The Real Reason Teams Pick Clerk Chat Over RingCentral
Get AI-powered texting that actually works, without the dropped calls, hidden fees, or contract surprises
Clerk Chat:
$10-25/month all-inclusive pricing
AI agents included
Unlimited text messaging
Ringcentral:
Hidden fees
AI costs extra $20-80/user/month
Limited SMS + overage fees
Compare
See the difference: feature-by-feature breakdown
Last updated: July 22, 2025 | Verified by 3rd party auditor
💡 Tip: Avoid the trap of yearly contracts and hidden add-ons.
Features
Clerk Chat
Ringcentral
# Business SMS/MMS
Unlimited messaging
Limited with overages
# Team Collaboration
Shared inbox & numbers
Team messaging
# 10DLC Registration
Under 48 hours
3+ weeks
# CRM Integrations
HubSpot, Salesforce, Dynamics & more
Requires Advanced plan
# Mobile Apps
iOS & Android
iOS & Android
# AI Agents (24/7 Support)
Included in all plans
Not available
# AI Voice Assistant
Built-in AI voice
Not available
# Message Campaigns
Unlimited campaigns
Requires paid add-on
# Transparent Pricing
No hidden fees
Multiple add-on charges
Book your personalized demo today
Discover why smart teams replace RingCentral with Clerk Chat for unlimited messaging, built‑in AI and transparent pricing.
- Read case study
“We’re messaging more efficiently, but more importantly, we’re sending those messages with confidence, because we know we can stand behind every communication from a compliance standpoint.”
- Read case study
92%
Lead Qualification
< 5 sec
Response Times
“Our goal has always been to build something we'd be proud to use ourselves. If our AI couldn't deliver for our team, we'd never expect it to deliver for yours. That's the bar.”
- Read case study
93%
Deflection Rate
+50%
Faster Resolution
“Our goal has always been to build something we'd be proud to use ourselves. If our AI couldn't deliver for our team, we'd never expect it to deliver for yours. That's the bar.”
Alexander Haque Co-Founder at Clerk Chat
- Read case study
+25%
Qualified leads
1000+
AI messages sent daily
100+
CRM updates made by AI daily
“By introducing Clerk Chat AI into our business we've completely transformed our communication with leads, leading to more conversations with qualified leads, and increased sales in our first month with Clerk Chat”
- Read case study
+20%
Staff efficiency
15K+
Total messages sent
+30%
Increase in appointments
“Our patients and families are busy. Being able to communicate with everyone through text messaging has been critical.It allows us to be more responsive to patient needs and provide a higher level of personalized care.”
Stella Fulman Co-Founder at Audiology Island
Jeff GelwixPresident @ Sonic Drive-in
Clerk Chat is a beautifully built solution that is flexible, customizable, intuitive, and perfect for collaboration. We love the Clerk Chat platform, but what we love even more is how amazing and caring the team behind it is.
Read more on Trustpilot
Cruz M.Professional Independent Marketer
As a marketing professional, I had trouble communicating with my contractors because we used Slack and Teams, but they weren't always online. I spent months looking for a tool to help me send text messages or WhatsApp messages to them so they could log in to Zoom and Google Meets. Plus, Clerk Chat also allows me text my clients that I have on HubSpot CRM.
Read more on G2
Katrina BoganyPresident of Fab Finishes, Inc.
Clerk Chat is truly the missing piece of the puzzle with Teams! It makes Teams a complete communications solution, by adding the vitally important SMS texting functionality to the platform. In addition, Clerk Chat’s support is excellent.
Read more on Trustpilot
FAQ
Have questions? We've got answers.
Find what you need quickly and clearly with our most frequently asked questions.
RingCentral customers face multiple hidden charges: TCR 10DLC registration fees ($4 brand registration + $15 per campaign), SMS overage charges at $0.01 per message after monthly limits, toll-free minute overages, E911 emergency service fees, compliance recovery fees, and documented cases of mid-contract price increases without consent. One customer reported a bill jumping from $200 to $777.06 with unexpected add-on charges. Clerk Chat includes everything in one transparent price - no surprise fees, no overage charges, and prices that stay the same.
Yes! RingCentral's Core plan limits you to just 25 SMS messages per user per month - that's less than one text per day! After that, you pay $0.01 per message in overage charges. Clerk Chat includes unlimited messaging in all paid plans (subject to fair use policy). Send thousands of messages, run campaigns, and engage customers without counting texts or paying overages.
This is huge: Clerk Chat processes 10DLC registration in under 48 hours, while RingCentral takes 3+ weeks. That's 3 weeks of lost opportunities! With Clerk Chat, you can set up in 5 minutes and have compliant business texting within 2 days. RingCentral's complex implementation and slow 10DLC processing means you're waiting nearly a month before sending your first message.
This is where the difference is dramatic. RingCentral customers report 32-45 minute wait times, difficulty reaching human agents, and "zero accountability" for issues. Clerk Chat provides responsive, personal support with quick issue resolution. As one customer said: "Their support team is exceptional - they actually care about helping you succeed."
With RingCentral, AI features cost an additional $20-80 per user per month through various add-ons like RingSense and AI Assistant, with usage limits. Clerk Chat includes AI agents and AI voice assistant in paid plans starting at just $24.99/month - no usage limits, no extra charges. Your AI works 24/7 handling customer conversations while you focus on growing your business.
Don't let a contract stop you from saving 70% on your messaging costs. Many businesses successfully transition despite existing contracts, especially given RingCentral's documented billing issues. Contact our sales team at sales@clerk.chat to discuss your specific situation - we'll help you understand your options and make the switch as smooth as possible.
