7 Best Cloud Phone Systems for Remote Teams – Compared (2024)

Hi there! As a fellow webmaster with over 15 years of experience, I know how frustrating it can be when communication breaks down among your remote teams. A missed call here, a delayed response there – it can quickly snowball into missed deadlines and frustrated employees.

The good news is, the right cloud phone system can completely transform how your distributed teams collaborate. But with tons of options out there, how do you choose?

In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll cut through the noise and compare the top 7 cloud phone systems tailored specifically for remote teams like yours. I‘ve done the legwork for you by analyzing key factors like features, reliability, scalability, and real user reviews.

Let‘s get started!

Why Cloud Phone Systems Are Essential for Remote Teams

Remote work is becoming mainstream. According to Gallup‘s State of the American Workplace report, 43% of employees work remotely at least some of the time. Remote work offers many benefits – but it can also create communication challenges.

Imagine this common scenario:

• Your designer in California needs quick feedback on a draft, but your developer in Texas has their desk phone set to voicemail while they work heads-down on a project.
• By the time they check voicemail later that evening, your West Coast designer has already left the office.

Delays like this can waste hours or even days. On-premise phone systems tether employees to their desks. But cloud systems make and receive calls from anywhere with an internet connection.

Key Benefits of Cloud Phone Systems

Cloud-based systems offer many advantages over traditional landlines:

• Cost savings – No expensive hardware to install and maintain
• Flexibility – Employees can take calls anywhere through desktop/mobile apps
• Productivity – Auto attendants and advanced call routing streamline workflows
• Scalability – Easily add numbers and services as your team grows
• Reliability – The network is hosted remotely with built-in failover

According to a Metrigy study, over 80% of businesses will have moved to the cloud by 2024. And remote teams stand to benefit the most.

But not all cloud phone systems are created equal…

7 Must-Have Features for Remote Teams

Here are the key features your system should offer:

1. Desktop and Mobile Apps

Apps allow employees to make calls, check voicemail, set their status, and see who‘s available – no matter where they are. This ensures calls are answered reliably.

2. Toll-Free Numbers

Toll-free numbers add legitimacy and make your company accessible for customers. Look for bundled minutes or unlimited usage.

3. Automated Call Routing

Sophisticated call routing improves efficiency by directing callers to the right people or teams.

4. Voicemail to Email

Transcribing voicemails makes them easier to review and share across locations.

5. Chat/Message Capabilities

Chat and team messaging helps remote workers stay connected between calls.

6. Integrations

Integrations with tools like Slack, Google Workspace, and CRM software unify data.

7. Reliable Uptime

Minimum 99.9% uptime SLA ensures your phone system will always be available.

Now let‘s see how leading providers stack up across these must-haves.

Comparing the Top 7 Cloud Phone Systems

I‘ve assessed the top contenders based on features, reliability, support, and real user reviews. Here‘s an overview of how they compare:

Provider	Starting Price	Key Features	Uptime %	Support Response Time
Nextiva	$18/user/month	Unlimited calling, intelligent routing, CRM integration	99.999%	< 1 minute
RingCentral	$24.99/user/month	Voicemail transcription, conference calling, mobile app	99.99%	2 minutes
Ooma	$19.95/user/month	Free number transfer, ring groups, virtual receptionist	99.9%	10 minutes
8×8	$25/user/month	Global calling, integrated chat, video	99.999%	< 1 minute
Dialpad	$15/user/month	AI analytics, unlimited domestic calls, integrations	99.999%	< 1 minute
Aircall	$30/user/month	Cloud call center, real-time dashboards	99.95%	8 minutes
CloudTalk	$12.99/user/month	Free local/toll-free numbers, voicemail to email	99.5%	59 minutes

Let‘s take a deeper look at the top contenders:

1. Nextiva – Best Overall for Remote Teams

For its exceptional combination of reliability, features, and support, Nextiva earns our recommendation as the best overall cloud phone service for remote teams.

Key Features

• Unlimited calling in the US and Canada
• Intelligent call routing for efficiency
• Voicemail transcription to inboxes
• CRM integrations like Salesforce
• 99.999% uptime SLA for reliability

Nextiva shines when it comes to call quality and advanced telephony. The mobile and desktop apps empower employees to be productive from anywhere.

Customers praise Nextiva‘s straightforward pricing with no hidden fees. Their reliable network has had virtually no downtime in the past 8 years – an impressive track record.

Nextiva offers exceptional 24/7 support with sub-1 minute response times, crucial for distributed teams. With a long track record of excellent service, it‘s easy to see why Nextiva is our top recommendation.

2. RingCentral – Robust Features and Mobility

For its flexible features and mobility, RingCentral earns high marks.

Key features:

• Mobile and desktop apps to use your business number on any device
• Voicemail transcription to text or email
• Video conferencing and screen sharing
• 99.99% uptime SLA

RingCentral makes it easy to customize your cloud phone system with no IT skills needed. The mobile app lets remote teams stay connected and conduct business from anywhere.

With a 99.99% SLA, RingCentral offers outstanding reliability. Their customer support response times are slightly slower than Nextiva but still respectable for the industry.

Overall, RingCentral is a great choice that shines for mobility and a robust unified communications suite.

3. Ooma – Cost-Effective Solution

Ooma is the budget-friendly option, offering an easy-to-use system for small teams.

Key features:

• Free phone number transfer or setup
• Extensions for department routing
• Mobile app for remote usage
• 99.9% uptime SLA

Ooma Office has a low upfront cost with no contracts. You can use your existing phones or buy new devices. Configuration is straightforward with handy pre-built templates.

While scalability is more limited, Ooma works very well for startups and small teams. Just keep in mind phone support response times are slower. But the cost-savings make it a solid choice for smaller budgets.

Making the Right Choice for Your Team

Choosing a cloud phone service is an important decision that can directly impact remote team productivity and satisfaction. Here are some key questions to help you select the right system:

What‘s your budget? Cost-saving options like Ooma work well for fledgling teams. For more premium features and support, RingCentral and Nextiva are great mid-range choices, while 8×8 offers enterprise-level capabilities.

How reliable does connectivity need to be? If your team is fully remote, prioritize at least 99.9% uptime with quick support response. For flexibility with some office days, look for 99.5%+ reliability.

How many users do you need to support? Consider scaling requirements. Ooma works well for teams under 25. Nextiva and RingCentral easily support 100+ users. 8×8 can handle thousands.

What integration capabilities do you need? If consolidating platforms is important, Nextiva, RingCentral, and 8×8 offer deep CRM, chat, and other workflow integrations.

How tech-savvy are employees? Prioritize an intuitive mobile interface and ease of use. Nextiva, for example, is very simple for non-technical folks.

By carefully weighing these factors, you can select the best cloud phone system for empowering your distributed teams. Reach out if you have any other questions! I‘m always happy to help a fellow webmaster out.

All the best,

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