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November 09, 2022
phone system for small business

Looking something similar to Ooma, but better? Discover the best 5 alternatives to Ooma that you can use for your business VoIP provider.

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

Top 5 Alternatives to Ooma

Are you looking for a better option than Ooma? Compare the other solutions on the market to select the best tool for your small or medium-sized business. Below, you will find a review of the competitors in terms of price, features, and ease of use:

Alternative #1: Quicktalk

Thanks to its simple interface that unveils advanced calling features, Quicktalk is rated as the best alternative to Ooma. Quicktalk is an easy-to-use solution designed for small businesses and entrepreneurs who are looking to make unlimited calling, simplify call management and improve the experience of their callers.

Quicktalk offer a $19 package that includes up to 3 users with unlimited calls and all the features to manage your business calls.

Top Advantages of Quicktalk

> Get unlimited calling: Why pay more for calling? With Quicktalk, you get unlimited calls to and from 100 different destinations.

> Simplify the way you manage customer calls: Set up and start calling with Quicktalk within minutes from any smartphone or computer. 

> Centralize your communication: Access call logs, notes, call recording from the application and make calls from all your devices.

Alternative #2: Openphone

Openphone Overview

Openphone is a cloud communication service provider that helps businesses leverage VoIP technology for internal and external communication. Openphone supports communication through voice calls and text. In addition to communication tools, Openphone subscription packages include a wide range of productivity-enhancing tools.

Get more insights with our comparative analysis between Ooma and Openphone.

Openphone Features

All Openphone subscribers can make unlimited calls and send unlimited text messages to numbers in the USA and Canada. They can port an existing number to the platform or get a new virtual phone number without any additional fee.

All Openphone plans are also inclusive of call recording, access to voicemail and voicemail transcripts, group messaging, contact notes and email integration. The higher-tier plans have certain exclusive features like group calling, call transfers and Salesforce integration.

Openphone and Ooma Pricing Comparison

Like Ooma, Openphone services are structured in the form of three plans with a monthly subscription fee. This starts from $19 per user per month. The mid-level plan is priced at $33 per user per month.

Subscribing to Openphone plans provides access to all plan-specific features but does not include calls to numbers outside the USA and Canada. These calls are billed as per usage. Subscribers must also pay a one-time carrier review and setup fee and monthly messaging fee.

The base-level plans for Openphone and Ooma are quite similar in terms of pricing. However, the difference between the base and top-tier plans is more significant for Openphone as compared to Ooma.

Openphone and Ooma Competitive Analysis

  • Call minutes: Openphone is inclusive of unlimited calling and messaging to the USA and Canada. While Ooma does include unlimited calling to these regions, it does not include unlimited messaging.
  • Access: Openphone works across mobile and desktop devices irrespective of the subscription plan. However, the base-level Ooma plan includes access only through mobile applications. Only the higher-tier Ooma plans have multi-device access.
  • Call recording: Openphone includes call recording in all plans. However, Ooma offers this feature only in its higher-tier plans.
  • Video calling: Openphone does not support video calling. On the other hand, Ooma supports video calling as well as video conferencing.

Alternative #3: Google Voice

Google Voice Overview

Google Voice is a business communication platform under the Google Workspace umbrella. While the Google Voice plans are low-cost, it is available in very few countries. Google Voice can be subscribed to in the USA and Canada and by Google Workspace users in a few other countries. The service targets entrepreneurs and startups with limited communication budgets.

Go through our comparative analysis between Google Voice and Ooma

Google Voice Features

Google Voice subscribers can port an existing number or get a new virtual number to separate personal and business calls. This number can be used for voice and video calling over the internet as well as text messaging.

All Google Voice plans are also inclusive of features like call forwarding, integration with Gmail, Google Calendar and other Google services, voicemail transcription and usage reporting. That said, features such as call routing through a multi-level auto attendant and call recording are exclusive to higher-tier plans.

Google Voice and Ooma Pricing Comparison

Google Voice is best known for its low-cost subscription plans. Businesses can subscribe to these plans at $10, $20 or $30 per user per month. This is inclusive of unlimited calling to certain numbers. All other calls are billed additionally according to a location-specific per-minute rate.

A quick glance at Ooma and Google Voice plans shows the latter to be markedly cheaper. However, pay close attention to the features included while comparing plans.

Google Voice and Ooma Competitive Analysis

  • Voicemail transcription: Voicemail transcription is included in all Google Voice plans but included only in the higher-tier Ooma plans.
  • Integrations: Ooma has a wider range of plan-specific integrations while Google Voice has built-in integrations with other Google tools such as Gmail and Google Workspace.
  • Call management: Ooma and Google Voice have comparable call management capabilities. Subscribers can easily forward or transfer calls, block calls and so on.
  • Incoming call routing: All Ooma plans are inclusive of call routing through a virtual receptionist. Google offers a multi-level auto attendant but this feature is limited to higher-tier plans.
  • Call recording: Both Google Voice and Ooma include call recording only in their higher-tier plans.

Alternative #4: Dialpad

Dialpad Overview

Dialpad is a business communication platform based on AI and VoIP technology. It is available in 70+ countries. Dialpad subscribers can use the service to handle voice and video calls and exchange text messages. In addition to improving communication, Dialpad subscription plans include a variety of productivity tools and are supported by 24/7 live support.

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

Dialpad Features

Dialpad subscription plans are inclusive of a new virtual local or toll-free phone number or you can port an existing number. Some of the features included in all plans are custom call routing, voicemail and voicemail transcription, live call transcriptions and call recording. Limits for features such as ring groups vary from one package to another. Other features such as third-party app integrations and quality-of-service reports are exclusively available with higher tier plans.

Dialpad and Ooma Pricing Comparison

Dialpad gives subscribers 3 monthly subscription plans to choose from. The base-level plan is priced at $23 per user per month while the mid-level plan is priced at $35 per user per month. This makes them more expensive as compared to Ooma but the features included may differ.

Businesses can also subscribe to add-on local/ international numbers. While the subscription plans are inclusive of unlimited domestic calls and calls to the USA and Canada, calls to other international locations are billed on a location-specific per-minute rate.

Dialpad and Ooma Competitive Analysis

  • Call transcription: Ooma includes voicemail transcription is included only in its higher-tier plans. However, Dialpad provides voicemail transcription as well as live call transcription in all plans.
  • Call recording: All Dialpad plans are inclusive of call recording. However, this feature is included only in the higher-tier Ooma plans.
  • Unlimited calling: Dialpad includes unlimited domestic calling and calls to the USA and Canada. On the other hand, Oom plans are inclusive of unlimited calling to the USA, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.
  • Number portability: Both Ooma and Dialpad support local number porting. However, Ooma may charge a premium to port certain numbers and toll-free numbers. Dialpad does not charge any such premium.

Alternative #5: RingCentral

RingCentral Overview

RingCentral is a VoIP technology-based communication platform available in 46 countries. It supports internal and external business communication through voice, video and conference calls and text messaging. In addition, RingCentral subscription packages also include many productivity-enhancing tools and features to support internal collaboration and provide better customer support.

Check out our RingCentral vs Ooma comparative analysis

RingCentral Features

RingCentral subscriptions are inclusive of free number porting or a new virtual phone number. This can be used through a mobile or desktop application for unlimited domestic calling in the USA and Canada.

All subscriptions are inclusive of features such as end-to-end encryption, team messaging, visual voicemail and call log reports. The higher-tier plans include exclusive features like unlimited storage space and device analytics. Limits for features such as business SMS and toll-free minutes also increase when users upgrade to higher-tier plans.

RingCentral and Ooma Pricing Comparison

RingCentral services are packaged in the form of 3 plans with monthly subscription rates. Businesses can choose between the Core, advanced and Ultra plans priced at $30, $35 and $45 per user per month respectively. They can also subscribe to add-on packs for live reports, Ring Sence conversational intelligence and high-volume SMS. In addition to the subscription fee, users are billed for international calls according to their usage.

RingCentral plans may seem more expensive as compared to Ooma but they provide access to a wider range of features.

RingCentral and Ooma Competitive Analysis

  • Call recording: Ooma includes call recording only in its higher-tier plans. However, this feature is included in all RingCentral plans.
  • Voicemail transcription: All RingCentral plans are inclusive of voicemail and transcripted voicemail messages. This feature can be accessed only by the Ooma Pro and Pro Plus subscribers.
  • Access: Ooma base plan users can access their accounts only through a mobile interface. The desktop application is available only for higher-tier plans. On the other hand, all RingCentral plan subscribers can use a mobile and desktop application interface.
  • Integrations: As compared to Ooma, the Dialpad application can be integrated with a wider range of business tools and platforms.

Alternative #6: Zoom Phone

Zoom Phone Overview

Zoom Pone is a business communication platform with services covering 47 countries. Zoom Phone supports internal and external communication through text messages as well as voice and video calls. Businesses can follow a pay-as-you-go model or pick unlimited calling prepaid plans. This makes the service suitable for small and large businesses.

Get in-depth insights into Zoom Phone vs Ooma services

Zoom Phone Features

Zoom Phone subscribers can get a new virtual phone number or port existing numbers to their account. While all outgoing calls in the metered plan are billed as per usage, the prepaid plans include unlimited calls to certain destinations. Some features like routing through auto attendant/IVR, voicemail transcription, live call monitoring and call recording are common across all plans while others like workspace reservations and additional local/ toll-free numbers are available as add-ons.

Zoom Phone and Ooma Pricing Comparison

Zoom Phone offers a metered plan with a pay-as-you-go model for $10 per user per month and 2 prepaid plans priced at $15 and $20 per user per month. In addition to the monthly subscription fee, users must also pay for outbound calls excluded from their plan.

Prepaid plan subscribers can purchase add-on packs for calls to various countries.

As compared to Ooma plans, the Zoom Phone options sound cheaper but the costs must be considered as a whole keeping the call billing rates in mind.

Zoom Phone and Ooma Competitive Analysis

  • Billing for outgoing calls: Except for calls to the USA, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico, Ooma subscribers must pay for calls as per usage. Zoom Phone base plan subscribers are billed for all calls irrespective of the destination while subscribers to higher-tier plans are billed only for calls outside the USA and Canada.
  • Call recording: Call recording is included in all Zoom Phone plans but available only with the higher-tier Ooma plans.
  • Voicemail and transcription: All Zoom Phone and Ooma plans include access to voicemail. However, while all Zoom Phone plans also include voicemail transcripts, these are available only with higher-tier Ooma plans.
  • Access: Ooma base-plan subscribers can access services only through the mobile application. Desktop applications are limited to the higher-tier plans. On the other hand, all Zoom Phone plans support mobile and desktop applications.

Alternative #7: Nextiva

Nextiva Overview

Nextiva is a virtual business communication platform with variable pricing plans that make it suitable for small and large teams. Nextiva subscribers can use the platform for voice/ video calls, conference calls and text messaging. In addition to communication tools, the platform also has a number of features that can improve team productivity.

Read our comparative analysis between Nextiva and Ooma

Nextiva Features

All Nextiva plans include unlimited calls over the internet to numbers in the USA and Canada. These calls can be made over the Nextiva mobile/ desktop application, web browser extensions or VoIP desk phones. Features such as internet fax, threaded conversations, call log reports, contact integration and call routing through auto attendants are common to all plans. Others like CRM enterprise-level integration and call recording are included only in higher-tier plans.

Nextiva and Ooma Pricing Comparison

Nextiva plan subscription rates are dependent on the number of users. For example, a team of up to 4 users must pay $23.95 per user per month for the Essential plan while the subscription fee for teams with 100+ users is $17.95 per user per month. Subscription fees for the Professional and Enterprise plans range between $29.95 to $35.95 per user per month and $39.95 to $45.95 per user per month respectively.

While the Nextiva base plan for large teams is cheaper than the Ooma base plans, when comparing plans with advanced features, Ooma plans may be more cost-efficient.

Nextiva and Ooma Competitive Analysis

  • Call minutes: Nextiva includes unlimited calls only to numbers in the USA and Canada while Ooma also includes unlimited calls to Mexico and Puerto Rico.
  • Access: the Ooma base plan only supports a mobile application. The desktop application is included only in higher-tier plans. On the other hand, all Nextiva plans are inclusive of access through the mobile and desktop application interface.
  • Video conferencing: Ooma includes video conferencing only in its higher-tier plans while Nextiva provides this feature in all plans.
  • Integrations: The Nextiva platform can be integrated with a wider range of business tools as compared to the Ooma platform.

Alternative #8: Vonage

Vonage Overview

Vonage is a communication platform based on VoIP technology. It supports internal and external business communication through voice and video calling and text messaging. Its services are available across 96 countries in the form of unified communication and contact center subscription plans.

Read through our feature comparison of Vonage and Ooma services

Vonage Features

All Vonage subscribers can handle unlimited domestic calls and access Vonage services through a mobile/ desktop application or supported desk phones. They can port existing numbers to the platform or apply for a new virtual number at no extra cost. Features such as call conferencing, call blocking, team messaging and routing incoming calls through an auto attendant are common to all plans. Other features such as voicemail transcription, call analytics and a virtual receptionist are exclusive to higher-titer plans. Users can also subscribe to add-on packs for call recording, virtual extensions and a few other services.

Vonage and Ooma Pricing Comparison

Vonage plan subscription rates are dependent on the number of users. For a team of up to 4 users, the per user per month subscription fee ranges from $19.99 to $39.99. For a team of 20-99 users, subscription costs are reduced and range from $14.99 to $34.99 per user per month. This is exclusive of calls to international locations.

Teams requiring a base plan subscription may find Vonage to be more cost-effective but when it comes to advanced plans, the Ooma plans have a cheaper subscription rate.

Vonage and Ooma Competitive Analysis

  • Contract: New subscribers must commit to at least 1 year with a Vonage subscription. There is no such stipulation with an Ooma subscription.
  • Access: With the base plan, Ooma subscribers can only use a mobile application. The desktop application is included only in higher-tier plans. However, all Vonage plans are inclusive of access through mobile and desktop applications.
  • Video conferencing: All Vonage subscribers can host and participate in video conferences. However, with Ooma, this feature is limited to the higher-tier plans.
  • Customization: As compared to Ooma, Vonage offers a wider range of add-on packs that can be used to customize a subscription package.

Alternative #9: 8x8

8x8 Overview

8x8 is a business communication platform based on VoIP technology. It allows businesses to communicate via voice/ video calls and text messages through a single interface. 8x8 Unified Communication and Contact Center services are available across 55 countries. In addition to communication, it also supports collaborative projects and customer support efforts.

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

8x8 Features

8x8 services are accessible through web browsers, supported desk phones and mobile/ desktop applications. The base plan includes unlimited free calling to 14 countries while the higher-tier plans support unlimited free calling to 48 countries. Some of the features available with all 8x8 subscription plans include voicemail and voicemail transcription, call routing through a multi-level auto attendant and live call monitoring. In addition to these features, others such as IVR call routing and speech analytics are available with higher-tier plans.

8x8 and Ooma Pricing Comparison

8x8 services are available in the form of 2 unified communication plans and 3 contact center plans. All plans are inclusive of voice and video calling and text conversations. Subscription prices are comparable to Ooma plans with the additional benefit of a wider range of countries included for unlimited calling.

8x8 and Ooma Competitive Analysis

  • Unlimited calls: Ooma plans are inclusive of calling to the USA, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico. On the other hand, 8x8 base plans are inclusive of unlimited calls to 14 countries and the higher-tier plans are inclusive of unlimited calls to 48 countries.
  • Video conferencing: The Ooma Pro plan includes video conferencing for up to 25 participants while the limit for video conferencing participants increases to 100 participants for the Pro Plus plan. On the other hand, all 8x8 plans are inclusive of video conferencing with up to 500 participants.
  • Voicemail and transcription: All Ooma and 8x8 plans are inclusive of voicemail access. However, while all 8x8 plans also include voicemail transcription, only the higher-tier Ooma plans include voicemail transcriptions.
  • Integrations: The 8x8 platform can be integrated with a wider range of business tools while Ooma has fewer integrations and even those are available only with higher-tier plans.

Alternative #10: phone.com

Phone.com Overview

Phone.com is a cloud communication platform designed for entrepreneurs, start-ups and growing businesses. The platform supports communication through voice, video and conference calls as well as fax and text messaging. What's more, the plans can be customized with add-on packs.

Read our comparative analysis between Phone.com and Ooma

Phone.com Features

Phone.com subscribers can get a new virtual phone number or port existing numbers. With the base plan, this number can be used to make free calls to certain locations for a total of up to 500 minutes. Higher-tier plans include unlimited calls to the USA and Canada.

Features like voicemail, call routing, video meetings and customized greetings are available across plans. Other features like live receptionist, inbound faxes and shared phone lines are available as add-on packs.

Phone.com and Ooma Pricing Comparison

Phone.com offers 3 subscription plans priced at $14.99, $21.99 and $31.99 per user per month. This is inclusive of free calling to certain locations. This is limited to 500 minutes for the base plan and unlimited for higher-tier plans. All other calls are billed as per usage. Depending on your needs, you can also subscribe to add-on services.

The Phone.com plans are easier to customize and priced more affordably as compared to Ooma subscriptions.

Phone.com and Ooma Competitive Analysis

  • Video conferencing: Phone.com includes video conferencing in all plans with plan-specific limits on the number of participants permitted. Ooma includes this feature with similar participant limitations only with its higher-tier plans.
  • Call recording: Ooma does not include call recording in its base plan. Similarly, Phone.com includes call recording only in the Pro plan but the feature is available as an add-on for the other plans.
  • Call minutes: All Ooma plans are inclusive of unlimited call minutes to the USA, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Phone.com includes unlimited call minutes to the USA and Canada with its higher-tier plans. The Phone.com base plan includes only 500 pooled call minutes.
  • Screen sharing: All Phone.com plans are inclusive of screen sharing. This feature is limited to Ooma higher-tier plans.
  • Voicemail transcription: Both Phone.com and Ooma include voicemail transcription only with their higher-tier plans.

Alternative #11: Grasshopper

Grasshopper Overview

Grasshopper is a virtual communication platform that allows businesses to leverage VoIP technology for internal and external communication. It supports communication via voice calls and chat conversations. Grasshopper services are aimed mostly as entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Review our in-depth comparative analysis between Grasshopper and Ooma

Grasshopper Features

Grasshopper plans are inclusive of a free virtual local/ toll-free phone number. Alternatively, subscribers can port an existing number to the platform. This can be used via a mobile or desktop application interface to handle calls and exchange text and fax messages. All subscriptions also include a wide range of features such as multi-extension support, customized hold music, call forwarding and voicemail transcription. Features such as call recording are exclusive to higher-tier plan subscriptions.

Grasshopper and Ooma Pricing Comparison

Grasshopper gives businesses a choice of 4 monthly subscription plans. These plans are priced at $16, $31, $51 and $89 per user per month. A local number registration fee and messaging fee is also payable with all plans. Plans can also be customized with add-on subscriptions for features like extensions and virtual receptionist.

Businesses looking for basic features may find Grasshopper plans to be more cost-efficient however, when it comes to advanced features, the Ooma plans may work out cheaper.

Grasshopper and Ooma Competitive Analysis

  • Business phone number: All Ooma plans are inclusive of 1 business phone number. On the other hand, the higher-tier Grasshopper plans are inclusive of multiple business phone numbers.
  • Access: All Grasshopper subscribers can use a mobile and desktop application. However, Ooma base-plan subscribers can only use the mobile application.
  • Video calling: Grasshopper does not support video calling while Ooma supports video calling and video conferencing.
  • Custom Greetings: Ooma and Grasshopper allow subscribers to set up customized greetings and menus to direct incoming calls. Grasshopper gains an edge over Ooma by also giving subscribers the option of having their message recorded by a professional voice artist.
  • Call Recording: Grasshopper plans do not have a call recording feature. This feature is available with the higher-tier Ooma plans.

What is Ooma?

Founded in 2004, Ooma is a cloud-based software as a service (SaaS) platform for small businesses and individual customers. They are based in California, their small business phone solution offers 35 features such as video conferencing, virtual receptionist, call blocking, multi-ring and ring groups, and call recording. Their residential phone service can block calls, link to a mobile phone through an app, and integrate smart home solutions. Their newest home security product, Ooma Home, is a smart video camera with facial recognition and security sensors. They offer 3 business plans, Ooma Office, Ooma Office Pro, and Ooma Enterprise, depending on the size of the business organisation and their needs.

Ooma Pricing

Source : Ooma pricing on www.ooma.com on the 12/15/2021

Ooma offers 4 plans for small businesses and enterprises with monthly fees ranging from $19.95 to $49.99 per user. The Ooma Office plan costing $19.95 per user per month offers basic services and access to a mobile app. Services such as video conferencing, call recording and voicemail transcription area available in the Ooma Office Pro plan while hot desking, CRM integration and dedicated customer success managers come only with the Ooma Enterprise plan. The Ooma Enterprise Call Center plan offers even more services, though, at a much higher price.

Why move away from Ooma?

You need a more complete solution

The Ooma Office and Ooma Office Pro offer for businesses are simple since there are only 2 packages. However, they lack most of the essential features to ensure quality telephone support, such as the ability to track live calls or to take feedback from the customer records in your CRM. To get the most out of a phone system, it is best to opt for a more complete provider.

Pros: Ooma's offer is quite simple

Cons: Ooma does not provide an efficient way to manage customer calls since it lacks many essential calling features.

You need more affordable pricing

Ooma does offer competitive pricing, with the Ooma Office Pro solution at $24.95 per month per user. However, it lacks many features needed to ensure the smooth running of your company and your sales or support teams. You may want to explore other options on the market to find similar prices and more complete features.

Pros: Ooma offers attractive pricing

Cons: Ooma's solution lacks several important features

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 Ooma, it would be best to look for another provider so you don't waste time in complex implementation.

Ooma Alternatives FAQs

How much does Ooma cost?

Ooma's VoIP plans start from $19.95 per user per month. This plan offers only basic services. However, more advanced yet essential features like CRM integration, Call recording can be availed only by upgrading to other plans. These plans have no limits on the number of users and have the same prices for small businesses as well as large enterprises.

Who are the top Ooma competitors?

Ooma has many other U.S. based competitors that offer cloud communication solutions like business phone systems, call center solutions, video calling, etc. Ooma is generally compared to Quicktalk, Nextiva or 8x8 that provide similar features.

Top 5 Ooma competitors

1: Quicktalk

2: RingCentral

3: Nextiva

4: 8x8

5: Vonage

What is the best alternative to Ooma?

It isn't enough for a business to be able to make and receive calls; you also need access to features that boost efficiency. If you don't want to get stuck constantly changing plans as your business grows, consider the options offered by Quicktalk. Their monthly plans are easy to understand and offer all the services you need at comparable prices.

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