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Your telephony system is an integral part of your company. If it fails, you lose time, money, and potential customers. When it comes to finding a business phone service that will be safe, reliable and cost-effective, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is the way to go. Here’s a rundown on the top business phone services.

1. Nextiva

Nextiva has been given a 4.7 out of 5-star rating from Gartner for business phone system service. It works from your existing toolset, so no additional integrations are needed. Additional features include:

• Call recording
• Text messaging
• Call recording
• Conferencing
• Fax
• Video conferencing
• Call pop
• Optional intelligence tools
• Optional productivity tools

Monthly plans are available. Pricing is based on the number of users. There are three plans: Basic, Pro, and Enterprise. Because Nextiva has carrier-grade data centers in 8 locations, your chance of downtime is virtually nil.

2. Ring Central

Ring Central is a popular VoIP choice and has won PC Magazine Editor’s Choice award for the past three years. It’s an affordable solution, is easy to set up, and can be accessed from any of your devices. Other features include:

• Call recording
• Instant messaging
• Call logs
• Conferencing
• Screen sharing
• Virtual numbers
• Video calls
• Fax

Ring Central’s pricing systems are based on your number of users, starting at up to 20 for the Essentials plan and increasing to unlimited audio calls and limited conference and video calls per number of users.

3. Ooma

Ooma is another leader in business phone systems. It has won PC Magazine’s Business Choice Award for 6 years running. It has competitive pricing and allows you to retain your current business number. Other main features include:

• Call recording
• Conference calls
• Extension dialing
• Music on hold
• Virtual receptionist
• Access from wherever you are
• 24/7 customer support

Ooma is user-friendly and its DIY installation allows you to set up the system within minutes. Monthly plans are available for small medium and large businesses, based on the number of users.

4. Vonage

Vonage has been around since 2001 and has maintained a great reputation and a wide client base. Its cloud phone system has a wide range of features including:

• Audio/video conferencing
• Call screening
• Call continuity
• Call recording
• Toll-free numbers
• Music on hold
• Text messaging voicemail to email
• Call flip or forwarding
• Fax

Like most other VoIP providers, Vonage offers a series of monthly plans based on user numbers. You can also take it for a free test drive for 14 days.

5. 8×8

If you’re looking for a VoIP system that will allow reasonably priced international calls, 8×8 could be just the right one. This company has more than 1 million trusted users worldwide, including Aon, McDonald’s, and Regus. Features include:

• Unlimited calling
• International calling
• Conference calls
• Virtual assistant
• Call handling
• One-on-one and group chat
• Audio/video conferencing
• Texting and SMS

8×8 offers flexible plans which allow you to mix and match the features that best suit the size and needs of your business.

6. Global Call Forwarding

Global Call Forwarding offers virtual phone numbers in the US and more than 150 other countries. You can choose from toll-free or vanity numbers. Other features include:

• Time of day routing
• Failover forwarding
• Voicemail to email
• Local ringback tones
• Simultaneous ringing
• SMS forwarding

Global Call Forwarding has a range of plans to suit all business sizes as well as other optional features.

7. Grasshopper

Grasshopper is a popular option for small businesses. It allows you to work from anywhere and answer business calls quickly. Founded in 2003, the company quickly gained an edge in the virtual phone arena. Features include:

• Call forwarding
• Voicemail
• Call transfers
• Extensions
• Voicemail transcription
• Custom greetings
• Simultaneous call handling
• Texting
• Fax
• Call reporting

Grasshopper allows you to suit a plan for your needs. You can also try it out free for 14 days.

8. Jive Voice

Jive offers a secure VoIP system with several redundant data centers so you don’t have to worry about downtime. Jive’s features include:

• Unlimited calling
• Audio/video conferencing
• Virtual fax
• Auto-attendants
• Pare and ring groups
• Call queues
• Voicemail

Jive is suitable for a wide range of businesses from small to enterprise. You have to contact them for a free customized quote.

Which business phone system you ultimately choose, will depend on the size of your business, the cost, the level of available customer support, the type of plans they offer, and of course, the quality of the service. Before you make your final decision, it’s also a good idea to take a look at customer reviews and testimonials.