Article
Best VoIP Services for Business in 2026
Find the best business VoIP phone service for your needs. Our experts tested and compared pricing, features, and call quality of top VoIP providers.
Running a business without a reliable phone system is like driving without GPS—you’ll get there eventually, but it’s going to be frustrating. VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) has revolutionized business communications by delivering phone service through your internet connection instead of traditional phone lines.
Our team spent over 100 hours testing the top VoIP providers, evaluating call quality, features, pricing, and real-world usability. Here are the best VoIP services for businesses in 2026.
Quick Comparison
| Provider | Best For | Starting Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. RingCentral | Best Overall | $20/month | ★4.8/5 |
| 2. Nextiva | Best for Customer Service | $20/month | ★4.7/5 |
| 3. Vonage | Best for Developers | $13.99/month | ★4.6/5 |
| 4. Ooma | Best Budget Option | $19.95/month | ★4.6/5 |
| 5. Grasshopper | Best for Solopreneurs | $14/month | ★4.4/5 |
| 6. Google Voice | Best Google Integration | $10/month | ★4.3/5 |
Our Top Picks in Detail
RingCentral
RingCentral is the complete business communications platform with voice, video, messaging, and AI features in one solution. Their Advanced plan unlocks 300+ integrations with Salesforce, HubSpot, and other business tools, making it ideal for growing companies.
Pros
- ✓Comprehensive all-in-one platform
- ✓AI-powered call transcription and summaries
- ✓300+ CRM and business app integrations
- ✓HD video meetings for up to 200 participants
- ✓Excellent reliability and uptime
Cons
- ✗Higher price point than competitors
- ✗SMS limited to 25 per user on basic plan
- ✗Can be overwhelming for small teams
Nextiva
Nextiva excels at customer experience management with CRM integrations that show caller details before you answer. Perfect for businesses with high call volumes across multiple channels including email, chat, SMS, and social messaging.
Pros
- ✓Built-in CRM displays caller history
- ✓99.999% uptime guarantee
- ✓HIPAA-compliant for healthcare
- ✓Multi-site connectivity included
- ✓Excellent customer support
Cons
- ✗SMS limited to 100 messages on base plan
- ✗Analytics storage only 6 months on mid-tier
- ✗Higher cost for full features
Vonage
Vonage stands out with programmable communications APIs that let you embed calling, chat, and SMS directly into your website or app. Great for tech-savvy businesses that need flexible, customizable VoIP solutions.
Pros
- ✓Programmable APIs for custom workflows
- ✓Very affordable entry-level pricing
- ✓ACD for intelligent call routing
- ✓Over 40 calling features included
- ✓30% off annual contracts through Jan 2026
Cons
- ✗Add-ons can quickly increase costs
- ✗One-year contract typically required
- ✗Recent FTC settlement over pricing transparency
Ooma
Ooma delivers essential VoIP features at budget-friendly prices. The Pro plan at $24.95/month includes call recording, text messaging, and video conferencing for up to 25 participants—perfect for small businesses.
Pros
- ✓Excellent value for small businesses
- ✓Unlimited calling to US, Canada, Mexico
- ✓Multi-path IVR for call routing
- ✓Up and running in 15 minutes
- ✓No contract required
Cons
- ✗Basic plan lacks texting and desktop app
- ✗Call recording requires Pro plan
- ✗Fewer integrations than competitors
Grasshopper
Grasshopper focuses on VoIP essentials for freelancers and solo entrepreneurs who need a professional business number without complex features. At $14/month for one user, it's the most affordable way to separate business and personal calls.
Pros
- ✓Extremely affordable starting price
- ✓Separate business calls on personal phone
- ✓Custom greetings and call screening
- ✓24/7 customer support
- ✓7-day free trial available
Cons
- ✗Limited to basic VoIP features
- ✗No advanced integrations
- ✗Add-ons increase costs significantly
Google Voice
Google Voice is perfect for teams already using Google Workspace. At $10/user/month, it's the cheapest business VoIP option, though you'll need to add $7/month for Workspace, and it lacks advanced call center features.
Pros
- ✓Most affordable at $10/user/month
- ✓Seamless Google Workspace integration
- ✓AI-powered spam call blocking
- ✓Google Meet and Calendar integration
- ✓Voicemail transcription included
Cons
- ✗Requires Google Workspace subscription
- ✗Starter plan limited to 10 users
- ✗No toll-free numbers available
- ✗Limited call management features
How We Evaluate VoIP Services
Our VoIP testing process is thorough and practical:
Call Quality Testing
We make hundreds of test calls to measure:
- Audio clarity: Voice quality and clarity during calls
- Latency: Delay between speaking and being heard
- Dropped calls: Connection reliability over time
- Conference call quality: Performance with multiple participants
Feature Analysis
We evaluate the complete feature set:
- Core calling features (call forwarding, voicemail, auto attendant)
- Video conferencing capabilities and participant limits
- Team messaging and collaboration tools
- Mobile and desktop app functionality
- Integration ecosystem and API capabilities
Pricing Evaluation
We calculate true costs including:
- Base pricing per user per month
- Required add-ons for essential features
- Setup fees and phone hardware costs
- Annual vs. monthly contract differences
Support Testing
Our team contacts support to assess:
- Response times across all channels
- Technical expertise of support staff
- Documentation and knowledge base quality
What is VoIP?
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) converts your voice into digital data and transmits it over the internet instead of traditional phone lines. This means you can make calls from computers, smartphones, or VoIP desk phones—anywhere with an internet connection.
Benefits of VoIP for Business
- Cost savings: Typically 40-60% cheaper than traditional phone systems
- Flexibility: Make and receive calls from any device, anywhere
- Scalability: Add or remove users instantly without new hardware
- Advanced features: Video meetings, call analytics, CRM integration
- Professional image: Auto attendants, call routing, voicemail-to-email
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does VoIP cost per month?
Business VoIP typically costs $10-45 per user per month depending on features. Basic plans like Google Voice start at $10/month, while comprehensive platforms like RingCentral range from $20-35/month. Most providers offer discounts for annual contracts.
Do I need special phones for VoIP?
No. You can use VoIP with your existing computer, smartphone, or tablet using free apps. Many businesses also use dedicated VoIP desk phones ($50-300) for a traditional office setup, but they’re not required.
What internet speed do I need for VoIP?
For good call quality, you need at least 100 Kbps upload and download speed per concurrent call. For a 10-person office, we recommend at least 5 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload. Video calls require more bandwidth—at least 1 Mbps per participant.
Can I keep my existing business phone number?
Yes. All major VoIP providers support number porting, letting you transfer your existing business number. The process typically takes 7-14 business days. Some providers like Ooma charge a one-time porting fee ($39.99).
What happens if my internet goes down?
Most VoIP services offer failover options like forwarding calls to mobile phones or alternative numbers. Some providers also offer automatic rerouting to cellular networks. It’s smart to have a backup internet connection for mission-critical communications.
Is VoIP call quality as good as landlines?
With a good internet connection, VoIP call quality often exceeds traditional landlines with HD voice. However, quality depends on your internet speed and network configuration. Prioritizing VoIP traffic with Quality of Service (QoS) settings ensures consistent quality.
What’s the difference between VoIP and UCaaS?
VoIP focuses specifically on voice calling over the internet. UCaaS (Unified Communications as a Service) includes VoIP plus video conferencing, team messaging, file sharing, and integrations—basically a complete business communications platform like RingCentral or Nextiva.
Do VoIP phones work with 911?
Yes, but VoIP 911 (called E911) works differently than traditional phones. You must register your physical address with your provider. When calling 911, your registered address is sent to emergency services. Update your address if you relocate.