--- title: "Best Unified Communications Software - 2026 Reviews & Pricing" description: "Find the best UCaaS Software for your organization. Compare top UCaaS Software systems with customer reviews, pricing, and free demos." source_url: "https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/ucaas-comparison/" page_type: "subcategory" language: "en" --- [Home](https://www.softwareadvice.com/) / Unified Communications Software Software Advice offers objective insights based on verified user reviews and independent product and market research. When our advisors match you to a software provider, we may earn a referral fee. # Best Unified Communications Software of 2026 Updated October 28, 2026 On this page 1. FrontRunners 2. Popular Comparisons 3. Buyers Guide 4. Related Software Filter products 261 results ### Compare Products Showing 1 - 25 of 261 products #### Company Size - Self-Employed - 2-10 - 11-50 - 51-200 - 201-500 - 501-1000 - 1000+ #### Pricing Options - $$$$$ - $$$$$ - $$$$$ - $$$$$ - $$$$$ ### Compare Products Sort by **Recommendations**: Sorts listings by the number of recommendations our advisors have made over the past 30 days. Our advisors assess buyers’ needs for free and only recommend products that meet buyers’ needs. Vendors pay Software Advice for these referrals. **Reviews**: Sorts listings by the number of user reviews we have published, greatest to least. **Average Rating**: Sorts listings by overall star rating based on user reviews, highest to lowest. **Alphabetically (A-Z)**: Sorts listings by product name from A to Z. ### [Intermedia Unite](/voip/intermedia-unite-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.7/5 - Reviews: 189 - Starting price: $27.99 - Best for: Small businesses - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Available #### Overview Intermedia Unite® brings business communications, collaboration, and customer engagement into one easy-to-use platform—keeping teams connected, productive, and responsive from [Read more](/voip/intermedia-unite-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Interaction Tracking: 5/5 - Activity Dashboard: 5/5 - Online Voice Transmission: 5/5 - File Sharing: 5/5 [See all features](/voip/intermedia-unite-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Unite Pro - Price: $27.99 ##### Unite Enterprise - Price: $32.99 [See full pricing details](/voip/intermedia-unite-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [Ultatel Cloud Business Phone System](/screen-sharing/clarity-business-phone-system-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.7/5 - Reviews: 41 - Starting price: $18.00/month - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview ULTATEL enables people to work together and get the information they need to do their best work, anywhere they are. Our cloud platform brings together phone, video, messaging, [Read more](/screen-sharing/clarity-business-phone-system-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Call Transcription: 5/5 - Activity Dashboard: 5/5 - Call Conferencing: 5/5 - Two-Way Audio & Video: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Collaboration Tools: 3/5 - Communication Management: 3/5 - Online Voice Transmission: 3.4/5 [See all features](/screen-sharing/clarity-business-phone-system-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Essential - Price: $18.00/month - Ideal for: Teams & businesses needing reliable, high-quality calling with core AI insights like ##### Premium - Price: $24.00/month - Ideal for: Businesses seeking robust collaboration tools, deeper call intelligence through a broader ##### Ultimate - Price: $34.00/month - Ideal for: Organizations requiring the most advanced AI capabilities for comprehensive [See full pricing details](/screen-sharing/clarity-business-phone-system-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [Dialpad Connect](/voip/dialpad-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.2/5 - Reviews: 572 - Starting price: $27.00/month - Best for: Ease of use - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Available #### Overview Dialpad is the AI-native platform for customer experience, built to connect conversations, intelligence, and action across the entire enterprise, not just add AI features onto a [Read more](/voip/dialpad-profile/) ##### What users love - Flexible business phone features - Intuitive and user-friendly design - Unified device connectivity options ##### To take in mind - Reliability and call handling issues - Slow and unresponsive assistance - Hidden fees and unclear costs #### Features ##### Best rated features - Call Conferencing: 5/5 - Manual Dialer: 5/5 - Call Queues: 5/5 - Recording: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Call Scheduling: 1/5 - AI/Machine Learning: 1/5 - Third-Party Integrations: 1/5 [See all features](/voip/dialpad-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Standard - Price: $27.00/month - For businesses with upto 10 users ##### Pro - Price: $35.00/month - For SMEs with upto 11-99 users ##### Enterprise - Price: Custom - Pricing available upon request - For enterprises with 100+ users [See full pricing details](/voip/dialpad-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [net2phone Canada](/call-center/versature-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.6/5 - Reviews: 10 - Starting price: $29.99/month - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview net2phone Canada is a cloud-based business phone service provider, helping Canadian organizations drive business performance through powerful uCaaS tools. Trusted by clients and [Read more](/call-center/versature-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Caller ID: 5/5 - Automatic Call Distribution: 5/5 - Mobile Access: 5/5 - Call Recording: 5/5 [See all features](/call-center/versature-profile/#key-features) --- ### [RingEX](/call-center/office-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.2/5 - Reviews: 1,206 - Starting price: $30.00/month - Best for: Small businesses - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview RingEX is a cloud-based business communications solution that offers tools for Messaging, Video and Phone. Core features of the solution include conferencing, auto-recording and [Read more](/call-center/office-profile/) ##### What users love - Flexible phone system access - User-friendly and intuitive interface - Rich feature set and customization ##### To take in mind - Slow and unhelpful customer service - Inconsistent call reliability issues - Opaque contracts and billing frustrations #### Features ##### Best rated features - Virtual Call Center: 5/5 - Multi-Channel Communication: 5/5 - Event Triggered Actions: 5/5 - Monitoring: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Virtual Extensions: 1/5 - Role-Based Permissions: 2/5 [See all features](/call-center/office-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Core - Price: $30.00/month - $20/month when paid annually. ##### Advanced - Price: $35.00/month - $25/month when paid annually. ##### Ultra - Price: $45.00/month - $35/month when paid annually. [See full pricing details](/call-center/office-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [Ringover](/voip/ringover-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.7/5 - Reviews: 893 - Starting price: $29.00/month - Best for: Ease of use - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Ringover is the no.1 business phone system that gives you unlimited calls to 110 countries, video conferencing, SMS and group messaging, call recording, call whispering and more [Read more](/voip/ringover-profile/) ##### What users love - Comprehensive call tracking features - Intuitive and user-friendly interface - Responsive and helpful support team ##### To take in mind - Inconsistent audio and device issues - Occasional lag and slow response - Frequent connectivity interruptions #### Features ##### Best rated features - Call Scheduling: 5/5 - Contact Database: 5/5 - CRM: 5/5 - Electronic Signature: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Monitoring: 2.8/5 - Call Tagging: 3/5 [See all features](/voip/ringover-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Smart - Price: $29.00/month - This plan provides all-in-one calls, video & chat. ##### Power - Price: $54.00/month - This plan offers analytics, productivity and integrations. ##### Advanced - Price: $64.00/month [See full pricing details](/voip/ringover-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [Zoom Workplace](/product/101384-Zoom-Video-Conferencing/) - Overall rating: 4.6/5 - Reviews: 14,695 - Starting price: $0.00 - Best for: Enterprise businesses - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Zoom Workplace is a cloud-based collaboration platform that serves small teams, mid-market organizations, and large enterprises across industries such as education, healthcare, [Read more](/product/101384-Zoom-Video-Conferencing/) ##### What users love - Streamlined meeting management tools - User-friendly and accessible design - Reliable video collaboration platform ##### To take in mind - Limited free plan and high costs - Occasional video quality issues - Connectivity and resource demands #### Features ##### Best rated features - Productivity Tools: 5/5 - Employee Directory: 5/5 - Moderation: 5/5 - Call Tracking: 5/5 [See all features](/product/101384-Zoom-Video-Conferencing/#key-features) --- ### [Livestorm](/voip/livestorm-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.7/5 - Reviews: 400 - Starting price: $0.00 - Best for: Value for money - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Livestorm enables powerful, yet pain-free video engagements at scale. Our end-to-end video engagement platform enables organizations to create professional video engagements that [Read more](/voip/livestorm-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Audio Calls: 5/5 - Presentation Tools: 5/5 - Search/Filter: 5/5 - Calendar Sync: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Engagement Tracking: 1/5 - User Management: 3/5 - Annotations: 3/5 - Multiple Camera Feeds: 4/5 [See all features](/voip/livestorm-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Free - Price: $0.00 ##### Pro - Price: $110.00/month - This plan is available at $110/month (billed monthly) or at $88/month (billed annually). ##### Business - Price: Custom - Pricing available upon request [See full pricing details](/voip/livestorm-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [Telnyx Suite](/voip/telnyx-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.7/5 - Reviews: 196 - Starting price: $1.00/month - Best for: Customer support - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Telnyx Suite is a comprehensive cloud communication platform that provides communication capabilities via voice, SMS, fax, and IP services. Telnyx provides global high-speed [Read more](/voip/telnyx-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Reminders: 5/5 - Collaboration Tools: 5/5 - VoIP: 5/5 - Fax Management: 5/5 [See all features](/voip/telnyx-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Basic - Price: $1.00/month [See full pricing details](/voip/telnyx-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [CTM](/voip/calltrackingmetrics-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.7/5 - Reviews: 159 - Starting price: $79.00/month - Best for: Features - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview CTM is a conversation analytics software designed to provide tracking and insights for sales and marketing teams. It helps organizations analyze campaign performance and customer [Read more](/voip/calltrackingmetrics-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Call Tagging: 5/5 - Campaign Scheduling: 5/5 - Performance Management: 5/5 - Data Security: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Multi-Touch Attribution: 2.8/5 - Call Scripting: 3/5 - File Transfer: 3/5 [See all features](/voip/calltrackingmetrics-profile/#key-features) --- ### [VoIPstudio](/contact-center/voipstudio-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.7/5 - Reviews: 56 - Starting price: $6.00/month - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview VoIPstudio is a cloud-based call center management solution designed for businesses of all sizes. It offers features that include automatic call distribution (ACD), interactive [Read more](/contact-center/voipstudio-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Real-Time Analytics: 5/5 - Communication Management: 5/5 - Fax Management: 5/5 - Real-Time Reporting: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Online Voice Transmission: 1/5 - Call Logging: 3.8/5 - API: 4/5 [See all features](/contact-center/voipstudio-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### VoIPstudio - Price: $6.00/month - Start a free 30-day trial today, no credit card required. [See full pricing details](/contact-center/voipstudio-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [Spoke](/voip/spoke-phone-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.7/5 - Reviews: 56 - Starting price: $15.00/month - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Spoke is the leading platform for high-value, complex, and regulated conversations. Spoke guides employees to say and collect the right things so deals move forward and customers [Read more](/voip/spoke-phone-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Compliance Management: 5/5 - VoIP: 5/5 - App Management: 5/5 - Security Management: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Call List Management: 3/5 - Access Controls/Permissions: 3.5/5 [See all features](/voip/spoke-phone-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Standard - Price: $15.00/month - The plan requires a Twilio account. ##### Pro CX - Price: $35.00/month - The plan requires a Twilio account. [See full pricing details](/voip/spoke-phone-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [HoduPBX](/voip/hodupbx-profile/) - Overall rating: 5.0/5 - Reviews: 22 - Starting price: $5.00/month - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview HoduPBX is an IP PBX software designed to meet the communication needs of global businesses, emphasizing extreme customization for each client. The system is highly customizable, [Read more](/voip/hodupbx-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Call Transfer: 5/5 - Online Voice Transmission: 5/5 - Call Reporting: 5/5 - Call Routing: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Voice Mail: 4/5 - Alerts/Notifications: 4/5 [See all features](/voip/hodupbx-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Basic - Price: $5.00/month [See full pricing details](/voip/hodupbx-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [VirtualPBX](/digital-workplace/virtualpbx-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.7/5 - Reviews: 38 - Starting price: $15.00/month - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview VirtualPBX gives you a complete business phone system for $15/user/month with every feature already included. No confusing plans. No feature gates. No surprises. Just smarter voice [Read more](/digital-workplace/virtualpbx-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Online Voice Transmission: 5/5 - Sentiment Analysis: 5/5 - Interaction Tracking: 5/5 - Softphone: 5/5 [See all features](/digital-workplace/virtualpbx-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Smarter Voice - Price: $15.00/month [See full pricing details](/digital-workplace/virtualpbx-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [Monster VoIP](/voip/monster-voip-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.7/5 - Reviews: 44 - Starting price: $27.00/month - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Monster VoIP is a Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) solution that helps voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) providers streamline client interactions by leveraging various [Read more](/voip/monster-voip-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Access Controls/Permissions: 5/5 - VoIP Connection: 5/5 - Call Recording: 5/5 - Archiving & Retention: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Alerts/Notifications: 4/5 - Online Voice Transmission: 4/5 [See all features](/voip/monster-voip-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Basic - Price: $27.00/month - The plan is also available on a yearly basis. [See full pricing details](/voip/monster-voip-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [Unitel Voice](/voip/unitel-voice-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.6/5 - Reviews: 69 - Starting price: $9.99/month - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Unitel Voice is the business builder's phone system. It lets you run your business from anywhere using any device. Easy to set up and use. Backed by amazing customer support that [Read more](/voip/unitel-voice-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Video Conferencing: 5/5 - Call Conferencing: 5/5 - PBX: 5/5 - Virtual Call Center: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - SMS Messaging: 3.8/5 - Fax Management: 4/5 [See all features](/voip/unitel-voice-profile/#key-features) --- ### [RingByName](/call-center/ringbyname-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.6/5 - Reviews: 69 - Starting price: $28.95/month - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview RingByName is a cloud-based phone and VOIP service provider that offers e-fax, teleconferencing tools, note sharing, customer relationship management (CRM) features, scheduling, [Read more](/call-center/ringbyname-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Interaction Tracking: 5/5 - Activity Tracking: 5/5 - Third-Party Integrations: 5/5 - Activity Dashboard: 5/5 [See all features](/call-center/ringbyname-profile/#key-features) --- ### [Kixie PowerCall & SMS](/call-center/kixie-powercall-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.6/5 - Reviews: 295 - Best for: Small businesses - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Kixie PowerCall and SMS is a sales engagement platform that helps inside sales, sales development, and business development teams at small and mid-sized businesses manage calls, [Read more](/call-center/kixie-powercall-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - SIP Trunking: 5/5 - Sales Activity Management: 5/5 - Call Queues: 5/5 - Third-Party Integrations: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Automatic Outbound Dialer: 1/5 - Call Conferencing: 3/5 - Call Scheduling: 3/5 [See all features](/call-center/kixie-powercall-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Integrated - Price: Custom - Pricing available upon request ##### Professional - Price: Custom - Pricing available upon request ##### Outbound PowerDialer - Price: Custom - Pricing available upon request [See full pricing details](/call-center/kixie-powercall-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [Vonix](/cloud-communication/vonix-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.8/5 - Reviews: 23 - Starting price: $19.99/month - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Vonix flex is a business VoIP solution that provides hands-on support and reliable service with all business phone plans for small and medium businesses across the U.S. This [Read more](/cloud-communication/vonix-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Chat/Messaging: 5/5 - Computer Telephony Integration: 5/5 - IVR: 5/5 - Reporting/Analytics: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - CRM: 2/5 - Activity Tracking: 3/5 [See all features](/cloud-communication/vonix-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Basic - Price: $19.99/month [See full pricing details](/cloud-communication/vonix-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [Momentum](/product/169192-Momentum-Mobility/) - Overall rating: 4.6/5 - Reviews: 102 - Best for: Call Routing - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Momentum is an AI-native revenue orchestration platform built for mid-market and enterprise B2B sales, revenue operations, and customer success teams. The software is deployed [Read more](/product/169192-Momentum-Mobility/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Communication Management: 5/5 - Live Chat: 5/5 - Third-Party Integrations: 5/5 - Video Conferencing: 5/5 [See all features](/product/169192-Momentum-Mobility/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Basic - Price: Custom - Pricing available upon request [See full pricing details](/product/169192-Momentum-Mobility/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [Twilio Flex](/customer-communications-mngt/twilio-flex-profile/) - Overall rating: 5/5 - Reviews: 7 - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Twilio Flex is a fully programmable cloud-based contact center platform that gives businesses complete control of their contact center experience. With Twilio Flex, companies can [Read more](/customer-communications-mngt/twilio-flex-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Real-time Consumer-facing Chat: 5/5 - On-Demand Recording: 5/5 - Employee Coaching Tools: 5/5 - Reporting/Analytics: 5/5 [See all features](/customer-communications-mngt/twilio-flex-profile/#key-features) --- ### [IPFone with Webex](/voip/ipfone-with-webex-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.8/5 - Reviews: 9 - Starting price: $17.95/month - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview IPFone with Webex is a fully integrated solution that combines calling, meetings, messaging, and file sharing into one app to streamline teamwork and produce great results. It [Read more](/voip/ipfone-with-webex-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Call Routing: 5/5 - Chat/Messaging: 5/5 - Voice Mail: 5/5 - Alerts/Notifications: 4.9/5 [See all features](/voip/ipfone-with-webex-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Basic Plan - Price: $17.95/month [See full pricing details](/voip/ipfone-with-webex-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [Cloud Softphone](/voip/acrobits-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.7/5 - Reviews: 10 - Starting price: $69.00/month - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Acrobits is a cloud-based softphone solution, which helps small to large businesses configure, develop and deploy communications applications in real time. Key features include QR [Read more](/voip/acrobits-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - File Sharing: 5/5 - Call Monitoring: 5/5 - Third-Party Integrations: 5/5 - Access Controls/Permissions: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Chat/Messaging: 4/5 - Alerts/Notifications: 4/5 [See all features](/voip/acrobits-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Generic Full Featre App - Price: $69.00/month - Non-branded softphone app with incoming and outgoing calls. This is the option for those wanting to ##### White Label Softphone - Price: $549.00/month - Create your own fully branded VoIP app and release it to your customers under your company name! ##### Generic App for Outgoing Only - Price: $144.00/month - Non-branded softphone app only for making calls. With this option, you get an app for a flat fee, [See full pricing details](/voip/acrobits-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [InGenius](/call-center/ingenius-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.9/5 - Reviews: 8 - Starting price: $32.00/month - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Ingenius is a computer telephony integration (CTI) solution designed to help contact centers track, analyze, manage and report on customer call interactions on a unified platform. [Read more](/call-center/ingenius-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Real-Time Analytics: 5/5 - Live Chat: 5/5 - Lead Capture: 5/5 - Sales Trend Analysis: 5/5 [See all features](/call-center/ingenius-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Basic - Price: $32.00/month [See full pricing details](/call-center/ingenius-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [Yeastar Cloud PBX](/voip/yeastar-cloud-pbx-profile/) - Overall rating: 5/5 - Reviews: 5 - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Yeastar P-Series Cloud PBX is a business communication solution that offers companies of all sizes with a complete package for calls, video, messaging and integrations, out of the [Read more](/voip/yeastar-cloud-pbx-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Call Routing: 5/5 [See all features](/voip/yeastar-cloud-pbx-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Basic - Price: Custom - Pricing available upon request [See full pricing details](/voip/yeastar-cloud-pbx-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- 1 [2](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/ucaas-comparison/?__ai_markdown=true&page=2)[3](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/ucaas-comparison/?__ai_markdown=true&page=3)[4](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/ucaas-comparison/?__ai_markdown=true&page=4)[5](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/ucaas-comparison/?__ai_markdown=true&page=5) ... [11](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/ucaas-comparison/?__ai_markdown=true&page=11) ## Popular Comparisons [ Microsoft Teams vs Slack ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/microsoft-teams-profile/vs/slack/)[ GoTo Meeting vs Zoom Workplace ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/compare/101384-Zoom-Video-Conferencing/vs/188188-gotomeeting/)[ Ringover vs RingEX ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/call-center/office-profile/vs/ringover/)[ 3CX vs Nextiva ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/compare/2683-Nextiva/vs/4936-3cx-phone-system/)[ LiveAgent vs Lime Connect ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/liveagent-profile/vs/userlike/)[ Webex Suite vs Livestorm ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/livestorm-profile/vs/webex/)[ Dialpad Connect vs Grasshopper ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/dialpad-profile/vs/grasshopper/) ## Your Guide to Top Unified Communications Software, September 2022 Software Advice uses reviews from real software users to highlight the top-rated Unified Communications products in North America. [Learn how products are chosen](https://www.softwareadvice.com/legal-page/frontrunners-methodology/) #### Explore FrontRunners - [Slack](https://www.softwareadvice.com/remote-support/slack-profile/) - [Workvivo](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/workvivo-profile/) - [Acefone](https://www.softwareadvice.com/cloud-communication/acefone-profile/) - [Ringover](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/ringover-profile/) - [Whistle Messaging](https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/147085-Whistle/) - [Ooma Office](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/ooma-office-profile/) - [RingByName](https://www.softwareadvice.com/call-center/ringbyname-profile/) - [Pumble](https://www.softwareadvice.com/collaboration/pumble-profile/) - [11Sight](https://www.softwareadvice.com/video-conferencing/11sight-profile/) - [Missive](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/missive-profile/) - [Dialshree](https://www.softwareadvice.com/call-center/dialshree-profile/) - [Livestorm](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/livestorm-profile/) - [MangoApps](https://www.softwareadvice.com/idea-management/mangoapps-profile/) - [Blink](https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/126757-Blink/) - [Dialpad](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/dialpad-profile/) - [Flock](https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/165028-Flock/) - [Front](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/front-profile/) - [3CX](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/3cx-phone-system-profile/) - [Microsoft Teams](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/microsoft-teams-profile/) - [Workplace from Meta](https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/165817-Workplace/) - [AirSend](https://www.softwareadvice.com/collaboration/airsend-profile/) - [YOOBIC](https://www.softwareadvice.com/internal-communications/yoobic-profile/) - [CallTrackingMetrics](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/calltrackingmetrics-profile/) - [GoTo Meeting](https://www.softwareadvice.com/collaboration/gotomeeting-profile/) - [Vonage Business Communications](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/vonage-profile/) “Usability” includes user ratings for Functionality and Ease of Use. “Customer Satisfaction” includes user ratings for Customer Support, Likelihood to Recommend and Value for Money. Reviews analysis period: The reviews analysis period spans two years and ends the 15th of the month prior to publication. “Unified communications” (UC) is a buzzword for technologies that connect voice, email, text messaging, instant messaging (IM) and other business communication channels through intuitive user interfaces and software integrations. UC software systems focus communications functionality around the end user and provide a consistent experience across multiple devices (laptops, IP phones, smartphones, tablets, headsets etc.). **Unified-Communications-as-a-Service (UCaaS)**, meanwhile, is simply a term for cloud-based UC, which is typically delivered on a subscription basis (in other words, you pay per-month rates for user licenses instead of one-time license fees). This guide is intended to help you research UCaaS solutions for your organization. It covers the following topics: [What Are Unified Communications and UCaaS?](#WhatAreUnifiedCommunicationsandUCaaS) [On-Premise UC, UCaaS and Hybrid Deployment Models](#OnPremiseUCUCaaSandHybridDeploymentModels) [UCaaS Functionality](#UCaaSFunctionality) [Key Considerations for Buyers](#KeyConsiderationsforBuyers) ## What Are Unified Communications and UCaaS? Traditional business phone systems primarily focused on managing the voice channel. This created a disjointed experience for employees who had to use other applications for email, instant messaging and so on. Moreover, these systems didn’t offer the flexible configuration settings users need to personalize their various communication methods. Even worse, legacy phone systems were difficult to integrate with other types of business software. UC emerged around the turn of the millennium, as phone systems designed for VoIP service began to evolve in response to these issues. Unlike traditional phone systems, UC systems put users at the heart of communications. These systems allowed users to manage all workplace communications from a single system with a unified interface, accessible through tablets, smartphones, laptops and a range of other devices. _iPad video conferencing with_ ShoreTel _Mobility 8_ In addition to streamlining the user experience across devices, UC systems and cloud-based UCaaS systems also help users manage communications by providing real-time control over their contact preferences (e.g., whether they’re available for a phone conversation). Moreover, UC and UCaaS systems can integrate with [customer relationship management (CRM) systems](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/), accounting systems and other vital software categories to add communications capabilities to workflows involving multiple types of software. The net result in successful UC implementation: new possibilities for collaboration throughout your organization. UC can also reduce the costs associated with using multiple communication systems. For example, **instead of paying for a phone system, a video conferencing system and a stand-alone audio conferencing service, under UC, businesses only need a single communications provider**. Here are the most important communications channels managed by UC and UCaaS software systems: This is just a high-level overview of the basic modes of communication handled by these systems; it is not an exhaustive listing of capabilities. UC and UCaaS systems are capable of extensive functionality and are quite technically complex, with administrator manuals that can be thousands of pages long. The first UC systems required the deployment of physical hardware, such as servers and switches, on businesses’ premises. Now, organizations can choose between deploying UC on-premise, in the cloud (UCaaS) or both. ## On-Premise UC, UCaaS and Hybrid Deployment The choice between UCaaS and on-premise UC is an important one. Whereas UC was once confined to enterprises with very deep pockets, UCaaS providers make the technology affordable for a much wider range of organizations by significantly cutting upfront costs. UCaaS solutions can also be easier to manage for organizations with limited IT resources. On the other hand, on-premise UC systems have disaster survivability benefits: They allow for redundant connections to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) for maintaining service during Internet outages. Some UC and UCaaS providers allow for cloud deployments at certain sites (such as branch locations) and on-premise deployments at others (such as campuses). This is known as the **hybrid deployment model**. In the hybrid model, even though the system has been deployed in different ways across multiple sites, it’s still a single system that can be centrally administered (typically, from the main campus). In addition to survivability benefits, hybrid deployments allow businesses to continue using legacy communications equipment in which they’ve already invested heavily. You’ll need to factor in networking requirements, legacy investments and organizational structure along with costs when deciding whether to go with on-premise, UCaaS or hybrid deployment. The systems listed on this page are all UCaaS products. ## UCaaS Functionality The following table lists some additional capabilities of UC and UCaaS systems: | Feature | Description | | --- | --- | | Administrator console | Administrators have a unified interface for controlling applications and features, as well as for managing the organization’s dial plan across multiple locations and networks. | | Desktop client | Clients are installed on end users’ desktops or laptops. Users can communicate across multiple channels, and manage both contact preferences and call routing preferences via the client. | | Mobile client | Extends major communication channels, such as voice calling, instant messaging, email and conferencing, to mobile devices. Users can make and receive calls with mobile devices using their work numbers. Mobile clients also allow users to access the system remotely to manage settings and preferences. | | Single identity number | Users make and receive calls using a single work number, regardless of whether they’re communicating on a softphone, headset, IP desk phone, smartphone, tablet etc. | | Mass notification | UC systems can handle mass notifications in emergency scenarios with capabilities such as SMS blasting. | | API | Most UC platforms offer APIs for extending the functionality of the system through the development of custom applications or integrations. | --- _Buddy list in_ Nextiva’s _VoIP App Interface_ ## Key Considerations for Buyers The UC marketplace is complex and continually evolving. Keep the following considerations in mind while evaluating vendors to home in on the systems that will best meet your needs. - **Integrations with office productivity suites.** Increasingly, UCaaS providers are developing pre-built integrations with popular office productivity suites, including Microsoft Office 365 and Google Apps for Work. (Such integrations were once a niche filled by middleware vendors.) If you’re already locked into the Google or Microsoft ecosystem, look for vendors that have already done the work of integration so you don’t have to. - **Combined UC/contact center deployments.** Some UCaaS providers also specialize in deployments for multi-channel contact centers (those that handle communications channels such as email, SMS text, instant messaging, live chat, social media etc.). These vendors can deploy a contact center system that integrates seamlessly with the UC system used by the rest of your organization. Example vendors include [RingCentral](https://www.softwareadvice.com/call-center/office-profile/), [ShoreTel](https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/25391-MiVoice-Business-Solution/), Nextiva, 8x8 and Jive. - **Conferencing requirements.** The continued evolution of [Web conferencing](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/online-meeting-comparison/) has vastly reduced the costs and technological complexity of both audio and video conferencing. However, UC solutions still differ in the conferencing capabilities they offer users. For instance, not all vendors’ mobile clients can support multi-party video conferencing on tablets and smartphones. Others are limited in their Web conferencing features. In particular, the use of WebRTC (an API for browser-based video conferencing) is still evolving. Vendors are actively developing solutions based on WebRTC, while solutions already on the market have implemented it to widely varying degrees. Make sure your short list only includes vendors that offer the conferencing features you need to support your business’s collaboration styles. ### Related Unified Communications Software - [Collaboration Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/collaboration/) - [Mobility Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/mobility/) - [Screen Sharing Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/screen-sharing/) - [Telephony Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/call-center/computer-telephony-integration-comparison/) - [VoIP Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/) - [Web Conferencing Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/conference-calling-comparison/)