Top 11 AI Phone Systems for Small Businesses in 2024

In this article, we will talk about the best phone systems for small businesses which you can choose to establish your business.

Here is the list of top 11 software:

1.  Aircall
2.  RingCentral
3. Freshdesk Contact Center (earlier FreshCaller)
4. Nextiva
5. Vonage
6. Dialpad
7. Callhippo
8. My Operator
9. GoToConnect
10. Grasshopper
11. Ring4

Your customers are present on multiple channels – phone, chat, social media, etc.

Even though you are a small business, your customers expect you to be omnichannel and available everywhere.

Telephone or voice solutions are one of the most important channels for the customer. But it can be very confusing to set up telephone systems for small business.

Things become more complicated as there are so many options available in the market.

If you are a small business owner and want to set up your voice telephony solution, this article is for you. 

You can start with as low as 1 license and you will still get all the advanced features like call routing, call barging, quality monitoring, multi-channel communication, etc.

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A. What is small business phone system?

A phone system for a small business is a telecommunications system that enables employees within a small organization to communicate with each other and with external parties.

The system can be a physical infrastructure of hardware and software, or it can be a virtual or cloud-based service. 

 

Phone systems for small business typically include features such as voicemail, call routing, call forwarding, conference calling, and the ability to integrate with other business VoIP tools such as email and CRM software (at a very basic level).

 The phone system is an important tool for small businesses as it helps to improve communication and collaboration within the organization, and allows for more efficient and effective customer service.

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B. Top 11 phone systems for small businesses

1. Aircall

Aircall has established itself as one of the pioneers in cloud telephony. With more than 10,000 customers across 100+ countries, Aircall is easy to use and scaleable.

Aircall comes with options like IVR, admin dashboards, and many other features like call transfer, call recording, etc.

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2. RingCentral

RingCentral is a cloud-based business communications platform that offers a variety of tools for small businesses, including voice, video, and text messaging, as well as fax and virtual meetings.

It can be used as an alternative to traditional phone systems, and can be accessed through desktop and mobile apps, making it easy for employees to stay connected and collaborate while working remotely.

Additionally, RingCentral also offers integrations with popular business software such as Salesforce, Zendesk, and Google Workspace.

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3. Freshdesk Contact Center (earlier FreshCaller)

Freshdesk contact center is a part of freshworks. It comes with an easy to install free trial of 21 days, helping you to understand the offering better.

It provides you with an option to choose numbers from 90+ countries. It has power reports and analytics suite available.

Freshdesk contact center is trusted by over 7000+ businesses worldwide.

4. Nextiva

Nextiva is one of the largest VOIP players and is serving more than 150,000 businesses. It comes with add-on features like sales tools, service tools, and pops ups over and above the traditional VOIP features.

Nextiva is known for its call quality, customer support and ease of setting up.

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5. Vonage

Vonage unified communication suite helps your business by providing voice, text and video communication channels. 

The company claims a 99.99% uptime on their website.

Also, they don’t believe in any annual contracts so you can pay as you go.

6. Dialpad

Dialpad started its operations in 2011 and since then it has been one of the pioneers in cloud telephony space. 

Dialpad is built on Google Cloud platform which renders it flexibility and scalability to any level.

Dialpad not only provides you voice options, it also comes with text and chat functions for businesses.

With more than 62,000 customers, the product is stable, has all the essential features and works very well for small business needs.

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7. Callhippo

Callhippo is one of the most affordable and easy-to-use telephony providers for small businesses.

It comes with features like power dialers, call barging, call whispering, etc which adds a lot of convenience for a business owner.

Though an affordable option, it seems to have some stability issues as pointed out by customers in various reviews.

Enthu.AI has a one click  integration with CallHippo and you can very easily establish your QA function with Callhippo and Enthu.AI combo.

8. My Operator

With over 10,000+ trusted customers, MyOperator stands out as a leading cloud call center software provider, offering small businesses a powerful communication solution.

With a wide array of advanced features, MyOperator enables seamless customer engagement and efficient call handling. 

Whether you’re a small business or scaling up, MyOperator provides advanced capabilities like call routing, AI-powered analytics, monitoring, and multi-channel communication, all within a single license.

Furthermore, MyOperator seamlessly integrates with leading CRM platforms such as ZOHO, Zendesk, TrueCaller, and Kylas.

 

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9. GoToConnect

GoToConnect is known not just for its cloud telephony solution but also for its video and audio meeting functionalities over the web. It gives you a complete voice, video, and contact center suite.

Customer rating it pretty high on the parameters of quality of a call, voice clarity, etc. 

This virtual phone system is affordable yet it presents you with a lot of options to meet the scaling needs of your voice operations.

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10. Grasshopper

Grasshopper is built virtual phone system for small businesses and is easy to use and install VOIP solution.

It comes with multiple features like toll-free numbers, Vanity numbers, call forwarding, etc

Grasshopper is available only in the US and Canadian markets as of now.

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11. Ring4

Ring4 offers a simple cloud based phone system for small business where you can get a full-fledged virtual number setup running in 30 seconds for you and your team.

Their online console account is a business admin center that allows you to dial local and international numbers, add teammates, assign new numbers, manage shared company contacts, and capture call recordings and transcripts. 

The easy-to-use interface makes it efficient for users who aren’t much tech-savvy and makes remote work smoother.

 C. Types of business phone systems available for a small business

There are majorly two types of phone systems

1. VoIP phone system

A VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phone system is a type of phone system that uses internet protocol (IP) technology to transmit voice and other communications via data packets.

These allow small businesses to make and receive phone calls over the internet, rather than through a traditional phone line. 

Some of the key benefits of VoIP phone systems include lower costs, scalability, and flexibility.

They also often include advanced features such as voicemail, call forwarding, and conference calling. 

2. PBX systems

PBX (Private Branch Exchange) systems are telephone switching systems that are used to manage and route calls within a small business or organization. 

These systems are typically used by businesses with multiple telephone lines and users, and they are designed to handle a large volume of calls efficiently.

A PBX system can be either an on-premise hardware-based system, or a cloud-based system that is hosted and managed remotely. 

An on-premise PBX system is installed and managed on the business’s own servers, while a cloud-based PBX system is hosted and managed by a third-party provider, accessed via the internet.

They  have the ability to handle both traditional telephone lines and VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) lines, which can be more cost-effective and flexible.

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D. Benefits of using  phone systems for small business

Small business phone system can provide a range of benefits that can help to improve communication, increase efficiency, and enhance the customer experience.

Here are some of the key benefits:

1. Improved communication

A study by the University of California found that effective communication is vital for the success of small businesses. Phone systems can improve communication by enabling employees to easily reach each other and external parties, which can improve CSAT.

2. Increased efficiency

Small businesses can save up to 40% of their time by using phone systems that include features such as voicemail, call routing, and call forwarding.

3. Better customer service

 A study by the Harvard Business Review found that small businesses that provide excellent customer service are more likely to retain customers and generate repeat business.

 Phone systems for small business improve customer service by providing an easy way for customers to reach a business and by allowing businesses to handle a high volume of calls efficiently.

4. Cost-effectiveness

Phone systems for small businesses can be up to 50% less expensive than traditional landline systems, especially VoIP phone systems, as they often require less infrastructure and can be integrated with other business tools.

5. Scalability

Phone systems easily scale up or down as the business grows, which means that the system can evolve with the business and its changing needs.

6. Remote working

A study by Buffer found that remote working improves employee satisfaction and productivity. 

Phone systems in any contact center can be accessed remotely, such as cloud-based and VoIP phone systems, and can enable agents to work from anywhere, which can improve flexibility and productivity.

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Final Words

Phone system is a big game changer for any organization looking to step up their communication and customer service game.

Phone systems for small business comes with features like call routing, voicemail, and auto-attendants, you can ensure that every call is handled efficiently and professionally.

Whether you choose a traditional landline, a VoIP system or a cloud-based solution, you can be sure that you will have all the tools you need to take your business to the next level.

So, say goodbye to missed calls and hello to streamlined communication, with a phone system tailored to your small business needs.

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FAQs

1. What is VOIP?

VoIP or Voice over IP is a system where you use internet to make calls (rather than a traditional telephony line). VoIP works by converting your analogous voice signal to digital signals, and transferring it using VoIP servers to your customer.

2. How costly is VOIP as compared to traditional telephony systems?

Rather, VoIP is cheaper than a traditional telephone system. Since you use internet which already is available to the user, the VoIP providers can provide you a very cost-effective plan. It can help you save up to a 50-90% of your cost as compared to traditional telephone systems.

3. Can I use a landline phone with VOIP?

Yes, you can use a landline or a cordless phone with VoIP. You would require a special adaptor to do so.

 

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