Voip Providers For Business

Business VoIP is a modern cloud communication technology that makes and receives phone calls over the Internet instead of the wired PSTN network. Teams can access their VoIP-powered business phone system from anywhere, on any device with an Internet connection.

voip providers for business

Business VoIP requires little to no hardware and has a fast, simple plug-and-play installation process. High-quality business VoIP providers also grant access to additional communication channels like video conferencing, text messaging, and chat messaging.

Reports can be run and exported at automatic intervals or on an ad-hoc basis with pre-made or customizable reporting templates. Individual agents, specific departments, or your entire small business can easily be monitored.

In addition to the affordability, VoIP uses desktop and mobile apps to make and receive calls, texts, and even faxes. Though VoIP-enabled desk phones are also available, most businesses today use the app.

A VoIP phone number lets business owners and team members keep their personal telephone numbers private. VoIP companies offer four types of virtual numbers: local, toll-free, toll-free vanity numbers, and international.

Hundreds of VoIP providers exist, each with its own features and pricing. Matching your business with the right service can be a challenge, so Forbes Advisor examined the top options on the market and has ranked the best VoIP services. Find the best option for your needs and budget today.

The Forbes Advisor Small Business team is committed to bringing you unbiased rankings and information with full editorial independence. We use product data, strategic methodologies and expert insights to inform all of our content and guide you in making the best decisions for your business journey.

We selected the 12 best providers and rated them according to factors such as transparent pricing, types of calling included in plans, integration compatibility, access to customer support and customer ratings. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

There are many VoIP service providers vying for your business. It can be hard to distinguish the best VoIP service for you. There are even some free VoIP providers. Here are some key things to look for in the best business VoIP services.

VoIP costs can vary depending on several factors, including the type of service, the number of users and the features included. Some providers offer flat-rate pricing, while others charge based on usage or the number of phone lines needed.

A hosted VoIP service is different than an on-premises VoIP solution. When things are on-premises, everything from the equipment to the connection is installed and maintained by the company deploying the system. When hosted, the VoIP system is maintained by the provider of the system. The business deploying the phone system really only needs to supply the phones and internet connection. The provider assumes all other expensive hardware costs.

The UCaaS goes beyond just the VoIP solutions and incorporates SIP solutions as well. Systems can be customized to serve particular business needs. The best UCaaS providers help businesses improve their processes and streamline daily operations.

Fixed VoIP services are more suitable for businesses that require a high level of reliability and security, while non-fixed VoIP services are more suitable for individuals or businesses that require mobility and flexibility.

Service providers typically offer a variety of equipment options and some providers include the cost of the equipment as part of their plans, while others may charge extra for the equipment or require the customer to purchase it separately.

Decide how many lines you will need. As you select a provider, you will also want to address needs such as porting over an existing number to your new system. If your business has been around for a while, maintaining the consistency of numbers is important. Be sure to let the provider know this as you sign up for the service.

Once you have chosen a provider and allowed them to do the initial setup on their end, the next item of business is to plug the system in. This means connecting the communications device (phone or computer) to the internet. Your provider will walk you through the configuration steps to ensure that your calls are transferring across the network properly. Test the system to see if any issues need troubleshooting.

Businesses can use video conferencing to host internal meetings or to have a virtual face-to-face with customers. This is part of the new business model, particularly post-pandemic, and is something most businesses will want as an add-on to their business model. VoIP integrates the best video conferencing software with call functions.

Adding VoIP systems into existing business operating systems and tech stacks is becoming easier than ever. With cloud-based systems, it is possible to add additional components to a current system without much effort. Easily modifiable VoIP tools that work well alongside existing systems will be at a distinct advantage in the coming years.

As with any internet-based entity, VoIP is vulnerable to cyber threats and attacks that can have major consequences for the businesses they serve. Breaches in security can lead to disruptions in business operations and potentially risk litigation from affected parties. Some of the most common risks to VoIP systems are phishing, DDoS attacks, call tampering, malware and viruses, voice over misconfigured internet telephones (VOMIT) and spam over IP telephony (SPIT).

In 2019, 38% of small businesses had no systems in place for managing cybersecurity threats, and about 46% of illegal calls were made through VoIP systems. In 2023, we expect companies utilizing VoIP technology to devote more resources into securing the networks that businesses rely upon. This way, businesses can function without issue and continue to protect and serve their customers.

When determining the best VoIP services, Forbes Advisor researched the industry and selected 12 providers to analyze in-depth. We then ranked these providers using several factors such as pricing, features, ease of use and customer support. Hard and fast criteria such as price and features were weighted higher than more subjective data points such as reviews.

As we mentioned earlier, VoIP services come with a variety of features. The most basic include unlimited calling and voice mail, while more advanced features include visual voice mail, call forwarding, toll-free numbers and CRM integrations. Consider which features are most important to your business before making a decision.

We also considered the international coverage of the VoIP service, rating providers higher if they offered more coverage and better rates for international calls. This is especially important for global businesses. Advanced features account for 30% of the total score.

We considered the scalability of the VoIP services, rating providers higher if they offered flexibility in terms of the number of users and minutes. Providers that offered flexible plans and easy upgrade options were also given higher scores.

VoIP services that integrate with other software and systems, such as CRM, project management and other business tools, allow for expanded communication capabilities. Providers that offered seamless integration options with other software were given higher scores.

We considered the security measures that VoIP providers had in place, such as encryption and authentication methods, to ensure the confidentiality of the communication and protect against cyber threats. Providers that offered advanced security measures were given higher scores.

The top three VoIP phone services for business available today include RingCentral, Nextiva, and Grasshopper. These providers offer toll-free numbers, voicemail transcription and other popular VoIP features at affordable pricing from as low as $19.99 per month.

Yes, most VoIP providers allow you to port your existing phone number to their service. This means that you can keep your current phone number when switching to a VoIP service, which can be convenient for businesses and individuals. Check with the provider for additional costs or requirements for the number porting process.

Their business VoIP service offers all the essential features needed by a growing business including call routing, auto-attendant, interactive voice response (IVR) system, free domestic calling, voicemail to email and text, online fax, and more.

RingCentral is another excellent business VoIP communications system. With RingCentral, you get all the standard features you would expect from a reliable business VoIP phone service like call forwarding, advanced routing, call waiting, caller ID, hold music, and more.

We first discovered RingCentral organically because they are very well known and a fairly large company in the business VoIP space. We tried their telephone system for several months, and we found the calls to always be high-quality.

Ooma is a popular business VOIP phone provider that offers 1-800 toll free phone numbers at affordable prices. You can add a toll free number to any Ooma office plan. By default, they will pre-select a toll-free phone number for you, but you also have the option to choose a new one.

Ooma office platform comes with all the powerful features that you would expect such as extension dialing, music-on-hold, smart mobile phone apps, a virtual receptionist for managing calls after business hours, and more. Best of all the setup is very easy, and you can do it within minutes.

Phone.com is another popular choice among small business VoIP service providers. They include many European countries and Canada in their local call minutes. If you are operating in those locations, then it could be a cheap business VoIP service for your needs.

Vonage is famous for offering residential VoIP however they also offer business VoIP services for small to medium-sized businesses as well as enterprise clients. They offer a wide range of business communication tools including VoIP. 041b061a72