Juggling a number of communication instruments throughout your distant workforce? You’re not alone. 48% of companies now have a hybrid workforce, making environment friendly communication extra important than ever. 

That’s the place Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) is available in. 

This single platform consolidates enterprise cellphone, e-mail, chat, and extra, streamlining collaboration and boosting productiveness. However with a number of UCaaS suppliers available on the market, selecting the best one may be daunting. 

This text breaks down the highest 8 UCaaS gamers, evaluating options, pricing, buyer expertise, help, and safety that can assist you discover the right match for your enterprise.

What Is Unified Communications?

Unified Communications refers back to the integration of varied real-time communication companies and functions right into a single platform or interface. 

When supplied as a service (UCaaS), Unified Communications corporations consolidate and leverage cloud platforms to combine workflows and simplify collaboration, driving important productiveness beneficial properties and suppleness.

Listed below are some key advantages UC options supply:

• Flexibility to speak and collaborate from anyplace. Entry communication and collaboration capabilities on any gadget from nearly anyplace by way of the cloud. Unified communications platforms help versatile and distant work preparations.
• Capacity to scale with cloud-based platforms. Most UC options leverage the scalability and suppleness of the cloud. The convenience of including/eradicating customers helps scale capabilities up or down based mostly on evolving wants.
• Price financial savings from decreased infrastructure. Unified Communications corporations scale back legacy methods wanted and supply predictable subscription prices fairly than giant {hardware} investments. They simplify administration too.
• Productiveness advantages. UC platforms streamline workflows, lower switching between apps, and combine communication modes. Options like presence and unified messaging save customers time. This improves productiveness throughout people and groups.

8 Prime Unified Communications Corporations in 2024

1. Nextiva

Nextiva is an all-in-one UCaaS resolution that provides voice, video, messaging, e-mail, workflow automation, and integrations in a single platform. You too can arrange a self-service assist desk for patrons to get solutions to their questions without having to achieve a human help rep.

Nextiva partnered with Five9, the chief involved middle expertise, to bolster its cloud communications providing. It additionally has greater than 4,000 companions within the U.S. to present corporations the communication instruments they have to be profitable.

Nextiva options

Listed below are some prime UC options inside Nextiva’s platform:

• Enterprise cellphone system: Cloud-based VoIP cellphone service with name routing, auto attendants, extensions, and superior name analytics.
• Video conferencing: Face-to-face video conferencing for as much as 100 individuals with display sharing and recording capabilities.
• Crew chat: Group and personal messaging with @mentions, GIFs, threads, and file sharing.
• Integrations: Join standard enterprise apps like Salesforce, Zendesk, Workplace 365, and G Suite to sync communication information.
• Contact middle: Omnichannel customer support with name dealing with, IVR, superior routing, CRM integrations, and real-time analytics.

What customers love about Nextiva 

Nextiva is praised for reliability, name high quality, easy-to-use interface, and breadth of options for the value. Prospects spotlight video conferences, workforce chat, and workflow automation as beneficial.

Areas the place Nextiva can enhance 

As a result of Nextiva’s UCaaS platform runs by way of VoIP, some clients say they’ve points accessing the platform in the event that they’re in a location with spotty web connectivity.

Help, reliability, and safety

Nextiva prioritizes community uptime and safety. It options geo-redundant information facilities, SSAE 18 compliance, and encrypted calling and messages. The platform has a 99.999% uptime —  the gold normal within the UCaaS trade.

Help is on the market 24/7 through cellphone, e-mail, chat, group boards, and on-line information base.

Nextiva pricing 

• Important plan presents core options like limitless nationwide calling, voicemail to e-mail transcription, 24/7 buyer help, and extra — all for under $18.95 per person/month.  
• Skilled plan at $22.95 per person/month builds upon the Important options and presents extras like expanded 40-person convention calling, 250-person video conferences, limitless enterprise SMS capabilities, and particular integrations.
• Enterprise plan presents limitless convention calling, video conferencing, name recording, superior analytics, voicemail searchability, SSO choices, and expanded integrations for $32.95 per person/month. 

All plans emphasize sturdy digital communication tailor-made for enterprise success and seamless collaboration.

👉 Get your customized quote from a communications skilled for your enterprise immediately.

Who’s it greatest for?

Nextiva works for companies of all sizes. It’s excellent for rising SMBs that need an inexpensive however feature-rich cloud enterprise cellphone and communication platform that may scale with them.

2. GoTo Join

GoTo Join is a cloud-based unified communications platform designed for companies of all sizes. It combines varied communication options equivalent to voice calls, video conferencing, and instantaneous messaging into one system.

GoToConnect’s options

A few of GoToConnect’s greatest UCaaS options embrace:

• Private assembly rooms: Everlasting and customised video assembly areas for groups to collaborate face-to-face by way of browser-based video and display sharing.
• IVR and name routing: Good auto attendants and interactive voice menus to direct inbound calls, wait instances, and queueing.
• Cell app: Android and iOS apps permit making calls, becoming a member of conferences, chatting, and extra whereas on the go. Simply handle availability with do-not-disturb settings.

What customers love about GoToConnect

Customers spotlight the dependable name connectivity, HD assembly video high quality, and simple net admin portal dashboards for monitoring utilization and making changes.

The place GoToConnect can enhance

Some clients report frustrations with inconsistent app efficiency throughout units. Load instances between features may be sluggish at instances. Sure integrations like CRMs may also be buggy.

Help, reliability, and safety

The platform touts 99.996% verified uptime and adheres to prime compliance requirements. Help is on the market 24/7 through cellphone, net tickets, reside chat, and an internet information base.

GoToConnect pricing 

GoToConnect presents a number of pricing tiers based mostly on variety of customers and options. It begins at $27 per person per thirty days for the fundamental Skilled plan. Extra superior plans with further options vary as much as $50 per person per thirty days. Reductions can be found for annual contracts.

Who’s it greatest for?

GoToConnect is a superb selection for SMBs searching for an inexpensive cloud communications platform to centralize messaging, calls, and conferences beneath a single platform.

3. 8×8

A part of 8×8’s cloud providing features a UCaaS platform, together with a contact middle, video, voice, and chat options to present workers the instruments they should work remotely.

8×8 options

8×8 has a spread of communications options in its UC platform, together with:

• Cloud recording: Document, retailer and share audio and video conferences securely within the cloud. Helpful for transcribing notes or briefing absent staff.
• Branded video conferences: Customise assembly room invitations with firm branding, logos, and themes for an expert look.
• Digital name agent: AI-powered chatbot greets callers, asks questions to know intent, and directs calls appropriately. 

What customers love about 8×8

8×8 is praised for reliability, name high quality, and breadth of options for the value level. Prospects additionally admire the convenience of deployment and use in comparison with on-premise methods.

Areas the place 8×8 can enhance

Some functionalities like CRM integrations, chatbots, and SMS capabilities want additional growth in comparison with rivals. Cell app person expertise and efficiency might be higher optimized.

Help, reliability, and safety

Customers have entry to an internet portal with tutorials on utilizing 8×8’s UC platform. For reliability, 8×8 makes use of 35 non-public and public information facilities with 99.99% uptime. It offers end-to-end encryption for safe communications.

8×8 pricing

Pricing begins at $25 per person/month for limitless extension & quantity plan rising as much as $50 per person/month for full UCaaS capabilities. Name packs for outbound minutes can be found.

Who’s it greatest for?

8×8 fits rising midmarket organizations that desire a full-featured and safe cloud cellphone system built-in with fashionable workforce collaboration instruments like messaging, conferences, and speak to middle capabilities.

4. Zoom

Zoom’s video conferencing software program exploded in recognition after COVID-19 compelled groups to work remotely. Alongside its on-line assembly software program are a bunch of different UC instruments, together with cellphone service, chat, and conferencing.

Zoom options

Zoom presents greater than normal video conferencing, together with:

• Breakout rooms: Host webinars and conferences with breakout teams for personal discussions earlier than reconvening.
• Zoom Rooms: Hybrid groups with distant and in-office employees can be a part of conferences by way of Zoom Rooms expertise.
• Cloud VoIP: Make audio-only calls worldwide by way of Zoom’s VoIP cellphone system.

What customers love about Zoom

Customers constantly reward the HD video high quality, intuitive interface throughout units, screen-sharing capabilities, and inexpensive pricing. Distant workforces can successfully join face-to-face by way of Zoom.

The place Zoom can enhance

Regardless of enhancements, some clients nonetheless report irritating experiences with Zoom Bombing or inconsistent assembly efficiency/connectivity points. The current chat addition additionally wants maturity in comparison with extra established rivals.

Help, reliability, and safety

Zoom Professional has sturdy safety protections like encryption, password safety, and ready rooms. Reliability-backed SLAs assure 99.9% uptime. Help is on the market 24/7 through self-serve, reside chat, and cellphone.

Zoom pricing

US & Canada pricing begins from $120 per yr per person. Professional International Choose for worldwide calling prices $240 per person per yr.

Who’s it greatest for?

Zoom continues to be a best choice for corporations embracing the way forward for hybrid/distant work and searching for a frictionless video assembly resolution that staff will use recurrently.

5. Vonage

Vonage is a cloud cellphone system that provides a unified communications platform with voice, chat, and video conferencing instruments.

Vonage options

Vonage clients get entry to a sturdy suite of UC options, together with:

• Crew messaging: Group and personal chat, file sharing, @mentions, GIFs, limitless historical past, and searchability to maintain conversations flowing.
• Click on-to-dial: One-click calling from desktop and cellular to save lots of time manually coming into numbers.
• Integrations: Join standard productiveness apps like Workplace 365, G Suite, Salesforce, Slack and extra.

What customers love about Vonage

Customers spotlight Vonage’s name readability, system reliability, easy-to-use administration portal, CRM integrations, cellular expertise, and suppleness to scale up or down.

The place Vonage can enhance

Some clients have skilled points with sure options glitching, outages throughout upgrades, and delays in contacting help at instances. Built-in performance can generally be buggy.

Help, reliability, and safety

Vonage manages site visitors throughout a non-public world community and geo-redundant information facilities for dependable connectivity. It additionally has sturdy safety measures and compliance.

24/7 help is on the market through an internet portal, group boards, chat, and e-mail contacts. However cellphone help is now restricted.

Vonage pricing

Vonage pricing begins at $19.99 per thirty days per person, with quantity reductions out there. There are not any contracts or early termination charges. Extra charges apply for further companies like toll-free numbers or superior options.

Who’s it greatest for?

Vonage is good for rising SMBs wanting built-in cloud calling, contact middle, messaging, and conferences performance in a single agile platform. Versatile to scale from startup to enterprise wants.

6. Microsoft Groups

Microsoft has a spread of enterprise communication instruments alongside its working software program and PC merchandise. Designed for corporations of all sizes, Microsoft Groups permits staff to name, chat, and host conferences inside one platform.

Microsoft Groups options

Key options in Microsoft Groups embrace:

• Display screen sharing: Share your display throughout video conferences to visually information teammates by way of paperwork, and shows, or to troubleshoot points.
• File collaboration: Groups join with SharePoint, OneDrive, and Workplace apps for seamless file entry and workflow. Co-author Phrase docs, share Excel sheets, and extra.
• Chat translation: Groups can translate posts in channels and chats into over 60 languages, facilitating world communication.
• Integrations: Join Microsoft enterprise instruments like Dynamics 365, Bookings, Energy Platform, and extra to centralize work.

What customers love about Groups

Customers reward the breadth of included capabilities like video conferences, cloud storage, chat, and built-in Workplace doc collaboration at an inexpensive value level. It’s simple to get began for groups already utilizing Microsoft merchandise.

The place Groups can enhance

The in depth function set could make Groups extra advanced to navigate than aggressive choices with extra streamlined interfaces. Some customers report efficiency points when including too many integrations.

Help, reliability, and safety

Microsoft has enterprise-grade safety measures like encryption, authentication, and compliance protection for regulated industries.

Reliability can be sturdy, with financially backed SLAs guaranteeing 99.9% uptime. Help choices embrace 24/7 cellphone/chat, an internet information base, and group boards.

Groups pricing

Groups pricing begins free and goes up based mostly on the performance wanted. Paid plans price $5-$20 per person/month for SMBs and enterprises can contact gross sales.

Who’s it greatest for?

Groups works greatest for organizations invested in Microsoft merchandise seeking to centralize collaboration and communication. It’s a one-stop store for messaging, conferences, file sharing, and extra.

7. 3CX

3CX is a UCaaS platform constructed for distant groups. It presents reside chat, video conferencing, SMS messaging, and name middle software program for round 190 international locations.

3CX options

Key options of 3CX embrace:

• Dwell chat: Interact web site guests in actual time with chat widgets manned by gross sales and help groups.
• SMS messaging: Ship and obtain SMS/textual content messages from the 3CX interface to attach with clients and prospects.
• Name analytics: Get visible dashboards and reviews monitoring name quantity, wait instances, agent efficiency, and extra to optimize routing.
• CRM integrations: Join 3CX name and chat information with standard CRM platforms like Salesforce, Zoho, and Microsoft Dynamics.

What customers love about 3CX

Customers reward 3CX for its simple self-setup, multi-platform help, and name high quality. It offers enterprise-level capabilities for SMBs at an inexpensive value level. The net-based administration console presents handy system administration.

The place can 3CX enhance?

Some clients report points getting well timed help responses from 3CX’s workforce. Self-serve assist assets might be extra complete for troubleshooting technical issues or setup questions.

Help, reliability, and safety

3CX offers onboarding help, documentation, group boards, video tutorials, and on-line coaching. It touts built-in safety features plus permits the blacklisting of intruder IP addresses.

3CX pricing

The completely free Startup plan helps 10 customers with included internet hosting and permits 1 concurrent name for easy setups. Paid plans scale from the SMB choice at $175 per yr for 10 customers and 4 concurrent calls to the quickly increasing PRO plan at $145 per yr for in depth options like CRM integration and name recording.

Who’s it greatest for?

3CX fits rising corporations that need enterprise-capability UCaaS affordably. It presents broad performance for groups to name, meet, chat, and SMS from desktop and cellular apps.

8. Mitel

Mitel is a cloud-based communication platform that helps corporations with distributed groups to speak, video convention, and audio calls. 

Mitel options

Key capabilities of Mitel embrace:

• Softphone apps: Use smartphone apps for iOS and Android to make calls, be a part of conferences, chat, and extra no matter location.
• Private dashboards: View name historical past, voicemails, contacts, and activity lists in a centralized dashboard interface.
• Knowledge archiving: Archive outdated message threads, recordings, and different content material whereas retaining entry if ever wanted.
• CRM integrations: Join Mitel calling and assembly information with standard CRM platforms like Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics, and Zoho.

What customers love about Mitel

Customers reward Mitel’s name high quality, cellular app expertise, number of packages, and straightforward self-administration from the web-based portal. It’s an economical choice for delivering enterprise-grade voice and UC throughout units.

The place Mitel can enhance

Some customers report frustrations getting help responses promptly from Mitel’s workforce. Sure options like conferencing and chat might be extra intuitive and seamless to make use of.

Help, reliability, and safety

24/7 cellphone and on-line help is on the market in addition to an internet buyer portal with information base articles. Mitel additionally touts enterprise-level safety and reliability.

Mitel pricing

Mitel’s unified communications as a service presents different options equivalent to instantaneous messaging, video conferencing, and collaboration instruments and begins at $20.99 per person per thirty days.

Who’s it greatest for?

Mitel is greatest fitted to SMBs that desire a premise-based system to evolve affordably to the cloud. It delivers voice, video, messaging, and collaboration throughout desktop and cellular.

Selecting the Proper UC Accomplice

Selecting the best unified communications platform is essential to productiveness and development. Look out for these key issues earlier than deciding on your superb resolution.

1. Assess your wants

Analyze your present communication instruments (cellphone, e-mail, video conferencing, and many others.) and determine areas for enchancment or integration. Additionally, contemplate the scale, location, and communication habits of your workforce. What number of customers want entry? What units do they use?

Figuring out your important communication channels (voice, video, messaging, and many others.) and prioritizing them based mostly on utilization helps you funds higher. You possibly can outline your funds constraints and contemplate versatile subscription choices.

2. Consider UC options and functionalities

Prioritize the UCaaS options and functionalities most vital to your enterprise, contemplating the whole price of possession, together with {hardware}, software program, and ongoing help.

Search for core options like voice calls, video conferencing, instantaneous messaging, and presence administration. Discover further options like file sharing, display sharing, name recording, and integrations with different functions, when you want them.

Ensure that to decide on a supplier that may scale along with your rising wants and accommodate future additions.

3. Analysis potential suppliers

Examine for the supplier’s expertise, market share, and buyer critiques. Verifying their safety protocols and compliance with related trade rules permits you to make an knowledgeable choice.

Your supplier must also have confirmed buyer help availability, response instances, and repair degree agreements (SLAs).

Subsequent, examine pricing plans, options included, and contract phrases from totally different suppliers.

4. Request demos and trials

Many suppliers supply free trials or demos. Use these alternatives to check the platform’s usability, efficiency, and compatibility along with your methods. Don’t overlook to interact your workforce within the analysis course of to assemble suggestions and guarantee person adoption.

Your Seek for a UC Accomplice Ends at Nextiva

With extra individuals working remotely than ever, it’s no shock that corporations are looking for a UCaaS platform to deal with inside and exterior communications.

In the event you’re pondering of consolidating your enterprise’ communication stack in an easier-to-use, single platform, Nextiva is right here to assist.

NextOS is an all-in-one resolution for voice, video, and workforce chat. It’s trusted by forward-thinking corporations of all sizes who need dependable software program to deal with their enterprise’ most necessary exercise: conversations.