Broadvoice Review: Features, Pricing & Alternatives for 2023
Corey McCraw is a staff writer covering VoIP and Unified Communications. Corey has over a decade of experience in marketing, tech writing, and corporate communications and has even penned content for the former First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move initiative.
Silvana is a staff writer at Fit Small Business who covers business technology, audio and video conferencing tools, and phone services.
This article is part of a larger series on VoIP.
Broadvoice is a business communications platform that supports cross-channel collaboration on phone, video, chat, and SMS. Based on our evaluation and Broadvoice reviews online, it has excellent niche offerings, such as hotdesking and hoteling, available in its base plan. We recommend it for businesses expanding globally, as this cloud-hosted voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) offers metered and unlimited phone service plans.
Broadvoice Review: At a Glance
Overall Score:
3.96 / 5
What We Liked
- 100% uptime service level agreement (SLA)
- Provides 24/7/365 business support via a toll-free number
- Pro plans have an unmetered calling to more than 60 countries
- Standard and Pro subscriptions support unlimited audio conference attendees
What's Missing
- Video conferences limited to 50 participants
- Doesn’t offer a free plan
- Lacks advanced tools powered by artificial intelligence (AI)
- Virtual fax and video meetings are only available on the highest-tier plan
When to Use Broadvoice
- Businesses expanding worldwide: Broadvoice provides direct inward dial (DID) numbers in dozens of countries, and unlimited calling plans let you make free calls to 60 countries and 29 mobile destinations.
- Solopreneurs and teams with low call volumes: Broadvoice offers a metered plan where you only pay for your usage. Broadvoice provides fundamental features for 2.9 cents per minute.
- Organizations that handle protected health information (PHI): Broadvoice is a unified communications (UC) app that meets the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). As a HIPAA-compliant desktop and mobile messaging app, it allows you to provide secure telehealth services.
When to Use an Alternative
- Large video conferencing sessions: Broadvoice only supports 50 participants, whereas you can have conferences with hundreds of people on RingCentral and 8×8.
- Business software and phone system integrations: Broadvoice works with HubSpot and Salesforce, allowing you to combine mission-critical tools to boost productivity. However, it has limited support for other programs. Try RingCentral, which integrates with over 200 apps.
- Artificial intelligence (AI)-powered tools: Broadvoice doesn’t offer advanced AI features or live transcription. Consider Dialpad’s Dialpad AI, which improves your business conversations through real-time transcription, actionable insights, and workflow automation.
Broadvoice Deciding Factors
Broadvoice is a solid choice for small to medium-sized businesses looking for a single cloud communications solution that unifies business phones, video conferencing, texting, and team collaboration capabilities. Its standout features include unlimited international calling, auto-attendant, call paths, and visual voicemail. In addition, Broadvoice offers supervision features, such as call monitoring, whisper, and barge.
Best For | Small businesses looking for a cost-effective unified communications as a service (UCaaS) application with unlimited calling plans |
Standout Features |
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Monthly Pricing Plans (per User) |
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Annual or Volume Discounts Available | Not available |
Free Trial | Available (contact sales) |
Customer Service |
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Broadvoice Alternatives
Broadvoice’s cloud-based solution simplifies communications for small businesses and teams because of its essential services at affordable prices. With unlimited voice calling, messaging, and auto-attendant, it includes 24/7 customer support at affordable rates. However, suppose you’re looking for additional features or capabilities, such as extensive third-party integrations, SMS support, and cloud call recording. In that case, these are three alternatives to consider:
 |  |  | |
|---|---|---|---|
Best For | Companies looking for advanced integrations, toll-free minutes, and persistent collaboration spaces | Businesses needing a UC phone system with free toll-free numbers and minutes | Small businesses wanting unlimited international calling, real-time analytics, and video conferencing |
Monthly Starting Price | $32.99 per user | $30.95 per user | $27 per user |
Learn More |
Broadvoice pricing received a 2 out of 5 because it does not offer annual or volume-based discounts, a free plan, or a free trial. It received higher marks for affordability since all its plans are below $30 per user, paid monthly.
Broadvoice has several communication solutions, including cloud PBX and SIP trunking. It offers three cloud PBX paid plans starting at $10 monthly per user. The metered plan charges 2.9 cents per minute and 1 cent per text message. Free iOS and Android mobile apps are available, allowing you to make and receive business calls using your cell phone.
View the chart below to compare the differences between Broadvoice cloud PBX pricing options:
Broadvoice Pricing & Plans | Metered | Standard | Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
Best For | Companies with low call volumes | Teams who collaborate through chat | Organizations needing video and fax capabilities |
Monthly Pricing ($/User/Month)* | $10 | $18 | $23 |
Call Center Add-on | $40 | $40 | $40 |
Call Forwarding, Hold, Log & Park | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Web Portal | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Unlimited Domestic Calling | 2.9 cents per minute | ✓ | ✓ |
Local DID | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
Communicator | ✕ | Chat and softphone | Chat, softphone, video, and screen share |
Virtual Fax | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
Call Recording | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
Integrations | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
*Pricing is based on three-year terms.
In addition to cloud PBX, Broadvoice offers two session initiation protocol (SIP) trunking plans, metered trunk or unlimited trunk, starting at $11 per user, monthly. Cloud contact center services start at $75 per month.
Broadvoice Features
Broadvoice cloud subscriptions include dozens of VoIP business phone features, including virtual receptionists and call logging. The company also helps set up the service and onboard team members. Before signing up with Broadvoice, review each plan to ensure your subscription includes the needed features.
Broadvoice offers comprehensive call management features, such as voicemail and call forwarding, and team collaboration tools that help facilitate online communication. Customize features through your online portal to ensure each caller hears the correct greeting and is forwarded to the right person or department. Use your desk phone or softphone app to access voicemail and call parking.
Here are some top Broadvoice features available to users:
- Call forwarding and call forwarding whisper
- Call hold, log, and park
- Call transfer and call waiting
- Do not disturb
- Hotdesking
- Business texting
- Mobile iPhone and Android apps
- Unlimited domestic calling
- Sound manager
- Paging
- Portal
Broadvoice received a score of 4.38 for its niche features because its service includes international calling with international numbers, as well as a comprehensive automatic call distribution (ACD) system. However, it lacks robust integrations. Broadvoice’s integrations are limited to popular applications, including Salesforce, Microsoft Teams, and Outlook.
Other advanced features, such as virtual fax, one number, and a global extension plan, are only available in the highest tier, the Pro plan. Click on each feature below to learn about Broadvoice’s top offerings:
Call Records
View and download your call logs from the Call Record page. It shows details like who placed the call, the date and time, and the status (answered or unanswered). You can also listen to call recordings and filter reports.
In addition, the Call Records page includes information about your voicemails, faxes, and messages. Enter an email address to send call logs to yourself or a coworker, and you’ll receive a comma-separated values (CSV) file.
Export call records under the Reports tab in your online portal
(Source: Broadvoice)
Business Schedule
Set up business hours and holiday schedules to direct callers to the correct extension based on when they call. These settings can be programmed based on your company’s open and closed hours. The system is fully customizable based on your operations so that your customers will always be routed to whomever is available or the most appropriate action, such as extensions, voicemail, or auto-attendants.
Create schedules for business hours, holidays, and vacations
(Source: Broadvoice)
Call Forwarding & Forward Whisper
If your team works off-site or you want to set up a cellphone for failover, configure your Broadvoice call forwarding. Each phone number on your account can have its ring status and failover options. Its forward whisper feature automatically plays a recorded message telling the employee where the call originated. For example, your agent will hear, “Receiving call from number forward.”
Set up your rules on the forwarding page (Source: YouTube)
Broadvoice’s score for customer service is 4.38 because it offers 24/7 customer support services. While it provides multiple channels for customer support, such as email, phone, and live chat, user reviews and reports indicate that response time and agent familiarity with different phone systems can be improved. Some users also reported long on-hold wait durations.
Broadvoice’s score on ease of use is 4.13 because the system is easy to set up and requires minimal technical expertise to operate. However, it missed out on getting full marks because users noted that while the interface is straightforward, it would benefit from an upgraded design.
Overall, Broadvoice users are satisfied with its solutions and service. Several Broadvoice reviews mention that it’s easy to configure call forwarding and add extensions. They also like being able to access voicemail from email. Some users compare Broadvoice to other systems they evaluated, like Nextiva, and say that Broadvoice makes device management effortless.
At the time of publication, Broadvoice reviews and ratings on popular user sites include the following:
- TrustRadius: 9.2 out of 10 based on 253 reviews
- GetApp: 4.6 out of 5 based on 29 reviews
- GetVoIP: 3.8 out of 5 based on 10 reviews
- Software Advice: 4.55 out of 5 based on 29 reviews
- Consumer Affairs: 4 out of 5 based on 121 reviews
Its overall expert score is 3.88 because even with great value for money and comprehensive features, small business owners feel customer service and call quality need improvement. Several reviewers say the lack of online training materials is a drawback. Some features, like the management console, use terms that some people may be unfamiliar with, and businesses find it difficult to add new users.
How We Evaluated Broadvoice
We tested Broadvoice and checked the feedback from verified users on popular review websites. Our evaluation is based on how Broadvoice compares with the best business phone systems in the market. We considered several criteria, such as pricing, general features, niche features, customer service, ease of use, and expert score, to complete this Broadvoice review.
Learn how we evaluated Broadvoice by clicking on the tabs below:
20%
Pricing
25%
General Features
20%
Niche Features
10%
Customer Service
10%
Ease of Use
15%
Expert Score
20% of Overall Score
We checked Broadvoice’s subscription fees, specifically if its base plan runs less than $30 monthly. We also considered the availability of a free trial, free version, or cheaper annual and volume-based pricing.
25% of Overall Score
In this Broadvoice review, we looked at capabilities essential to a phone system, such as unlimited calling and the availability of video and voice conferencing features. As a VoIP provider, we considered its uptime SLA and whether the platform has iOS, desktop, and Android applications.
20% of Overall Score
We checked Broadvoice’s niche features to see the advanced features available to users. In evaluating its cloud services, we looked at whether the provider offers international calling and numbers and ACD solutions. We also give additional points if it has robust integrations.
10% of Overall Score
After-sales services matter, so we assess the quality of customer service by checking the operating hours of its customer support team. Higher points are given if the provider operates 24/7. We also looked at the availability of customer support channels, including email, phone, and live chat.
10% of Overall Score
We evaluated the user interface of Broadvoice, paying close attention to its usability and the technical skill required to set up and operate the platform. We explored the client portal and mobile app for firsthand experience using the platform.
15% of Overall Score
Our expert score is based on how Broadvoice’s VoIP services compare to other leading providers. We went through Broadvoice reviews to see what others say about its features, ease of use, cost-effectiveness, and popularity.
*Percentages of overall score
Bottom Line
Broadvoice is a flexible business phone system providing basic features like a virtual receptionist and call forwarding. It also offers unique tools, such as call forwarding and forward whisper, making it ideal for small businesses looking for robust cloud phone systems. Learn more about the subscriptions and features by scheduling a demo or requesting a quote.
