Our suggestions for 8 of the best phone systems for small businesses in 2021 include:
- 8×8 X series
The X Series is designed specifically with small and medium businesses in mind, and the comprehensive starting package with relatively reasonable price tag reflects this. As a cloud-based VoIP system, it is also especially well designed for remote businesses or employees on the move, it comes with apps for desktop and mobile which turn any device into a business phone.All packages (inc. standard) come with the following features (£8 per user, per month):- Voicemail
– Auto-attendant
– Click-to-dial
– Mobile and desktop apps
– Instant messaging for internal communication
– HD video conferencing
– Integration with Google Suite and Office 365 - RingCentral Office
The best cloud-communication provider in the world, RingCentral’s packages are cost effective and reliable. RingCentral Office is the company’s first cloud-based VoIP phone system specifically for small businesses, and comes with free implementation, training and 24/7 customer service.The following features come as standard in every RingCentral package, starting at £12.99 per user, per month:- RingCentral app for desktop and mobile
– Glip tool for instant messaging, chat rooms, and file sharing/transfers
– Recording calls
– Able to integrate with Microsoft, Google, Box, Dropbox
– Voicemail-to-email
– Call logs - Berry Technologies Cloud Phone System
Berry technologies is an award winner in the field, and is known for their excellent customer service, which consists of account managers, rapid tech support, and a 24/7 phone support line. As a larger company, they’re also very flexible and able to create bespoke office phone systems to suit individual businesses. Putting their clients first, they’re a great option for smaller businesses with dynamic needs. However, due to the more bespoke nature of their product, their pricing and minute allowance aren’t transparent: you need to contact them in order to discuss your needs first. - Lily Cloud
The Lily Cloud phone system is designed with scalability as its top priority, so it comes as an ideal option for small businesses which forecast growth and/or other changes in the future. It comes with on-demand features and same-day provisioning, which allows businesses to add and remove users almost immediately, great for businesses with unpredictable staffing. They also offer highly reviewed customer support, with a dedicated account manager that will be abreast of your specific needs, and gives options to receive 24/7 support.However, you need to pay extra for collaborative features, which come with their ‘Collaborate’ platform, and their pricing is unclear due to their tailored product. - BT One Phone
Ideal for businesses working remotely (especially given the current and forecast working climate) and those without fixed premises, the BT One Phone system uses SIM cards, an app, and a portal to transform mobile phones into a fully functioning business phone system. With this system, there’s no need to buy handsets or extra equipment (although you can if you wish) and the trusted name of BT ensures a standard of operations and customer service you can rely on.While exact pricing is not clear due to the bespoke nature of the system, BT One Phone’s average monthly spend is £35 per month, which makes it more expensive than other options. However, the One Phone system comes with a huge 250 features, including:- One Phone portal, which routes calls
– Real time reporting on call and data usage
– Option to add international roaming
– Dedicated indoor mobile network for the office if requested
– Access to BT Wifi hotspots across the country
– Wifi calling in addition to 4G calling for users without phone signal - 4Com HiHi
With impressive reviews across the board, the 4Com HiHi is one of the most intuitive phone systems available on the market, regardless of business size. The phone comes with a large and detachable tablet which users can take on the go, customising them with relevant apps and storing useful files that pertain to business operations.While this may sound like an expensive solution, 4Com HiHi’s impressive selling point is that it assesses current phone systems (if applicable) and helps to cut them down where possible and repurposing funds to cover the HiHi device. In some cases, users don’t end up paying any more than they did previously.4 Com HiHi has excellent customer service, and users can report a fault 24/7. However, due to the tailored nature of the product, pricing is not transparent and business need to contact the company to find out more.HiHi business phone systems come with:
– HiHi Connect and HiHi There mobile apps
– Video conferencing
– Call reporting
– Call recording
– On-hold marketing
– Scalability for easy expansion
– OTA software updates - Network Telecom NT Cloud PRO
Network Telecom is marketed specifically for small businesses, helping them be as flexible as possible with phone systems which allow users to work from any location or any device. With built-in ‘softphone functionality’ and an admin portal which allows businesses to manage the system’s users and settings, the NT Cloud PRO facilitates access from any device or browser, and will support users to switch devices even when in the middle of a call.It also comes with a free trial that is the longest of most of its competitors (3 months!), and while you will need to contact them to uncover pricing, its features include:- Wifi touchscreen handsets
– Built-in softphone, mobile and browser app
– Ability to flip live calls between devices
– Instant messaging
– Video conferencing
– Call recording
– Voicemail
– On-hold marketing
– Virtual receptionist - Mitel MiCloud Connect
Recommended for small business offices, Mitel’s MiCloud Connect boasts some of the most flexible packages at its budget-friendly prices. It offers three packages but, uniquely, these packages can be mixed to suit the needs of the specific business. For example, if most users require a standard package and one requires an Elite plan, Mitel can cater to this. However, the cheapest plan Essentials (£13.59 per user, per month) only hosts up to eight people for video and audio conferencing, and only 4 on web conferencing.However, the following features come as standard on every package:- Audio, video, web conferencing
– Instant messaging
– Softphone capabilities
– App for mobile
– Ability to integrate with Outlook, Google Suite, and Connect Telphony from Microsoft
– Mitel Teamwork and business SMS
– Admin Portal
Read more about our Business Phone Systems Service.
