The Best Cloud Phone Systems Businesses Should be Using in 2024

The best cloud phone system is RingCentral, which offers an impressive range of advanced on-call features and a huge library of useful, third-party integrations, as well as top-tier customer support and solid security options you’ll easily be able to implement across your business.

However, depending on your business needs, there are plenty of other top VoIP providers out there that might be a better fit for you. So, we’ve conducted hours of in-depth research into the market, gathering the insights you need to make the right decision.

In this guide, you’ll learn about the features, pricing, and integrations of the best phone systems available today, from RingCentral to 8×8, to find your solution today.

In this guide:

• The Best Cloud-Based Phone Systems
• VoIP Phone System Case Studies
• Benefits of Cloud-Hosted Phone Systems
• How to Choose a Cloud Phone System 
• How We Test Cloud-Based Phone Systems
• Next Steps to Getting a Cloud Phone System

The Best Cloud Phone Systems: In-Depth Reviews

According to our research, RingCentral is the best cloud phone system currently available. It’s not the only provider that performed well on our tests, however, and businesses working in specific industries might be better off with a rival. Read on to find out more.

1. RingCentral -The best overall cloud phone system
2. Zoom Phone -The best value cloud phone system
3. 8×8 – Most secure cloud phone system
4. Vonage – Best for training staff
5. GoTo Connect – Best for managing inbound calls

1. RingCentral: The best overall cloud phone system for small businesses

Price from: $20 per user, per month

Our research found that RingCentral is the best VoIP provider overall due to a number of important factors, including robust help and support options, a solid feature catalog, and a top-tier selection of integrations.

From an integrations standpoint, RingCentral is one of the absolute best, with a vast selection of third-party applications available, including Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Slack, and nearly a hundred CRM services. Even better, RingCentral can be paired with its own top video conferencing platform, which can give you a complete communication solution for your team.

RingCentral’s interface is pretty modern and really easy to navigate. Image: RingCentral

It’s important to note, however, that the majority of these integrations are only available in more expensive plans, unlike other providers like 8×8 and GoTo Connect that offer them in all pricing plans.

With up to 10GB of cloud storage, its system is stronger overall when compared to rivals like 8×8 while offering a cheaper initial starting plan. Beyond that, the RingCentral features catalog is expansive, even in the most affordable plans.

For example, management features like call transcripts — available in all paid plans — are great for training staff, especially if you work in industries like hospitality where a staff member’s on-phone manner can make or break the customer experience. That, combined with onboarding support, which is available with most RingCentral plans, will help you evolve your team with your business.

RingCentral pricing

RingCentral’s low starting price definitely gave it an edge at the top, but you need to remember that many features are in the two most expensive paid plans. Subsequently, you’ll want to make sure you can afford those higher plans before you hitch your wagon to this cloud phone system. Here’s how the RingCentral pricing plans match up against each other:

2. Zoom Phone: The best value cloud phone system

Price From: $10 per user, per month

If you’re looking for value and you don’t have much cash to spend, look no further than Zoom Phone. Despite undercutting the entire market when it comes to pricing, Zoom Phone still offers one of the more comprehensive cloud phone services that we’ve tested.

Zoom Phone is almost twice as cheap as RingCentral and 8×8, while offering a huge feature catalog across all paid plans. That’s right, not only does Zoom have toll-free numbers, hold music, spam prevention, ring groups, call queues, and various other on-phone features, but it’ll also grant you access to them regardless of the plan you end up choosing.

It was easy to leave voicemails with Zoom Phone and I could even leave a note alongside the message. Source: Tech.co testing

The downside of Zoom Phone, however, is that its external connections and integrations are lacking compared to most other options on this list. You’re limited to only Salesforce, Zendesk, Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Gmail, and Google Workspace. Seriously, that’s it. So, if you were hoping for more of an all-in-one hub for your VoIP system and you need more than that, you might have to look elsewhere.

Zoom pricing

As we’ve mentioned at length, Zoom pricing is what got it this high on the list. Still, while it’s the best value option, there are definitely some caveats, most notably the limited integrations, but if you can get by, Zoom Phone is an excellent way to save money with a highly functional platform.

3. 8×8: Most secure cloud phone system

Price From: $24 per user, per month

From strict password rules to compliance certifications, 8×8 has the best security features in our research, making it a better choice for businesses operating in industries dealing with sensitive customer information like healthcare providers. The vast range of compliance certifications, as well as multi-factor authentication options. also makes the product significantly more scalable.

Beyond that, businesses that need a cloud phone system that can grow with them will also find 8×8 a good fit. It offers the most pricing plans on this list, allowing businesses to slowly scale with the platform to keep costs low as they need it.

8×8 has a wide range of helpful collaboration features like a team instant messenger, which can be great for staying in touch with your smaller team. For integrations, 8×8 is no slouch, with a solid selection of options for CRM, live chat, email, and workspace services like Google Workspace and Microsoft Teams.

This is what 8×8’s interface looks like on a desktop when you’re making a call. Image: Tech.co

Along with a similar set of management features to RingCentral (including call transcripts and call monitoring), this makes 8×8 extremely scalable. Onboarding new staff is a lot easier if you have the training features to teach them the tricks of the trade, and that’s exactly what 8×8 provides.

8×8 pricing

8×8 has quite a few pricing plans, as you can see from the table below – but that means you’ll probably have a better chance of finding one within your specific budget.

However, the prices we’ve given below were the last available pricing we’ve seen listed by 8×8 – in early 2024 the provider removed specific pricing information from its site. You’ll now have to contact sales for a quote. Anyhow, here’s how the 8×8 pricing plans match up against each other:

Learn more about the VoIP provider’s different pricing plans in our 8×8 features and pricing guide.

4. Vonage: Best for training staff

Price From: $19.99 per user, per month

If you’re planning to hire staff and want to hammer home your best practices, then Vonage is one of the best cloud phone systems to do so. There’s a myriad of training and conversation features, like call whisper and call monitoring, available on all paid plans, that will help you supervise and train staff in real-time, while they’re answering calls.

There is a catch, though. A lot of these robust training features are paid-for add-ons, so you’ll have to pay a bit extra to use the service to its full potential. Luckily, the service is on the more affordable end of the spectrum, so the added cost evens out somewhat.

For integrations, Vonage is respectable, offering a mediocre selection but hitting the important ones like Slack, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and a smattering of CRM options.

Also, many of the alternatives to Vonage featured in this article were awarded better scores for security, including RingCentral and Zoom Phone. This may affect your decision if part of day-to-day life for your business is processing sensitive corporate information, as might be the case if you work in professional services.

Learn more about what the VoIP provider can offer you in our Vonage review, or see how it fares against a close rival in our Ooma vs Vonage head-to-head.

Vonage pricing

As we mentioned, Vonage is on the more affordable side of the market, but with so many features costing extra, the value of the platform isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Here’s how Vonage plans match up against each other:

5. GoTo Connect: Best cloud phone system for managing inbound calls

Price from: $26 per user, per month

GoTo Connect didn’t take the top spot in the majority of our testing categories, receiving respectable but not remarkable results across features, security, and scalability.

However, GoTo Connect was the only provider on the list that offered every single inbound communication feature in all its pricing plans, like virtual receptionist, customizable hold music, and spam prevention. This means you’ll be able to effectively set up and customize your internal communication infrastructure to receive calls in a comprehensive way that fits your needs.

Although GoTo may have a higher starting price point than some of its closest rivals, it’s only got two plans, so a lot of features are made available on the Basic plan. Call queues and ring groups, for example, aren’t available on either of RingCentral’s cheapest two plans, but GoTo includes these on all of its plans.

One place where GoTo is noticeably lacking is integrations. Unlike 8×8 and RingCentral, which integrate with hundreds of other apps, including live chat, email, and helpdesk solutions, GoTo only integrates with MS Teams, Salesforce, Zoho Help Desk, and a couple of additional core integrations. Most notably, it has no workplace integrations, so Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 aren’t available.

GoTo pricing

GoTo Connect has recently switched to public pricing, like 8×8. The provider lets you choose between three VoIP packages: Phone System, Connect CX, and Contact Centre. GoTo’s Phone System plan will be able to meet the needs of most businesses, but if you’re after enhanced customer experience tools we’d recommend Connect CX, while Contact Center will be the preferable choice for sales teams.

Cloud-Based Phone System Case Studies

To help you decide whether cloud-based phone systems are the right choice for your organization we have put together two case studies below of businesses that have made the switch to the cloud and thrived. As already outlined in this guide, there are several benefits associated with hosted phone system solutions and why they’re the right choice for any modern business.

Pacific BMW

As one of the largest BMW dealerships on the West Coast, Pacific BMW needed an advanced phone system to support its team of 150 employees. Previously, the Glendale, CA-based dealership had used an expensive, on-premises PBX system for handling calls.

It answered basic communications needs but failed to deliver the kind of efficient performance required by its diverse staff of sales associates and technicians. Given BMW’s reputation for technological sophistication, Pacific BMW switched over to RingCentral’s cloud-based phone service.

Previously, its system provider had to send out a technician to perform maintenance and upgrades, which was costly and cumbersome. However, since the switch, the company has left oversight to RingCentral. Plus, rather than giving out separate office and mobile numbers, the sales team now offers one phone number that rings on different devices.

Natural Running Store

Natural Running Store is an online outlet catering to runners who want shoes and products that support their body’s natural running technique. Patton Gleason, the store’s president, wanted to stand out from the competition, but was frequently on the go, attending meetings with vendors and customers, as well as giving presentations.

By implementing Grasshopper’s cloud-based phone system, Gleason established one central phone number. Customers and vendors can now reach him, regardless of location or time. As a result, he’s improved existing business relationships and created new ones.

Benefits of Cloud-Based Phone Systems

In 2024, the best cloud phone systems have a myriad of advantages over traditional phone networks. This includes:

• Resource Savings – Cloud phone systems are much more affordable than a traditional landline network, not only in terms of initial installation and ongoing costs
• Setup – As there are no telephone lines to install, a cloud-based system can be installed and set up quickly and easily
• Remote connectivity – Cloud systems can facilitate operations when teams are geographically dispersed with remote staff being able to connect and take calls regardless of their location
• Advanced Functionality – Cloud systems have a range of advanced features that can be added such as extensions, management of messages, call forwarding and business messaging.
• Flexibility – Cloud VoIP systems allow companies to add an unlimited number of new users, no matter where they’re located.
• This way, you never have to stress about exceeding your phone system’s capacity, and with many providers, you only pay for what you need. By contrast, expanding legacy and other on-site systems is complicated and costly.
• Frees up resources – By hosting your phone system in the cloud, you can eliminate common IT headaches that arise from on-premises system glitches.
• Instead of spending time and money fixing phone problems, your team is free to focus on more important tasks.
• New features are easily added – If you host your phone system on-site, you’re limited to the features that the system comes with out of the box. Upgrading is a painful and expensive experience.
• Cloud systems use a single, centralized software platform. New features can be seamlessly added to all users at the same time without disrupting service or requiring the use of additional hardware.
• Disaster recovery – Some on-premises phone systems do offer redundancy and back-up features, but they require additional installation.

Many cloud system providers, however, offer disaster recovery services as part of their initial implementation. In the event of a power outage, natural disaster, or in the unlikely event that the cloud center’s wires are cut, calls are saved and re-routed to alternate lines.

How to Choose Your Ideal Cloud Phone System

Every business will be looking to get something slightly different out of a cloud phone system. If you’re unsure how to start your search, here are some important questions to consider:

• Which features do I need? Before you compare the market, you need to identify what you will be using the cloud system for. If you’re using the system to make sales, 8×8 will be a better match, while Vonage is the strongest system we tested for retail businesses.
• Does your system need to integrate with other tools? You definitely want to be sure your cloud phone system can integrate with other business software, so check on those external connections before making a decision for your business.
• Is my business looking to expand? Some cloud phone systems are a lot more scalable than others. For instance, RingCentral and Vonage’s modular packages are much more adept at scaling alongside growing businesses than more static options like Zoom Phone.
• Will I be making international calls? If your company regularly makes calls overseas, we’d recommend opting for a provider that offers flat-rate pricing for unlimited international calls like Zoom Phone.
• How much am I willing to spend? There’s no point moving forward with a cloud phone system that’s out of your company’s budget. If affordability is one of your top concerns, you’d be better suited to an option like Zoom Phone, over some more pricier packages by 8×8, for example.

Methodology: How We Test Cloud-Based Phone Systems

A reminder of our top picks can be seen in the table below.