Ooma is a cloud-based business phone system equipped with various call management tools, including call forwarding, call transfer, ring groups, and virtual receptionist. While it is an excellent unified communications platform, companies are exploring alternatives to Ooma due to its limitations. For instance, it only integrates with less than 15 third-party apps and doesn’t offer international phone numbers or unlimited international calling. Its video conferencing tool only accommodates up to 100 participants.
If these limitations would affect your business communications, consider these Ooma alternatives:
Top Ooma Alternatives
Expert Score
Key Features
RingCentral
4.79
- Heads-up display
- Team chat with task management
- Up to 500 video meeting attendees
Nextiva
4.37
- Maximum of 12,500 toll-free minutes
- Free toll-free number
- Free number porting
Zoom
4.33
- Up to 1,000 video meeting participants
- Co-annotation
- Remote keyboard and mouse control
GoTo Connect
4.33
- Unlimited international calling to 50-plus countries
- Call routing optimizer
- Automated SMS messages
Google Voice
4.21
- Integration with Google Chat and Meet
- Free local phone number
- Unlimited text messaging
Grasshopper
3.57
- Unlimited users and extensions
- Local, toll-free, and vanity numbers
- Ruby receptionists
Vonage
3.51
- Local phone numbers in over 90 countries
- International calling plans
- Call rerouting
RingCentral: Best for multi-channel communications
Overall Reviewer Score
4.79/5
Pricing
3.28/5
General features
4.44/5
Core VoIP features
4.58/5
Advanced features
4.75/5
Integration and compatibility
4.38/5
User experience and usability
4.69/5
Security and compliance
4.69/5
Customer support and service
4.25/5
User scores
4.1/5
Pros
- Features call monitoring tools
- Offers a toll-free minute allowance
- Video meetings are powered by artificial intelligence (AI)
- Accommodates up to 500 video meeting participants
Cons
- Puts a limit on the number of text messages per user
- Provides more expensive subscription plans than other providers
Why we chose RingCentral over Ooma
RingCentral is the best in this list of top Ooma alternatives, especially in the aspect of multi-channel communications, as it provides more robust tools for voice, team messaging, and video conferencing. Its phone system is equipped with features that can accommodate large volumes of calls. For instance, the Heads-up Display (HUD) provides an overview of active calls and extensions’ real-time presence status and allows receptionists to answer incoming calls on behalf of other extensions.
Call monitoring lets managers observe active phone calls, coach agents in answering queries, and de-escalate tense situations with customers. Other advanced call management tools include the multi-level auto attendant, shared lines, and up to eight-digit extensions.
Compared to Ooma, RingCentral’s team chat is superior as it lets users assign tasks, not just message each other. Meanwhile, for video conferencing, while Ooma only allows up to 100 participants, RingCentral hosts a maximum of 500 attendees. For these reasons, RingCentral is better than Ooma in terms of unified communications.
Nextiva: Best for long-distance calling
Overall Reviewer Score
4.37/5
Pricing
2.97/5
General features
3.89/5
Core VoIP features
3.75/5
Advanced features
3.75/5
Integration and compatibility
4.38/5
User experience and usability
4.06/5
Security and compliance
4.38/5
Customer support and service
4/5
User scores
4.57/5
Pros
- Offers 99.999% uptime guarantee
- Organizes client communications with threaded conversations
- Supports Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) regardless of your subscription plan
- Provides 24/7 email, chat, and phone support
Cons
- Requires the most expensive plan to access voicemail transcription
- Doesn’t have international numbers
Why we chose Nextiva over Ooma
For long-distance calling, Nextiva is a better business phone system than Ooma, as it features a more generous toll-free minute allowance. While Ooma only provides 500 minutes of free calling, Nextiva offers a maximum of 12,500 minutes. This is significantly cost-effective for companies receiving large volumes of calls.
Along with the toll-free minutes, the provider includes a toll-free number in every subscription plan. But if you want to keep your existing number, Nextiva offers free number porting. Businesses may use the toll-free number for virtual fax and you won’t incur long-distance fees for using the service.
Nextiva further helps organizations handle multiple phone calls through its excellent call management system. It features advanced call routing, call forwarding, multi-level auto attendant, shared line appearance, and call groups. Consider Nextiva when exploring Ooma competitors for long-distance calling.
Zoom Workplace: Best for video conferencing
Overall Reviewer Score
4.33/5
General features
3.89/5
Core VoIP features
3.33/5
Advanced features
4/5
Integration and compatibility
3.75/5
User experience and usability
4.38/5
Security and compliance
4.06/5
Customer support and service
4/5
User scores
4.6/5
Pros
- Integrates with 2,000-plus third-party apps
- Offers a free plan, beneficial for small, budget-conscious teams
- Allows unlimited duration for one-on-one meetings
- Provides robust VoIP tools
Cons
- 40-minute duration for more than two participants in the free plan
- Known for past security issues
Why we chose Zoom Workplace over Ooma
Compared to Ooma, Zoom Workplace is the better unified communications solution if you frequently use video meetings, as it offers a free platform and robust in-meeting collaboration tools. Its free version accommodates up to 100 participants for a maximum duration of 40 minutes.
With Zoom Workplace, maximize virtual backgrounds, chat, screen sharing, co-annotation, and remote keyboard and mouse control without being charged any fees. Additionally, you can integrate the platform with third-party apps, such as Google Calendar, Salesforce, and HubSpot.
If you need advanced collaboration features, upgrade to a paid plan. The base-tier plan that costs $15.99 per user monthly gives you access to polling, streaming, and language interpretations. The higher-tier packages offer recording transcripts and translated captions. While Ooma only hosts up to 100 video meeting participants, Zoom Workplace accommodates a maximum of 1,000 attendees. Given its feature-rich video meeting platform, Zoom is our top choice for Ooma competitors for video conferencing.
GoTo Connect: Best for international calling
Overall Reviewer Score
4.33/5
General features
3.61/5
Core VoIP features
3.33/5
Advanced features
3.75/5
Integration and compatibility
3.75/5
User experience and usability
3.13/5
Security and compliance
2.5/5
Customer support and service
3/5
User scores
4.47/5
Pros
- Allows unlimited auto-attendant recordings, ring groups, and dial plans
- Accommodates a maximum of 250 video meeting participants
- Offers a toll-free minute allowance, unlike other providers
- Provides insights about audio quality and call volume via the system health dashboard
Cons
- Pricing isn’t readily available on the website
- Doesn’t offer international phone numbers
Why we chose GoTo Connect over Ooma
GoTo Connect is among the best VoIP providers for strengthening relationships with customers abroad, as it allows unlimited international calling. Unlike Ooma Office, which charges per minute depending on the country, GoTo Connect features unlimited international calling to over 50 overseas locations in its subscription plans. The territories included are Australia, China, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. For locations not covered, the provider charges low per-minute fees.
The affordability of international calls is among the various advantages of VoIP over landline. In addition, using cloud-based phone systems offers advanced tools for managing phone calls. With GoTo Connect, you can distribute calls to multiple devices and users, forward calls automatically to a specific representative, and store phone call records on the cloud to make them accessible to various team members.
Google Voice: Best for Google Workspace users
Overall Reviewer Score
4.21/5
Pricing
2.97/5
General features
2.64/5
Core VoIP features
2.5/5
Advanced features
1.75/5
Integration and compatibility
3.13/5
User experience and usability
4.06/5
Security and compliance
3.13/5
Customer support and service
2.25/5
User scores
4.4/5
Pros
- Offers a free plan to one user
- Features a beginner-friendly interface
- Appeals to budget-conscious teams, with an entry-level plan priced at $10 per user monthly
- Provides 24/7 support in all plans
Cons
- Doesn’t have toll-free or vanity numbers
- Lacks advanced VoIP tools like call park and call flip
Why we chose Google Voice over Ooma
Google Voice is the ideal Ooma alternative for businesses heavily using Google Workspace. The business phone solution integrates seamlessly with Google products, specifically Google Chat and Google Meet. With these capabilities, you won’t have to switch between apps when placing and receiving phone calls, messaging team members in real time, and meeting colleagues virtually.
The best part about this software provider is that it offers a free VoIP phone service for solopreneurs and freelancers. A single user can access a local phone number, unlimited domestic calling, and unlimited text messaging within the US. As long as you have a Google account, you can use this free VoIP platform. If you need more call management features, upgrade to Google Voice’s paid subscription plans. They are among the most affordable in the market, with a starting monthly fee of $10 per user only.
Grasshopper: Best for phone number sharing
Overall Reviewer Score
3.57/5
Pricing
2.81/5
General features
3.06/5
Core VoIP features
2.08/5
Advanced features
1.5/5
Integration and compatibility
1.67/5
User experience and usability
3.44/5
Security and compliance
0.63/5
Customer support and service
3.25/5
User scores
4.27/5
Pros
- Offers unlimited users and extensions
- Unlimited texting in all subscription plans
- Supports three types of virtual numbers
- Features professional voice talents for auto attendant greetings
Cons
- Limited reporting capabilities
- Doesn’t have a call recording feature
Why we chose Grasshopper over Ooma
Grasshopper is the ideal Ooma alternative for small businesses that prefer phone number sharing within team members. Except for its True Solo plan, the provider’s subscription packages feature unlimited users and one or more phone numbers. On the most expensive plan, your team members can share four phone numbers and create as many extensions as they want.
The VoIP provider supports various types of phone numbers: local, toll-free, and vanity. It has an extensive catalog of phone numbers, and its number search tool is easy to use, so securing your preferred digits won’t be a hassle. If you need additional numbers, Grasshopper charges $9 per number monthly.
If you want to secure a second phone number without paying any fees, refer to our guide on the best free phone number providers.
Vonage: Best for international phone numbers
Overall Reviewer Score
3.51/5
Pricing
2.34/5
General features
3.06/5
Core VoIP features
3.13/5
Advanced features
3.25/5
Integration and compatibility
3.33/5
User experience and usability
3.44/5
Security and compliance
3.75/5
Customer support and service
2.25/5
User scores
4.13/5
Pros
- Guarantees 99.999% uptime
- Includes 40+ VoIP features in all subscription plans
- Streamlines communications with a unified inbox that features SMS, MMS, and Facebook Messenger
- Neat, simple user interface
Cons
- Add-ons quickly inflate the monthly cost
- On-demand call recording is locked behind the most expensive plan
Why we chose Vonage over Ooma
Vonage is the suitable Ooma alternative for companies wanting to establish a local presence overseas. Unlike Ooma, the provider allows businesses to secure local phone numbers in over 90 countries. These include Australia, Brazil, China, Finland, Japan, New Zealand, and Russia. Having local, familiar numbers will make clients more comfortable reaching out to your business. Moreover, they won’t incur exorbitant call charges, which adds to a frictionless, more pleasant customer experience.
Aside from global phone numbers, the provider features affordable international calling plans covering 50-plus countries. Tier 1, which includes territories like Australia, China, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, and the United Kingdom, charges $50 a month for 1,000 minutes and $4,120 for 100,000 minutes.
Meanwhile, Tier 2, which covers Egypt, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela, has minute bundles ranging from 1,000 minutes for $110 monthly to 100,000 minutes for $9,860 monthly. Consider Vonage when establishing a local presence overseas. For a more comprehensive comparison of the two software solutions, refer to our Vonage vs Ooma guide.
Is Ooma right for you after all?
Ooma is an excellent business phone solution with valuable calling capabilities, including unlimited calling within the US, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico and affordable international calling rates. Along with a toll-free number, it offers 500 minutes of inbound calls monthly. Its call management system consists of a virtual receptionist, call forwarding, extension dialing and monitoring, and call logs.
Companies with brick-and-mortar stores especially benefit from Ooma, which features tools that enable broadcasting messages. These include intercom, IP phone paging, and overhead paging. It’s useful for organizations with highly mobile employees since it provides features like voicemail-to-email, call flip, and virtual fax. Additionally, it facilitates easy team collaboration, allowing users to chat with each other and host meetings.
Choosing the best Ooma alternative
Although Ooma offers valuable tools for handling business communications, it might make sense to explore alternatives especially when you consider its limitations. For example, its monthly toll-free minute allowance is limited to 500 minutes, which is significantly insufficient for those receiving large volumes of calls. It lacks call monitoring capabilities that let managers observe customer-agent interactions in real time. It doesn’t have international phone numbers either. Plus, its integrations are limited to select CRM and productivity apps.
In terms of team collaboration tools, its video conferencing capacity can only accommodate a hundred participants, not ideal for companies hosting large meetings. Its team chat and user presence are locked behind the most expensive subscription plan. If you think these disadvantages would hinder your business communications, consider the top Ooma competitors:
- If you need a software solution for voice, team messaging, and video conferencing, RingCentral is the best for multi-channel communications.
- Nextiva is the ideal platform for accommodating long-distance calls, given its generous toll-free minute allowance.
- Choose Zoom Workplace when you frequently meet with remote team members via video conferencing.
- If you want to maintain communications with overseas contacts, maximize GoTo Connect’s unlimited international calling offering.
- Google Voice is the most suitable solution for Google Workspace users, as it integrates seamlessly with Google Chat and Meet.
- Consider Grasshopper and take advantage of its unlimited users and extensions if you prefer sharing phone numbers with the team.
- If you want to establish a local presence abroad, choose Vonage, which offers local phone numbers in over 90 countries.