6 Best Ooma Alternatives for 2022
This article is part of a larger series on VoIP.
Ooma is a commitment-free small business phone system that offers affordable voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) services. While it is an excellent option for small teams and solopreneurs, it lacks unlimited international calling inclusions and advanced VoIP capabilities like comprehensive analytics. In this guide, we compared Ooma to six alternatives, helping you determine the best solution for your needs.
Using our criteria, we uncovered six excellent Ooma competitors:
- RingCentral: Best Ooma alternative for businesses needing an all-in-one communication and collaboration platform due to its robust set of features
- Nextiva: Ideal option for organizations looking for a generous allocation of toll-free minutes
- Phone.com: Best value for low-volume calling as it allows the purchase of plans with pooled/combined call minutes and texts
- Vonage: Best for companies wanting a unified communications platform with great team collaboration features
- 8×8: Excellent choice for companies requiring unlimited international calling plans
- Google Voice: Best free option for solopreneurs looking for a basic VoIP software that provides local phone numbers
Ooma & Best Alternatives Compared at a Glance
Ooma and Alternatives | Starting Price | Key Features | Free Trial Duration | Our Rating |
---|---|---|---|---|
$19.95 per user, per month |
| 60-day Premier trial with purchase of Ooma Telo | ||
$29.99 per user, per month |
| 30 days | 4.75 out of 5 | |
$18.95 per user, per month |
| 30 days | 4.67 out of 5 | |
$10.39 per user, per month |
| None | 4.28 out of 5 | |
$19.99 per user, per month |
| 14 days | 4.14 out of 5 | |
$15 per user, per month |
| 30 days | 3.94 out of 5 | |
Free for a single user |
| None | 3.73 out of 5 | |
While Ooma and these six competitors provide reliable VoIP services, it doesn’t mean that one of these will automatically meet your exact business needs. Check out our list of the best business phone systems to learn more and discover more options worth considering.
RingCentral: Best Overall Ooma Alternative
What We Like
- Easy-to-use interface
- Robust feature set, including analytics, video conferencing, and advanced call handling
- Powerful mobile apps
What's Missing
- Might be overkill for smaller startups
- Many features locked behind premium packages
- Lacks professional greetings in its plans, unlike Nextiva
How It Compares to Ooma
- RingCentral offers four plans, which are great for businesses with scaling needs, unlike Ooma’s two-tiered subscription options
- Both Ooma and RingCentral offer hardware support
- Both Ooma and RingCentral provide 24/7 customer service
- RingCentral offers international phone numbers, which Ooma lacks
RingCentral is one of the leading unified communications as a service (UCaaS) platforms, known for its affordable plans and comprehensive set of features. Those who need more than one user and are willing to commit on an annual basis can enjoy its discounted monthly fee—starting at $19.99 per user. This rate is the same as Ooma’s base rate. Users can get many more features at its first tier, like voicemail-to-text, at the same rate as Ooma’s entry-level plan.
Though RingCentral is undeniably among the best VoIP providers, it doesn’t mean it fits all use cases. For instance, its very robust set of features may be too overwhelming for solopreneurs or freelancers who only need a basic business phone system. Additionally, most advanced features are included in the more expensive tiers, which may not fit those with very tight budgets. Those who only need a basic phone system can check out Google Voice instead.
RingCentral Pricing*
- Essentials: $29.99 per user, per month with up to 20 users and 100 toll-free minutes. Unlimited domestic calls, business SMS texts, and team messaging are included. Features like voicemail-to-text and file sharing are also available, which Ooma lacks.
- Standard: $34.99 per user, per month with no limit on users and 1,000 toll-free minutes. Expands features to include unlimited internet fax and audio conferencing, as well as 100-participant video meetings and basic customer relationship manager (CRM) integrations.
- Premium: $44.99 per user, per month with no limit on users and 2,500 toll-free minutes. Includes functionality like advanced call management, single sign-on (SSO), 200-participant video meetings, advanced integrations, and access to open APIs.
- Ultimate: $59.99 per user, per month with no limit on users and 10,000 toll-free minutes. Includes unlimited storage, device status reports, and alerts.
*Pricing is calculated based on an annual billing basis for one user. Volume and long-term contract discounts are available. View its monthly rates on RingCentral’s pricing page.
RingCentral Features
RingCentral’s desktop app lets you call, send messages, host video conferences, and configure its settings. (Source: RingCentral)
- Mobile app: RingCentral has a mobile app that you can access through an iOS or Android device. It has a wide array of functionalities, including inbound and outbound calling, voicemail, and fax.
- Analytics: RingCentral has more comprehensive analytics that includes alerts for issues and key performance indicators (KPIs), as well as quality of service reports, which Ooma lacks.
- Third-party app integrations: To make your workflow more efficient, RingCentral offers an app gallery that features external tools that you can integrate into its platform, such as Salesforce, Zendesk, Okta, and Slack. It also allows users to build and suggest apps.
Interested in learning more about RingCentral? Check out our comprehensive RingCentral review.
Nextiva: Best Ooma Alternative for Toll-free Minutes
What We Like
- iOS and Android apps available
- Free professionally recorded voice greeting with premium packages
- 250-participant max video conferencing
What's Missing
- Has fewer third-party integrations, unlike RingCentral
- Lacks unlimited international calling
How It Compares to Ooma
- Nextiva allows third-party app integrations, unlike Ooma
- Nextiva provides more toll-free minutes (up to 12,500) than Ooma (up to 500)
- Both Ooma and Nextiva offer 24/7 customer support
- Nextiva allows users to access its mobile and desktop apps in all plans, unlike Ooma
Nextiva is a UCaaS and business phone system provider that features calling, messaging, video conferencing, and faxing capabilities. Its plans are more expensive than Ooma’s, but its packages provide more inclusions, such as 1,500 toll-free minutes compared to Ooma’s 500 limit. Nextiva is the perfect choice for businesses with a high volume of toll-free calls and advanced call management needs.
While it has generous toll-free and local call minutes, Nextiva doesn’t provide unlimited international calling, which is a feature you’ll find in some competitors, such as 8×8. Additionally, it integrates with many popular third-party apps like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Zendesk, but Nextiva’s list isn’t as extensive as RingCentral.
Nextiva Pricing*
- Essential: $28.95 per user, per month for unlimited calling, integrations to Microsoft Outlook and Google Contacts, and 1,500 toll-free minutes
- Professional: $27.95 per user, per month with unlimited video conference calling for up to 250 participants, call pop, and 3,000 toll-free minutes
- Enterprise: $37.95 per user, per month for unlimited video conferences and participants, voicemail transcription, call recording, and 12,500 toll-free minutes
- Ultimate: $67.95 per user, per month for advanced features to help with sales productivity, customer service tickets, and 12,500 toll-free minutes
*Prices are based on one to four users with an annual payment option. The longer the term and the higher the number of users, the lower the monthly fees, thanks to Nextiva’s contract- and volume-based discounts.
Nextiva Features
Efficiently conduct collaborative video conferences through Nextiva’s Cospace app. (Source: Nextiva)
- Toll-free number and minutes: Out of all VoIP providers in this list, Nextiva provides the highest number of toll-free minutes, which can go up to 12,500. Users can also choose between a local and a toll-free number for their account.
- Video meetings: Enjoy 250-participant max video conferencing rooms with Nextiva, unlike Ooma’s two-hour, 25-participant max video meetings.
- Call Pop: This Nextiva-exclusive feature displays a caller’s vital information, such as customer experience score, before you pick up a call. Once you pick up the phone, it provides in-depth information about your caller, making you more prepared for the conversation.
Find out if this provider is the best one for you through our in-depth Nextiva review.
Phone.com: Best Ooma Alternative for Low-volume Calling
What We Like
- Flexible calling plans
- Unlimited video conferencing available in all plans, unlike Ooma
- Various phone number types available, such as local, international, toll-free, and vanity
- Optional HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) compliance is a plus
What's Missing
- Outdated user interface
- Limited plans get expensive once you go over monthly minutes
- Call recording locked in the highest tier
How It Compares to Ooma
- Phone.com offers international phone numbers, unlike Ooma
- It has a higher video conferencing max participants (up to 100) than Ooma (up to 25)
- Both Phone.com and Ooma provides 24/7 customer support
- Both Phone.com’s and Ooma’s call recording tools are only available at premium tiers
If you are a small business owner looking to save money, then Phone.com is for you. It offers very affordable metered and unlimited calling plans with monthly fees that start at $10.39, per user when billed annually. Phone.com also allows users to mix and match their packages so that you can choose metered packages for some users and unlimited plans for others.
Phone.com’s limited plan is great for those with low call volumes. It must be noted that it can get expensive once you consume and go over the monthly minute limit. Additionally, if you need call recording features, you must subscribe to its most expensive tier.
If you are looking for an affordable plan with generous call minutes and don’t need all the features that Phone.com’s base plan provides, check out Google Voice. It has a free version that offers a free virtual phone number and unlimited call minutes. Its paid base plan is also cheaper than Phone.com’s, starting at $10 per month.
Phone.com Pricing*
- Basic: $10.39 per user, per month for 300 pooled monthly minutes, 1,000 pooled text message segments, and over 50 features
- Plus: $15.99 per user, per month for unlimited minutes and text messages and HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)-compliant video conferencing for up 25 participants
- Pro: $23.99 per user, per month for unlimited minutes and text messages, video conferencing for up to 100 participants, video meeting transcription, and a whiteboard
*Pricing is based on an annual payment, but monthly pricing is available. If you have over 10 users, you can contact the company for discounted packages.
Phone.com Features
Let your participants easily attend your video meetings through its web-based application that does not require any downloads or setups. (Source: Phone.com)
- Pooled minutes: Those subscribed to its Basic plan can consume up to 300 minutes per user, and all Basic users can share their total number of minutes. Additional minutes bundles are available if the total pooled minutes are consumed, and monthly fees start at $18.50.
- International numbers: Phone.com provides international phone numbers at flat rates that start at $4.99 per month. This offering—that Ooma lacks—is best for those who have or are currently developing their brand presence worldwide.
- Video meeting: All Phone.com plans offer video conferencing for 10 to 100 participants, unlike Ooma. Ooma only provides this feature at its higher tier and only allows a maximum of 25 participants.
Vonage: Best Ooma Alternative for Team Collaboration
What We Like
- Extensive set of third-party app integrations
- Powerful team messaging features
- Multi-channel support
What's Missing
- Advanced features make plans expensive
- Automated attendant only available on premium plans
- Plan inclusions aren’t that clear
How It Compares to Ooma
- Vonage’s plans provide a lot more features than Ooma’s
- Vonage allows API connections and third-party app integrations, unlike Ooma
- Vonage and Ooma both provide 24/7 support in all plans
- Both Vonage and Ooma offer a 30-day money-back guarantee
Vonage is a UCaaS platform that provides packages for remote teams and businesses of all sizes. Unlike Ooma, all Vonage plans feature unlimited team messaging, allowing users to communicate with their colleagues through texts, voice, and video, and shared files. It also has a lot more third-party app integrations than Ooma—making it more convenient to utilize if you’re using other tools in your workflow.
While Vonage is an excellent Ooma alternative, those with basic needs and smaller budgets may look for another option like Google Voice. Furthermore, Vonage’s plan inclusions are also not that clear, and some of its advanced features are available for extra fees. Additionally, its auto-attendant capability is locked onto premium plans.
Vonage Pricing*
- Mobile: $19.99 per user, per month for unlimited calling, texting, and team messaging
- Premium: $29.99 per user, per month for video conferencing, multi-level auto-attendants, CRM integrations, and IP desk phone capabilities
- Advanced: $39.99 per user, per month for call recording, group calls, visual voicemail, and a white glove setup
*Pricing is calculated based on an annual billing basis for one expected user.
Vonage Features
Vonage’s modern and easy-to-use dashboard allows users to manage their accounts easily. (Source: Vonage)
- Team messaging: Vonage lets you share files, host or participate in group chats, send and receive SMS texts, and initiate and receive video and voice calls. This feature is accessible through its desktop and mobile apps.
- Hardware support: Like RingCentral, Vonage allows users to utilize VoIP devices depending on their needs. You can also purchase popular hardware—like Yealink—from Vonage for added fees. Other providers, like magicJack for business, require a hardware purchase to activate their services. Read our analysis of magicJack vs Ooma if you are curious how they differ from each other.
- Advanced call management: Vonage has a wide range of call control capabilities, such as queue, park, route, hold, monitor, continue, and forward calls.
Learn more about these two providers in our comprehensive Ooma vs Vonage comparison.
8×8: Best Ooma Alternative for International Calling
What We Like
- International calling for up to 47 countries
- Affordable entry-level pricing
- Call center functionality in premium package
- Free trial available
- Flexible plans, like Phone.com
What's Missing
- Limited functionality in the entry-level package
- Clunky interface
- Many unlimited calling countries locked behind premium packages
How It Compares to Ooma
- 8×8 offers unlimited international calling to some countries, which Ooma lacks
- It provides international phone numbers, unlike 8×8
- Both Ooma and 8×8 offer 24/7 customer support
- Both Ooma and 8×8 come with mobile apps for iOS and Android in all plans
8×8 is a robust VoIP solution that features multi-channel communications management and call center capabilities. It stands out with its X-Series plans with unlimited international calling that most providers—like Ooma—don’t provide. If your business has a global presence, a company like 8×8 is your best choice to avoid unexpected per-minute charges.
Though 8×8 provides unlimited international calling minutes, many eligible countries are available only under more expensive packages. Additionally, its low-cost, entry-level plans only include limited features. Its base plan’s fees are also not that bad compared to Phone.com’s, which has fewer video meeting participants and doesn’t include Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance. If you do not need unlimited call minutes, more video meeting attendees, and HIPAA compliance, then Phone.com is worth checking out.
8×8 Pricing*
- Express: $12 per user, per month for unlimited audio and video conferencing for up to 100 participants, meeting recording and transcription
- X2: $24 per user, per month for unlimited calling to 14 countries, built-in integrations with sales and productivity software, and unlimited internet fax
- X4: $44 per user, per month for unlimited calling to 47 countries, supervisor analytics, and advanced call management features
*Pricing for X2 and X4 plans is based on an annual payment, but you can also choose monthly plans for an additional cost. Moreover, there are additional X-Series options (X3, X6, X7, and X8); pricing is available upon request.
8×8 Features
8×8 enables users to sync their third-party calendars, like Google and Outlook Calendars. (Source: 8×8)
- International calling: 8×8’s premium X-Series plans let you consume unlimited international calling minutes to up to 47 countries. On the other hand, Ooma—like most providers—charges a per-minute fee based on the location of the receiver of the call.
- Video conferencing: Unlike Ooma, 8×8 offers unlimited video conferencing capabilities on all plans. Ooma only offers a two-hour video meeting feature with the Ooma Office Pro plan. 8×8 also has a greater participant maximum of 100 compared to Ooma’s 25.
- Professionally recorded greetings: 8×8 provides professional greeting recording services with a three-day turnaround for an extra fee that starts at $79. If you are looking for plans that include professionally recorded greetings, try Nextiva.
Read our 8×8 review to find out if this is the perfect match for your current business needs.
Google Voice: Best Free Ooma Alternative for Solopreneurs & Freelancers
What We Like
- Free virtual phone system
- Easy to use
- Paid plans add an impressive feature set at low costs
What's Missing
- Free version has a minimal feature set
- No unlimited international calls, unlike 8x8
- Only offers robust integration with Google services
How It Compares to Ooma
- Google Voice offers a free version, unlike Ooma
- Its international calling per-minute rates are cheaper than Ooma’s
- Both Google Voice and Ooma offer 24/7 customer service
- Google Voice’s base plan lets you access its platform through a web browser, unlike Ooma
Google Voice provides a free local phone number that lets you separate your business line from your personal one. Unlike most VoIP providers like Ooma, Google Voice offers a free version with basic calling, texting, and voicemail features. Users can upgrade to its paid plans—more affordable than Ooma’s—for additional capabilities like video calling and multi-level auto-attendant.
While it provides a free virtual phone system, it may be too simple for those with advanced call management needs. Additionally, it lacks unlimited international calling minutes, unlike 8×8’s premium plans. It does integrate seamlessly with other Google Apps, but not with other third-party software, unlike RingCentral.
Google Voice Pricing
- Free: Google account users with local phone numbers can utilize Google Voice’s free version, which comes with unlimited text messages and calling to any phone number in the U.S. and Canada
- Starter: $10 per user, per month for up to 10 users with voicemail transcription, call forwarding, and Google Meet and Calendar integrations
- Standard: $20 per user, per month for a desk phone support, multi-level auto-attendant, and ring groups
- Premier: $30 per user, per month for BigQuery advanced reporting and unlimited international locations
Google Voice Features
Google Voice’s free plan includes voicemail transcriptions, unlike Nextiva, which offers the feature on premium plans. (Source: Google Voice)
- Google integrations: Google Voice lets you integrate other Google Workspace apps—like Gmail—into your virtual phone system. Its admin dashboard enables you to handle billing, assign numbers, and schedule a Google Meet video call in your calendar.
- Multi-level auto-attendant: Like Ooma, Google Voice’s paid plans offer multi-level virtual receptionists and ring groups. These features help you ensure your callers are directed to the most appropriate agent every time.
- International calling: Both Google Voice and Ooma lack unlimited global calling capabilities, unlike 8×8. However, Google Voice has cheaper per-minute rates compared to Ooma.
If you aren’t sure which of the two is best-suited for your needs, check out our head-to-head Ooma vs Google Voice comparison. Our comprehensive Google Voice review is also worth reading for those who want to know more about its services.
How We Evaluated the Best Ooma Alternatives
Ooma is among the best small business VoIP service providers that offer local or toll-free numbers, desktop and mobile apps, and a virtual receptionist. However, this doesn’t guarantee you that it perfectly fits your needs. It has its fair share of weaknesses, including the lack of advanced features like other companies’ software integrations.
We analyzed the current top business phone system providers, and RingCentral scored 4.75 out of 5—making it the best Ooma alternative. Its prices are higher than Ooma, but the value that its plans provide is unbeatable. It allows more video conferencing participants (up to 200, compared to Ooma’s 25) and has superior capabilities, such as open API and third-party app integrations. Check out our comprehensive Ooma vs RingCentral comparison for more details.
Here’s a breakdown of how we measured each provider:
25% of Overall Score
Our comparison of Ooma competitors looked at the availability of free trials, free plans, and discounts for annual payments. We also reviewed tiered plan costs for affordability.
25% of Overall Score
We examined essential calling features, including business SMS messaging, auto-attendant, voicemail, and conferencing. Plus, we considered the usability of each provider’s mobile and desktop apps.
25% of Overall Score
We evaluated plans based on integrations, video calling features, and voicemail transcription to best match users with the appropriate phone software. We also looked into the availability of toll-free numbers and the cost of international calls.
25% of Overall Score
We explored user reviews and our personal experiences with each VoIP service to identify popular solutions that are easy to use, provide good value, and offer standout features.
Bottom Line
If you are a current Ooma user and are considering replacing your existing system, you must take note of the price, essential features, and inclusions that other providers are offering. The top Ooma alternatives in this list are worth looking into, given that they work best in various and specific use cases.
RingCentral is an excellent Ooma competitor as it provides a comprehensive set of features at affordable rates. It also works best for scaling businesses looking to stick to a VoIP provider from its startup to enterprise days. Sign up for RingCentral’s free trial to determine if it matches your business needs.