Not every software fits every business. Following up on the first sentence, 8×8 has been a trusted communication platform for many years. It was first established in 2002, which makes it one of the oldest VoIP providers in the market today. 

It hosts over 3 million business users, but why do most of the users look for a better alternative? 

It’s because of the limited features, scalability, and non-transparent pricing of 8×8 that some businesses go for other best VoIP solutions that match their needs at minimal cost.

But what are the other options? 

In this blog, we’ve covered the top 10 best 8×8 alternatives, along with the factors to consider while choosing the provider. 

KEY HIGHLIGHTS: 

• 8×8 is a VoIP solution that provides features to enhance individual and business communications. 
• Business often looks for other alternatives because 8×8 has a complex UI, limited features, and integrations.
• Nextiva, KrispCall, and DialPad are the top 3 best VoIP solutions as the alternative to 8×8. 
• While choosing an 8×8 alternative, you need to focus on user-friendliness, routing features, pricing, and the provider’s customer support. 

What is 8×8?

8×8 is a VoIP phone system that has been around for a while. It is a unified communication platform with advanced video conferencing, call management, file sharing, team chat, and a contact center solution. 

Additionally, it also offers a Webex calling feature and 24/7 technical support through live chat and phone calls for users depending on the subscription plan users. Based on the plans, users receive features like IVR menus and call queues along with real-time analytics, whisper, and call barging capabilities.

Moreover, 8×8 offers contact center solutions, unified communication, partner integration, and other functions that help the business grow. 

Why Looking for an 8×8 Alternative?    

Though 8×8 provides video features and routing tools, it still doesn’t fit everybody’s needs. So, you might opt for an alternative for these reasons. 

Best Value for Money 

As a provider, the business plan must be affordable for all business sizes. Many claim that the 8×8 pricing starts at $15 per user per month (Note: Pricing is hidden in the website) and only offers limited features at a basic plan. And the subscription amount for the next plan might be quite expensive for some businesses.

However, you can find multiple other options providing similar features at a lower price, making them more attractive and affordable. 

A Good UI and UX

User experience and User Interface are important in software adoption and a critical aspect of using all the features efficiently. Some of the users reported being confused using the 8×8 interface, which comes with a steep learning curve.

In contrast, other user-friendly solutions make navigation easier and increase overall productivity. 

Need a Wide Variety of Features

Businesses looking for comprehensive solutions might need to pay more for the advanced features that are only available at their ultimate plan. 

With this, startups and small businesses can not access the required CRM integrations, unlimited conference calling, and call management in their basic plans. Eventually, they choose other providers as the alternative to receive the necessary features within affordable pricing. 

Looking for an Integrated Platform

Everyone is looking for integrated platforms that combine multiple communication tools. While 8×8 also provides services for voice, messaging, and video conferencing, but lacks the higher integration capabilities as other VoIP providers. 

More Global Availability

8×8 only provides PSTN services for 55+ countries. Compared to other competitors in the market, its global coverage might be limited as it offers more flexible options with higher reach. 

Companies that work internationally might prefer the alternatives for better connectivity globally. 

The Best 8×8 Alternatives

Multiple VoIP phone systems offer a similar service in the market. All of them vary from each other and provide different features with different price ranges. 

Provider	Starting Price (Per User/Month)	Communication Channels	Key Features	Best For
8×8	Contact the sales team.	Video SMSVoiceTeam chat	Call monitoring, unlimited international calling to 48 countries.	Companies requiring an all-in-one solution.
Nextiva	Starting at $25/user/month.	VideoVoiceTeam ChatAuto attendant	Call notes, IVR, Unified Communication	A user-friendly UCaaS.
KrispCall	Starting at $15/user/month	VoiceSMS	Power Dialer, Virtual number, Call forward	All business sizes require a cloud-phone telephony.
Dialpad	Starting at $27/user/month	VideoVoice	Multi-level IVR, AI video meetings	Businesses looking for  Analytics and call transcription.
Vonage	Starting at $19.99/user/month	VoiceSMS	AI virtual assistant, Business Messaging	Businesses looking for a cost-effective plan.
GoTo Connect	Starting at $26.	VideoVoiceSMSVideoTeam chat	Call summaries, Call routing, Video meetings	Companies looking to add some contact center features.
JustCall	Starting at $29/user/month	Voice	Conference calling, Automatic call distribution	For the medium-sized businesses.
RingCentral	Starting at $30/user/month	VideoVoiceTeam chatSMS	Unlimited audio, video calling team messaging	For all business sizes looking for an all-in-one solution.
Grasshopper	Contact the sales team.	Voice	Voicemail transcription, Business texting, Virtual receptionist	For small businesses wanting basic contact center features.
Omma Office	Starting at $19.95/user/month	Voice	Virtual receptionist, Ring groups, Conference calling	Smaller businesses looking towards basic features.
OnSIP	Starting at $18.95/user/month	VoiceVideo	HD video conferencing, Call monitor, Call Whisper	Businesses looking for an affordable solution.

1. Nextiva

Nextiva is one of the leading UCaaS platforms and offers SMS, team chat, video meetings, and 24/7 customer support through phone, live chat, and email. While 8×8 only provides a local phone number per signup–Nextiva, on the other hand, offers two numbers: 1 local and 1 toll-free number with 1,500 toll-free minutes.

Moreover, Nextiva provides plans that support unlimited calling inside Canada and the US. After subscribing to Nextiva plans, users receive IVR, ring groups, and easy-to-use drag-and-drop calls that are more user-friendly than the 8×8’s.

Feature

• AI voice & digital bots
• Social media channels
• Video meetings
• Customer collaboration
• Intelligent virtual assistant

Pricing

• Digital: $25 per user per month. 
• Core: $36 per user per month. 
• Engage: $50 per user per month. 
• Power Suite: $75 per user per month.

Why It is a Good Alternative to 8×8

Nextiva’s platform is more intuitive and offers top-notch advanced features along with strong customer support that is available 24/7 in a competitive price range. This makes it a good alternative to 8×8 and one of the best VoIP solutions in the market.

2. KrispCall

KrispCall is an ISO/IEC-certified AI-powered modern cloud telephony for all kinds of businesses. It brings advanced features such as a unified callbox, call menu (IVR), power dialer, etc. It has been recognized as the leader of VoIP by G2 reports.

KrispCall is a cloud solution with 100+ CRM integration facilities available that smooth the workflow and increase business productivity. In addition, it also offers affordable local, vanity, and toll-free numbers for the 100+ countries. 

Feature

• Power dialer
• Virtual phone numbers
• Call forwarding
• Call listening, whispering, and barging
• Call analytics

Pricing

• Essential: $15 per user per month ($12 if annually paid)
• Standard: $40 per user per month
• Enterprise: Custom

Why It is a Good Alternative to 8×8

KrispCall offers the cheapest starting price of $12 with advanced telephony features

3. DialPad

Dialpad is a cost-effective platform with voice calling, SMS texting, video meetings and team chat with AI-powered capabilities. A business receives call recording, call queues, easy setup IVR, and ring groups.

Dialpad outperforms the 8×8 with its advanced analytics and AI features. It’s plan includes real-time call transcription and offers customer trends insights and agent performance. 

Feature

• AI video meetings
• Real-time call transcription and AI
• Multi-level IVR
• Ring groups

Pricing

• Standard: $27 user/month
• Pro: $35/user/month
• Enterprise: contact the sales team

Why It is a Good Alternative to 8×8

Dialpad can be a good alternative as it starts at only $15 if paid annually and includes AI features and analytics such as live-agent assistance and call transcription. 

4. Vonage

Vonage is a phone system that supports unlimited VoIP calling in North America and Mexico and also unlimited texting in the US and video meetings for 200 participants. It provides a user-friendly interface for both mobile apps and desktops with basic features such as visual voicemail, IVR, and 15-hour call recording for a month. 

8×8 provides wide service for international numbers, and Vonage provides international numbers from dozens of countries along with toll-free and local numbers. In addition, Vonage lets you make conference calls and set up call parking to share call responsibility. 

Feature

• Call Parking
• AI virtual assistant
• Business inbox
• Call groups. 

Pricing

• Mobile: $19.99 per month per extension. 
• Premium: $29.99 per month per extension. 
• Advanced: $39.99 per month per extension. 

Why It is a Good Alternative to 8×8

Businesses can opt for the features based on their choice, with add-ons for call queues, business inbox, and AI assistance. In addition, the Vonage mobile plan starts at an affordable price, making it cost-effective. 

5. GoTo Connect

GoTo Connect is an AI-powered phone system that provides with offering of voice, SMS, and video calling for 250 participants. Its engagement plan comes with live chat, a shared inbox between multiple team members, and provides several features that are not included in 8×8’s. 

All of the GoTo Connect plan supports unlimited calling for 50 + countries with an offering of wider and cheaper solutions with 48-country unlimited calling. Also, you can use the unlimited ring groups, collaborative features, real-time analytics, and call monitoring features for its contact center. 

Feature

• AI call summaries
• Admin GoPilot
• Smart call routing

Pricing

• Phone systems: $26
• Connect CX: $34.
• Contact Center: $80

Why It is a Good Alternative to 8×8

GoTo Connect has incredible features like ring groups, unlimited queues, the drag-and-drop editor that helps large teams, and it offers 50-country unlimited calling, which makes it a good alternative to 8×8. 

6. JustCall

JustCall is a cloud phone system that offers businesses with efficient calling experience.  It was founded in 2016 and has been growing and servicing more than 6,000 customers globally.  It is a business VoIP solution with advanced features for managing business communications with customers.

Feature

• Automatic call distribution
• Conference calls
• International phone number
• Call masking

Pricing

• Essentials: $29/user/month
• Team: $39/user/month
• Pro: $69/user/month
• Business: Custom. 

Why It is a Good Alternative to 8×8

Just Call can be a good alternative for small and medium-sized businesses requiring a reliable phone system since it integrates well with the popular CRM and helpdesk platforms. 

7. RingCentral

RingCentral’s business phone system comes with VoIP calling, SMS texting, team chat, and integration with over 300 third-party softwares, which is more than 8×8. You can use RingCentral to message, call, meet, support customers and grow the revenue of your business. 

You can build unlimited team rooms along with task management features and file-sharing from RingCentral, which is rarely found in any UCaaS provider. In addition, the RingEX video meeting capacity is up to 100 participants and involves AI features.

Feature

• IVR & call routing
• Team collaboration rooms
• Task management
• AI video meetings

Pricing

• Core: $30/month. 
• Advanced: $35/month. 
• Ultra: $45/month. 

Why It is a Good Alternative to 8×8

RingCentral comes with project management, unlimited team chat rooms, and file management capabilities, which makes it a strong and good alternative to 8×8. 

8. Grasshopper

Grasshopper is an affordable virtual phone system. You just need a smartphone or computer at any time globally. This software provides vanity, toll-free, and local numbers along with the function to port your current number. 

Feature

• Call forwarding
• Voicemail transcription
• Business texting
• Virtual receptionist

Pricing

• Contact the sales team. 

Why It is a Good Alternative to 8×8

Grasshopper offers toll-free, vanity, and local numbers at affordable pricing, starting at $14 a month, so it can be a good alternative to 8×8. 

9. Omma Office

Ooma office is the ideal solution for smaller companies with 500 employees, especially for home phone services. It is a versatile workspace for catering to the needs of modern professionals. 

It is used widely for call alerts, logging, and escalations for startups, freelancers, and established businesses. They provide high-speed internet and aim to provide support for working freely. 

Feature

• Unlimited domestic calling
• Virtual receptionist
• Ring groups
• Conference line 

Pricing

• Essentials: $19.95 per user per month. 
• Pro: $24.95 per user per month. 
• Pro Plus: $29.95 per user per month. 

Why It is a Good Alternative to 8×8

Ooma is comparatively more affordable than 8×8 and also provides a high-speed solution for call alerts and logging, making it a good alternative. 

10. OnSIP

OnSip is a cloud-based VoIP service that offers business communications features for increasing business collaboration and productivity. It provides flexibility along with solutions like video conferencing, voice calls, team messaging and voice calls. 

Feature

• International dialing
• HD video conferencing
• Call monitor, whisper, and barge
• External phone numbers

Pricing

• Unlimited: $18.95 per user per month. 
• Basic: $49.95 per user per month. 

Why It is a Good Alternative to 8×8

OnSIP can be accessed easily with all the SIP-enabled phones and provides quick calling, customized announcements, auto attendants, and ring groups, which makes it an alternative to 8×8. 

How To Choose the Best 8*8 Alternatives for Your Business?

You need to consider the following factors to get the best VoIP solutions for your business as an alternative to 8×8.

Dashboard and User Experience

The first factor is the convenience you find in using the software for the first time. Find an intuitive provider with a user-friendly dashboard that helps users navigate and utilize all the features with the ultimate outcomes. 

Routing Features

Another important factor is to get the required routing features, such as IVR menus, queues, and call routing. With a better routing system, it eases the users to get to the right department and right agent without any holding time. 

With this, the business’s customers get satisfied with the quick and efficient services, and eventually, it increases the brand’s positive impression. 

Pricing and Value

After you have all your required features covered in a platform, it’s time to consider if it lies under your budget. It’s important to look if any hidden costs are attached to plans that might end up requiring a paid add-on to unlock your required feature.

Customer Support

Last but not least important factor is customer support. When a user faces any technical problem, the availability of a backup team helps a lot ot fix it. So, look for a provider with 24/7 support, ensuring agents are ready to assist whenever a problem occurs. 

Conclusion 

Though, there are top 10 best alternatives in this list, it’s important to understand that every business has its own unique communication needs. So, what works for one might not suit another. 

However, a business searching for a reliable, affordable one with advanced features might opt for the listed 8×8 alternatives. This list consists of a variety of solutions that address the specific requirements of businesses. 

If you want an all-in-one solution with highly advanced features, then Nextiva could be the best option. In contrast, if requiring an affordable yet powerful and reliable solution, KrispCall stands out in this list.

Remember to try different services and look for their user-friendliness, routing features, pricing, and customer support. 

FAQs

Are there any free or budget-friendly 8×8 alternatives?

Yes, there are some budget-friendly alternatives to 8×8, such as KrispCall, which only starts at $12/user/month if paid yearly, and OnSIP, in other also starts at $18.95/user/month. 

Can I integrate these alternatives with my existing tools and software?

Yes, most of the business phones, including Nextiva, KrispCall, and RingCentral, provide integrations with popular CRM tools, productivity tools, and collaboration platforms such as Slack, HubSpot, and Microsoft Teams. 

Do these alternatives support remote work and hybrid teams?

Yes, most of the alternatives mentioned in the list provide features that support remote work and hybrid teams that involve features like video conferencing, mobile apps, and team messaging for on-the-go access. 

Are 8×8 alternatives secure?

Yes, VoIP providers such as KrispCall and Nextiva prioritize security with their features like secure data storage, encryption and compliance with industry standards such as ISO. 

Can I easily switch from 8×8 to another platform?

Yes, you can easily switch to another platform. It doesn’t need to be that lengthy process as most of the providers offer migration assistance with tools helping you to transfer the datas. 

Which 8×8 alternative is best for small businesses?

Among the multiple VoIP phone systems, KrispCall can be considered for small businesses as it is the most affordable and comes with advanced telephony features to enhance your business telephony conversations.