Call center phone systems offer robust call management capabilities, including automatic call distribution (ACD), interactive voice response (IVR) systems, and call queues. They feature different outbound dialing modes, which improve agent performance. The best call center platforms also integrate with third-party applications and call center software at various price points to suit your business needs.
Based on our research, the following providers offer the best platforms for handling customer calls:
- Nextiva Contact Center: Best overall call center software
- CloudTalk: Best for international business
- GoTo Connect CX: Best for call monitoring and real-time reports
- Talkdesk: Best for artificial intelligence (AI) and analytics
- Freshcaller: Best for scalable growth
- Zoom Contact Center: Best for inbound and outbound call management
- RingCentral Contact Center: Best for workforce management
- Comparing the Best Call Center Phone Systems
- Nextiva Contact Center: Best Overall Call Center Software
- CloudTalk: Best for International Business
- GoTo Connect CX: Best for Call Monitoring & Real-time Reports
- Talkdesk: Best for AI & Analytics
- Freshcaller: Best for Scalable Growth
- Zoom Contact Center: Best for Inbound & Outbound Call Management
- RingCentral Contact Center: Best for Workforce Management
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Bottom Line
Comparing the Best Call Center Phone Systems
| Best Call Center Software | Monthly Starting Price (per Agent) | Key Features | Our Score out of 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
 | $129 |
| 4.69 |
| Visit Nextiva Contact Center | |||
 | $34 |
| 4.53 |
| Visit CloudTalk | |||
 | $29 |
| 4.44 |
| Visit GoTo Connect CX | |||
 | $85 |
| 4.28 |
| Visit Talkdesk | |||
 | Free or $18 |
| 4.20 |
| Visit Freshcaller | |||
 | $69 |
| 4.17 |
| Visit Zoom Contact Center | |||
 | $65 |
| 4.13 |
| Visit RingCentral Contact Center | |||
Nextiva Contact Center: Best Overall Call Center Software
CloudTalk: Best for International Business
GoTo Connect CX: Best for Call Monitoring & Real-time Reports
Talkdesk: Best for AI & Analytics
Freshcaller: Best for Scalable Growth
Zoom Contact Center: Best for Inbound & Outbound Call Management
RingCentral Contact Center: Best for Workforce Management
How We Evaluated the Best Call Center Phone Systems
To objectively assess call center solutions, I created a scoring guide that considers small businesses’ priorities when comparing phone systems: affordability, call management capabilities, user-friendliness, and customer care. I also evaluated the providers’ value for money, focusing on user reviews and popular call center phone system features. Learn more about the evaluation criteria for the best call center telephone systems by clicking on the tabs below:
To gauge the platform’s affordability, I compared the cost of the base plan with average market prices. Providers offering scalable plans, volume, and annual discounts received more points.
Since businesses need reliable call center phone system software, I evaluated the uptime guarantee and CRM integrations as general features. I also assessed essential tools like IVR, agent monitoring capabilities, and analytics, with solutions that offer these features without extra fees, earning more points.
I evaluated advanced call center phone system features such as on-hold music, outbound dialers, and call monitoring tools. I also checked whether the platforms offer artificial intelligence features like workflow automation and speech analytics. Overall, higher points were given to providers with advanced features on base plans.
I used product demos, applications, and user reviews to determine the learning curve for operating the system and the level of technical skill required to set it up. Then, I awarded more points to providers with highly intuitive interfaces that facilitate easy navigation within the platform.
As companies require timely assistance for technical concerns, I considered each provider’s customer service hours. I also assessed the differences in communication channels, giving more points to vendors with phone, email, and live chat support.
This includes analyzing each provider’s value to small business owners based on plan pricing and standout features. I also considered the platform’s ease of use by referring to third-party review websites and considering user ratings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here’s a summary of four different types of call center phone solutions:
- Inbound call center: software primarily accepting and managing incoming calls;
- Outbound call center: software focusing on letting teams reach out to clients more efficiently;
- Blended call center: software combining an inbound and outbound call center and
- Omnichannel contact center: software for managing customer communications across different channels.
Several phone systems are compatible with call centers and depend on your business needs. Traditionally, call centers required private branch exchange (PBX) phone systems that included on-premise support for large-scale enterprise systems. But now, the internet allows small businesses to use a VoIP phone system provider to quickly set up a call center without the cost of additional hardware.
Similarly, cloud-based phone systems use the internet to provide scalable data storage and information security for call centers that collect customer data. I also recommend contact center as a service (CCaaS) solutions for growing businesses because they provide pay-as-you-go pricing and advanced features.
The type of dialer that you should use depends on your call volume, agent capacity, and customer needs. For example, you can use autodialers to collect customer information through self-service support, while preview dialers are best for call centers offering personalized support. For businesses with high call volumes, use predictive or power dialers to reduce customer wait times. In contrast, progressive dialers work well for small to medium call volumes, prioritizing agent availability and responsiveness.
Bottom Line
The best call center phone systems have extensive tools for managing inbound calls and facilitating outbound call campaigns across teams. These solutions boast robust analytics, enabling businesses to identify patterns in customer issues and adapt communication approaches. Nextiva Contact Center is the top solution, thanks to its omnichannel call center features and workforce management tools.
Nextiva provides an advanced call center system that benefits businesses that handle inbound and outbound calls across communication channels. Additionally, its enterprise-grade plans offer secure payments, intelligent routing, and analytics that improve customer experience. To learn more about what Nextiva offers, contact a sales representative for a free product demonstration.
