10 Best Alternatives to Avaya VoIP Phone System

Cloud-based communication platforms like Avaya combine voice, chat, and SMS capabilities into one interface.

Popular Avaya alternatives offer additional digital communication channels, including video conferencing and social media messaging. Business phone system features like Interactive Voice Response (IVR) improve the customer experience, while reporting and analytics boost agent performance and productivity levels.

The Avaya alternatives covered in this post help your team streamline operations, offer stellar customer service, and improve your bottom line.

Best Avaya Alternatives for 2024

• Nextiva - Best for reliability and customer support
• GoTo Connect - Best for international calling and omnichannel communication
• Dialpad - Best for innovative features
• 8x8 - Best for international and remote teams
• OpenPhone - Best “no frills” solution
• Vonage - Best for customization and remote teams
• Zoom - Best for team collaboration features
• Ooma - Best for companies switching from a landline to VoIP
• Grasshopper - Best for solopreneurs
• Intermedia - Best for building your contact center

Nextiva - Best for Reliability and Customer Support

Nextiva is a leading provider of Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) for startups and SMBs. Their services include voice and video calling, SMS texting, and team chat messaging, accompanied by top-notch customer service and support.

With Nextiva, all customers can take advantage of 24/7, round-the-clock customer service. Moreover, Nextiva boasts robust security measures like end-to-end encryption and SOC 2 compliance.

Nextiva is a Good Avaya Alternative if You Need:

• • Reliability: Nextiva’s platform is more reliable than Avaya’s with 99.999% uptime SLA and multiple global data centers
  • Mobility: Nextiva’s mobile app lets users instantly call, conference, chat, video, or share their screen from a cell phone
  • Automation: Nextiva automates repetitive tasks and workflows like appointment reminders, follow-ups, initiating campaigns, and assigning tasks
  • An affordable platform: Nextiva is less expensive overall than Avaya and offers better support
  • Call pop: Nextiva’s call pop tool automatically displays interaction history and key CRM data on agent screens

Nextiva Pricing

Nextiva offers three plans ranging from $18.95 to $32.95 monthly per user when charged annually.

For more information, see our Nextiva pricing guide.

GoTo Connect - Best for International Calling

GoTo Connect is priced similarly to Avaya and is comparable when it comes to phone system features.

GoTo Connect is different because it is a part of a suite of other GoTo products, including GoToWebinar and GoToTraining. GoTo Connect also offers a more robust video conferencing platform with features like whiteboard, smart notes, in-meeting transcription, and breakout rooms.

Global enterprises that need these additional services may prefer GoTo Connect to Avaya.

GoTo Connect is a Good Avaya Alternative if You Need:

• Custom call flows: GoTo includes a visual dial plan editor that allows admins to create custom drag-and-drop call flows
• To implement omnichannel service: GoTo Connect offers a shared team multi-channel inbox, outbound SMS campaign tools, and integrations for Facebook and Instagram messenger
• Advanced collaboration features: All users can share single applications, entire screens, or other content during video meetings. Participants can also give live feedback using drawing tools
• International calling: GoTo Connect includes international calling to 50+ countries in all plans
• Ability to scale: GoTo Connect users can easily scale and integrate other GoTo Suite products when needed

GoTo Connect Pricing

GoTo Connect has four different pricing plans starting at $27 monthly per user. Only quote based pricing is available for premium plans.

For more information, see our GoTo Connect pricing guide.

Dialpad - Best for Innovative Features

Dialpad is a virtual phone system and unified communications provider that includes voice, messaging, and video capabilities enhanced with AI innovation and machine learning.

Dialpad's platform offers a suite of advanced communication features that leverage AI, including real-time voice transcription, post-call summaries, and auto dialers.

Dialpad is a Good Avaya Alternative if You Need:

• Topic-based team messaging: Lets users create dedicated channels based on topics or projects, search by keyword, and share content with internal and external users
• Live speech coaching: AI-powered tool displays suggestions to agents while they are on a call and reminds them to slow down or speak clearly
• Accurate call and meeting transcripts: Dialpad has some of the best natural language processing technology for accurate real-time transcription
• A high level of security: Dialpad is HIPAA/BAA compliant and offers a number of security features such as single sign-on, data retention policies, and 100% uptime SLA
• A sales team solution: Dialpad’s AI Sales platform helps teams increase efficiency with SFDC power dialer, scorecards, and AI-powered CSAT scores

Dialpad Pricing

Dialpad offers three bundled plans from $15-$25+ monthly per user with annual discounts.

For more information, see our detailed Dialpad pricing guide.

8x8 - Best for International and Remote Teams

8x8 is a SaaS provider combining unified communications and call center software. 8x8’s platform includes a suite of features, such as voice, video, messaging, and cloud contact center tools at competitive prices.

8x8 also offers integrations with various business applications, such as Salesforce, Microsoft Teams, and NetSuite, making it a highly versatile and customizable solution for modern workplaces.

8x8 is a Good Avaya Alternative if You Need:

• International calling: 8x8 includes unlimited calling to 14-48 countries depending on the plan
• To scale: Instead of offering a separate CCaaS platform, 8x8 offers one platform with three different contact center pricing plans making scaling fast and easy
• Large video meetings: 8x8 includes a robust video meeting platform for up to 500 participants on all plans
• Visual voicemail: 8x8’s visual voicemail automatically sends voicemail transcripts and recordings to user email addresses
• Team Chat: Unified team chat space automatically adds contacts from the company directory and allows users to launch video and audio calls directly from any chat thread

8x8 Pricing

8x8 offers 2 UCaaS plans ranging from $24-$44 monthly per user. CCaaS plans range from $85-$140 monthly per user.

For more information, see our 8x8 pricing guide.

OpenPhone - Best “No Frills” Solution

OpenPhone is a cloud-based business VoIP provider that offers affordable telephony and messaging services. Its platform includes basic call center features such as call routing and call forwarding.

Voice and text conversations are organized into digital “workspaces.”

OpenPhone is a Good Avaya Alternative if You Need:

• A simple, affordable solution: OpenPhone is less expensive than many UCaaS platforms including Avaya and offers a clean minimalist interface
• Call recording: Users can record calls manually (on-demand) on all plans or set up automatic call recording on Business and Enterprise plans
• Auto replies: Users can set up automatic text replies based on different triggers and respond to texts, missed calls, or voicemails with a predefined message
• Call routing: A number of call routing options allow users to transfer calls or forward them automatically to any U.S. or Canadian number or group of numbers round robin style

OpenPhone Pricing

OpenPhone offers three pricing plans from $15 to $23+ monthly per user when paid annually.

For more information, see our guide on OpenPhone pricing.

Vonage - Best for Customization and Remote Teams

Vonage is a business phone service ideal for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) looking for a highly customizable communication solution.

Its flagship product, Vonage Business Communication (VBC) combines Vonage APIs with an out-of-the-box solution that offers voice, messaging, and video capabilities.

Vonage is a Good Avaya Alternative if You Need:

• Call screening: Vonage allows admins to require inbound callers to identify themselves by recording their name so agents can then decide to answer, forward, or transfer the call accordingly
• A custom solution: Vonage’s platform is infinitely customizable with open APIs, add-on features, and integrations
• Reliability: Vonage offers high call quality and reliability with a 99.999% uptime guarantee and single sign-on
• Desk phones: Vonage is compatible with a number of popular desk phones such as Poly and Yealink
• Remote work capabilities: Vonage’s robust mobile app allows users to interact via voice, SMS, team messaging, or video from a work extension on an Android or iOS device

Vonage Pricing

Vonage offers three pricing plans ranging from $13.99 to $27.99 monthly per user when paid annually. Some advanced features must be purchased as add-ons.

For more information, see our Vonage pricing guide.

Zoom - Best for Team Collaboration Features

Zoom is a well-known video conferencing provider that has quickly gained recognition in the UCaaS market by offering a comprehensive platform (Zoom One) that includes voice, chat, team messaging, and video communication tools.

Zoom has developed a solid stack of voice, video, and collaboration tools, making it a highly attractive option for businesses looking for a reliable and cost-effective communication solution.

Zoom is a Good Avaya Alternative if You Need:

• Bring Your Own Carrier (BYOC): Zoom allows users to power their phone system using their current provider including landline providers
• Dynamic video meetings: Host video meetings with 100 to 1,000 participants and features like meeting lock, waiting room, admin controls, E2EE, HIPAA compliance, and more
• Whiteboard: Real-time team member collaboration with automatic syncing and tools like smart connectors, sticky notes, commenting, and drawing
• Call Monitoring: Zoom’s call monitoring capabilities include listen, whisper, and call barge

Zoom Pricing

Zoom One offers a free plan as well as four paid plans ranging from $149.90-$250 per year, per user while Zoom Phone offers three plans starting at $10 per user, per month for its metered plan.

For more information, see our Zoom Phone pricing guide.

Ooma - Best for Companies Switching from a Landline to VoIP

Ooma is an affordable cloud communications service provider that is especially popular among small businesses and startups.

With over 50 essential VoIP features including video, and specializing in ease of use, Ooma’s platform can be up and running in minutes.

Ooma is a Good Avaya Alternative if You Need:

• Unlimited calling to Mexico or Puerto Rico: Ooma includes unlimited calling in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico
• A user-friendly platform: Ooma is a basic phone system without a lot of bells and whistles, making onboarding quick and easy
• On-hold music: Ooma offers both on-hold and transfer music, allowing users to upload an audio file in lieu of a ringtone (Files can be in .mp3 or .wav format up to 5MB)
• Virtual receptionist: Enables users to create custom messages, route calls to extensions or ring groups, create menu options for different languages and add business hours
• Enhanced call blocking: Enables users to automatically block calls from anonymous phone numbers, enable contacts-only calling, or automatically block numbers on the Community Blacklist (spam numbers)

Ooma Pricing

Ooma Office offers three pricing plans ranging in price from $19.95 to $29.95 monthly per user.

For more information, see our Ooma pricing guide.

Grasshopper - Best for Solopreneurs

Grasshopper is a VoIP phone service and communication platform designed primarily for startups, small businesses, and entrepreneurs.

The platform provides a range of features, such as toll-free or local business phone numbers, call routing, voicemail, and call recording. It also offers an easy-to-use mobile app that allows users to manage their business phone calls and messages on the go.

Grasshopper is a Good Avaya Alternative if You Need:

• A voice/text-only solution: Grasshopper does not include video conferencing or other communication channels but its platform is reliable and affordable
• A professional presence: Grasshopper provides a business phone number, extensions, on-hold music, call forwarding, etc. to help companies create a professional image
• Business SMS: Users can send/receive text messages using their business phone number, use an instant reply feature to automatically text missed callers back, and automatically provide call back details or other key information
• Live virtual receptionist: Grasshopper offers live, US-based agent virtual receptionist service via a collaboration with Ruby Receptionist as an add-on
• A toll-free number: Grasshopper lets users choose from a toll-free, vanity, or local number to use as their business line

Grasshopper Pricing

Grasshopper offers low prices and charges a flat monthly fee instead of charging per user. Grasshopper offers plans from $14 to $80 per month.

For more information, see our Grasshopper pricing guide.

Intermedia - Best for building your contact center

Intermedia is a Unified Communications service provider. The Intermedia Unite platform combines video, chat, and telephony with contact center capabilities.

Intermedia has a higher price tag than Avaya, however, it does offer some advantages over Avaya including unlimited calling in Puerto Rico and a 99.999% uptime guarantee.

Intermedia is a Good Avaya Alternative if You Need:

• A desk phone: Intermedia includes a free device with business phone plans
• Contact center features: Includes several contact center features including wallboards, call monitoring, advanced hunt groups and call queueing
• Ring groups: Uers can route incoming calls to specific teams who share responsibility for answering them
• Robust voicemail functionality: Such as customizable greetings, voice message PIN numbers, voicemail transcription, voice message to SMS and email, and auto delete capabilities, etc.

Intermedia Pricing

Intermedia offers two pricing plans from $27.99 to $32.99 monthly per user.

For more information, see our Intermedia pricing guide.

Which Avaya Alternative Should You Choose?

Choosing the right VoIP provider business depends on various factors, such as the business size, budget, required features, and the level of security and reliability necessary.

• For large businesses and enterprises: Dialpad and 8x8 have highly secure and reliable platforms with plenty of advanced features. Both offer CCaaS platforms as well that can be added on as a business scales
• For startups and solopreneurs: Grasshopper is a basic, user-friendly solution
• For small teams and SMBs: Nextiva and OpenPhone are affordable and offer plenty of onboarding support
• For remote teams: Zoom offers one of the best video conferencing platforms in the industry