The 12 best business phone services (+ prices & features)

There’s fierce competition for business phone services, with dozens competing for your attention (and your wallet). Each one boasts unique features, pricing, and promises. But which one is good enough to win your business?

We’re sizing up the top 12 contenders so you can decide which one deserves the prize. We also summarize each provider’s pricing, features, and unique ‘X factor’ so you can get a glimpse of their standout qualities.

Let’s meet the contestants.

The best business phone services compared: Who rings supreme?

The game is simple: outcall, outconnect, and outlast. We’re pitting 12 business phone services against each other in a battle of features, pricing, and reliability.

Here’s a quick lineup of our contestants:

Stick around as we break down each provider so you can vote out the weak links and decide which ones make the cut.

1. OpenPhone

X-factor: OpenPhone helps businesses scale customer interactions efficiently with powerful collaboration tools, AI-driven automation and insights, and third-party integrations

OpenPhone was designed to support small businesses with scalable plans that grow with you. All you need is your mobile phone or computer to start making and receiving business calls from anywhere with an internet connection.

Once you sign up for an OpenPhone account, you can set up shared phone numbers to split responsibility for incoming calls. Each of your team members has access to the same texts, calls, and voicemails so you never have to worry about customers falling through the cracks.

But that’s not to say missed connections never happen — if a call goes to voicemail, you can quickly respond as a team. You can easily read back the voicemail transcription, then tag team members with internal threads to jump in and help.

What about following up on past conversations? With OpenPhone, you can:

• Use call views to sort conversations by open, missed, and unresponded to set priorities for the day
• Browse call transcripts and summaries to get context without listening back on entire calls
• Set up automatic call tags (available on the Scale plan) that track keywords, topics, and customer sentiment

Speaking of automatic, OpenPhone makes it easy to put more work on autopilot. We offer native integrations with Slack, email, and CRMs so you can push information wherever your team gets work done. You can also tap into integrations with Zapier and Make to set up custom workflows like appointment reminders and follow-ups.

For all these reasons and more, OpenPhone is ranked the #1 small business phone service on G2. 

But does it make the cut as your business phone provider?

See why OpenPhone’s the reigning champ by signing up for a seven-day free trial.

Pros

• Make unlimited calls in the US and Canada
• 7,000+ third-party integrations
• Supports local and toll-free numbers
• Phone menus and call forwarding tools
• Available anywhere with WiFi

Cons

• No verification through two-factor authentication*

*Nearly all virtual phone numbers share this problem. For safety reasons, companies like Facebook, Uber, and Google rarely let you authenticate accounts through a virtual phone number.

Key features of OpenPhone

• Web, desktop, and mobile apps (Android + iOS)
• Shared phone numbers and internal threads
• Built-in AI tools (call tags, transcripts, summaries, etc.)
• Text message automations (auto-replies, scheduled messages, etc.)
• Call routing (custom, all at once, or random)

OpenPhone pricing

OpenPhone offers three business phone service plans for you to choose from:

• Starter: $15 per user per month for shared phone numbers, voicemail transcriptions, unlimited calls and texts in the US and Canada, and dozens of ways to streamline your business’s phone communication 
• Business: $23 per user per month for phone menus, call transcripts, call transferring, and more advanced features 
• Scale: $35 per user per month for call tags, dedicated onboarding, and priority chat and email support

How to get a business phone number with OpenPhone

With OpenPhone, you can start making and receiving calls in 15 minutes or less.

Here’s how to get started:

1. Sign up for a free seven-day trial of OpenPhone.
2. Select your city or area code to pick the perfect phone number.

1. Complete the signup process.

You’re all set to use your virtual phone number.

2. Google Voice

X-factor: Google Voice offers seamless integration with Google Workspace and is easy to use without prior VoIP platform experience

Google Voice is The Bachelor of business phone services — nearly everyone has heard of it, but you wouldn’t say it’s in its heyday. There are two versions: one for personal use and one for businesses.

The free version of Google Voice only lets you have one number and is only available in the US. It’s affordable, sure, but you get what you pay for. There are no integrations, call menus, or call transcription features.

Google Voice for Business starts at $10 per user per month, but since Google requires a Google Workspace subscription, the lowest you can pay is $17 per user per month. This upgrade gets you features like ring groups, SLAs, and support for multiple users and numbers.

But even with the upgrade, Google Voice still falls short where it counts. Expect frustrating Google Voice texting limitations — like not being able to send messages from a number with auto-attendants. And if you need a toll-free number? Google Voice doesn’t support porting or purchasing them.

Fortunately, most Google Voice alternatives include flexible texting and toll-free numbers.

Pros

• Low-cost or free
• Connects with existing Google Workspace tools

Cons

• No desktop app
• No toll-free numbers
• No integrations outside of Google Workspace

Key features of Google Voice

• Unlimited calls in the US
• Text messaging (for US users only)
• Web and mobile apps
• Integrations with Google Workforce tools

Google Voice pricing

There are three levels of Google Voice pricing:

• Starter: $10 per user per month for up to 10 users, domestic calling, voicemail transcription, unlimited US text messaging, custom SLA agreements, and Google Calendar and Meet integrations
• Standard: $20 per user per month for unlimited users, SIP Link, multi-level auto attendants, ad-hoc call recording, eDiscovery for calls and texts, and ring groups
• Premier: $30 per user per month for unlimited international locations, automatic call recording, and advanced reporting (BigQuery)

Keep in mind this doesn’t include Google Workspace, which costs an extra $7 per user per month.

3. Dialpad

X-factor: AI-powered communication tools for calls, voicemails, and recordings

Dialpad is a unified communications tool offering calling, texting, and video meetings. It also integrates with other platforms to help streamline your workflow, including popular tools like Slack, Salesforce, and Microsoft Teams.

But Dialpad’s real claim to fame is AI tools, which include real-time transcriptions, sentiment analysis, and automated call summaries. Just know that many of its best AI features don’t come on its base plans. Sentiment analysis, for example, is locked behind Support and Sell plans (which cost nearly three times more than the base Connect plan).

Another drawback of Dialpad: no unlimited texting. After you send 250 Dialpad SMS messages, you’ll have to start paying per text.

You also can’t add more than one number without upgrading your plan. If this is a dealbreaker, you might consider Dialpad alternatives.

Pros

• AI call transcriptions on every plan
• Free local number porting (US toll-free numbers and international numbers require a fee)

Cons

• Additional numbers require an upgrade
• No unlimited texting
• Best AI tools are locked behind the Support or Sell plans

Key features of Dialpad

• International numbers (requires upgrade)
• Visual voicemail
• Multi-level auto-attendant
• SMS support (no unlimited texting)
• Personal business hours

Dialpad pricing

Businesses can pick from three Dialpad plans:

• Standard: $15 per user per month for unlimited calling in the US and Canada, SMS, MMS, and team messaging, call and voicemail transcriptions, real-time analytics, and integrations with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace
• Pro: $25 per user per month for CRM integrations like Salesforce, Zendesk, HubSpot, and Zoho, international SMS, local numbers in 70+ countries, hold queues, and access to additional numbers (three-user minimum)
• Enterprise: Custom pricing for unlimited ring groups, phone number extensions, single sign-on, priority routing, and a service-level agreement (100-user minimum)

Learn more about Dialpad pricing.

4. Nextiva

X-factor: Offers omnichannel support across voice, video, SMS, messaging apps, and even social media channels

Nextiva is a cloud-based customer experience platform that goes beyond traditional business communications. Upgraded plans help you manage all customer interactions, including social media platforms, email accounts, and live chat/chatbots (unlocking calls, texts, and video meetings require you to upgrade).

You can use Nextiva to respond to customers using a unified inbox for everyone on your team. Plus, upgrading to the Power Suite plan provides user-friendly analytics, team chat, and priority and skills-based routing.

Noticing a theme here? Nextiva pushes you to upgrade for some of its best features, which means you’ll end up paying a lot for add-ons and upgrades. That’s why it’s a good idea to take a close look at their pricing — and even reach out to support — to get a better idea of what you’ll spend.

For example:

• Voice and SMS aren’t available on the base plan, so the least you would spend is $30 per user per month
• Texting limits start at 100 texts per user per month and require the most expensive plan for unlimited texting ($60 per user per month)
• Toll-free minutes require an upgrade to the third highest tier (and still max out at 2,000 minutes unless you upgrade again) 
• Advanced integrations require an upgrade to the Core or Engage plan (including Microsoft Teams, Zendesk, and Google Contacts)

Don’t feel there’s enough wiggle room to grow your business? Feel free to explore Nextiva alternatives.

Pros

• Omnichannel communications support
• Review management and competitive monitoring tools

Cons

• No unlimited SMS without upgrading
• No voice or SMS on the base plan
• Limited toll-free minutes

Key features of Nextiva

• SMS support (100 per user per month)
• Toll-free numbers and minutes (2,000 minutes max)
• Call routing
• Video meetings
• Messaging apps

Nextiva pricing

There are four different levels of Nextiva pricing, although we’re only focusing on the three with voice capabilities:

• Digital: $20 per user per month for competitive monitoring, social media channels, and review management
• Core: $30 per user per month for inbound and outbound voice, 100 business SMS, video meetings, call routing, and screen/file share
• Engage: $40 per user per month for team SMS messaging, toll-free numbers and minutes, 250 business SMS, advanced reporting, and the Microsoft Teams integration
• Power Suite: $60 per user per month for ACD callback, the supervisor dashboard, unlimited business SMS, skill-based routing, and a unified team interface

5. RingCentral

X-factor: Advanced call management features plus desk phone support for traditional office locations

RingCentral bills itself as an all-in-one communications solution, but it’s a popular choice for businesses that need desk phone support. With it, you can set up IVR auto-attendants, create customized call queues, and read AI call summaries (only available on the Advanced plan).

Looking for more AI tools like call intelligence? You’ll have to upgrade your plan. Unlike other RingCentral alternatives, this could cost you upward of $60 per user per month.

Even if you do have the money to upgrade, keep in mind it won’t free you from RingCentral’s restrictions. You can’t escape the arbitrary limits on any plan, including:

• Limited toll-free minutes

• Limited SMS
• Limited storage space for calls, videos, and files

The cherry on top? Complications with A2P 10DLC registration. RingCentral says the process takes 20 to 30 days, but some customers report waiting in limbo for months.

See for yourself:

SMS TCR Registration Rant
byu/size0618 inRingCentral

Pros

• Desk phone rentals and support
• Built-in AI tools

Cons

• Limited SMS messages and toll-free minutes
• No unlimited storage on the base plan
• Complex and lengthy TCR registration

Key features of RingCentral

• SMS and MMS (no unlimited tier)
• Local and toll-free numbers (no unlimited toll-free minutes)
• Shared lines
• IVR/phone menus
• Desk phone rentals and support

RingCentral pricing

RingCentral’s pricing depends on the number of users on your plan.

For a team of one to five users, here’s what you’ll pay:

• Core: $20 per user per month for unlimited domestic calling, 100 toll-free minutes, 25 SMS messages, limited file storage, shared voicemails, IVR, basic call queues, and on-demand call recording
• Advanced: $25 per user per month for advanced call queues, automatic call recording, eight-digit extensions, 1,000 toll-free minutes, 100 SMS messages, real-time call notes, call action items, and CRM integrations
• Ultra: $35 per user per month for custom analytics, 10,000 toll-free minutes, 200 SMS messages, unlimited storage, and AI Assistant for SMS and team chat

6. Ooma

X-factor: Plug-and-play hardware options for brick-and-mortar businesses

Physical businesses that need analog hardware might find Ooma a solid fit. Like RingCentral, it offers desk phone support and rentals, plus all the other features you might expect from legacy phones (think overhead paging, intercom, and music on hold).

Ooma does offer a few more modern features, including video conferencing, virtual receptionists, and unlimited calls in the US, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. But that doesn’t make it a truly ‘modern’ business phone service — many of its features were built for another era.

For example:

• You need to upgrade to access calling on the desktop app (which most Ooma alternatives offer for free)
• Toll-free numbers are limited to 500 minutes of inbound calls per month on the base plan (while most providers offer unlimited minutes)
• Texting requires an upgrade and is limited to 250 texts per account per month or 1,000 per month on Pro Plus (most providers offer unlimited texts on the base plan)

Not a fan of Ooma’s limitations? Hold your applause for a more worthy competitor.

Pros

• Works with pre-existing and rental hardware
• Useful features for physical business locations

Cons

• Limited toll-free minutes and texting
• No desktop app calling (without upgrade)
• Basic integrations like Google Calendar require an upgrade

Key features of Ooma

• Call recording (requires upgrade)
• Text messaging (requires upgrade)
• Overhead paging
• Music on hold
• Call forwarding for device outages

Ooma pricing

You can pick from three Ooma pricing plans:

• Essentials: $19.95 per user per month for virtual receptionists, voicemail, company directories, access to the mobile apps, and IP phone paging
• Pros: $24.95 per user per month for calling on the desktop app, SMS support (up to 250 per month), call recording, and video conferencing (25 attendees max)
• Pro Plus: $29.95 per user per month for CRM integrations, 1,000 SMS messages, call queuing, hot desking, and team chat

Keep in mind this doesn’t include other hidden costs and fees. For the full scoop, check out our guide to Ooma pricing.

7. Grasshopper

X-factor: Pay-per-number pricing and easy setup make it an accessible option for microbusinesses and solopreneurs

Grasshopper was designed for fast-growing businesses that want collaboration tools and basic call management features. Upgraded plans let you add unlimited users, unlimited extensions, and simultaneous call handling.

Depending on your business needs, you can purchase collaboration add-ons or upgrade your plan. For example, call blasting rings up to 15 numbers until someone picks up the phone. You can also use call forwarding to send callers to coworkers since there are no shared numbers for calling and texting.

Even if you’re not directly paying for more users, Grasshopper finds other ways to bill you. Additional numbers cost $9 each, while extensions cost $3 each — and you have to upgrade to unlock more than one in the first place.

Plus, not all of Grasshopper’s features have kept up with the times. It has call recording, for example, but not call transcripts. And while there are integrations to choose from, it’s only with Google Voice and Skype (retirement date May 2025).

Need a cost-effective business phone service with modern features? It would be wise to hunt for Grasshopper alternatives.

Pros

• Priced per line, not per user
• Multi-digit extensions

Cons

• Multiple users require an upgrade
• Call recording requires an upgrade (plus no transcripts)
• No shared numbers are available

Key features of Grasshopper

• Auto-replies
• Unlimited VoIP calls and business texting
• Call recording (requires upgrade)
• Call transfers (requires upgrade)
• Simultaneous call handling (requires upgrade)

Grasshopper pricing

As mentioned, Grasshopper’s pricing is based on the number of lines and extensions you want. There are three plans to choose from:

• True Solo: $14 per month for a single user, one phone number, and one extension
• Solo Plus: $25 per month for unlimited users, one phone number, and three extensions
• Small Business: $55 per month for unlimited users, four phone numbers, and unlimited extensions

8. Zoom Phone

X-factor: Seamless integration with the Zoom ecosystem, making it a solid choice for businesses already invested in Zoom for meetings and collaboration

If you’re already using Zoom for video calls and webinars, Zoom Phone might be a familiar option for your team. It offers call queues, call routing, and CRM integrations, and the ability to connect with desk phones on some plans.

There are also a few add-ons that may be worth your time. For example, call queue analytics with the Zoom Power Pack can help you track historical insights for your call center team. You can also purchase international calling add-ons that offer unlimited calling to multiple international countries (a smart idea if you’re an international business).

You just need to decide if Zoom Phone is worth the drawbacks — like pay-as-you-go outbound calls on some plans and limited technical support. If you’re fine with slow response times and metered calls, it might be a fit. But if you want free unlimited calls and priority support, you’ll need to purchase an upgrade or compare Zoom Phone alternatives.

Pros

• Supports call queues, call routing, and CRM integrations
• Compatible with desk phones on certain plans

Cons

• Outbound calls are metered unless you upgrade
• Can only make four calls simultaneously
• No shared line texting

Key features of Zoom Phone

• International calling
• Unlimited domestic calling
• Integrations with mail, calendars, and Zoom Workplace 
• AI companion (action items, voicemail prioritization, call summaries, etc.)
• SMS and MMS (requires upgrade)

Zoom Phone pricing

There are five Zoom Phone pricing plans to choose from:

• US & Canada Metered: $10 per user per month for metered international calls plus calls in the US and Canada and support for toll-free numbers
• US & Canada Unlimited: $15 per user per month for unlimited calls in the US and Canada, support for SMS and MMS, and access to unlimited calling to 19 countries (add-on)
• Global Select: $20 per user per month for unlimited calls in 40+ countries and territories and one direct dial number (DID) for each user on your plan (keep in mind you lose access to SMS and MMS messages)

• Pro Plus: $18.32 per user per month for Zoom Phone US & Canada Unlimited plus Zoom Workplace Pro
• Business Plus: $22.49 per user per month for Zoom Phone US & Canada Unlimited, Zoom Workplace Business, and visitor management

9. GoTo Connect

X-factor: Allows you to manage multiple locations with a central dashboard

GoTo Connect serves businesses with multi-site management tools so you can communicate with customers and coworkers from all your locations. Each plan comes with hot desking, paging, intercom tools, and emergency calling. Shared inboxes are available if you upgrade your plan.

Like Nextiva, you can use GoTo Connect to keep tabs on social media channels. If you’re interested in gathering feedback, you can create surveys on the Connect CX plan.

Also like Nextiva, GoTo Connect requires upgrades for nearly all its best features. Even if you upgrade, prepare for limitations like:

• Only 1,000 toll-free minutes per account per month across plans
• SMS and MMS only in the US and Canada
• Only 13 months of call recording storage, which could be an issue if a dispute arises

Add that to this platform’s ever-changing (and non-transparent) pricing, and you might find yourself inclined to search for GoTo Connect alternatives.

Pros

• SMS/MMS credits come standard
• Video meetings with up to 250 participants come standard

Cons

• Limited toll-free minutes
• Shared inbox requires an upgrade
• No international texting

Key features of GoTo Connect

• Free calls to 50+ countries
• SMS and MMS
• Team chat
• Video meetings
• Shared inbox (requires upgrade)

GoTo Connect pricing

GoTo Connect’s pricing is no longer available online. The only way to get a quote is to contact the sales team.

10. AT&T Phone for Business

X-factor: Convenient for businesses already using AT&T for internet or wireless services working in a physical location

You’re no doubt familiar with AT&T — it’s one of the largest telecom companies in the world. So it’s no surprise it offers business phone plans. There are two options to choose from: Phone for Business and Office@Hand.

AT&T Phone for Business comes with unlimited internet data and unlimited calling to Canada, Mexico, and the US. You also can access standard features like voicemail-to-text and a mobile hotspot so you can take work with you on the go.

But that’s really all you get with AT&T Phone for Business — you won’t find AI-powered features or ways to automate workflows. And if you run into trouble, it might take time to get help. Past users report slow customer support.

Not a fan of AT&T’s traditional business phone service? You might opt for Office@Hand (starting at $10 per user per month). Keep in mind its best features are locked behind upgrades: you’ll have to pay extra for toll-free minutes, text messaging, and third-party integrations.

Considering most other business phone services include these features on their base plans, you might want to hunt for some AT&T Office@Hand alternatives.

Pros

• Unlimited calls in the US
• Call forwarding comes standard

Cons

• Only available to customers in the US
• All calls, voicemails, texts, faxes, and call recordings are separated into different inboxes
• Limited text messages

Key features of AT&T Phone for Business

Phone for Business

• Address book
• Call forwarding
• Call blocking
• Spam protection

Office@Hand

• Call routing
• SMS (requires upgrade)
• Video meetings (requires upgrade)
• Toll-free calling features (requires upgrade)

AT&T Phone for Business pricing

The fewer lines you purchase, the more you’ll have to pay per line.

Here are the prices for a single line:

• Unlimited Standard: $60 per month per line for unlimited data, up to 5 GB of hotspot data, unlimited calls in the US, and unlimited text from the US to 200+ countries
• Unlimited Advanced: $70 per month per line for 100 GB of hotspot data and high-quality video streaming (1080p)
• Unlimited Premium: $80 per month per line for 200 GB of hotspot data, higher-quality video streaming (4K UHD), unlimited talk, text, and high-speed data in 20 Latin American countries, and International Day Pass (IDP)

Office@Hand has three different plans:

• Wireless: $10 per user per month for portal-based call routing, single sign-on, and IVR
• Standard: $35.99 per user per month for video meetings, integrations, 1,000 toll-free minutes per month, and 100 SMS messages
• Premium: $48.99 per user per month for everything in Premium plus 200 SMS messages and 10,000 toll-free minutes per month

11. Verizon Preferred Voice

X-factor: Reliable connection even during power outages

Verizon Preferred Voice is a landline business phone plan only for existing Verizon customers. Each plan comes with traditional features like caller ID and voicemail, plus a few business-friendly features like call forwarding. Verizon also runs on 5G data, which means your calls won’t drop if the internet goes down.

But you should know Preferred Voice only lets you make calls — SMS and MMS aren’t supported at all. You’re also limited to a max of five business phone lines unless you contact the sales team for a personalized quote.

On the hunt for more advanced features? You can always opt for Verizon’s separate service, One Talk. This unlocks features like texting, conference calling, and mobile/desktop apps — but has similar limitations to Preferred Voice (including poor customer service, low call reliability, and limited integrations).

Pros

• Unlimited nationwide calling in the US
• Runs on 5G data

Cons

• No SMS/MMS
• Five business phone lines max
• Only available to Verizon customers

Key features of Verizon Preferred Voice

• Unlimited calls in the US
• Caller ID
• Call forwarding
• Voicemail
• Line hunting

Verizon Preferred Voice pricing

Verizon Preferred Voice costs $59 per month with a two-year contract and auto-renewal agreement. This doesn’t include taxes, fees, and equipment charges. 

You can only get a quote for these by contacting the sales team.

12. T-Mobile for Business

X-factor: Wireless, flexible business phone plans for T-Mobile customers

T-Mobile for Business is exactly what it sounds like: a business phone plan for existing T-Mobile customers. Each plan offers unlimited talk and text, hotspots, 5G/4G LTE data, and international roaming support if you’re visiting overseas.

With T-Mobile, you can easily purchase secure WiFi add-ons to make VoIP calls from almost any location. You can also set up call recording and AI sentiment analysis thanks to its partnership with Dialpad.

But what you can’t do with T-Mobile is access true business phone features unless you also pay for Dialpad — call transcriptions, automatic call recording, and CRM integrations require a Dialpad plan on top of your T-Mobile for Business plan.

Keep in mind T-Mobile isn’t cheap: a single line costs $60 per month even without Dialpad’s features. Many VoIP services offer the same features at one-fifth the cost if you’re looking for more affordable alternatives.

Pros

• Unlimited calls and SMS/MMS
• More features are available with a Dialpad subscription

Cons

• Only available to existing T-Mobile customers
• No business phone service features unless you also pay for Dialpad
• Expensive compared to alternatives

Key features of T-Mobile for Business

• Unlimited talk and text in the US, Canada, and Mexico
• Secure WiFi (lower plans require $1.99 extra per line per month)
• Dialpad partnership (requires Dialpad plan)

T-Mobile for Business pricing

T-Mobile prices depend on the number of lines you purchase. The fewer you have, the more expensive they’ll be.

Here’s what it costs to purchase a single line:

• Select: $60 per line per month plus taxes and fees for 50 GB of data, a 5 GB hotspot, unlimited talk and text in the US, Canada, and Mexico, and access to basic Scam Shield
• Advanced: $70 per line plus taxes and fees for 100 GB of data, a 50 GB hotspot, access to advanced Scam Shield (+$4 extra per line per month), and basic access to Microsoft 365
• Ultimate: $85 per line per month plus taxes and fees for unlimited premium data, a 100 GB hotspot, and free advanced Scam Shield
• Edge: $90 per line per month plus taxes and fees for unlimited premium data and a 200 GB hotspot

Keep in mind this doesn’t include one-time fees like device connection charges ($35 per line) and regulatory recovery fees ($3.49 per line per month).

You’ll also have to pay an extra $15 per month for T-Mobile VoIP features through Dialpad.

OpenPhone: The only business phone service you need

Many contenders. Only one champion. With dozens of small business phone systems battling for your attention, only one delivers the best features on a single platform. 

Just ask the 58,000+ businesses that made their choice: OpenPhone is the VoIP phone service for companies looking to grow.

No need to trust us, though — try us instead.

Get started for free by signing up for a seven-day free trial.

FAQs