With over 135,000 users, Grasshopper is one of the most trusted phone service providers for small businesses on the market. Grasshopper stacks up well against the other products on our list of best phone services, as it offers more customer support and no restrictions—making it an excellent choice for small businesses. Priding itself on separating personal work from business work at a low cost, Grasshopper is the best phone service provider for small business owners and solo entrepreneurs. With multiple product offerings that help users improve their phone service, the system can transform your business and increase clientele by providing a more professional phone service with custom greetings and extensions. Grasshopper Pros and ConsPros
Cons
Compare The Best Cloud-Based Phone Systems
We reviewed dozens of cloud-based phone systems and narrowed them down to the best options.
See Top PicksHow Grasshopper Compares to Top Virtual Phone System Software ProvidersCompared to the top five other best cloud-based phone systems, Grasshopper comes in at number three, because it offers unique features for small teams at an affordable price. Grasshopper takes this position in our top list because most of the other phone systems offer better packages for office settings and are a tad cheaper. However, this doesn’t mean that your business won’t benefit from Grasshopper. With a focus on small businesses or solo side businesses, Grasshopper is the easiest way to find a unique variation of phone numbers and make unlimited calls, unlike our top picks for phone service providers. In terms of our top picks, we think Nextiva and RingCentral are excellent alternate options. Nextiva is the best enterprise-level phone system that offers supportive features and hardware for your business space, whereas RingCentral is the most popular with more than 350,000 users with specifically designed plans for small businesses. Grasshopper’s Remote AccessIn the past year, working remotely has seen a shift and increase due to the pandemic. Now, it’s crucial for all business models to include remote tools that are reliable for teams to work from home, in a more virtual space. Fortunately, if you’re looking for a phone service provider that offers extensive remote access, Grasshopper is an excellent option. ![]() Grasshopper offers comprehensive mobile and desktop apps that seamlessly sync up to your phone service system. The mobile app is easy to use and displays all your business calls and text messages in one place. The great thing about this mobile app is that your personal calls and texts stay completely separate from your business ones, while still being on one phone. It’s a lot more convenient for small business owners or solo entrepreneurs to operate with the least amount of tools and equipment to avoid overworking and stress. The desktop app is just as helpful, with an intuitive interface—so even the least experienced user can find their way around. The app lets you use your internet connection to make and receive VoIP calls and text messages. So, you really can do business anywhere under any internet connection, whether that be at a library or local cafe. What makes this app even more efficient is that you can also view your voicemails and call history, so you can continue to respond to clients and follow-up on missed calls efficiently and professionally. With such supportive remote access for small teams, you can experience the freedom and flexibility of working anywhere without the stress of being unorganized. Compared to other phone service providers, we think Grasshopper has the most simple remote tools that will suit most business owners. There are no additional costs to download both apps, but to install the desktop app, you will need:
Grasshopper’s Audio and Video Connection QualityHaving high-quality audio and video connection is certainly one of the most significant roles of a phone service provider. Luckily, Grasshopper’s audio connection quality is impressive, and they offer a few alternative options for users having trouble with poor connection or weak signal. In terms of video connection, Grasshopper currently does not offer video conferencing–one of its few major weaknesses compared with other cloud-based phone service providers. ![]() As stated above, Grasshopper lets you make business calls using VoIP and WiFi. Straight away, it’s quite substantial that Grasshopper offers two ways to make calls, where users can utilize either option if one of them happens to drop out. The difference between these options is that VoIP is commonly used to make calls through an internet connection, whereas users will use WiFi calls through any WiFi network. But what happens if your internet or WiFi connection is weak? Well, Grasshopper has a solution for that. While using the mobile app, if Grasshopper identifies any weak signals, it will automatically transfer your inbound or outbound call to its normal calling network. There’s no notification or interruption when this happens so call quality will remain at its highest. Subsequent calls will revert to an available WiFi network once your signal strengthens. However, if you do experience poor phone quality, the Grasshopper team over on the support forum has an in-depth guide on how to troubleshoot both the mobile and desktop applications with ease. This just goes to show how much Grasshopper cares about the user’s experience. As for video connection, since Grasshopper is yet to offer this service, we think RingCentral or Vonage are great alternative options for anyone looking for video conferencing. RingCentral offers a service called Glip, which uses carrier-grade infrastructure to operate high-quality video calls for up to 100 people. On the other hand, Vonage offers a video call feature that’s similar to Zoom, with a highly intuitive interface. Grasshopper’s SMS and MMS TextingBeing able to connect with and keep in touch with your clients is paramount for success. And most business owners don’t want to rely on just phone communication. So, many phone service providers will offer either SMS text messaging and MMS texting, or a mix of both or none—however, Grasshopper offers both that are easy-to-use channels, which will make communication better. ![]() Unlike other phone service providers we reviewed, Grasshopper offers unlimited texts for no additional cost, which is an enormous benefit for small businesses on a budget. To make it even better, business texting is free for all virtual phone numbers when you sign up for a seven-day free trial—which is an excellent option for beginners who are looking for a phone service provider as a starter. The most beneficial feature of Grasshopper’s SMS texting tool is called the instant response. If you miss a call, the instant response feature will automatically send an SMS message to your new client, letting them know you’re unavailable. The caller can even write back with their details and let you know why they’re calling. This feature can potentially eliminate the risk of losing future clients by responding promptly and professionally and will save you time while you’re busy. You can also use this feature to your full advantage and create a text that provides new callers with information about your business. Grasshopper also offers MMS for picture and video messaging, however, it is currently not possible from toll-free numbers and is only available for local numbers. Group texts are also possible from local numbers. International SMS and MMS are only available between the United States and Canada, so Grasshopper may not be ideal for remote teams working internationally. Grasshopper’s Responsive Customer SupportPrioritized support is so important for phone service providers because no calls mean no profits or new clients. If your phone lines go down because of technical issues, it’s crucial for a support team to immediately jump in and help. This is where Grasshopper shines because it happens to have the best responsive customer support of all the service providers on our top list. ![]() Grasshopper offers 24/7 US-based live customer support in every plan, which is a great option for a distributed company, working remotely all over the United States. What’s so great about Grasshopper’s support is that it’s also responsive and active on its social media accounts like Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. This means you can contact the support team on these platforms for a quicker response, rather than through an email query. Not only does it offer 24/7 live chat and telephone support, but Grasshopper also has an updated and relevant support forum that has frequently asked questions, knowledge-based topics, case studies, and a ‘how-to’ section. This support forum is a great way for users to save time instead of waiting on a phone call or waiting a couple of business days for an email about an issue you can solve by reading through its helpful forum. Grasshopper’s Product OfferingsGrasshopper offers a few products that relate to phone services, which give a variety of options for different user needs. Here is an in-depth look at the different products Grasshopper offers for phone services: Vanity NumbersIf you want to make your business number more memorable, Grasshopper offers local and toll-free vanity numbers at no additional cost. You have the freedom to choose up to seven letters or numbers that relate to your specific business niche with the number lookup tool. It’s important to note that some numbers may already be taken, and according to Grasshopper, it suggests opting for a shorter term to return a match. ![]() Creating a custom phone number is a great way for people to easily remember your number in advertising, which might generate more leads and increase your clientele. Apart from seeming more identifiable, using a vanity number will make your small business look larger and more established. It’s also a great option to address what your company offers while aiming for consistency across your business cards and website. Grasshopper lets you make business calls and texts with your US-based toll-free vanity number. Unfortunately, it doesn’t support text messaging for toll-free or local vanity numbers in Canada or internationally—so you may be better off choosing a provider like Phone.com in that regard. The good news is that Grasshopper allows you to port your existing vanity phone number for free, so you don’t have to lose the number you love. The transfer process is straightforward because Grasshopper does all the nitty-gritty behind the scenes once you sign up, and it will confirm with you once the transfer has gone through. Toll-Free NumbersIf vanity numbers aren’t for you, you can still maintain your professional appearance by choosing a toll-free number instead. Grasshopper lets you specify digits or select a number at random using its lookup tool. All the toll-free prefixes are assigned by an entity known as ‘Responsible Organization’ and include the numbers 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, and 833. ![]() The major benefit of a toll-free number is the fact that it is free for the caller, even if you happen to call from a long distance in the same country. Grasshopper makes sure that you aren’t charged for these calls, however, charges will apply if you call an international toll-free number, even when it costs nothing to receive an international call. Just like Grasshopper’s vanity numbers, you can send unlimited texts and calls with your toll-free number. Some other benefits of using a toll-free number include:
Again, there are no additional charges to add a toll-free number to your plan with unlimited calls and texts—and porting your number is also available. Ruby Virtual ReceptionistsAs a unique function, Grasshopper introduces the new Ruby virtual receptionists add-on that can help improve your business while you’re busy. Ruby will help small business owners look more professional, as a US-based receptionist or an auto-attendant system answer all your calls by greeting new callers with a personalized message based on your instructions and needs. ![]() With Ruby, you can boost business by operating during extended business hours. You can also save a lot of time and money by trying to find and pay for a full-time hire that suits your every need. Speaking of saving time, Ruby is a great opportunity to take up more work and focus less on daily administrative tasks. Another significant thing about the Ruby service is that the receptionist can transfer calls to your mobile or home phone—under any number you wish. Additional fees may apply for phone lines outside of North America, however, Grasshopper recommends to provide multiple phone numbers, so there are a variety of ways to reach you. There are three Ruby pricing plans that are 35% off under Grasshopper, these include:
These prices may seem a little expensive, but if you are a solo entrepreneur or small business owner, sometimes a little help is all you need—and we think it is worth the price to boost your business and save you time.
Compare The Best Cloud-Based Phone Systems
We reviewed dozens of cloud-based phone systems and narrowed them down to the best options.
See Top PicksSummaryOverall, Grasshopper is an excellent phone service provider for small business owners. It’s affordable starting at $28 per month, and it offers reasonable products at no additional cost like vanity and toll-free numbers. It also offers a great mobile and desktop app for remote teams and high-quality VoIP and WiFi calls. With unlimited texts, calls, and 24/7 live support, anyone using Grasshopper is sure to improve and transform their business and call system. via Quick Sprout https://www.quicksprout.com/grasshopper-review/
0 Comments
Want to jump straight to the answer? The best business loan for most people is from Bluevine or Lendio. From startups to companies that have been around for decades, it’s not uncommon for businesses to seek funding at one point or another. Loans can cover operating costs, purchase new equipment, buy inventory, help with expansion, and more. Regardless of your company size or capital needs, you can find the best loan for your business using this guide. Compare Quotes From The Best Business Loan Companies Get matched up with a business loan that fits your specific needs. Top 11 Best Business Loans for 2022
![]() I’ll review each business loan below. You can use this information to decide which loan best fits the needs of your small business. The Best Business Loan ReviewsBluevineBluevine is one of the first places a business owner should look for a loan. You can get approved for a loan in just five minutes, and they have interest rates as low as 6.2%. Applying online will not affect your credit score. Hard credit checks are only performed after you’ve reviewed and accepted an offer. Bluevine offers lines of credit up to $250,000 with a decision made in just five minutes. Bluevine’s main type of small business assistance comes in the form of a line of credit, which includes:
The line of credit funds are available on-demand and very simple to request on the website. As your business grows and gets a better credit score, your line of credit will increase. More than 20,000 business owners have used Bluevine for a loan. The company has provided more than $2 billion in loans to a wide range of business types across all industries. There are some eligibility restrictions to consider. For example, to get a line of credit, you need to be in business for at least 24 months, earn at least $40,000 in monthly revenue, and have a 600+ FICO score. This makes Bluevine a better choice for an established business as opposed to a startup company. Apply online. LendioLendio is unique compared to some of the other lenders on our list. That’s because you won’t be borrowing money directly from them. Instead, Lendio operates as a small business loan marketplace. They have a national network of more than 75 different lenders. PayPal, American Express, and Bank of America are just a few of the many companies that you’re familiar with. You’ll even recognize some names from our list of the best business credit cards. Simply fill out an application, and you’ll be matched with the top lenders and loan terms to meet your needs. This is the best way to compare business loans from a single platform. It takes just 15 minutes to apply, and there’s no fee or obligation. Once approved, you can have access to your funds in as little as 24 hours. Lendio works with lenders providing:
Over $10 billion has been funded from 216,000+ loans in the Lendio marketplace. No matter what you need the capital for, Lendio is sure to have an option for you. In some cases, Lendio will request additional information or documentation after you apply, which can sometimes be a pain. But if you’re not in a major rush to get a loan, this extra step is a non-issue. Apply online now. OnDeckOnDeck is a global leader in business financing. The company has loaned more than $13 billion to businesses across 700+ industries. With OnDeck, you can access a term loan or a business line of credit. Here’s a quick overview of each option: OnDeck Term Loan
OnDeck Line of Credit
To qualify for a loan with OnDeck, regardless of the loan type, you must meet the following minimum requirements:
With that said, the typical OnDeck customer has been in business for more than three years, has a personal FICO score above 650, and does $300,000+ in annual revenue. There’s some conflicting information online about OnDeck. Some websites claim this is a good place for business owners with bad credit. But you’ll still need to meet the minimum FICO requirements. OnDeck does not offer funding to businesses based in certain industries. For example, adult entertainment materials, firearms, drug dispensaries, gambling services, and vehicle dealers will need to seek a loan elsewhere. You can view the full list of OnDeck restricted industries here. FundboxMore than 100,000 businesses have trusted Fundbox to finance their small business loans. Fundbox is known for its simplicity and transparent pricing. It’s a great option for small business owners who don’t meet strict qualification terms from other lenders. To get approved for a Fundbox loan, you need to meet the following qualifications:
Fundbox specializes in trade credit, which is also known as vendor credit or net terms. In these cases, your company can continue to purchase inventory and supplies directly from vendors. But the vender will be paid by the lender, and your business repays the lender based on your term agreement. You can get interest rates as low as 4.66% with Fundbox. They offer 12 and 24-week term options for repayment. Funding CircleFunding Circle is a well-known and trusted name in the small business financing world. More than $10.9 billion has been lent to 77,000+ businesses throughout the globe on this platform. It takes just six minutes to apply online for a loan from Funding Circle. Access interest rates as low as 4.99% per year. You can borrow between $25,000 and $500,000 and pay it back between six months and five years. This type of flexibility is one of the many reasons why Funding Circle is such a popular choice for small business owners. Try the Funding Circle loan calculation tool on their website. It’s a great way to calculate your monthly payments based on the amount you want to borrow and the loan term. One potential downside of using Funding Circle is that you’ll have to pay an origination fee. This fee ranges from 3.49% to 5.99%, depending on your term. Funding Circle has loans specifically for minority business owners, businesses owned by women, business debt consolidation loans, and business acquisition loans. Another reason why I like Funding Circle is because they provide excellent customer service. You’ll hear back from a personal loan specialist within an hour of applying. Once your offer has been approved and accepted, you can usually access funds the following business day. KabbageKabbage offers small business funding in the form of revolving credit. You can get a credit line of up to $250,000 from this online lender. With Kabbage, the application process is simple. You’ll get a decision within minutes of applying online. With that said, you must connect your bank account so the system can review your business performance. You have to meet the following minimum requirements to get a loan from Kabbage:
This is a great alternative for business owners who don’t qualify for stricter revenue requirements that we’ve seen from other lenders. Kabbage offers 6, 12, and 18-month loan terms with no prepayment penalties. However, you will pay a fixed monthly fee in addition to the financing rate. The monthly fee ranges from 1.5% to 10% of the principal loan amount. The good news is that there are no prepayment penalties if you want to pay your balance off early. More than 200,000 businesses have used Kabbage to secure financing. Lending ClubLending Club offers a wide range of loan options. In addition to business loans, they provide auto refinancing, personal loans, and patient solutions for healthcare bills. Altogether, over three million customers have borrowed $50+ billion from Lending Club. $28+ billion has been loaned to businesses. Lending Club is another loan marketplace, similar to Lendio, which we reviewed earlier. However, Lending Club stands out because it’s a P2P lending network. The money you borrow can come from individual investors. In general, P2P lending has a reputation for high-interest rates since it involves more risk for the investor. But Lending Club has rates as low as 4.99% for qualifying borrowers. Lending Club has business loans for:
Another reason to consider Lending Club is the loan terms. You can get all of your capital in a lump sum upfront and repay it with fixed terms for up to five years. There are no prepayment penalties. Loan amounts range from $5,000 up to $500,000. You can get funded in just a few days if you qualify. To get a business loan from Lending Club, you must be in business for more than one year and have at least $50,000 in annual sales. You must own at least 20% of the business and be free of any recent bankruptcy or tax liens. Loans over $100,000 require collateral. KivaKiva is a nonprofit organization. This allows them to offer business loans at 0% interest. Yes, you heard that right; 0%. More than 2.5 million people have used Kiva to raise $1+ billion. This platform is designed to create opportunities for entrepreneurs in the United States. Benefiting from 0% interest does come at a cost. Kiva can only be used for microloans of up to $10,000. There is also a lengthy process to apply and get funded. First, you’ll have to fill out an application that takes up to 30 minutes. Then you’ll spend 15 days getting your friends and family to lend you money “to prove your creditworthiness.” Next, you can go public on the Kiva marketplace, where your loan will be visible to more than 1.6 billion lenders across the globe. Basically, Kiva is a mix between crowdfunding and P2P lending. You’ll have up to 36 months to repay the loan. If you need fast access to large sums of cash, Kiva is not for you. But for small business owners who aren’t in a hurry to get a microloan, Kiva is the best way to avoid interest fees. SmartBizIn most instances, you’ll need to visit a bank to get an SBA loan. These are government-backed loans that give businesses access to cash at favorable rates. Fortunately, you can get an SBA loan directly from banks in the SmartBiz marketplace. SmartBiz has SBA loans for up to $5 million, with interest rates between 6.25% and 8.50%. Loan terms range between 10-25 years. These favorable rates do come with stricter qualification terms. For example, get an SBA loan between $30,000 and $350,000 for working capital or debt refinancing, you must:
SBA commercial real estate loans between $500,000 and $5 million have even stricter qualification terms:
While it’s harder to qualify, you’ll benefit from favorable lending terms. SmartBiz has other loans that aren’t SBA-backed. But I’d only consider using this platform if you’re seeking an SBA loan. Credibility CapitalCredibility Capital specializes in small business loans. All of their loans are bank-backed, which gives them the ability to provide lower rates than other financing options on our list. Loans range from $25,000 to $350,000. Each loan is paid back monthly over one, two, or three-year terms. Interest rates start at 8%. There is no application fee. However, Credibility Capital charges origination fees starting at 3%. Fortunately, there are no prepayment penalties if you want to pay the loan off early. Here are the eligibility requirements for Credibility Capital loans:
The information on their website is fairly limited. You’ll need to start an application to see more details about your financing options. CAN CapitalCAN Capital has been served 81,000+ businesses for more than 20 years. During that time, they’ve loaned more than $7 billion to small business owners. With CAN Capital, you can get access to funding quickly with minimal paperwork. Most decisions are made within a few hours of applying, and funds can be released as soon as the next business day. They offer loans from $2,500 to $250,000. In addition to short-term business loans, CAN Capital also provides merchant cash advance programs. A merchant cash advance is more flexible. The repayment schedule is based on a percentage of future credit card receivables. This is an excellent option for business owners who don’t want to be locked into fixed daily payments, which is required for CAN Capital’s short-term loans. Repayment terms range from 6-18 months, regardless of your loan type. There’s an origination fee of up to 3% on short-term loans. All merchant cash advance loans have a $595 administrative fee. How to Find the Best Business Loan For YouWith so many business loan options to choose from, finding the best loan for your small business can be challenging. Getting a business loan is a big deal, so don’t rush through this process. Compare Quotes From The Best Business Loan Companies Get matched up with a business loan that fits your specific needs. There are certain factors that must be taken into consideration when you’re evaluating a prospective loan or lender. This is the methodology that we used to narrow down the choices on our list. You can use the same criteria during your search. Loan TypeAll loans are not created equally. Some lenders offer a wide range of loan types, while others provide just one or two. Common types of small business loans include:
It’s important that you apply for the right type of loan. For example, certain loans can only be used for real estate. So you wouldn’t be able to use those funds to purchase inventory. Lender TypeDecide what type of lender you want to borrow money from. Certain lenders offer more flexible terms or types of loans. Lenders typically fall into one of the following categories:
Qualification terms and interest rates vary based on the lender. For example, a P2P lending platform might offer loans to business owners with poor credit, but the interest rates will be much higher than an SBA loan from a bank. Funding NeededHow much money do you need? This will have a significant impact on choosing a loan and lender. Some lenders on our list only provide microloans of up to $10,000. Others offer loans in the $500,000 to $5 million range. Make sure you choose a lending option that can provide you with adequate funding. Interest Rates and Loan TermsBefore you accept a business loan agreement, review all of the terms. Some platforms have great tools to calculate the amount you’ll pay, including interest and other fees, over the term of your loan. Shop around for the best interest rates for your loan type. If you have excellent credit, you’ll be able to get more favorable terms. Always try to get the longest loan term for the lowest interest rate. I only recommend loans with no prepayment penalties. So you can pay it off early to avoid added interest charges. Some loans come with other charges, like a fixed monthly fee or an origination fee. While a 3% origination fee might not sound like much, it gets quite expensive as you start looking at six-figure loans. Qualification RequirementsUnless you have an outstanding credit score, you probably won’t qualify for every loan. Review the qualification terms before you apply to anything. Otherwise, you’re just wasting your time. Common loan qualification terms include:
These requirements are usually easy to find on every lending website. Funding TimeHow fast do you need money? In some cases, you can fill out an application online in just a few minutes and get a decision within the hour. Other times, the application process is a bit slower. Some business loans provide same-day or next-day funding once you’ve been approved. You’ll have to wait days, weeks, or even months (rarely) in other cases to get your hands on cash from some lenders. Unless it’s an emergency, getting next-day funding shouldn’t be the deciding factor. I’d rather get a loan with lower interest rates and favorable terms, even if it takes a bit longer to get funded. The Top Small Business Loans in SummaryThe best small business loans give you working capital for your business. These loans can range anywhere from $15,000 to $1+ million. While you may be tempted visit your local bank or credit union. The best business loans typically come from online lenders and alternative financing options. Compare Quotes From The Best Business Loan Companies Get matched up with a business loan that fits your specific needs. via Quick Sprout https://www.quicksprout.com/best-business-loans/ Want to jump straight to the answer? The best start-up business loans with bad credit for most people are Upstart or Lendio. Funding a start-up is a challenge. Most lenders want to look at your financial statements, annual turnover, business tax returns, collateral, and other financials that you’re yet to build up to par. The challenge is even more significant for startups with bad credit. Fortunately, some alternative lenders specialize in funding startups with bad credit, regardless of how long you’ve been in business. The Top 5 Best Start-Up Business Loans With Bad Credit
![]() Upstart – Best For No Credit Check Loans
Many startups haven’t been in business long enough to build a credit history. In this case, traditional lenders like banks are out of the question. Fortunately, Upstart is one of the first lenders to offer loans to people with no credit history, a trend that continues to date. ![]() While Upstart offers different types of loans, its unsecured personal loans have no credit history requirements. Plus, you can use the loan to fund your startup since Upstart doesn’t restrict how you can spend the personal loan. So how does Upstart qualify borrowers? The lender doesn’t check for financial information such as credit or payment history. Instead, Upstart uses alternative criteria, such as employment and educational experience. The loan is also unsecured, meaning you don’t have to put up any collateral. The best part is Upstart doesn’t have a minimum education attainment requirement. So you can still qualify for a loan regardless of your education level. Additionally, Upstart reports to major credit bureaus like Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Therefore, you can slowly build your credit history and creditworthiness as you make regular and timely payments. Upstart offers personal loans between $1,000 and $50,000. In addition, the loan terms vary between three and five years. Finally, Upstart loans have a fixed interest rate between 5.6% and 35.99% with no prepayment penalty. Furthermore, Upstart transfers funds in as little as one business day. However, you’ll need to accept the loan before 5 PM ET Monday through Friday to receive funds by the end of the following business day. Upstart also has a simple application process. Simply check your rate, and choose the loan amount and preferred loan term. Neither of these processes affects your credit score. The lender offers other loans, including car refinance, debt consolidation, and small business loans. Specifically, a small business loan may be a good alternative for a startup with a credit history. There’s a minimum credit score of 580 and at least one year in business. You don’t have to put collateral, but you may be required to sign a personal guarantee. Upstart’s small business loans range from $5,000 to $200,000. Overall, this lender has something for everyone. So whether you have poor credit or are deemed unscorable by the CFPB, Upstart certainly has a loan option for you. Lendio – Best Marketplace Lender for Comparing Business Loans
If you prefer to price shop before accepting a loan, Lendio offers a convenient marketplace to compare interest rates and loan terms. Lendio has more than 75 lending partners in its network. The platform is also free to use. You only pay after accepting the loan. ![]() The best part about the marketplace is its painless application process. Rather than apply to different lenders, you only fill out one Lendio application. Then, the platform will match you with potential lenders so you can choose the best loan. Lendio offers startup business loans ranging from $500 to $750,000, with loan terms of up to 25 years. The interest rate varies from 0-17%, and you can receive funding in two to four weeks. You’ll need a credit score of 680 or higher, at least three months in business, and at least $6,000 in average monthly revenue. Most startups with poor credit may not qualify for the Startup Business Loan product from Lendio. But not to worry. The marketplace also has other types of loans, including: Business Line of Credit – You can borrow between $100,000 and $500,000. The requirements include a minimum credit score of 560, at least $50,000 in annual revenue, and at least six months in business. Short-term Loan – You can borrow between $25,000 and $700,000. The loan terms range from three to ten years, with interest rates between 8-36%. Business Term Loan – Borrow between $5,000 and $20 000 with interest rates as low as 6%. The term loans vary between one and five years, with the possibility of next-day funding. You’ll need a credit score of at least 600, six months or more in business, and at least $8,000 in monthly revenue. Equipment Financing – You can borrow between $5,000 and $5,000,000 with interest rates as low as 7.5%. The loan terms vary between one and five years, with the possibility of next-day funding. You’ll need a minimum credit score of 650 or higher, one year in business, and at least $50,000 in annual revenue. SBA Loan – Lendio offers SBA-backed loans up to $5,000,000. These loans have terms ranging from 10 to 30 years. You’ll need a credit score of at least 600, two or more years in business, and at least $8,000 in monthly revenue. Lendio also offers special loans for underserved small businesses, including veterans, women, and minorities. Bluevine – Best For Lines of Credit
Bluevine specializes in providing small businesses with lines of credit (LOCs). You can borrow up to $250,000 with interest rates as low as 6.2%. You’ll also receive a decision in as little as five minutes after submitting your application. ![]() Most banks require a credit score of 700 or higher to open a line of credit. Bluevine is more lenient, with a minimum credit score of 625. You can qualify for a LOC with as little as 24 months in business. You’ll also need at least $40,000 in monthly revenue to qualify for a Bluevine LOC. This is a revolving line of credit. It means that your funds replenish as you repay your loan. Notably, Bluevine doesn’t charge extra fees. For example, you don’t have to pay opening, maintenance, prepayment, or termination fees. This makes Bluevine an ideal lender for keeping your borrowing costs at a minimum. Like most other lenders on our list, Bluevine has a quick and easy application process. First, you only need to connect to your business checking account. Then, Bluevine will assess your eligibility and communicate a decision in five minutes. Bluevine also offers some of the quickest funding times of any lender. For example, you can pay $15 to use the bank wire option. Then, you’ll receive your funds just a few hours after the lender approves your loan. Alternatively, the free ACH transfer option takes one to three business days to receive funds. Unlike other lenders that only offer daily and weekly payments, Bluevine offers weekly and monthly payments. Finally, the repayment period is typically between six and twelve months. As a result, Bluevine is an excellent option for a startup that doesn’t want to be stretched thin with daily payments and short repayment terms. OnDeck – Best For Short-Term Loans
Although OnDeck also offers lines of credit, the lender is a terrific option for startups looking for term loans. OnDeck offers short-term loans between $5,000 and $250,000 with repayment terms of up to 24 months. So you only need one year in business which is within the range of most startups. ![]() You need a credit score of at least 600 to qualify for a short-term loan. It’s higher than some alternative lenders but certainly lower than most banks. You also need at least $100,000 in annual revenue to qualify. After paying off half of your initial loan, you can qualify for a second short-term loan. OnDeck also rewards return clients. You’ll get lower interest rates the next time you apply for a loan. You can choose between daily and weekly payments. The short payment periods may not be an issue for a business with solid cash flow. However, some startups may prefer a different lender with extended repayment periods. OnDeck is transparent about its cost of borrowing. Most short-term loans have an APR of 35%. Origination fees vary between 0%-5% of the borrowed amount. The maintenance fee ranges between 0.4% and 0.42% of the total loan amount. The application process is straightforward. First, you’ll need to provide documentation such as EIN, month-to-date financial statements, and at least three months’ business bank statements. Then, you’ll receive a call from an OnDeck loan advisor to explore your options. There’s also the possibility for same-day funding up to $100,000. For example, you may receive same-day financing if you choose ACH or wire payments. You only need to accept the loan and check out online by 10.30 AM ET the day of or 7 PM ET the day before. OnDeck provides a SMART BOX tool to help you understand your loan product. For example, SMART BOX describes typical loan pricing metrics like factor rate, annual percentage rate, total interest percentage, and average monthly payment. So you know exactly what you’re paying. Lastly, OnDeck is a terrific option for startups that want to build their credit score. The lender reports to the major credit bureaus, including Equifax, Experian, and PayNet. Making timely OnDeck payments will help you qualify for cheaper loans in the future. Credibly – Best For Multiple Loan Options
A loan marketplace like Lendio is a terrific choice for comparing loan options. However, comparing different lenders can be tricky since each lender has different loan requirements and underwriting processes. If you prefer to deal with a single lender, Credibly offers multiple loan products for all types of businesses, including startups. ![]() First, Credibly has some of the lowest credit score requirements in the industry. This flexibility is excellent news for startups with bad credit. For example, you can qualify for a loan with a credit score of 500 and just six months in business. The lender also has an extensive portfolio of financial products. Your options include:
Credibly also has a seamless application process. First, you can prequalify online by providing a few details about your business. Then, you’ll receive approval in as little as four hours. The lender also offers same-day funding for some of its loans. Depending on the loan type, you can borrow up to $400,000. However, there are minimum business revenue requirements. For example, you’ll need at least $15,000 in monthly revenue to qualify for working capital loans and merchant cash advances. Similarly, you’ll need at least $50,000 in annual income to qualify for a business line of credit. The best part is that Credibly focuses more on the business’s financial health than its credit history. As a result, the review process makes it easier for startups with bad credit to qualify for a loan. In addition, Credibly offers multiple repayment options, including daily, weekly, and monthly payments. Finally, Credibly offers competitive rates, especially for a lender with low credit score requirements. The lender has factor rates as low as 1.09. How to Find The Best Startup Business Loans With Bad Credit For YouFinding a startup with bad credit shouldn’t be difficult if you know where to look. Here are some of the things to consider when choosing alternative lenders. We also used the same criteria when assessing the best startup loans featured in this review. Qualification CriteriaDifferent lenders have different ideas of what constitutes bad credit. But, again, it depends on the lender’s credit scoring model. So check if the lender’s credit score requirements line up with yours. For example, FICO considers anything below 580 to be a poor or bad credit score. The scoring model also rates credit scores between 580 and 699 as fair. Anything above 699 is considered good. Some lenders apply the VantageScore credit scoring model, which has a higher threshold for good credit. For example, this model considers scores below 661 as bad credit scores. Fair credit ranges between 601 and 660, according to this model. Finally, credit scores above 660 are considered good. The good news is that most alternative lenders have lenient credit score requirements. For example, Credibly offers loans for credit scores as low as 500. Also, don’t forget to check other qualification criteria. Time in business is an essential requirement. You need less than three years in business to be considered a startup. But, again, alternative lenders like Credibly and Lendio require at least six months in business. Finally, you’ll need to check the minimum monthly or annual revenue requirement. Again, this requirement varies depending on the lender. Lenders with lower credit score requirements typically have higher annual or monthly revenue requirements. Most lenders will overlook lower credit scores if your business generates much revenue. Interest RateLending to startups with poor credit is risky. So, lenders offset some of the risks by charging higher interest rates. However, if you shop around, the loan doesn’t need to be expensive or excessive. Unfortunately, most lenders don’t advertise their top interest rates. Instead, they’ll show the minimum interest rate, which most businesses don’t qualify for. So, prequalify for a loan before accepting the terms and price shop to get the best interest rate available for your credit score. Most consumer advocates consider an APR of 36% or lower affordable. This figure is much higher than what most traditional banks offer. But, you can still use it as a guideline when shopping for affordable startup loans with bad credit. Repayment TermsMost startups have unpredictable cash flows. So you don’t want repayment terms that will put more financial stress on your business. Therefore, choose a lender who offers flexible repayment terms. Most lenders have daily, weekly, and monthly repayment schedules. The monthly schedule is ideal, so make sure your lender offers this unless you have a stable cash flow. Some lenders also offer flexible terms, allowing you to change your repayment period at no extra cost. Application Process & Time to FundAlternative loans are meant to be more accessible than traditional bank loans. However, some business owners with stellar credit still prefer alternative lenders for the quick application process and fast funding time. Ideally, the lender should let you prequalify. You’ll need to enter a few details about your business and instantly determine if you qualify for the loan. It will save you time applying for loans that don’t fit your business. Equally, you want a lender that pays out quickly. Some lenders approve loans the same day and send funds directly to your bank account as soon as the next day. These factors are critical if you need working capital urgently. Loan OptionsSome lenders specialize in one or two types of financing. Others, like Credibly, offer half a dozen or more loan options. Regardless, ensure that the lender’s financial products match your desire. Some popular loan options include:
It’s also helpful if the lender provides a loan advisor. The expert can help guide you through the best loan products. Ideally, this service should be free and part of the application process. The Top Business Loans With Bad Credit in SummaryBusiness loans aren’t just reserved for thriving businesses with stellar credit. Today, almost anyone can qualify for a loan from an alternative lender. In addition, a poor credit score is no longer a barrier to entry for startups, with some lenders accepting scores as low as 500. Loans for bad credit typically come with high interest. Compare different loan options to ensure you’re getting the best deal. Besides, alternative lenders offer more perks, including a quick application process and fast funding times. via Quick Sprout https://www.quicksprout.com/best-start-up-business-loans-with-bad-credit/ We recommend Nextiva for most businesses because of its UCaaS offerings and its ability to manage high call volumes. Sign up for Nextiva today. We spent multiple days and hundreds of hours researching and testing cloud-based phone systems to determine how they stack up for different business situations and needs. The Quicksprout research team effectively compiled over 50 pages of in-depth summaries, feature lists, and data points to help identify the top options. What started with 30 cloud-based phone systems was first whittled down to 26 products as worthy contenders. From there, we narrowed the final list to 15 cloud-based phone providers that give most businesses what they need for effective communications. The Top 15 Best Cloud-Based Phone SystemsThe following list includes our 15 shortlisted candidates for the best cloud-based phone systems. Nextiva is our number-one pick because it’s affordable, rich with call management and UCaaS features, and simple to set up. Try the Nextiva Essential plan for seven days free.
![]() How We Evaluated the Best Cloud-Based Phone System CompaniesWe used a clear, concise process to evaluate the best cloud-based phone systems, which we’ve outlined in the methodology below. You can also jump straight to the reviews to learn more about each company and what it offers. We started with the 30 products we evaluated in the first round. Those companies were: 11Sight, 1VoIP, 3CX, 8×8, Aircall, Avaya, Call Hippo, Channels, Cloudtalk, Dialpad, Evoice, Freshdesk, Genesys Cloud, Google Voice, GoTo Connect, Grasshopper, Microsoft Teams, Mitel, Net2Phone, Nextiva, Ooma, OpenPhone, Phone.com, RingCentral, Talkdesk, TalkRoute, Vonage, Webex, Windstream, Zoom. First up, we took four products off our list because they’re primarily call center software options rather than cloud-based phone systems. Then we took a closer look at the remaining 26 products. How We Narrowed the List of Qualified Cloud-Based Phone SystemsWe used the following essential criteria for cloud-based phone systems to determine which products should make our shortlist:
Out of the 26 products on our list, some of them simply didn’t meet all of these criteria. A few did, but didn’t have as highly rated reviews, overall satisfaction, or affordable pricing as other products that also met the criteria, so those products were cut as well. Therefore, the following 11 brands are those that made our initial list but ultimately are not Quicksprout-recommended: 1VoIP: You won’t get unlimited calling in low-tier 1VoIP plans, but the pricing for these plans is comparable to companies that do include unlimited calling. Evoice: Evoice offers simplicity — a good thing for many businesses — but that simplicity could trump functionality for companies needing more features. TalkRoute: TalkRoute is quite similar to Evoice and Grasshopper, but its lack of features on its entry-level plan had us question why it had similar pricing, too. Phone.com: Phone.com is your average cloud-based phone system, but it only features unlimited calling on its higher-tier plans. There are simply better options for comparable prices. Mitel: Although Mitel has a wide range of phone systems to meet various business needs, its options mostly cater to companies with on-premise systems. Plus, you’ll need to contact the company to get some insight into its pricing. Call Hippo: Call Hippo’s plans are more expensive than others with similar or more features. Higher-tier plans include tons of call management perks, but their costs would likely only be warranted for large organizations or call centers. Microsoft Teams: You won’t get unlimited calling with Microsoft Teams, and it surprisingly lacks some basic features even though its prices align with more robust products. 3CX: At some point, most businesses will need to contact tech support for help with their phone system. However, 3CX only allows support tickets for an additional cost. Vonage: Vonage certainly offers a lot with its VoIP phone system, like collaborative tools, scheduling, and team messaging from a user-friendly console. Unfortunately, it didn’t make our list because of its not-so-great user reviews across multiple channels, like WhichVoIP and TrustRadius. Channels: Channels has many similarities to 11Sight as a customer-focused contact service, but we dropped it from our list because of its monthly calling limits. Cloudtalk: Cloudtalk works great as the call center software it’s designed to be, but we don’t feel like it fits the bill for companies needing more UCaaS-friendly features. The Top Cloud-Based Phone System Companies Left StandingThe best all-around cloud-based phone system for most businesses is Nextiva because it includes just about every feature you need for a reliable, secure, and user-friendly phone system. Get started with Nextiva today.
Match Your Scenario to the Right Cloud-Based Phone System SolutionNow, let’s focus on the different reasons you might want to use a cloud-based phone system. We’ve identified seven popular use cases below and suggested the top options, based on our research, for each situation.
You need an all-in-one cloud-based communication platformBest Option: Nextiva Whether you use your phone system most for internal communication, external communication, remote work, or a blend of all of the above, Nextiva can handle it. Unlimited video calling, team messaging, and unlimited faxing are just a few features Nextiva offers. Nextiva also makes it easy to track the customer journey, respond quickly to customer requests, and send feedback surveys to learn about your customers’ needs. ![]() Another great choice: RingCentral RingCentral is heads and tails above many competitors as a UCaaS solution. Call recording, auto-attendant, document sharing, and an array of add-ons, like webinars and virtual conference rooms, help teams and customers get what they need from your phone system. If you’re implementing an all-in-one cloud phone system, be sure to consider:
You have a remote or hybrid workforceBest Option: RingCentral RingCentral has some of the highest-rated mobile apps for cloud-based phone systems. The apps for iOS and Android devices let users team message, participate in video meetings, send faxes, and do just about anything they’d do from a computer. Hybrid teams will also appreciate the seamless transition from remote to on-site with RingCentral’s phone system that operates just as well as an in-office phone system. Another great choice: Nextiva Nextiva is an excellent option for hybrid workforces, as its mobile apps don’t rate as high as RingCentral’s. However, if your company operates the system mostly from computers, you’ll find Nextiva’s features comparable and easy to use. As a bonus, you could get more life from the affordable entry-level plan than you would with RingCentral’s, which has a 20-user limit. Remote and hybrid workforces should be sure that their phone system addresses the following:
You manage a high volume of inbound and/or outbound callsBest Option: Nextiva Nextiva has plans that suit medium to large organizations with high call volumes and offer plenty of scalability, even for call centers. Numerous call management features keep things feeling simple for users, even when phone lines get swamped. Another great choice: Aircall Aircall actually includes several call center features in its plans, regardless of the size of your business. Additional unlimited calling gives you lots of bang for your buck. However, it lacks the same level of collaborative features and hands-on customer support as Nextiva. If your business rarely has low-volume calling days, be sure to consider:
You want your employees to have desk phonesBest Option: Ooma Ooma has easy-to-setup plug-and-play phones that don’t need a technician to install. Plus, each user can operate the system from an already-installed desk phone, many of which are compatible with Ooma with an adaptor. Here’s a look at a few of Ooma’s IP phones: ![]() Another great choice: Webex Webex is another solid option with reliable and highly functional desk phones and other phone system equipment. Webex is owned by Cisco, so its equipment integrates seamlessly with other Cisco hardware. This makes it an excellent choice for companies already using Cisco smartboards, video bars, and other accessories. If your team can’t operate solely on mobile devices or digital equipment, think about:
You want to record or transcribe phone callsBest Option: Zoom Zoom may not have the laundry list of features that other phone systems have, but it certainly makes up for it with its call monitoring capabilities. In fact, you can set Zoom to automatically record and transcribe calls for easy review. Supervisors can use features like listen-in, barge, and whisper during calls for real-time training, too. Another great choice: Dialpad Dialpad uses its proprietary AI system to transcribe calls with impressive accuracy. Supervisors can use the system to get alerts when more assistance might be necessary on a call based on keywords or an overall negative tone. Do you need to monitor calls for training purposes? Here’s what to look for:
You want a lightweight phone system that goes wherever you doBest Option: Grasshopper Grasshopper is the epitome of simplicity. It’s a straightforward phone system with a setup that only requires choosing a phone number and inputting the number you’d like to forward calls to. Still, be aware that when we say lightweight, we mean really lightweight. Grasshopper is very stripped down with only basic call settings and functions, so it’s best for solopreneurs or micro businesses. Another great choice: OpenPhone OpenPhone is a beefed-up version of Grasshopper with more calling features and affordable multi-number support. It’s still lightweight compared to many others on our list though, making it a good fit for small businesses. Workers who want a mobile-friendly phone system should pay attention to:
You make a lot of outbound international callsBest Option: 8×8 Depending on the 8×8 plan you choose, you can get unlimited calling to up to 48 countries. Other countries come with a charge for outbound calls with variable pricing per country. Businesses can also choose phone numbers from more than 100 countries to establish a customer support presence globally. Another great choice: GoTo Connect With GoTo Connect’s highest two tiers, businesses get unlimited outbound calling to 50 countries. However, the service is a bit pricier than 8×8, especially if you mostly make calls in some of the more common countries for business communications, like Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Global companies should look for the following features:
Cloud-Based Phone System ReviewsWhen we began researching cloud-based phone systems, we wanted to find the very best options for most businesses. Therefore, we made sure that our top recommendations meet specific requirements that we feel most companies would look for in this type of phone system. Read our reviews to learn what each product does best and to narrow the options for your situation. Nextiva – Best All-Around Cloud-Based Phone System![]() No matter how your business handles calls or how many it takes each day, Nextiva’s business phone features can make call management feel like second nature in your business. Auto-attendant, call screening, advanced interactive voice response (IVR), and multiple other call management features ensure timely responses, self-help, and quick customer care. Nextiva also keeps your teams productive with various collaborative features, including mobile MMS/SMS, screen-sharing, and unlimited video conferences with as many as 250 participants. To improve customer care, use the barge-in feature to hop on a call when more assistance is necessary. Although Nextiva’s desktop apps are easy to use and highly functional, you might be slightly disappointed if you want a mobile phone system. Its Android and iOS apps have many negative reviews, primarily for a lack of functionality and reliability. What Makes Nextiva GreatNextiva provides reliable calling with a host of call management, collaborative, and mobility features to suit just about every business. Even the highest call volumes can benefit from dependable uptime, which you can always monitor on the Nextiva Status page. ![]() For small to large businesses, setting up Nextiva is straightforward and minimalistic. The Admin Portal also handles everything for each user, who can make their way through guided tours to learn everything they need to about the phone system. Nextiva has three plans for businesses and four plans for call centers, with up to 27% savings when you pay annually. The entry-level business plan is great if you don’t need anything more than basic phone services, as it includes toll-free minutes and unlimited users. Here’s our full review of Nextiva, including its pros, cons, and everything in between. RingCentral – Best for Hybrid or Remote Work![]() Whether you work in the office sometimes or work wherever your laptop takes you, RingCentral meets you where you are. The phone system works just as well from behind a desk as it does on an iPhone, boasting highly-rated apps with full-featured functionality. You can make and take phone calls using a tablet, smartphone, or laptop, and admins can also navigate and modify the systems via their mobile devices. Configure everything while on the go, including team messaging, conferencing, and call management, with no technical skills required. RingCentral does include several helpful guides to walk users and admin through the system’s setup and features, but customer support may not be as good as other companies. Several reviewers note that getting in touch with the team can be challenging, and some issues go unresolved much longer than expected. What Makes RingCentral GreatRingCentral gives businesses what their remote and hybrid workers need to succeed, thanks to reliable communications. Employees can connect with their teams through messaging and video calls with up to 200 participants. It also includes HD voice and video to reduce the chances of missing important information during phone or video calls. Access current quality of service reports for in-depth data on the company’s technical reliability. ![]() Remote teams need to monitor performance, and RingCentral’s call recording features assist with that. Get on-demand and automatic call recording for monitoring and training purposes, and save up to 100,000 recordings per account. Entry-level tiers are affordable and feature-rich, but they do get a bit pricey on higher tiers. If you don’t need any more than 50 users per plan, RingCentral could be a budget-friendly service for more than just the basics. Decide if RingCentral is right for your business using our in-depth review. Ooma – Easiest Set Up for Small Businesses![]() Small businesses don’t always have a tech support team or person to set up a phone system. Therefore, the straightforward, plug-and-play setup for Ooma phone systems and devices is sure to be a bonus for small business owners. You can even use your own phone system and devices to connect to Ooma’s system using an adaptor to make your setup that much easier. If you do decide you need more help to get Ooma running how you need it to, lean on its A+ customer support team. It’s available every day, all day, via phone or live chat. However, Ooma may not suit you in the future if you end up needing advanced call routing and management features, as many are only available for call center plans. Ooma also doesn’t offer as many integrations as other companies, so creating a well-connected system could prove challenging for some businesses. What Makes Ooma GreatAll Ooma plans include lots of features to make communications more convenient for businesses, like business text messaging, virtual faxing, and mobile apps. The second-tier plan adds a desktop app with every feature you need to operate a phone system virtually. Regardless of the setup you need, Ooma can get it done for you with new devices or connections to current ones. An Ooma Office Base Station makes connections around the office incredibly easy, but you can also connect via ethernet. ![]() Unlimited calling to landlines and cell phones in the United States, Canada, and Mexico is an additional perk you’ll get with any Ooma tier. Ooma’s plans start at a budget-friendly $19.95/month per user, contract-free. As your business scales and develops more needs, Ooma actually becomes even more affordable, as its per-user pricing Learn how Ooma stacks up as a business VoIP system. Zoom – Affordable Call Monitoring![]() Zoom is most notable for video conferencing, but it also serves as an excellent middle-of-the-road business phone system. It’s one of the best for monitoring your business’s phone calls on a budget. In fact, Zoom includes many of the monitoring features you’d expect only from call center software. For example, use whisper for a trainer to speak quietly to the agent they’re monitoring or takeover for a supervisor to take over the conversation. As an all-in-one solution, though, Zoom might feel a bit lacking compared to other products on our list unless you choose a Zoom One plan. It doesn’t include the wide range of integrations as other systems do, as it focuses more on custom, business-driven integrations instead. What Makes Zoom GreatTeams can use Zoom from their desktops or mobile apps, and call monitoring features are included across devices. Zoom has highly rated apps for ease of use and functionality. Zoom is also an ideal option for global businesses, with unlimited domestic calling in more than 40 countries and territories on the Pro Global Select plan. So, even if your business has a presence in multiple countries, you can ensure top-notch training and customer care across your full team with Zoom’s call monitoring. ![]() Zoom’s paid phone plans start at $120 per user per year, or about $10 per user per month. Or, for more comprehensive communication needs, consider Zoom One, which starts at $149 per user per year. This option is best for companies needing more UCaaS features, like team chats and whiteboards. Learn more about Zoom’s benefits and features in our review. Dialpad – Most Flexible![]() Dialpad’s full range of features for internal and external communications is ideal for businesses looking to scale in the future. You can start out small with the base plan and transition seamlessly to a higher tier when you need more features without ever feeling limited. The phone system’s admin controls and setup also stand out for most businesses, regardless of how complex your business’s communications system needs to be. A quick-start guide walks you through the setup process for the most-used functions, like call routing and audio message recording. With its highly responsive and helpful customer service team, Dialpad can quickly lend assistance when needed. This can come in handy for small teams without tech support professionals. Businesses that need affordable international calling might do better with a different company, like 8×8. Dialpad doesn’t include unlimited calling outside of the United States and Canada on any plan. What Makes Dialpad GreatWith each Dialpad plan, businesses get AI-powered call transcriptions and detailed reporting to consistently monitor their teams and make informed decisions for training and customer support. ![]() Dialpad’s products are secure and compliant, leaving plenty of flexibility for growing business communication needs. HIPAA and GDPR compliances are built in, and data is encrypted over the network and stored with AES 256-bit security via Google Cloud. Dialpad starts its pricing at $15 per user per month, an affordable rate compared to similar products. The entry-level Standard plan is also an excellent value for smaller businesses, as you’ll get unlimited calling, SMS, MMS, and video conferencing, plus Dialpad’s full range of AI-powered features. Read our full review of Dialpad Meetings to explore the company’s collaboration and business phone services. GoTo Connect – Easiest Call Flow Manager![]() Formerly known as Jive, GoTo Connect includes numerous call management features to improve your call workflow across all of its plans. Enjoy ring groups, call monitoring, and even auto-attendant on each tier. Its best feature is probably its drag-and-drop call flow designer, which requires absolutely no technical experience. The visual designer helps tweak how the system directs calls in just a few clicks by adding your extensions, calling rules, messages, and more. However, if you end up needing some extra help to get things set up, you are somewhat limited in how you can get it. GoTo Connect currently only has website resources, email, or live chat, or you can fill out a form to get a callback rather than a direct phone line to call for support. What Makes GoTo Connect GreatIn addition to straightforward call flow management, GoTo Connect gives subscribers of Standard and Premium plans free calling to 52 countries, which is much more than other companies include on similarly priced plans. Unlimited calling on all plans is an additional bonus, making GoTo Connect one of the potentially easiest and most convenient options for businesses with large call volumes. You can also include your other tools in your admin panel with plentiful integrations for productivity, collaboration, support, sales, and more, making GoTo Connect even more helpful in managing your workflows. ![]() As for pricing, GoTo Connect falls right in between Nextiva and RingCentral for most of its plans. Its base plan is $24 per user per month and could work well for smaller businesses with up to 20 users per account. Read our full review of GoTo Connect to learn more about what makes it great. 8×8 – Best for Global Companies![]() 8×8 is a robust business communications company that does particularly well in the global business landscape. Its solutions bring collaboration and advanced call management systems to companies all over the globe. International businesses enjoy unlimited outbound calls to 48 countries when they use the top-tier plan. Even on the base plan, 14 countries are included. For countries not covered, affordable per-minute charges keep costs low. 8×8 does lack a few features as standard options that other companies provide, like call transcription and auto-dialer. Its customer support also gets some lackluster reviews for response times and finding representatives with expert knowledge to fix complex problems. What Makes 8×8 GreatThere’s a lot for global companies to love about 8×8 in addition to unlimited calling in select countries. For starters, its long list of compliance certifications allows it to meet regulations all over the world. Multiple encryption layers also secure data from endpoint to endpoint. ![]() It also has live recording to enhance training, multiple custom greetings, call waiting and parking, and mobile apps that keep communications agile. Starting at just $15 per user per month, 8×8 blends affordability with comprehensive features that make sense for companies operating on an international scale. Start as small as you need; 8×8 probably has a plan that allows you to expand when you’re ready. Try 8×8 for free for your first month and get one free phone number to test out, too. Avaya – Best for Toll-Free Phone Calls![]() Toll-free numbers can add professionalism to a company’s name and make it easier for long-distance callers to get in touch. Avaya lets you choose a toll-free number with as many as 10,000 free toll-free minutes, depending on your plan. Toll-free minutes are rarely given for free by a phone company, so this is a definite perk for companies who want to use a toll-free number. Additionally, you’ll get unlimited calling to the United States and Canada on any plan. Companies with large call volumes or call centers could find Avaya limited, though. It simply lacks many outbound calling features unless you upgrade to a call center plan with heftier pricing. What Makes Avaya GreatAccessing toll-free phone numbers and affordable toll-free calling is great, but a phone system needs more than that to work for most businesses. Fortunately, Avaya has a lot more to offer, like collaborative file sharing, team messaging, and unlimited SMS. Its desktop and mobile apps also excel, creating a one-stop solution for running the full phone system via your computer or phone. It’s easy to set up and take admin control of the system, regardless of how complex your call flow is and how many numbers you use. ![]() Avaya is relatively comparable to Nextiva, RingCentral, and other comparable options for its cloud-based phone plans, which start at just under $20 per user per month. However, you need to talk to the sales team to get pricing specifics and sign up. Contact Avaya’s sales team to learn about solutions for your business. Google Voice – Best for Solopreneurs![]() Solopreneurs are just as worthy of a reliable cloud-based phone system as big companies, and Google Voice suits their needs well. In true Google product fashion, Google Voice excels in mobility with highly rated apps featuring intuitive and decluttered interfaces. Or, use it on your desktop straight from your web browser. Any plan includes all Google Suite tools, keeping your productivity flowing between the tools you use most. Users even get unlimited domestic calling, one-click calling, and scheduled callbacks. You won’t find advanced calling features with Google Voice, but many solopreneurs might actually prefer its lightweight simplicity. One possible caveat: porting can be restrictive, and users must get all the necessary information Google Voice needs to port a number. What Makes Google Voice GreatA modest number of collaboration features come with a Google Voice plan for team or client communication. Send unlimited texts to numbers in the U.S. and Canada, hold conference calls, and team chats. However, some of these perks are only available if you have a connected Google Workspace account. Google Voice adds a surprising level of call management capabilities to its lightweight phone system, like automated attendant, customizable routing, and call transferring, allowing solopreneurs to take some communication tasks off their plates. ![]() If you already use Google Workspace, Google Voice is an affordable add-on. The Starter plan is only $10 per user per month and leaves room for up to 10 users, in case you decide to expand in the future. Read our ultimate guide to Google Voice for more information. Grasshopper – Best for the Basics![]() If you need the simplest cloud-based phone system that delivers basic calling features with minimalistic settings, Grasshopper is it. Set it up in minutes using your current number and start using it immediately for business calls. For instance, freelancers needing a stripped-down phone system for client calls can use Grasshopper to mask their personal numbers and add a layer of professionalism to their services. And, they can manage it all through their mobile device or laptop. Grasshopper allows toll-free numbers, vanity numbers, local numbers, or number porting to set up the system. However, it isn’t made for anything complex, so don’t expect it to have the wide range of call management, outbound calling, and collaboration features that other products on our list do. What Makes Grasshopper GreatGrasshopper provides customers with plenty of resources, like a knowledge base, blog, and online support center, to get any help they might need. For most issues you’ll encounter, these resources can do the trick. Features are limited, but people considering Grasshopper tend to want that. Get all the basics for business communications, like live transferring, call blocking, and even IVR, which isn’t offered on even some more feature-rich products. You’ll also get unlimited messages, texting, and users across all plans. Grasshopper isn’t necessarily restrictive when it comes to scaling. Users can opt for several add-ons, like international calling, extra extensions, and a live reception service as their business needs grow. ![]() All Grasshopper plans are the same regarding features, but higher tiers allow more phone numbers and extensions. Starting at $28 per month, Grasshopper is an affordable solution for most solopreneurs or freelancers to add a business line to their current device. Discover what we enjoy most about Grasshopper in our review. OpenPhone – Best for Multiple Numbers![]() When you need multiple numbers for your phone system, OpenPhone is a top choice. Although most phone systems give you the option to add more numbers to your plan, OpenPhone’s pricing is highly affordable compared to others. Expect to pay 50% less for additional numbers on OpenPhone than you would with other options, like Grasshopper. Each plan includes one number per user, with additional numbers priced at $5 per month. You’ll also get numerous other features that some competitors don’t provide on low-cost plans, like basic IVR, call recording, and a basic auto-attendant. However, OpenPhone may not be your best choice if your business makes lots of international calls. International calling is an add-on with any of OpenPhone’s plans. What Makes OpenPhone GreatAlthough it’s priced lower than other companies on our list, OpenPhone includes a lot that you may not expect at that price point. For instance, users can integrate their systems with popular tools like Google Contacts and HubSpot CRM. ![]() And, similar to its clean website design, OpenPhone has a slimmed-down and easy-to-navigate user interface that users of any level can operate. The included search bar makes sifting through messages and transcripts as easy as possible. OpenPhone starts at just $10 per user per month, making it one of the most affordable options in relation to its features. For advanced features, like IVR and detailed analytics and reporting, try the Premium plan for $20 per user per month. Get 20% off an OpenPhone Standard or Premium plan when you pay annually. Aircall – Most Unique Call Management Features![]() Even at its lowest pricing tier, Aircall gives businesses access to numerous call management features, many of which aren’t available with other cloud-based phone systems. In addition to a full-featured IVR, call routing, customizable ring groups and call queues, and warm transferring, Aircall includes call blocking, parallel calls, and business hour settings for each number. We also love queue callback, which lets callers leave their numbers to get a callback rather than wait on hold. Setting up these complex features is actually quite easy with Aircall, too. The user interface is easy to navigate, allowing you to find the settings you need to create your ideal phone system. Aircall could face some quality and reliability snags, depending on your internet connection. Although the majority of calls through Aircall have excellent audio, some internet users experience more inconsistencies than others. What Makes Aircall GreatUse Aircall not just for call management but also for call monitoring. It includes call whispering and call monitoring on the second tier and higher to train call agents in real-time. ![]() Additionally, the system focuses on making outbound calling easier with unique features like click-to-dial to quickly dial from the Aircall software and power dialer, which dials numerous numbers in order. Aircall isn’t designed for solo users, so you’ll need a minimum of three users to start a plan. All tiers include one phone number, unlimited United States and Canada calls, and more than 100 integrations, starting at $30 per user per month. Try a full-featured, 7-day free trial of Aircall. 11Sight – Best for Sales and Marketing Teams![]() 11Sight is a niche cloud-based phone system designed to meet potential customers exactly where they are to give them the information they need. Add a short link to your website, social media channels, or emails for leads to make phone or video calls with a click. Access your 11Sight system through a web browser or on your mobile device so that you never miss a potential sale. In addition, your callers won’t need to download any software to call you, making the contact process smooth and convenient. 11Sight isn’t meant to be your typical phone system, so you may need to also pay for one, depending on your customer contact needs. But, as an additional sales and marketing tool, it’s superior to more traditional phone systems on our list. What Makes 11Sight GreatUnlimited calling comes with any 11Sight plan, so you won’t be charged by the minute. Instead, simply pay by user. 11Sight supports audio, video, and live chats, so there are plenty of ways for customers to get a hold of you quickly. Use basic call routing and availability settings to create a system that works for your team’s schedule. ![]() Calls are also automatically recorded when you turn the option on. Send the link to the recording over to your prospect so they can have a record of what you talked about. 11Sight starts with affordable pricing at $15 per user per month with one phone line, call recording, call history, and basic analytics. A Premium plan for $25 per user per month offers more robust campaign management features, like customizable landing pages and QR codes. Get a 14-day free trial of 11Sight’s Starter or Premium plans. Net2Phone – Best for Reception Management![]() Net2Phone is one of the only cloud-based phone systems to include a console solely built for receptionists. Its console, RCon, lets receptionists direct calls quickly, see who on the team is available, park calls, set up three-way calls, and more. The user interface displays the entire team on one screen to simplify call management and direct callers where they need to go. Receptionists can also use the search feature to find a contact or team member. Because reliability is key with any business phone system, it’s important to note that Net2Phone has some issues with glitchy apps and dropped calls, although it’s difficult to determine if this is more of a Net2Phone issue or user internet problem. What Makes Net2Phone GreatNet2Phone may focus on convenience for receptionists, but it also caters to team collaboration and customer connections. Chat via SMS/MMS texting, send and receive faxes with your virtual numbers, and host video conferences. ![]() Customer service from Net2Phone is highly rated, too, which is always a bonus when unexpected problems arise. Keep your communications moving with reliable, 24/7 support via email or phone. Net2Phone starts at $24.99 per user per month for unlimited nationwide calling, unlimited international calling to 40+ countries, call recording, and text messaging. The plans don’t vary in price or features much, but you will need at least the Office Pro plan for $26.99 per user per month to access the receptionist console. Contact the Net2Phone sales team for a free trial and custom quote. Webex – Best for Hardware Integration![]() A part of the Cisco umbrella, Webex is easily the best cloud-based phone system for hardware connections, including desk phones, headsets, and smart boards. It connects seamlessly to the best equipment Cisco has to offer. Because Webex’s hardware options are so varied, you can create a comprehensive office solution for collaboration, inbound and outbound calling, and productivity. Video bars, digital whiteboards, microphones, and high-tech headsets give everyone what they need to succeed at their jobs. Webex also integrates with over 100 digital tools that offices around the world use, including Notion, Miro, Mio, and VIP Connect. You might find that you need to spend more than other phone systems to access all the collaborative tools you need with Webex. To bundle meetings, calling, and messaging, you’ll pay a minimum of $25 per user per month, which is pricier than options like Nextiva or RingCentral. What Makes Webex GreatYou might choose Webex primarily for its Cisco hardware options, but its mobile app connectivity can add an extra layer of convenience to your phone system. Take and make calls, connect to video meetings, and message your team via the app. ![]() Businesses with IT departments should have no problem setting up hardware, but even businesses without tech support could find the plug-and-play connections of many devices simple to connect. An easy-to-use Control Hub simplifies the backend of the system, too. Webex offers a free plan with meetings of up to 100 participants and 50 minutes in length. However, the most exciting perks come with the Business plan for $25 per user per month, featuring more customer support options, cloud recording, and calling via the Webex mobile app. Check out our full review of Webex to decide if it’s right for you. Quick Sprout Cloud-Based Phone System Related ContentValuable guides and reviews can help you ensure you’re getting everything you need from your cloud-based phone system. Here, we’ve broken down helpful resources into categories to give you the information you need to make the best decision for your business. Cloud-Based Phone System Guides and How-Tos
Cloud-Based Phone System Company Reviews
Cloud-Based Phone System ComparisonsCloud-Based Phone System Related Top Lists
via Quick Sprout https://www.quicksprout.com/best-cloud-based-phone-systems/ Want to jump straight to the answer? The best business card printing service for most people is Vistaprint or Zazzle. Business cards are great for meeting people and establishing a professional reputation. If potential customers ask for one, it looks really sharp when you hand them a polished, memorable business card with everything they need to get in touch. Whether you want to design a card from scratch or use a template, business card printing services will help you make a lasting impression–even on a budget. But which one is worth your money? Let’s find out. The Top 3 Best Business Card Printing Services
![]() You can buy card stock and print out business cards at home, but that doesn’t put your best foot forward. To really shine during that first encounter, you’ll want to have professionally printed business cards to share. This is where a business card printing service comes in. They provide custom business cards that stand out from the crowd. There are hundreds of places to have professional business cards made, both online and in person. To help you decide which one to use, I’ve honed in on the top three business card printing services on the market today. The in-depth reviews below cover the features, benefits, pricing, and use cases for each. I’ve also included the factors I think are most important to consider when choosing a business card printing service, so you can make an educated evaluation of the best service for your needs. Vistaprint — Best for Advanced Design and Print Quality
Vistaprint is known for being one of the best business card printing services on the market today. They give you unforgettable style and professionalism when networking, in the palm of your hand. Small businesses and large organizations alike use Vistaprint to accommodate all their printing needs—including business cards. Whether you’re looking for something simple and classic or bold and unique, Vistaprint has endless card options to choose from. ![]() Vistaprint offers standard 14pt card stock, premium 16pt stock, and even plastic business cards that are washable. In addition to basic card shapes, Vistaprint can help you stand out with square business cards and rounded corner business cards. Choose from a wide range of finishes and textures to help your cards get noticed:
Not sure where to get started? Vistaprint has more than 7,700 templates to choose from. Browse by industry, style, theme, and more. You can even customize business cards with your photo. If you’d rather create something unique instead of starting with a template, you can upload your own design or work with a Vistaprint designer to customize something for you. Your imagination is the only limit. Vistaprint goes beyond standard business cards to offer both premium and specialty options. Premium includes higher-quality paper stock, unique shapes, and textures. There are also eco-friendly options. If you really want to go all out, you can choose the specialty option. With it you can opt for water, tear, and scratch-resistant cards, add foil accents, include embossing, and even link your cards online via smart technology. ![]() Pricing starts at $15 for 100 standard cards, but you’ll get a better rate with higher volume orders. You can get 500 standard cards for $20 and 1,000 cards for $33. All Vistaprint business cards ship for free, regardless of size and quantity. Get started today at Vistaprint and save 20% off your purchase by using the coupon code: QUICKSPROUT20. Zazzle — Best For Custom Business Cards
Zazzle specializes in customization. They offer thousands of designs and different types of paper. I recommend Zazzle to anyone who wants a unique and memorable business card that stands out from the rest. ![]() Zazzle has a wide range of different shapes, including standard, square, mighty, mini, folded, and Euro. Choose from professional, unique, minimalist, and modern designs. There are more than 50,000+ templates, all created by independent designers, that you can customize. Zazzle has loads of industry-specific designs as well. Popular options include:
For example, if you’re a photographer in need of business cards, start in the Photography category. Then find a design that suits your style. Not sure? Drill down more by the type of photography you do, like freelance or professional to find more design ideas. ![]() In addition to business cards, you can use Zazzle to create referral, appointment, and customer loyalty cards, too. So once you have your business card look and feel dialed in, you can build an entire suite of cohesive marketing materials to showcase your brand. Zazzle is also great for low-quantity orders. You can buy as few as 10 business cards for $0.23 per card. “Create your own” business cards start at $20.95 for packs of 100. Save 25% on quantities of 300 or more. GotPrint — Best For Cheap Business Cards
If you’re looking for the best deal on business cards, look no further than GotPrint. Most printing services only give you a great rate when you order in bulk. But GoPrint has standard and glossy business cards starting at $7.63 for 100. With that said, I’d recommend 500 at a minimum. You’ll pay less than $1 extra for 400 additional cards by ordering 500 for $8.50. ![]() In addition to GotPrint’s rock-bottom prices, they offer custom shapes like square, circle business cards, and even folded business cards. You can order magnet business cards from GotPrint as well. Browse from 125+ design templates. Narrow your options down by selecting your industry or pick a theme, such as:
Once you design your business cards, you can also order other marketing materials from GotPrint at reasonable prices, too. Choose from stickers, labels, signs, postcards, flyers, bookmarks, and more. GotPrint offers a money-back satisfaction guarantee to first-time customers. If you’re not completely satisfied with your order, you can get a full refund up to $100. While GotPrint does have some of the lowest rates on the market, shipping will cost extra. No free shipping here. So prepare to see your order total increase during the checkout process to account for shipping costs. More Good Business Card Printing OptionsElite Flyers — Best For Bulk Order Business Cards
Elite Flyers provides high-quality business cards at affordable rates. This is especially true for large volume orders. This printing company has a wide range of business cards to choose from to ensure you make a great first impression. They offer soft-touch cards and thick business cards as well. ![]() Overall, there are 30+ different business card material categories to choose from. Some of the most popular options include:
Elite Flyers also offers black suede business cards, eggshell business cards, velvet business cards, spot UV cards, and business cards with foil stamping. If you’re looking for cards that really stand out among the crowd, Elite is a great option. In many cases, you’ll need to order a minimum of 500 or 1,000 cards. So if you’re looking for 50 or 100 cards, you’ll probably need to look elsewhere. Elite Flyers offers quantities as high as 25,000 cards. So it’s great for large events or adding business cards to brochures for mass distribution. There is a wide range of design templates for you to choose from, too. However, not all the templates are free. Premium designs start at $3 to customize. Pricing for 1,000 standard cards starts at $35. Learn more at Elite Flyers. MOO — Best For Modern Business Cards
MOO is one of the most popular business card printing services on the market today. They have a 5-star rating on Trustpilot with more than 14,000 reviews. With good reason. The quality is exceptional, and the ordering process and follow up is engaging and fun. If you’re looking for a modern and professional business card design with a dash of fun thrown in, MOO will be a top choice to consider. There are four different sizes for you to choose from:
They also offer matte, glossy, and soft-touch finish business cards, all of which convey a modern look. MOO is business-oriented. Custom designs are part of their business printing services. You’ll also be the first to know about the latest business products and benefit from volume discounts. Standard business cards start at $19.99 for 50 cards. MOO charges $119 for 400 cards and $150 for 600 cards. The price is a bit high compared to other printing services. However, MOO offers variety at no extra cost. You can print a different design on every card in your order, and it comes free with your order. Staples — Best For Same-Day Business Cards
Staples is a name that we’re all familiar with. It’s one of the most popular office supply companies in the world. With Staples’ business card printing service, you can design, order, and pick up your business cards on the same day if you order by 2:00 PM. You’ll obviously have to visit your local Staples store, which isn’t as convenient as getting cards delivered to your home or office. But it’s a great option if you’re in a bind and need business cards ASAP. Staples offers curbside pickup, so you won’t even have to leave your car to get your business cards. If you’re not in a rush and prefer delivery, Staples offers free shipping on business card orders. Order in quantities of 50, 100, 250, 500, or 1,000. Pricing starts at $9.99 for 250 basic one-sided cards and $14.99 for 500 cards. At Staples, you can browse designs by industry, style, color theme, and more. You have the ability to create your own design, but the options aren’t quite as extensive as some of the other services on our list. PsPrint — Best For Custom-Shaped Business Cards
Sometimes a traditional business card isn’t enough to help you stand out from the crowd. If you’re looking for something more unique, PsPrint has you covered with custom shape business cards. With PsPrint’s die-cutting services, you can get your business card printed on 48 different shapes. ![]() Some of those custom shapes include:
Custom shape die-cutting does come at a premium price and a minimum of 500 cards for an order. Pricing starts at $127.90. It takes 5-7 business days to produce these custom cards, too, so you’ll need to plan ahead. If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative, PsPrint does have standard business cards you can order in quantities as low as 50. For pricing comparison purposes, 500 standard cards start at $21.90. The printing turnaround time for a standard card can be as fast as one day. Get started at PsPrint.com. How to Find the Best Business Card Printing Services For YouGenerally speaking, there is no “best for everyone” business card printing service. The best option for me might not be the best one for you. These are the factors I think are the most important when you’re evaluating your options. QuantityHow many business cards do you need? Some printing services let you order minimums of 10 or even 50. Other printing services require 500 or even 1,000 business cards per order. If you’re ordering in bulk, there’s an option for that as well. Generally speaking, you’ll get discounts based on volume. Even if you only need 100 cards, it might make sense to order 500. In some cases, it’s only a dollar or two extra for the additional 400 cards. ShippingWhen considering shipping, you need to focus on two critical factors: price and turnaround time. How soon do you need your new cards? Some of the best business card printing services offer free shipping, but don’t expect your cards to arrive tomorrow. Other card printing services offer really low rates but charge extra for shipping at checkout. You might need to have a minimum order amount to qualify for free shipping business cards. Card Size and ShapeYou can get a standard-size business card from any printing service on our list. But you might be looking for something more unique. Certain websites offer square business cards, mini business cards, and business cards with rounded edges. There are even printers offering fruit-shaped business cards or other unique shapes like hearts, oblong geometrics, stars, and more. Material and TextureConsider the thickness, or stock, of the business cards you’re ordering. As the stock number increases, the price typically goes up as well. But beyond stock, consider the material being used and the texture of the cards you want to order. Today you can get business cards printed on linen, cotton, recycled materials, plastic, and other materials. Some printing services even offer cork or embossed business cards. CustomizationIf you want your business card to stand out from the crowd, look for a printing service that gives you the flexibility to be unique. Some services offer hundreds or even thousands of templates and designs for you to start with. Then you can customize everything from there. Alternatively, you could always start with a blank canvas and create your own business card from scratch. The Top Business Card Printing Services in SummaryChoosing the best business card printing services depends on your needs and preferences. Vistaprint is our top choice for the best card printing because of its advanced design options and high print quality. Get in touch with Zazzle if you are looking for something unique. And if you’re on a budget, GotPrint is also worth checking out. via Quick Sprout https://www.quicksprout.com/best-business-card-printing/ Want to jump straight to the answer? The best VPS host for most people is Hostinger or Kamatera. Shared hosting is cost-effective for beginner or low-traffic websites. But when your traffic grows, it’s time to start looking for virtual private server (VPS) hosting. With VPS hosting you won’t be sharing hosting resources with anyone and you can set up the server the way you want. After researching dozens of providers, I’ve narrowed down the top VPS hosting plans. The Top 5 Best VPS Hosting Providers
![]() In this review I highlight each provider’s plans and pricing and explain what makes each a good VPS hosting option. I also share some potential downsides or weaknesses of each provider, and provide a methodology you can use to select the best VPS host for your needs. I’ve also included a quick review of VPS hosting in case you’d like a refresher on what this service is and how it works. Virtual Private Server ReviewsRead on for detailed reviews of the VPS hosts listed above. Hostinger — Best Value VPS Hosting
Hostinger offers fast and reliable servers with the best pricing of any VPS hosts on our list. Its best value plan starts from $2.99 per month – an excellent deal for VPS hosting. You still get 1 TB of bandwidth and 20 GB of SSD storage. On top of that, Hostinger ensures excellent loading times with a 100 MB/second guarantee on your network. In addition, you have complete control over your hosting as it offers full root access. ![]() Hostinger has a dedicated IPv6 block infrastructure to keep connections secure and efficient. Its servers provide enough processing power for medium to large-scale online projects. Hostinger offers eight VPS plans: ![]() As you can see, Hostinger’s VPS hosting provides a wide variety of options. Coupled with its great pricing and rich features, the VPS host offers the best value for money. Personally, I’d go with the VPS 4 plan, which gives you all the bandwidth and RAM you’d need to make sure your online project runs smoothly. I highly recommend Hostinger to anyone that wants fast, secure, and reliable VPS hosting. Sign up today at Hostinger. Kamatera — Best VPS Hosting for Instant Scaling
Kamatera gives you unlimited storage. You can add new servers as required, start and stop servers at any time, and add new databases as you grow. That’s why they are one of the most scalable VPS services out there. They are perfect for scaling on demand. More than that, they offer a wide variety of flexible cloud-based VPS solutions for web hosting. Instinctively set up their servers for anything you need–email, CRM, ERP, VoIP–and the service grows with you. And it takes no time at all. You can increase your server numbers in a matter of minutes. This is ideal for any growing startup that needs to increase the power of their website over time. The same is true if you’re strapped for resources and need to temporarily pull in the reins. With Kamatera, you don’t have to choose among plans. Instead you can dial in the exact amount of resources you need. ![]() Kamatera lets you customize the type of servers, OS, and control panel for your VPS hosting. Their global technical support network also operates 24/7 worldwide with more than a dozen data centers in North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. If you ever have any issues, you can always get someone on the line to help you. Since its services are customized to your exact specifications, we can’t share exact pricing details here. But we can say that prices begin at just $4 for an unmanaged server. Kamatera is a great deal for people who want total control over configuration. If you want a more hands-off experience, Kamatera’s managed plans start at $54. InMotion VPS — Most Reliable Uptime
InMotion specializes in VPS hosting. Their plans come in two flavors: managed and cloud. ![]() While its managed hosting is great and offers tremendous performance, I highly recommend its cloud hosting plan. This plan offers even more control over your VPS server for developers and website managers. It also comes with enterprise-level hardware to ensure a 99.9%+ uptime rate. Let’s take a look at each one to see what’s best for your website. ![]() InMotion Managed VPS Hosting InMotion’s managed plans are ideal for business owners, agencies, and resellers, which is why InMotion landed at the top of our list of top reseller hosting providers. Each plan offers free server management, updates, and free site migrations. You’ll also benefit from a resource monitoring dashboard, unlimited domains, unlimited email accounts, and unlimited MySQL databases. Here’s what their plans look like for three-year contracts:
All plans are ecommerce-optimized and come with optional root access for those of you who want more advanced control over your settings. These prices reflect the longest contract commitment and best pricing option. InMotion Cloud VPS The cloud hosting account plans offered by InMotion are best for developers and system administrators. That’s because each plan comes with full root access, including SSH keys, which gives you total control over customization. As a developer, you’ll essentially get a blank slate to customize a VPS to meet the exact needs of your website. You can also code in the language of your preference, like Java, Ruby, and other popular choices. InMotion Cloud VPS provides enterprise-level hardware, with SSD servers that are 20x faster than the competition.
In my review of InMotion hosting I found that in order to get the best introductory rates for cloud VPS, you need to commit for one year, as opposed to two years with the managed plans. Prices for managed plans and cloud hosting plans are a lot alike. The biggest difference between the two is basically how much control you want over the server. One other thing that I really like about Inmotion Hosting is that their customer support team is located in the United States. Support is available 24/7/365 and you can connect with them by phone, email, and live chat. Having multiple ways to get in touch when you need help is priceless and not something every hosting provider offers. ![]() Unless you’re a developer, I think that the majority of you should lean toward the managed plans, just based on simplicity. Learn more at InMotion. A2 Hosting VPS — Best Unmanaged Plans for Developers
A2 Hosting offers some of the fastest hosting out there. It especially stands out for offering both managed and unmanaged VPS plans. Typically, unmanaged VPS plans with root access and custom features come at a higher price point. But not with A2 Hosting. ![]() Experienced developers can get an unmanaged virtual private server for as low as $5 per month. Although with just 20 GB of storage and 512 MB of RAM, this entry-level plan likely won’t meet your needs. You’ll also get root access for both the unmanaged and managed plans. This gives you greater control to make custom changes to your virtual server. Coupled with the low price point, this makes A2 a top choice for anyone who’s looking to really take the reins of their website. Here’s a closer look at A2’s VPS plans: Unmanaged VPS Plans
These are all based on 3-year contracts. If you want a one year or monthly contract, it will cost more per month. With the unmanaged plans, you can configure your server preferences for disk space, CPU, memory, and bandwidth. Obviously, any adjustments will impact the price. Managed VPS Plans
These are all based on 3-year contracts. If you want a one year or monthly contract, it will cost more per month. The only difference between the Managed plans and Core plans is that the core plans come with root access. However, you won’t be able to configure your server the same way you would if you select an unmanaged plan. Overall, A2 is a great choice for developers who want complete control and customization over their VPS at an affordable rate. For traditional managed hosting, I’d probably look elsewhere. With that said, A2 Hosting has one of the best customer support teams on the market. So if that’s something that you prioritize, it’s worth taking a closer look at their plans. Check out my full review of A2 hosting for more about the company. Scala Hosting — Best for Customizing VPS Resources
VPS gives you more resources—RAM, disk space, and CPU cores—than shared or cloud hosting will. But sometimes, bespoke VPS hosting packages give the exact amount of those resources that your specific business needs. Scala Hosting lets you tailor your VPS servers to the exact specifications you’ll want for your sites. And by exact, I mean exact. Scala offers a build-your-own VPS hosting tool. Check it out below: ![]() You can use sliders to set the number of CPU cores (choose from one to 24), how much RAM (2 GB to 128 GB), and the storage space of your SSD (50 GB to 2,000 GB). Enter the combination you need for your site and Scala’s tool will spit out prices for monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual billing. Managed VPS plans also come in two-year and three-year terms. For example, let’s say you have a social networking site where people can share photos, post videos, and contribute as much content to the community as they’d like. It’s a small but active community, so you never have to worry much about traffic spikes, but you need the site to run smoothly when dozens or more are posting and browsing at once. And you need ample storage for all the content they’re posting. In that case, you could set up a VPS plan through Scala that has four CPU cores, 10 GB of memory, and 400 GB of storage. Paying annually, that would run you $69/month for self-managed VPS through Scala. That’s just nine bucks more than Bluehost’s Ultimate VPS package, where you get the same number of cores, but 2 GB less RAM, and 280 GB less SSD space. That same package for Scala’s fully managed VPS is a very competitive $119.95/month. Plus, you can select your preferred datacenter—choose from New York, Dallas, or Europe—at no extra charge. On self-managed plans, you can select one of eight operating systems. For fully managed, you can select whether you’d like SPanel for your control panel or cPanel for anywhere from five to 1,000 accounts. Customization doesn’t stop there. Choose from 24 different add-ons to tweak your package even further. You can add unbranded WHMCS, Softaculous, or ClientExec for client management, additional cPanel licenses, a CloudLinux license, and more. Don’t want to build your own? Prebuilt self-managed VPS packages start at $10/month and the same for fully managed plans start at $9.95/month. If you know exactly what you need and don’t want to jump through any hoops to get it for your sites, go with Scala Hosting. More Great VPS Hosting OptionsBluehost VPS — Easiest Upgrade from Shared Hosting
Bluehost is an industry leader in the web hosting space. Its VPS plans offer a wide range of hosting options to accommodate the needs of nearly every website. Bluehost is an excellent choice for anyone new to VPS hosting—or new to hosting in general. VPS hosting gives you more control over the server than standard shared hosting does. However, with that control comes increased responsibilities, which many inexperienced users find overwhelming. Not with Bluehost, though. It has designed everything with beginners in mind. ![]() Bluehost offers a massive knowledge base that allows you to learn anything you want about VPS hosting. It also has a great customer support team that can be reached by telephone, email, or live chat 24/7 to help out with any questions or issues. Bluehost allows multi-server management, meaning you can add more space to your plan at any given time. This is ideal for websites that need to scale at a moment’s notice, without any delays or downtime. You’ll be able to accomplish this directly from your advanced cPanel, without any assistance from a Bluehost administrator. Bluehost has several powerful plans with straightforward pricing. No hidden fees or surprises. They even give you a free domain name just for signing up. Standard VPS
Enhanced VPS
Ultimate VPS
Bluehost offers pricing and resources for websites of all shapes and sizes. I found in my deep-dive review of Bluehost that even if you’re looking for an entry-level VPS plan, the Enhanced VPS makes more sense than the Standard option. For just $10 more per month, you’ll get double the SSD, RAM, and bandwidth. It is worth noting that prices listed above are promotional rates. You’ll pay $29.99, $59.99, $89.99, and $119.99, respectively, when your plan renews. All VPS plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. For a reasonable price, you’ll benefit from plenty of resources, support, and uptime compared to other options on the market. Try Bluehost today. Liquid Web VPS — Best VPS Hosting with High Memory and Storage
Liquid Web is one of the most under-the-radar VPS hosting services out there. What they lack in name recognition, they make up for in a very powerful VPS hosting service. ![]() All Liquid Web VPS plans are fully managed. That means your hardware and network are taken care of for you. Their administrators also handle all security updates and patches, as well as support for the operating system and all software. Each of their virtual private servers boasts a staggering 10 TB of bandwidth. That’s the most we’ve seen so far. The 16 GB of RAM plan has up to 200 GB of SSD disk space, which is also the highest we’ve seen. To put that into perspective for you, 16 GB of RAM is double the amount of the highest plans offered by both Bluehost and InMotion (both of which still offer very good VPS plans). Unlike some of the other hosting providers we’ve seen so far, Liquid Web doesn’t have any special or fancy names for their plans. You’re essentially paying for your resources, starting with RAM.
These are all annual contract-based prices. You’ll pay more if you want to do month-to-month. Liquid Web has 2-year plans available upon request. But you’ll need to talk to its customer service team to find out those special rates for your website. Liquid Web is perfect for cases where you need a lot of bandwidth and disk space. It’s a key differentiator for sites with a lot of videos, cached images, or interactive elements. The support offered by the Liquid Web team is exceptional. They are available 24/7 via phone, email, and live chat. Most VPS providers don’t offer a 16 GB plan. Though I doubt most of you will need it, for those who do this is where I recommend getting it. Click here and use coupon code QUICKSPROUT to get 40% off 2 months of any Liquid Web hosting plan. HostGator VPS — Best VPS for Hands-On Customer Support
HostGator is another popular name in the world of web hosting. Its VPS plans are known for their excellent pricing. Where HostGator really shines, though, is in its excellent customer support offerings. For example, it offers free content transfers if you’re migrating from a different web host. That’s a service that you’d normally spend hundreds of dollars at another hosting site. But HostGator transfers “website files, databases, scripts, and one free domain registration” for absolutely no cost to you. You just have to do it within 30 days of signing up. That’s world-class support. ![]() With VPS hosting, getting timely customer support from the right person is crucial. The increased control you have over the server environment means that a huge number of issues can arise. Questions get technically complex very quickly, and you may not even know how to articulate what is going wrong. Their customer support team is also on hand 24/7/365 via phone, email, or live chat to help you with any of your needs. Here are the VPS pricing plans for HostGator: Snappy 2000
Snappy 4000
Snappy 8000
Although these plans aren’t the lowest that we’ve seen, they’re still pretty good. HostGator’s VPS plans are geared towards more professional, experienced web managers, though. They’re very good at giving developers great control over their exact hosting specifications. HostGator also stands out with its reliable and multi-layer security network. This enhanced protection paired with the ability to easily scale your resources is what makes HostGator a top VPS choice on our list Along with that, you get unlimited MySQL Databases, full root access, and unlimited SFTP users. So if you want more control over technical aspects of your website, this is the host for you. They also offer good cloud hosting plans, as I found in my review of HostGator cloud hosting. iPage VPS — Best VPS Hosting If You’re Starting from Scratch
iPage is an affordable VPS plan with a few useful tools for people just starting out. You’ll also get a high degree of customer support, which isn’t always the case with VPS hosting. iPage actually specializes in web design and other services, as I discovered in my in-depth review of iPage hosting. For those of you who are building a new website from scratch and want to start with a solid, affordable VPS hosting plan, iPage is a top choice. ![]() The drag-and-drop website builder allows you to create a great looking website easily. No coding or web development knowledge is required. iPage will also throw in a free domain for you. That makes it a great package for someone creating a new website with VPS hosting. Let’s take a closer look at their plans. Basic VPS
Business VPS
Optimum VPS
As you can see, these are the lowest prices that we’ve seen so far, even after the full-price renewal rates kick in. Even with these low rates, you’ll still benefit from quality 24/7 support. You just won’t get the capacity and resources offered by some higher-tier providers. Learn more at iPage. How to Find the Best VPS Host for YouNow that you’ve had a chance to look at some specific VPS plans, it’s time to determine the best possible choice for you and your website. The two main questions to consider are straightforward:
In most cases, price and features will go hand-in-hand. If you need the highest possible RAM, disk space, and storage, then you should expect to pay higher prices. Aside from that, you could lean toward one provider or plan over another based on other features like customer support, website security, and the ability to scale. Some of you might be wondering what qualifications and standards we used to determine which VPS services are the best. All of the plans on our list scored high based on the following considerations. You can see them below and use them when making your final decision: 24/7/365 White-Glove SupportGood customer support isn’t just a “nice to have” when it comes to VPS hosting—it’s an absolute necessity. In fact, good customer support should be a deal breaker for anyone looking for a VPS web host. This is especially true if you’re managing a website for your business. If your website goes down, or you become a victim of a DDoS attack, you need to be able to pick up a phone and have someone on the other end help you address the issue ASAP. Each minute they don’t help you could mean tons of lost revenue. At the bare minimum, I’d recommend a VPS plan that comes with 24/7 phone and live chat support. Some of the choices on our list stand out for their support more than others. I made sure to point that out in the reviews above. Of course, customer support doesn’t start and end when things go wrong. You also want real people working for the hosting provider to be there to help you with other things that come up when managing an online business. For example, if you’re creating a new website from scratch then you probably don’t care about free site migrations. But for those of you who are looking to transfer from another provider, a free migration and free domain transfer could save you a couple of hundred dollars. If that sounds like your situation, look to HostPapa. It offers free VPS migration and free domain transfer on top of 24/7 customer support. Root Access AvailabilityRoot access gives Linux, Unix, and Linux-adjacent users the ability to implement more command over their websites and digital assets, allowing for greater access and customization. To be clear, not every VPS plan on our list comes with root access. But, not everyone needs it. Root access is only necessary for those of you who are developers, are technically advanced, or want to make custom changes to your virtual server. The vast majority of you will be better off choosing a fully managed VPS plan. But if you’re looking for a VPS host, you’re likely looking to have more control over your website anyway. Luckily, there are some fully managed plans that come with optional root access as well. For example, InMotion Managed VPS Hosting gives you optional root access for more advanced control. With InMotion Cloud VPS, you’ll get full root access along with SSH keys for further secure customization. A2 Hosting is another standout if root access is important. They offer full root access in plans that start as low as $5 per month. So, just make sure you know before choosing a plan whether you want to have root access or not. High Uptime RatesUptime is arguably the most important factor to consider in web hosting. In many cases, uptime is the reason why anyone would want to upgrade from a shared host to a VPS host. That’s why you need to put a premium on uptime rates. Every VPS plan on this guide performed well in our uptime tests. Most providers guarantee a 99.9% uptime rate and they’ll credit your bill if they fail to meet those standards. However, you’d like to avoid this scenario altogether for a few reasons. First, getting a few extra bucks back isn’t worth your site being down when it could be up and making you more money. And, depending on how long it’s down for, that could mean a lot of money. Second, do you know how much time you actually lose each year if your site is down even a fraction of a percentage point? It’s probably a lot more than you think. The difference between 99% and 99.9% uptime is over 80 hours a year! That’s more than three days that your website is down annually, all because you didn’t get a good web host. That’s why you want to find a good web host company that guarantees at least 99.9% uptime per year. If you’re evaluating VPS plans from an uptime perspective, you can rest easy knowing that every provider on our list is a safe option. Also, if or when your website goes down, you’ll want the VPS host to be there at any hour of the day to help you out—which goes back to our point about always-available white glove service. During downtime (both planned and unplanned), this transparency and communication is key. Powerhouse PerformanceThe main appeal of VPS hosting is that it can drastically increase your website’s performance. Your website will experience a major speed boost now that it’s not sharing resources with other sites. Site speed is important for all websites. A one-second delay in load time can mean page views reduced by 11% and 7% fewer conversions. This is especially crucial for those of you who plan to experience high volumes of traffic. You want to make sure that you find a plan that can accommodate your traffic without sacrificing speed. The VPS hosts on this list have been reviewed and researched to make sure that they offer the best load times of any host. Though much of your website’s speed depends on the amount of media and assets you have on it (and how it’s optimized), there are two very important elements to take into consideration that impact your website’s overall performance: SSD Disk Solid-state drive (SSD) disks are the devices that store your website’s assets, like images, videos, content, web pages, and so on. They also help boost your website much more quickly for the user. As such, they greatly improve performance overall. RAM RAM refers to the amount of working memory that can be accessed by your server’s CPU. When a program is booted up, it is temporarily stored on the server’s RAM for easy access. If you have too little RAM, then that information is stored on your SSD or hard drive—which takes much longer to access. So the more the better in general. But it all really depends on your website’s demands. We’ve seen RAM as low as 512 MB (A2 Entry Unmanaged VPS) and as high as 24 GB (HostPapa Extreme VPS). The number of resources you’ll get will be determined by the plan you choose. It all depends on what you need and how much you’re willing to spend. This is particularly important for websites that need a high threshold for RAM and disk space. For example, if you need email hosting, in-browser games or apps, or IoT platforms. What is VPS Hosting?VPS hosting is a step above shared web hosting. With a virtual private server, you’ll still be sharing a single server, but you’ll be sharing it with fewer websites. If you’re not sure what that means, here’s a quick primer on the basics of web hosting, including a comparison of the four types of web hosting you can choose. When it comes to VPS hosting, here’s how it works. Basically, a virtual private server is one server that’s divided into separate virtual machines. Each virtual server can be run with custom configurations and separate operating systems. VPS hosting comes with dedicated server resources as well. So even though you’re sharing a single server with other websites, your RAM and CPU are independent of those sites. A virtual private server is best for those of you who want the benefits of a dedicated server, but don’t want to pay the high costs associated with dedicated hosting. Most of you probably don’t need a dedicated server. But you’ll eventually outgrow your shared hosting plan. Upgrading from a shared plan to a virtual private server will improve the speed and performance of your website. Since you won’t be sharing resources, your site will be more responsive on the user-end. VPS hosting is more equipped to handle traffic spikes as well. For more information on how VPS stacks up against other hosting options, check out my guide on the best web hosting providers. Now, that’s just for hosting websites. VPS servers can also be used to ratchet up your tech infrastructure’s capability, primarily through edge computing. If you find a provider with enough strategically placed data centers, you can leverage their VPS servers for a wider array of applications. This runs the gamut from monitoring, accommodating, and syncing IoT devices (such as smart personal or home devices, self-driving vehicles, and automated production lines) to dynamic content delivery, gaming, and data processing. In the end, you get VPS servers at several physical locations at your disposal, with which you can spin up virtual machines to run programs, applications, or functions. Edge computing is the future endpoint of our current journey from distributed through cloud computing. User demand, the amount of data being transferred, and resource needs have never been greater. So, many companies across diverse fields and sizes can benefit from leveraging VPS for edge computing. Virtual Servers Compared to Other Hosting OptionsBefore you finalize your decision on a VPS hosting plan, you need to make sure that a virtual private server is your best option. If you’re creating a new website from scratch and don’t plan on having too much traffic for a long time, then shared hosting will be your best bet. Not sure? Take a minute to consider the different types of web hosting to figure out which is best for you. For those of you who want complete customization over your server and expect 100,000+ visitors each month, then you might want to consider a dedicated server. You can refer to my guide on the best dedicated hosting plans for more information on this. VPS hosting is for everyone else who falls in the middle. So if you’ve outgrown your shared plan but don’t need the resources offered on a dedicated server, then a virtual private server will be perfect for your website. The Best VPS Hosting in SummaryVirtual private server (VPS) hosting offers more memory, better performance, and greater flexibility at an affordable price. It’s an excellent option to consider when you’ve outgrown a shared hosting plan. Different VPS hosting providers are better for various use cases. Some are built for scalability, while others are made for developers. Certain providers stand out for price and value, while others offer unique services for IoT devices and edge computing. via Quick Sprout https://www.quicksprout.com/best-vps-hosting/ We recommend Nextiva or RingCentral for most businesses because of their comprehensive list of features that cater to virtually any communication need. Save up to 27% on a Nextiva plan, or try RingCentral free for 15 days. After spending eight weeks researching, testing, and evaluating multiple office phone systems, we narrowed our list to 28 possible contenders. From there, we shortlisted 21 products and eventually narrowed the options to 12 of the best office phone systems for various use cases. The Top 12 Best Office Phone SystemsOur in-depth methodology brought us to the following list of 12 office phone systems. We recommend Nextiva or RingCentral for their secure, easy-to-use, and feature-rich platforms. Save up to 27% on a Nextiva plan, or save as much as 33% on a RingCentral annual plan.
![]() How We Evaluated the Best Office Phone System CompaniesWe want to help you compare your options as simply as possible. Below, we’ve listed the basic criteria we used to qualify office phone systems and detailed how we ended up with our final choices. Or, jump straight into the reviews if you’re ready to get started. How We Qualified the Best Office Phone System Providers for ConsiderationFirst, we found 28 brands that fit as overall contenders for the best phone systems for most businesses. The companies we considered are 11Sight, 1-VoIP, 3CX, 8×8, Aircall, Avaya, Channels, Cloudtalk, Dialpad, Evoice, Freshdesk, Genesys Cloud, GoTo Connect, Grasshopper, Microsoft Teams, Mitel, Net2Phone, Nextiva, Nice CXone, Ooma, Phone.com, RingCentral, Talkdesk, Vonage, Webex, Windstream, Zoho Voice, Zoom. However, not all of these 28 products made the cut. We immediately removed seven brands, largely because of poor reviews or because they’re geared more toward call center software than office phone systems. The remaining 21 brands moved forward to our second round of research. How We Narrowed the List of Qualified Best Office Phone SystemsThen, we shortened the list by removing more companies that couldn’t fit these crucial criteria for office phone systems:
This cut dropped nine brands out of the running, leaving us with 12 solid products on our top list. The following companies are qualified but not recommended. They have a lot of features that many businesses find important, but we removed them for not fitting cleanly into our criteria, or for having objectively worse offerings than other brands on the list. 1-VoIP: 1VoIP’s user interface simply isn’t as modern or compelling as others. Although it does a lot of other things well, we understand the benefits an up-to-date interface provides. 3CX: This company’s plans are highly customizable, but because it’s technically a call center software platform, the pricing may be too costly for smaller companies. 8×8: 8×8 is highly comparable to Ooma and Aircall, but it lacks a few features that make these companies stand out. Cloudtalk: Cloudtalk is designed as call center software, so it’s missing key UCaaS features that assist internal communications. Evoice: Evoice is probably one of the most stripped-down office phone systems you’ll find. That could be great for solopreneurs, but most companies will need more. GoTo Connect: GoTo Connect lacks a few important features, like call recording transcriptions and analytics for its entry-level plan. It also offers minimal customer support. Microsoft Teams: Although Microsoft Teams plays well with other Microsoft tools, companies not as immersed in the Microsoft ecosystem will probably find that it isn’t worth the cost compared to other products that offer more. Mitel: Mitel’s phone system app feels clunky and outdated. It’s also not as transparent as other companies about its included features. Vonage: You’ll need to scale up to pricier packages to get Vonage features you’ll find on lower-tier packages with other companies. The Top Office Phone System Companies Left StandingWe recommend Nextiva or RingCentral for most businesses. Choose your Nextiva plan today. Or, get a 30-day risk-free money-back guarantee when you try RingCentral.
Match Your Scenario to the Right Office Phone System SolutionNow, let’s talk about some of the most common reasons you need a reliable office phone system, which we’ve broken down below. We recommend two excellent options for each situation that could meet your needs.
You need UCaaS featuresBest Option: Nextiva Nextiva offers an incredible number of UCaaS features, like video calling, mobile SMS, and faxing, allowing people in the office to communicate with each other as easily as they do customers. Video conferencing with no call limits and up to 200 participants is an extra productivity bonus for Nextiva customers. ![]() Another great choice: RingCentral RingCentral is right on par with Nextiva, including virtually all of the same UCaaS features. Unlimited internet faxing and audio conferencing is available on the second-tier plan. If your phone system will also be a collaborative tool for your team, consider:
Your company is scaling quickly, and you need an office system that can grow with youBest Option: Nextiva Nextiva’s vast amount of features might feel like too much for small businesses. However, companies that plan to scale or have already seen promising growth will probably appreciate everything it has to offer. With an introductory plan that’s incredibly affordable for everything it includes, Nextiva is a smart choice for quickly scaling businesses. Another great choice: Ooma Ooma is designed for small to medium-sized businesses, but it will definitely grow with your company’s needs. Its wide range of equipment with advanced calling features makes it easy to pick and choose what you need as you scale. If you plan to expand your business soon, your phone system probably needs:
You need robust outbound calling abilitiesBest Option: Nextiva If outbound calling is a priority for your business, you’ll appreciate Nextiva’s click-to-call feature. Connect a call over VoIP with the click of a button using the online phone system to avoid human dialing errors. Another great choice: Ooma Ooma gives customers the option of getting scheduled callbacks so they don’t need to wait on hold until someone can get back to them. It also features highly affordable rates for international calls and unlimited domestic calling. To enhance your company’s outbound communication efforts, consider:
You want a phone system that integrates with your current softwareBest Option: RingCentral RingCentral has more than 250 integrations with many of the most popular tools that offices use daily. It also allows companies to develop their own apps to customize their workflows and connect their tools. RingCentral is also ideal for niche businesses with its collections of integrations for specific industries, like healthcare and education. ![]() Another great choice: Dialpad Although its phone system is best for small to medium-sized businesses, Dialpad still includes an impressive selection of apps in its marketplace. They’re organized neatly into categories to find what you need to streamline your processes. Companies with a large infrastructure of software should consider:
You need equipment or devices for your teamBest Option: Webex Webex is known for carrying some of the most high-tech phone system equipment in the industry, thanks to being owned by Cisco. All Webex devices, including screens, cameras, and headsets, work seamlessly with Cisco software. ![]() Another great choice: RingCentral RingCentral does not create proprietary equipment like Webex does in partnership with Cisco. Still, its system plays well with hardware from some of the most popular companies, including Cisco and Unify, and there are plenty of devices to choose from. When your office needs phones and collaborative equipment, think about:
Your business has significant inbound calling needsBest Option: Ooma Ooma’s automated call directory and customizable multi-level menus allow customers to easily navigate your phone system. A virtual receptionist feature takes inbound calling to the next level with an automated guide that assists callers through custom messages, call routing, a dial-by-name directory, and menus for additional languages. ![]() Another great choice: Dialpad Dialpad is one of the best choices for call management, especially with inbound calls. It includes unique features like simultaneous ring, which sends incoming calls to connected devices, and call transferring to direct incoming calls to the best place. Businesses with high inbound call volumes should pay attention to:
You need robust, UI/UX-forward desktop and mobile appsBest Option: Zoom Zoom has long been one of the simplest phone systems to navigate, offering a clean and straightforward design that virtually anyone can figure out without help. Its video, phone, and chat features work seamlessly across devices, making it an excellent solution for remote teams. ![]() Another great choice: RingCentral RingCentral has some of the highest-rated apps for mobile devices, and its Mac and PC apps are just as trouble-free to use. You’ll get all the same features on mobile as you would on a desktop, including messaging and faxing. If your company is mostly remote, consider these features:
You want a phone system that’s easy to implement, maintain, and useBest Option: Grasshopper You’d be hard-pressed to find a phone system that’s as easy to use as Grasshopper. This softphone-focused system works entirely through an app, and a guided four-step setup takes only a few minutes to complete. If you don’t need a lot of bells and whistles in terms of features, Grasshopper is an excellent choice. It’s about as lightweight as you can get. Another great choice: Net2Phone Net2Phone also provides quick and easy implementation. Its clean, uncluttered user interface is easy to navigate, and its simplicity carries across to its highly-rated mobile apps. When simplicity is your priority, consider:
You have a low call volume and want an affordable phone systemBest Option: Phone.com Businesses with occasional calling needs usually don’t need the robust features that top-tier phone systems offer. Phone.com lets you pay more flexibly to get only what you need without wasting money on features you won’t use. For instance, the company charges per minute rather than offering unlimited calling. Plus, you can give each user a different plan, ensuring those who do the most calling have the necessities. Another great choice: Zoho Voice Zoho Voice is the only option on our list with a free plan. Although it’s somewhat restrictive in call management and other features, businesses with low call volumes can make it work. Even the free plan includes unlimited user-to-user calling, unlimited incoming calls, and 250 minutes per user per month for free. When you’re willing to trade features for affordability, consider:
Best Office Phone System Company ReviewsIn the following reviews, we’ve specified what each of the remaining companies does best and what types of business needs it’s most suitable for. While reviewing each phone system, we considered how it met our must-have criteria and fit the most common scenarios for needing an office phone system. Read our reviews to learn what makes each product unique. Nextiva – Best All-Around![]() Nextiva may not necessarily be the company for you if you’re a solopreneur, as its vast range of features will probably be too much for you. But small, medium and large businesses alike can likely get everything they need from a Nextiva phone system. Nextiva’s phone system is completely customizable to your needs, so you can start smaller and scale with features as needed. Several advanced options are waiting for you when you’re ready, like custom call groups, call screening, detailed analytics, and an advanced, AI-powered interactive voice response (IVR) system. One drawback for smaller businesses that don’t yet need a robust Nextiva plan is that the lower tiers do not include as many popular integrations you might want, like Microsoft Teams and HubSpot. What Makes Nextiva GreatDespite being completely stacked as far as features go, Nextiva is relatively simple to set up and operate. You can control everything from a clean admin portal, and its guided setup and tutorials walk users through each task and feature. ![]() Nextiva also goes beyond the phone system with call analytics that can improve your company’s marketing efforts. Detailed reports let you know where your calls are coming from, like Google ads, and how your conversion rates look. The more users you have on a Nextiva plan, the lower your pricing per user, making it more affordable for larger teams. Still, with three plans to choose from ranging from $23.99 per user per month to $37.95 per user per month, there’s a good amount of wiggle room to avoid paying for more than what your business needs. Find out more about everything Nextiva offers in our full Nextiva review. RingCentral – Best for Hybrid or Remote Work![]() RingCentral is such a close competitor to Nextiva that it’s almost difficult to distinguish the two. However, RingCentral is slightly better for hybrid and remote offices because of its highly-rated, high-performing mobile apps, multiple customer support options, and ease of admin. RingCentral’s desktop and mobile apps give you all the features you need, whether you’re at a desk or taking a call from your car. You can even control the full admin suite of features from the mobile app. Customer support is readily available from RingCentral if you run into an issue. You can easily get live phone and chat support, submit a support ticket for non-urgent issues, or get help from the online community. With that said, like Nextiva, RingCentral probably won’t be your best choice as a freelancer, solopreneur, or small business owner. It simply has more features than you’ll need if you have relatively low call volumes. What Makes RingCentral GreatHybrid and remote workers don’t need to feel separated when they’re away from one another. RingCentral’s UCaaS features are among the best, with video calls for up to 200 participants, team messaging, document sharing, and more. ![]() Another bonus for out-of-office workers is RingCentral’s high call reliability. RingCentral uses the Opus Interactive codec for audio and video calls, known for its high-quality streaming audio, regardless of where you’re making and taking calls. Plus, you can always view RingCentral’s quality of service reports to learn more about its performance. RingCentral provides various plans for businesses to pay only for what they need, and pricing varies by user. Save up to 33% on any plan by paying annually rather than monthly. Learn more about RingCentral with our in-depth review. Ooma – Easiest Setup for Small Businesses![]() Small businesses don’t always have an IT person or team to rely on when setting up a phone system. Ooma comes to the rescue as our pick for the easiest setup for smaller companies. Whether you need an app-based cloud system or a network of phones and other devices in your office, Ooma makes it happen easily. The company prioritizes a DIY setup that’s super flexible, letting you choose between a connection to the Ooma Base Station or via ethernet. Videos on Ooma’s website can walk you through the entire process if needed. However, most small businesses can probably figure out the three-step setup independently, including connecting plug-and-play devices within seconds. Unfortunately, users of the Essentials plan won’t get access to the desktop app, but the web-based admin portal is just as simple to configure. What Makes Ooma GreatOoma’s straightforward setup carries through to its interface. Use the phone system’s array of settings and features, like ring groups, conference rooms, and caller spam detection, with an easy-to-use admin and user panel. We especially enjoy Ooma’s Virtual Receptionist, with call routing, special messages for various business hours, and dial-by-name extensions that get customers where they need to go. It’s fully configurable using Ooma’s admin panel. ![]() Ooma comes without contracts, so you’re free to cancel or change plans anytime. Three pricing tiers range from $19.95 per user per month to $29.95 per user per month, with the desktop app, voicemail transcription, and video conferencing available on the middle tier. Discover what other perks Ooma has to offer in our full review. Net2Phone – Best for Receptionists![]() The Net2Phone receptionist console is a feature-rich system with a company directory, intercom system, and multiple call management features. Your in-house receptionist can shave some tasks off their hands with built-in phone system perks, like call screening, call parking, and ring groups. An auto-attendant also lets your phone system do some of the work for customers by directing them to the right place based on their needs. When receptionists need to take over, they can see the full staff menu and availability on one screen, allowing them to direct calls to the people who can answer them quickly. Net2Phone is positioned as a middle-of-the-road system. Its most robust calling features are only available with contact center plans that may be too costly for SMBs, while any of its plans might have more than a smaller business needs. What Makes Net2Phone GreatNet2Phone’s anti-spam features allow call blocking of specific area codes or country codes, or you can block a range of similar numbers, so you won’t have spam calls cluttering up your phone lines. You can also set up Net2Phone how it makes sense for your company with its user-friendly desktop and mobile apps. The dashboard lets receptionists and other users manage settings, direct calls, and customize the system with easy navigation and implementation. You’ll be able to view detailed analytics through the dashboard, too. Net2Phone displays information about customers and their calls, such as how long a call took and how many missed calls the company had, in addition to marketing, performance, and call trend details. ![]() Net2Phone plans range from $24.99 per user per month to $29.99 per user per month. All plans include unlimited domestic calling and unlimited international calling to 40+ countries, plus access to the web and mobile apps. Talk to the Net2Phone sales team to get a custom quote on your office phone system. Grasshopper – Best Lightweight Phone System for Solopreneurs![]() Solopreneurs and freelancers may not technically need a full-powered office phone, but they still might want something that lets them answer business calls separately from their private line. Grasshopper makes that happen with its lightweight system that you can operate solely from your personal device. Simply add a Grasshopper business number to your mobile phone to transform it into a business line without interfering with personal calls and texts. Users get basic features, like custom greetings, hold music, and unlimited calls and texts. While Grasshopper may be best for solo business owners, it won’t work as a traditional office phone system. If you need multiple numbers, integrations, and features, you’re better off with one of the more robust systems on our list, like RingCentral or Nextiva. What Makes Grasshopper GreatGrasshopper may be stripped down compared to other products, but it still offers toll-free, local, and vanity numbers, plus number porting, to get the right amount of professionalism for your business line. And, because it’s so scaled back, it’s incredibly easy to set up and start using your call system entirely from your phone without help. After signing up, you can immediately tweak custom greetings, extensions, and other settings within minutes. ![]() Each plan even comes with 24/7 phone, email, live chat, and social media support, so there’s no need to add a tech support person to your team to help with your phone system. Save more than 10% on every plan when you pay annually. Each plan adds more phone numbers and extensions to the previous plan, but otherwise, they all offer the same features. Solopreneurs can probably stick with the Solo plan for $28 per month when billed annually. Read our Grasshopper review to discover what else this lightweight phone system can do for your business. Phone.com – Most Flexible Plans![]() Some businesses need to start small with a budget-friendly plan but prefer a service that lets them upgrade with additional features later. Phone.com offers flexible plans and pricing that can grow with you. Plans start at just $14.99 per user per month — even cheaper with annual billing — for 500 pooled minutes and video conferencing for up to 10 participants. It’s ideal for very small businesses. Unlike other office phone systems, Phone.com lets you mix and match the plans for each user. So if some staff members need a basic plan but others need more minutes and features, you can create a custom plan using whatever package you need for each phone user. Phone.com only includes a standard list of VoIP features that may not suit companies with high call volumes, so keep that in mind as you compare services. What Makes Phone.com GreatPhone.com’s flexibility is the primary reason you might choose it for your office phone system. However, it also includes some collaborative features, like video recording, video conferencing, and whiteboards, that make it stand out even more. You’ll also get some helpful call management features, mostly on the middle tier or higher, like call blocking, a dial-by-name directory, hold music, and call routing. Audio calls include HIPAA compliancy for a layer of protection with customers. Setting up Phone.com is about as easy as it gets. Just sign up for a plan, choose a number, and walk through the settings and admin panel to set up your phone system. Like Grasshopper, you can use Phone.com’s mobile app to turn your personal device into a business phone, too. ![]() For only a few dollars more per user per month, companies can select the middle-tier Plus plan with unlimited minutes, video recording, and video conferencing with up to 25 participants. This plan is $19.99 per user per month or $15.99 per user per month when billed annually. Explore Phone.com’s best assets with our detailed review. Avaya – Best UCaaS and Contact Center Features![]() Avaya partners with powerhouse RingCentral to bring the best of both worlds to contact centers that prioritize collaboration. With Avaya’s plug-and-play phones and other office-focused devices and RingCentral’s UCaaS features, the Avaya phone system offers a broad range of benefits for high call volumes. Some of its most significant benefits lie in its AI-powered features, like voice and face biometrics, call coaching, background noise removal, and predictive analytics. There are also virtual agents with speech-to-text analytics, intelligent call routing, and answers to questions to help save operators time. Ease of admin and simple implementation, thanks to devices with a straightforward setup and an easy-to-navigate control panel, take Avaya over the edge as an excellent option for contact centers and large businesses. Unfortunately, pricing for an Avaya system isn’t as transparent as it is with other companies, so you’ll need to spend some time with the sales team to get all the information you need. What Makes Avaya GreatAvaya has all the features you need to run a call or contact center from anywhere. You can control most of Avaya’s phone system from your Apple or Android device using its full-featured mobile apps. Or, hop on video conferences with a web-based app available globally for anyone to join in easily. This, in addition to Avaya’s ease of use, 100+ integrations, and A+ customer support, make it one for remote and hybrid teams to consider. Teams also get team messaging, file sharing, and unlimited SMS to keep in touch and stay productive. As a result, everyone can feel connected regardless of where they’re working that day. ![]() If you’re only using Avaya’s cloud-based office solution, you can find its pricing on the website to get an idea of what you’ll pay. Packages range between $22.99-$42.99 per user per month when billed annually, but you’ll still need to talk to sales to understand exactly what you’re getting or to sign up. Save up to 13% on an Avaya Cloud Office plan when you choose annual billing. Zoho Voice – Best for Businesses Immersed in Zoho![]() If your business is already deep in the Zoho pool of products, then Zoho Voice is likely your best option. Zoho Voice is a middle-of-the-road option with a good mix of features and average performance. But if you already use tools like Zoho CRM or Zoho Workplace, you’ll find that everything in the Zoho atmosphere works well together. It’s also quite affordable for smaller businesses, which is what Zoho typically caters to. There’s a free Solo plan with unlimited free calling between users, but even its paid plans begin at just $10 per user per month. Add-ons are available including additional users, power dialer, and queue performance analytics. If advanced features are more important than affordability, you’re probably better off with one of the more robust options in this guide. Zoho Voice lacks AI-powered features, hardware connectivity, and advanced UCaaS features that larger businesses tend to need. What Makes Zoho Voice GreatGet all the standard calling features you’d expect from an office phone system with Zoho Voice. The cloud-based system includes call categories, business hour rules, IVR in 16 languages, and direct extensions calling. Call listening and whispering keep your team on the same page through consistent monitoring and training. All plans also provide unlimited calling between users and unlimited incoming calls, even from international numbers. And you can make and receive any call using Zoho Voice mobile or desktop apps. ![]() Zoho Voice stands out with customer support, too. Although phone support is only offered to those on a paid plan, anyone can reach out to the community forums for extra assistance or browse the knowledge base for self-help. Email and form-based support tickets are also available with quick response times. Solopreneurs and businesses needing to connect just a few users without high call volumes can start with a Solo plan for free to see if Zoho Voice is right for them. Or, try Zoho Voice free for 15 days, no credit card required. Webex – Best for Scaling Small Businesses![]() Businesses often start small while planning for a larger future. At first, affordability and minimalism are key. Webex offers a lot of phone system options at small-business prices while leaving plenty of space for growth in the future. Webex is a child company of tech-forward Cisco, which is known for its high-quality and feature-rich communications equipment. When small businesses experience growth and, therefore, higher call volumes, Webex’s office phones, video bars, headsets, and other devices can meet their calling needs. Low-tier plans have what small and medium-sized businesses need, like anti-spam features, analytics, and desktop and mobile apps, while high-tier plans reserve more advanced features for larger enterprises. What Makes Webex GreatWebex has great customization options, which can help a lot when planning to scale. You can give your phone system a cohesive look with Webex’s unique customization options for the admin panel. Later, you can add customized support links, company logos, and brand colors, a feature you won’t find on many other phone systems. ![]() Webex lets SMBs escalate calls to video calls to take advantage of its call recording features and meeting features, like transcriptions, screen sharing, and whiteboarding. When you’ve grown enough to need more, move to the Enterprise plan for group paging, call barging, and FedRAMP-authorized security. The Basic Webex plan is free, but it’s mostly for simple video messaging. Calling plans start at $25 per user per month for premium meetings with up to 200 participants, screen sharing, call forwarding, and extensions. Is Webex right for you? Read our in-depth Webex review to decide. Zoom – Best for Internal Communications![]() Zoom has dominated web conferencing for a few years now, but it’s also a top contender for an office phone system, especially when it comes to internal communications. Use Zoom as an intercom or paging system to communicate without dialing, for extension-to-extension calling, or for video and team messaging, depending on your plan. Zoom also simplifies training and monitoring with on-demand or always-on recording, call transcription, and a playback feature that helps you find specific parts of a conversation. Trainers can also barge or whisper in phone calls to provide assistance during calls. With highly rated and easy-to-use mobile and desktop apps, Zoom creates simple connections from anywhere inside and outside the office, which is a bonus for hybrid and remote teams. What Makes Zoom GreatZoom prioritizes communications, especially among teams. Therefore, most of its add-ons cater to teams, like its premier support, audio conferencing for international countries, and unlimited concurrently editable whiteboards. With the Zoom Phone Power Pack, teams get SMS, in-depth analytics, and a call handling panel for receptionists to manage large call volumes. ![]() Still, it also has advantages for outbound calling. Favoriting and searching contacts is possible via the app, and all users get unlimited calls within the United States and Canada. Agents can transfer or block calls, switch between apps during calls, and customize the phone system with different greetings during specific times. Zoom One includes Zoom Meetings, Chat, Phone, and other helpful tools. Paid plans start at $149/user/year for team chat, meetings with up to 100 participants, and 5 GB of cloud storage. Explore Zoom’s benefits for collaborative teams in our full review. Aircall – Best for High-Volume Sales![]() The array of inbound and outbound calling features available from Aircall makes it suitable for high-volume sales or support teams. Technically a call center software, Aircall is made to manage a large number of calls while still being efficient and straightforward to use. Admins can build call paths and IVR menus right from the phone system’s console. Detailed analytics let teams learn more about calls and how well they’re meeting their phone sales goals. Aircall’s shared inbox lets all phone system users see details about calls and their moves down the pipeline, allowing everyone to track the team’s progress toward closing deals or meeting customers’ needs. The downside? To get many necessary features for large sales teams, like power dialer and call monitoring, you’ll need the middle-tier plan for $70 per user per month, a pricier option than others on our list. What Makes Aircall GreatAircall can work for businesses of all sizes. Numbers are available in more than 100 countries to get set up in whatever location you need. As your business grows, easily add more numbers or move to a different plan for more advanced features. Aircall boosts productivity with call assigning, tool integrations, ring groups, and conference calls on any plan. Over 100 integrations with CRM, chat tools, billing systems, and other software keep teams working with the tools they use most. ![]() Sales teams can also rely on Aircall’s technologies to provide quality, reliable calls. Aircall boasts 99.99% uptime using the Opus codec to prevent interference and dropped calls. A detailed onboarding process also ensures that a phone system has all the right connections and the most optimized setup for success. Save up to 29% on any plan when you pay annually, with pricing starting at $30 per user per month. You can also get a free trial of any Aircall plan for seven days. Dialpad – Best AI-Assisted VoIP Phone Platform![]() Few phone systems do artificial intelligence as well as Dialpad. In fact, its AI-assisted technologies perform almost as if another person was on your team to help operate your phone system. All Dialpad phone systems include in-depth AI-based reporting broken down into handy charts and visuals. See everything from agent-by-agent performance to call volume pattern heatmaps. Reports also use AI to track keywords to track calls. Dialpad also uses its technology to transcribe calls with impressive accuracy, becoming even more accurate the more your company uses it. Other AI-powered features target call monitoring to improve customer service and support team performance. Dialpad tracks call sentiments to gauge the mood of the call and alert someone to assist if needed. Agents can also get AI-assisted cards for live coaching when the system detects specific keywords. What Makes Dialpad GreatSupervisors can also monitor calls with the help of Dialpad’s AI assistance. When the AI system detects a keyword or phrase that triggers an alert, a supervisor can read the call’s transcript before deciding whether to jump in and help. Dialpad excels in security and compliance, too. It’s out-of-the-box compliant with HIPAA, GDPR, and SOC2® Type II. Plus, enterprise-level AES 256-bit encryption on the Google Cloud Platform secures calls over the VoIP network. ![]() Dialpad plans start at a comparable $15 per user per month when billed annually. Get a free 14-day trial of the Standard or Pro tiers to test it out. Learn how Dialpad helps teams communicate in our Dialpad Meetings review. Quick Sprout Office Phone System Related ContentThere’s a lot of information to consider regarding types of phone systems and what solutions are right for your business. Here, we include several additional resources to read as you decide. Office Phone System Guides and How-TosOffice Phone System Company ReviewsOffice Phone System Related Top Lists
via Quick Sprout https://www.quicksprout.com/best-office-phone-systems/ Nextiva is our top pick for the best cloud-based phone systems because of its enhanced ability to manage high-call volumes and incredible UCaaS offerings. Give Nextiva a try today. If you’re considering switching to VoIP, chances are you’ve heard of softphones or software telephones. But you may not fully understand what they are or how they work. And that’s totally okay—it’s why we’ve created this guide. Whether you‘re an SMB owner or an IT manager looking to implement a softphone into your business, we’ll tell you everything you need to know to get started, including how it works, its advantages, and potential drawbacks. The 15 Best Cloud-Based Phone SystemsIf you’re looking for a reliable softphone provider, check out our best cloud-based phone system guide to make the right choice.
What is a Softphone?A softphone is an installable desktop and mobile phone app that lets you communicate over the internet. It functions much the same way as a regular phone app. Users can dial numbers to make calls and access their VoIP features (do not disturb, voicemail, and auto-attendant) and other traditional features, such as mute, hold, and transfer. A softphone is similar to a traditional phone in terms of functionality but has a more flexible setup and greater accessibility. Depending on the softphone provider you select, you can have an entirely cloud-based solution that gives you anytime-anywhere access, as long as you have a stable internet connection. Softphone vs. HardphoneSoftphones and hard phones are the two types of VoIP devices. A hard phone is a physical, dedicated device that resembles old-school telephones but works through VoIP. Here’s a quick comparison between the two: InterfaceHard phones have physical buttons to serve as a dial pad, but they may also have a touchscreen with a full GUI. Softphones are software-based and have GUI elements. Ease of UseThis depends on your personal preference. If you’re familiar with traditional phone systems, you’ll find hard phones easier to use. If you’re familiar with software programs, softphones will feel more user-friendly. However, the latter typically involves some level of onboarding or training as opposed to a hard phone. Call QualityBoth hard phones and softphones need a stable internet connection to work. But the former may have a slight edge over the latter when it comes to calling quality, being a dedicated device for handling calls. A softphone may suffer from sharing system resources with other software. DeploymentHard phones are slower to implement when done on a company-wide scale. Plus, you’ll have to purchase new physical hardware. Contrarily, softphone deployment and maintenance is quicker and easier, and it doesn’t involve purchasing additional equipment. CostsHard phones are more expensive than softphones. They require physical hardware (for instance, a handset receiver and a base with a display, buttons, and a camera). On the other hand, the fact that no new hardware has to be purchased, except maybe a headset if needed, makes softphones less expensive. How Does a Softphone Work?To use a softphone, you’ll need a desktop computer/smartphone/tablet and a VoIP headset or microphone and speaker on your device for superior audio quality. Generally speaking, a softphone works like any other phone. You open the app, dial a phone number, wait to be connected to the person you want to call, and that’s it. The only difference is that instead of dialing a physical keyboard, you’ll dial on a virtual one provided on the app on your cell phone or computer. ![]() Companies like RingCentral make it easy to record calls using your softphone. During a VoIP call, your voice is converted into digital data through a codec. This data, known as “packets,” is then transmitted as a binary code between devices. The packets are then “decoded” back into the original voice at the receiving end, which the recipient can hear. Another technicality to keep in mind includes the endpoints of both your and the recipient’s devices supporting the same VoIP protocol and each having at least one common codec. Otherwise, the softphone won’t be able to communicate. What are the Benefits of a Softphone?If you are still wondering whether a softphone would make the right choice for your business, consider the following benefits to understand why they are growing so rapidly: Cost-effectiveFor small businesses, making VoIP calls on a softphone is typically (much) cheaper as you don’t have to pay for expensive hardware. You can make international calls at a fraction of the cost of the general fees associated with making an international call. VersatileBeing a software-based tool, a softphone runs on many types of devices, including iOS and Android smartphones, as well as Mac and Windows desktops. As long as you have a data connection, there’s no place you can’t stay connected with your team. This makes softphones ideal for businesses with multiple office locations, frequent travelers, and telecommuters. Offers Multiple IntegrationsSoftphones offer multiple integrations with various business tools, expanding the capabilities of your teams. Because they do not require hardware, you have the option to enhance their functionality through integrations. For instance, integrating the softphone with messaging software allows your employees to send instant messages, and integrating with a CRM can provide access to important customer information like contact details and email addresses. PrivateWith a softphone, you can answer calls from a mobile device without having to sync your personal contacts and information. Any calls you make on the app will show your business number and not your phone number. So if you have a BYOD policy (bring your own device) for your organization, you won’t have to worry about compromising staff privacy. PortableSoftphone apps allow you to take your communication with you, enabling 24/7 employee connectivity. You and your team can take on calls from any device without being confined to your desk. Further, you can keep tabs on all communications and respond to colleagues quickly through text or video call where ever you go. What are the Drawbacks of a Softphone?Like two sides of a coin, you must also deal with certain drawbacks to using a softphone. Here’s a quick list: Internet Connectivity MandateSoftphones need an internet connection to function. If your internet connection is weak or drops out, you may experience disruptions in your phone service. Compatibility IssuesThough versatile, softphones are not compatible with all devices and operating systems. Security ConcernsAs with any software transmitting data over the internet, a softphone poses a risk of security vulnerabilities. You must ensure to use a reputable softphone provider and regularly update your software to protect your business and team members against potential security threats. Large Upfront CostsSoftphones are a cost-effective solution for businesses, but they may require substantial upfront costs for purchasing or subscribing to the software. Let’s not forget to account for the ongoing costs of internet service and maintenance. Overall, while softphones offer many benefits, you should also consider the potential drawbacks against your business needs and budget before deciding if a softphone app is suitable for you. What are the Key Features of a Softphone?Softphones provide a variety of features that can be tailored to your needs. Ideally, you will want a mix of basic and advanced features. Some key features to consider in a softphone include: Instant MessagingSoftphones offer instant team chat messaging to facilitate real-time communication and collaboration, eliminating the need for email. Users can create private and public channels for different teams, departments, or projects and easily transition from chat to audio or video calls with a single click. File sharing, real-time notifications, and whiteboarding are other collaborative features to improve team communication and productivity. Call Waiting and Call HoldingCall waiting alerts agents when they have an incoming call while they are already on a call. This can help them prioritize more important calls. If an agent needs to take a second call, they can put the current caller on hold and transfer the call to another available agent. To avoid keeping callers on hold for extended periods, consider additional features like call queuing or customer callbacks. Audio Conferencing and Call BridgeSoftphone users can participate in conference calls. Typically, 10-40 users can join a single session by clicking a link or dialing a phone number. A call bridge (a phone line that connects all participants) is another way for multiple people to join a conference call, regardless of their location. Call ForwardingCall forwarding allows softphone systems to auto-forward calls to multiple phone numbers if the initial call goes unanswered. This increases the flexibility of the phone system. For instance, you can get calls forwarded from an agent’s desk phone to their personal cell phone or through their home phone number and then to the department queue to connect them with an available agent. Call RoutingCall routing directs inbound calls to the ideal agent based on predetermined criteria and calls flow path. This way, the caller is immediately connected to an agent most suitable to help them out, cutting down on caller wait time. This system also prevents individual agents from being overloaded with calls while other agents hardly attend calls, ensuring an equal division of calls. VoicemailAdmittedly, voicemail is a standard telephone feature. But modern voicemail offers several amazing features to boost functionality. For instance, softphones facilitate voicemail audio files, pushing them directly to user emails or as push notifications. You can even request transcriptions, so it’s easier for your team to review and understand content in case making a call isn’t possible. Contact SharingSoftphone app users can subscribe to company contact lists and share their own contacts with coworkers. This is a particularly handy feature to boost productivity by allowing employees to find client contact details faster. Auto-attendant and IVRIVR (interactive voice response) is a type of interactive call menu that directs calls to the correct agent based on the caller’s answers to pre-recorded questions. Think of “Press 1 to learn more about your current account status. Press 2 to speak to our customer support agent.” Callers can respond to auto-attendant or IVR prompts via the touchtone dialpad or by simply speaking. Final Thoughts About SoftphonesSoftphones are a convenient and cost-effective way for businesses to manage their phone communication. By using these apps to make and receive calls, you can save on the cost of traditional hardware-based phones and enjoy advanced features, such as call forwarding and voicemail. That said, don’t forget to consider the potential drawbacks before deciding if it’s the right solution for your business. In case you need more help choosing a softphone provider, look at our guides for the best business phone services and the best office phone systems. via Quick Sprout https://www.quicksprout.com/softphone/ Although email marketing is thriving, SMS marketing has swiftly become just about as popular. TextMarks provides a simple way to send out mass text messages to generate leads, share information, or offer promotions to customers. TextMarks assists various industries with its easy-to-use mass text marketing tool, including nonprofits, education, and healthcare. Depending on your plan, you can send unlimited messages with as many custom keywords as needed per month. ![]() TextMarks ComparedTextMarks did not make our top list of the best business text messaging services. SimpleTexting is our top suggestion for most businesses because of its versatility, allowing for everything from mass marketing to two-way texting. Try SimpleTexting free for 14 days.
Learn more about our picks for the best business text messaging services. About TextMarksTextMarks is a text messaging marketing platform prioritizing mass SMS communications. It also lets businesses create text campaigns for customers to text for more information or text keywords to garner a specific SMS action from your business. TextMarks’ offerings are suited for businesses in a wide range of industries, like real estate or event planning. Whether you want to enhance customer communications or build a solid lead generation system, TextMarks software could bridge the gap between your business and your audience. TextMarks Health and StabilityTextMarks Inc. is a California-based company founded in 2007. It’s holding firm in the business texting market 15 years later, although its website still appears to be that old. Still, appearances aside, TextMarks earns over $206,000 of revenue per employee, with an impressive $6.5 million of annual revenue, according to Kona Equity data. The company’s downfall is that it lacks the transparency today’s customers rely on to make sound business decisions. There’s virtually no information about TextMarks as a company on its website, including who’s behind it and how it came to be, which differs significantly from competitors like SimpleTexting and Textedly. Still, TextMarks’ overwhelmingly positive customer reviews and solid revenue data lead us to believe that its immediate future still looks promising. However, we aren’t 100% confident that longevity will be on its side as similar services edge ahead in transparency and modernity. TextMarks PricingOne thing you may notice right away about TextMarks’ pricing is that it’s significantly more expensive than other services. However, it’s also designed for high-volume texting, so you won’t find more affordable options for modest business texting needs. Get free setup for your TextMarks plan when you buy an annual subscription. TextMarks Pricing StructureTextMarks offers two prepackaged plans and one custom plan. The prepackaged plans will likely include what most businesses need, like lead captures, mass texting, and SMS marketing. The primary differences between the tiers include the number of texts and keywords allowed, customized SMS flows, premium support, and custom reporting. Prepackaged plans cost $549 per month for 35,000 messages and 20 custom keywords or $1,099 per month for 100,000 messages and 30 custom keywords. Large businesses might opt for a custom plan if they want dedicated support and onboarding to set up their accounts and access to unlimited messages and custom keywords. Plans also require a $199 setup fee before activating. Subscribers can also contact the support team if they need to purchase additional message credits or custom keywords at any time. TextMarks Pricing ComparisonAt a minimum, TextMarks charges $549 per month, and this pricing is likely out-of-budget for many small to mid-sized companies. Other services fit better into more modest budgets, like Textedly, with its lowest-tier paid plan costing just $24 per month when billed annually. Of course, this Textedly plan includes only 1,200 messages compared with TextMarks’ 35,000, making it best for smaller companies with intimate customer bases. Still, a Textedly plan with 30,000 messages is close to $200 less than TextMarks at $350 per month, billed annually. Alternatively, Sendinblue has a pay-as-you-go approach that might suit some companies better. A plan gets you 1,000 text credits free per month, but you can pay for up to 10,000 more for as little as $109. These credits roll over month-by-month without expiring. TextMarks Trials and GuaranteesTextMarks does not currently offer a free plan or free trial to test the system before buying. However, you can request a demo by contacting the support team. Waive the $199 setup fee when you subscribe to an annual TextMarks contract. TextMarks Business Text Messaging Service ReviewTextMarks gives businesses plenty of ways to get information into customers’ hands through convenient texting. Instant text responses and text-for-information campaigns can help you build a solid text marketing strategy to connect with customers. TextMarks could be a good fit for businesses with mass text marketing needs, but smaller businesses may find it too costly. Read our review of the best business text messaging services to see how TextMarks compares. What Makes TextMarks Business Text Messaging Service Great![]()
Where TextMarks Business Text Messaging Service Falls Short![]()
TextMarks Business Text Messaging Service ComparedSimpleTexting is our top suggestion for a business text messaging service for most businesses because of its simple interface that facilitates quick and convenient customer support and connections.
Final VerdictTextMarks could be a possible solution for large businesses with high-demand SMS marketing and communication needs. With plans that support unlimited messages, subscribers, and keywords, you don’t need to feel limited in your marketing efforts. With that said, expect to pay for the service. TextMarks is pricier than other options, like SimpleTexting, which offers similar features and texting packages for more affordable pricing. via Quick Sprout https://www.quicksprout.com/textmarks-review/ EZ Texting is a business text messaging service for many industries, from construction and home services to government and real estate. With its marketing, customer service, and HR solutions, you can use EZ Texting to increase workflow across every area of your business and ensure a high ROI. EZ Texting also has extensive text messaging tools, templates, and contact management, so you can segment your contacts and make automation a breeze. ![]() EZ Texting ComparedEZ Texting did not make our top list of the best business text messaging services, though it is still a solid option. SimpleTexting is the most versatile on the list, as it can be used for sales, marketing, mass messaging, and one-on-one texting. Try it free for 14 days.
About EZ TextingEZ Texting offers comprehensive solutions for business text messaging services in various industries. EZ Texting’s features make it easier to manage contacts and drive engagement. EZ Texting’s comprehensive suite of products includes text messaging, contact management, templates and design tools, analytics and reporting, text campaigns, and list growth tools. EZ Texting Health and StabilityEZ Texting was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in California as a privately traded company. EZ Texting has five investors, with one lead investor being CIBC Innovation Banking, which has raised $51 million across four funding rounds. As of 2022, EZ Texting employs 100-250 people across the United States. With a 3-star rating on Glassdoor, it seems that EZ Texting has been a consistently good place to work, with excellent leadership in every location. EZ Texting PricingEZ Texting currently offers four different pricing tiers for its text messaging services. Each tier increases in price depending on the number of users, keywords, and textable numbers you want. EZ Texting Pricing StructureEZ Texting has a simple pricing structure across its services, with a per month per message credits foundation. Because EZ Texting is primarily a business messaging service, you will have to pay more for additional message credits. EZ Texting Pricing ComparisonEZ Texting’s pricing packages are decently priced, starting at $20 per month for 200 message credits and increasing depending on the number of credits, users, keywords, and textable numbers you need. For 200 credits across the board, you can get EZ Texting for $20, $29, $49, or $299 per month, with additional functionalities as the pricing increases. With EZ Texting’s $299 tier, you get a custom and an unlimited number of keywords and managed accounts. Compared to other business text messaging services, Ez Texting offers you less functionality for a higher price. For example, SimpleTexting starts at $29 per month for 500 credits, giving you an extra 300 credits for $9. On the other hand, OpenPhone services start at a low $13 per user per month, with unlimited calling and messaging capabilities. And you can even find lower pricing with Sendinblue’s free plan, which comes with unlimited contacts, 300 emails per day, and SMS campaigns. EZ Texting Trials and GuaranteesEZ Texting offers a free trial for its Essentials plan, which starts at $29 per month, with no credit card required. Every EZ Texting user is also guaranteed free two-way texting on all plans. EZ Texting Best Business Text Messaging Services ReviewEZ Texting stands out because of the number of areas it covers as a text messaging service. You could benefit from EZ Texting if you are looking for bulk texting features that increase automation and make it easier to communicate via SMS. What Makes EZ Texting Business Text Messaging Services Great![]()
Where EZ Texting Business Text Messaging Services Falls Short![]()
EZ Texting Business Text Messaging Services ComparedWhile EZ Texting provides extensive text campaigns, contact management solutions, and reporting tools, the best business text messaging service company is SimpleTexting because of its flexible marketing and sales features.
Final VerdictEZ Texting is a decent business text messaging service that offers a range of solutions for various industries. With extensive text messaging tools, campaign options, and reporting features, you can transform the way your business communicates both internally and externally. With more than 17 years in the industry and $50 million in funding, it’s safe to say that EZ Texting is a reliable company that aims to provide businesses with a seamless way to communicate via SMS. via Quick Sprout https://www.quicksprout.com/eztexting-review/ |
Sean BrianWhile radishes deter certain insects naturally, they require similar growing conditions as carrots. Although the crops both have roots, radishes grow and germinate quicker, allowing carrots to continue growing in the soil space available when the radishes are harvested, Archives
April 2023
Categories |