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.
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
- 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 is a Good Alternative if You Need
- 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.
- Remote work capabilities: Nextiva’s iOS and Android mobile app lets users access contacts, make/receive calls, send messages, and more
- 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
Pricing & Plans
Nextiva offers three pricing plans from $17.95 to $37.95 per user, per month. Annual and bulk discounts are available.
For more details, check out our review of Nextiva pricing and plans.
Pros & Cons
- 24/7 phone and live chat support for all users
- Reliable and secure with 99.999% uptime, TLS and SRTP encryption, and SOC 2 and HIPAA compliance
- Video conferencing included in all plans
- Video calls are limited to just 45 minutes in duration on the Essentials plan
- Some essential features like call recording and voicemail transcription are only included in the Enterprise pricing plan
- A limited number of integrations, missing niche integrations like HappyFox, Jiminny, and Freshdesk
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. RingCentral also offers a plethora of advanced features including a robust video conferencing platform, unlimited faxing, and unlimited file storage.
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 is a Good Alternative if You Need
- 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
- A healthcare solution: 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
- 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
Pricing & Plans
RingCentral offers three different pricing plans ranging from $20 to $45 per user, per month, with annual and volume discounts.
Find out more about RingCentral pricing and plans in our detailed review.
Pros & Cons
- Offers several advanced features including real-time analytics, multi-site admin, 8-digit extensions
- Includes over 300 out-of-the-box integrations, APIs, and custom apps
- AI-powered features including live transcription, noise reduction, and advanced insights such as meeting summaries, topics, and video highlights
- The Essentials Plan does not include video conferencing, internet faxing, call recording, or auto-attendant
- Expensive compared to Ooma and other VoIP providers
- Platform contains many features and might be overwhelming for some teams
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.
Zoom is a Good Alternative if You Need
- 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
- Mobility: 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
- Flexibility: Zoom lets companies mix and match pricing plans so that they only pay for what they need
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 $8/user/month for the Metereed plan and goes up to $20/user/month for the Pro Global Select plan, which offers unlimited domestic calling in one supported selected country.
For more information, read our detailed review of Zoom Phone pricing.
Pros & Cons
- Has all the essentials for business communication including auto attendants, ACD, team messaging, and hot desking–without unnecessary extras
- Extremely affordable, especially if your company does not do much outbound calling
- Integrates seamlessly with Zoom’s video conferencing platform
- Zoom Phone does not have a guaranteed uptime like more established brands
- Does not offer some advanced VoIP features such as sentiment analysis
- Live phone support is only available with subscriptions that cost over $200 per month
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. If add-ons aren’t needed, Vonage is an affordable option with plans starting at $14.99/user/month.
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.
Vonage is a Good Alternative if You Need
- 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
- A 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
- 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
- To streamline communication across channels: Vonage’s Business Inbox aggregates text-based communication from SMS, MMS, and Facebook Messenger into one space.
- A toll-free number: Vonage offers toll-free numbers for flat monthly rates and no per-minute charges
Pricing & Plans
Vonage has a traditional three-tiered pricing structure with volume discounts. Plans range in price from $14.99 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 infromation.
Pros & Cons
- Lower prices than Ooma, with better reliability (single sign-on, 99.999% uptime, etc.)
- Self-service access to over 20 out-of-the-box integrations along with the ability to create custom integrations using APIs
- Auto attendant with customizable greetings and business hours included with all plans
- Plans can get expensive if you need to purchase add-on features
- Video meetings are capped at 200 participants and only included in Premium and Advanced plans
- Complex platform with a steep learning curve
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 is a Good Alternative if You Need
- 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
- A toll-free number: Local, vanity, and toll-free business phone numbers with 1,000 toll-free minutes are included in all plans
- Outbound campaign capabilities: GoTo Connect includes features like auto dialing and mass texting with pre-built message templates
Pricing & Plans
GoTo Connect offers three different UCaaS pricing plans starting at $24 per user, per month as well as a CCaaS plan.
For more details on GoTo Pricing, read our review here.
Pros & Cons
- Highly reliable with 99.999% uptime, distributed cloud architecture, and HIPAA-ready
- Video meetings for up to 250 participants included in all plans
- User-friendly interface with a drag-and-drop dial plan editor to build custom call flows
- Video calling limited to only four users in the Basic Plan
- For live customer support, customers must submit a ticket online 24/7 and wait for a return call or email
- Expensive compared to Ooma and other UCaaS providers, lack of transparent pricing
6. OpenPhone - Best for usability and fast onboarding
OpenPhone is a cloud-based business communications provider offering voice calling and messaging services in the U.S. and Canada. OpenPhone has some of the lowest prices in the VoIP space, making it a great choice for startups and small businesses.
Unlike Ooma, OpenPhone does not have a video conferencing platform, so it is best for companies that only need voice and messaging capabilities.
OpenPhone Is A Good Alternative If You Need
- Call recording: Manual call recording is included in all plans, automatic recording is available in Business and Enterprise 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
- A simple solution with a fast learning curve: User interface is intuitive with a minimal amount of customizations and advanced features, meaning fast onboarding
Pricing & Plans
OpenPhone offers three pricing plans from $19 to $33 per user, per month. Signing up for a yearly subscription gets you a 21% off.
For more informations on OpenPhone's pricing, plans, and top features, read our detailed review.
Pros & Cons
- Offers advanced VoIP features including IVR, analytics, and call whisper
- Customizable voicemail messages with text-to-speech
- Users can receive notifications in the desktop or mobile app, and via email
- Does not have a guaranteed uptime and isn’t suitable for larger companies and enterprises
- Only Enterprise Plan users have access to live customer support and a dedicated support manager
- Lacking caller ID and spam call identification
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 is also one of the only VoIP solutions with a 100% uptime guarantee. Its 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 is a Good Alternative If You Need
- 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
- Team messaging: The business messaging feature allows users to text and share files with internal or external team members on one app, from any device
- To improve agent efficiency: Live agent assistance displays in-call, real-time next-best-action suggestions on agent screens
Pricing & Plans
Dialpad offers three pricing plans from $15-$35 per user, per month with annual discounts.
Learn more about Dialpad pricing here.
Pros & Cons
- Live customer support available to all users
- User-friendly platform makes it fast and easy to implement tools like auto attendant
- Real-time call and video transcription with some of the best NLP tools in the space
- 100% uptime SLA is only offered on the Enterprise plan
- Video meetings are limited to 10 participants unless users purchase a separate subscription to Dialpad Meetings
- Dialpad is compatible with a limited number of hardware devices compared to competitors like Ooma
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
