting Vonage for a quote
  • Additional add-ons can be pricey

Save money by comparing virtual switchboard phone system quotes

3. Nextiva Small Business

Best for reliability

It’s nice when a phone company delivers great customer support. It’s even better if you don’t need it in the first place…

Nextiva has both bases covered. Guaranteeing 99.999% uptime is a pretty big ask of any internet-based phone system, but it delivers. If anything does go wrong, help is available round the clock via phone, email or webchat. Small business packages start at just $18.95/user/month.

Pros

  • Amazingly consistent, with 99.999% uptime
  • Round the clock customer support
  • 500 toll-free minutes per month

Cons

  • Some complaints of fluctuating call quality, but generally a good all-round system

4. Versature Professional

Best for customer satisfaction

Versature produces one of the most highly-regarded virtual switchboard phone systems in Canada. Its ‘Professional’ package, costing $29.99/user/month, isn’t its cheapest package, but we think it offers the best value. You get 5,000 toll-free minutes included (valued at $250.00), along with conferencing capabilities for up to five participants. Add to that unlimited calling to 30+ countries on all plans, plus free phone rental for 3 or 5 year contracts and you have yourself a winner.

Pros

  • Package includes 5,000 toll-free minutes
  • Conferencing for up to five participants (more can be added for a fee)
  • Free line rental for 3 or 5 year contracts
  • Unlimited calls to 30+ countries on all plans
  • Prices are transparent, and the most important elements are included in the main package

Cons

  • The cost of additional features, such as short-term call recording at $10/user/month, will soon stack up

Expert Verdict

Our research identified the GoToConnect package as the best value virtual switchboard system in Canada. With 80 features and prices starting at just $26.95/user/month, it’s easy to see why.

That doesn’t mean that GoToConnect will be the right choice for every business. In fact, the only way to find the system that will bring your company the best value is to compare like for like quotes.

We can help with that. Simply pop a few details about your business into our free comparison tool, and we’ll match you with the best suppliers for your specific needs and location – leaving you to choose the option that suits you best.

Written by:
Aimee profile image
Aimee is Expert Market’s resident telephone systems and point of sale go-to. If she’s not writing about business products, you’ll find her daydreaming about dog walking on Dorset beaches.
Reviewed by:
James draws on his 4+ years experience as a researcher to offer specialized advice on a wide range of categories from CRM to Fleet Management. He believes all businesses can grow if they use the right tools and services.