Best Auto Attendant Phone Systems for 2025

Our research into the best automated small business phone system providers has found that RingCentral, Zoom Phone, and GoTo Connect are the top three options due to their extensive auto attendant features, from customizable greetings to smart routing controls.

Phone systems with auto-attendants create a polished, professional experience that efficiently directs callers to the right place, without the need for a human receptionist to stand by. That’s why these systems are also known as virtual receptionists.

That said, auto attendants aren’t the only feature that make for a good phone system, which is why we’ve factored in other tools, such as integrations, training tools, and overall value for money into our rankings.

1. RingCentral Advanced: Best Overall Auto Attendant System

RingCentral’s $25 per user, per month Advanced plan is the best overall auto-attendant system. It gives businesses access to a multi-level auto attendant with Interactive Voice Response (IVR) and lets businesses set up different menus for different locations.

Plus, RingCentral bundles in a range of other inbound communication features, including staples like voicemail as well as customizable greetings and spam filtering, which isn’t provided by rival 8×8.

What auto attendant features does RingCentral Advanced offer?

Customizable greetings: Businesses can create personalized greetings for callers, reflecting their brand’s voice and professionalism. For instance, different messages can be set for business hours, after-hours, and holidays. This feature helps businesses project a professional image while maintaining a personalized touch that improves customer trust and satisfaction.

Multi-Level IVR (Interactive Voice Response): RingCentral’s multi-level IVR enables the creation of structured, multi-layered phone menus, efficiently routing callers to specific departments, individuals, or locations based on their selections. By streamlining call flow and reducing wait times, your customer’s experience should be improved (all without the need for manual intervention).

We particularly like that RingCentral has an intuitive graphical editor so that you can easily configure the IVR and manage phone tree menus. By contrast, 8×8’s network of boxes is much harder to navigate when setting up a menu. The design of RingCentral’s editor should reduce the need for technical support as, in our view, just about anyone should be able to make quick adjustments to call routing structures with this user-friendly approach and keep evolving the tree to customer needs.

Overall, the system supports up to 250 voice menus and submenus per account, with options to add direct numbers for each IVR menu and deploy separate menus for multiple locations, which should make RingCentral accommodating for businesses of various sizes, complexities, and offices (or home working), which is a major boon for scalability, too.

Call routing and handling: RingCentral’s auto attendant can forward calls to any extension, voicemail, or external number. Administrators can set rules based on the time of day, caller ID, or specific numbers so that calls are always directed appropriately no matter if your team is working or not. This flexibility reduces missed calls, optimizes resource allocation, and means callers are routed to the most suitable recipient in quick time.

Other standout features

Training and monitoring: RingCentral’s Advanced plan comes with a complete set of training tools, making it highly suitable for customer service teams. These include call recording and monitoring, barge and whisper, and real-time quality of service analytics.

Software integrations: RingCentral has the largest library of software integrations of all the providers we researched. These include popular CRM tools, such as Salesforce and Zoho, as well as customer service live chat integrations with Whatsapp, Facebook.

Hardware integrations: RingCentral’s software can integrate with almost any hardware phone system through manual set up, making it the best choice for businesses that don’t want to spend money updating their hardware.

Are there any downsides to RingCentral?

The main downside to RingCentral is that it costs a lot to scale up. If you want to take full advantage of its features, you need to sign up for the $25 per user per month Advanced plan at the minimum, and the next plan up costs $35 per user, per month.

It’s not the most expensive option on this list, which would be Nextiva Engage ($40), but if you’re on a budget, Zoom’s $15 per user, per month Regional Unlimited plan is a more affordable alternative.

2. Zoom Regional Unlimited: Best Value for Money

At just $15 per user, per month, Zoom’s Regional Unlimited plan is the cheapest option on this list, while still providing businesses with solid auto attendant tools. You’ll get access to an unlimited number of auto attendants, and be able to sort through voicemails quickly thanks to AI-powered prioritization.

What auto attendant features does Zoom Regional Unlimited offer?

Customizable greetings: Like its competitors, Zoom allows businesses to set up customizable greetings, including different greetings for different locations and for out-of-business hours. Its rare for providers to offer this flexibility at such as low price, which helps make the Zoom offer unique.

Multi-level IVR: The Zoom Regional Unlimited plan gives businesses access to an unlimited number of auto attendants. This allows you to create multiple menus for different locations, and calls can be routed to a specific number, team, or call queue, as well as be directed to voicemail.

Call routing and handling: Businesses can set up automatic call distribution groups so incoming calls get automatically routed to the right agents and call queues, reducing wait times. Thanks to call screening and caller ID recognition, certain numbers can also be automatically blocked, or routed directly to specific lines, bypassing the auto-attendant.

AI-powered voicemail sorting: Besides providing voicemail transcriptions sent directly to email, Zoom Regional Unlimited uses AI learning to extract tasks from voicemails, and prioritize them according to preset parameters. This can speed up the tedious task of sorting through voicemails, ensuring important communications don’t get missed.

Other standout features

Training and monitoring tools: Zoom’s training and monitoring tools are almost as good as RingCentral’s, for about half the price. You get access to call monitoring and recording, complete with call summaries, as well as call barge and whisper. Where Zoom falls a little short is when it comes to call analytics. We found it hard to make sense of the data in Zoom reports because of the lack of data visualization tools.

Hardware integrations: Zoom integrates with quite a wide range of hardware phone systems, around eight different brands in total. These include popular options from Yealink, Mitel, Cisco, and Poly, so it’s likely your existing phone system will work with Zoom.

Video conferencing: Zoom is first and foremost known as a video conferencing tool, and all Zoom Phone plans come with access to Zoom Meetings. This gives businesses the ability to transfer a call into a Zoom video meeting whenever. That being said, Zoom Phone doesn’t integrate with third-party video conferencing software, so be prepared to switch if you use a different tool.

Are there any downsides to Zoom?

Zoom doesn’t have an extensive library of integrations the way RingCentral does, with CRM integrations only covering popular options like Salesforce and Hubspot, and Helpdesk integrations limited to Zendesk. This means it’s not the best option for businesses that use niche software.

In addition, Zoom’s limited tools for data visualization mean it’s not the best option for data-driven businesses, who’ll do better with RingCentral.

3. 8×8 Work: Best for Large International Businesses

8×8 Work is the best auto attendant system for large international businesses since it offers free outbound calls to over 40 countries, and its auto attendant features text-to-speech prompts in over 50 languages. Plus, all the 8×8 Work offers useful inbound communication features, such as a customizable greeting, hold music, and voicemail.

Customizable greetings and prompts: With 8×8, much like RingCentral and GoTo, businesses can create personalized greetings and prompts to tailor introductions to their brand voice. Again, this message can be changed depending on business hours.

Multi-Level IVR (Interactive Voice Response): 8×8’s multi-level IVR lets users create structured, multi-layered phone menus that can direct callers to specific departments, individuals, or locations based on their selections. You can create exception schedules for holidays or unexpected events, too, as well as general schedules that can be updated centrally and used across multiple auto attendants.

We’re not the biggest fans of how you set an auto attendant in 8×8 compared to RingCentral and GoTo, since it uses a less visually intuitive setup. Instead, you’ve got several boxes to fill out and a somewhat visual frame of reference to the attendant’s order of thinking, with dotted lines representing the next stage, but it’s not nearly as clear compared to competitors.

Call routing and handling: Once you configure these settings, the auto attendant can direct callers to ring groups, call queues, voicemail, or even additional auto attendants. Like RingCentral, administrators can set rules based on time of day, caller ID, or specific numbers, too.

Text-to-Speech prompts: Like GoTo, 8×8 also offers text-to-speech functionality for prompts in over 50 languages. This feature is particularly useful for businesses serving a diverse clientele, as it allows for the delivery of messages in multiple languages without the need for pre-recorded audio.

Other standout features

International calling: 8×8 Work is the only plan on this list to offer free unlimited calling to over 40 countries. This cements its spot as the best option for conducting global business.

Video conferencing: Like its competitors, 8×8 offers a native video conferencing tool. However, 8×8 video conferencing sessions have a participant limit of 500, far more than any other provider. Comparatively, the limit is 100 for RingCentral and 250 for GoTo Connect.

Are there any downsides to 8×8 Work?

One major downside to 8×8 Work is that it doesn’t come with any call screening tools, making it the only provider on this list to not offer them. This means it’s not as good as competitors at limiting spam calls, which is important for businesses that deal with high call volumes.

8×8 Work is also the only provider on this list to not publicly advertise its pricing or offer tiered pricing plans. You have to request a quote to get a clear answer on how much you’ll pay, which isn’t great for businesses on a budget. For affordable plans with clear pricing, we recommend Zoom or Dialpad.

4. GoTo Connect Phone System: Best for Unifying Communication Channels

Starting at $26 per user, per month, GoTo Connect Phone System is the best choice for pairing great auto attendant features with strong communication tools, to create a unified communications system.

What auto attendant features does GoTo Connect offer?

Customizable messages and greetings: Businesses can record an unlimited number of personalized messages and greetings using the GoTo Connect desktop or web app. This allows for tailored communications, such as unique greetings for senior management, loyal customers, or special clients, enhancing the caller experience.

Advanced call routing: GoTo’s auto attendant can forward calls to any extension, mobile, or even to outside lines not embedded in your GoTo phone system (perhaps a landline you are yet to switch over, or a specialist who only uses their mobile phone). It supports complex call flows and is easily managed via its visual call flow editor.

Visual call flow editor: Like RingCentral, GoTo Connect offers an intuitive visual call flow editor that allows users to create and modify call flow plans with ease. This tool enables businesses to set up advanced call routing, share important updates, and customize messages without requiring extensive technical expertise.

Advanced, automated directories: The system supports the creation of pre-recorded menus and directories, such as “press 1 for sales, press 2 for accounts,” facilitating quicker navigation for callers and reducing the workload on staff. It combines this with an advanced text-to-speak feature where you can pick between four different AI voices and select from up to 90 languages. Additionally, there are 11 background music options available to enhance the audio experience, too.

In-queue announcements: While callers are on hold, the auto attendant can share important announcements, operating hours, scheduling changes, or inform callers about potential wait times during busy periods, keeping them engaged and informed while they wait for support.

Other standout features

Inbound communications: GoTo Connect equips businesses with communication tools not offered by other providers, such as a “paging” tool that acts as a two-way speakerphone between team members, and an “intercom”, which will play voice messages out loud. The plan also includes team messaging and file sharing, as well as video calling with up to 250 participants, the second largest capacity after 8×8’s 500-participant limit.

Outbound communications: When it comes to communicating with customer, GoTo Connect gives businesses the ability to enable automatic SMS responses to customer queries, saving businesses time.

AI-powered analytics: AI enhancements are Dialpad’s forte, but GoTo Connect offers a fair few AI tools as well, including AI call summaries and AI chat analysis, which scores chats based on customer satisfaction and problem resolution. These are useful tools for businesses that conduct regular client meetings or operate a customer service channel.

Are there any downsides to GoTo Connect?

GoTo Connect Phone System is the only phone system plan on this list that does not come with unlimited outbound calls. Instead, you get 1,000 free minutes shared across all users. This won’t be an issue for inbound customer service teams, but it could impact sales teams and marketing teams.

Additionally, on the Phone System plan, businesses don’t get access to integration with third-party video conferencing tools, or social media messaging apps to run customer service chats. RingCentral and 8×8 are better options if you need these features.

5. Nextiva Engage: Best for Customer Service Teams

At $40 per user, per month, Nextiva Engage is the most expensive option on this list. The price is justified for businesses that need an auto attendant to assist a medium to large customer service team, since Nextiva Engage comes with an AI-powered IVR tool that can not only route customers to agents but also to an AI bot for simple requests, saving your team time.

What auto attendant features does Nextiva Engage offer?

Customized greetings: Like all the phone systems on this list, Nextiva Engage allows businesses to set up customized greetings that match your brand.

AI-powered IVR: Nextiva’s engage IVR tool does more than just route calls to specific agents or teams. It can also route them to an AI bot that can handle simple requests, or be used as a backup when no agent is available, such as when customers call out of hours. The IVR can also automatically transfer the conversation to a live agent based on information gathered during the conversation.

Nextiva’s IVR menu is also quite easy to set up, despite its advanced capabilities. Businesses can choose from several predefined menu templates, and easily customize routing thanks to a drag-and-drop editor. Nextiva also offers personalized assistance, although this comes at an extra cost.

Live chat and chatbot: Nextiva is the only provider on this list to equip businesses with a live chat and AI chatbot tool that they can integrate into their website. It acts as a backup to the auto attendant, , with the chatbot providing 24/7 customer service.

Other standout features

Customer service live chat integrations: Besides providing businesses with a live chat tool for their website, Nextiva Engage also integrates with social media messaging applications such as Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. This allows agents to respond to messages on these platforms directly from the Nextiva app.

Analytics and reporting: Nextiva is missing some training tools, such as call whisper and monitoring, however, it comes with a voice analytics tool that scores conversations between agents and customers, and presents data in easy to read charts and graphs,

Are there any downsides to Nextiva?

The main downside to Nextiva Engage is its high cost. At $40 per user, per month, it’s almost double what other providers on this list charge.

For this price, you do get access to unique features, such as an AI chatbot and social media messaging, however, if you don’t need these features, we recommend looking at the competitors on this list.

6. Dialpad Pro: Best for Small Businesses with High Call Volumes

At $25 per user, per month Dialpad Pro is one of the cheaper options on this list, while still featuring conversational AI technology to boost its multi-level auto attendant. This makes it a great option for small businesses with high call volumes.

Plus, you’ll have plenty of inbound communication tools, such as voicemail, customizable greetings, and ring groups.

What auto attendant features does Dialpad Pro offer?

Custom messaging: Like all the options listed, Dialpad allows businesses to define specific operating hours and create custom greetings for different times of the day or week.

Versatile call routing: Beyond basic call routing, Dialpad offers advanced options such as routing calls based on agent availability and/or skill level. Plus, it can direct calls to voicemail or specific teams, too. You simply create a workflow for a team of your choice in the visual manner shown below:

Custom greetings: Businesses can record or upload personalized greetings that address common caller inquiries in a variety of audio file formats, such as MP3.

IVR menu analytics: Dialpad provides analytics on how frequently each IVR menu option is used by callers so that you can adapt your menu tree over time to remove those unused by customers/clients.

Spam call prevention: The auto attendant system includes features to block spam calls to reduce disruptions and deal with callers who actually need help.

Other standout features

AI-powered transcriptions and summaries: Dialpad’s phone system can expertly transcribe conversations in real-time, analyzing the sentiment of the call based on the flow of the conversation, and providing post-call summaries that highlight action items so you can easily follow up.

Are there any downsides to Dialpad?

One downside to Dialpad is that it comes with limited training tools, with no call barge, whisper, or monitoring available on any of its plans. For a full suite of training tools for a reasonable price, we recommend Zoom.

Dialpad’s phone system also integrates with a limited number of CRM software, with the integration library limited to popular options such as Salesforce, Zendesk, and Hubspot. For businesses that use more niche CRM tools, we recommend RingCentral, since it has a very large library of integrations.

What Is the Difference Between Auto Attendant and IVR?

An auto attendant would just function as a basic call routing technology, usually through automated messages that direct callers to dial a number to reach a specific department.

An IVR or an interactive voice response system provides more advanced options but fits into the auto attendant umbrella. It offers submenus with an advanced call routing system and connects calls to the appropriate agent through the use of verbal commands and speech recognition based on the information provided by the callers.

How Do I Set Up an Auto Attendant?

Creating and configuring an auto attendant depends on the provider you have. There are some that have text-to-voice for greeting recordings, while others require you to create a call flow from scratch.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on the general process for setting up your auto attendant feature:

1. Assign a phone number where you want the auto attendant to route calls. You can have multiple numbers or you can configure your existing phone number to work with an auto attendant. If the phone system provider allows it, you can also get a new local and toll-free number.
2. Record phone system greetings, call menu options, and voice mailbox messages.
3. Create your call menu options that correspond to the customized greeting you recorded.
4. Configure your call menu in a way that you can forward calls to office phones, different departments or mobile phones.
5. Set business hours
6. Set holiday greetings and schedules
7. Save all auto attendant settings

How Did We Compare the Best Auto Attendant Phone Systems?