It’s known for its powerful feature set, like VoIP calling, video conferencing, call analytics, and omnichannel communication, and has a strong reputation among small to mid-sized businesses.
But even the most trusted platforms come with caveats, and 8×8 is no exception. Considering alternatives means finding the solution that fits your business needs better, providing your team with the functionality they need.
Why you might want to switch
8×8 offers a solid foundation for communication, but some businesses find it falls short in certain areas. Its pricing can be restrictive for small companies with tight budgets, especially when additional costs for premium features are added into the mix. Plus feature gaps like limited call center tools and less intuitive reporting are a turn-off for teams that need advanced capabilities.
Not to mention that 8×8’s integration requirements can pose a challenge, especially for businesses heavily reliant on specific CRMs or productivity tools. And while 8×8’s support is generally reliable, some users have reported occasional delays or inconsistencies in resolution times.
Switching to an alternative can help you find a platform that not only addresses these shortcomings but offers advanced flexibility and scalability to future-proof your operations.
Top 14 Alternatives To 8×8
| Company | Key features | Pricing | Pros | Cons |
| 1. Voiso | Predictive dialer, real-time analytics, CRM integrations, call recording, and IVR. | Starts at $49/user/month for essential contact center tools, with the option to create a custom plan tailored to your business. | Highly customizable, advanced call center capabilities, global reach. | Requires setup expertise for complex workflows. |
| 2. Ooma | Unlimited calling, virtual receptionist, call blocking. | Starts at $19.95/user/month with over 50 features. | Affordability, scalability, advanced call management, easy setup. | Limited integration options, basic analytics and lack of advanced AI-driven features. |
| 3. RingCentral | Video conferencing, messaging, team collaboration, integrations with popular tools. | Starts at $20/user/month. | Feature-rich, reliable, wide integration options . | Premium features drive up cost. |
| 4. Nice CXone | ACD, advanced IVR, speech analytics and automated sales dialer. | Starts at $71/month. | Wide range of advanced features for enterprises, reliable SLA-driven support tiers. | More expensive than other providers, and some call quality issues. |
| 5. Dialpad | AI-powered call transcription, integrations, and SMS capabilities. | Starts at $15/user/month for standard plans, or free for video meeting plans. | Excellent AI tools, user-friendly mobile app. | Limited international calling features. |
| 6. Nextiva | VoIP, call management, CRM integration, video collaboration tools. | Starts at $20/user/month, all the way up to $199 for enterprise packages. | Intuitive interface, all-in-one business communication. | Limited advanced call center analytics. |
| 7. Avaya | Robust communication suite, reliable VoIP, and collaboration tools. | Starts at $20/user/month. | Strong for enterprise-level communication, solid reliability. | Higher learning curve, expensive for SMBs. |
| 8. Genesys Cloud CX | AI and analytics-driven customer experience, omnichannel support, and scalability. | Starts at $75/user/month. | Highly scalable, advanced AI tools, strong for customer support. | Expensive, overwhelming for small teams. |
| 9. Zendesk Talk | Seamless integration with Zendesk products, call management, and ticketing features. | Starts at $19/user/month. | Ideal for Zendesk users, excellent for customer support teams. | Lacks advanced telephony features for non-Zendesk use cases. |
| 10. CloudTalk | International calling, call tagging, and performance monitoring. | Starts at $25/user/month. | Easy to use, excellent call quality, great for remote teams. | Limited integrations, fewer advanced features. |
| 11. Aircall | Cloud-based VoIP, user-friendly interface, and team collaboration features. | Starts at $30/user/month. | User-friendly, quick setup, strong integration options . | Limited scalability, higher cost per user. |
| 12. Talkdesk | AI-powered automation, seamless integrations, and omnichannel capabilities. | Starts at $85/user/month. | User-friendly interface, seamless CRM integrations, scalability to accommodate growing businesses. | Pricing can be steep, support quality varies depending on the service tier. |
| 13. Vonage | VoIP, SMS, video calls, API integrations. | Starts at $13.99/user/month. | Flexible API tools, strong for integrations, global coverage. | Pricing can be confusing with add-ons. |
| 14. Grasshopper | Call forwarding, voicemail, business texting. | Starts at $14/user/month. | Easy setup, great for solopreneurs and small teams. | Limited advanced features, not ideal for large businesses. |
1. Voiso
Voiso’s cloud-based contact center platform is built to simplify communication for small to medium businesses. With its user-friendly design and rapid setup, it’s the perfect choice for teams who want to get started as soon as possible. Whether it’s customer service, sales, or juggling multiple communication channels at the forefront, Voiso has the tools you need to deliver exceptional customer experiences.
With productivity-boosting AI features like speech analytics and chatbots, your business can optimize workflows and get meaningful insights into customer interactions, enabling smarter, data-driven decisions. Plus, Voiso can automate routine tasks, freeing up agents for more complex tasks.
With its blend of simplicity, cutting-edge technology, and efficiency-driving automation, Voiso is the top choice for businesses looking to scale personalized and effective support.
Key features
Advanced analytics
Voiso’s powerful and in-depth reporting capabilities give businesses the ability to improve customer experiences with meaningful data, while easily and efficiently measuring performance metrics and optimizing workflows.
Local caller IDs
Local caller IDs are the key to building trust and familiarity with prospects, leading to higher answer rates and ultimately, more conversions. Calling from a local number increases the likelihood of prospects answering your call, because the call feels familiar from the outset, which results in more sales opportunities and higher revenue.
AI-predictive dialer
Optimizing talk time is essential for high volume outbound call centers. Nothing wastes time like manually dialing one number after another, waiting for a pick up, and getting nothing. Voiso’s AI-predictive dialer cuts all of that out; it dials numbers in bulk, and only connects agents to calls answered by a human. With the help of machine learning algorithms, it guesses when an agent will be available before dialing the next call, and even incorporates answering machine detection to avoid dead-end calls.
Real-time dashboards
Managers need to know what’s happening in their call centers on a daily basis to maintain high levels of productivity, which real-time dashboards are the perfect tool for. They give contact centers a full overview of performance metrics, customer satisfaction, agent productivity, enabling data-driven decisions making.
Omnichannel communication
Customers connect from everywhere: phone, email, web chat, SMS, social media, WhatsApp, and Facebook, which can get messy for customer service teams. Omnichannel brings all communication channels together in one platform, allowing agents to see a full interaction history no matter where the customer is reaching out from.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Seamless CRM integration allows sales teams to efficiently track and manage leads. | Major CRM integrations only. |
| Robust call recording enables support teams to review and analyze all past interactions, leading to better ongoing training and improvement. | |
| A competitive, budget-friendly pricing structure making it a good choice for businesses of all sizes. | |
| Automation features like auto-dialers and IVR save time by automating repetitive tasks and allowing agents to focus on value-adding activities. |
Pricing
| Start-up | Pro | Pro+ |
| Great for any team getting started and requiring quick and easy setup. | For larger teams that need enhanced flexibility and advanced features. | Full automation, integrations, multi-channel and unlimited capacity. |
| $49/user/month. | $79/user/month. | $129/user/month. |
What’s included:
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Everything in Start-up, plus:
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Everything in Professional, plus:
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Use cases
Voiso’s flexibility, scalability, and cloud-based nature make it the ideal solution for scaling and remote teams. It’s budget-friendly, making it a good option for small businesses and startups, and its AI-driven features and automation fit it at any business looking to optimize and modernize.
2. Ooma
Yet another cloud-based system, Ooma is designed to simplify business communication for both large and small organizations, individuals and entrepreneurs alike. Thanks to its affordable pricing and user friendliness, Ooma supports small and remote teams, but still offers powerful features like virtual receptionists, call forwarding, and conferencing.
Key features
Desktop and mobile apps
Ooma operates on both desktop and mobile, enabling on-the-go use for remote and moving agents.
Customizable call routing
Directs calls based on issue, departments, preferences, or any other chosen criteria.
Caller ID
Identifies incoming callers to allow agents to prepare for their next call.
VoIP calling
Provides high quality calls with HD voice technology.
Pros vs cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Cost-effective plans for small businesses and startups looking for basic VoIP services. | Lacks some advanced AI features and advanced reporting tools. |
| Simple setup and intuitive interface makes it accessible for non-technical users. | Not as many third-party integrations as other competitors. |
| Reliable HD voice quality, ensuring clear and uninterrupted communication. | Designed for small businesses, so might not meet the demands of larger organizations. |
Pricing
| Plan | Price (per user/month) | Includes |
| Essential | $19.95 | 50+ standard features, unlimited calling in the US, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico, virtual receptionist, and mobile app. |
| Pro | $24.95 | Everything in Essentials plus desktop app, up to 250 texts per month, video conferencing for up to 25 participants, and call recording. |
| Pro Plus | $29.95 | Everything in Pro plus CRM integration, up to 1000 texts per month, video conferencing up to 100 participants, team chat, hot desking, and call queuing. |
Ideal use cases
Ooma’s customers are typically small businesses and startups that want a cost-effective phone system that prioritizes high quality and reliability. It’s a great solution for any business looking for a simple, hardware-based telephony solution with quick setup and all the necessary features for efficient communication.
3. RingCentral
RingCentral has truly made a name for itself in the VoIP market as a reliable, scalable solution thanks to its powerful video conferencing and performance tracking capabilities, as well as its wide variety of features. RingCentral caters to enterprises with omnichannel communication and lead qualification tools, and small to medium-sized businesses with management, collaboration, and performance features.
Key features
Call management
RingCentral offers powerful features like call forwarding, virtual receptionists, detailed call logs, and much more.
Real-time metrics and transcriptions
Real-time insights into performance metrics allow users to constantly monitor their performance and improve upon each interaction. And with voicemail transcriptions, agents can easily find the information they need without re-listening to calls.
Team collaboration tools
Empowers team collaboration with messaging, file sharing, and integrations with platforms like Monday.com.
Video conferencing
Supports large meetings with high numbers of attendees, plus screen sharing, recording, breakout rooms, and whiteboards.
Pros vs cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Centralizes multiple communication tools to streamline operations. | Many advanced features, like sentiment analytics, speech-to-text, smart dialers, and skills-based routing are locked to higher tier plans. |
| Excellent video conferencing features that enable remote collaboration. | Extra charges for certain features like toll-free numbers can make it difficult to estimate overall cost. |
| Highly scalable and suitable for businesses of any size. | Can take up to 90 days to implement compared to competitors that are much quicker. |
Pricing
These prices are included in RingCentral’s Business Phone plan with 1-100 users. Visit their website to see various other plans for contact centers, events, video, and conversation intelligence, each with different pricing models.
| Plan | Price (per user/month) | Includes |
| Core | $20 | Unlimited domestic calling, SMS and MMS, IVR menu, HD video meetings up to 100 participants, Google and Microsoft integrations, SSO, shared voicemail, real-time analytics, developer platform, custom integrations, and API access. |
| Advanced | $25 | Everything in Core plus auto call recording, advanced call monitoring and handling, multiple site connection, unlimited internet fax, CRM integrations, custom roles and permissions, archiver for cloud storage back-up, and adoption and usage analytics. |
| Ultra | $35 | Everything in Advanced plus customizable analytics and reporting, 12 months of analytics and reporting history, HD video meetings up to 200 participants, device analytics and alerts, and unlimited storage for files and recording. |
Ideal use cases
RingCentral is designed for businesses needing a centralized communication solution for voice, video, and messaging, as well as remote teams or those spread across multiple regions as it includes strong video conferencing capabilities and collaboration tools. It’s also a great solution for companies prioritizing integrations as it connects seamlessly with many business software apps.
4. Nice CXone
Nice CXone is one of the leading cloud contact center software solutions, supporting multiple platforms and an even wider range of automation features. It’s a highly capable tool with advanced capabilities, and is the ideal solution for businesses who want to scale their customer support and sales operations.
Key features
AI-powered analytics
Features like sentiment analysis and speech analytics provide deep insights into customer interactions, helping agents improve their performance and customer satisfaction at the same time.
Workforce optimization
Provides scheduling, performance management, and real-time agent monitoring tools to ensure optimal resource allocation while boosting productivity.
Advanced IVR and ACD
Offers customizable interactive voice response (IVR) menus and automatic call distribution (ACD) based on customer data and preferences to reduce wait times and ensure customers reach the right agent or department.
Personalized customer experience
Leverages customer data and AI to give customers tailored experiences based on context-rich insights.
Pros vs cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Seamless communication across multiple channels. | Steep learning curve can be overwhelming for new users, and takes time to master without a dedicated IT team. |
| AI-powered tools like speech and sentiment analysis help improve customer interactions. | Premium pricing compared to other providers which makes it less accessible to smaller businesses. |
| Cloud-based design supports businesses of all sizes, easily scaling to accommodate growth. | Some users report delays in support responsiveness, especially those in lower-tier plans. |
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Includes |
| CXone Mpower Digital Agent | $71/month |
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| CXone Mpower Voice Agent | $94/month |
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| CXone Mpower Omnichannel Agent | $110/month |
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| CXone Mpower Essential Suite | $135/month | Everything in Omnichannel plus:
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| CXone Mpower Core Suite | $169/month | Everything in Essential Suite, plus:
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| CXone Mpower Complete Suite | $209/month | Everything in Core Suite, plus:
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| CXone Mpower Ultimate Suite | $249/month |
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Ideal use cases
Nice CXone caters to large enterprises with high call volumes, as well as any company prioritizing customer experience. Nice CXone’s omnichannel support and AI-driven insights make it ideal for teams focused on building loyalty through personalized interactions across multiple channels and platforms.
5. Dialpad
As one of the biggest contenders in the contact center software industry, Nextiva is an all-in-one VoIP communication platform offering businesses a variety of cloud-based telephony features. It gives businesses the power to improve both their internal and external communication, and offers features like omnichannel and team collaboration tools to support remote work.
Key features
Advanced integrations
Nextiva integrates seamlessly with tools like Outlook, Google Cloud products, QuickBooks, Dropbox, and Zendesk.
Round-the-clock customer support
Nextiva’s customer support team is available 24/7, giving business support whenever they may need it.
Advanced call features
Conference calling, voicemail transcription, and multi-level attendant are just a few of Nextiva’s powerful calling features.
Analytics
Nextiva’s platform provides detailed call activity and performance reports so managers can monitor call volumes and agent efficiency in real-time.
Pros vs cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Users can be calling within minutes thanks to Nextiva’s simple and intuitive setup. | Analytics and reporting tools aren’t as strong as some competitors. |
| Combines communication and CRM tools in one platform. | Limited customization options for specific, niche industries. |
| Excellent customer service and support. | Missing certain integrations, like Slack and Zapier, which can be a barrier for some businesses as Zapier enables further connections to VoIP telephony systems. |
Pricing
Small business
| Plan | Price (per user/month) | Includes |
| Digital | $20 | Competitive monitoring, messaging apps, social media channels, review management, and digital service helpdesk. |
| Core | $30 | Everything in Digital, plus inbound & outbound voice, business SMS, video meetings, screenshare & file share, and call routing. |
| Engage | $40 | Everything in Core, plus customer-to-team SMS messaging, toll-free number & minutes, advanced reporting, MS Teams integration, and web chat (both live and bot). |
| Power Suite | $60 | Everything in Engage, plus inbound sales and service call center, priority and skills-based routing, unified team interface, supervisor dashboard, and ACD callback. |
Enterprise
| Plan | Price (per user/month) | Includes |
| Essential | $129 | Inbound & outbound channels, full workflow engine for journey orchestration, workflow automation and APIs, transcription and summarization, and customizable skills-based routing. |
| Professional | $159 | Everything in Essential, plus full customer journey context & history, omnichannel communication, advanced AI bots, real-time supervisor support, and secure payment agent assist. |
| Premium | $199 | Everything in Professional, plus full workforce management, optimized workflows for interaction deflection, and CX analytics for all business functions. |
Ideal use cases
Nextiva’s platform fits in perfectly with small businesses looking for affordable and intuitive communication software. It’s also the perfect solution for organizations that want to integrate their VoIP and CRM functions, and any teams with remote workers who need a reliable mobile app.
6. Nextiva
As one of the biggest contenders in the contact center software industry, Nextiva is an all-in-one VoIP communication platform offering businesses a variety of cloud-based telephony features. It gives businesses the power to improve both their internal and external communication, and offers features like omnichannel and team collaboration tools to support remote work.
Key features
Advanced integrations
Nextiva integrates seamlessly with tools like Outlook, Google Cloud products, QuickBooks, Dropbox, and Zendesk.
Round-the-clock customer support
Nextiva’s customer support team is available 24/7, giving business support whenever they may need it.
Advanced call features
Conference calling, voicemail transcription, and multi-level attendant are just a few of Nextiva’s powerful calling features.
Analytics
Nextiva’s platform provides detailed call activity and performance reports so managers can monitor call volumes and agent efficiency in real-time.
Pros vs cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Users can be calling within minutes thanks to Nextiva’s simple and intuitive setup. | Analytics and reporting tools aren’t as strong as some competitors. |
| Combines communication and CRM tools in one platform. | Limited customization options for specific, niche industries. |
| Excellent customer service and support. | Missing certain integrations, like Slack and Zapier, which can be a barrier for some businesses as Zapier enables further connections to VoIP telephony systems. |
Pricing
Small business
| Plan | Price (per user/month) | Includes |
| Digital | $20 | Competitive monitoring, messaging apps, social media channels, review management, and digital service helpdesk. |
| Core | $30 | Everything in Digital, plus inbound & outbound voice, business SMS, video meetings, screenshare & file share, and call routing. |
| Engage | $40 | Everything in Core, plus customer-to-team SMS messaging, toll-free number & minutes, advanced reporting, MS Teams integration, and web chat (both live and bot). |
| Power Suite | $60 | Everything in Engage, plus inbound sales and service call center, priority and skills-based routing, unified team interface, supervisor dashboard, and ACD callback. |
Enterprise
| Plan | Price (per user/month) | Includes |
| Essential | $129 | Inbound & outbound channels, full workflow engine for journey orchestration, workflow automation and APIs, transcription and summarization, and customizable skills-based routing. |
| Professional | $159 | Everything in Essential, plus full customer journey context & history, omnichannel communication, advanced AI bots, real-time supervisor support, and secure payment agent assist. |
| Premium | $199 | Everything in Professional, plus full workforce management, optimized workflows for interaction deflection, and CX analytics for all business functions. |
Ideal use cases
Nextiva’s platform fits in perfectly with small businesses looking for affordable and intuitive communication software. It’s also the perfect solution for organizations that want to integrate their VoIP and CRM functions, and any teams with remote workers who need a reliable mobile app.
7. Avaya
Avaya is a cloud-based contact center tool built primarily for remote teams with powerful video conferencing and instant messaging features. It’s an excellent platform for boosting workplace efficiency by integrating seamlessly with some of the most popular tools on the market, making daily operations smoother and more efficient.
Key features
Omnichannel capabilities
High-quality customer interactions across voice and digital channels in one place.
Workforce optimization
Provides powerful scheduling and performance tracking tools, plus agent productivity monitoring to optimize operational efficiency.
Local and toll-free numbers
Global communications with access to a variety of number types.
AI-driven tools
Virtual assistants, speech analytics, and sentiment analysis are all on offer to improve customer satisfaction.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Comprehensive feature set including omnichannel routing, workforce optimization, and AI-driven customer interactions. | Complex setup and maintenance with a steep learning curve and skilled IT resources needed for setup. |
| Scalability designed to grow with your business, handling both small teams and large enterprises with ease. | Higher pricing compared to alternatives. |
| Strong international presence for businesses operating in multiple regions, with local solutions and support. | Less user-friendly interface designed for large enterprises, which makes it overwhelming for smaller teams. |
| Strong reliability with high uptime and service stability, making it dependable for businesses that require uninterrupted operations. | Limited updates on legacy systems which can be a challenge for businesses using older Avaya systems. |
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Includes |
| Core | $20/user/month | Business phone and toll-free numbers, inbound caller ID, unlimited calls within US/CA, business SMS, voicemail transcription, team messaging, document sharing, 24/7 support, business phone numbers in 100+ countries, SSO, unlimited audio conferencing, video meetings up to 100 people, up to 24 hour meeting duration, AI video meeting summaries, transcripts, and highlights, quality-of-service reports, and popular integrations. |
| Advanced | $25/user/month | Everything in Core plus automatic call recording, multi-site admin and management, unlimited internet fax, up to 8 digit extensions, hot desking, advanced call handling, video meeting up to 200 people, real-time analytics, popular CRM integrations, industry-specific integrations, and developer system and custom integrations. |
| Ultra | $35/user/month | Everything in Advanced plus devise status reports and alerts, and unlimited storage. |
Ideal use cases
Avaya caters to large enterprises and businesses with complex communication needs, high call volumes, or those that need advanced customer interaction features. It’s the perfect solution for organizations with omnichannel contact centers, an international presence, or requiring AI-driven customer engagement. Companies in industries like telecommunications, healthcare, and financial services would benefit most from Avaya’s powerful and customizable solutions.
8. Genesys Cloud CX
Gensys is a powerful omnichannel contact center platform that optimizes customer communication with advanced features like campaigns management, progressive dialers, AI-powered analytics, real-time chat, omnichannel communication, and 24/7 customer support.
Key features
AI-powered capabilities
Genesys offers predictive routing, sentiment analysis, and AI-driven chatbots to improve customer experiences and agent performance.
Customizable dashboards and analytics
With real-time insights and customizable reports, businesses can track agent performance metrics and make data-driven decisions.
Omnichannel engagement
Users can manage customer interactions across voice, chat, email, social media, and messaging apps from the same place.
Workforce optimization tools
Genesys empowers teams with workforce forecasting, scheduling, and performance analytics tools to enhance team productivity.
Pros vs cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Omnichannel engagement across multiple channels helps businesses maintain consistency with customers. | Setup times can take up to 90 days, which can be a turn off for businesses needing a quick fix. |
| AI-powered capabilities like predictive engagement and sentiment analysis improve agent efficiency. | High entry requirements of 20 users minimum make it unsuitable for small teams and startups. |
| Comprehensive analytics can enable businesses to make better, data-driven decisions. | It’s more expensive compared to alternatives, which can be a barrier for budget-conscious teams. |
Pricing
| Plan | Price (per user/month) | Includes |
| Genesys Cloud CX 1 | $75 | Voice channel, call routing, speech-enabled IVR, outbound campaigns, analytics and reporting, unified comms, interaction and screen recording, virtual agents, native voicebot, predictive routing, agent copilot, speech and text analytics, supervisor copilot, and virtual supervisor. |
| Genesys Cloud CX 2 | $115 | Digital channels, voice channel, omnichannel routing, speech-enabled IVR, outbound campaigns, analytics and reporting, unified comms, QA and compliance, knowledge, agent copilot, virtual agents, native bots, predictive engagement and routing, social listening and engagement, speech and text analytics, supervisor copilot, and virtual supervisor. |
| Genesys Cloud CX 3 | $155 | Digital channels, voice channel, omnichannel routing, speech-enabled IVR, outbound campaigns, analytics and reporting, unified comms, employee performance, workforce management, QA and compliance, knowledge, forecasting and scheduling, speech and text analytics, virtual agents, native bots, predictive engagement and routing, social listening and engagement, supervisor copilot, and virtual supervisor. |
| Genesys Cloud CX 4 | $240 | Everything in 3, plus 30 AI experience tokens per agent, and journey management. |
Ideal use cases
Any enterprise, global contact center, or industries with high compliance needs will find what they’re looking for with Genesys Cloud CX. It’s perfect for large-scale operations that need scalable and secure customer engagement tools, or sectors like finance, healthcare, and government organizations where data security and compliance are critical.
9. Zendesk Talk
Zendesk’s cloud-based telephony solution, Zendesk Talk, is designed to integrate seamlessly with Zendesk Support. It’s the go-to solution for customer service teams as it combines Zendesk’s own ticketing and workflow automation features with call management functionalities. Zendesk Talk helps businesses stay organized and boost efficiency, while blending customer support, CRM, and team collaboration.
Key features
Fully integrated with Zendesk Support
Companies already using Zendesk Support can easily integrate Zendesk Talk with their current setup to maintain a unified platform for calls, email, chat, and other communication channels.
Call routing and IVR
Advanced call routing options send callers to the right agent or department to handle their query based on skills, availability, and any other predetermined criteria.
Call recording and monitoring
Supervisors can listen in on live calls and use “whisper” functionalities to guide agents through difficult interactions.
Omnichannel capabilities
Zendesk Talk integrates with Zendesk’s omnichannel tools, giving agents the ability to switch between calls, chats, emails, and social media messages in one interface.
Pros vs cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Perfectly tailored for Zendesk users with an integrated support workflow. | No integrations with e-commerce and online stores like Shopify and BigCommerce. |
| Efficient ticketing and call management help reduce response times. | Per-minute pricing can result in higher costs for teams with high call volumes. |
| Top-tier team collaboration. | Not the best for non-Zendesk users as the platform is heavily tied to the Zendesk system. |
Pricing
These prices are included in Zendesk Talk’s Customer Service Suite Plans. Visit their website for their Employee Service Suite prices.
| Plan | Price | Includes |
| Support team | $25/user/month ($19 with annual billing) | Ticketing system, email, contact form and Web Widget, Facebook & X, unified agent workspace, customer history, predefined responses, custom business rules with triggers and automations, prebuilt analytic dashboards, prebuilt apps and integrations, on-demand trainings and best practices, and online support from the Zendesk team. |
| Suite team | $69/user/month ($55 with annual billing) | Everything in Support team plus AI agents, customer and internal knowledge base, Google Analytics, live chat messaging, proactive customer messaging, social messaging, phone support with call routing, automated phone ticketing, voicemail and call recording, and text messaging. |
| Suite professional | $149/user/month ($115 with annual billing) | Everything in Suite team plus live and custom analytics, skills-based routing, side conversations, customer satisfaction surveys, SLA, Light agent restrictions, multiple ticket forms, customer self-service portal, business hours, IVR, HIPAA enabled, data location options, and multilingual support. |
| Suite enterprise | Contact sales for a custom quote. | Everything in Suite professional plus Sandbox, custom agent roles, AI-powered content cues, content blocks, audit logs, approval workflows, dynamic workspaces, extended queue size and wait times, up to 300 help centers, ticket queues, business rules analysis, and visual data alerts. |
Ideal use cases
For teams already using Zendesk as their primary solution, Zendesk Talk is the obvious choice for customer service teams. Alternatively, any businesses looking for unified voice and digital customer interactions, or a quick setup and integrated workflows, Zendesk Talk is the solution to go for.
10. CloudTalk
CloudTalk fits in perfectly at small and medium-sized businesses looking to streamline how they connect with customers. True to its name, CloudTalk’s cloud-based platform stands out for its ease of use and flexibility, making it a breeze for teams to handle inbound and outbound calls, whether for sales, support, or a mix of both. With intuitive features like call routing and seamless integrations, CloudTalk helps businesses boost productivity while delivering standout customer experiences. Whether your team works remotely, in-office, or somewhere in between, CloudTalk adapts effortlessly to any setup.
Key features
Smart call routing
Calls are intelligently directed to the right agent to handle the customer’s specific query, reducing wait times, improving issue resolution, and enhancing customer experience.
Remote first
Thanks to CloudTalk’s international phone numbers and call recording and monitoring, agents can work from anywhere, while managers easily track their performance and keep an eye on quality assurance.
Call analytics
With insights into call metrics thanks to real-time dashboards and detailed reports, managers can gauge agent performance and call quality with ease.
Interactive voice response (IVR)
IVR allows callers to interact with a menu system to route themselves to the correct department or agent based on their query, significantly improving issue resolution and reducing wait times.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| CloudTalk’s intuitive design makes it easy for teams to navigate and manage calls without extensive training. | Mobile app limitations like call drops and glitches can affect on-the-go communication. |
| CloudTalk integrates seamlessly with popular CRMs like HubSpot and Zendesk, keeping customer data centralized. | Some users find outbound call costs higher than expected, especially in certain regions. |
| With support for international numbers in over 160 countries, CloudTalk is ideal for businesses operating across borders. | CloudTalk relies heavily on stable internet connections, which can be a drawback in areas with unreliable connectivity. |
| Advanced call features like smart call routing and IVR enhance call management and provide valuable insights into customer interactions. | Businesses with custom-built CRMs may face integration issues. |
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Includes |
| Starter | $25/user/month | 500 domestic outbound minutes in UK, EU, Iceland & Norway, unlimited inbound and intracompany calls, international numbers in 160+ countries, softphone, call recording, click to call, automated call distribution, unlimited call queueing, and email and chat support. |
| Essential | $29/user/month | Everything in Starter plus unlimited domestic calls in EU, UK, Iceland & Norway, 24/7 live human support, real-time analytics, integrations and API, IVR, skills-based routing, AI smart queueing, global SMS/MMS, unlimited concurrent calls, and workflow automation. |
| Expert | $49/user/month | Everything in Essential plus Salesforce integrations, advanced support features, advanced sales features like power dialer and smart dialer, live call monitoring and wallboards, mandatory call tagging, WhatsApp, and SSO. |
| Custom | Tailor-made price | All Expert features plus unlimited worldwide call packages, custom onboarding and priority support, custom reporting, enterprise-level security, developer support, and SLA. |
Ideal use cases
CloudTalk is best used by small to medium-sized businesses looking to streamline their customer communication. It’s particularly best for sales teams in managing outbound calls with power dialers and call routing, and customer support teams to handle inbound calls efficiently through IVR and smart routing. Plus, thanks to CloudTalk’s international phone numbers and cloud-based accessibility, it’s ideal for teams operating across borders.
11. Aircall
Aircall is a cloud-based phone system primarily built for small to medium-sized businesses who want to enhance their communication abilities. Its variety of features and integrations streamline workflows and improve teamwork with VoIP features and collaboration tools.
Key features
Cloud-based flexibility
With just a stable internet connection, users can work from anywhere thanks to Aircall’s cloud-based system.
Extensive integrations
Aircall integrates with over 100 apps and popular tools, like Slack, HubSpot, and Zendesk.
Advanced telephony features
Aircalls provides IVR, call recording, click-to-dial, and SMS/MMS to enhance communication.
Collaboration tools
Users can make use of shared call inboxes, tagging, and call comments to make it easy for teams to connect and work together from anywhere.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Ease of use and scalability make it ideal for companies looking for a straightforward tool to simplify communication. | Aircall’s costs are higher compared to competitors offering similar features. |
| Strong integrations with tools like HubSpot and Salesforce. | Aircall lacks certain advanced call analytics and customization capabilities. |
| Powerful call management features, ideal for small to medium-sized businesses. | The software has limited functionality with less popular third-party tools. |
| Intuitive interface and user-friendliness. | Some users report slow response times, especially during critical issues. |
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Includes |
| Essentials | $30/license | 100+ integrations and API access, unlimited calls in US/CA, essential telephony features like IVR, call recording, and click-to-dial, SMS/MMS, softphone, and unlimited simultaneous outbound calls. |
| Professional | $50/license | Everything in Essentials plus Salesforce integration, mandatory call tagging, advanced analytics and live monitoring, advanced support features like queue call back and smart routing, and advanced sales features like power dialer and voicemail drop. |
| Custom | Call for details | Everything in Professional plus unlimited worldwide calls, custom onboarding, access to API developer support, SLA, and SSO. |
Ideal use cases
Aircall is a great communication solution for small to medium-sized businesses that want to improve their telephony systems. With its extensive integrations and advanced features, it’s ideal for any organization that wants to improve team productivity.
12. Talkdesk
Talkdesk is a smart-calling platform that improves the communication capabilities of sales and customer support teams through high-tech automations and reliable call quality. Its innovative contact center platform integrates AI-powered tools and omnichannel support into its cloud-based system, and its advanced automation and analytics ensure that customer issues are dealt with quickly and efficiently.
Key features
Customizable integrations
Seamlessly connects with CRMs and other existing business tools to improve workflows.
Intelligent routing
Customers are automatically routed to the right agent or department based on their query, bringing down wait times and improving customer satisfaction.
Omnichannel support
By bringing together voice, chat, email, phone, and social media, agents have access to full customer interaction histories, improving consistency and efficiency.
AI-powered automation
Agents can be more productive and efficient with powerful tools like virtual agents, predictive insights, and automated workflows.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Talkdesk’s user-friendly interface makes it easy for teams to get up and running quickly. | Talkdesk is a great call center platform, but it doesn’t have video conferencing and messaging, which can be a turn off for certain businesses. |
| Powerful AI features like Virtual Agent and AI insights enhance productivity and provide valuable analytics for customer interactions. | Talkdesk has fewer integrations with CRMs and business tools compared to other VoIP solutions. |
Pricing
| Plan | Price (per user/month) | Includes |
| CX Cloud Digital Essentials | $85/user/month | Talkdesk Ascend AI, digital engagement, studio & routing, connections, API access, real-time dashboards, business intelligence, conversations mobile app, QA, feedback & Guardian. |
| CX Cloud Voice Essentials | $105/user/month | Everything in Cloud Digital, plus voice engagement, studio functions, workspace designer, automation designer.
Also available: Digital access for essentials, 70+ out-of-the-box integrations, 100+ AppConnect marketplace. |
| CX Cloud Elite | $165/user/month | Everything in Digital & Voice, plus, custom reporting, performance management, screen recording, automated notifications, workforce management, proactive outbound engagement. |
| Industry specific cloud editions | $225/user/month | Includes specific plans for financial services, healthcare, retail, and government. |
Ideal use cases
Talkdesk caters more to enterprises and larger-scale businesses with a blend of customer support and internal collaboration. It’s perfect for any business prioritizing high-quality customer service, and its industry-specific workflows and advanced analytics make it the best tool for healthcare and financial service with unique needs.
13. Vonage
Vonage is a cloud communications provider that’s built its reputation on providing reliable and stable business communication solutions. It’s one of the most well-known virtual phone providers in the world, integrating video conferencing, voicemail transcription, desktop sharing, voice calls, and more.
Key features
Unified communication
Vonage offers a comprehensive Unified Communication as a Service (UCaaS) platform that brings together voice, video, messaging, and other collaboration tools, enabling teams to stay connected wherever they are and no matter what divide they’re using.
API integration
Vonage has a highly developed suite of APIs for messaging, voice, video, and verification that allow developers to integrate communication functionalities directly into their apps, enabling customized solutions that are tailored to unique business needs.
Call management features
Vonage keeps call handling smooth and efficient thanks to its strong call management features like call forwarding, call queues, voicemail-to-email, and virtual receptionists that are designed to improve customer experience and allow for easy management of high call volumes.
Global coverage
Vonage offers local and toll-free numbers in over 40 countries that support businesses operating across international borders, allowing companies to establish a local presence from anywhere in the world.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Powerful tools for seamless phone calls and messaging. | Higher prices compared to other suppliers which makes it less accessible for smaller or more budget-conscious businesses. |
| Highly advanced voice and video conferencing capabilities, supporting remote workers and team collaboration. | Many users report hidden fees and unexpected charges that end up inflating the overall cost of using the platform. |
| CRM integrations that centralize customer data, streamlining workflows. | Limited features on basic plans make it a less comprehensive tool for some businesses. |
Pricing
| Plan | Price (billed annually) | Price (per month/extension) | Includes |
| Mobile | $13.99 | $19.99 | Desktop and mobile apps, unlimited domestic calling, SMS and MMS, voicemail. |
| Premium | $20.99 | $29.99 | All mobile features plus VoIP desk phone support, unlimited video meeting with 200 participants, team messaging, VBC App Center, SSO. |
| Advanced | $27.99 | $39.99 | All premium features plus 15 hours of on-demand call recording per month, visual voicemail with transcriptions, call groups. |
Ideal use cases
Vonage is a versatile solution ideal for businesses of all sizes that prioritize seamless communication and global reach. It’s ideal for customer-facing teams who need advanced call management, remote or hybrid workplaces, and any developers integrating APIs into custom apps. Plus, any business operating across international borders will benefit from Vonage’s global yet local phone numbers.
14. Grasshopper
Grasshopper’s virtual phone system designed for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and freelancers looking for professional communication solutions. Its powerful call features such as call forwarding, voicemail transcription, and custom greetings help users maintain professionalism, while its user-friendly interface and desktop apps enable easy and quick setup.
Key features
Voicemail transcription
Converts voicemail to text, so users can read messages when they’re not able to listen.
Business texting
Allows users to send and receive texts on their business number, enabling quick communication.
Simultaneous call handling
Enables users to handle multiple calls at the same time, reducing the likelihood of missed connections.
Custom greetings
Allows businesses to create personalized messages, improving the caller experience.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy to use with intuitive mobile and desktop apps that simplify call, text, and voicemail management. | Grasshopper doesn’t offer call recording, which can be a turn off for businesses who rely on recordings for agent training and compliance. |
| Professional image for small businesses with custom greetings, call forwarding, and multiple extensions. | Lack of power dialer and automated dialing features which makes Grasshopper unsuitable for businesses with high volumes of outbound call campaigns. |
| Affordable and predictable pricing make it a cost-effective option for small businesses and entrepreneurs. | No click-to-call feature which can interrupt workflows and force users to waste time on manual dialing. |
Pricing
| Plan | Price (base, annual) | Price (base, monthly) | Includes |
| True Solo | $14 | $18 | 1 business number, 1 extension, 1 user, VoIP/WiFi calling, business SMS, virtual fax, custom greetings, auto attendant, call forwarding and screening, mobile and desktop app, and 24/7 customer support. |
| Solo Plus | $25 | $32 | Everything in True Solo plus 3 extensions and unlimited users. |
| Small Business | $80 | $92 | Everything in Solo Plus plus 5 numbers, unlimited extensions, and unlimited users. |
Ideal use cases
Grasshopper is a great VoIP call center solution for smaller businesses thanks to its ease of use and wide variety of key features. It’s perfect for startups, freelancers, and entrepreneurs who need to create a professional image while using simple yet effective communication tools.
Key Considerations When Choosing a Cloud Phone Solution
Features and functionality
The heart of any cloud-based system is its features and capabilities. Essentials like VoIP calling, SMS/MMS, voicemail, conference calling, and email make up the foundation, while advanced options like IVR, call recording and analytics, and predictive dialers build it up. They’re powerful tools that empower businesses to easily handle a wide range of communication demands, and improve the software’s adaptability across multiple industries.
Integration capabilities
A top-tier phone system doesn’t operate in a vacuum; it works hand-in-hand with the tools that keep your business operating on a daily basis. Seamless integration with CRMs or helpdesk platforms centralize customer data and optimize workflows, while compatibility with productivity tools enables smooth collaboration across departments. Integrations with Salesforce, HubSpot, Slack, and Microsoft Teams can turn a simple phone system into a central hub for all your business operations.
Pricing and value
Not only is pricing one of the most critical aspects of choosing a new software, it’s often the deciding factor when it comes down to a narrow choice. Navigating billing models and pricing plans means finding a system that fits your budget, as some providers might include hidden costs like setup fees or charges for extra users and features. Look for flexible options like per user/month, pay-as-you-go, or bundled plans, as they’re easier to predict overall cost.
Scalability and reliability
For businesses aiming to grow, scalability and reliability are two of the most essential assets a software can have. Your phone system should allow for adding new agents, numbers, or advanced features seamlessly as you expand, without incurring hefty additional costs or interruptions. Reliable uptime ensures that operations stay smooth and customer service uninterrupted, keeping the whole business running efficiently.
Customer support and onboarding
Introducing a new platform to your team can come with challenges, but thorough training resources like tutorials, detailed documentation, and live demos can make the process a lot easier. A solution that includes responsive support via phone, email, and live chat can help your team quickly resolve issues and stay productive.
Security and compliance
As technology evolves, so do the risks associated with data breaches, making security compliance more important than it’s ever been. Sticking strictly to regulations like GDPR and HIPAA, along with strong encryption and transparent data handling policies, protects both your business and customers. Opting for a system with a focus on security can give you peace of mind while building trust with your customers, and avoiding legal trouble.
FAQs
What are the main reasons to look for 8×8 alternatives?
Businesses often seek alternatives because of 8×8’s pricing, occasional feature gaps, and integration limitations, as well as varied experiences with customer support.
Is it difficult to migrate from 8×8 to another provider?
Migrating from 8×8 is typically straightforward, with most providers offering onboarding assistance to ensure a smooth transition.
How do pricing models typically differ between 8×8 and its alternatives?
Alternatives often provide more flexible pricing options, such as pay-as-you-go or customized bundles, which can better suit varying budgets and needs compared to 8×8’s tiered plans.
Which 8×8 alternative is the easiest to set up and use?
Platforms like Voiso and Dialpad are renowned for their intuitive interfaces and streamlined setup processes, making them ideal for quick implementation.
Do these 8×8 alternatives offer the same integrations with CRMs and other tools?
Most other options match or exceed 8×8’s integration options, supporting popular CRMs like Salesforce and HubSpot, as well as collaboration tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams.
Are there features offered by other platforms that 8×8 doesn’t have?
Yes, competitors like Voiso often include advanced features like AI-driven call analytics, predictive dialers, and more tailored omnichannel solutions that 8×8 might lack.
Is Voiso better than 8×8?
Voiso outshines 8×8 in areas like cost-efficiency, feature depth, and customization, making it an excellent choice for businesses looking for advanced communication tools.
How reliable are 8×8 alternatives in terms of call quality and uptime?
Most alternatives prioritize high uptime and superior call quality, often matching or exceeding 8×8’s standards to ensure uninterrupted communication.
8×8 Not Adding Up? No Problem!
Exploring alternatives to 8×8 opens the door to solutions that better align with your unique business needs. Whether you’re looking for more flexible pricing, advanced features, stronger support, or scalable options for future growth, there are plenty of providers on the market ready to deliver.
Remember to evaluate platforms based on the essentials: functionality, cost, customer service, and the ability to grow with your organization. A thoughtful, strategic approach will ensure you choose a communication system that works perfectly now and scales effortlessly later.
But, if you can’t wait or don’t have time to shop around, talk to us today and make the process much quicker. Voiso is the number one option, after all!
