What Are the Best Small Business Phone Systems?

1. Phone.com

Phone.com is a great choice for businesses that want a reliable VoIP service with a lot of useful features. It can work on any device, including computers and smartphones, which is a plus if you want to keep costs down.

Having said that, Phone.com also supports physical phones, making it a versatile choice for small businesses that have customer facing operations, like insurance agencies, doctor and dental offices, etc.

Phone.com also offers conferencing and collaboration features that can help you work more efficiently.

Overall, this is a great option for small businesses that need a reliable phone system that can start small and scale cost-effectively.

Phone.com Features that Stand Out

• Configure and manage more than 50 features with a few clicks
  
• Sync your contacts with your Phone.com address book and call or send SMS messages directly from within your account
  
• Measure your calls over time by direction, duration, and time of day to track your top performers and busiest hours
  
• Route incoming calls to a single destination or different destinations based on the day and time or the Caller ID of the call received
  
• View all incoming, outgoing, fax, and missed calls to your phone numbers
  
• Set up call screening with an audio message that tells you which number was dialed and provides caller ID info
  
• Select from a variety of professional, quality music tracks that play while callers are on hold or while waiting in a queue
  

2. Aircall

AirCall is a cloud-based phone system that can be used by service or sales teams to improve the customer experience.

It's easy to set up and use, and offers many call-center features that are not available with traditional business phone systems.

With AirCall, you can expect to see improved customer satisfaction and faster response times, as well as increased productivity and efficiency across all your teams.

Aircall Scheduling Features that Stand Out

• Create toll-free numbers in your local area code or any country in which your business operates
  
• Set customized schedules to confirm exactly when each of your numbers are available to receive calls
• Automatically route direct calls to the correct teammates by customizing distribution and ring rules
• Find all your numbers and your users in one place, even if they’re all over the globe
  
• Set up a smart IVR directory that automatically guides callers to the correct team on their first try
  
• Claim local and international numbers for your business in over 100 countries even if your team works a continent away
  
• Send, receive, and manage SMS text messages between you and your contacts
  

3. Dialpad

Dialpad is a small business VoIP phone system that can be accessed through an app on any device. You can be up and running with a new business line in minutes using your current internet connection.

It offers a large number of useful business features like call forwarding, call routing, voicemail and caller ID, and its cloud platform is designed to scale at a low per-seat cost.

Dialpad Features that Stand Out

• Sorts incoming calls based on custom call routing rules so you can track and manage conversations
  
• Transcribes calls, action items, snippets, and notes in real time and then sends the text right to your inbox
  
• Brings teams together on a single communications platform and can manage offices from any geographic location
• Toll-free and local numbers are readily available
• Quickly search for a coworker through the internal directory feature and send a message, start a meeting or hop on a call
  

4. 8x8

Best for Uptime

8x8 is a VoIP phone system that allows you to connect with your customers via voice, video, chat or contact center services.

You can get a local number in addition to global connectivity from a single central app that can be downloaded to any mobile device.

8x8 offers end-to-end encryption backed by a 99.999% uptime guarantee and over 35 public and private data centers.

8x8 Features that Stand Out

• Enterprise-grade cloud PBX with auto-attendant, voicemail, flexible call flows and global coverage
  
• Distribute incoming calls efficiently
  
• Single administrative interface for user provisioning, system configuration and management
  
• Corporate features tailored to keep staff productive and efficient, like automated call assignment and call routing
  
• Comprehensive performance and usage dashboards
  

5. Ooma

Best for Small Business

Ooma's small business VoIP service offers unlimited calling and many business features to help you manage your incoming calls at a low cost per line.

Its mobile app lets you work while on the go while its built-in video conferencing feature allows you to collaborate from anywhere with seamless video meetings and screen sharing.

Ooma Features that Stand Out

• Automate how you manage your incoming calls. Route and message callers and set up multiple IVR menus to segment calls
  
• Record your calls so you can play them back for review
  
• Enable callers to reach a group of extensions such as sales or customer Service via ring groups
  
• Ooma Office Pro provides a desktop app that allows you to use your business phone system right from your computer
  
• Ooma's mobile app allows your staff to manage their business phone calls right from their smartphones
  

6. RingCentral

Best for Scalability

RingCentral is a VoIP-based small business phone system that allows you to send messages, make video calls, and place phone calls from a single integrated platform.

It gives your business phone the flexibility to create a schedule for opening hours based on programmable rules and it allows you to choose from a large batch of available local and toll-free numbers.

RingCentral Features that Stand Out

• Extensions: create a flexible structure that links employees at local and satellite offices. You can edit, add, or remove extensions anytime
  
• Call screening: take calls from particular callers, block specific numbers, and send others directly to voicemail
  
• Call-flip: move an ongoing call between your desk phone, mobile phone or softphone
  
• Call-park: hold calls in a virtual location and retrieve them from any desk phone in your system
  
• Intercom: make announcements via desk phones to colleagues across all your office locations
  
• Paging: make real time, one-way announcements to multiple desk phones and paging devices
  

7. GrassHopper

Best Virtual Phone System for Individuals

Grasshopper is a virtual phone system that gives you the power of a business phone number without the extra cost.

It can be added to your personal phone, where you can control all aspects of your business voicemail, call routing and more.

Grasshopper also offers toll free numbers for small businesses that want to have a national presence without the extra cost of metered nation-wide lines.

GrassHopper Features that Stand Out

• Call forwarding: route business calls to your personal phone or to another team member
  
• Voicemail: set up a voicemail for business calls and get MP3s of your messages through email
  
• Business texting: provide updates and quick replies via text messaging on your business number
  
• Incoming call control: screen callers, block calls and set up custom schedules for your business hours
  
• Instant response: automatically send a text to new callers when you can’t answer their call
  
• Simultaneous call handling: take calls from multiple people at the same time so no one hears a busy signal
  

8. Nextiva

Best for Medium-Sized Businesses

Nextiva is a VoIP provider that integrates your phone system with business apps, AI and call automation features on a single platform from which you can run your entire operation.

It allows you to streamline your business communications through a single product that supports phone, text, video, email, and instant messaging.

Nextiva Features that Stand Out

• Auto attendant: route calls to your team with an intuitive phone menu system
  
• Call routing: direct inbound calls to your team based on set criteria, transfer to other members, and conference-call anyone using the app
  
• Caller-ID: control what people see when you make outbound calls. Customize caller ID or block it entirely
  
• Call forwarding: protect your personal number by forwarding incoming calls to any desk phone or mobile device. Also forward calls based on business hours or holidays
  
• Call recording: record all calls for training and optimization purposes. All call recordings are securely stored, so only authorized personnel can access them
  

9. Avaya

Best for Large Businesses

Avaya is a cloud-based VoIP phone system for businesses of all sizes. With Avaya, you can connect with customers, colleagues and suppliers using clear, reliable and secure unified communications.

It comes with advanced features not commonly found on competing platforms, like the use of biometrics like voice recognition technology to automatically authenticate callers.

Avaya Features that Stand Out

• Complete automation: deploy AI-enabled digital co-workers across all channels, including web, voice, SMS, social, email and video
  
• Biometric authentication: identify and authenticate customers using voice and facial biometrics
  
• Self-service: deliver conversational self-service 24/7, with options to speak with a live agent
  
• Sentiment analysis: capture and respond to customer feelings and emotions in real time to create meaningful engagements
  

10. Vonage

Best for AI-Powered Customer Self-Service Options

Vonage offers a suite of cloud-based communications solutions that helps small businesses connect with their customers through multiple channels.

Through its programmable messaging, voice, video and collaboration tools Vonage makes it easier for your staff to communicate with your clients more effectively while increasing customer satisfaction.

Vonage Features that Stand Out

• AI virtual assistant: use conversational AI for voice-enabled customer self-service
• Admin portal: helps phone administrators manage their phone system from anywhere
  
• Block caller ID: helps businesses block caller ID on outbound calls, allowing them to reach people who screen calls
• Busy lamp field: helps businesses know which phones on their system are in use
  
• Call continuity: reroute your calls in the event of an emergency or power outage
  

11. ZoomPhone

Best for Home Businesses

ZoomPhone, from the makers of Zoom Meeting, is a feature-rich cloud VoIP phone system built with reliability and geographic redundancy for businesses of all sizes.

You can add as many lines as you need and pay only for the minutes you use while getting access to enterprise-class features at an affordable price.

ZoomPhone Features that Stand Out

• Auto attendant/IVR: create automated attendants with call routing wizards
  
• View your call history, listen to or read transcribed voicemails and return calls directly from the app
  
• Preserve and review phone conversations with the on-demand call recording feature
  
• Change the phone number or persona to represent the type of call you’re making
• Preserve the traditional desk phone experience with native support for standard SIP-based VoIP devices from third-party vendors
  

12. Net2Phone

Best for Hybrid Work Environments

Net2Phone is cloud-based VoIP phone system that's ideal for organizations who are going back to the office while also supporting virtual work environments.

You can enjoy unlimited calling, toll-free numbers and advanced call management tools at an affordable cost.

Net2Phone Features that Stand Out

• Make and receive calls directly from your computer
  
• Unlimited calling to the US, Canada, and over 40 other international countries. In addition, they offer virtual phone numbers (DIDs) in over 50 countries and 300 cities
  
• Video conferencing platform fully integrated with Google and Microsoft Outlook Calendars
  
• Share incoming calls among employees with ring groups and create a custom company call flow by routing calls to a specific team member, department or welcome menu
  

13. JustCall

Best for CRM Integration

JustCall is a platform that can centralize all your customer communications and offers workflow automation with CRM integration and AI-powered call insights to coach sales reps at scale.

If also supports IVR, Smart Call Routing, Live Call Monitoring, SMS Bots and a range of other business features.

JustCall Features that Stand Out

• Track your live call activity, call/team/number analytics at a centralized place
  
• Personalize business hours for each of your phone numbers
  
• Listen to live calls in real-time, speak to your agent during the call or jump into an ongoing call between your agent and customer
  
• Create contact lists, send text messages in bulk to certain groups of people and schedule SMS campaigns
  
• Record your calls and monitor your performance as a team
  

14. Goto

Best for Meetings and Messaging

GoTo is a simple cloud phone system that helps you stay connected with your team and customers by configuring your call routing in a visual editor.

You can seamlessly switch between your desk phone, desktop app or the mobile app to stay connected at all times from home, the office and while you're on the go.

Goto Features that Stand Out

• Turn on the dial plan and get your call connected to the correct endpoint
  
• Route incoming calls to multiple phones in a specified sequence
  
• Have several different extensions ring the same phone or set up extra extensions for conference rooms
  
• Host a conference call with up to ten attendees
  

15. Kinetic Business

Best for Sound Quality

Kinetic Business is a VoIP business telephone service that claims crystal clear sound and no dropped calls, plus access to many business features like voicemail to email, call forwarding, call waiting and caller ID.

Kinetic Business Features that Stand Out

• Automatically call back your last incoming call whether or not it was answered
  
• Refuse calls from callers who have blocked their numbers
  
• Screen incoming calls by creating a list of phone numbers from which you will accept calls
  
• Dial up to 30 pre-programmed local or long-distance numbers
  

How does VoIP technology work and why is it the best choice for small businesses?

VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol, is a technology that allows you to route phone calls over the internet instead of using traditional landline-based phone systems.

They can be a great option for small businesses since they can save you significant amounts of money on your monthly phone bill. VoIP also offers a number of other benefits, including:

Increased flexibility

Since VoIP uses the internet, you can make and receive calls from anywhere around the world without triggering long-distance charges. This can be a great option for businesses with employees who work remotely or travel often.

Enhanced features

With VoIP, you can enjoy enhanced features like caller ID, call waiting, voicemail, at no additional per-feature cost.

Easy to install and use

VoIP systems are typically plug-and-play, so you'll be able to get up and running in no time.

If you're considering switching to VoIP for your small business, you'll need to make sure you have a reliable internet connection. If you have a slow or spotty connection, VoIP may not be a suitable option for you.

How do you choose the right VoIP system for your business?

There are a few things to consider when choosing a VoIP system for your business.

First, you need to decide what features are important to you and your team.

Pay for what you're actually going to use, but don't pay extra for bells and whistles that are beyond the scope of your communication needs.

Second, if the phone is your primary way of closing sales, you'll need to choose a provider that has a responsive customer support line (24/7/365) with a reputation for high uptime and no dropped calls.

And finally, you'll need to compare pricing plans and make sure the system can scale with your business cost effectively.

Once you've considered these factors, it's time to start shopping around. Do some research online and read reviews from other businesses who have used these systems before.

What to Do Next

Small businesses have a lot to gain from a VoIP phone system. In addition to cost savings and enhanced features, these systems are easy to install and use as they're usually plug-and-play and very intuitive.

If you're considering switching to VoIP for your small business, be sure to do your research first and pick the right system for your needs.

The above list offers the best small business phone systems in the industry so you can find an affordable and reliable VoIP system that will grow with your business.