A business phone system is a communication platform that allows teams to make and receive calls, send messages, and collaborate across multiple devices under one professional number. Today, the top 10 small business phone systems are cloud-based and powered by VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology, which lets businesses operate without expensive hardware or complex installations. These systems not only provide reliable calling and conferencing but also integrate advanced tools like AI automation, CRM syncing, and mobile access to support remote and hybrid work.
In this 2026 comparison, we’ll review the top 10 small business phone systems, analyzing each provider’s key features, benefits, pricing, and customer support. You’ll also find pros and cons for every service, helping you weigh which platform best fits your company’s communication needs and budget.
Top 10 Small Business Phone Systems
VirtualPBX for small business
Nextiva for customer service
RingCentral for team collaboration
Zoom Phone for unified video and phone
Grasshopper for solopreneurs
Ooma for legacy phone experience
Dialpad for ai-powered communications
GoTo Connect for robust tools
8×8 for large businesses
Quo for remote teams
| Contender | Best For | Key Features | Starting Price* |
|---|---|---|---|
| VirtualPBX | Small businesses |
| From $18/month/user |
| Nextiva | Customer service |
| From $23/month/user |
| RingCentral | Team collaboration |
| From $30/month/user |
| Zoom Phone | Unified video and phone |
| From $180/year/license |
| Grasshopper | Solopreneurs |
| From $18/month/user |
| Ooma | Legacy phone experience |
| From $19.95/month/user |
| Dialpad | AI-powered communications |
| From $27/month/user |
| GoTo Connect | International calls |
| From $27/month/user |
| 8x8 | Large businesses |
| From $25/month/user |
| Quo | Remote teams |
| From $19/month/user |
Best for
Small businesses
G2 Rating
Pros
- Easy porting and setup
- High customer satisfaction
- Cost effective
- Admin friendly tools
- Crystal clear audio
- Highly customizable
Cons
- Not built for larger enterprises
Key Features
- Smart routing
- Caller ID
- Call Reports
Starting price
From $18/month/user
VirtualPBX Business Phone system takes a refreshingly pragmatic approach. It focuses intensely on what truly matters to a business: reliability, call quality, and flexibility.
VirtualPBX provides free number porting, making it easy to switch providers without hassle. Setup is quick and simple, and you can configure your new system without interrupting your current phone service, ensuring a smooth transition.
VirtualPBX’s device flexibility works seamlessly across all device types, with both mobile and desktop apps that keep your team connected from anywhere. For administrators, it offers strong management tools: you can easily move numbers, lines, and users around as quickly as your small business changes, and skip the IT team, added fees, and extra phone calls.
While VirtualPBX might not have all the “AI bells and whistles” some competitors boast, this is a conscious trade-off that contributes to its core strength: performance. The service excels with a commitment to 99.999% reliability and consistently delivers crystal clear call quality.
This stability is paired with tools that instantly elevate your business’s image. With your business name on the caller ID, branded greetings, and smart auto-attendants, every call reflects a level of professionalism your customers can rely on.
As a privately owned provider, VirtualPBX is known for its exceptional 24/7 customer service, with real humans answering calls when you need help. Starting at just $18 per user per month for the Flex plan, it packs in features that many competitors reserve for higher tiers.
Overall, VirtualPBX is an excellent option for businesses that need reliable, professional, and small business-friendly phone plans without unnecessary complexity or high costs.
Best for
Customer service
G2 Rating
Pros
- Omni channel tools
- Expansive features
- Social media management
- Great customer service
Cons
- Large learning curve
- Challenging account setup
Key Features
- Unified inbox
- CRM Integration
Starting price
From $23/month/user
Nextiva consistently ranks among the top unified communications providers, combining premium calling and video features with advanced business tools like a Unified Inbox, CRM integration, and comprehensive omnichannel support. These tools make it easy for teams to manage all customer interactions from one central platform, including social media, call analytics, and sentiment tracking.
All of this power does come with a learning curve. The platform’s setup can be time-consuming, and mastering its full administrative capabilities requires some effort. Nextiva also offers fewer third-party integrations than some competitors, which can limit flexibility in certain workflows.
That said, for businesses ready to invest time in learning the system, Nextiva rewards you with one of the most complete communication suites on the market. It’s ideal for growing businesses and mid-sized organizations that value extensive features, deep customization, and strong, human-based customer support.
Best for
Team collaboration
G2 Rating
Pros
- Highly scalable
- Feature rich
- API Access
- All-in-one collaboration tool
Cons
- Pricier than most providers
- Long-term contracts
Key Features
- Team messaging
- Video conferencing
Starting price
From $30/month/user
RingCentral’s platform is built for performance and scalability, offering one of the most feature-rich communication systems available. It merges voice, video, and messaging into a single, seamless workspace that’s ideal for large teams and enterprises.
At $30 per user per month for the standard plan, it’s priced above most competitors, and its extensive list of tools can feel overwhelming for smaller operations. Additionally, RingCentral often requires long-term contracts, which may limit flexibility for businesses that prefer month-to-month options.
Despite those drawbacks, RingCentral remains the go-to choice for organizations that demand a robust, all-in-one collaboration solution. It’s highly scalable, deeply integrated, and dependable, making it well worth the investment for teams that rely on advanced communication tools and require consistent, enterprise-level reliability.
Best for
Unified video and phone
G2 Rating
Pros
- Zoom ecosystem
- Powerful ai-features
- Great call quality
Cons
- Limited customer service
- Lengthy sales process
Key Features
- AI assistant
- Video conferencing
Starting price
From $180/year/license
Zoom Phone extends the familiar Zoom ecosystem into the business calling space, offering an intuitive and unified experience for companies already using Zoom Meetings. It enables users to move effortlessly between phone calls, video meetings, and team chats.
A key highlight is the Zoom AI Companion, which adds powerful AI-driven functionality like voicemail prioritization, post-call summaries, and call transcriptions, helping users stay organized and efficient.
However, some users have noted that Zoom’s customer service can be inconsistent, especially for complex support issues. The sales process can also take longer than expected, and pricing often requires bundling with other Zoom services.
Even so, for businesses that already depend on Zoom or value seamless video and voice integration with advanced AI tools, Zoom Phone delivers strong performance and a cohesive communication experience, provided you don’t mind a longer setup period.
Best for
Solopreneurs
G2 Rating
Pros
- Professional image
- Mobile accessibility
- Solopreneur friendly
- User-friendly interface
Cons
- No video calling or team chat
- Basic features require add-ons
Key Features
- Phone number
- Call forwarding
Starting price
From $18/month/user
Grasshopper is built for simplicity and professionalism, making it a favorite among solopreneurs and small business owners. It routes calls through your existing devices, allowing you to set up a dedicated business number quickly without needing new hardware. Features like call forwarding, voicemail-to-email, and auto-attendant make it easy to create a professional image right out of the gate.
The core strength of Grasshopper lies in its mobile accessibility, enabling users to manage all business communications, calling, and unlimited texting via a desktop and mobile app interface. This makes it an ideal, simple solution for professionals who are constantly on the move and don’t require hardware desk phones.
However, the trade-off for this simplicity is a lack of advanced collaboration tools, making it less suitable for fast-growing businesses. A key drawback is the absence of video calling or team chat, limiting its function to primary call and SMS management. Additionally, crucial tools like advanced routing features (IVR, queuing) and third-party CRM integrations are unavailable or require add-ons. If your business needs internal threads, shared inboxes, or integration with external software, Grasshopper may prove too basic to sustain team collaboration and rapid growth.
Best for
Legacy phone experience
G2 Rating
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- No-contract option
- Intuitive platform
Cons
- Connectivity issues
- Basic features require add-ons
Key Features
- Analog fax
- Overhead paging
Starting price
From $19.95/month/user
Ooma Office is inexpensive, intuitive, and built for simplicity. It’s one of the most budget-friendly systems available and stands out with its no-contract options, which offer flexibility and predictable costs. You’ll get unlimited calling across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, along with a user-friendly interface that doesn’t require technical expertise.
One of Ooma’s biggest advantages is its ability to integrate traditional hardware through its base station, bridging the gap between old-school equipment and modern VoIP functionality. It even supports features like analog fax and overhead paging, which are rare in cloud systems.
Ooma’s focus on legacy features means it may lack the advanced, cutting-edge tools of its competitors. The system lacks an uptime guarantee, and users have reported potential connectivity issues. Ooma remains an excellent, affordable choice for businesses where core calling functions and supporting traditional office equipment are the top priority.
Best for
AI-powered communications
G2 Rating
Pros
- Powerful ai-features
- Intuitive interface
- Streamlined onboarding
Cons
- Technical issues
- Can’t remove users once added
Key Features
- AI-powered meetings
- Team messaging
Starting price
From $27/month/user
Dialpad strikes a balance between affordability and innovation, offering AI-powered business communication tools designed for startups and mid-sized companies. It provides a full VoIP and unified communications suite with an easy-to-use interface and quick onboarding process.
The AI features are where Dialpad truly stands out. Every plan includes live call transcription, real-time analytics, and productivity-enhancing tools like AI-driven summaries and voicemail prioritization. The modern design and integrations with popular apps make it an excellent fit for hybrid and remote teams.
However, Dialpad is not without its limitations. Users have reported encountering technical issues that can disrupt the otherwise smooth experience. Furthermore, a significant administrative drawback is the inability to remove users once added, which can be a large financial burden to pay for user licenses that are not being used.
Ultimately, Dialpad is an ideal choice for businesses seeking a high-value, AI-centric platform that supports modern, collaborative workflows.
Best for
International calls
G2 Rating
Pros
- Unlimited international calling
- High capacity meetings
- Highly scalable
- All-in-one collaboration tool
Cons
- Limited support
- Basic features require upgrade
Key Features
- Video meetings
- Teams chat
Starting price
From $27/month/user
GoTo Connect is a versatile, cloud-based communication system built for scalability. It’s particularly strong for businesses with international clients, offering unlimited international calling to more than 50 countries, including major destinations like the UK and China. With video meetings that can host up to 250 participants and integrated chat, it’s a complete collaboration solution.
The platform includes advanced call management tools such as smart routing, find-me/follow-me, and call monitoring features like spy mode and barge. These make it a strong option for call centers or teams needing close supervision and real-time coaching.
GoTo Connect is not without its limitations. The primary drawbacks include limited support options for users, which can be frustrating when navigating technical issues. Furthermore, some basic features require upgrades, meaning that its entry-level plan might offer only limited access to crucial tools like call queues, auto attendants, and ring groups, which can restrict fast-growing or large teams.
Despite these drawbacks, for businesses requiring high-volume international calling and large-scale meeting capabilities in a unified platform, GoTo Connect remains a very competitive and scalable option.
Best for
Large businesses
G2 Rating
Pros
- Contact center solutions
- Great call quality
- All-in-one collaboration tool
- Enterprise-grade security
Cons
- Setup favors enterprise companies
- Pricing changes
Key Features
- Global calling
- Web meetings
Starting price
From $25/month/user
8×8 is built for enterprise-level operations, offering one of the most comprehensive communication and contact center solutions available. It supports thousands of users across multiple locations, providing unlimited local and international calling to 48 countries, high-quality video meetings for up to 500 participants, and excellent voice quality.
Its advanced features, such as call monitoring, whisper, barge, and takeover, make it ideal for supervisors managing large teams. The platform also offers enterprise-grade security and compliance, which is critical for organizations handling sensitive data.
However, 8×8’s enterprise focus presents specific challenges for smaller or mid-sized businesses. The setup favors enterprise companies and can feel complex or overwhelming for smaller operations.
Additionally, the pricing can feel opaque and subject to changes, often involving numerous add-ons, which can push the final cost significantly higher than the quoted starting price. While 8×8 is feature-rich, the sheer wealth of options might be overkill for smaller teams, and some users have reported mixed experiences with customer support knowledge.
For companies prioritizing security, global reach, and a unified contact center, 8×8 is an unmatched, robust platform, provided they can handle the initial setup complexity and higher potential cost.
Best for
Remote teams
G2 Rating
Pros
- Powerful ai-features
- Remote work support
- Intuitive interface
Cons
- Call quality
- Limited support
Key Features
- AI agent
- Unified platform
Starting price
From $19/month/user
Quo (formerly OpenPhone) is a modern, flexible communication platform designed for remote and distributed teams. Its intuitive interface and shared phone number feature allow multiple team members to manage calls, texts, and voicemails from one number, creating a smooth and collaborative workflow.
Quo’s standout strength is its AI integration. Its smart assistant uses machine learning to transcribe calls, summarize conversations, and suggest responses, making communication faster and more efficient.
Quo is not without its drawbacks, particularly for businesses focused on consistent call reliability and receiving quality support. Users have reported inconsistent call quality, which can occasionally disrupt the user experience.
Additionally, the platform offers limited support options, which can be frustrating when navigating technical issues or setup challenges. Despite these trade-offs, Quo remains an excellent, AI-enhanced tool for remote teams that value simplicity, collaboration, and a centralized approach to customer communication.
Choosing From the top 10 Small Business Phone Systems: Key Factors to consider
When selecting from our list of top 10 small business phone systems, keep these factors in mind to ensure you choose a solution that fits your company’s needs and growth plans:
- Reliability and Call Quality: Look for providers with strong uptime guarantees and clear audio performance.
- Scalability: Choose a system that can easily grow with your business, allowing you to add users or features as needed.
- Ease of Use: Prioritize platforms with intuitive interfaces and simple setup to minimize training time.
- Customer Support: Reliable, responsive support, ideally available 24/7, can save time and frustration.
- Mobile and Remote Access: Ensure the system includes mobile apps or cloud access for hybrid or remote teams.
- Integrations: Check for compatibility with your existing tools, such as CRM systems, help desks, or productivity apps.
- Features and Functionality: Identify must-have features like voicemail, auto-attendant, call routing, texting, or video meetings.
- AI and Automation Tools: Consider systems offering AI-powered features like call summaries, transcription, and smart routing for efficiency.
- Pricing and Plans: Evaluate both monthly costs and included features to find the best balance of value and performance.
- Security and Compliance: Make sure the platform protects your data and meets industry compliance standards.
Choosing from the top 10 small business phone systems means finding a balance between cost, functionality, and long-term reliability, ensuring your team can communicate seamlessly and your customers always have a professional experience.
Why VirtualPBX is the top small Business Phone System for 2026
VirtualPBX stands out as the top choice for small businesses in 2026 thanks to its unbeatable balance of affordability, reliability, and customer satisfaction. As the most cost-effective provider on our top 10 small business phone systems list, starting at just $18 per user per month, it delivers premium features that many competitors reserve for higher-tier plans. With easy setup, admin-friendly tools, and crystal-clear audio, VirtualPBX simplifies communication management while maintaining enterprise-grade quality. Its high G2 rating reflects exceptional performance and customer trust, making it a proven solution for growing businesses that need flexibility without complexity.
If you’re ready to upgrade your communication system with a platform built for small business success, explore and compare VirtualPBX plans to find the perfect fit for your team.
