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The 11 Best Nextiva Alternatives for Small Businesses

December 12, 2023
phone system for small business

Looking something similar to Nextiva, but better? Discover the best 11 alternatives to Nextiva that you can use for your business VoIP provider

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Table Of Content
  • What is Nextiva and why Look Beyond Nextiva?
  • Nextiva Pricing
  • Alternative #1: Quicktalk
  • Alternative #2: Openphone
  • Alternative #3: Google Voice
  • Alternative #4: Dialpad
  • Alternative #5: RingCentral
  • Alternative #6: Zoom Phone
  • Alternative #7: Grasshopper
  • Alternative #8: Vonage
  • Alternative #9: 8x8
  • Alternative #10: Phone.com
  • Alternative #11: Ooma
  • Why move away from Nextiva?
  • Nextiva Alternatives FAQs

What is Nextiva and why Look Beyond Nextiva?

Nextiva is a VoIP platform, or business communications provider, founded in 2006 in Arizona. They serve customers worldwide through their NextOS platform, which offers a wide range of solutions. Their suite of business and communication tools includes VoIP phone service, video conferencing, team chat, task manager, file sharing, CRM, data analytics, surveys, customer chat box, automated email workflows and AI smart assistants. 

Why look beyond? Nextiva's offerings lack completeness. You'll need their "Professional" package for adequate customer call handling, but it's limited to 250 customer records per month when used with a CRM. Pricing is complex, with monthly fees between $25.95 and $45.95 for basic features. To access advanced tools like real-time listening, you must opt for Call Center packages starting at $50 per user per month. 

Additionally, Nextiva's pricing structure doesn't align well with small to medium-sized businesses. Business communication should be straightforward; setting up a cloud phone system should take minutes, not hours. If Nextiva doesn't meet these criteria, it's worth exploring simpler alternatives.

Nextiva Pricing

Source : Nextiva pricing on www.nextiva.com on the 11/25/2022

Nextiva's monthly plans range from $17.95 to $67.95 per user. Pricing varies according to packages and the number of users. For example, the Essential plan with basic features costs $17.95 per user per month for a minimum of 100 users, but if you need only 4 licenses or less, it would cost $23.95 per user per month. The Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate plans follow similar structures and offer a variety of additional features. The Enterprise and Ultimate packages offer mostly the same features except for Survey that is available only in the Ultimate package.

Alternative #1: Quicktalk

Quicktalk is a small business phone system designed to help entrepreneurs and startups manage their customers' calls. It's super easy to set up, it takes 2 minutes to set up an auto-attendant online with custom greetings and call distribution. Quicktalk users benefit from unlimited calls at a very affordable price.

For $19 per month per company, you have everything you need to manage your business calls with 3 users. It's a no commitment plan which makes it very easy to start with.

Top Advantages of Quicktalk

> Get unlimited calling: for only $19 per month for 3 users with all features included

> Simplify virtual calling: Manage your calls from anywhere on your smartphone with call forwarding features and the Quicktalk mobile app or use your computer to make and receive calls at the office.

> Create beautiful professional phone greetings instantly: the Quicktalk online studio makes it super easy to create beautiful business announcements in minutes from your mobile or computer.

Alternative #2: Openphone

Openphone Overview

Openphone is a cloud communication solution aimed at improving internal and external business communication. Subscribers can view all interactions with a number through calls, voicemails and texts on a single dashboard to maintain a seamless conversational flow. Openphone subscription plans also include a number of other features that support collaboration.

Read our comparative analysis between Nextiva and Openphone

Openphone Features

All Openphone plans are inclusive of unlimited calling and text messaging to numbers in the USA and Canada. Subscribers can get a new virtual phone number or port an existing number. Subscribers can also share contacts amongst users.

Some of the common features included in all Openphone plans are Voicemail transcripts, call recording, contact notes, group messaging and email integration. Other features such as Salesforce integration, group calling and call transfers are available only with higher-tier plan subscriptions.

Openphone and Nextiva Pricing Comparison

Unlike Nextiva, Openphone follows a standard subscription model for plans irrespective of the number of users. The Starter plan is priced at $19 per user per month while the Business plan is priced at $33 per user per month. This is exclusive of a one-time carrier review and setup fee and monthly messaging fee.

Openphone subscribers can also subscribe to additional phone numbers and automated messaging services as add-ons. Unlimited calls to numbers in the USA and Canada are included in the subscription package while calls to other destinations are billed as per usage.

When compared, Openphone and Nextiva subscription costs for large teams are similar but Openphone may work out to be cheaper for small teams.

Openphone and Nextiva Competitive Analysis

  • Call recording: Only the highest tier of Nextiva plans is inclusive of call recording. On the other hand, all Openphone packages are inclusive of this feature.
  • Voicemail transcription: While all Openphone subscribers can access voicemail transcripts, Nextiva includes this feature only in its highest-tier plan.
  • Video calling: Openphone subscribers are limited to making only voice calls while Nextiva offers voice and video calling.
  • Text messaging: All Openphone subscribers have access to text messaging services. However, this feature is excluded from the Nextiva Essential plan.

Alternative #3: Google Voice

Google Voice Overview

Google Voice is a communication solution offered by Google in the USA and Canada as well as to Google Workspace customers in select countries. While coverage seems limited, its low subscription costs make it a popular option for entrepreneurs and startups. Google Voice offers basic communication tools with built-in integration to your Gmail and Google Calendar.

Check out our comparative analysis between Nextiva and Google Voice

Google Voice Features

Google Voice subscribers can get a new local number in the countries where the service is offered or port existing numbers to the platform. This can be used for voice/ video calling and text messaging through supported desk phones, mobile and desktop applications.

Some of the features common to all plans include integration with other Google services, call forwarding, usage reporting and voicemail transcription. Other features like call recording and multi-level auto attendant are exclusive to higher-tier plans.

Google Voice and Nextiva Pricing Comparison

Google Voice is best known for its budget-friendly plans. These are priced at $10, $20 and $30 per user per month. Plans differ by the number of users and locations and features. All plans are exclusive of international calling. These calls are billed according to usage at a location-specific, per-minute rate.

When comparing Google Voice and Nextiva plans, the former is cheaper but may not be well-suited to large businesses with offices spread across the globe.

Google Voice and Nextiva Competitive Analysis

  • Unlimited calling: Nextiva includes unlimited voice calls to numbers in the USA and Canada. Google Voice offers unlimited calling to both these countries as well as Puerto Rico.
  • Voicemail Transcription: Google Voice includes voicemail transcription in all plans but this feature is limited to the highest-tier Nextiva plan.
  • Call recording: Google Voice includes call recording in its middle and highest tier plans. Nextiva offers call recording only to its highest-tier plan subscribers.
  • Vanity numbers: Google Voice does not offer access to vanity numbers. Nextiva subscribers can get access to these numbers.

Alternative #4: Dialpad

Dialpad Overview

Dialpad is an AI-powered communication service provider with services available in 70+ countries. It supports voice and video callings as well as text messaging within an organization and with customers and vendors outside the organization.

Along with communication tools, it also offers a range of productivity enhancing tools in the form of subscription packages. All subscribers are assured of 24/7 live support to maintain seamless communication lines.

Read through our comparative analysis between Nextiva and Dialpad

Dialpad Features

Dialpad subscribers can get a new local/ toll-free number with their subscription plan or port an existing number to make and receive calls with VoIP technology. Common features available to all Dialpad subscribers include voicemail transcriptions, custom call routing, call recording and real-time call transcriptions. Features such as ring groups have plan-specific limits. Others such as quality of service reports and app integration are available only with higher-tier plans.

Dialpad and Nextiva Pricing Comparison

Dialpad services are available in the form of 3 monthly subscription plans starting from $23 per user per month. These plans are inclusive of unlimited voice calls to numbers in the USA, Canada and the subscriber's country. Calls to all other locations are billed as per usage on a monthly basis. Dialpad higher-tier plan subscribers also have the option of subscribing to add-on local/ international numbers.

Price-wise, the difference between Dialpad and Nextiva subscriptions is marginal.

Dialpad and Nextiva Competitive Analysis

  • Call transcriptions: All Dialpad subscribers can access live call and voicemail transcriptions. Live call transcription is not available with Nextiva plans and voicemail transcription is limited to the highest-tier subscription plan.
  • Call recording: Nextiva offers call recording only in its highest-tier plan. With Dialpad, all subscribers can automatically record calls.
  • Integrations: Both platforms have comparable integration capabilities. Dialpad boasts of 74+ integrated tools. In both cases, higher-tier subscribers can integrate the platform with a wider range of tools as compared to the base plan.
  • Calling: Nextiva and Dialpad offer unlimited calling in the USA and Canada. Calls to all other destinations are billed at location-specific per-minute rates.

Alternative #5: RingCentral

RingCentral Overview

RingCentral is a communication platform that leverages VoIP technology for voice, video and conference calls and text messaging. In 46 countries, businesses can use the platform to get a virtual local phone number. Along with communication tools, RingCentral also includes a wide range of collaborative tools to boost productivity.

Learn more with our comparative analysis between Nextiva and RingCentral

RingCentral Features

The RingCentral platform can be used for internal and external communication through supported desk phones or mobile/desktop applications. Some of the features available in all plans are visual voicemail, team messaging, end-to-end encryption and call log reports.

Upgrading to higher-tier plans gives subscribers access to features such as device analytics and unlimited storage space as well as higher limits for toll-free minutes and business SMS.

RingCentral and Nextiva Pricing Comparison

Like Nextiva, RingCentral has 3 monthly subscription plans. These plans are priced at $30, $35 and $45 per user per month irrespective of the number of users. These plans are inclusive of unlimited calls to numbers in the USA and Canada.

Calls to other international locations are billed as per usage. Features such as high-volume SMS, live reports and Ring Sense conversational intelligence can be subscribed to as add-ons.

Compared to Nextiva, RingCentral plans are more expensive. The difference is most noticeable when comparing base plans for large teams.

RingCentral and Nextiva Competitive Analysis

  • Call recording: Nextiva offers call recording only in its highest-tier plan. On the other hand, RingCentral includes call recording in all plans.
  • Single sign-on: The single sign-on feature is available across all RingCentral plans but available only with the highest-tier Nextiva plan.
  • Live transcription: RingCentral provides users with live transcriptions during meetings. While Nextiva subscribers can host and attend conference calls, live transcriptions are not available.
  • Multi-level auto attendant: All RingCentral plans are inclusive of multi-level auto attendant features to route incoming calls. This feature is limited to higher-tier Nextiva plans.
  • Team messaging: team messaging is available across all Nextiva and RingCentral plans.

Alternative #6: Zoom Phone

Zoom Phone Overview

Zoom Phone is a unified voice, video and chat communication platform for business. Their services are available in 47 countries and structured as 3 subscription packages. This includes a pay-as-you-go model and unlimited calling prepaid plans. This makes it suitable for businesses of all sizes with varying budgets.

Review our comparative analysis between Nextiva and Zoom Phone

Zoom Phone Features

Zoom Phone subscribers can port their existing numbers to the platform or get a new virtual number. Metered plan subscribers are billed for all outgoing calls while prepaid plans include unlimited calls to plan-specific locations.

Some of the features available across all Zoom Phone plans include routing through auto attendant/IVR, live call monitoring, voicemail transcription and call recording. Other features like workspace reservations are available as add-ons. Businesses can also subscribe to additional local/ toll-free numbers for their chosen package.

Zoom Phone and Nextiva Pricing Comparison

The Zoom Phone pay-as-you-go model subscription costs $10 per user per month. The prepaid plans are priced at $15 and $20 per user per month. All outbound calls in the metered plan and outbound calls to locations not included in the prepaid plans are billed as per usage.

Zoom Phone plans are distinctly cheaper as compared to Nextiva subscriptions. However, when comparing base plans, the exclusion of domestic calls may make costs equitable.

Zoom Phone and Nextiva Competitive Analysis

  • Calls: All Nextiva subscriptions are inclusive of unlimited calls to the USA and Canada. While no calls are included in the Zoom Phone metered plan, the mid-tier plan includes calls to the USA and Canada and the highest-tier plan includes unlimited domestic calls to 40+ countries.
  • Call recording: Zoom Phone includes call recording in all plans. However, Nextiva offers this feature only in its highest-tier plan.
  • Voicemail transcription: Voicemail and transcribed messages are available with all Zoom Phone subscriptions. In the case of Nextiva, all subscribers can access voicemails but transcriptions are available only with the highest-tier plan.
  • Conference calling: Nextiva includes conference calling only in its higher-tier plans. On the other hand, all Zoom Phone subscribers can make conference calls.

Alternative #7: Grasshopper

Grasshopper Overview

Grasshopper is a cloud communication platform that supports voice calling and text communication through mobile and desktop applications. Subscribers can port an existing number or get a new local/ toll-free/ vanity number to separate personal and business calls. Grasshopper services are targeted mostly towards entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Get more insights with our comparative analysis between Nextiva and Grasshopper.

Grasshopper Features

Grasshopper subscribers can use VoIP and Wi-Fi calling to handle incoming and outgoing calls. It also supports text messaging and internet faxes. All incoming calls are greeted with a customized message and routed through an auto attendant. Some of the other common features available in all plans include customized hold music, voicemail transcription, multi-extension support and call forwarding.

Other features like call recording are available only with higher-tier plans while virtual receptionist services are available as add-ons.

Grasshopper and Nextiva Pricing Comparison

Unlike Nextiva, Grasshopper subscriptions are standardized irrespective of team size. Subscribers have 4 plans to choose from priced at $16, $31, $51 and $89 per user per month. This is exclusive of calls that are billed as per usage. Subscriptions may be customized with add-ons for additional phone numbers and extensions.

For basic features, the Grasshopper starter plans are cheaper than Nextiva plans. However, organizations that require more feature-rich plans may find the Nextiva higher-tier plans more cost-effective.

Grasshopper and Nextiva Competitive Analysis

  • Phone number included: The higher-tier Grasshopper plans include 3 and 5 phone numbers respectively that can be shared by unlimited users. However, Nextiva includes only 1 number with each subscription.
  • Video calling: Video calling and conferencing are not available with Grasshopper but are included in Nextiva subscriptions.
  • Voicemail transcription: Voicemail transcription is a common feature across all Grasshopper plans. This feature is included only in the highest-tier Nextiva plan.
  • Access: Both Grasshopper and Nextiva offer account access through mobile and desktop applications and supported desk phones.
  • Custom greetings: Both Nextiva and Grasshopper give subscribers an easy way to customize greetings by recording the message or using a text-to-voice option. Grasshopper also has an optional add-on service for recordings by professional voice actors.

Alternative #8: Vonage

Vonage Overview

Vonage is a cloud communication platform for text messaging, voice and video calling. It offers unified communication and contact center plans to help businesses improve internal and external communication. Vonage services cover 96 countries and can be accessed from mobile, IP phones and desktop interfaces.

Read our comparative analysis between Nextiva and Vonage

Vonage Features

Vonage subscribers can get a virtual local number in 96 countries. This can be used for unlimited domestic calling. Vonage plans include 50+ business features like call blocking, call conferencing, team messaging and routing through an auto attendant.

Upgrading to higher tier plans gives subscribers access to advanced features like call analytics, virtual receptionist, voicemail transcription and business app integrations. Features such as visual voicemail, call recording and virtual extensions can be subscribed to as add-ons.

Vonage and Nextiva Pricing Comparison

Like Nextiva, Vonage subscription costs vary with the number of users. The base level plan, ‘Mobile' costs businesses $19.99 per user per month for a team of up to 4 users or $14.99 per user per month for 20 to 99 users. Similarly, the advanced plan subscription for teams of up to 4 users costs $39.99 per user per month. Users can also subscribe to add-on packs for a virtual mailbox, on-demand call recording and other services.

As compared to Nextiva, Vonage offers more budget-friendly subscription models.

Vonage and Nextiva Competitive Analysis

  • Contract: New Vonage subscribers must commit to a 1-year contract. Further renewals can be on a monthly or annual basis. Nextiva does not have any such contract obligations.
  • Call recording: Nextiva includes call recording only in its highest-tier plan. Vonage does not include this feature in any plan. However, subscribers can get a call-recording add-on pack.
  • Conference calls: Nextiva offers conference calling only in the Professional and Enterprise plans with the Professional plan limiting attendance to 40 users. Vonage includes conference calling in all plans for up to 200 users simultaneously.
  • Call routing: Both Nextiva and Vonage offer call routing through an auto attendant. Vonage subscribers can also subscribe to a virtual receptionist as an optional add-on.

Alternative #9: 8x8

8x8 Overview

8x8 is a unified business communication platform aimed at mid-sized call centers and customer support teams. It also provides contact center solutions. Subscribers can use the platform to make and receive calls, have video conversations and exchange messages. This service is available in more than 55 countries. It can be easily connected with a variety of other popular business, CRM and AI apps.

Check out our in-depth comparative analysis between Nextiva and 8x8

8x8 Features

The 8x8 platform unifies communication through voice, video and chat channels. Subscribers can enjoy unlimited free calling to 14 countries in the base plan and 48 countries in higher-tier plans. In addition, they can route incoming calls through a multi-level auto attendant, access voicemails and voicemail transcriptions. Share documents and integrate the communication platform with other business tools.

Features such as post-call surveys and live call monitoring and plan-specific. These features can be accessed through a mobile or desktop application, web browser and supported desk phones.

8x8 and Nextiva Pricing Comparison

While Nextiva gives businesses a choice of 3 subscription packages, 8x8 structures its services in the form of 2 unified communication plans and 3 contact center plans. Pricing is comparable to Nextiva plans based on the features required. When comparing subscription prices also bear in mind the locations being called since 8x8 includes unlimited calls to many more countries.

8x8 and Nextiva Competitive Analysis

  • Unlimited calling: Nextiva includes unlimited free calling only to numbers in the USA and Canada. On the other hand, the base plan for 8x8 includes free calls to 14 countries and upgrading to other plans lets subscribers make free calls to 48 countries.
  • Voicemail transcriptions: Nextiva includes voicemail transcriptions only in its highest-tier plan. This feature is included in all 8x8 plans.
  • Multi-level auto attendant: The Multi-level auto attendant feature is common to all 8x8 plans but excluded from the Nextiva base plan. It is available with the Nextiva higher-tier plans.
  • Single sign-on: 8x8 subscribers can use a single set of login credentials to access multiple 8x8 applications. With Nextiva, this feature is limited to the highest-tier plan.
  • Access: Nextiva and 8x8 offer similar access through web browsers and mobile/ desktop applications

Alternative #10: Phone.com

Phone.com Overview

Phone.com is a VoIP-based communication solution for businesses. With a range of budget-friendly plans that can be customized with add-on packs, it targets small businesses, startups and entrepreneurs. Phone.com supports voice, video and conference calling as well as text messaging and fax solutions.

Go through our comparative analysis between Nextiva and Phone.com

Phone.com Features

Phone.com offers access through desk phones as well as mobile and desktop applications. Subscribers get 500 minutes of free calls to certain numbers beyond which calls are billed on a location-specific per-minute rate. Higher-tier plan subscriptions include unlimited calls to the USA and Canada.

Some of the features available across all plans include call routing, voicemail, customized greetings and video meetings. Businesses can also subscribe to add-on packs for shared phone lines, live receptionists and other such features.

Phone.com and Nextiva Pricing Comparison

Phone.com offers 3 monthly subscription plans with pricing standardized at $14.99, $21.99 and $31.99 per user per month. The base plan has limited call minutes included in the subscription price while both other plans have unlimited calling minutes to the USA and Canada. Plans can be customized with add-on packs as well as additional phone numbers.

Irrespective of team size, Phone.com plans are more pocket-friendly as compared to corresponding Nextiva plans.

Phone.com and Nextiva Competitive Analysis

  • Calling minutes: When comparing Nextiva and Phone.com starter plans, calling minutes are a big differentiator. Nextiva includes unlimited calls to the USA and Canada. Phone.com includes this only for the higher-tier plans. The starter plan includes only 500 calling minutes.
  • Call recording: Both Nextiva and Phone.com include call recording only in their highest-tier plans. However, Phone.com offers this service as an add-on for other plans.
  • Meeting duration: Nextiva limits meeting durations to 45 minutes at a time. However, Phone.com has no such limitations on the duration of conference calls.
  • Video recording: All Nextiva subscribers can record video calls. With Phone.com, this feature is available only with higher-tier plan subscriptions.
  • Live receptionist availability: Nextiva only offers call routing through auto-attendants. In addition to auto-attendants, Phone.com also offers an optional virtual receptionist add-on pack.

Alternative #11: Ooma

Ooma Overview

Ooma is a cloud communication service with solutions for personal and business communication. It is easy to set up and keeps people connected from wherever they may be through mobile and desktop interfaces. All Ooma subscription plans include 50+ features to boost communication, collaboration and productivity.

Take a closer look at our comparative analysis between Nextiva and Ooma.

Ooma Features

Ooma subscribers can access 50+ features with all plans. This includes voicemail, call logs, extension dialing, video conferencing and routing incoming calls through a virtual receptionist. All plans are also inclusive of unlimited calling minutes to numbers in the USA, Mexico, Canada and Puerto Rico.

Higher-tier plans include advanced features such as call queueing, hot desking and CRM integration. It also increases the limits for the number of participants permitted in a video conference and other such features.

Ooma and Nextiva Pricing Comparison

Ooma offers 3 subscription models with standardized pricing. These packages cost $19.95, $24.95 and $29.95 per user per month. Prices are marginally lower for larger teams. All plans are inclusive of calls to certain destinations with other international calls being billed on usage.

In comparison, the Nextiva starter plan is slightly cheaper than the Ooma plan but the highest-tier Ooma plan is more expensive than the corresponding Nextiva plan.

Ooma and Nextiva Competitive Analysis

  • Call minutes: Nextiva includes unlimited calling to the USA and Canada. In addition to calls to these destinations, Ooma also includes unlimited calls to Mexico and Puerto Rico.
  • Call routing: Nextiva routes incoming calls through an auto attendant while Ooma uses a virtual receptionist to route incoming calls.
  • Access: All Nextiva subscribers can access their accounts through mobile and desktop interfaces. On the other hand, the Ooma base plan only includes access through a mobile application. Access through a desktop application is available only through higher-tier plans.
  • Voicemail and transcription: Both Nextiva and Ooma include access to voicemail with all plans. When it comes to voicemail transcription, Nextiva offers this feature only with its highest-tier plan while Ooma includes this feature in the Pro and Pro Plus plans.
  • Video conferencing: Nextiva includes limited-duration video conferencing in all plans. However, Ooma offers this service only in its higher-tier plans.

Why move away from Nextiva?

You need a more complete solution

Nextiva provides many offers, but not all of them are complete. To be sufficiently equipped to handle customer calls, you will need the "Professional" pack, which allows you to route calls to users or groups of users automatically. This package is limited to 250 customer records per month if you use a CRM. To increase this number, you need to choose the "Enterprise" offer. To obtain a truly effective tool for managing your calls, if you need to carry out live monitoring for your remote teams for example, you should switch to the "Call Center" packages.

Pros: Nextiva is a complete solution

Cons: Nextiva's offer is too complicated and not well-packaged for a small and medium-sized businesses

You need more affordable pricing

Nextiva's pricing is complicated and depends on the number of users, the features chosen, and commitment. For small to medium sized businesses looking for a solution to equip less than 20 people, the minimum monthly fee to get the basic features to handle customer calls, with either the Professional or Enterprise package, will be between $25.95 and $45.95. This price places Nextiva among the most expensive providers on the market. On the other hand, when you want to use more advanced features to supervise your remote teams' calls, such as real-time listening, you will have to switch to Call Center offers that start at $50 per month and per user.

Pros: Nextiva's pricing can be interesting with long-term, prepaid commitment.

Cons: Nextiva's prices are on the high end of the market and do not correspond to the needs of small or medium-sized businesses.

You need something easy to use and set up

Business communication has a history of being complicated. It is important to choose a modern solution that is easy to start and simply to use. You should be able to set up a cloud phone system in 3 to 5 minutes and a more advanced contact center solution within 15 minutes. If this is not the case with Nextiva, it would be best to look for another provider so you don't waste time in complex implementation.

Nextiva Alternatives FAQs

How much does Nextiva cost?

Nextiva's monthly plans for unlimited calling and messaging start at $17.95 per user. The plan pricing varies according to the number of users. The more users, the lower the monthly price will be. For features like unlimited business SMS, CRM integration and call recording, you will need to upgrade from the basic plan to the Professional, Enterprise or Ultimate plans.

4.9/5