RingCentral tops our ranking for mid-to-large organisations seeking unified communications across phone, video and messaging. Nextiva suits small to medium teams prioritising affordability with built-in contact management and video conferencing. CloudTalk serves scaling SMBs requiring AI-powered automation and real-time analytics capabilities.
RANKENTRYSCORETRENDFROM
1RingCentralOffers 330+ integrations across 200+ companies and leading business platforms.95.0NEW$20/user/month (annual billing) 2NextivaIncludes integrated contact management, calendaring, VoIP, video conferencing, messaging, and SMS in one platform.91.5NEW$15/user/month 3CloudTalkAI Voice Agents and AI Receptionists automatically handle routine inquiries and intelligently route conversations.88.0NEW$25/user/month (annual billing) 4Dialpad ConnectProvides 99-100% uptime with sentiment analysis, voicemail transcriptions, and advanced call tracking metrics.84.5NEW$15/user/month 5QuoSona AI agent automatically answers missed calls, with higher plans including AI call summaries and transcripts.81.0NEWFree 7-day trial, multiple plans available 6TalkrouteDelivers a polished, professional system without requiring investment in IP desk phones or hardware.77.5NEW<UNKNOWN> 7Zoom PhoneUniquely offers per-minute payment option or unlimited domestic calling outside the US.74.0NEWPer-minute payment or unlimited domestic calling plans 8GrasshopperPartnership with Ruby.com provides access to professional phone answering services.70.5NEW<UNKNOWN> 9Ooma OfficeOffers free toll-free number and 500 toll-free minutes per month.67.0NEW<UNKNOWN> The ranking, in detail
01
The unified communications powerhouse for growing organisations
RingCentral Core plan offers a comprehensive platform combining cloud phone, video conferencing, and team messaging with 330+ integrations across major business platforms. Designed for organisations with 50+ seats needing consolidated communications infrastructure.
From $20/user/month (annual billing)Best for 50+ seat organisations consolidating phone, video, and messaging
95.0
02
All-in-one communication suite for small to midsize teams
Nextiva Core plan bundles VoIP calling, video conferencing, team messaging, SMS texting, built-in contact list management, and calendaring in one integrated platform. Ideal for small offices through high-volume sales and support operations.
From $15/user/monthBest for Small offices to high-volume sales and support teams
91.5
03
AI-powered phone system for rapidly scaling businesses
CloudTalk delivers AI Voice Agents and AI Receptionists that handle routine inquiries and route conversations intelligently. Built for scaling SMBs requiring global-quality calling, CRM synchronisation, real-time analytics, and enterprise-grade scalability.
From $25/user/month (annual billing)Best for Scaling SMBs needing automation, global-quality calling, CRM sync, real-time analytics, and scalability
88.0
04
Enterprise-grade communications for high-volume contact centres
Dialpad Connect Standard plan delivers 99-100% uptime with sentiment analysis, voicemail transcriptions, call tracking metrics, and speech-to-text capabilities. Purpose-built for large contact centres managing high call volumes with substantial operational budgets.
From $15/user/monthBest for Large contact centres with high call volumes and large budgets
84.5
05
Intelligent shared number platform for collaborative teams
Quo (formerly OpenPhone) enables small teams to share phone numbers and manage customer conversations collaboratively. The Sona AI agent answers missed calls automatically, with higher plans adding AI call summaries and transcripts for conversation context.
From Free 7-day trial, multiple plans availableBest for Small teams that share numbers and manage customer conversations together
81.0
06
Professional cloud phone system for remote and distributed teams
Talkroute provides a polished, professional phone system designed for remote teams, home-based businesses, and startups seeking enterprise-grade appearance without requiring investment in physical IP desk phones. Delivers a complete virtual phone environment.
From <UNKNOWN>Best for Remote teams, home-based businesses, startups looking for professional image
77.5
07
Calling extension for Zoom-centric organisations
Zoom Phone integrates seamlessly with Zoom's meeting and chat infrastructure, offering per-minute payment flexibility or unlimited domestic calling options. Best suited for teams already deeply embedded in the Zoom ecosystem seeking to consolidate their communication stack.
From Per-minute payment or unlimited domestic calling plansBest for Teams already deeply invested in Zoom meetings and chat
74.0
08
Simple phone system with professional answering service partnership
Grasshopper prioritises simplicity and ease of use for solopreneurs and small teams. Through its partnership with Ruby.com, users gain access to professional phone answering services, enabling businesses to maintain a polished professional image without internal staffing overhead.
From <UNKNOWN>Best for Solopreneurs and small teams appreciating simplicity and ease of use
70.5
09
Straightforward VoIP calling system for cost-conscious businesses
Ooma Office focuses on core VoIP calling functionality for small businesses and home-based teams prioritising straightforward operation. Includes a free toll-free number and 500 monthly toll-free minutes, delivering exceptional value for calling-centric operations.
From <UNKNOWN>Best for Small businesses or home-based teams that want straightforward VoIP focused on calling
67.0
Frequently asked questions
What is the typical cost difference between cloud-based and traditional phone systems?
Cloud-based business phone systems typically cost £10-35 per user monthly compared to traditional PBX systems which require significant upfront hardware investment. Cloud solutions eliminate capital expenses, require no physical maintenance, and offer flexibility to scale users up or down without infrastructure changes.
Which phone system requires the least technical setup?
Grasshopper and Nextiva offer the simplest setup processes, requiring minimal technical knowledge. Both feature intuitive interfaces and work directly through web browsers and mobile apps without requiring IT expertise or complex hardware installation.
Can I integrate my business phone system with my existing CRM and email?
Yes, most modern systems offer integrations. RingCentral leads with 330+ integrations, whilst CloudTalk specialises in CRM synchronisation. Check your specific CRM or email platform's compatibility before purchasing, as integration availability varies by system.