The 11 best RingCentral alternatives for your business

Are you considering RingCentral as a phone solution but weighing your options? Or are you a current RingCentral customer and ready to move on?

In this article, we’ll cover 11 popular RingCentral alternatives in depth. We looked at their features, pros and cons, and pricing, so you can choose a business phone that’s right for you. We pulled insights from Reddit and G2 to give you peer feedback on each alternative. 

Summary of findings

Here’s a quick look at the best RingCentral alternatives:

1. Quo, formerly OpenPhone: Best for small and fast-growing businesses. It’s the platform that’s easiest to use, has advanced messaging features, and is built for team collaboration. 
2. Ooma: Best for older businesses migrating from traditional PBX who still want analog fax and overhead paging. Texting and call recording require upgrades.
3. Dialpad: Best for medium and large teams that want AI features like real-time transcription and call coaching. The interface has a learning curve and reviewers consistently flag slow support.
4. Grasshopper: Best for solopreneurs who need a second business number with extensions. Limited integrations and dated interface make it hard to scale.
5. Nextiva: Best for managing omnichannel customer communications. You can connect your social media accounts and messaging channels like WhatsApp to your Nextiva workspace. The base plan limits texting and locks several essentials behind upgrades.
6. Phone.com: Best for solo healthcare practitioners who need HIPAA-compliant video on a budget. Most useful features sit on the top-tier plan.
7. Google Voice: Best for very small Google Workspace teams that only need basic US calling and texting. It has no third-party integrations beyond Google’s own suite.
8. Vonage: Best for mid-sized teams that need single sign-on and CRM integrations at higher tiers. Many essentials like call recording and toll-free numbers are paid add-ons.
9. Zoom Phone: Best for teams already on Zoom Workplace. The base plan only includes metered outbound calling and limits shared numbers to 10 teammates.
10. Aircall: Best for large global sales teams. It has a power dialer and multiple local numbers in international territories. A three-user minimum and add-on costs make it expensive for small teams.
11. 8×8: Best for global enterprises with complex contact center needs. No public pricing and a heavier setup than most options here.

Read on to see our in-depth comparison of the best 11 RingCentral alternatives.

How we evaluated RingCentral alternatives

Our market intel team has tested several of the alternatives firsthand. We also backed that up with desk research. We pulled features and pricing directly from each provider’s site, read verified reviews on G2, Capterra, and Reddit, and cross-referenced support and feedback across sources. 

A few things we deliberately didn’t do:

• We didn’t rank providers by feature count. A long feature list doesn’t help if the features you actually need are locked behind upgrades.
• We didn’t cherry-pick reviews. Where a provider has a recurring complaint in recent reviews, we surfaced it. This included issues like slow support, auto-renewal contracts, and app reliability. 

The goal is to help you pick the phone system you won’t regret a year from now. That means being honest about where Quo is the right fit and where another provider would serve you better.

What are the best RingCentral alternatives? 

Many RingCentral alternatives offer more features that’ll help your business scale. 

Here’s how each compares at a glance:

11 Best RingCentral competitors compared

Provider	Starting price	Unlimited calling to US & Canada	SMS/MMS to US & Canada	Shared phone numbers	Additional phone numbers
RingCentral	$20 per user per month	Limited toll-free minutes	25 messages per user per month	Calls only	$4.99 per number per month
Quo	$15 per user per month	✅	✅	✅	$5 per number per month
Ooma	$19.95 per user per month	✅	Requires upgrade	X	$9.95 per number per month
Dialpad	$15 per user per month	✅	For US and Canadian customers only	✅	Requires upgrade
Grasshopper	$14 per month	✅	Local numbers only	X	$9 per number per month
Nextiva	$15 per user per month	✅	100 texts per user per month	✅	Contact for a quote
Phone.com	$15 per user per month	Limited area codes in Canada	Requires upgrade	Ring groups only	$4.99 per number per month
Google Voice	$10 per month for individual plan	Unlimited calls to Canada from the US only	US customers only	Requires upgrade, ring groups only	X
Vonage	$13.99 per user per month for 1–4 users	✅	Local US and Canadian numbers only	Shared line appearance only	$4.99 per number per month
Zoom Phone	$10 per user per month	Requires upgrade	✅	Requires add-on	$5 per number per month
Aircall	$30 per user per month, three-user minimum	✓	✓	✓	$6 per number per month
8×8	Contact for a quote	✓	✓	✓	Contact for a quote

1. Quo: Best RingCentral alternative for fast-growing teams

 What sets Quo apart

Quo is a business phone system built for startups and fast-growing small businesses. Our VoIP phone platform offers the same features as RingCentral but with a modern user experience. You get unlimited SMS and MMS to US and Canadian numbers. Plus, unlike RingCentral’s TCR registration hurdles and delays, Quo makes the process quick and easy.

RingCentral only offers shared lines for incoming calls. With Quo, your team can field incoming texts and calls together. This cuts down on your response time and gives customers the level of service they deserve. And all our plans offer unlimited call recording storage, so you’re not paying extra to keep what you record.

Beyond the basics, Quo includes AI features that usually sit behind enterprise tiers elsewhere: AI call summaries, transcriptions, and call tagging on the Scale plan. That way, sales and support teams can find what customers said without having to playback full call recordings. Sona, Quo’s 24/7 AI voice agent, greets callers, answers questions, takes messages, and can transfer or message your team when needed. It’s priced per call instead of per minute, which typically saves hundreds a month compared to other AI answering services.

Who Quo is best for

Quo works best for small and fast-growing businesses that need a phone system the whole team can collaborate in. It’s an especially strong fit if: 

• Texting is a meaningful part of how you talk to customers
• You want to save time texting with auto-replies, scheduled messages, and snippets
• You want shared inboxes for both calls and texts, with internal threads so teammates can loop each other in
• You want an AI receptionist without per-minute pricing
• You need integrations with HubSpot, Salesforce, or 8,000+ other apps through Zapier, Make, or the Quo API
• You’re in healthcare and need call and text in a HIPAA compliant way with a signed BAA
• You want a custom call flow builder to control each step of your incoming calls

Pros

• Free calling, SMS, and MMS messages in the US and Canada
• International calls and texts at affordable rates
• Shared inboxes and internal threads
• Voicemail transcriptions
• On-demand and automatic call recording
• AI-powered features — call summaries, transcripts, and an AI agent

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.

What customers say

Don’t just take it from us — Quo has a 4.7 out of 5 G2 rating. Plus, thousands of customers have switched from RingCentral to Quo: 

“We switched to Quo from RingCentral during the COVID-19 pandemic since it allowed us to work remotely without missing any calls. It allows us to have better customer service levels, quicker responses as anyone can respond to customers in real-time while traveling.” – Amira Harris, President and Owner, Aisle Travel

Try Quo out for yourself. Get started today with our seven-day free trial.

Quo pricing

Looking for a VoIP provider with transparent rates? Quo’s pricing plans offer three tiers with no annual contracts required:

• Starter: $15 per user per month for shared numbers with up to 10 teammates, calling and messaging to US and Canadian numbers, scheduled texts, and more 
• Business: $23 per user per month for call transfers, phone menus, HubSpot CRM integration, unlimited teammates on a shared number, and more
• Scale: $35 per user per month for AI call tags, inbound phone support, dedicated onboarding, and priority chat and email support

Learn more about Quo vs RingCentral.

2. Ooma: Best alternative for overhead paging

What sets Ooma apart

Ooma is a solid option for older businesses making the jump from traditional PBX phone systems to VoIP. With the base plan, you can access a mobile app, virtual receptionists, virtual faxing, and overhead paging support. You also get features RingCentral doesn’t include on its base plan, like advanced ring groups, extension monitoring, and extensions.

Who Ooma is best for

Ooma works best for small offices that still want analog fax, overhead paging, or hardware integrations. No contracts and month-to-month billing make it low-risk to try.

It’s less of a fit if you need modern collaboration features. The base plan doesn’t offer texting or call recording at all. You have to upgrade to use Ooma’s desktop app for calling.

Pros

• Legacy phone features like overhead paging and analog fax are available

Cons

• Texting requires an upgrade
• Call recording requires an upgrade
• Voicemail transcription requires an upgrade

What customers say

Ooma is rated 4.5 out of 5 on G2. Customers commonly have issues with support: 

“It was lacking realtime dashboard analytics features that we need for our day to day operations. Calling support was sometimes an issue, there is a language barrier and at times I would have to explain my issue multiple times so they could understand my inquiry. We were not able to easily integrate it with our other software.” – Jesus A. on G2

Ooma pricing

Let’s break down Ooma’s pricing plans:

• Essentials: $19.95 per user per month for 100 standard phone features, virtual receptionist, mobile app, and music on hold
• Pro: $24.95 per user per month to unlock text messaging, video conferencing, Ooma’s desktop app for calling, call recording, and analytics
• Pro Plus: $29.95 per user per month to access the Salesforce integration, hot desking, call queuing, and shared voicemail boxes
• Enterprise: Custom pricing to access SIP trunking, Microsoft Teams integration, advanced CX features, and advanced analytics

3. Dialpad: Best for large contact centers

What sets Dialpad apart

Dialpad is a business phone solution established in 2011. It’s known for its AI features like real-time call transcription, automated call summaries, and AI-driven coaching for sales and support reps. If AI is a top buying consideration, Dialpad is one of the better options in this list.

The base phone plan, Dialpad Connect, gives you some features only available on higher-tier plans on RingCentral, like call recording. You also get Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 integrations, and internet fax as a paid add-on.

Who Dialpad is best for

Dialpad works best for large call centers that want to lean on AI for sales coaching, support QA, or post-call analytics. Local number support in 70+ countries also makes it a fit for global contact centers.It’s less of a fit for small teams that want to move fast. Multiple customers have complained about the layout and reliability. Most of Dialpad’s best features, like AI-powered customer service scorecards, are locked behind other plans. And if you want to buy additional phone numbers, you’ll have to upgrade.

Pros

• Unlimited calling to US and Canadian numbers
• Desktop and mobile apps are available

Cons

• User minimums on higher-tier plans
• Difficult to set up and navigate
• Unreliable service

What customers say

Dialpad is rated 4.4 out of 5 on G2. Customers often have connection issues:

“The only negative aspect of Dialpad Connect is that certain advanced features and reporting capabilities are not as powerful as the ones of traditional phone systems. The quality of the calls might be poor in case of the unstable internet connection and certain integration may need additional configuration. The system is also simple to operate in general, although the more advanced customization requires time to master.” – Darshan K. on G2

Dialpad pricing

Dialpad’s pricing plans offer three different options for you to choose from:

• Standard: $15 per user per month for unlimited calling, unlimited AI Meetings for up to 150 participants, SMS, MMS, and team messaging
• Pro: $25 per user per month with a three-user minimum for 24/7 live agent support, CRM integrations like Salesforce, Zendesk, Zoho, and global SMS
• Enterprise: Custom quote with a 100-user minimum for 99.9% uptime, unlimited ring groups, and dial-by-extension

4. Grasshopper: Best for solo operators

What sets Grasshopper apart

Grasshopper is an older VoIP provider that launched in 2003 and is designed for solo business operators. Its biggest differentiator is you can have unlimited users on the second tier plan. If you have a small team that all answers the same line, the math can favor Grasshopper. You’ll also get features RingCentral doesn’t include on its base plan, like phone number extensions, unlimited SMS, and auto-replies to new customers.

Learn more in our guide comparing Grasshopper vs RingCentral.

Who Grasshopper is best for

It works best for solo operators and very small businesses who need a professional business number with extensions and basic call routing.

It’s not a fit for teams that want to grow. Grasshopper isn’t designed to be shared. You can’t collaborate on ongoing customer conversations without switching to a different app. There are no third-party integrations to keep your call and text data in sync with the rest of your stack. International calling also requires a $500 deposit.

Pros

• Local and toll-free phone numbers are available
• Multi-digit phone number extensions are available

Cons

• No third-party integrations besides Google Voice
• Limited productivity features
• Call recording requires an upgrade

What customers say

On G2, Grasshopper has a lower rating than other alternatives at 3.9 out of 5. Customers commonly complain about bugs and call drops: 

“It freezes a lot. It asks for multiple updates, and it does not update. Sometimes calls drop without a notice, and if they close the call, then it freezes and we have to restart the app.” – Samuel M. on G2

Grasshopper pricing

You have three different Grasshopper pricing plans to pick from:

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

5. Nextiva: Best for omnichannel communications

What sets Nextiva apart

Nextiva is a cloud-based communications platform that launched in 2006. It offers a true omnichannel inbox. Voice, web chat, email, and social channels like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram are all routed to one place. With Nextiva, you can manage all your customer messages in one workspace on the base plan. This is a feature RingCentral only offers on its more expensive Contact Center tier.

You also get threaded conversations, call log reports, and a desktop app for voice, SMS, and video calls. These are solid basics for a growing team.

Who Nextiva is best for

Nextiva is a fit for teams that handle customer conversations across multiple channels and want them unified in one inbox. For example, if your support team gets DMs on Instagram, web chat questions, and phone calls all in the same day and wants to stop switching tools. 

It’s less of a fit if texting volume is high since SMS is limited to 100 messages per user per month on the base plan. Similarly, if you want call recording or toll-free calling without upgrading — those are paid add-ons or are available on Nextiva’s most expensive tiers.

Pros

• Inbound and outbound calls in the US and Canada
• Social media and WhatsApp connections are available

Cons

• SMS and MMS have a capped message limit
• Shared SMS inboxes require an upgrade
• Call recording requires an upgrade
• Most integrations require an add-on fee

What customers say

Nextiva has a solid 4.5 out of 5 rating on G2. However, customers commonly cite its difficult setup:

“…There is a bit of a learning curve when you’re first getting everything set up—especially if you plan to use some of the more advanced features. The interface can also feel a little cluttered at times, particularly when you’re moving between different settings and options.” – Ronell P. on G2

Nextiva pricing

You can choose from three different Nextiva pricing plans:

• Core: $15 per user per month for voice calls, SMS/MMS up to 100 messages per user per month, voicemail transcriptions, and simple IVR
• Engage: $25 per user per month to access voice call recording, video meeting recording, and Microsoft Teams integration
• Scale: $75 per user per month for voice and web chat, priority and skills-based routing, and ACD callback

6. Phone.com: Best for HIPAA-compliant videoconferencing

What sets Phone.com apart

Phone.com is a HIPAA-compliant phone system with a user-friendly interface. On the base plan, medical-related businesses can discuss patients’ health-related issues by video. You’ll also get features RingCentral’s Core plan lacks, like fax from your phone and call recording storage for 13 months.

Who Phone.com is best for

Phone.com works best for solo healthcare practitioners and very small medical practices that need HIPAA-eligible video on a tight budget.

It’s less of a fit if you want affordable call recording, CRM integrations, or call analytics. Those are all locked behind the top-tier Pro plan. Customer support has also rated poorly in some recent reviews.

Pros

• Unlimited calling on every plan

Cons

• Call recording requires an upgrade
• CRM integrations require an upgrade
• Poor customer support

What customers say

Phone.com has a lower G2 rating of 3.4 out of 5. Many users have issues with customer support: 

“The service was fine. The customer service is non-existent. I had to change my debit card due to fraud. I can’t update my new payment method! The online form they provide can’t be used. They can’t help via chat. They can’t answer your calls within 30 minutes of being on hold!!” – Alex on Trustpilot

Phone.com pricing

Phone.com has three pricing plans to choose from:

• Basic: $15 per user per month for unlimited minutes, video recording, and HIPAA-compliant voice
• Plus: $22.50 per user per month to unlock outbound texting, voicemail transcriptions, and AI call routing 
• Pro: $33.33 per user per month to unlock call recording, call analytics, CRM integrations, and 10-year data retention

7. Google Voice: Best for existing Google Workspace users

What sets Google Voice apart

Google Voice’s platform is free for personal use. It’s also tightly integrated with Gmail, Calendar, Meet, and Contacts. The catch: you need a paid Google Workspace subscription to use it for business, which makes the real cost higher than the sticker price. Most basic features like unlimited US calls and texts, voicemail-to-text, and call transfers are there. However, it doesn’t have most features businesses need to grow like shared numbers, integrations, and automations.

Who Google Voice is best for

Google Voice is a fit for solopreneurs and very small teams already on Google Workspace who only need basic US calling and texting. If you’re just getting started with your business, Google Voice works okay.

It’s not a fit if you want toll-free phone numbers, advanced texting features like auto-replies, scheduled texts, or snippets. You’re also better off looking elsewhere if you’re planning to scale with a team.

Pros

• Integrations with Google Workspace apps
• Unlimited calls and texts to the US

Cons

• No third-party integrations
• No desktop app
• No advanced texting features

What customers say

Google Voice has a fair G2 rating of 4.1 out of 5. However, users commonly cite missing features: 

“Super simple and basic. Wasn’t able to do many “enhanced” things like, keeping a text unread, or having auto-responses setup, etc. Worked great for just a small family business, but once we started to grow, we just needed something more robust.” – Lizzy O. on G2

Google Voice pricing

Google Voice for personal use is free, but it’s not intended for business purposes. Google Voice for Business offers four plans:

• Starter with Voice only: $10 per user per month for one user for unlimited calling in the US, unlimited domestic texting, voicemail transcription, three-way calling, call transfers, and call recording
• Starter: $10 per user per month for voicemail transcripts, unlimited text messaging in the US, and calls to the US from any Google Voice number
• Standard: $20 per user per month to unlock on-demand call recordings, ring groups, and phone menus
• Premier: $30 per user per month to unlock automatic call recordings and advanced reporting

Apart from the Starter with Voice only plan, every other Google Voice plan requires a subscription to Google Workspace. This adds at least an additional $7 per user per month to every plan.

8. Vonage: Best for single sign-on support

What sets Vonage apart

Vonage was launched in 2001 and is a legacy business phone service. It’s designed for enterprise businesses with requirements like single sign-on, or SSO. Like RingCentral, Vonage offers pretty basic features on each base plan. These include a mobile and desktop app, unlimited domestic calling and SMS, and virtual receptionists.

Who Vonage is best for

Vonage works for mid-sized businesses that need a unified communications platform with voice, video, messaging, and file sharing in one place. Vonage is HIPAA, SOC 2, GDPR, and PCI DSS compliant, making it a reasonable pick for regulated industries.

It’s less of a fit for businesses trying to maximize their business communications budget. Most essential features like automatic call recording, toll-free numbers, and integrations are paid add-ons. Call groups and voicemail transcription only come on the highest tier.

Pros

• Unlimited phone calls in the US, Canada, Puerto Rico, and Mexico

Cons

• Setting up SMS automations requires API
• Clunky user interface
• Shared inboxes are an add-on

What customers say

Vonage’s G2 rating is a solid 4.3 out of 5. Many negative reviews cite texting limitations: 

“SMS functionality [is] unreliable, delayed, or outright shut down for extended periods due to technical or regulatory issues. Also it is difficult or impossible to export contacts or certain data from the system.” – Erika P. on G2

Vonage pricing

Vonage’s pricing has three primary subscription plans based on the number of users you have. Here’s how much you’ll pay if you have a team of four or fewer users:

• Mobile: $13.99 per number per month for voicemail, virtual receptionists, and desktop and mobile apps
• Premium: $20.99 per number per month to access team messaging, desk phone support, CRM integrations, and single sign-on 
• Advanced: $27.99 per number per month for up to 15 hours of call recording, visual voicemail with transcriptions, and simultaneous ring

9. Zoom Phone: Best alternative for existing Zoom users

What sets Zoom Phone apart

Zoom Phone is the business phone companion to Zoom’s video conferencing platform. Along with meetings, Zoom Phone offers calling, SMS, and voicemail in the same app. Unlimited SMS to the US and Canada on every plan is a real edge over RingCentral. Plus, automatic call recording is included on every plan. Push-to-talk is also available on every plan, whereas RingCentral charges extra.

Who Zoom Phone is best for

Zoom makes sense for teams already paying for Zoom Workplace. The bundled Pro Plus and Business Plus plans offer Zoom Workplace + Zoom Phone at a discount, which can be cost-effective for video-heavy teams.

It’s less of a fit for teams that need unlimited outbound calling on the cheapest plan, or that share phone numbers across larger groups. Zoom Phone caps shared numbers at 10 teammates with four concurrent calls.

Pros

• Works with the Zoom ecosystem

Cons

• Outbound calling requires an upgrade
• Poor customer support
• Call quality issues

What customers say

On G2, Zoom Phone has a good rating of 4.6 out of 5. However, many users report issues with connectivity and setup: 

“Sometimes the call quality is not consistent if the internet is weak, especially when speaking with international clients. It also takes some time to understand certain settings at the start. Simpler setup and more affordable pricing options would make it even better. Making the interface more beginner-friendly would really help, especially for first-time users.” – Prabhu B. on G2

Zoom Phone pricing

Zoom Phone’s pricing includes three plans:

• Metered: $10.50 per user per month for metered outbound calling, toll-free numbers, auto-attendants, SMS and MMS, and voicemail transcriptions
• Regional unlimited: $16 per user per month for everything in Metered, plus unlimited outbound calling
• Global Select: $25 per user per month for everything in Regional Unlimited, plus local and toll-free telephony services across 49+ countries 

You can also bundle Zoom Phone with Zoom Workplace at a discounted rate:

• Pro Plus: $20.50 per user per month for Zoom Phone US & Canada unlimited, video meetings for up to 100 participants, Zoom Docs, and the AI companion
• Business Plus: $24.50 per user per month for everything in Pro Plus, 15GB cloud storage, hybrid integration with legacy PBXs, 24/7 live chat and phone support, real-time reporting and quality dashboards, and bring your own carrier support

10. Aircall: Best for teams needing a power dialer

What sets Aircall apart

Aircall is an international business phone system that offers local numbers in over 100 countries. You can use ring groups and advanced call routing to better distribute calls to your global team. Sales teams can use the power dialer to speed up cold calling. 

Who Aircall is best for

Aircall works for distributed sales or support teams that need international numbers or CRM-integrated calling workflows. The Professional tier’s Power Dialer and call whispering features are real productivity drivers for outbound sales.

However, it’s less of a fit for small teams. The basic plan costs $30 per user per month with a three-user minimum, so the real entry price is $90 per month. You also don’t get unlimited texting and outbound calls. Aircall workspaces also lack collaboration features like internal threads shared inboxes that small teams typically want. Your team will need a separate app to stay in sync.

Pros

• Unlimited calls to the US and Canada
• On-call AI coaching with an add-on

Cons

• Minimum seat requirements
• Limited texting features
• Lack of collaboration features
• Capped call recording storage

What customers say

On G2, Aircall has a good rating of 4.4 out of 5. However, users often cite technical issues: 

“One downside of Aircall is that some features and settings can feel limited or less flexible, especially when it comes to advanced customization and reporting. There can also be occasional call quality or latency issues depending on network conditions, and the pricing can feel a bit high as teams scale.” – Sowmiya R. on G2

Aircall pricing

Here’s how the Aircall pricing plans break down:

• Essentials: $30 per user per month with a three-user minimum for local, toll-free, or international numbers, IVR, call recording, and click-to-call 
• Professional: $50 per user per month with a three-user minimum for the Power Dialer, mandatory call tagging, and the Salesforce integration
• Custom: Personalized quote with a 25-user minimum for custom onboarding, API developer support, and unlimited calls worldwide

11. 8×8: Best for global enterprises

What sets 8×8 apart

8×8 is a cloud communications platform founded in 1987. It’s ideal for large enterprises with complex contact center needs. It offers IVR software that lets callers route themselves to the right department. There’s also IVR analytics so you can see where callers drop off and improve your call flow. You can send SMS and MMS in the US and Canada, though scheduling texts requires using 8×8’s SMS API.

Who 8×8 is best for

8×8 is a good fit for global enterprises that need a unified communications platform with deep contact center capabilities. This includes omnichannel routing, advanced queue management, video meetings, and APIs for custom integrations. 

It’s not as ideal for small businesses. The setup is heavier than most of the other options on this list. Also, no public pricing means you’ll need to talk to sales for a quote.

Pros

• High-volume messaging is available

Cons

• No public pricing available
• Scheduling texts requires an API

What customers say

8×8 has a 4.2 out of 5 G2 rating. Many past users complain about the complex setup and slow support: 

“One thing I dislike is that sometimes the app can feel a little slow, especially when switching between features. There have also been moments where the interface feels less intuitive on mobile compared to desktop. Another area that could improve is customer support response time for urgent issues. Overall, the platform is useful, but a few performance and usability improvements would make the experience even better.” – Joseph Y. on G2

8×8 pricing

8×8’s pricing isn’t public. However, these are the features you can expect to get on each plan.

• Contact Center: Omnichannel routing, analytics, secure payment processing, and Microsoft Teams integration
• CX Beyond the Contact: Advanced queue management, video meetings, and global coverage
• Communication APIs: Video API, voice API, messaging API, and high-volume SMS API
• Unified Communications: Receptionist console, calls, team instant messaging, and file sharing

RingCentral alternatives: Why businesses choose to switch

RingCentral positions itself as the only business phone you’ll ever need. But there are plenty of drawbacks that force businesses to switch to RingCentral alternatives. Here’s a list of the biggest RingCentral drawbacks:

1. Complex user interface to set up

RingCentral offers a lot of features, which means it takes a long time to set up when you sign up for an account. Even users who like its software find its interface complex to navigate. 

“While RingEX has been very helpful overall, there are a few things that have been less than ideal for me. First, the interface can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming at first — especially with so many features packed in — and it took me a while to get comfortable navigating everything.” – Veronica M. on G2

If you want to text customers in the US, you have to register virtual numbers with The Campaign Registry, or TCR. But RingCentral’s TCR registration can take 20–30 days, which slows teams down significantly. The most frustrating part? You’ll still pay for texting features you can’t use while customers try to reach you through messages you can’t receive.

2. Texting and storage limits

Texting your customers is a part of modern business communications. But if you use RingCentral, you won’t know it. RingCentral limits texting on every single pricing tier, starting with 25 texts per user on its base plan. If you’re growing fast, you can’t predict your monthly phone bill. RingCentral charges you for each message when you exceed its limits. It isn’t built for scalability.

With VoIP phone systems, it’s easier than ever to record your phone calls and reference past conversation threads that are stored in the cloud. But RingCentral limits your storage on each of its plans. RingCentral only stores call recordings for 90 days. After that, they’re automatically deleted.

That might be fine if you just need to review a recent conversation. But it becomes a problem if you want to save important calls. Maybe you want to train new team members, resolve long-term customer issues, or keep records for legal or compliance reasons.

Most teams don’t want to worry about a countdown every time they record a call. You need the flexibility to keep key conversations on hand for as long as they’re useful, not just for 90 days.

3. Shared texting costs extra

Using a shared VoIP number to text your customers is an essential feature to deliver a standout customer experience. That’s not the case with RingCentral. 

While it includes shared calling on its plans, shared texting is only available with its Business SMS Booster add-on. It costs an additional $25 per month and includes compliance features and text templates. 

Want advanced features without paying for texting add-ons? You should seek out a RingCentral alternative.

4. Poor customer support

Another reason businesses switch from RingCentral is its lack of customer support. Here are a couple of examples:

If you’re looking for a business phone that doesn’t limit your texting and is easy to set up and use, you need to sign up for a RingCentral alternative.

How to choose the right RingCentral alternative for your business

Start with why you’re switching. The most common reasons businesses move away from RingCentral include:

• Clunky user experience and steep ramp-up
• Features bundled into expensive tiers you don’t need
• Poor support experiences
• Storage limits on calls and texts.

 Once you know your top pain point, weigh providers on these six criteria:

1. Reliability: System issues like downtime can hurt your reputation. Over time, it leads to lost customers and directly impacts your bottom line. Opt for providers with consistent connections and call quality. 
2. Value for money: How much does the VoIP system return for each dollar invested? Does it save you enough money by reducing costs and offering flexibility? 
3. Budget: Low pricing shouldn’t be the most important thing on your list, but you should avoid hidden fees and excessive costs. 
4. Third-party integrations: Check whether a provider has integrations with the rest of your tech stack. At Quo, we’ve seen how the right business phone integrations can save hours of manual work. 
5. Ease of use: Complex systems can mean increased spending on training staff. The result could be a lower ROI. 
6. Customer support: Is customer support easy to reach? They should be able to offer quick solutions when you need them most. Through testing different providers, we’ve seen firsthand how easy it is for teams to adopt systems with a simple setup and features.

How to switch from RingCentral to another provider in five steps

Here’s how you can move your phone number from RingCentral to another provider:

1. Verify or reset your voicemail PIN. Access the RingCentral app settings to set a known PIN.
2. Locate the account number. Find your main company number in the billing section.
3. Confirm the billing address. Ensure it matches RingCentral records exactly.
4. Download a recent bill. Save a PDF or screenshot for verification.
5. Submit your port request. Follow the porting guide for your preferred RingCentral alternative.

Quo: The best RingCentral alternative

If you’re looking for a RingCentral alternative, look no further than Quo. 

Quo upgrades your business communications by making it easier to build customer relationships. This means you can access your calls, texts, and team messages in one easy-to-navigate app. Plus, you’ll get all the features your business needs at a low cost — without hidden fees.

Ready to make the switch? Start a free trial of Quo today.

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