Written by Matt Reed Reviewed by James Macey Updated on January 24, 2025 On this page The Best VoIP Phone Systems RingCentral Advanced Zoom Phone Regional Unlimited 8x8 Work GoTo Connect Phone System Nextiva Engage Dialpad Pro The Benefits of a VoIP Phone System How to Choose a VoIP Phone Services Provider How did we find the best business VoIP phone systems? Expert Verdict Expand Our site is reader-supported – by clicking our links, we can match you with a potential supplier, and we may earn a small commission for this referral. Our research and testing have found that RingCentral Advanced is the best VoIP provider plan on the US market. We think it’s a great all-around solution due to its attractive call management, team communication, and best-in-class staff training features. Better yet, it has the widest range of external app integration support and a competitive price point.Still, RingCentral might not be suited to all operations, especially if you want a cheaper, streamlined phone system for a small business. You’ll find each of the five other top-rated VoIP provider plans on this page suited to specific needs, so keep reading to find one made for you.Alternatively, you can use our quick and free quote-finding tool. In exchange for a few details about your business, we’ll connect you with the providers that can tick off the right boxes in your VoIP wishlist. The 7 Best VoIP Phone Systems RingCentral Advanced – Best Overall VoIP Provider Plan in the USZoom Phone Regional Unlimited – Most Affordable VoIP Provider Plan8×8 Work – Best VoIP Provider Plan For International Calling in the USGoTo Connect Phone System – Best VoIP Provider Plan For Growing BusinessesNextiva Engage – Best VoIP Provider Plan For eCommerce and Social MediaDialpad Pro – Best VoIP Provider Plan For SMBsBased on our research, these are the providers we recommend. Use our quote-finder tool to get free, tailored quotes for your business in under sixty seconds. Read our methodology to learn how we decided upon these rankings. The Best VoIP Phone Provider Plans in 2025According to our detailed research, the following suppliers offer the best VoIP provider plans available in the US for 2025: Swipe right to see more 0 out of 0 backward forward RingCentral Advanced Zoom Regional Unlimited 8×8 Work GoTo Connect Phone System Nextiva Engage Dialpad Pro Expert Rating 4.9 Expert Rating 4.6 Expert Rating 4.5 Expert Rating 4.4 Expert Rating 4.1 Expert Rating 4.1 Price $25 per user, per month Price $15 per user, per month Price Custom Price $26 per user, per month Price $40 per user, per month Price $25/user/month Domestic Calls Unlimited inbound and outbound to US and Canada Domestic Calls Unlimited inbound and outbound to US and Canada Domestic Calls Unlimited inbound and outbound to US and Canada Domestic Calls Unlimited inbound and outbound to US and Canada Domestic Calls Unlimited inbound and outbound to US and Canada Domestic Calls Unlimited inbound and outbound to US and Canada International Calls Metered calls International Calls Metered calls International Calls Unlimited minutes to up to 48 countries International Calls Unlimited minutes to 50+ countries (depending on package) International Calls Metered calls International Calls Metered calls Key Features Video calls: 100 usersCRM integrations: 110+Screening: Full suiteTraining tools: Barge, whisper, analyticsGlobal minutes: US/CA only Key Features Video calls: 500 usersCRM integrations: 8+Screening: Basic (caller ID/blocking)Training tools: RecordingGlobal minutes: US/CA only Key Features Video calls: 500 usersCRM integrations: 15+Screening: Partial (no voicemail)Training tools: Recording, analyticsGlobal minutes: 48 countries Key Features Video calls: 150 usersCRM: 9+Screening: Partial (no auto-screening)Training: RecordingGlobal minutes: 50+ countries (toll-free via add-on) Key Features Video calls: 200 usersCRM integrations: 11Screening: Full suiteTraining tools: Recording, analyticsGlobal minutes: US/CA only Key Features Video calls: 150 usersCRM integrations: 5+Screening: Full suiteTraining tools: Recording, analyticsGlobal minutes: US/CA only Why Can You Trust Expert Market for VoIP System Recommendations? The Expert Market team is made up of researchers, writers, and editors dedicated to rigorous and unbiased testing. With product led research and expert analysis, we provide specialised recommendations to readers so you can make an informed decision.We’ve tested 11 different VoIP phone systems across a range of research areas including price, features, and customer support. Each VoIP system has been rigorously tested against each area and scored to find the best system on the market. All Provider Plans Have These Features Before we dive into our mini-reviews of each product, it’s worth highlighting features and functionality all six provider plans on this page offer so that you can be assured, no matter what plan you choose, you’ll have the following elements included:Virtual Receptionist (IVR) with customizable greetings, call routing and call queues (with custom hold music),Call forwarding, flipping and ring groupsAdmin permissions, password complexity rules and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)CRM integrations (number and range of connections vary by provider) and calendar integrations with Outlook or Google CalendarMobile apps (both iOS and Android)24/7 customer support (specific channels vary by provider), plus knowledge base and user forums 1. RingCentral AdvancedBest Overall VoIP Provider Plan in the US RingCentral Advanced 4.9 Pricing $20 - $35 Get free quotes RingCentral review Strengths Advanced call management including customizable call routing and top-rated virtual receptionist Best-in-class training tools for call recording, monitoring, whisper, and barge for live coaching Over 300 integration options for business tools like Salesforce, HubSpot, Zendesk, and Microsoft Teams Weaknesses Slightly higher price than competitors like Zoom Phone Regional Unlimited No native social media channel tools like Nextiva Engage (possible with integrations) International calling only available as an add-on Pricing See more See less PlanPrice (per user, per month) Core $20 Advanced $25 Ultra $35 Why is RingCentral Advanced the best overall VoIP provider plan?Our research has shown that, overall, RingCentral Advanced is the best VoIP provider plan for US businesses, especially those after large-scale operational control. It scored incredibly well in all our research categories, including perfect scores for call management, software integrations, customer support, and more.An area where RingCentral dominates is with end-to-end communication tools tailored for medium businesses. Namely, its call whisper and barge features let managers discreetly coach agents during live calls, critical for certain industries like customer service. And from the plans on this page, it is the only package that includes call whisper and call barge features by default. The ability to look up call transcripts, make call recordings, and also monitor agent’s ongoing calls only adds to its appeal in this regard, too. Meanwhile, there’s automatic call screening which blocks spam calls using AI to help reduce wasted agent time by a reported 15–20% compared to Dialpad’s basic caller ID. That’s something that can help larger businesses with high call volumes.Using RingCentral is pretty self-explanatory as we found out in our hands-on testing of its platform - Source: Expert MarketWhile it offers native video conferencing support for up to 100 participants, we were impressed with its Microsoft Teams integration during our testing too, since it lets us launch video calls directly from Teams, unlike Zoom’s standalone app (although, if you opt for Zoom Phone, you can use its integrated video platform, so that might not be so much of an issue).We found RingCentral Advanced’s customizable call routing was also more developed than some provider plans, allowing for rules based on time zones, caller history, or department. These features are missing in GoTo Connect’s base Phone System plan.With RingCentral's Visual IVR Designer, users can drag, drop and customize different aspects of call routing in an easily digestible manner, like the scheduling options being applied here - Source: Expert Market via RingCentral websiteFinally, knowing that RingCentral Advanced comes with more ready-made integrations than any provider is another very appealing aspect of its general utility. With over 300 helpdesk, workspace, email, conferencing, and messaging platforms, you should be able to unify your comms and easily hold customer data no matter what software your team already uses.Are there any downsides to RingCentral Advanced?More expensive than alternativesLike 8×8 Work, RingCentral Advanced‘s pricing can be on the higher side, ranging from $20 to $35 per user per month for its standard plans, with premium features available at additional costs. This could be a significant expense for SMBs or startups operating on tight budgets. Our alternative suggestions for less spending are the same as above:For the lowest price: Zoom Phone (from $10 per user per month)For similar features at a lower cost: Lacks free international callsRingCentral Advanced is also a poor choice for free international calling since it has none outside of Canada included for US customers.For unlimited calling: 8×8 Work (14 to 48 countries depending on package) and GoTo Connect (over 50 countries on all of its paid plans) both offer extensive free calling packages as part of their packages. Organizations with extensive international communication needs will value these inclusions and avoid incurring extra fees.No social media channel integrationsWhile RingCentral Advanced has a vast range of integration options, it lacks direct WhatsApp, Facebook or other social media tools included with your purchase. This forces eCommerce teams to purchase and use third-party apps on top of the RingCentral software.For native social media comms: Nextiva Engage ($40/user/month) includes WhatsApp and Instagram support by default. 2. Zoom Phone Regional UnlimitedBest For Affordability Zoom Phone Regional Unlimited 4.6 Pricing $10 - $22.49 Get free quotes Strengths Lowest priced plan of all providers Strong video conferencing with supports up to 500 participants per meeting No minimum users or contracts (e.g. versus Dialpad’s 3-user requirement) Weaknesses Lacks coaching tools (whisper and barge) Less advanced reporting versus some providers like RingCentral Pricing See more See less PlanPrice (per user, per month) Regional Metered $10 Regional Unlimited $15 Global Select $20 Why is Zoom Phone Regional Unlimited the best VoIP provider plan for affordability?In our overall standings, Zoom Phone Regional Unlimited came a close second to RingCentral Advanced by bringing an extensive range of features while improving on RingCentral’s key area of weakness: pricing.Zoom Phone has three affordable plans costing either $10 (for US & Canada Metered calling), $15 (for US & Canada Unlimited Calling) or $20 (for Global Select‘s unlimited Calling within one of 49 non-US/CA countries) per user, per month. With identical calling allowance and features to the Global Select tier, the $15 per user, per month domestic Regional Unlimited plan is our pick of Zoom’s packages for North American-based, medium-sized businesses.That price makes it a solid choice if you’re looking for a functional VoIP system that won’t stretch out your wallet: it’s the cheapest plan of our top six picks for medium-sized businesses. To illustrate its affordability, for teams of 250 users, your business would be saving a cool $7,500 every month compared to RingCentral Advanced.Plus, there’s no minimum user requirement like Dialpad (3) or different pricing based on user numbers like net2phone (which we assessed but unfortunately, it didn’t make our top six picks).Within Zoom Phone software, you can listen to voicemails you've received with relative ease and you'll have a written transcript of it already on the page to save you some time, too - Source: Expert MarketThe price point isn’t everything, however: a worthy VoIP still needs the features to match. Something you may know about Zoom already is its video conferencing prowess, and with the Phone Regional Unlimited plan, every user can host 500 participants per meeting, which is double the limit of GoTo Connect’s Phone System plan and five times RingCentral Advanced’s limit.It has plenty of useful in-meeting tools, too, such as chat, annotations, reactions, and notes, as seen below, plus plenty of app-store add-ons for things like AI-generated engagement scores, talk time, and coaching tips.When in a video meeting, you can make notes to look back on later, which is very handy in our view and saves you opening up another window mid-conversation - Source: Expert MarketWe found the Zoom One Portal app, which houses Zoom Phone, to be extremely easy to use, too. Testers were enamored with its well-signposted layout which means they could find any tool without difficulty.There are notable features not found on other competitor plans discussed on this page, too. For instance, Zoom Phone Regional Unlimited has functionality for call queues that prioritize high-value clients (e.g. VIP customers who can skip hold times), a feature GoTo Connect restricts to higher tiers.And should you need an international calling allowance, Zoom Phone Regional Unlimited lets you buy an add-on for $10/month. This allows all users the ability to make international calls to more than 15 countries and regions, which isn’t possible with providers like Dialpad and Nextiva. Packages from 8×8 Work and GoTo also offer international calling but it given their pricing isn’t as transparent as Zoom Phone, it is more difficult to assess what price you’ll be paying for the pleasure.Are there any downsides to Zoom?Missing advanced coaching featuresZoom lacks call whisper and barge tools, limiting the ability for real-time coaching. That could be a drawback for teams in industries such as customer service, in particular.For in-built training tools: RingCentral Advanced ($25/user/month) is the best option on the market, though 8×8 Work also includes this with certain packages for a reportedly higher cost.Lack of advanced analyticsZoom does not offer advanced analytics tools such as real-time reporting, predictive analytics, and other dashboards, tables, and charts to dive into like VoIP-first companies.For analytics tools: Nextiva Engage provides real-time data on customer interactions and team performance for similar costs, or you can upgrade with RingCentral Advanced or 8×8 Work and get even more data at your fingertips like call quality, user activity, and system performance. 3. 8×8 WorkBest VoIP Provider Plan For International Calling 8x8 Work 4.5 Pricing Custom Get free quotes 8x8 review Strengths Unlimited inbound/outbound to up to 48 countries Advanced analytics including real-time dashboards for call performance Wide integration with popular CRM and Helpdesk tools like Salesforce and Zendesk Weaknesses Opaque pricing makes budgeting unpredictable Lacks voicemail screening for call screening Reportedly less hardware compatibility Pricing See more See less PlanPrice (per user, per month) X2 Custom (previously $24) X4 Custom (previously $44) What makes 8×8 Work the best VoIP provider plan for international calls?8×8 Work is up there with the best VoIP provider plan for US businesses, earning near-perfect marks in several assessment areas. It boasts all the features we know to be most important for productive comms with customers and clients – from ring groups and call queues to big-name CRM integrations and compatibility with a range of plug-in-and-play desk phones. But to make it our pick for international calling, 8×8 Work allows for unlimited minutes to up to 48 countries, as well as localized numbers in over 100+ countries, too. That means, if you had an EU customer, for example, they could dial a Paris-based phone number instead of a US toll-free line.Making a call and using call management features like call forwarding is incredibly intuitive with 8x8 - Source: Matt Reed (Expert Market)8×8 also matches Zoom for the number of video meeting participants with 500 per call, ahead of the likes of RingCentral Advanced (100) and GoTo Connect Phone System (150), which is appealing for globally dispersed teams that need to have regular conversations. We found using its video conferencing software easy to employ too, with clear signposting of buttons to invite participants and enter/exit.Expert Market's Matt Reed tests out the video conferencing capabilities of 8x8's software - Source: Matt Reed (Expert Market)8×8 Work’s security features also impressed us. With multiple compliance certifications, multi-factor authentication, password rules, and TLS/SRTP encryption, 8×8 Work does a lot to ensure your company’s calls and data are kept under lock and key from cyber attacks, which we understand to be a major concern of medium to large businesses.And 8×8 Work has some of the best customer support options and availability, with a 24/7 live chat function and phone line for any out-of-hours issues. The international theme continues, too, since this support is multilingual, including major languages like Hindi and Mandarin, unlike RingCentral’s English/Spanish-only teams. Email support is also available for any less time-sensitive queries.There are a number of resources to use should you need help using 8x8, including Live Chat - Source: Matt Reed (Expert Market)Are there any downsides to 8×8 Work?Unpredictable pricing (and reportedly expensive)While 8×8 Work offers a comprehensive suite of features, it lacks transparency around pricing. If you are a business running fine margins, this could risk overspending if you aren’t fully aware of all potential costs.8×8 Work previously showcased its plans too, though now restricts this to certain webpages rather than on its main pricing page, which may suggest a shift away from the X-series plan structure (X2 to X4 shown in the pricing table above) evident in years before 2025. If these plans are still in play, they were reportedly quite expensive, ranging from $24 to $44 per user per month.For transparently cheaper pricing: We recommend Zoom Phone Regional Unlimited since it costs just $15 per user, per month and has clear pricing for any add-ons or other tier packages.For international calling at potentially lower cost: GoTo Connect Phone System also supports international calling to up to 50 countries and costs $26 per user, per month (although you may need to pay for international calling, as GoTo is unclear about this).Comparatively limited hardware compatibilityWhile it works with two major hardware brands according to our research, products from Yealink and Poly, 8×8 Work only allows for the hardware it certifies, forcing businesses to replace existing devices if they don’t fit the bill. This could add even further spending, in what would be an unnecessary expense with alternative VoIP provider plans.For wider hardware compatibility: RingCentral Advanced supports a wide range of hardware, including Cisco and Polycom, allowing businesses to use existing devices. Meanwhile, the GoTo Connect Phone System plan also offers BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) flexibility, reducing upfront costs for businesses changing phone systems. Compare and save! Get free quotes from trusted phone system providers with our quote comparison tool. Get free quotes 4. GoTo Connect Phone SystemBest VoIP Provider Plan For Growing Businesses GoTo Connect Phone System 4.3 Pricing $26 Get free quotes GoToConnect review Strengths Offers advanced call routing and ring groups, ideal for multi-location teams Works with more desk phone brands (incl. Polycom, Yealink, Cisco) than any provider we tested E-fax integration to send/receive faxes natively (add-on for competitors like Dialpad) Weaknesses Less ready-made CRM integrations than other providers No AI tools versus Dialpad’s transcription or Nextiva’s social media links with CRM Lacks call whisper/barge features Pricing See more See less PlanPrice (per user, per month) Phone System $26 Connect CX $34 Contact Center $80 Why is GoTo Connect Phone System the best VoIP provider plan for growing businesses?GoTo Connect’s Phone System plan is our favorite VoIP system for growing businesses. After all, when growing a business, you have to make sure you’re getting as much as you can for as little money as possible. There are many facets in which GoTo can help save you money. For starters, GoTo’s Phone System plan secures unlimited domestic and international minutes to over 50 countries for a relatively minuscule price tag; no other provider offers as many international calling locations (albeit, GoTo notes this international allowance is with “specific plans” so you’ll need to contact them to see if you are eligible). For teams that already have existing desk phone brands that they use for calls, or have staff working across multiple different locations and need wide hardware compatibility to cover that, then GoTo is the best bet in this regard, too. It operates a ‘Bring-your-own-device’ approach that helps cut hardware costs since businesses can have existing desk phones from the likes of Cisco and Polycom repurposed without any issues rather than buy new ones.And GoTo is a VoIP system that can help you communicate with potential customers and clients professionally. With GoTo Connect, you can set up a virtual receptionist, customizable on-hold music, recorded greetings, and voicemail capability to give callers a polished experience whenever they get in touch.GoTo Connect's software is fairly similar in structure to bOnline - Source: GoToElsewhere, for businesses that need it, GoTo Connect includes e-fax capabilities allowing teams to send/receive faxes without investing in physical fax machines (often costing $500+ for fax hardware and ongoing maintenance costs). All other provider plans on this page don’t include e-fax capabilities by default (and only Dialpad offers it as an add-on).As your business grows further, you won’t be restricted either since it has an unlimited user limit and further call management features on its higher-cost plans, from means it’s a scalable system. Plus, if you need social media integrations for things like WhatsApp campaigns, as is possible with Nextiva Engage, you can upgrade to GoTo’s next cheapest plan (GoTo Connect CX).Are there any downsides to GoTo Connect Phone System?Lacking some advanced call management and training featuresWhile GoTo Connect Phone System includes standard call management functionalities, it lacks some advanced features such as predictive dialing, AI-driven call analytics, or call routing. It also is missing call whisper or call barge tools.For advanced call management tools: Providers like Nextiva Engage and Dialpad Pro offer these advanced AI routing capabilities, while both 8×8 Work and RingCentral Advanced have some more advanced analytics and predictive dialing you are willing to spend a little more.For call whisper and barge: Both 8×8 Work and RingCentral Advanced offer these features, with the latter being the better option overall.No automatic call screeningGoTo Connect Phone System lacks automatic call screening which uses AI to block spam or nuisance calls.For automatic screening: RingCentral Advanced includes automatic screening which classifies callers as “nuisance” or “priority” based on behavior. Similarly, Dialpad Pro offers AI-powered spam detection. 5. Nextiva EngageBest VoIP Provider Plan For eCommerce and Social Media Nextiva Engage 4.1 Pricing $40 Get free quotes Strengths Social media channel tools for WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook, with integrations to CRM and other tools CRM integrations with eCommerce platforms like Shopify and BigCommerce 24/7 omnichannel support across phone, chat, and email Weaknesses Most expensive provider plan on this page No call whisper/barge features for coaching No unlimited international calling options (by default or as an add-on) Pricing See more See less PlanPrice (per user, per month) Digital (small business) $20 Core (small business) $30 Engage (small business) $40 Power Suite (small business) $60 Essential (enterprise) $129 Professional (enterprise) $159 Premium (enterprise) $199 Why is Nextiva Engage the best VoIP provider plan for eCommerce and Social Media?Nextiva Engage is the only option if you want to pair your VoIP phone system with a best-in-class social media toolkit. That’s because this plan offers native integrations with WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook, allowing businesses to manage customer inquiries across multiple channels from its single platform.When looking at the competitor plans on this page, no other VoIP providers can offer the same suite for omnichannel engagement. While you could get social media integrations through a third-party tool integration, namely with RingCentral Advanced and 8×8 Work rather than Dialpad Pro and GoTo Connect Phone System, this may come at additional cost and isn’t as seamless as everything being embedded directly.Within the NextivaOne platform, you can connect social media channels for Facecbook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube, as well as other communication focused suites like WhatsApp and FB Messenger, plus you can monitor competitors on these platforms, too - Source: Nextiva By offering more channels than any other provider plan at this level, Nextiva Engage also has more unified analytics that track customer journeys across calls, chats, emails, and social media. While this won’t be relevant to all industries, eCommerce and social media-driven sales teams should find this 360-degree omnichannel makeup incredibly useful for identifying trends, optimizing workflows, and improving customer satisfaction in the long run.In terms of calling, Nextiva Engage has some features that set it apart from others, too. Like Zoom Phone Regional Unlimited, businesses can create custom call queues with priority routing for VIP customers, bettering the likes of GoTo that can’t. This can help retain your repeat customers’ service. Even better, we’d say Nextiva Engage offers more detailed queue analytics for areas such as wait times and agent performance compared to RingCentral Advanced.Nextiva's platform brings up incoming calls in the bottom right corner, as shown here - Source: Expert Market via Nextiva websiteNextiva also offers real-time, AI-driven sentiment analysis like Dialpad Pro, to detect customer frustration (from things like raised tones) to alert supervisors. This isn’t possible with RingCentral Advanced and 8×8 Work at the time of writing, which instead rely on post-call surveys or manual feedback.Are there any downsides to Nextiva Engage?More limited integrationsOffering around 20 ready-made integrations across CRM, helpdesk, and productivity tools, Nextiva is a little more limited than other providers in this regard. It has big names like Zoho, HubSpot, Salesforce, Microsoft and Google covered but beyond that, you’ll be struggling to get proper integration with Nextiva.For wider integration options: RingCentral Advanced is the leader here with over 300+ VoIP-related integration options. 8×8 Work has triple the amount Nextiva offers, too.No international call allowanceNextiva Engage does not include international calling—calls outside the US are charged per minute instead based on the specific country. There is no possibility to purchase an unlimited international calling add-on package, either, so you’ll always call with per-minute rates.For unlimited international minutes: 8×8 Work includes unlimited calls to 48 countries, making it the clear leader for global teams. GoTo Connect also offers unlimited calls to 50+ countries but it’s unclear if there are extra costs for this package on top of Phone System given GoTo says it only applies to “certain packages”. RingCentral and Zoom also offer unlimited international calling as an add-on for an additional fee per month.No call whisper or call bargeNextiva Engage does not support call whisper or barge tools for live coaching.Alternatives: RingCentral Advanced and 8×8 Work include both of these features, while Dialpad Pro offers AI-coaching insights to compensate for its missing features. 6. Dialpad ProBest VoIP Provider Plan For SMBs Dialpad Pro 4.1 Pricing $25 Get free quotes Dialpad review Strengths AI-driven calling features such as real-time transcription, sentiment analysis, coaching and actionable list creation Real-time analytics dashboard to view all customer data Strong Salesforce integration that auto-logs calls, emails, and notes to Salesforce Weaknesses No call whisper/barge hinders live agent coaching Lacks social media integration suite of Nextiva Engage No unlimited international minutes with any plans or add-ons Pricing See more See less PlanStarting price (per user, per month) Standard $15 Pro $25 Enterprise Bespoke Why is Dialpad Pro the best VoIP provider plan for SMBs?Rounding out our list of the top six provider plans for medium-sized businesses is Dialpad Pro. It’s the final plan to score above 4/5 from our assessment criteria (we analyzed a further four plans for this size of business) and provides ample appealing features for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in the US.It combines AI-driven efficiency, scalability, and cost-effectiveness to meet the unique needs of SMBs. Looking at costs, only Zoom Phone Regional Unlimited is cheaper than Dialpad Pro from the provider plans on this page. Meanwhile, for example, a 50-person SMB using Dialpad Pro would save $9,000/year compared to Nextiva Engage, while gaining access to arguably the most advanced AI tools of any VoIP provider on this page.That includes advanced call routing with AI-driven prioritization, where agents are actively chosen based on which is most qualified for a specific task based on skills, availability, and perhaps most impressively, the details within a specific customer’s history with your team. By comparison, the likes of RingCentral and GoTo rely on more basic rules since their AI isn’t applied to call routing, with only Nextiva matching this functionality.Within Dialpad's settings you can configure you preferred call routing settings based on particular criteria - Source: Expert Market via Dialpad / YouTube When implemented, its conversational AI chatbot can also let customers escalate calls so that they can speak to a human agent via voice or video. The AI then applies those IVR routing decisions you’ve set up.Dialpad has further AI benefits we couldn’t find in other competitors, too. It offers live coaching and speech analytics during calls for one. This could be prompted to upsell about a certain product area or de-escalate issues when there is noticeable tension from its sentiment analysis.Dialpad's AI Agent can help users out during a call with valuable information about, which we think is particuarly valuable for sales teams - Source: DialpadSimilarly, we found its AI tools could fully integrate with CRM platforms like Salesforce and HubSpot. In practice, this allows the AI to do things like auto-populate customer data during calls, and we couldn’t find evidence of any other provider plan here being able to do the same.We’d argue that Dialpad’s AI-powered document management (e.g., auto-filing faxes by client) is more efficient than GoTo and Nextiva’s system, too, should you need e-fax capabilities (albeit, this is only available as an add-on with variable pricing depending on your plan).And very useful for those SMBs with too much work and too little time, Dialpad Pro’s AI also helps create automated action items and task tracking to keep you on top of everything. It extracts action items from calls (for example, following up with a client next Tuesday) and creates to-do lists automatically, reducing manual note-taking or data entry. RingCentral Core and 8×8 Work both have task management tools, but they rely on manual input.Are there any downsides to Dialpad?Lack of advanced training toolsWhile offering AI coaching support, Dialpad Pro doesn’t have call whisper and call barge functionality to let human managers do the same. This blocks the ability for live agent coaching and real-time feedback during calls, and in this sense, it could be less suitable for customer service or sales teams.Alternatives: Both RingCentral Advanced and 8×8 Work include call whisper and barge, enabling managers to discreetly guide agents during live calls.Lack of social media integrationsDialpad Pro does not integrate with WhatsApp, Facebook, or Instagram for customer engagement.For social media tools: Nextiva Engage has native WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook integrations, making it ideal for eCommerce and social media-heavy businesses.No global calling minutesLike Nextiva Engage above, Dialpad Pro doesn’t offer international calling packages. That means you’ll always face a per-minute charge rather than have them included in your monthly cost (either by default or with an add-on).For unlimited international calls: The obvious choice is 8×8 Work which includes unlimited calls to 48 countries by default in its packages. You can also opt for GoTo Connect Phone System, which offers unlimited calls to 50+ countries, though it isn’t clear if there are extra costs for this package since it only applies to “certain packages”. If you are happy to purchase an add-on for a monthly fee, RingCentral and Zoom can also provide this service. Compare free quotes from the best business VoIP phone systems Do you already have a VoIP phone system? Yes No Simply answer a few questions about your business – it only takes a minute The Benefits of a VoIP Phone SystemSo, why invest in a VoIP phone system for your business? There are plenty of reasons to do so, but these are the most impactful:BenefitWhy?Cheaper callsVoIP calls are cheaper than traditional phone lines, with many providers offering free unlimited calls within the US, Canada, and potentially beyond. If international calls aren’t included for free, they are usually much cheaper than landline or mobile calls.Flexibility and mobilityCloud-based VoIP systems can be accessed from any device with an internet connection, allowing staff to make and receive calls from anywhere, including offices and remote locations.Easier scalabilityVoIP systems allow you to add users without the need for additional hardware. Simply add users to the system and have them install the app.Better sound qualityModern VoIP systems offer excellent call quality, thanks to advancements like noise-cancelling microphones for IP phones. Reliable internet with good bandwidth allows for crystal-clear calls.Sophisticated featuresVoIP systems offer various features, such as video chat, instant messaging, and more, making business communication more efficient and professional. You’ll usually have specific calling features too, such as ring groups, call monitoring, and more, though this will vary by provider and plan. How to Choose a VoIP Phone Services ProviderWith several VoIP providers available, determining the best fit for your business can be challenging. Focus on these key factors to make an informed choice based on your business wants and needs:1. PricingThe cost of a VoIP system depends largely on the number of users, as providers typically charge per user, per month. Providers also offer tiered pricing plans, with higher tiers offering more advanced features. To reduce costs, consider these strategies:Opt for a provider plan with a lower price per user.Select a lower-priced tier that meets your essential needs.Pay annually, as providers often offer discounts for upfront payments.For provider-specific pricing for some of the cheaper plans on the market, read our standalone pricing pages for the likes of Zoom Phone, Net2Phone, and Nuacom.Questions to guide your decision:What features does your business need? This will help identify the right tier. SMBs may require fewer tools, for instance.How reliable is the provider’s service and support? Check reviews or research to ensure dependable service.READ NEXT: The best small business phone systems for your small office needs2. Uptime Guarantee and Call QualityHigh call quality is a major reason businesses switch to VoIP. Factors like your internet connection, hardware, and Quality of Service impact the day-to-day experience of your calls. To make sure you are getting the highest quality of calls, we recommend:Looking for providers with a strong uptime guarantee to ensure reliable service and high-quality calls.3. Key VoIP FeaturesThe right features can significantly improve your business operations, too. Depending on your industry requirements, you may need or want different features.For instance, expanding businesses in sales may require coaching features to help new staff navigate calls in their first few weeks. Meanwhile, retail or hospitality businesses might look for a VoIP with an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) to direct customers to the right channels Likewise,In any case, here are some essential features to look for in a top-line VoIP plan:Call conferencing: For seamless collaboration and remote working in almost any industry from education to IT.Call queue: Directs customers to the right agent and reduces wait times, useful for industries like healthcare, retail, and customer support lines in particular.Integrations: Syncs with third-party software like CRM systems like Salesforce or Workspaces like Google to streamline customer interactions and integrate with your existing workflow.24/7 live support: Around-the-clock availability means assistance is always available for maintaining call quality and resolving issues promptly. Not all VoIPs offer this, so picking one with live chat or phone lines with all-day availability may be most crucial for businesses new to VoIP and those working outside regular hours. Answer a few questions to be matched with top VoIP suppliers, who'll provide quotes tailored to you Get free quotes How Did We Find The Best Business VoIP Phone Systems?For our latest set of research for 2025, we've researched 11 market-leading VoIP service providers so we can make the most useful recommendations to US businesses. Using our in-house research framework and ranking process, we evaluated each VoIP system across eight core categories of interest, each weighted differently, and then combined the results to come up with a final score.Our main testing categories for VoIP products and services are:Call Management Features - the software's capabilities for streamlining incoming calls. VoIP-using organisations often deal with high call volumes. They rely on call management features to create a better experience for these callers.Software Integrations - the extent of the software’s compatibility with other business applications. VoIP software is often used with customer-data applications and other communication technologies in order to increase operational efficiency.Communication Channels - the other communication methods supported beyond voice calling. VoIP is often purchased to streamline communication into one application rather than separate.Training Features - the software’s capabilities for supporting employee training initiatives. VoIP-using businesses often train their employees on telephone etiquette.Hardware Integrations - the software’s compatibility with different devices. VoIP software is often used with standalone hardware.Customer Support - the accessibility and convenience of customer service channels offered by the VoIP provider.Security Options - the software's security features to protect calls and data. Organisations can be put at risk if sensitive information is leaked due to a breach of security.Pricing Factors - the software's pricing structure and cost-effectiveness.Where possible, we've also completed usability testing for VoIP services that we could get hands-on with. Testers put VoIP software through its paces to assess how well each could complete certain prescribed tasks. Verdict Offering a dazzlingly comprehensive range of call management and training features like call barge and whisper functionality to monitor and support staff, alongside a superb extent of third-party integrations, our research has revealed that RingCentral Advanced is the best VoIP provider plan in the US for 2025.Coming in a close second is Zoom Phone Regional Unlimited, which is our top pick if you want a slightly cheaper option that has almost identical features but less in the way of integration options and training features.If you’re still looking for help in choosing the best VoIP provider plan for your team – we know, all these choices can be overwhelming – our free quote-finding tool can help. Simply tell us a little about your business, and we’ll match you up with the best VoIP providers for you. They’ll then be in touch with tailored, no-obligation quotes. It’s a quick and easy way to compare the right options for you. FAQs Is VoIP cheaper than landline? Absolutely! VoIP phones are cheaper because they don’t require the maintenance costs that landlines are burdened with. Therefore, if you’re looking to get more value from your communications budget, we’d strongly recommend transitioning to VoIP. Written by: Matt Reed Senior Writer Matt Reed is a Senior Writer at Expert Market. Adept at evaluating products, he focuses mainly on assessing fleet management and business communication software. Matt began his career in technology publishing with Expert Reviews, where he spent several years putting the latest audio-related products and releases through their paces, revealing his findings in transparent, in-depth articles and guides. Holding a Master’s degree in Journalism from City, University of London, Matt is no stranger to diving into challenging topics and summarising them into practical, helpful information. Reviewed by: James Macey Senior Business Software Researcher 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.