Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services are rapidly replacing traditional, analog methods of calling. In the business world, VoIP — a type of IP telephony — is now a standard solution utilized by organizations of every size. It’s convenient, often affordable and scalable, and can be bolstered by features your business needs. For example, if you’re looking for VoIP, text messaging, and video conferencing, or a beginner-friendly, basic solution for a growing business, you have a massive range of VoIP providers to choose from.
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ZDNET’s top recommendation for a business VoIP provider in 2025 is RingCentral. RingCentral provides a high-quality VoIP service and functionality that businesses of almost any size will appreciate, but also offers optional extras of value, such as artificial intelligence transcription.
We have extensively researched and analyzed VoIP market trends for years. When we compiled our top choices, we also considered the reputation and history of each VoIP provider on our list, ensuring that we only select vendors who provide the services and features businesses need today.
Read on to find out the best business VoIP providers of 2025.
The best business VoIP providers of 2025
RingCentral is one of the most well-known and respected VoIP providers in the U.S., and for good reason.
RingCentral provides more than just a VoIP system. You can take advantage of a huge variety of additional extras. After you create a free account, you can set up a business line with your existing phone number, create a new, business-only line, or select a toll-free number.
Used by more than 400,000 businesses worldwide, RingCentral provides team messaging and collaboration tools, text messaging, call quality analytics, fax, call recording, cloud storage, and even an AI-backed transcription service.
Plans begin at $20 per month per user. The entry-level plan includes domestic calling, SMS texting, HD meetings, voicemail, as well as Google and Microsoft integrations. Premium plans begin from $25 per user per month.
Customers say they like the features and services on offer, but many feel that billing practices could be improved.
RingCentral features: Variety of line options | Video meetings | Team collaboration suite | Mobile apps | AI tools | 24/7 support
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8×8’s website and sales approach could do with an overhaul — especially when you consider that many competitors are transparent about pricing — but given its positive reviews for call quality, 8×8 is still a top contender to consider.
8×8 focuses on unified communications, offering customers the chance to go beyond just VoIP and adopt multi-channel support, global support, call center and agent functionality, appointment scheduling, collaborative tools, AI, as well as centralized management via an admin console.
Customer experiences are generally positive, but some have complained of a lack of support. A definitive price requires you to contact sales, although reports suggest pricing begins at roughly $24 per user per month, depending on customer needs.
8×8 features: Custom plans | Enterprise-grade features | Robust APIs | Business app integration | Multi-channel | Mobile compatibility
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Intermedia Unite is another excellent VoIP solution that provides free international calling to 33 countries, text messaging, and a 30-day rolling archive for entry-level subscribers.
Intermedia Unite stands out from the crowd with features like mobile and desktop apps, auto attendance, call transfers, three-way calling, voicemail transcription, archiving, team chat, video meetings, and analytics.
In terms of integrations, you can use Intermedia Unite software with third-party apps including Slack, Chrome, Zoho CRM, Salesforce, and Zendesk.
Three plans are available — United for Teams, Unite Pro, and Unite Enterprise. Plans start at $23 per user per month, but keep in mind that some features — including AI assistance and video conferencing — are only available on premium plans.
Customers like the reliability and quality of the service and note that there is rarely any downtime.
Intermedia Unite features: Free calling to 33 countries | Mobile support | Mix and match licensing | Three-way calling | Spam blocking | HD video meetings
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If you’re interested in harnessing artificial intelligence for your VoIP needs, consider DialPad. The service describes itself as a communications platform but focuses on streamlining VoIP, business operations, and customer support through AI.
You can use AI to help you manage call and meeting summaries, call transfers and post-call surveys, team coaching, live call categorization, and to develop business-related responses to queries. AI-based “assist cards” are also available to help your operators in real-time.
While customer feedback on support is a mixed bag, users note the intuitive nature of the platform and its excellent features.
DialPad’s pricing begins at $15 per user per month. However, the basic plan is limited, so if you want features like customer relationship management software integrations, single sign-on (SSO), or Microsoft Teams integration, you must opt for a package starting at $25 per user per month.
DialPad features: AI-focused | CRM integrations | Call transcription | Messaging services | Video meeting | CRM integration | Analytics and reporting
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Nextiva is a great VoIP option if you’re looking for a solution focused on multi-channel support with the flexibility for hybrid and remote work.
Nextiva says it’s “AI-powered Unified-CXM platform delivers personalized experiences throughout the entire customer journey.” Marketing fluff aside, the company specializes in multi-channel customer support and services.
Customers now expect businesses to provide multiple channels for communication, not just traditional phone lines. As such, even Nextiva’s basic plans — Digital and Core — include calls to the U.S. and Canada, social media channels, messaging apps, SMS, email, and web chat. To help budding startups, Nextiva monitors review sites, forums, and blogs for brand-associated content.
Consider Nextiva digital communication first, VoIP second. Still, it’s an excellent option for multi-channel support including VoIP, although you must choose the right plan for toll-free numbers, routing, and callbacks. Customers generally applaud the Nextiva onboarding service and appreciate the support on offer.
Subscriptions begin at $20 per user per month.
Nextiva features: Unified comms: social media channels, messaging apps, and more | Toll-free numbers | Skill-based routing | AI workflows | Video meetings | Payment gateways
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Below you will find some of the most important factors to help you decide on the best VoIP option for you.
Business VoIP provider | Cost | Call quality feedback | Video conferencing | AI |
RingCentral | $20/user/month+ | Excellent | Yes | Yes |
8×8 | $24/user/month+ | Excellent | Limited by plan | Limited by plan |
Intermedia Unite | $23/user/month | Good | Limited by plan | Limited by plan |
DialPad | $15/user/month+ | Good | Limited by plan | Yes |
Nextiva | $20/user/month+ | Good | Limited by plan | Limited by plan |
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Choose this business VoIP provider… | If you want or need… |
RingCentral | The best business VoIP provider overall. RingCentral goes beyond basic VoIP and provides employee tools, artificial intelligence, and more. |
8×8 | The best business VoIP provider for call quality. 8×8 is pushing toward the enterprise market and omnichannel functionality. |
Intermedia Unite | A feature-rich, reasonably priced VoIP option. You can take advantage of not only VoIP but video conferencing, AI, analytics, and a range of call center features. |
DialPad | An AI-first VoIP solution. DialPad leverages automaton and AI to help you manage calls, meetings, analytics, and feedback. |
Nextiva | A multi-channel VoIP solution suitable for remote work. Nextiva’s modern approach will likely appeal to startups and small businesses. |
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While compiling the list of the best VoIP providers in 2025, I considered the following factors:
- Scalability: VoIP services suitable for business users must be scalable. There’s no point in starting small to cap costs and then being unable to expand as your business grows.
- Cost: Ongoing costs are a factor when a business makes any form of investment. The VoIP providers I have chosen must meet different budgetary needs.
- Features: I want to see VoIP providers offer more than barebones service. I have included solutions that provide features like transcription, video conferencing, chat, and analytics.
- Mobile: Mobile connectivity is a staple for communication today, and it is important that VoIP providers offer customers some form of mobile support.
- AI: In general, we like to see VoIP providers leverage new and emerging technologies in interesting ways. Regarding VoIP, features like AI-assisted transcription can be a real benefit for customers.
- Support: With any business-based service, you expect some form of customer support, whether by chat, email, telephone, or live help. The best options will provide a variety of channels for customer troubleshooting.
- Customer feedback: I have examined and researched each VoIP provider to learn how existing customers feel about the services provided.
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Business communications firm Blueface suggests that around 35% of businesses worldwide have adopted some form of VoIP, with approximately 60% of organizations being open to the idea of phasing out traditional phone lines.
The market is also expected to expand further, with researchers suggesting the market will grow to $236.25 billion in 2028.
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A benefit of VoIP is that it requires very little bandwidth. While the speed and reliability of your internet connection will determine the quality of a VoIP call, the Federal Communications Commission estimates that a typical VoIP call only requires 0.5Mbps. This is far, far less than your typical YouTube video or social media visit. If you have a basic Internet package, VoIP calling is likely possible.
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While VoIP can work with a minimal internet connection, it still needs one to operate because there is no offline functionality, unlike traditional analog systems. Weak connections will result in laggy calls with poor latency.
In addition, VoIP systems aren’t likely usable during power outages, and they are not usually suitable for emergency situations. You should also consider the potential security ramifications of VoIP as they are more prone to cyberthreats than standard phone lines.
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VoIP and Wi-Fi calling are similar in some respects but not the same. Wi-Fi calling a smartphone feature that lets you make calls through your internet connection instead of using cellular services. In comparison, VoIP is a dedicated service that uses an available internet connection to make a call with a compatible device.
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In general, yes, especially when you consider the cost savings element of these services. It may be cheaper and quicker to set up VoIP than traditional phone lines in an office, for example. This can provide more flexibility where employees work without relying on hardwired lines or hardware. VoIP services can also provide useful features such as video conferencing and collaborative tools.
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If our above recommendations do not appeal to you, there are plenty of other VoIP services available. Feel free to check out the alternatives below.
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Source: Robotics - zdnet.com
