Top 5 VoIP Service Providers
Every month, we hear from customers around the globe about their unique VoIP needs. Customers often ask us, “who are some of the other VoIP service providers out there?”
After careful thought and input from customers, we’ve selected the top five VoIP service providers and compared them by service offerings.
These are primarily VoIP service providers who provide a combination of toll free numbers, call forwarding service, and a group of features, like auto attendant and voice mail to email, that appeal to all business users. The service offerings vary, making some of the service providers more appropriate for larger companies, and some for smaller companies.
Top VoIP Service Providers
Ring Central
Ring Central started in 2003 and delivers cloud business communications solutions that free people to work the way they want in today’s mobile world.
Website
The Ring Central website is clean and easily navigable. When you first enter the website, you can watch a demo, start your free trial, or speak with a sales representative via Instant Messenger. If you wander over to the Features section, you can watch a brief demo about how each feature works.
Features
Ring Central offers the standard features that come with all VoIP telephony services, as well as many additional features to help your business run efficiently.
What I think you’ll find most convenient is their mobile app. The mobile app allows your phone system to travel with you, wherever you go. You can use your smart phone (iPhone, Android, and Blackberry) or tablet to make and receive calls, create and participate in conference calls, and configure your phone system settings notification, and voice mail.
Video conferencing is not offered by many VoIP service providers, but it’s one of Ring Central’s powerful features that comes with every package. This unified conferencing experience can be accessed across all of your devices (desktops, tablets, and smartphones). You can invite up to 50 participants and record video meetings to play back or share with colleagues.
You can learn more about their features at RingCentral.com
Packages & Pricing
There are three plans to choose from with each plan varying in toll free minutes and features. Ring Central’s services can cost anywhere from $24.99 to $44.99 per month, depending on your business’ size and telephone minute needs. The number of minutes in each plan range from 1,000 to 10,000 per month. If you decide to sign up with Ring Central, you can take advantage of their 30-day free trial without being subject to setup or activation fees.
Who Would Benefit
Overall, Ring Central is probably more suitable for mid to large companies, as the smallest plan comes with 1,000 minutes.
Google Voice
Google Voice was launched by Google in 2009. You manage your service is via a web-based application, similar to Google’s email service, however it can also be accessed via smart phone tablet.
Website
To access the Google Voice website, you’ll need to be logged into your Google Mail account. If you don’t have a Google email account, you can sign up for one at no cost. The Google Voice website is simple and concise. There are instructional videos that accompany each feature, however the website, as a whole, leaves something to be desired.
Features
Google Voice is only available in the United States and allows unlimited calls and text messages within the United States and Canada. You can also make low-cost calls to international phone numbers.
Google Voice isn’t an actual phone service, but it does let you manage multiple phones. You get one local phone number that can ring to all of your phones. It’s important to note that Google Voice doesn’t provide enterprise support, so you still need a phone carrier.
The features offered by Google Voice are pretty standard when it comes to VoIP telephone services, but convenient nonetheless. If you have an iPhone, Android or Blackberry, you can download the Google Voice app. The mobile app can automatically place outgoing calls via your Google Voice phone number. You can also send and receive free text messages (United States only) on your mobile phone without paying for a text messaging plan with your mobile provider.
You can learn more about their features at Google.com/Voice
Packages & Pricing
There are three types of Google Voice packages to choose from: Full Google Voice, Google Voice Lite, or Google Voice on Sprint.
Full Google Voice gives you a brand new Google voice number that can receive calls from any phone.
Google Voice Lite is only for voicemail services. You can have the same voicemail box for multiple mobile phones. All of your voicemail messages will be stored in a Google Voice inbox that can be accessed online or from your mobile phone(s).
Google Voice on Sprint integrates the features of Google Voice with your Sprint phone. You can use your Sprint number to access all of the Google Voice features, without having an actual Google Voice number. Or you can replace your Sprint number with a new one from Google Voice.
Who Would Benefit
Because Google Voice isn’t technically a phone service provider and doesn’t offer support, it’s most suitable for small companies that are just getting started.
Vonage Business
Vonage Business has been delivering premium quality phone services to growing companies since 2006. Their cloud phone service allows you to work anywhere.
Website
Vonage Business’ website is similar to most large VoIP service providers’ sites. It’s very user-friendly and simple to find exactly what you’re looking for. The homepage allows you to view their plans and features, or get a free quote.
Features
Along with the standard VoIP features, Vonage offers many additional features to increase mobility and productivity, such as Simultaneous Ring, Caller ID Block, Outlook Integration, and Click to Call Me. The Click to Call me feature allows you to embed a button on your website or email signature that provides your customers with a quick and easy way to contact you.
The mobile app lets you access the full functionality of your business phone from anywhere in the world. You can download the app for Apple or Android devices.
Similar to the mobile app, there’s also a free desktop application that extends all the power and control of your phone system to your computer desktop.
You can learn more about their features at Vonagebusiness.com.
Packages & Pricing
Vonage offers two telephone plans, ranging from $14.99 to $39.99 per month. The $14.99 Metered Plan is pay-per-minute, which means you only pay for the minutes you use. This plan is ideal for small businesses.
The $39.99 Unlimited Plan includes an unlimited amount of minutes for inbound and outbound calls. Vonage also offers Virtual Extensions for $14.99 per month. Virtual extensions are designed for workers who don’t need an office phone, as they can easily integrate cell phones into your business’ phone service.
You can learn more about their features at VonageBusiness.com
Who Would Benefit
Because Vonage offers a pay per minute plan, as well as an unlimited plan, any size business could benefit from their services.
Toll Free Forwarding
Toll Free Forwarding was founded in 2002 and is an international phone service provider that provides toll free and local virtual numbers in over 75 countries. They also offer worldwide call forwarding.
Website
The homepage is simple, clean, and concise. The first thing I’m drawn to is the informative video about how international call forwarding works. The video is a short 60-seconds, but gives a complete idea of what a toll free number is and how you could benefit from buying a number here. If you’re ready to purchase a phone number, you can do so easily right from the front page.
Features
Each package comes with many additional features that traditional telephone services don’t usually offer in a basic monthly service.
You can learn more about these features at TollFreeForwarding.com.
Packages & Pricing
TollFreeForwarding.com offers six different packages of bundled minutes, as well as customized packages for companies using over 5,000 minutes per month. Their plans cost anywhere from
$10 to $500 per month, depending on the type of phone number you purchase and the number of minutes in your plan. Each package can contain anywhere from 100 to 5,000 minutes each month.
Should you decide to go with Toll Free Forwarding, your new toll free number will be activated instantly.
Who Would Benefit
With larger calling packages and a lower price for larger monthly calling needs, TollFreeForwarding.com may be a better choice for mid size to larger businesses.
Onebox
Onebox, an all-in-one virtual phone solution, was founded in 1999 and offers toll free and local numbers.
Website
When you arrive to the homepage, you’ll quickly notice that Onebox offers a 30-day free trial, no set up fees, no long-term contract, and you can cancel at any time. If you’re ready to purchase a plan, you can easily start your free trial. Of course, if you’re still not quite sure what service(s) you’ll need, you can check out their features, watch a video about how their services work, or live chat with a sales representative.
Features
Along with the standard VoIP telephone features, Onebox boasts an array of features to help you easily manage all of your business communications.
The Mobile app can be downloaded for iPhone, Android and Blackberry. It allows you to manage your phone calls, voicemail and fax while you’re on the go.
VoIP calling is also available with the app, which means you can call from anywhere with your mobile phone, even if you don’t have a cell phone signal.
With the SMS text messaging feature, you can easily send and receive text messages with your local number.
Packages & Pricing
There are three different plans available from Onebox. Each plan contains different bundled minute packages.
The most popular plan is Onebox Executive, which is best for small businesses. Plans have anywhere between 100 – 2000 minutes and cost between $16.95 – $29.95 per month.
With Onebox Receptionist, your calls are answered with a professionally recorded custom greeting and can be directed to any employee, at any location around the world. Bundled minute plans range between 2000 – 12,000 minutes, and cost between $49.95 – $199.95 per month.
Onebox Live Receptionist offers plans with 50 – 100 minutes, and cost an additional $129.95 – $179.95 per month. This unique feature lets you provide your customers with a personal touch. Onebox’s professional team of live receptionists will transfer incoming calls to your employees, anywhere around the world. You can customer your customer’s call experience by adding surveys, appoint scheduling, and other services.
Who Would Benefit
The maximum number of minutes in a Onebox phone plan is 2000. This is a low number in comparison to some other VoIP service providers, so Onebox would probably work best for small businesses.