10 Best Small Business Phone Plans in 2024

Are you struggling with dropped calls and poor call quality? In today’s fast-paced business environment, it’s essential to have an efficient, high-quality phone system to stay ahead of the competition, especially if you’re running a small business. 

But with so many options out there, choosing the right phone plan for your small business can be overwhelming.

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! In this blog post, we’ll explore the top 10 best small business phone plans for 2024. You’ll learn about each system’s main features, benefits, use cases, and pricing, making it easier for you to find the perfect fit.

How to Choose the Right Business Phone Plan for Your Small Business

As we mentioned earlier, there is a lot to consider when choosing a phone system for your small business. However, there are a few key criteria you should look out for while doing your research. If you want to succeed, you’ll need to:  

• Consider Your Business Needs: Think about the current size of your team, how fast you’re expecting to grow, the volume of calls you make and receive on a daily basis, and whether you need a phone plan that promotes distributed remote work.
• Determine The Crucial Features: Do you need call forwarding, voicemail transcription, or video conferencing? Are you making a large number of calls that’d be much faster with a sales auto-dialer? What about international phone numbers in as many countries as possible? Knowing the essential features your business needs can help you narrow down your options.
• Compare Pricing and Plans: Phone plans vary in price, so it’s important to choose one that fits your budget while still meeting your business needs.

Taking these three steps should get you to a good place to start narrowing down your potential candidates. And to help you cut down the list even further, we’ll explore the top 10 small business phone plans for 2024, their features, and their benefits in the next section. 

Top 10 Small Business Phone Plans in 2024

Now that you know what to consider when choosing a phone plan, let’s take a closer look at the top 10 business phone plans for small businesses in 2024. These plans offer a variety of features and pricing options, making them suitable for businesses of all sizes.

1. CloudTalk

CloudTalk is a cloud-based call center and business phone system built to let you maximize your customer support efforts across all channels. All you need to do is choose a number for one of the 160+ supported countries, and you can instantly start optimizing your workflows with advanced features, including IVR, click-to-call, power dialers, and more! CloudTalk also supports 35+ other powerful integrations for helpdesk, e-commerce, and CRM systems, including HubSpot and Zendesk.

Key features

• High-quality calls with guaranteed latency and minimal jitter
• Smooth workflow with our Intelligent call-routing tools
• Callback feature that redials the number until connected with the agent
• Redirecting calls during busy hours or when outside the office
• The call masking feature keeps your personal number private

What is CloudTalk missing?

According to some users, CloudTalk Analytics needed a refresh; something that would afford our users deeper insights into the data that drives their business forward. 

We answered the call and recently launched Analytics 2.0, a powerful new data-visualization framework that gives users in-depth reports on the day-to-day operations of their call center. Identify problem areas and apply data-driven solutions faster than you ever thought possible. 

What Type of Business is It Best For?

CloudTalk is the perfect phone system for mid-sized companies looking to grow. Typically, it’s used in sales for outbound calls and in customer service for inbound calls.

Pricing

2. Nextiva

Nextiva is a big player in the VoIP market, providing services to more than 15,000 customers. Nextiva is widely regarded as user-friendly — users can start calling within minutes thanks to a simple and intuitive setup process. Furthermore, the system is hosted by Nextiva, which makes maintenance of the software Nextiva’s responsibility.

Nextiva’s benefits

Nextiva offers various advanced features, including conference calling, voicemail transcription, multi-level attendant, and much more. The provider also integrates with solutions like Zendesk, ConnectWise, or MS Teams.

Nextiva’s HIPAA-compliant virtual faxing makes it a great solution for healthcare workers. Medical employees can share information without having to worry about data breaches. 

Furthermore, 24/7 support means agents are always on hand to assist you. 

Key features

• Unlimited Calling
• Video Conference Recordings
• Mobile & Desktop Apps
• Workflow Optimization
• Omnichannel Communications

What is Nextiva missing?

Although Nextiva is a well-known VoIP solution, there are some issues you should know about when considering this provider:

• Integrations: Nextiva is missing certain integrations, like Slack or Zapier. With Zapier, users are able to connect your VoIP telephony system with thousands of non-native systems. 
• Prices: Many consider Nextiva’s prices high, especially for small businesses.

What Type of Business is It Best For?

Businesses that need a robust, secure, and reliable enterprise phone system that works across every device and comes with advanced features like video conferencing, mobile app, call recording, and more.

Pricing

If you’re searching for more options, check Nextiva’s best alternatives.

3. RingCentral

When you think about VoIP telephony solutions, RingCentral is probably among the first ones that comes to your mind. It’s no wonder, the company has been on the market for over 20 years and has built quite a reputation for itself. 

RingCentral’s benefits

RingCentral has a great variety of features and offers HD quality voice and video. The provider is a good fit for enterprises since it offers an omnichannel experience and lead qualification tools, as well as management, collaboration, and performance features – all in a single software.

Key features

• SIP Trunking
• IVR
• Call Recording
• Call Routing
• Contact Management

What is RingCentral missing?

Despite all the positives, RingCentral does lack quite a few essential tools that modern businesses require. 

Features like native sentiment analytics, Speech-to-Text transcription, smart dialers, or Skill-based routing are only included in Contact Centre Solution. The same goes for some agent management features, like monitoring.

The Call recording tool and Toll-free numbers are only available as add-ons for an additional cost. 

Furthermore, RingCentral’s implementation can take as much as 90 days and involves an implementation fee. 

RingCentral UI is also not always the friendliest to work with. 

What Type of Business is It Best For?

RingCentral MVP is a flexible cloud-based solution that is ideal for businesses of all sizes.

Pricing

If you’re searching for more options, check RingCentral’s best alternatives.

4. Ooma

Ooma is an ideal solution for smaller companies with up to 500 employees or a home phone service. It is mostly used for call logging, alerts, and escalations.

Ooma’s benefits 

Although the set-up is very simple, and you can seek assistance from guides or customer support, there is no in-person training involved. 

Ooma also doesn’t offer predictive dialers and telemarketing management these features speed up your workflow and make your sales efforts much smoother. Ooma lacks reporting and analytics capabilities.

Key features

• voicemail-to-email forwarding
• caller ID or video conferencing
• desktop and mobile apps for Android and iPhone

What is Ooma missing?

Although the setup is very simple, and you can seek assistance from guides or customer support, there is no in-person training involved. 

Ooma also doesn’t offer predictive dialers and telemarketing management these features speed up your workflow and make your sales efforts much smoother. Ooma lacks reporting and analytics capabilities.

What Type of Business is It Best For?

Ooma is best for smaller businesses looking for a basic VoIP service. 

Pricing

If you’re searching for more options, check Ooma’s best alternatives.

5. Grasshopper

Grasshopper is often the go-to VoIP solution for smaller businesses looking for call center software to streamline their operations all around the world. But is their business model really so SMB-friendly? Let’s see.

Grasshopper’s benefits

• Set up is simple and takes just a few clicks — no IT degree required. 
• The Solo pricing tier is very affordable, even for companies that are just starting out. Furthermore, there are no limits on extensions after you reach the Small Business tier of service. 
• There is no need to purchase pricey new equipment. You can run your business from your personal smartphone while keeping it separate from the rest of your life.

Key features

• Voicemail transcription
• Custom greetings
• Simultaneous call handling 

What is Grasshopper missing?

There is a downside to Grasshopper’s simplicity, however, and it’s this: The solution lacks several core VoIP features users may expect, including:

• call recording,
• power dialers,
• and even click-to-call.

Furthermore, a fair few users complain that the app could benefit from some deeper reporting features.

What Type of Business is It Best For?

Grasshopper is best for SMBs who value their customers’ happiness above all else. 

Pricing

If you’re searching for more options, check Ooma’s best alternatives.

6. Phone.com

Phone.com is another virtual phone service you don’t often hear about. It’s slowly but surely making a name for itself, though, by providing reliable, affordable, and easy-to-use communication software to its customers. With Phone.com, businesses can easily maintain a professional image and stay connected with customers and colleagues from anywhere.

Phone.com’s benefits

Phone.com is a cost-effective solution that allows users to save money on phone bills. Additionally, the provider lets users easily manage their accounts and quickly add/remove phone numbers or users. Finally, Phone.com offers top-notch customer service and support, making it an ideal choice for those looking for a reliable virtual phone service.

Key features

• Auto-attendants
• Voicemail
• Call forwarding
• Conference calling
• Toll-free numbers
• Local numbers
• Call routing
• Unlimited extension dialing
• call analytics
• call blocking
• Notification
• Routing
• Click-to-call
• caller ID

What is Phone.com Missing?

While Phone.com’s features certainly offer plenty to its customers, there’s a catch. Many of its best features are locked behind a paywall. Furthermore, the software has a limited number of possible integrations, making it perhaps not the first choice for those looking for a centralized call center solution.

What Type of Business is It Best For?

Phone.com’s VoIP calling solution is best suited for small businesses that only need basic functionalities. 

To get additional tools, companies must upgrade to high-tier plans. Examples of such tools would be voicemail transcription, online voice transmissions, access controls, permissions, and even unlimited minutes. 

Pricing

7. AT&T

AT&T Inc. is an American multinational telecommunication and the world’s largest telecommunications company by revenue and the third largest provider of mobile telephone services in the U.S. It provides a variety of VoIP services for different use cases – one of the most popular ones being its UCaaS (unified communication as a service) platform AT&T Office@Hand.

AT&T’s benefits

Office@Hand offers many benefits, including advanced calling features like call recording, call forwarding, and auto-attendants, integration with popular business software like Salesforce and Microsoft Teams, a reliable network with strong coverage across the US and beyond, and 24/7 customer support.

Key features

• Call recording: Record and save calls for training or compliance purposes.
• Call forwarding: Forward calls to any phone number or voicemail.
• Auto-attendant: Provide customers with an automated greeting and menu system.
• Virtual receptionist: Route calls to the right department or employee.
• Voicemail transcription: Transcribe voicemails to text and send them via email.

What is AT&T missing?

AT&T’s pricing can be more expensive than some of its competitors, and some customers have reported difficulty navigating the software’s user interface. Additionally, some users have reported occasional call quality issues.

What Type of Business is It Best For?

Cloud-based platform that facilitates omnichannel communication for any organization.  

Pricing

8. Verizon

Verizon is a cloud-based solution that offers many of the insights needed to optimize business operations and, by extension, drive growth. It offers mobile phone, home phone, and internet services for a variety of devices.

Verizon’s benefits

Verizon uses analytics to determine users’ performance and assist with improving efficiency. Thanks to real-time reports and alerts, it helps businesses to better manage their services. 

Key features

• Activity Tracking
• Billing & Invoicing
• Contact Database
• Contract/License Management

What is Verizon missing?

While Verizon offers a variety of helpful features, it’s missing some capabilities that other cloud-based solutions provide. For instance, it doesn’t offer inventory management, which can be important for businesses that need to track their stock levels. Additionally, it doesn’t provide scheduling or dispatch tools, which can be useful for businesses with mobile workforces. Finally, Verizon lacks any marketing or CRM features that can help businesses nurture leads and maintain customer relationships.

Overall, Verizon is a great solution for managing mobile devices and services, but businesses looking for more advanced features may need to consider other cloud-based solutions.

What Type of Business is It Best For?

Verizon is an ideal solution for businesses of all sizes looking to optimize their operations, reduce costs, and improve customer service. It is also handy when businesses need to manage multiple locations, coordinate deliveries, and schedule appointments.

Pricing

If you’re searching for more options, check Verizon’s best alternatives.

9. Google Voice

Google Voice has been on the market since 2009. It offers both free and paid versions to customers. Google Voice has many useful features, such as call forwarding, ring groups, and integrations with Google Meet and Google Calendar. The biggest disadvantage of Google Voice is the lack of a desktop application.

Google Voice’s benefits

The free version of Google Voice offers unlimited calling within the US and Canada, which is ideal for companies with a domestic client base. The provider also includes Call recording as part of all of their plans. Implementation is fairly simple, too: you can be up and running within minutes. Last but not least, Google Voice’s customer support is there for you 24/7.

Key features

• SIP Link
• Unlimited text messaging in the US
• Google Meet integration
• Google Calendar integration
• Voicemail transcription
• Call forwarding
• Multi-level auto attendant
• Ring Groups
• Advanced reporting (BigQuery)
• Ad-hoc user call recording

What is Google Voice missing?

In order to access Google Voice, you must have a US phone number. 

The platform also lacks popular integrations, like Slack or Zapier. 

Google Voice also has certain feature limitations. You won’t get Toll-free numbers, Smart dialer, Automated Call Distribution, Call monitoring, Contact management, IVR, or reporting and analytics.

What Type of Business is It Best For?

Google Voice is best suited to companies that are just starting out. In fact, the provider is often listed as one of the best virtual phone services for small businesses, but all sizes will find something to benefit from. 

Pricing

If you’re searching for more options, check Google Voice’s best alternatives.

10. T-Mobile

T-Mobile is a major player in the telecommunications industry, offering a range of wireless and internet services for both personal and business use. Their Business Wireless Plans offer a variety of options for companies of all sizes, including unlimited talk, text, and data, 5G access, and a range of mobile devices to choose from.

T-Mobile’s benefits

• Strong network coverage and reliability, with 5G access available in many areas
• Flexible plans and pricing to fit a range of business needs and sizes
• Streamlined billing and account management through their online portal
• T-Mobile Tuesdays, a customer appreciation program that offers weekly deals and discounts

Key features

• Mobile hotspot functionality for on-the-go internet access
• Advanced security features, including mobile device management and device encryption
• Wi-Fi calling and texting to stay connected even in areas with weak cellular signal
• Compatibility with popular business applications, such as Microsoft Office and G Suite

What is T-Mobile Missing?

T-Mobile’s Business Wireless Plans do not offer traditional desk phones or landlines, which may be a disadvantage for companies that require those types of communication options. Additionally, their international coverage can be limited in some areas.

What Type of Business is It Best For?

T-Mobile’s Business Wireless Plans are best suited for businesses in the US doing business within the country, in Canada, or in Mexico. For more extended international use, it’s not ideal.

Pricing

Get Started Today

By choosing a plan that fits your business needs, you can communicate more efficiently, build better customer relationships, and ultimately increase your revenue. 

And if you’re looking for a reliable and efficient business phone system that caters to your business needs and allows room for expansion, you won’t go wrong with CloudTalk.

With CloudTalk, you can enjoy a variety of features such as intelligent call routing options, IVR menus, 70+ integrations, international phone numbers in 160+ countries, auto-dialers, and more. Our plans are scalable and affordable, making them suitable for businesses of all sizes. Plus, with our exceptional customer support, you can rest assured that we’ve got you covered every step of the way.But don’t just believe us – try it yourself for free for 14 days. Or book a demo with our sales team!