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Best VoIP Phone Systems For Small Business

Still using outdated landlines in your business? Make the switch to business VoIP with one of these providers.

    Erica Seppala
  • Last updated onUpdated

  • Shelbi Wescott
  • REVIEWED BY

    Shelbi Wescott

    Expert Contributor

Our content reflects the editorial opinions of our experts. While our site makes money through referral partnerships, we only partner with companies that meet our standards for quality, as outlined in our independent rating and scoring system.

We reviewed the best VoIP phone systems for business based on pricing, reliability, call quality, ease of use, and communication features. Here are our top picks for the best business phone systems.

Compare Our Top Picks

ProviderBest ForPlan PricingHardware PricingNext Steps
Best Overall SystemStarts at $30/month$100+
Best Low-Cost SystemStarts at $10.50/monthQuote-based
Best Basic Phone SystemStarts at $19.99/monthQuote-based
3CX
3.6
Best For On-Premise PBXStarts at $0/monthNot available
Best For Social Media ManagementStarts at $23/month$70+
Show More Options
Best For Low-Cost HardwareStarts at $19.95/month$59.99+
Best For Larger BusinessesStarts at $18.95/monthNot available
Best For International CallingCustom quote$119+
Show Fewer Options

RingCentral

Best Overall

Best Overall System

RingCentral is a well-rounded business phone system for companies that want strong calling, messaging, video, and analytics tools in one platform.

RingCentral includes unlimited domestic calling, team messaging, SMS and MMS, IVR menus, AI noise cancellation, video meetings, reporting, customizable analytics, and 300+ integrations. Businesses can also use RingCentral’s mobile apps or add desk phones and other hardware.

On-Premise or Cloud-Hosted
Cloud-Hosted
Hardware for Purchase
Free Trial

PROS

  • Scalable
  • Robust feature set
  • Strong mobile apps

CONS

  • Customer service is hit-or-miss
  • Add-ons can drive up costs

Zoom Phone

Best Low-Cost System

Zoom Phone is a practical choice for businesses that want affordable phone service without an overly complicated setup.

Zoom Phone offers pay-as-you-go and unlimited calling plans, plus IVR, auto attendants, SMS and MMS, team messaging, video meetings, call monitoring tools, reporting dashboards, and integrations with apps like Salesforce, Slack, Outlook, and Google Calendar.

On-Premise or Cloud-Hosted
Cloud-Hosted
Hardware for Purchase
Free Trial

PROS

  • Affordable calling plans
  • Easy to use
  • Numerous features

CONS

  • Customer service is lacking
  • Non-transparent hardware pricing

Vonage

Best Basic Phone System

Vonage works well for businesses that want a straightforward VoIP phone system with flexible calling and communication features.

Vonage Business Communications includes calling, team messaging, SMS and MMS, visual voicemail, video meetings, call logs, call quality reports, and 100+ integrations. Just note that features such as call recording, call queues, and call groups may cost extra.

On-Premise or Cloud-Hosted
Cloud-Hosted
Hardware for Purchase
Free Trial

PROS

  • Easy to use
  • Suitable for smaller businesses
  • Reliable phone service

CONS

  • Add-ons can drive up costs
  • No desk phones on lowest tier

3CX

Best For On-Premise PBX

3CX is best for businesses that want a low-cost phone system and don’t mind a more hands-on setup.

Unlike plug-and-play VoIP providers, 3CX requires a SIP trunk provider, and businesses may need to configure hosting or hardware. In return, 3CX offers a free plan, affordable annual pricing, call routing, video conferencing, live chat, SMS/MMS, reporting, and integrations.

On-Premise or Cloud-Hosted
Both
Hardware for Purchase
Free Trial

PROS

  • Forever free plan available
  • Multiple users included in pricing
  • On-premise & hosted options

CONS

  • Requires your own SIP trunk
  • No hardware sales

Nextiva

Best For Social Media Management

Nextiva is worth a look for businesses that want phone service plus broader customer communication tools.

Nextiva includes voice, video meetings, SMS, team chat, call routing, file sharing, and mobile apps, with higher-tier plans adding tools for customer engagement and support teams. It’s especially useful for businesses that want to manage more customer conversations from one platform.

On-Premise or Cloud-Hosted
Cloud-Hosted
Hardware for Purchase
Free Trial

PROS

  • Review site & social media tools
  • Excellent customer support
  • Numerous features & add-ons

CONS

  • Lowest tier doesn't include calling
  • Pricing can be expensive

Ooma Office

Best For Low-Cost Hardware

Ooma Office is a solid choice for small businesses that want affordable VoIP service with optional desk phones and other hardware.

Ooma offers no-contract plans, unlimited calling to the US, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, a virtual receptionist, call forwarding, mobile apps, and higher-tier features such as video meetings, call recording, team chat, analytics, and CRM integrations.

On-Premise or Cloud-Hosted
Cloud-Hosted
Hardware for Purchase
Free Trial

PROS

  • 24/7 customer support
  • Low-cost hardware
  • Affordable calling plans

CONS

  • Long hold times for support
  • Slight learning curve

OnSIP

Best For Larger Businesses

OnSIP is best for businesses that want customizable VoIP service with flexible plan options.

Businesses can choose a low-volume Basic plan or an Unlimited plan with a five-user minimum. OnSIP offers call routing, auto attendants, call recording, queues, voicemail, video conferencing, live chat, reporting, and integrations, making it a better fit for teams with more users or heavier call needs.

On-Premise or Cloud-Hosted
Cloud-Hosted
Hardware for Purchase
Free Trial

PROS

  • Robust feature set
  • Suitable for large businesses
  • Scalable system

CONS

  • No calling minutes on basic plan
  • Slight learning curve

GoTo Connect

Best For International Calling

GoTo Connect is a strong option for businesses that want a customizable phone system with built-in international calling.

GoTo Connect offers quote-based VoIP plans with call routing, auto attendants, SMS/MMS, video meetings, reporting, multi-location tools, and customer communication features. Its standout feature is free calling to 50+ countries, though availability may vary by plan and destination.

On-Premise or Cloud-Hosted
Cloud-Hosted
Hardware for Purchase
Free Trial

PROS

  • Free international calling
  • Good customer service
  • Numerous features

CONS

  • Non-transparent pricing
  • Limited hardware availability

Our Rating Methodology

Each provider gets 10–15 hours of research, is scored by a subject-matter expert, and is reviewed by a second expert before publication. Ratings are not influenced by our referral partnerships.

Pricing
25%
Features
25%
Equipment
20%
Security
15%
Customer Service
10%
User Reviews
5%

The 5 Best VoIP Phone Systems For Small Business

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a business phone system?

A business phone system helps companies manage calls with customers, employees, and teams.

Most modern systems use internet-based VoIP technology and include features like call routing, auto-attendants, voicemail, conferencing, and integrations with other business tools.

What is VoIP and how does it work for businesses?

VoIP lets businesses make and receive phone calls over the internet instead of traditional phone lines.

It’s typically more affordable than landline service and often includes features like call routing, auto-attendants, call recording, and analytics. You’ll need a reliable internet connection for it to work well.

What is the best business phone system for small businesses?

The best business phone system depends on your team size, call volume, and how your business handles calls.

RingCentral is a strong all-around option, Nextiva is known for reliability and support, Grasshopper works well for solo business owners, and Zoom Phone is a good fit for businesses already using Zoom.

How much does a business phone system cost?

Business phone systems often cost around $15 to $50+ per user per month, depending on the provider and features.

Simple virtual phone number plans may cost less, while full VoIP systems with call routing, analytics, integrations, and larger team features usually cost more.

What features should a business phone system have?

A good business phone system should include call routing, voicemail, call forwarding, conference calling, and a mobile app.

You may also want features like an auto-attendant, voicemail transcription, call recording, CRM integrations, and call analytics. For growing teams, choose a system that makes it easy to add users without major equipment changes.

Erica Seppala

Erica Seppala

Editor & Senior Staff Writer at Merchant Maverick
Erica has been writing about small business finance and technology since 2008. She joined Merchant Maverick in 2018 and specializes in researching and reviewing business software, financial products, and other topics to help small businesses manage and grow their operations. Her expertise has been cited in MSN, Reader's Digest, Vox, U.S. News & World Report, and Real Simple. She is a Certified ProAdvisor for QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Payroll, a graduate of Limestone University, and currently resides in Greenville, South Carolina.
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