The Best UCaaS Providers for US Businesses in 2025

Leading Unified Communications as a Service, or UCaaS for short, is software combining various communication channels into one package. Our research crowned RingCentral as the best Unified Communications as a Service provider, impressing our experts with its range of features, customer support, security, and scalability.

Below we’ve rounded up the top five UCaaS providers and compared them based on their communication channels and features. We’ve selected the optimal plan offered by each provider for medium-sized US businesses, though also refer to the other calling packages available with each, too.

If you want a personalized recommendation, use our free quote comparison tool. We’ll connect you with the best UCaaS providers that match the needs of your business, and they’ll be in touch with obligation-free quotes that are tailored to you. 

The Best Unified Communications as a Service Providers

Below is a table summarizing the pricing and key features of the Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) providers that scored highest in our research criteria from those available on the US market.

Scroll through for a quick look at what each offers, or continue down this page to read our reviews of the specific plans we suggest from those providers.

1. RingCentral Advanced: Best Overall UCaaS Provider Plan

RingCentral Advanced is the best overall UCaaS provider due to its comprehensive feature set, extensive integrations, and robust call management capabilities. It excels in unifying communication channels (voice, video, messaging) and offers flexible plans for businesses of all sizes. Its high score in customer support and training features makes it a top choice for medium to large enterprises.

Pricing accurate as of January 2025

Why is RingCentral Advanced a recommended UCaaS provider?

RingCentral Advanced is a top option for medium to large businesses that need a unified communication platform with advanced call management and integration capabilities.

For starters, it has a full suite of call screening tools we looked for, from Caller ID and voicemail screening to call blocking and automatic screening. Comparatively, 8×8 Work lacks voicemail screening, while GoTo Connect Phone System omits automatic screening. Nextiva Engage is the only other plan on this page with all the tools covered.

Notably, RingCentral outperforms all competitors in terms of software integrations, too. It offers over 300 ready-made integrations with external CRM, helpdesk and other systems (including Salesforce, Zendesk, HubSpot, and Microsoft Teams). As you can see from the image below, there’s also Google Calendar integration so existing Google Workspace users can continue to plan, invite and schedule as they would have previously.

Its training features are also superior to Zoom and Nextiva by including call recording, call monitoring, analytics/reporting, call barge (joining live calls), and call whisper (live coaching) as core features to ensure employees can effectively use the system. By comparison, Zoom Regional Unlimited lacks native call monitoring, barge, and whisper (requires add-ons) and Nextiva Engage offers call recording and basic analytics but lacks call whisper/barge.

The Advanced plan’s support for up to 100 participants in video meetings, along with features like screen sharing, whiteboarding, and breakout rooms, makes it a strong choice for businesses prioritizing collaboration, too. The inclusion of advanced analytics and reporting tools also helps organizations track performance and optimize workflows.

RingCentral is particularly suited for businesses with high call volumes, such as customer service centers or sales teams, as its call routing and virtual receptionist features are unmatched. Additionally, its 24/7 customer support ensures minimal downtime, a critical factor for large enterprises.

Where could RingCentral Advanced improve as a UCaaS provider?

While RingCentral performs very well in many areas, as reflected by its high overall score, its higher pricing may deter small businesses. Competitors like Zoom and GoTo Connect offer more affordable plans with similar core features. Additionally, the platform’s complexity could be a barrier for smaller teams with simpler needs, since some features might be left unused.

And there are a couple of missing features, too. There’s no native support for integration with social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram or WhatsApp for customer engagement, which might be crucial depending on the industry your business operates. This is reserved for RingCentral’s contact centre plans instead, unlike Nextiva which offers it at its Engage level plan of cheaper cost than RingCentral Advanced tier.

Likewise, while RingCentral offers unlimited calling in the US and Canada, there’s no international calling allowance included for free like 8×8. Instead, international calls (both regular and toll-free) are charged at variable country-specific rates.

2. Zoom Regional Unlimited: Best for Video-Centric Collaboration

Zoom Regional Unlimited is the best choice for businesses prioritizing video collaboration. Known for its seamless video conferencing capabilities, Zoom offers a low-cost plan and integrates well with software like Google Workspace, making it ideal for small to medium businesses.

Pricing accurate as of January 2025

Why is Zoom Regional Unlimited a recommended UCaaS provider?

If your business prioritizes video collaboration and needs a cost-effective solution, Zoom Regional Unlimited is our recommended choice.

Its video-first approach outperforms competitors like GoTo Connect and Nextiva, which focus more on phoneline call management. For instance, it supports 500 participants per Zoom Meeting (which is fully integrated into a US Zoom Phone subscription as part of the Zoom One Management Portal) versus 100 for RingCentral Advanced and 150 for GoTo Connect.

In our testing of the Zoom One Portal, users consistently heaped praise on the platform’s ease of navigation, highlighting its clear layout and how simple it is to find and use features.

Similarly, users were also impressed with its seamless integration with Google Workspace is a significant advantage for businesses already using Google tools, as it reduces the need for multiple applications to open at once. This native integration with Google Meet, Calendar, and Chat beats out Nextiva which lacks direct Google Meet integration at all.

Overall then, Zoom is particularly suited for businesses with remote teams or those that rely heavily on video meetings, such as consulting firms or creative agencies. Its affordability and ease of use make it a strong alternative to RingCentral for smaller organizations; its price is as little as $10 per user, per month, much cheaper compared to Nextiva Engage which starts at $20 per user, per month.

Where could Zoom Regional Unlimited improve as a UCaaS provider?

Zoom offers no built-in CRM integrations, lagging behind RingCentral and 8×8 in this area. Only Salesforce and HubSpot are available via add-ons, whereas RingCentral and 8×8 include plenty of native CRM integrations by default.

You’ll be without some advanced training tools that other platforms can offer, too. Call barge and whisper aren’t possible with Zoom Regional Unlimited, though you can get both these live coaching tools with the likes of RingCentral and Nextiva.

Additionally, unlike Nextiva Engage, Zoom does not natively integrate with social media platforms for customer engagement. It lacks faxing support too, which could limit its appeal to industries like healthcare or legal services. Meanwhile, Zoom Regional Unlimited also misses out on voicemail screening and automatic call blocking (available in RingCentral/Nextiva).

The reporting features are also less robust compared to RingCentral, which could be a drawback for businesses needing detailed analytics. And while there is an option for unlimited international calling to 19 countries, it is a paid add-on unlike with 8×8.

3. 8×8 Work: Best for Global Businesses

8×8 Work is the best UCaaS provider for global businesses, offering robust international calling features and support for up to 500 participants in video calls. Its strong CRM and Helpdesk integrations make it ideal for medium to large enterprises with international operations.

Pricing accurate as of January 2025

Why is 8×8 Work a recommended UCaaS provider?

We suggest 8×8 Work is the best option for medium to large businesses with international operations primarily because of its global calling minutes allowance and support for large video meetings. In other words, it makes it a strong alternative case to RingCentral for businesses with distributed teams via its conjoined team messaging, video conferencing, and call conferencing abilities.

You’ll have unlimited inbound/outbound minutes to 48 countries which is more of a global scope compared to RingCentral’s US/CA focus. And there’s also localized/toll-free numbers in 100+ countries included by default, whereas other providers like GoTo Connect charge extra for international numbers.

With video calling, it’s a winner too by matching Zoom’s 500 participants allowance per call, ahead of 100 in RingCentral, to be the leading option purely in terms of the number of users possible. We’d still argue that Zoom is a better pick, given it has more in the way of controls for meetings (unsurprisingly given Zoom started out as a video conferencing platform), but 8×8 is still mightily impressive in our books and we found it very easy to use, too.

The platform’s CRM integrations are commendable too, ensuring seamless workflows for customer-centric businesses. It has all the major external CRM software names covered, such as Salesforce and Zendesk, even if it can’t match the pure amount of third-party app integrations offered by RingCentral. Even if you have a more niche platform you need integrated, 8×8 does offer custom integrations for most software.

As a result of these positive aspects of 8×8 work, we’d say it is particularly suited for industries like logistics or consulting, where international communication is critical. Its robust training features also make it a good choice for businesses with large customer service teams.

Where could 8×8 Work improve as a UCaaS provider?

8×8 could improve its pricing for small businesses, as it isn’t transparent compared to all its rivals. Equally, the pricing research tells us to be true (starting at $24/month (annual billing) isn’t as competitive compared to Zoom and GoTo Connect. For small teams, Zoom is 60% cheaper according to our calculations.

Additionally, a lack of advanced call screening features may be a drawback for businesses dealing with high call volumes. 8×8 forgoes voicemail screening, which RingCentral and Nextiva include as part of their call screening suite.

Unlike Nextiva Engage, 8×8 does not natively integrate with social media platforms for customer engagement, either.

4. GoTo Connect Phone System: Best for Customizable Call Management

GoTo Connect Phone System is the best choice for businesses needing customizable call management. Unifying communication channels and offering compatibility with multiple desk phone brands, its ideal for medium-sized organizations with geographically dispersed teams who need swift internal discussions and adaptability to different desk phone brands nationally or worldwide.

Pricing accurate as of January 2025

Why is GoTo Connect Phone System a recommended UCaaS provider?

If you want to customize your call management and internal communication features, GoTo Connect’s Phone System plan is one of the better options for medium-sized businesses.

Its advanced call routing (time-based) and customizable ring groups make it ideal for organizations with multiple offices or remote teams. It has a multi-level IVR to help direct callers to the right place every time, even on its Connect Phone System plan. By comparison, Nextiva Engage lacks time-based routing, while Zoom only offers a basic IVR setup.

It’s also notable that, despite reportedly charging a little extra for having unlimited inbound/outbound international minutes, it still is included as a possibility with “specific plans” even from GoTo Connect’s lowest cost package. If you get the package, you’ll have more countries to call with compared to 8×8 too, with over 50 included versus 8×8 Work’s 48 (or Zoom’s 19 countries, for that matter).

Elsewhere, the platform’s hardware compatibility is a significant advantage for businesses with existing desk phones. It works with Polycom, Yealink, Cisco, and others out-of-the-box. The likes of RingCentral require certified phones for full functionality.

In general, we’d say GoTo Connect is particularly suited for industries where internal communication is most critical, such as in real estate or retail businesses. Its team messaging and video conferencing features also make it a strong alternative to Nextiva or Zoom for businesses prioritizing internal collaboration.

Where could GoTo Connect improve as a UCaaS provider?

GoTo Connect could improve its CRM integrations, as it lags behind RingCentral and 8×8 in this area (although, you may find it still covers your required software, depending on the integrations you need).

Unlike Nextiva Engage, GoTo Connect Phone System does not natively integrate with social media platforms for customer engagement. If social platforms are crucial to your business communications, then this might be a major drawback. However, GoTo may support relevant platforms via third-party integrations and it’s worth stating that its Connect CX plan ($34 per user, per month) does allow for WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, SMS campaigns, web chat and surveys.

5. Nextiva Engage: Best for Customer Engagement

Nextiva Engage is the best UCaaS provider for businesses focused on customer engagement. It offers omni-channel communication (voice, chat, social media) and robust training features, making it ideal for customer-centric organizations.

Pricing correct as of January 2025

Why is Nextiva Engage a recommended UCaaS provider?

Nextiva Engage is recommended for businesses focused on customer engagement, such as e-commerce or hospitality. Its omni-channel communication features outperform GoTo Connect and Zoom, ensuring seamless customer interactions. It unifies voice, chat, social media (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp) in one package, bettering GoTo Connect which lacks social media integration and Zoom which omits chat in its base plan.

The platform’s training features are also superior to Zoom, making it ideal for businesses with large customer service teams. It includes call recording, analytics, and virtual receptionist, while Zoom requires add-ons for analytics and 8×8 lacks virtual receptionist customization.

It’s also robust in terms of security. It offers HIPAA, SOC 2, PCI compliance, whereas Zoom lacks HIPAA in base plans and GoTo Connect lacks PCI.

Nextiva is particularly suited for industries like retail or hospitality, where customer engagement is critical. Its advanced call management features also make it a strong alternative to RingCentral for businesses prioritizing customer service.

Where could Nextiva Engage improve as a UCaaS provider?

Nextiva could improve its pricing, as it is less competitive compared to Zoom and GoTo Connect. And there’s no option to have unlimited international calling in more regions than the US and Canada, unlike both of those providers or 8×8.

Should you want community support for any queries, it’s notable that Nextiva lacks a user forum to ask fellow Nextiva subscribers for guidance on any issues. By comparison, both RingCentral and 8×8 include community-driven support.

Additionally, the lack of faxing support may limit its appeal to certain industries. Healthcare and legal sectors will want to look at RingCentral to get this feature.

Buying Guide: Choosing the Best UCaaS Provider for Your Business

If you want to know more about Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) platforms besides our provider platform reviews above, you’re in the right place. This guide will help you navigate the decision-making process by addressing common business challenges you may well be facing and highlighting key features to consider.

Identify your business communication challenges

Before selecting a UCaaS provider, it’s important to understand the communication challenges your business faces. That way, you can understand why UCaaS platforms will be of any help to begin with. Here are some common pain points businesses encounter:

Key Features to Look for in a UCaaS Provider

When evaluating UCaaS providers, there are many features beyond the basics of combining communication channels like voice, video, and messaging. Consider the following features to ensure the platform meets your business needs:

Integration capabilities

• Look for providers that integrate with your existing tools, such as CRM, Helpdesk, and email platforms. This ensures seamless workflows and reduces the need to switch between multiple applications.

Advanced call management

• Features like virtual receptionists, call routing, and voicemail transcriptions can help manage high call volumes and ensure calls are directed to the right person or department.
• Call screening tools, such as caller ID and automatic call blocking, can help filter out unwanted calls and improve productivity.

Mobility and flexibility

• If your team works remotely or hybrid, choose a provider that offers mobile apps and browser-based access. This allows employees to make and receive calls from anywhere, using any device.
• Softphone apps are particularly useful for businesses with remote teams, as they enable employees to use their business phone system on personal devices. It’s worth noting that all the providers on this page support both mobile and web-apps.

Video conferencing and collaboration

• Businesses that rely heavily on video meetings should look for providers that support large meeting capacities and offer interactive features like breakout rooms, whiteboards, and screen sharing.
• These features are especially valuable for businesses that conduct workshops, product demonstrations, or virtual events.

Security and compliance

• Lastly, you’ll want to have peace of mind by knowing that your chosen provider meets industry standards for security and compliance, especially if you operate in regulated industries like healthcare or finance.
• Features like multi-factor authentication (MFA) and strong password rules can help protect your communication systems from unauthorized access.

Choosing the Right UCaaS Provider in 4 Steps

After identifying the communication challenges facing your business, and the top features of the best UCaaS providers, it’s now time to think about what makes the right UCaaS provider for your business. Here’s a quick four step guide to doing just that.

1: Re-assess your business needs

• Are you managing high call volumes? Prioritize providers with advanced call management features.
• Do you need global reach? Choose providers with international calling and localized numbers.
• Are you a small business on a budget? Consider providers with affordable plans and essential features.

2: Evaluate integration requirements

• If you use CRM or Helpdesk tools, choose a UCaaS platform that integrates seamlessly with them.

3: Consider remote work needs

• If your team works remotely or hybrid, prioritize providers with mobile apps and softphone support.
• Look for features that enable remote collaboration, such as video conferencing and team messaging.

4: Prioritize security and compliance

• For regulated industries, choose providers with strong security certifications and compliance features.
• Tools like multi-factor authentication and encryption should help protect sensitive data.

How Did We Compare the Best UCaaS Providers?