10 RingCentral Alternatives to Consider for Business Communications in 2025

Looking for the best RingCentral alternatives to take your communications strategy to the next level? You’re not alone. RingCentral might have an excellent reputation among businesses, thanks to its excellent reliability, and ease of use, but it’s not right for everyone.

RingCentral is a great tool for omnichannel communication, offering companies access to flexible collaboration tools, AI features, and even 10DLC brand registration options. However, it does have limitations. For instance, it can’t integrate with every CRM platform or business tool, lacks access to advanced SMS capabilities, and can be prohibitively expensive for smaller brands.

Fortunately, there are plenty of exceptional alternatives to RingCentral you can consider, too. Here, we’re going to share the pros and cons of some of the most impressive solutions for business leaders looking to move away from RingCentral’s platform this year.

Why Consider Alternatives to RingCentral?

RingCentral is one of the most popular, and well-known providers of business communication solutions worldwide. RingCentral offers companies an excellent variety of cloud-based phone system features with built-in tools for call management, AI-powered customer service, and video conferencing. RingCentral even supports integrations with familiar business tools like Microsoft Teams.

However, there are a few key reasons why many companies might prefer to invest in RingCentral alternatives for their growing teams. For instance, some of the biggest issues with RingCentral’s platform include its:

Expensive Pricing Plans

Although RingCentral isn’t the most expensive option when it comes to business communication, it’s not the cheapest solution either. Prices start from around $20 per month. If you want more advanced features, like real-time analytics, unlimited file storage, or integrations with certain CRM platforms, you can end up spending a lot more.

Additionally, if you want to use RingCentral’s tools for other things outside of internal communication (like customer service), there are additional fees to consider.

Limited SMS Capabilities

Although RingCentral does support SMS, it’s not a comprehensive business texting platform on its own. You’ll need third-party integrations to create highly personalized SMS campaigns, automated mass texting strategies, and more.

You also won’t be able to take advantage of AI text messages for automated customer service with RingCentral, unless you purchase a separate contact center plan. If you’re going to be using a lot of SMS in your sales, marketing and customer support strategies, it’s definitely a good idea to consider alternatives to RingCentral.

User Experience Issues

RingCentral is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, but certain features and functionalities are difficult to navigate. For instance, you can’t share responsibility for incoming text messages on RingCentral with shared numbers, which can be problematic for some businesses.

Additionally, there are limited tools for managing opt-out and opt-in reports, or creating customized dashboards for business messaging too. Even porting numbers on RingCentral can be a little time-consuming and complex depending on your specific needs.

Limited Integrations

RingCentral does integrate with various business tools, such as Asana, Google Workspace, and HubSpot. You can even use RingCentral as an Operator Connect or Direct Routing provider for Microsoft Teams. However, it offers fewer connection options than some alternative business communication platforms.

Additionally, certain integration options, such as the ability to connect your communications platform with CRM solutions like Salesforce, are restricted to users on more expensive monthly plans. If you’re reliant on integrations, RingCentral alternatives might offer a better experience.

Key Factors to Consider When Researching RingCentral Alternatives

Ultimately, what your company prioritizes when assessing alternatives to RingCentral will depend on your priorities. Depending on your needs, you might choose to focus on solutions that offer access to more advanced SMS and mass texting services, stronger integrations, or lower monthly fees.

Here are the main factors we focused on when creating this list:

• Available features: We looked for RingCentral competitors that still give users all of the key features offered by RingCentral (like strong phone services), as well as additional extras, like proprietary AI tools, bulk SMS features, and advanced analytics or reporting tools.
• Pricing: The best RingCentral alternative for your business shouldn’t just be “budget-friendly” – it should offer exceptional value for money. We looked at the total cost of ownership for each solution below, considering monthly fees, extra maintenance costs, add-ons, and potential training expenses.
• Ease of Use: The best business communication platform should always be user-friendly and intuitive. We prioritized alternatives for RingCentral that take minimal time and effort to implement, and help to enhance team productivity and efficiency.
• Customer support: Even the most intuitive platforms can occasionally experience technical issues. We made sure each of the platform providers mentioned here offer rapid, personalized assistance to businesses of all sizes, regardless of which “subscription plan” they choose.
• Integrations: Unified communications solutions should make it easy to consolidate users, data, and technology. That’s why we looked for platforms that offer easy integrations with business collaboration software, CRM platforms, contact center tools, and other essential applications, like business messaging systems.

The Best RingCentral Alternatives to Consider Today

Just like RingCentral, all of the solutions mentioned above have their own unique pros and cons to consider. However, these platforms also excel in areas where RingCentral typically falls short. Let’s take a closer look at the RingCentral alternatives that stand out for businesses in 2025.

1. Clerk Chat: The Ultimate SMS-First RingCentral Alternative

Clerk Chat is a unique alternative to platforms like RingCentral, focused primarily on SMS-based communications. As you can see from our Clerk Chat vs RingCentral comparison, Clerk Chat excels at streamlining text-based communications, with built-in mass and bulk texting, message personalization, text message scheduling, and more.

It comes with built-in opt-in and opt-out management tools, a shared inbox for managing customer communications and a state-of-the-art AI SMS assistant. Plus, it helps businesses take a data-driven approach to growth with in-depth analytics and reporting features.

Additionally, while Clerk Chat specializes in SMS, it supports a range of other communication methods. For instance, companies can leverage “bring your own carrier” options for standard calling services, and integrate Clerk Chat with Microsoft Teams and Zoom for instant messaging and video conferencing. The platform also integrates seamlessly with various CRM platforms, archiving tools, and other essential business applications.

On top of all that, Clerk Chat is more affordable than RingCentral too, with a free trial and pricing plans starting at $9.99 per month. Plus, it’s designed to be intuitive and easy to use, so getting your business communication strategy up and running takes no time.

2. Vonage: Excellent Customization

Vonage is one of the better-known alternatives to RingCentral, offering a lot of similar functionality, for a lower price. The platform is highly customizable, allowing companies to choose the features and services that matter most to them, whether they’re interested in business calling, file sharing, collaboration tools, or texting.

Unlike RingCentral, Vonage does support SMS campaigns and bulk texting as standard, but it has limited group texting capabilities and contact management tools. It also doesn’t have its own built-in video conferencing software, though it does integrate with third-party solutions.

Vonage does have some excellent features for smaller businesses, like instant access to virtual receptionists and a user-friendly desktop and mobile app. However, it’s worth noting that the cost of this platform can quickly increase if you want to access capabilities like voicemail transcriptions, or shared phone numbers.

3. Ooma: Best Budget-Conscious Alternative

If you’re looking for a RingCentral alternative targeted towards smaller businesses with a limited budget, Ooma could be the ideal solution. The cloud-based phone system comes packed with useful features for call recording, call holds, transfer, high-definition voice, and number blocking.

You can also access customizable voicemail features, intelligent auto-attendants for customer service, and virtual faxing capabilities. While many of those features are available from RingCentral too, they require companies to upgrade to more expensive monthly plans.

Unfortunately, Ooma’s affordable packages do come at the expense of some relatively essential features. For instance, you won’t be able to create SMS campaigns with Ooma on the basic plan, and call recording isn’t available on the cheapest package either.

On the plus side, you will get access to unlimited calling outside of the US, which can help you to save a lot of money as you scale your company overseas. Additionally, Ooma has a user-friendly mobile app, which is great for teams on the move.

4. Nextiva: Impressive Analytics

Nextiva offers companies a unified customer experience management, collaboration, and calling platform, with built-in CRM functionality. It’s a very well-rounded business phone system, with team messaging, video conferencing, and VoIP services for global businesses.

The starter plan also comes with access to advanced conversational analytics, something you’ll need a more expensive plan with RingCentral to access. Nextiva provides companies with flexible fixed VoIP lines and global numbers. However, like many RingCentral alternatives, it lacks access to SMS and MMS features, voicemail transcriptions, and other advanced capabilities.

Aside from its powerful analytical tools, one thing that does give Nextiva an edge over RingCentral is the company’s commitment to delivering excellent customer service. Users of the platform constantly praise the firm’s approach to rapidly addressing technical issues with a personalized approach.

5. 8x8: Flexible Communications for Global Companies

8x8 is another reliable and well-known RingCentral alternative, ideal for companies that invest in a lot of international communications. Even 8x8’s basic plans support unlimited international calling across more than 14 countries, and higher-tier plans enable unlimited calling in 48 countries.

Like RingCentral, 8x8 supports integrations with various business applications, and even offers Microsoft Operator Connect services. It’s also one of the few competitors to RingCentral that allows for unlimited texting. However, you may still struggle to create comprehensive SMS campaigns with high levels of personalization.

8x8 also allows companies to mix and match unified communications, contact center, and collaboration features across its range of tools. So, if you’re looking for a flexible communications toolkit, 8x8 might be a good pick. Unfortunately, depending on the features you need, you might end up spending a lot more with 8x8 than you would with RingCentral.

6. Dialpad: Best RingCentral Alternative with AI

If you’re going all-in on your AI strategy this year, then Dialpad could be a fantastic solution for your team. The innovative business phone solution enables access to a range of AI tools, such as agent assistants, chatbots, intelligent analytics, and automatic speech recognition capabilities.

Even the basic phone plan offered by Dialpad comes with certain intelligent features that are only available on more expensive RingCentral plans, like AI call recording. Plus, Dialpad users can upgrade their plan with powerful contact center capabilities too.

Alongside state-of-the-art AI, Dialpad also gives companies the ability to integrate their platform with countless business tools, such as Google Workspace and Microsoft 365. Plus, there are integrated features for video conferencing and SMS campaigns.

However, like many RingCentral competitors, Dialpad doesn’t offer advanced texting capabilities like the ability to use specific SMS keywords in automatic and mass texts.

7. Zoom Phone: Convenient and Easy to Use

Zoom Phone, part of Zoom’s widening collection of business communication and collaboration tools, is a straightforward RingCentral alternative, ideal for video-first companies. Zoom Phone plans come packed with useful features, like auto attendants, call recording solutions, and voicemail transcription.

You can even take advantage of Zoom phone texting features. However, you will need an integration with a platform like Clerk Chat for advanced SMS scheduling, analytics, and personalization. On the plus side, Zoom Phone is a user-friendly and cost-effective option for a lot of companies.

Some of the platform’s basic plans even come with features you won’t get on RingCentral unless you upgrade, such as instant CRM integrations. Unfortunately, you do need to pay extra if you want to combine Zoom phone with the platform’s video conferencing features, chat tools, and AI-powered customer service options.

8. Ringover: Simple International VoIP

Best known for its versatile international calling capabilities, Ringover empowers businesses to make calls to more than 110 countries worldwide, with minimal costs. The company’s business phone service enables access to call recording, call forwarding, auto attendants, and various other essential capabilities ideal for smaller companies, scaling across seas.

Beyond its advanced range of telephony solutions, and support for various types of numbers, such as 10DLC and short code, Ringover also offers video conferencing and team messaging features.

If you’re looking for a straightforward and user-friendly experience, Ringover is one of the most impressive RingCentral alternatives available. It takes virtually no effort to set up your ecosystem and apply customized features. Plus, you can take advantage of bulk and scheduled text messages with Ringover too, although customization options are somewhat limited.

Notably, Ringover can also be slightly more expensive than RingCentral, depending on the features you need and whether you need any add-ons.

9. Grasshopper: Best Lightweight Alternative

Many of the RingCentral alternatives we’ve covered so far stand out because they offer a wider range of features compared to RingCentral, particularly on their base plans. Grasshopper is a little different. Designed for ultra-small teams, Grasshopper gives you all the key business phone features you need, without additional bells and whistles.

You can access a wide variety of phone number extensions, unlimited SMS capabilities, and even auto-reply options, for fast-paced customer service. Plus, you can create personalized voicemail greetings, and make unlimited domestic calls on any plan.

Grasshopper is also a very easy-to-use platform, with intuitive desktop and mobile apps, and a reliable 24/7 auto attendant solution. However, it lacks a lot of advanced capabilities that might be necessary for scaling companies and hybrid teams, like integrated video conferencing.

If you need a solution that can rapidly grow with your business, then Grasshopper might lose its appeal quickly, particularly when compared with some other RingCentral competitors.

10. GoTo Connect: Ideal for Custom Pricing

Another of the top RingCentral altenratives that appeals heavily to smaller businesses and freelancers, GoTo Connect is great if you’re looking for straightforward, affordable cloud communications. This scalable, customizable platform includes access to an award-winning virtual phone system, webchat, email, surveys, video conferencing, and SMS.

It’s one of the easiest platforms to use on this list, with an intuitive interface that requires absolutely no technical knowledge to use. Plus, you can rest assured that GoTo’s team will always be on-hand to offer guidance and support if you encounter any issues.

The great thing about GoTo is it allows you to build the communications platform you need, combining everything from admin tools, to phone number extensions, international calling solutions, and even customer support add-ons.

However, advanced features, like cutting-edge Analytics and reporting, business continuity apps, and AI solutions can cost your business a lot extra.

Why Clerk Chat is the Top RingCentral Alternative

Obviously, businesses today have no shortage of options to consider when they’re looking for a reliable alternative to RingCentral. However, while all of the options mentioned above have something unique to offer, Clerk Chat stands out as the most revolutionary choice all around.

Beyond giving companies more advanced business SMS features than RingCentral, from opt-in and opt-out text message management to SMS scheduling tools, Clerk Chat is the more flexible option too. It integrates seamlessly with a wide range of platforms, such as CRM systems and collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams.

It also offers access to more unique features for a lower price, such as customizable AI assistants, export and analytics tools, and a bring-your-own-number capability. Clerk Chat gives companies:

• Superior ease of use: Its intuitive interface easily connects with tools you likely already use and provides access to useful features like messaging templates.
• Exceptional SMS capabilities: Clerk Chat supports mass messaging, two-way text messaging, scheduled campaigns, and AI-powered text.
• Excellent compliance: Clerk Chat helps companies maintain compliance with industry standards through integrations with archiving tools, opt-in and opt-out management, auditing logs, and end-to-end encryption.
• Flexible integrations: Clerk Chat works seamlessly with the CRM apps, collaboration tools, archiving applications and systems you already use. You can even choose to bring your own carrier and numbers into the platform.
• Excellent customer service: Clerk Chat goes above and beyond to deliver prompt and reliable support to every customer, regardless of their chosen plan.
• Affordable pricing: Clerk Chat’s monthly fees start at a much lower price point than RingCentral’s while still giving companies plenty of amazing functionality.
• Advanced AI: With Clerk Chat, companies gain access to numerous cutting-edge AI features for business insights, advanced messaging personalization, and customer service.

Switch to Clerk Chat for Incredible Business Communications

For some companies, RingCentral may still be the best option for business collaboration, communications, and contact center functionality. However, if you’re looking for RingCentral alternatives that give you more advanced features, for a lower price, without compromising on user experience or scalability, Clerk Chat is the perfect choice.

With Clerk Chat’s robust SMS messaging capabilities, flexible integrations ecosystem, and powerful AI tools, any company can upgrade internal and external communications in no time.

Clerk Chat even stands out as a leading solution among countless other well-known texting apps, appealing to businesses of every size in any industry.

Whether you’re ready to embrace the power of SMS for your company, or you just want a more flexible, affordable alternative to solutions like RingCentral, Clerk Chat could be the platform your team has been searching for.

Want to learn more about our business text messaging services? Contact us today.