Best Cloud-based & On-premise Business PBX Phone Systems
These
business phone systems represent the best communication solutions
available for small companies.
Diverse types of businesses require distinctly different phone
systems. Hosted VoIP or a virtual cloud-based phone system represents the preferred
solution for many offices, combining Omni-channel platforms and easy
management along with lower initial costs. Nevertheless, other types of
companies, like a business with a mixture of office and warehouse find they require a hybrid on-premise PBX solution
installed using their existing infrastructure. And some small businesses,
like restaurants, fitness centers and retail establishments merely may
require a durable phone system that connects to their current phone
services. Whatever your company considers,
you'll discover these the
top picks for both virtual cloud-based phone systems and on-premise PBXs.
Top Picks for the Best Small business phone systems- Cloud-based PBX
Solutions
- Small business VoIP office phone system offering outstanding value.
Designed with most features small business owners would need.
- One toll-free number included.
Plans include 50+
business features including a virtual receptionist, call
forwarding options, ring groups, SMS Messaging, voicemail to
email, mobile app, MOH, and virtual fax.
- Office Pro at $24.95/mo./user adds Video Conferencing, Desktop
phone app, texting, Call Recording, etc.
Pros
- Easy to choose phone numbers, get setup, and use.
- Extension dialing between users.
- Constantly rated number one for a small business
office VoIP phone system. No contract required.
Cons
- Lacks some of the more advanced feature integration that other
services may offer.
Best For:
- Small to medium businesses with home workers that want an affordable
reliable professional phone system. Excellent choice for legal,
real-estate and other professional offices that use desk phones. $19.95/user/mo. Phone Special BOGO*:
Ooma Office
-
Unified Communications platform good for any size
company with integrated phone, business apps, AI and
automation.
- Communicate and collaborate with voice, text, video, email, and instant
messaging all in one place. 9.5/10 Easiest to use.
- Auto-attendant, mobile and desktop apps, internet fax,
voicemail to email, etc.
- 99.999% uptime with excellent 24/7 customer support team.
Pros
- Nextiva has established a UCaaS (Unified Communications as a
Service) platform with a comprehensive set of built-in
business
communication apps.
- Affordable with easy to use, powerful remote work and
customer relationship features.
- Award winning customer service and 1-1 solutions support.
Cons
- An annual payment is required for best pricing.
Best For:
- Great for contact centers, remote workers and businesses that
need CRM integration with Omni-channel
communications. Essential Plan 5-19 users- $21.95/mo. each when paid
annually. A leading choice as a SIP trunk provider for on-premise
PBXs. Plans start at $18.95/mo./user:
Nextiva
Special now limited time at $17.96/user/mo. paid
annually.
- Cloud-based Omni-channel communications with video
calling, real-time message and phone suited for any size
company.
- Unlimited domestic calling and texting right from your desktop
or mobile device.
- Automated attendant and 50 advanced features. Teams can work
together from anywhere.
Pros
- Mobile apps are carefully designed. Industry leading reliability. Surprisingly easy to
setup and use.
- Seamless innovative secure communications from anywhere.
- Deploys in minutes and integrates with most tools and CRM
apps.
- Award winning customer service and support.
Cons
- Must pay yearly for the best price.
Best For:
- One provider with integrated Omni-channel communications
platform
including video and chat for remote workers and team collaboration.
Plans start at $20.00/mo./user paid annually
RingCentral
MVP
- Virtual phone system with voice, video and SMS good for any size company, from
very small entrepreneurs to multi-location call centers.
- Four plans beginning with a Starter Plan at only
$9.00/mo./user.
- Unlimited Minutes,
Auto-attendant, Digital faxing, Voicemail
transcription and ring groups. Their Pro plan at $21.00/mo.
($17./mo. when paid annually) includes
Video Conferencing and Call Recording.
- Complete integrated cloud-based communications solution
that's totally scalable and customizable.
- 99.999% uptime with excellent 24/7 customer support team.
Pros
- With affordable tailored plans, many businesses owners discover VirtualPBX offers
one of the most cost-effective solutions.
- Connect with just about any device, including IP phones,
regular desk phones, mobile devices, tablets and computers.
- Affordable phone plans with lots of features and flexibility.
- Award winning 24/7 customer service and support.
Cons
- The user interface could be more intuitive.
Best For:
- Entrepreneurs, very small businesses with under 10 employees.
Multi-location operations such as franchises. Great choice for
dispersed call center.
- Virtual phone system designed to work with your existing smart
phone to separate business calls.
- A unique platform adds a business number and a virtual phone
system for entrepreneurs to present a more professional image.
- You can choose a local, toll-free or a custom vanity virtual
business phone number.
- Custom greetings, business texting with Instant
Response; automatically send a text to new callers when you can’t answer
their call.
- 24/7 customer support team. Comprehensive set of how-to
articles and helpful business guides.
Pros
- Never miss a business call, make and receive calls and texts
from anywhere. Desktop and mobile apps (iPhone or Android).
- Virtual Attendant, Simultaneous Call Handling, Extension Dialing and Call
Transfers, Voicemail with Transcription, Virtual Fax, etc.
- No additional devices or equipment is needed.
- Extremely easy to setup and use.
Cons
- Requires annual payment for best pricing.
Best For:
- Entrepreneurs and micro-businesses such as real-estate
agents and agent teams, home inspectors, appraisers, landscapers,
repairmen, etc. True Solo $14/mo., Solo Plus plan at $25/mo.,
Small Business $55/mo. (paid annually). Special* Up to $75 off annual:
Grasshopper
Top Picks for the Best Small business phone systems- On-Premise
PBX Solutions
- The MiVoice Connect system is a flexible on-site UC
IP-PBX solution
designed for an intuitive user experience with easy management.
- On-site business phone system with built-in communication and
collaboration tools. Locate contacts,
check availability and connect via phone, IM, video, desktop
sharing or conference calling, all from the same app.
- Innovative suite of IP phones that use advanced features and
accessories designed to improve productivity and mobility.
- A well-designed platform offering a flexible and intuitive
dashboard, which is easy to use.
Pros
- Mitel is a recognized global leader in communications. All-in-one system built with simplicity and reliability for easy
management.
- Connect platform is built upon ShoreTel technology, and
remains one of the top on-premise solutions.
- Award winning "Best Business Tool."
Cons
- Additional features require license fees. Installation
requires a Mitel technician.
Best For:
- From anywhere reliable communications for team collaboration
and contact centers. Great for Education, Government, Healthcare
and Hospitality. | $$$ to $$$$
- NEC Univerge SV9100- SMB Flexible communications platform that can
operate as a digital, IP and analog
PBX, or a combination.
- A hybrid unified-communications-capable solution to deliver
real-time audio and video conferencing from both desktops and
devices.
- Capable of connecting through any type of phone service; FXO,
SIP, and T1/PRI.
- Cost effective PBX built for mobile workforce and at home
workers with easy-to-use apps. InHotel app for hospitality
industry.
Pros
- Complete cost-effective modular communications platform
designed as an efficient solution for a multitude of businesses.
- Durable system once installed will operate well for
many years with
well-designed phones.
- Highly reliable totally scalable solution.
Cons
- Installation and configuration requires a PBX technician. Adding some features requires
additional licensing fees.
Best For:
- Hospitality, medical, contact centers, on the go remote and
home workers. Excellent
choice for hotels. | $$$
- Avaya IP Office- Extremely flexible PBX that can connect digital, IP and analog
or in combination.
- Totally scalable hybrid unified communications capable
solution.
- The system can connect through any type of phone service; FXO,
SIP, and T1/PRI.
- One of the most popular PBX systems using well-designed
durable phones with countless deployments
worldwide.
Pros
- Flexible IP-capable PBX that can deliver an effective phone
system for just about any type of company or organization.
- A popular PBX with many technicians and
installers available.
- Definitely a durable system that's once installed, operates effectively for
many years.
Cons
- Requires a PBX technician. Adding some features requires
additional licensing fees.
Best For:
- Hybrid installations using some existing traditional phone wiring. Companies that connect using a T1/PRI.
| $$ to $$$
- Zultys MX series IP-PBXs- Versatile
multi-channel VoIP
server using Open Standards.
- The MX IP phone system just received a 2023 Internet Telephony
Product of the Year Award.
- The MX integrates voice, video, Fax, Voice Mail, Contact
Center, Presence, Instant Messaging, a Mobile Communicator, and
integrated conferencing.
- Use voice, chat, web conferences, file sharing, drag
and-drop, and task management in an integrated workspace.
Pros
- Affordable highly established business communications that's
reliable, intuitive and a superb value.
- System can be used with a wide range of SIP telephones.
- One solution with multiple capabilities.
- Using their integrated contact center advances company
operations and improves customer engagement and satisfaction.
Cons
- Ethernet cabling required to all endpoints with a VoIP ready
LAN (Local Area Network).
Best For:
- Companies that want a total multi-channel IP solution
understanding they have a system that can do just about any type
of communications. A leading choice for education, healthcare,
automotive, and professional and technology. | $$ to $$$
- Grandstream UCM6302- Easy to manage VoIP
appliance based-on Asterisk that combines voice, video, data and
mobility features.
- Up to 1000 users for the UCM6302 with 150 G.711 concurrent
calls and up to 200 SIP trunks.
- The platform, incorporates voice, fax, video calling, video
conferencing, chat, analytics, mobility options, facility access,
and intercom.
- Customizable on premise solution for total control.
Remote-access provides an easy-to-manage hybrid cloud
communication solution.
Pros
- Affordable VoIP ready appliance with well designed intuitive GUI. Grandstream offers lots of support
information and help.
- System supports multi-language auto-attendant and call queue.
- No license fees for features. Built-in advanced security protection.
- Built-in call recordings server with recordings accessible via web user interface.
The Wave app provides remote voice and video collaboration tools
using a desktop, web, and smartphone.
Cons
- Ethernet cabling required to all endpoints with a VoIP ready
LAN (Local Area Network).
Best For:
- Owners who have capable support personnel for in-house
management to maximize control and manage costs. Excellent for
business or industry specific customization. | $$ to $$$
All of these business phone systems have proven to
offer outstanding value and reliability.
Conclusion
We have found business owners regularly say they need a phone system to
be more than just a way to accept calls. It should improve business
processes by allowing their employees to be more effective. And it's
essential that it be easy to use. A requirement is that it
incorporates direct access to files, customer information and business
applications regardless of where the employee might be. Home employees should
be able to collaborate with their tools and resources exactly like in
the office.
Nextiva and RingCentral MVP each provide a formidable integrated multi-channel
communications platform. As business owners
adjust to employees working from home, they have realized the importance
of direct access to team members and business resources. Likewise,
customers have found utilizing one provider for Omnichannel apps,
including video, lowers costs and simplifies communication.
VirtualPBX
specializes in solutions designed for small businesses and plans that can be tailored to a
larger customer's requirements. They offer four unique plans,
with a Starter plan at only $9./mo./user.
For decidedly small
professional businesses, Ooma Office ($19.95/mo.) provides an outstanding cost-effective
professional office phone
system with the
proper number
of features. It's optimal for a small, or a growing company where employees
regularly use a desk phone, like professional offices.
And for entrepreneurs
who require a more professional way to connect with customers, Grasshopper's virtual phone
system has proven to offer distinct advantages. Use their business phone
number app to never miss an important business call again.
Our five on-premise PBX systems each provide outstanding
alternatives suited to a specific business preference.
On-premise systems typically require a few more details to establish the
most appropriate cost-effective solution; however, the advantages can be
significant. Plus, by incorporating the use of SIP trunks with a PBX,
business owners have achieved
substantially lower communication costs.
Finding the Best on-premise PBX Solution
Establishing
the most suitable on-premise business phone system routinely
requires specific business details, and
existing PSTN services, if any. Particular businesses frequently
expect distinctive solutions uniquely determined after understanding
the company's requirements including recognition of any unique components
of the property.
After a quick review,
a telecom professional will regularly
establish which PBX phone system would represent the most
cost-effective practical solution. Along with opportunities to lower
existing expenses; for example, by
employing SIP trunking.
It's easy to become overwhelmed with all the information obtainable.
The preferable option often starts by merely responding to a few straightforward questions and then comparing systems and pricing.
Pros: It's a convenient straightforward easy process. Without cost or commitment. Cons: None. Submit a few straightforward questions:
On-site PBX Phone System
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