7 Best Talkroute Alternatives for 2023

While Talkroute is a great virtual phone system, it doesn’t allow bulk call-in lines and lacks robust unified communication (UC) features and integrations. Its subscription plans are in the higher range compared to other call management solutions. If these are major considerations, look at the best Talkroute alternatives. We reviewed dozens of phone systems based on pricing and features to arrive at the top seven options:

• Phone.com: Best overall Talkroute alternative for its affordable, flexible subscription plans
• Nextiva: Top choice for unified communications
• eVoice: Great option for generous phone number allowance
• Grasshopper: Best for small teams that need unlimited extensions
• Google Voice: Top pick for active Google Workspace users
• Avoxi: Ideal platform for managing high call volumes
• Aircall: Great option for those needing robust third-party integrations

Talkroute & Best Alternatives at a Glance

*Google Voice and Avoxi offer a free plan with limited features.
**Aircall’s pricing is based on a minimum of three users.

Phone.com: Best Overall Talkroute Alternative for Price Flexibility

Overall Score: 4.35 out of 5

Phone.com is the best overall Talkroute alternative, as it offers more affordable and flexible subscription plans packed with several business phone features. Among the providers listed here, it’s the only one that allows businesses to mix and match users. On top of that, it offers discounts for annual billing arrangements and bulk purchases.

Almost all the call management features by Phone.com are available across all plans even at the entry-level, benefiting budget-conscious organizations. For this reason, the platform easily became one of our top picks for small business voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) services. Its capabilities include call handling rules, call screening, call forwarding, call transfer, and click-to-call.

For a virtual business phone system, the provider’s video conferencing feature can compete with VoIP and unified communications as a service (UCaaS) providers. It features in-meeting chat, virtual backgrounds, video recording, security codes and meeting lock, whiteboards, breakout rooms, and video streaming.

However, Phone.com falls short of native integrations with third-party business tools. You need Zapier to connect with more apps. If that’s a deal-breaker, consider Aircall, which has over 100 integrations.

Phone.com Monthly Pricing at a Glance*

• Basic: $14.99 per user for one phone number per account, 500 calling minutes, call handling rules, and a maximum of 10 video meeting participants
• Plus: $19.99 per user for one phone number per user, unlimited calling minutes, internet protocol (IP) desk phone compatibility, and a maximum of 25 video meeting participants
• Pro: $29.99 per user for call recording and analytics, a maximum of 100 video meeting participants, and integration with third-party business tools

*Pricing is based on monthly billing for one to four users; save 20% with annual billing.

Phone.com Features

• Menus: Allow callers to connect with specific individuals or departments by pressing the appropriate numbers on their keypads. Phone.com allows the recording of these instructions and other customized, on-brand messages.
• Fax-from-phone: Upload files from your computer and fax them to partners and customers. Add a cover page to maintain the privacy of information.
• Voice tagging: See which menu option the caller selected before answering. The feature gives you an idea of what a customer’s concern is about.

Nextiva: Best for Unified Communications (UC)

Included in our list of the best business phone systems, Nextiva is also one of the best Talkroute competitors known for its robust UC features. The platform integrates calls, texts, emails, file sharing, team chat, video meetings, and customer relationship management (CRM) systems. Its threaded conversation feature makes it easier to track customer communications as it brings together all the interactions in one place regardless of the communication channel used.

While Nextiva has excellent UC capabilities, its video meetings are limited to 45 minutes and up to 25 participants. Phone.com is still the better option if you want more for your video conferencing. The provider supports an unlimited duration and a maximum of 100 meeting attendees.

Nextiva Monthly Pricing at a Glance*

• Essential: $30.95 per user for an auto-attendant, a maximum of 1,500 toll-free minutes, integrations with Microsoft Outlook and Google Contacts, and 45-minute video meetings
• Professional: $35.95 per user for a multi-level auto-attendant, a maximum of 3,000 toll-free minutes, mobile SMS and MMS, and integrations with CRM systems
• Enterprise: $45.95 per user for a maximum of 12,500 toll-free minutes, call recording, unlimited conference calls for unlimited participants, and enterprise integrations

*Pricing is based on monthly billing for one to four users; save up to 28% with annual billing.

Nextiva Features

• Do Not Disturb mode: When working on non-phone related tasks, place your phone status to “Do Not Disturb” to direct incoming calls to your voicemail greeting. Revisit the calls you missed in the call log.
• Priority alerts: Assign a different ringtone for important contacts, such as high-value customers, so you can answer promptly and accordingly. Decide the time or holiday schedule this alert is activated.
• Call pulling: Also called call flip, this feature allows you to switch from one device to another without disrupting the phone conversation.

eVoice: Best for Its Generous Phone Number Allowance

Both Talkroute and eVoice provide a business phone number allowance for each subscription tier. But eVoice is a better choice because its price lowers as more phone numbers are added to the package. The subscription plan starts at $14 per user for three local or toll-free numbers. Its third-tier package, which includes 30 local or toll-free numbers, costs $10 per user. Thus, eVoice is the best provider regarding phone number allowance.

Regardless of the eVoice plan you choose, you can take advantage of standard features, including call forwarding, advanced call routing, voicemail, custom greetings, call screening, call queueing, web portal and mobile app, and virtual answering service.

One downside of choosing eVoice, however, is that web conferencing and call recording are premium features that require an additional fee. Call recording is charged per minute, while web conferencing costs $49.95. If the extra cost concerns you, consider Google Voice instead, as it offers conference calling in its free version and ad-hoc call recording in its second-tier plan for only $20.

eVoice Monthly Pricing at a Glance*

• Elite Monthly: $14 for one user, 30,000 calling minutes, and three local or toll-free numbers
• Elite 6 Monthly: $13 per user for six users and 18 local or toll-free numbers
• Elite 10 Monthly: $10 per user for 10 users and 30 local or toll-free numbers
• Elite 11 Monthly: $13.50 per user for 11 users and 33 local or toll-free numbers

*Pricing is based on monthly billing; save up to $297 with annual billing. All pricing plans include inbound online faxing and unlimited extensions.

eVoice Features

• International forwarding: Direct calls to overseas locations and establish a local presence abroad. With this, you don’t need to secure an international number, although eVoice also offers this feature.
• After-hours greeting: Professionalize communications with customers reaching out to you after business hours. Choose between an automated greeting and a professionally recorded one.
• Call routing: Distribute incoming calls to different team members based on predetermined rules and criteria. As callers are assigned to qualified agents, addressing customer concerns becomes more efficient.

Grasshopper: Best Talkroute Alternative With Unlimited Extensions

Grasshopper makes it to the list of the best Talkroute alternatives because of its flat-rate pricing (as opposed to a per-user arrangement) and unlimited extensions benefiting small businesses. The platform is especially suitable for teams that can share business phone numbers and want the ready option to add extensions for different customer service representatives and departments.

Listed as our top pick for the best virtual number providers, Grasshopper supplies local, toll-free, and vanity phone numbers. Your subscription dictates how many numbers you get. But across all pricing plans, you can use various essential business phone features, namely virtual fax, instant response, call transfer, simultaneous call handling, and incoming call control.

Note that most of Grasshopper’s add-on features can be quite expensive. For instance, adding local or toll-free phone numbers costs $10 per number, monthly. With Phone.com, you only have to pay $4.99 a month. Volume discounts apply for those needing 10 to 100-plus numbers.

Grasshopper Monthly Pricing at a Glance*

• Solo: $31 for one phone number, three extensions, and unlimited users
• Partner: $51 for three phone numbers and six extensions
• Small Business: $89 for five phone numbers and unlimited extensions

*Pricing is based on monthly billing; save over 10% with annual billing. All pricing plans include business texting, call forwarding, voicemail, custom greetings, and reporting.

Grasshopper Add-ons

• Call blasting: $10 per month
• Extra numbers: $10 per month
• Voice Studio: $75 per order

Grasshopper Features

• Call blasting: Ring multiple lines simultaneously to ensure every call that goes through your system is answered promptly. Add up to 15 lines in your blasting group.
• Ruby Receptionist: Have a live human agent pick up calls when you cannot answer customers. This feature is an add-on that requires an additional fee based on the number of receptionist minutes you need.
• Instant response: Grasshopper automatically sends a text to missed calls from new clients. The reply lets callers know that you’re unavailable and that you’ll get back to them as soon as possible.

Google Voice: Best for Active Google Workspace Users

Google Voice earned a spot in this list of top Talkroute alternatives as it offers a suitable option for businesses already comfortable with Google apps. It connects seamlessly with Google Calendar and Meet, allowing you to schedule and organize team huddles without switching from one platform to another.

In terms of VoIP calling and call management, Google Voice has several features, including call forwarding, ring groups, multi-level auto-attendant, and call recording. The provider offers ​a service level agreement (SLA) guarantee across all its subscription plans.

Unlike the other Talkroute competitors listed, Google Voice doesn’t offer toll-free numbers. If this is an important feature to you, all the other providers listed are great alternatives. For those needing several numbers, eVoice is the best option, as it has a generous phone number allowance in its subscription plans.

Google Voice Monthly Pricing at a Glance*

• Personal: Free for one user, unlimited calling and texting within the U.S., and voicemail
• Starter: $10 per user for up to 10 users, voicemail transcription, web and mobile apps, and call forwarding
• Standard: $20 per user for unlimited users, multi-level auto-attendant, ring groups, and desk phone and analog telephone adapter (ATA) support
• Premier: $30 per user for advanced reporting and automatic call recording

Google Voice Features

• Voicemail transcription: Google Voice converts voicemails into text format, making it easier to refer to messages without playing the recording repeatedly.
• Google Meet integration: Host virtual meetings for your remote team and collaborate using the screen share and hand-raising tools.
• Ring groups: Alert several team members whenever a call goes through your phone system. Google Voice lets users configure the ring group by ring order and business hours, as well as determine who in the ring group makes the outbound calls.

Avoxi: Best for Managing High Call Volumes

For its call center capabilities, Avoxi is a great Talkroute alternative for businesses that frequently receive large volumes of calls. It has advanced call management features, including international caller ID, skills-based routing, queue callback, and VIP calling. It allows users to transfer local and toll-free numbers from over 100 countries at no additional cost. With this service, you can retain your existing helplines and accept as many calls as possible.

In addition, the platform has a robust call monitoring system. Coach agents during a live call through the call whisper feature or join the conversation using the barge functionality. Maximize the call recording and scorecard features to evaluate agent performance.

While it’s good that Avoxi allows businesses to use its service at zero cost, note that its free version doesn’t come with the softphone. If the starter paid plan priced at $19.99 per user is beyond your budget, go for Google Voice, as it provides access to its desktop and mobile apps for free.

Avoxi Monthly Pricing at a Glance

• Launch: Free for unlimited concurrent calls, virtual attendant, ring groups, and call recording
• Contact: $19.99 per user for a minimum of three users, softphone access, call queueing, and phone extensions
• Engaged Enterprise: $49.99 per user for queue callback, Bring Your Own Carrier (BYOC), and skills-based routing

Avoxi Features

• Call routing: Improve the first resolution rate by distributing calls to the right agents and departments. With Avoxi, customers who speak a certain language can be directed to agents who speak the same.
• Queue callback: Give customers the option to receive a callback from a team member. Callers avoid the long waiting time and have a better, more pleasant phone experience.
• Call recording: Avoxi keeps call records for up to 365 days. Use the recordings to evaluate agent performance and create training programs to improve customer service.

Aircall: Best for Extensive Third-party Integrations

Aircall is the best Talkroute alternative for companies wanting a virtual phone system that complements their existing tech stack since it integrates with various business apps. For CRM software integrations, it works with HubSpot, Freshsales, Copper, Microsoft Dynamics, Salesforce, Zendesk Sell, and Zoho CRM.

The productivity app integrations include Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Gmail Add-on. If you have tools not yet available in Aircall’s app marketplace, use the app connectors Zapier, Integrately, or Make (formerly Integromat). There’s also the option to add specific functionalities through the provider’s API developer support. Build a phone system tailored to your communication needs.

However, note that Aircall’s monthly subscription plans are expensive, with the entry-level package priced at $40 per user. What’s more, they have a minimum user requirement. If you’re a solopreneur, this may feel like paying a lot for services and extra seats you don’t need. In this case, it’s best to go for Google Voice, which has a forever-free version for personal use.

Aircall Monthly Pricing at a Glance*

• Essentials: $40 per user for a minimum of three users, softphone, call queueing, and ring groups
• Professional: $70 per user for queue callback, call monitoring, advanced analytics, and power dialer
• Custom: Customized quote for unlimited international calls, unlimited call recordings, custom analytics, and access to API developer support

*Pricing is based on monthly billing; save up to 29% with annual billing.

Aircall Features

• Warm transfer: Allow team members to talk to each other and relay important information before transferring live calls. With this, the caller won’t have to repeat their concern to the new agent.
• Unlimited concurrent calls: Place and receive as many calls as you need on the same phone number. Maximize your customer support operations’ efficiency and manage inquiries better during busy hours.
• Activity feed: Track metrics like missed calls, longest waiting time, and service level. Aircall’s activity feed has a visually appealing dashboard that makes it easy to check all the activities in the phone system and make strategic decisions based on metrics.

How We Evaluated the Best Talkroute Alternatives

To pick out the top alternatives to Talkroute, we looked at business phone systems that provide the capabilities Talkroute doesn’t offer. These include affordable and flexible pricing, advanced call management features, and robust unified communications capabilities. As for comparing these providers, we covered in our criteria the priorities of businesses in choosing phone systems.

Learn how we evaluated the best alternatives to Talkroute by clicking on the tabs below:

Bottom Line

Talkroute is an excellent business phone system with local and toll-free numbers and call management capabilities, like call routing, call forwarding, and auto-attendant. However, it doesn’t have a wide range of third-party integrations, robust unified communications features, or tools for managing large volumes of calls. On top of that, its subscription plans are expensive. Given all these, some businesses are better off with alternative platforms.

Among the top Talkroute substitutes, Phone.com emerges as the best overall for its affordable, flexible subscription packages, which include excellent call management features and video conferencing capabilities. Sign up for Phone.com’s free trial today.

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