7 Best UCaaS Providers of 2024

4.6

Best for feature-rich call management tools

• Visual voicemail and transcription
• Interactive voice response (IVR)
• Automatic and on-demand call recording

Zoom Phone

4.58

Best for video-first communications

• Unlimited auto-attendants and IVR
• Team chat
• Up to 1,000 meeting participants

Nextiva

4.44

Best for customer engagement

• Unlimited video conferencing and recording
• Up to 12,500 toll-free minutes
• Team presence and status

GoTo Connect

4.4

Best for remote and mobile teams

• Free international calling to 50-plus countries
• Unlimited auto attendant recorded greetings
• Team messaging with file sharing

Vonage

4.27

Best for tailored workflows

• Call groups
• IP phone paging system
• Call forwarding services

DialPad

4.24

Best for customer support teams

• Advanced artificial intelligence (AI) coaching
• Call agent monitoring (whisper, barge, etc.)
• Automatic call distribution (ACD)

8×8

3.93

Best international operations

• Hot desking
• Unlimited extension-to-extension calling
• Presence detection

RingCentral: Best for feature-rich call management tools

Overall Reviewer Score

4.64/5

Pros

Has a phone rental and leasing program
Offers up to 10,000 toll-free minutes
Users can create up to 250 auto-attendant menus
Includes advanced business analytics
Platform interface is easy to use and set up

Cons

Offers a maximum of 200 enhanced business short message service (SMS) per user at the highest plan
Hot desking and call monitoring tools are not available on the base plan

Why we picked RingCentral

RingCentral topped our list of best UCaaS providers, thanks to its exhaustive list of call management features, including toll-free minutes, SMS, call recording, and internet fax. These features empower users to handle calls efficiently. For example, call queues manage incoming calls by placing them in queues until agents are available.

While other providers on the list typically unlock multi-level auto-attendant and IVR tools only when you’re subscribed to higher tiers, RingCentral offers these as basic features that are included in every plan. It has one of the most generous entry-level packages. For example, call recording is available on all plans, while Vonage only makes this feature available for those subscribed to its highest tier.

RingCentral is a cloud-based collaboration solution offering a comprehensive set of communication tools for businesses of all sizes. It’s a robust voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) software with voice, fax, messaging, and video conferencing. This UCaaS company offers a 99.999% uptime guarantee, making it a reliable option for small and large teams.

It is user-friendly and intuitive for new and seasoned users, but RingCentral also comes with hundreds of native integrations, including Microsoft Teams and Salesforce. Extensive integrations help improve team proficiency by enabling users to access communication features directly within their existing workflows.

Multi-level IVR: Use the visual IVR to configure routing menus and direct calls to external numbers, extensions, and voicemail. All accounts get up to 250 voice menus and submenus.
Conversational AI: Empower your team and enhance overall performance with AI highlights that can help you identify customer service best practices and areas for improvement. This feature combines machine learning with natural learning processing (NLP) to deliver sentiment analysis, positive client experiences, and highly responsive chatbots.
Multi-site management: Centralize phone system management across multiple locations, tailoring each site to meet its unique requirements. You can customize settings for each site, such as call handling rules and user roles.
Push-to-talk: Equip your team and colleagues with walkie-talkie functionality and use it to send out emergency alerts and view users’ presence status. You can connect with up to 750 users per channel.
Analytics portal: Access real-time insights regarding service quality, adoption, and system usage through RingCentral’s analytics portal. Track issues easily and set key performance indicators (KPIs) to identify individual and overall performers.

The pricing below is based on one to five users. RingCentral provides volume-based discounts for multiple user accounts. Opt for annual billing and save up to 33% with yearly prepayment.

Core plan: $30/user/month

Includes:

Business phone number or toll-free number
Up to 100 toll-free minutes
On-demand call recording
Up to 25 business SMS per user
Desk phone and conference phone rentals
Basic call queues
Up to 100 video participants

Advanced: $35/user/month

Includes:

Up to 1,00 toll-free minutes
Auto call recording
Up to 100 business SMS per user
Advanced call monitoring and handling
Unlimited internet fax
Custom roles and permissions
Cost center and multi-site management
Adoption and business analytics (essentials)

Ultra: $45/user/month

Includes:

Up to 10,000 toll-free minutes
Up to 200 business SMS per user
Unlimited storage for team messaging, file sharing, and recordings
Up to 200 video meeting participants
Device analytics and alerts

Zoom Phone: Best for video-first communications

Overall Reviewer Score

4.58/5

Pros

Up to 1,000 participants in the enterprise plan
Local and unlimited cloud storage
Secure file sharing
Industry-leading high-definition (HD) call quality
Unlimited auto-attendants and IVR
Toll-free numbers

Cons

Does not include toll-free numbers in the entry-level plan
Call queue analytics requires an extra fee

Why I picked Zoom Phone

Zoom Phone is a scalable cloud-based phone system ideal for businesses that rely on video communications, thanks to its unified experience. Zoom lets users easily switch between messaging, video, and phone calls within its application. In addition to a seamless experience, it’s cost-effective because you only need one solution.

Zoom Phone is known for its ease of use and user-friendly interface, which enhance user adoption and overall productivity. It is excellent for cross-platform compatibility because it is available on various devices, such as laptops, smartphones, tablets, and desktop computers.

Compared to other UCaaS providers on this list, Zoom offers the most generous video conferencing participant capacity, which sits at 1,000 participants on its highest plan. Other providers like RingCentral accommodate up to 200 video participants, and 8×8 supports up to 500 active participants.

Zoom Phone is an advanced VoIP communication solution renowned for its high-quality video conferencing and webinar technology. It provides a streamlined experience by integrating phone systems, SMS messaging, and apps. Users can make and receive calls from various devices, including laptops and smartphones.

Bring your own device (BYOD) support: Zoom supports BYOD by allowing businesses to customize their call handling rules based on different factors like operating hours and caller ID. Using its auto attendant feature, you can create custom greetings and IVR menus to route calls efficiently.
Call barge: Join an ongoing phone call between users without an invitation or approval. Use this in situations where immediate intervention is required. The barge feature is also available in Zoom meetings and webinars. This is useful for team collaboration and training sessions.
Voicemail transcription: Get your voicemail messages in text format. This feature enhances accessibility and efficiency, allowing people to scan their voicemail and search for specific content within messages.
International calling: Stay connected with colleagues and partners abroad effortlessly with Zoom Phone’s international calling plans. Zoom Phone provides virtual phone numbers in multiple countries, essential for a global presence.
Hot desking: Log into your personal settings using any device within the organization. This is useful in offices with shared workspaces, ensuring colleagues have their established preferences applied to the device they’re using.

Zoom Phone offers three plan options ranging from $10 per user to $20 per user with varied calling capabilities like unlimited internal calling and unlimited international calls to selected countries.

U.S. and Canada Metered: $10/user/month

Includes:

Metered domestic calling in the U.S. and Canada
Metered international calling
Domestic SMS and multimedia messaging service (MMS)
Purchase or porting of existing numbers
Nomadic E911 addressing in the U.S. and Canada
Transfer a call to a Zoom Meeting or Zoom Room
Plug-and-play VoIP phones

U.S. and Canada Unlimited: $15/user/month

Includes:

Unlimited domestic calling within the U.S. and Canada
Toll-free numbers
Optional add-on: Unlimited calling to 19 countries

Global Select: $20/user/month

Includes:

Unlimited domestic calling in selected countries
One number in selected country
Direct dial number

Nextiva: Best for customer engagement

Overall Reviewer Score

4.44/5

Pros

Unlimited participants on conference calls
Comes with a free local and toll-free number
Offers up to 12,500 toll-free minutes
All plans include auto attendant and unlimited internet fax
Includes threaded conversations
Allows up to 500 shared contacts

Cons

Video calling and video meetings are capped at only 45 minutes
Voicemail transcription is locked behind the Enterprise plan

Why I picked Nextiva

Nextiva is among the best UCaaS companies because of its integrated suite of customer engagement tools, such as call center analytics, call pop, and built-in surveys. View customer details, phone call logs, and survey responses within the Nextiva app and set up automations for welcome emails and ticket assignments.

Growing businesses focused on client servicing, Nextiva offers the most generous toll-free minute allotment, ranging from 1,500 to 12,500 minutes. This strongly indicates Nextiva’s customer-focused business because it makes users more accessible to its audience. Other providers like GoTo Connect and RingCentral offer a maximum of 1,000 shared free minutes and 10,000 minutes, respectively.

Nextiva is a leading UCaaS and business phone provider in the market. It offers comprehensive call management, collaboration, and customer service tools. Its team chat, video conferencing, faxing, calling, and messaging services aim to improve company communication and collaboration.

Its mobile app is designed to maximize flexibility and mobility, enabling users to make and receive calls from their smart devices. Nextiva also integrates with popular customer relationship management (CRM) systems like Salesforce and Zoho CRM. It offers 24/7 customer support and a 99.999% uptime guarantee.

Call presence: See your colleague’s availability and phone lines in real time. An indicator like “Do Not Disturb” or “Away” is displayed beside the person’s name or extension. This is useful for customer-facing businesses that need to know whether agents are able to receive call transfers.
Call pop: This feature displays caller information on your screen before you receive an incoming call. Details can include their name, phone number, and associated CRM information. This streamlines the call management process by giving you information so you can personalize each interaction.
Call pulling: If you need to step away from your desk, use this to transfer ongoing calls between devices. This avoids disruptions and interrupting discussions when switching between mobile and desk phones.
Call notes: Jot down notes based on client interaction during a call without switching screens. Any note you make is automatically saved with the contact record.

Below are Nextiva’s pricing packages based on one to four users on a monthly billing arrangement.

Essential plan: $30.95/user/month

Includes:

Unlimited voice and video calling
Threaded conversations
Voicemail-to-email notifications
Call history and log reports
Real-time system alert status
Google Contacts and MS Outlook integrations
Up to 1,500 toll-free minutes

Professional: $35.95/user/month

Includes:

Unlimited conference calls with up to 40 participants
Up to 3,000 toll-free minutes
Up to 1,000 messages sent and received per user
Voicemail-to-SMS notifications
Advanced CRM and customer-facing app integrations
Multi-level auto attendant

Enterprise: $45.95/user/month

Includes:

Unlimited participants on conference calls
Up to 12,500 toll-free minutes
Up to 2,000 messages sent and received per user
Enterprise integrations CRM and customer-facing apps
Call recording
Single sign-on

GoTo Connect: Best for remote & mobile teams

Overall Reviewer Score

4.4/5

Pros

Unlimited users
Virtual fax manager
Local and cloud meeting recording
International calling to 50-plus countries included
Video meetings with up to 250 participants
24/7 customer support available

Cons

No intelligent routing in the phone system packages
Limited to 80 SMS credits per seat per month

Why I picked GoTo Connect

GoTo Connect made it to our list of top UCaaS providers because of its flexible work software that’s easy to use and deploy, regardless of team location. Use the video meetings feature to meet and collaborate with over 250 people and automate webinars and virtual events with tools like custom registration, forms, screen sharing, and polls.

As an all-in-one communications solution built for flexibility, the platform comes with over 100 enterprise-grade phone system features, such as extension summary reports, hardware rental and purchase options, call continuity, and call flip. Users can also use the GoTo Connect app to join meetings using smartphones, desks, or computers.

One of the ways GoTo Connect sets itself apart is through its international calling. Of all the providers, it comes with the most countries included in its calling feature—over 50 countries. Locations include Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom.

GoTo Connect is an affordable VoIP provider offering cloud-based private branch exchange (PBX) and UC services. It’s scalable and includes video conferencing, contact center capabilities, and team chat, as well as a generous international calling list that spans over 50 countries. It’s straightforward to set up, which is ideal for non-tech-savvy teams.

In addition to UCaaS phone systems, it also has a contact center product and AI-powered customer communication solutions. Its call management tools include smart call routing, unlimited auto attendants, recorded greetings, and customizable dial plans.

Secure video meetings: GoTo Connect includes strong privacy and security features like password-protected meetings, participant removal, and meeting locks. Since GoTo Connect lets users join meetings from browsers, you can host up to 250 video conferencing participants without access issues.
Hotdesking: You can easily use any phone or device within your system because your profile settings are automatically configured for the device you’re logging into. Employees can work using any desktop computer, Android, or iOS phone.
Custom dial plans: Tailor your dial plans and map out how inbound calls will work through your phone system. The dial plan editor has a drag-and-drop function when configuring your routing rules, voicemail, and schedule.
Call forwarding: With this feature, you can forward incoming calls to an internal extension or external number when unavailable. This ensures no calls fall through the cracks, and callers can always speak with someone.
Instant response: Unable to take a call? GoTo Connect automatically messages first-time callers, allowing you to engage with customers even when preoccupied. Eliminate missed leads and potential customers by informing callers you’ve received their message.
Three-way calling: Create a mini-conference call and speak with two people simultaneously. Select Add and choose the person to add to an active call.

You must contact the provider directly to get information regarding the prices of GoTo Connect’s plans and packages. The details of its phone system packages are listed below:

Basic plan: Contact GoTo Connect

Includes:

One call queue and a single visual dial plan editor
One auto attendant and ring groups
Unlimited extensions and call routing
Softphone capability
E911 capability
Custom hold music, messages, and greetings
Self-service customer support
Outlook and G Suite integration
Unmetered team messaging

Standard: Contact GoTo Connect

Includes:

Unlimited call queue and visual dial plan editor
Unlimited auto attendants and ring groups
Popular and vertical-specific integrations
Call routing optimizer and analytics
Hot desking
Virtual fax
Report caller hold time
Intercom

Vonage: Best for tailored workflows

Overall Reviewer Score

4.27/5

Pros

Supports VoIP desk phones
Unlimited video meetings for up to 200 participants
Comes with a 99.999% uptime guarantee
Provides 50-plus business phone features
Team messaging is available
Up to 15 hours of on-demand call recording monthly

Cons

Visual voicemail is only available on the highest plan
Only 20-plus third-party integrations

Why I picked Vonage

Vonage stands out as a UCaaS provider because of its mix-and-match features that cater to businesses looking for a higher level of phone system customization. Choose from 18 paid add-on options like virtual assistant and call recording, allowing you to expand your tool set as needed.

While other providers like Nextiva, RingCentral, and 8×8 offer comprehensive features, they often exceed the needs of small startups and micro teams. By opting for Vonage, users choose from its pre-built packages and add more features, ensuring they don’t pay for features they don’t want or need.

As a cloud VoIP phone system for small businesses, Vonage has a powerful application programming interface (API) that adds to subscribers’ customizing options. For example, Vonage’s AI studio API enables developers and non-developers to create and deploy customer engagement tools in natural language.

Vonage Business Communications is a leading UCaaS provider with voice, messaging, and video communication channels and over 50 features and apps to empower business communications. This phone system includes business SMS and team messaging and several mobility features like call forwarding, follow me, and voicemail.

All Vonage plans come with number porting, a virtual receptionist, voicemail, Vonage meetings with up to 200 participants, and single sign-on (SSO). BYOD, ranging from desk phones to hardware, can be synced with Vonage mobile and desktop applications. Use the knowledge hub, phone, and 24/7 chatbot assistance if you need support.

Do Not Disturb (DND): Temporarily turn off incoming call notifications and ringing by automatically sending calls to voicemail. This way, you can listen to your messages and find out what you missed at your convenience.
Call announce: Prepare for an incoming call and have the phone system announce a phone number’s custom tag. Take the call or use it in tandem with call screening, and choose whether to transfer it to a colleague or send it to voicemail.
Call groups: Don’t miss another call and alert groups of incoming calls to ensure nothing is missed. Determine how you want to group calls by skill, department, or hours.
App Center: Use this self-service platform to view your integrated apps or purchase software such as CRM systems, productivity apps, and call features.
Admin portal: Account administrators can use this portal to manage and customize the settings of their phone system. They can make system-wide or user-level changes and use this tool to track employee activity, manage ordering, and view monthly billing.

Choose from Vonage’s three subscription packages. The prices indicated below are based on a single user, paid monthly. Annual billing is available for greater savings, and all new accounts have a minimum one-year contract.

Basic plan: $19.99/user/month

Includes:

Supports desktop and mobile apps
Unlimited domestic calling
SMS and MMS
Voicemail

Premium: $29.99/user/month

Includes:

Supports VoIP desk phones
Up to 200 participants for unlimited video meetings
Vonage self-service app center
Team Messaging
VBC App Center
SSO

Advanced: $39.99/user/month

Includes:

15 hours of on-demand call recording
Visual Voicemail with transcription
Call groups

Dialpad: Best for customer support teams

Overall Reviewer Score

4.24/5

Pros

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and Business Associates Agreement (BAA) compliance
Topic-based team messaging
Priority routing
Real-time analytics and reporting
Quality of service reports
Desktop and mobile screen sharing

Cons

Maximum meeting duration is five hours per meeting
Only allows up to 10 participants for video meetings

Why I picked Dialpad

Dialpad stands out as a great UCaaS provider for customer support teams because it offers voice-intelligent features like live call time transcription and analysis and sentiment support. These tools and seamless CRM integration enable agents to deliver personalized client support.

It also comes with advanced call routing to ensure that callers are efficiently directed to the correct department and most qualified agent at the soonest time. Not only that, but Dialpad’s mobile app also ensures that customers can reach technical support even when agents are mobile or in hybrid setups.

Compared to other UCaaS software platforms, Dialpad offers best-in-class AI solutions that optimize response times, leading to better customer experiences. While RingCentral has AI-powered digital engagement tools for managing customer interactions, Dialpad’s solutions are more advanced and improve agent performance and overall customer engagement.

Dialpad is a feature-rich UCaaS solution with UCaaS tools, such as unlimited video meetings, multi-level auto attendant, business SMS and MMS, and custom call routing. For those looking for AI-based technology to help with customer service and efficiency, Dialdpad’s AI tools include meeting summaries, sentiment tracking, and real-time analytics.

Teams dealing with a high volume of calls can use built-in AI features to transcribe conversations and items for action so agents can focus on the interaction. Best of all, select AI tools are available on all Dialpad plans, so even base-plan users can lean on automation to streamline workflows and offer personalized customer services.

Simultaneous ring: Alert multiple devices simultaneously when a new call comes in so you don’t miss a beat. This feature supports desk phones, computers, and mobile devices.
Custom call routing: Establish call flows and distribution paths based on your preferences and manage inbound calls more efficiently. Choose from different routing methods, including fixed order, idle agent, round-robin, and skills-based routing methods.
Message threading: Group related messages together, starting with a parent message and succeeding replies. This allows you to track different topics within group chats.
Multilingual greetings: Customize your greeting in different languages, including English, Spanish, Japanese, Dutch, and German. Customize the default language for different call centers, departments, and users.
Three-way calling: Add a third person to your business call without interrupting the flow of conversation. You can even mute, hold, and transfer call participants. This is useful if you need to share updates with multiple people immediately.

The pricing below is for one to five users on a monthly billing arrangement. Save up to 33% by paying annually.

Standard: $23/user/month

Includes:

Unlimited calling
Multi-level auto attendant
Visual voicemail
Message data export
10 meeting participants for up to five hours per meeting
Real-time call transcriptions
Three ring groups

Pro: $35/user/month

Includes:

25 ring groups
Additional local or international numbers
Hold queues
Call forwarding to other devices
International SMS
Quality of service reports
Phone support and dedicated account manager

Enterprise: Quote-based pricing

Includes:

Extensions
Unlimited ring groups
100-seat minimum
SSO (Okta, Azure, and OneLogin)

8×8: Best for international operations

Overall Reviewer Score

3.93/5

Pros

Enterprise-grade security
Multiple security compliance and certifications (e.g., HIPAA)
Unlimited users
Up to 500 active conferencing participants
Quality management and speech analytics
Unlimited internet fax
Unmetered calling to 48 countries
Multi-level auto attendant

Cons

No toll-free minute inclusion in the base plan
Real-time analytics unlocks in the Standard plan

Why I picked 8×8

For businesses expanding their global footprint, 8×8 is a UCaaS solution offering unlimited international calling to no less than 48 countries, including Germany, the United Kingdom, and China. Similarly, 8×8 offers phone number support in 100-plus countries, ideal for establishing a local presence in foreign markets.

Most providers included on this list offer metered international calling, with GoTo Connect and Zoom Phone offering metered and unmetered options. 8×8 is the only provider on this best UCaaS providers list that offers unmetered international calling in up to 48 countries.

Businesses using Dialpad get a range of phone, chat, and video solutions, including unlimited domestic and international calling and rich messaging functionality. As a cloud-based service, 8×8 is known for cross-company collaboration and external communication tools. It’s best for companies looking for high call quality and value for money.

All UC and contact center plans can be mixed and matched, meaning you can find the best plan to suit individual needs within an account. The platform also offers a 99.999% uptime guarantee and state-of-the-art data centers for secure communications.

Call queue: This feature places incoming calls in a virtual line and distributes them to available agents when they are ready to take the call. Calls are distributed to agents in the order they entered the queue.
Visual voicemail: Convert your audio messages into a readable format, allowing you to review your voicemail inbox and read important messages without the need to listen to each one.
Call monitoring: Empower your supervisors and managers to listen to phone conversations on select extensions. For example, leaders can advise and guide agents without the caller hearing.
Call barge: This feature allows supervisors to enter live calls and participate in the conversation. It is useful for resolving escalated concerns or providing assistance to agents. Users can join calls they are monitoring or switch back to monitoring mode.
Team messaging: Utilize this internal coordination tool for instant communication with colleagues through direct or group chats. Users can share files, links, and screenshots to provide references or context to their colleagues.

8×8 has two UC packages: the X2, an all-in-one voice, video, and chat plan, and the X4 for advanced call handling and analytics. Prices are unavailable on the website, but those interested can request a quote from the 8×8 sales team.

X2: Contact 8×8

Includes:

Unlimited voice calling to 14 countries
HD video and audio conferencing for up to 500 active participants
SMS, MMS, and team chat
Unlimited users
Mix and match plans
Call queues
Presence detection

X4: Contact 8×8

Includes:

Unlimited voice calling to 48 countries
8×8 Frontdesk for receptionists and operators
Barge, monitor, and whisper
Supervisor analytics
Call activity analytics