7 Best Ooma Alternatives + Why They Are Better

With increases in remote work, business competition, and customer service expectations, finding software that streamlines and optimizes business communications is essential.

Ooma is a popular unified communications provider best known for its affordable rates and toll-free business phone numbers, but it’s not a perfect fit for every business. The seven Ooma alternatives outlined in this article offer features, pricing options, support options, and other functionalities that Ooma lacks.

Why Look For An Ooma Alternative?

Ooma is a solid business phone system with competitive prices. It is a great solution for startups and SMBs on a tight budget as it is easy to set up, offers affordable pricing plans, and includes a user-friendly mobile app. Ooma is also one of the few VoIP providers to include calling not only in the U.S. and Canada, but also in Puerto Rico and Mexico. Ooma offers some UCaaS features like video conferencing, team chat, and SMS/texting, but these features are more limited compared to other providers. Ooma has some other drawbacks as well.

Businesses generally look for an Ooma alternative due to:

• Limited collaboration tools: Ooma only includes video conferencing in the Pro and Pro Plus plans, and participants are limited to 25 and 100 respectively. Additionally, Ooma's video conferencing platform is lacking security features such as E2EE and waiting rooms. Ooma does offer a whiteboard feature but it doesn't offer as many options as other providers like Zoom such as sticky notes. Ooma's team chat platform is limited to 8 participants per chat and is only available on the Pro Plus plan.
• Lower reliability and security than competitors: Ooma does not offer a guaranteed uptime SLA and some users have reported unreliable service and low call quality. Additionally, Ooma is lacking in security features such as SSO and MFA, although it does offer end-to-end encryption. Businesses that require a high level of security might find that RingCentral is a better fit.
• Ineffective customer support: Ooma does have a 24/7/365 phone number that customers can call with issues, however, many users report that Ooma customer support agents are difficult to get a hold of and often unable to resolve issues when they do respond. Ooma does not offer any premium support packages. Businesses that need to prioritize customer support would do better with a provider like Nextiva.
• Limited features: Ooma includes basic calling features such as call recording, call transfer, and music on hold, but it lacks advanced features such as AI-powered Agent Assist, sentiment analysis, and automated call notes. Even more frustratingly, texting is not included in all plans (only the Pro and Pro Plus plans) and texts are limited to 250 or 1,000 per month respectively. Companies looking for advanced features would be better off with providers like Dialpad and GoTo Connect.

How We Evaluated Ooma Alternatives

• Pricing & Value: We compared the pricing plans of each provider and looked closely at exactly what was included. We took into account installation costs, overage charges, add-on features, and other hidden fees
• Customer Support: We evaluated the customer support quality by reading user reviews and conducting our own tests. We looked at premium support plans, available support channels, and self-service options
• Security & Reliability: We looked into call quality issues, uptime SLAs, points of presence (POPs), redundancy, etc. We looked for advanced security features such as E2EE, MFA, and SSO. We looked at compliance certifications such as HIPAA, GDPR, and STIR/SHAKEN
• Integrations: We compared the number of available integrations as well as the depth of those integrations. We compared the availability of APIs and the opportunity to create custom integrations
• Ease of Use: We tested each solution to see how user friendly each interface was. We paid special attention to operating advanced features like analytics, using the mobile app, and accessing video conferencing
• UCaaS Features: We compared what features were offered looking for advanced and innovative features such as AI-powered Agent Assist, coaching tools, and advanced analytics. We looked at what communication channels were included such as email, messaging, SMS/MMS, social media, etc.
• International & Toll Free Calling: We evaluated calling areas and compared international calling rates. We looked into toll free number offerings and whether toll free minute bundles were included
• Flexibility & Scalability: We looked at whether the provider offered flexible pricing with add-on features or mix-and-match plans, and how easy and cost effective it would be to add users and/or features to the platform

Best Ooma Alternatives

Here’s an overview of how well some of our favorite providers stack up against Ooma when it comes to features, customer support options, pricing, and user experience.

• Nextiva - Best for value, reliability, and customer support
• RingCentral - Best for security and video conferencing
• Zoom Phone - Best for startups on a small budget
• Vonage - Best for tech-savvy teams that need a customized solution
• GoTo Connect - Best for scalability and international communication
• Quo (formerly OpenPhone) - Best for usability and fast onboarding
• Dialpad - Best for innovative AI-powered features

1. Nextiva - Best for value and customer support

Nextiva is an established small business UCaaS provider offering voice and video calling, SMS texting, and team chat messaging alongside high-level customer service and support.

Like Ooma, Nextiva is affordable and caters mostly to small businesses. However, Nextiva has much better security and network reliability than Ooma. Additionally, while Ooma limits video conferencing capabilities to Pro and Pro Plus users only, Nextiva video conferencing is included on all plans.

Nextiva Pricing & Plans

Nextiva offers three pricing plans from $15 to $75 per user, per month. Annual and bulk discounts are available.

For more details, check out our review of Nextiva pricing and plans.

What We Like About Nextiva 

• High-quality customer support: Nextiva offers 24/7 live support for all users and has many positive reviews commending their customer service team
• A customizable auto attendant: Nestica users can create customized greetings, prioritize certain calls, and choose from a variety of call routing strategies
• Call recording: Nexitva call recording announcements can be played automatically or on-demand, and users can save recordings in cloud storage to review any time.

Where Nextiva Needs Improvement

• Video conferencing: Video calls are lacking in advanced features such as avatars, live captioning, and E2EE. Video recording is not available on the Core plan
• Call management: Only simple IVR is available on most plans. Skills-based routing is only included with the inbound sales and service call center add on

Who Should Use Nextiva?

• Remote and hybrid teams: Nextiva’s iOS and Android mobile app lets users access contacts, make/receive calls, send messages, and more
• Companies that need combined text and voice functionality: With the SMS tool, users can select contacts, send messages to multiple recipients or individuals, and attach images or audio files

2. RingCentral - Best for security and video conferencing

RingCentral’s business communication solution (RingEX) is highly secure and reliable with end-to-end encryption and 99.999% uptime SLA. Unlike Ooma which caters to small businesses, RingCentral caters to businesses of all sizes thanks to a plethora of advanced features including a robust video conferencing platform, unlimited faxing, and unlimited file storage. While Ooma lacks AI-powered features, RingCentral includes an AI Assistant for all users. Its uses are dependent upon the plan, but its abilities include captions, transcriptions, post call summaries, call notes, and suggestions for SMS and messaging.

Due to its high price tag (which can be tempered with volume discounts), RingCentral is best for established enterprise-level businesses and contact centers.

RingCentral Pricing & Plans

RingCentral offers three different pricing plans ranging from $20 to $35 per user, per month, with annual and volume discounts.

Find out more about RingCentral pricing and plans in our detailed review.

What We Like About RingCentral

• Large-scale video conferencing: RingCentral’s video conferencing platform is highly secure and enables users to host video meetings with 200 maximum participants for up to 24 hours.
• Real-time analytics: Provides actionable insights such as service level, idle/active agents, and calls queued or on-hold
• Team messaging: Includes a team chat space where users organize conversations into folders and threads based on projects, topics, or teams

Where RingCentral Needs Improvement

• Calling area: Unlike Ooma, RingCentral limits calling to the United States and Canada. International calling plans are available but costs can add up quickly
• Complicated set up: RingCentral offers many more features and customizations than Ooma, which means that installation takes longer and there is a steeper learning curve

Who Should Use RingCentral?

• Healthcare industry: RingCentral’s platform is HIPAA compliant and telehealth-ready with security features like dynamic end-to-end encryption, password protection, waiting room, and host controls
• Companies that need to collaborate with clients or freelancers: People outside the organization can be invited to RingCentral’s team chat space, where users can send files and connect with other collaboration or productivity apps

3. Zoom Phone - Best for startups on a small budget

One of the most recognizable video conferencing providers, Zoom now offers an all-in-one platform that includes voice, messaging, and video communication tools.

Zoom is even more affordable than Ooma, meaning companies considering Ooma because of its low price may be better off with Zoom. Zoom ‘s metered plans are especially ideal for businesses that don’t place a high volume of outbound calls as they start at just $10 per user, per month. While Ooma offers better international calling than Zoom, Zoom has more AI capabilities, including an AI Companion that prioritizes voicemail, extracts tasks from meetings and calls, generates summaries, and more.

Zoom Phone Pricing & Plans

All Zoom Phone features are included in all plans, but the plans vary regarding calling area and call pricing style.

Pricing starts at $10/user/month for the Metered plan and goes up to $22.49/user/month for the Business Plus plan, which includes 15 GB of cloud storage.

For more information, read our detailed review of Zoom Phone pricing.

What We Like About Zoom Phone

• Call routing: Zoom includes unlimited call queues with five different distribution options (simultaneous ring, sequential, longest idle, etc.)
• Call monitoring capabilities: Zoom includes several call monitoring modes including Listen, Whisper, Barge-In, and Take-Over
• SMS/MMS functionality: Zoom includes SMS/MMS texting in all plans, and with the purchase of the “power pack” add-on, admins can enable SMS for call queues and auto receptionists

Where Zoom Phone Needs Improvement

• Lower call quality than competitors: Zoom Phone does not have a guaranteed uptime like more established brands and live phone support is only available with subscriptions that cost over $200 per month
• Limited features: Zoom is lacking some advanced voice features such as sentiment analysis, CX analytics, skills-based routing, etc.

Who Should Use Zoom Phone?

• Mobile teams and companies that need flexibility: Zoom users can send and receive text messages and calls using the Zoom desktop client, mobile app (iOS and Android), or the Zoom Web App. Zoom lets companies mix and match pricing plans so that they only pay for what they need
• Businesses already using Zoom Workplace: Companies that add on Zoom Workplace have access to one of the most advanced and secure video conferencing platforms on the market with access to avatars, end-to-end encryption, virtual backgrounds, whiteboards, and more

4. Vonage - Best customizable solution 

Vonage Business Communication (VBC)  is an all-in-one platform with voice, messaging, and video capabilities. Vonage’s platform has a high call quality with a 99.999% uptime. Vonage also offers a very affordable Mobile plan that starts at just $13.99 monthly per user which is less than even Ooma's Essentials plan. While Ooma has better deals for toll-free numbers and minutes, Vonage is a better deal for text messaging, which is included in all plans and unlimited.

Vonage offers several advanced VoIP features as paid add-ons, such as conference bridge, efax, and secondary line appearance. Vonage is therefore better for companies that would rather pick which features they need a la carte, while Ooma is better suited for businesses that would rather have an out-of-the-box solution.

Pricing & Plans

Vonage has a traditional three-tiered pricing structure with volume discounts. Plans range in price from $13.99 to $39.99 per user, per month. Many of Vonage’s advanced features are offered as add-ons.

Read our review of Vonage Business pricing for more information.

What We Like About Vonage

• Live customer support: Vonage offers live phone support to all users and includes a detailed online knowledge base with articles, a community forum, and support via automated chatbot
• Virtual receptionist: Includes a variety of self-service options such as playing an IVR menu, trying a live operator first, forwarding to an extension, or forwarding to voicemail
• Integrations: Vonage offers users with the Premium plan and up self-service access to over 20 out-of-the-box integrations along with the ability to create custom integrations using APIs

Where Vonage Needs Improvement

• Cost: Although Vonage pricing starts low, plans can get expensive if you need to purchase add-on features. Additionally, many essential features such as conference bridge and call queues are only available as add-ons
• Usability: Vonage's platform is difficult to set up and may require an IT person to properly install and customize, especially if integrations are required

Who Should Use Vonage?

• Companies trying to improve the call queue experience: Users can select on-hold music or other audio content to play while callers wait in queues. Admins can monitor call queue activity and generate reports
• Businesses that need to streamline communication across channels: Vonage’s Business Inbox aggregates text-based communication from SMS, MMS, and Facebook Messenger into one space.

5. GoTo Connect - Best for international communication

GoTo Connect is a cloud phone system with messaging, voice, and video functionality. With a full suite of products including CCaaS and webinar software, GoTo Connect is perfect for teams looking for scalable SaaS solutions.

GoTo Connect is more expensive than Ooma, but includes advanced features like team messaging and real-time call queue updates. While Ooma is a great option for small businesses, GoTo Connect is better for global teams experiencing rapid growth. GoTo Connect also has a larger call area than Ooma, with unlimited calling to over 50 countries included in every plan.

Pricing & Plans

GoTo Connect offers three different pricing plans. In the past GoTo Connect has started pricing plans at $24 per user, per month, but now GoTo Connect has only quote-based pricing.

For more details on GoTo Pricing, read our review here.

What We Like About GoTo Connect

• Productive video meetings: Video conferencing is included in all plans and features screen sharing, live feedback, drawing tools, and more
• Analytics: Platform includes real-time analytics and AI Chat Analysis for measuring customer sentiment
• International calling: Calling to over 50 countries is included for all GoTo Connect users

Where GoTo Connect Needs Improvement

• Lack of transparency in pricing: It is nearly impossible to budget for GoTo Connect without subjecting yourself to a sales call. It is therefore best to larger enterprises
• Lack of customer support: For live customer support, customers must submit a ticket online 24/7 and wait for a return call or email

Who Should Use GoTo Connect?

• Global companies: GoTo Connect's free calling in 50+ countries is tough to beat for international companies. Additionally, local, vanity, and toll-free business phone numbers are available with 1,000 toll-free minutes are included in all plans
• Businesses that need outbound campaign capabilities: GoTo Connect includes features like auto dialing and mass texting with pre-built message templates

6. Quo - Best for usability and fast onboarding

Quo (formerly OpenPhone) is a cloud-based business communications provider offering voice calling and messaging services in the U.S. and Canada. Quo has some of the lowest prices in the VoIP space, making it a great choice for startups and small businesses.

Unlike Ooma, Quo does not have a video conferencing platform, so it is best for companies that only need voice and messaging capabilities. With pricing starting at $15 per user, per month, Quo is even more affordable than Ooma. Quo also includes toll-free numbers like Ooma with unlimited incoming toll-free minutes included in all plans.

Quo offers more AI capabilities than Ooma, with an AI Assistant add-on called Sona, AI message responses, contact suggestions, and more.

Pricing & Plans

Quo offers three pricing plans from $15 to $35 per user, per month. Signing up for a yearly subscription gets you a 21% off.

For more informations on Quo's pricing, plans, and top features, read our detailed review.

What We Like About Quo

• Call recording: Manual call recording is included in all plans, automatic recording is available in Business and Scale plans
• Automated text messages: Enables users to send automatic replies, create message templates for common questions, or schedule outbound text messages
• Shared contacts: Users can segment contacts, share in bulk, or invite only certain team members to view a specific contact

Where Quo Needs Improvement

• Reliability and call quality: Quo does not have a guaranteed uptime and isn’t suitable for larger companies and enterprises
• Security features: Lacking advanced security features such as end-to-end encryption, MFA, etc.
• Customer support: Live chat support is only available on some plans and no phone support is available

Who Should Use Quo?

• Companies that want a simple solution with a fast learning curve: User interface is intuitive with a minimal amount of customizations and advanced features, meaning fast onboarding
• Voice only businesses: Quo does not offer advanced communication channels like video and social media, but they do include advanced voice features like phone menus and call summaries

7. Dialpad - Best for AI-powered features

Dialpad is a UCaaS platform that offers many advanced communication features powered by AI, including real-time voice transcription, post-call summaries, and sentiment analysis. Dialpad's platform includes voice, messaging, and video capabilities–all for an affordable price.

While both Dialpad and Ooma have low prices, Dialpad offers additional features, higher reliability, and better security. Dialpad does not include calling to Puerto Rico and Mexico like Ooma does, but it offers real-time call transcription, call summaries, and automated action items while Ooma does not.

Pricing & Plans

Dialpad offers three pricing plans from $15-$25+ per user, per month with annual discounts.

Learn more about Dialpad pricing here.

What We Like About Dialpad

• High Security: Dialpad includes Single Sign On, HIPAA compliance, and a 100% uptime SLA
• An international number: Dialpad offers international business numbers in over 25 countries
• Searchable transcripts of calls: Dialpad's automatic call summary feature compiles a searchable transcript, action items, and notes into a concise overview that can be emailed to admins

Where Dialpad Needs Improvement

• Video conferencing: Video meetings are limited to 150 participants and 5 hours in duration and are more limited in features than competitors such as Zoom and RingCentral
• Hardware: Dialpad is compatible with a limited number of hardware devices compared to competitors like Ooma

Who Should Use Dialpad?

• Remote and hybrid teams that need to stay connected: Dialpad's business messaging feature allows users to text and share files with internal or external team members on one app, from any device
• Companies that need to improve agent efficiency: Live agent assistance displays in-call, real-time  next-best-action suggestions on agent screens help teams stay productive

Which Should You Choose?

Use Ooma if you are looking For:

• An affordable solution: With plans starting at $19.95 per user per month, Ooma is one of the most affordable business phone systems out there
• Calling in Puerto Rico and Mexico: While most providers include unlimited calling only in the U.S. and Canada, Ooma additionally includes unlimited calling to Mexico and Puerto Rico in all plans
• Inbound call management: Ooma includes several features to manage incoming calls such as dynamic caller ID, caller info match, and virtual receptionist
• Mobility: Ooma’s mobile app is easy to set up and includes call recording, call routing, team messaging, and more
• An “out of the box” solution: Ooma users have reported that the platform is easy and fast to install, and say the process of adding new users is intuitive and doesn’t require an IT professional

Use an Ooma alternative if you are looking for:

• A robust video conferencing platform: Ooma’s video conferencing platform has a lower participant cap than competitors at 100, and is lacking more advanced team collaboration features like whiteboarding
• High volume texting: Ooma does not include SMS texting in the Basic Plan and limits texts to 250/month in the Pro Plan
• High level of security: Ooma lacks advanced security features such as single sign-on, MFA, end-to-end encryption, etc.
• Reliability and an SLA: Ooma does not offer an uptime guarantee, meaning users may experience frequent service outages
• Outbound call center features: Ooma lacks essential outbound features like auto dialing modes and mass texting