8×8 Alternatives: Compare Top 8×8 Competitors

This article takes you through the types of features that 8×8 have to offer, as well as details about the best 8×8 alternatives. By the end, you’ll have a better idea about the VoIP provider that’s best for your business. 

Top 8×8 Competitors & The Best Alternatives

Brief Overview of 8×8 Business Phone Service

8×8 comes with a great range of VoIP features that are suited for small businesses. They enable teams to stay in communication with each other by using one unified system to improve productivity and customer service. 

Some of the main features that 8×8 offer include the following:

• Extension dialing 
• Instant messenger
• Voicemail 
• Call forwarding 
• Number porting 

In addition to this, there’s an excellent variety of integrations available. Some of these integrations include Zendesk, Microsoft Outlook, Bullhorn, Salesforce Sales Cloud, and NetSuite. 

If these are the kinds of programs that your company is already using, you may find that the process of integrating 8×8 into your infrastructure goes a lot smoother. This is because employees may have an easier time incorporating the new VoIP features with programs that they’re already familiar with how to use. 

One of the biggest benefits to using 8×8 is the fact that they offer an in-house platform. This means that they have their own system to create their VoIP software. As a result, the uptime and reliability available with 8×8 is impressive. The network spans across 12 locations across the world which also helps with boosting your connection. 

Users have been liking how 8×8 offers a range of customer support options. You can contact 8×8 through their phone number to speak to a customer service representative directly. This may be an ideal choice for times when you need more online technical help with an issue. Alternatively, you could use their online chat feature to speak with a representative directly too.

In addition to this, 8×8 offers a knowledge base and video tutorials. This enables employees to feel more at ease with learning how to use the new features as they have options when it comes to finding information about 8×8’s software. The video tutorials can be handy for speeding up the integration process and bringing everyone up to speed on how to use the new system. 

There are also a range pricing plans available when using 8×8 that include their Virtual and X Series service plans. Their Virtual plans include the following:  

• Virtual Office X2 – $25 per user per month – Basic features for improving collaboration between teams. 
• Virtual Office X5 – $35 per user per month – Comes with more features that help larger teams of people work together on bigger projects. 
• Virtual Office X8 – $55 per user per month – Wider variety of VoIP features that help with analytics and a heavy flow of customer contact. 

The X Series plans include the following: 

X2 

Comes with basic features for small businesses to improve communications. 

• $28 per user per month (1-99 users)
• $24 per user per month (100-999 users)
• $22 per user per month ( Over 1,000 users)

X4 

This is the most appealing plan for businesses that are looking to scale their communications. 

• $48 per user per month (1-99 users)
• $44 per user per month (100-999 users)
• $42 per user per month ( Over 1,000 users)

X6 

This an ideal plan for companies that need more VoIP features to deal with a large scale of communications. 

• $115 per user per month (1-99 users)
• $110 per user per month (100-999 users)
• $105 per user per month ( Over 1,000 users)

X8

The Series X8 plan includes the biggest set of VoIP features that companies use to simplify their complex communications. 

• $175 per user per month (1-99 users)
• $170 per user per month (100-999 users)
• $165 per user per month ( Over 1,000 users)

Top 8×8 Competitors

8×8 vs Google Voice for Business 

Google Voice for Business provides companies with VoIP features that they can use to improve their communications. Companies are able to use any device to use the Google Voice application which makes it easy for employees with different devices to stay in touch with each other. 

Furthermore, users find that Google Voice’s software is easy to use. Users can simply download the application, create an account, and pick a number for making calls with. Furthermore, Google Voice is compatible with other Google applications which can make for a smooth integration process if your company is already using other Google applications. 

Google Voice for Business phone is a strong competitor and excellent alternative to 8×8.

[Related: 8×8 vs Google Voice for Business]

Key Features 

• Virtual number – Having a virtual phone number system allows businesses to make calls that come from a professional looking number whilst enabling users to still be using their own devices. This can create a better sense of professionalism that small companies may be striving for. When customers ring your company number, you can have the call routed to your device to ensure that you can stay on top of phone calls. 
• Privacy – You can keep your private number safe while still receiving calls to your business phone number. This allows you to create a business number that can be posted around for people to contact your company without having to give your personal number out. 
• Voicemail to email – Transcripting voicemail to email helps companies to keep physical copies of communications. This means that if you miss calls, you can have the message of the voicemail left by the caller sent to your email address. It’s a handy feature that employees can make use of if they’re traveling and trying to stay on top of communications. These emails can also be easily routed to other email addresses to help teams deal with large influxes of voicemails.
• Local area codes – This feature allows you to select a phone number that’s relevant to the location of your business. Being able to localize your phone number can prompt customers to pick up your phone calls due to how they may recognize the area code of the number. However, localized numbers may not always be available right away. 
• Call forwarding – Call forwarding enables users to have an easier time managing communications when there are a lot of calls coming in. Customers are given a prompt to select a certain number on their dial pad to be put through to the right department. This is a great way to be more effective with providing customers with the right support as quickly as possible. 
• Mobile app – The Google Voice app can be downloaded on Android and Apple devices, as well as PC’s and Macs. This makes it easier for employees who are on different devices and traveling around to stay in contact with each other. This is something that also helps with the overall integration process as employees are able to easily download the app across a good range of devices. 

Comparing with 8×8 

Verdict 

Google Voice for Business offers a good range of VoIP features that small-sized companies can use to improve their communications. Being able to have a virtual number that routes calls directly to your device is a great way to stay on top of communications while still maintaining privacy. 

This feature also gives small businesses the opportunity to come across as more professional by calling customers from a business number not a personal number. 

The voicemail to email feature is ideal for businesses that are scaling up. Communications can get overwhelming for companies that are upscaling and being able to have voicemails transcripted and sent to emails can make things easier to manage. 

However, the customer support available from Google Voice is a big downside. Companies may feel lost not being able to contact someone directly about their VoIP service. The customer support options available at 8×8 are far more reliable and give users peace of mind. 

The overall features and integrations available with 8×8 are also more useful for small companies and companies that are upscaling communications. 

8×8 vs RingCentral

RingCentral is a popular VoIP service provider that has users located all around the world, making it a strong competitors to 8×8. They’ve been established since 1999 where their primary focus was on small businesses. However, they have now expanded their target to provide services to many large companies. 

RingCentral is a top competitor in the VoIP space has been given several awards over the years for the VoIP service that tehy offer. When using RingCentral, you can expect to be able to use their software with programs that you may already be using due to how they have excellent integrations available. 

Companies of all sizes have been improving their communications with the wide array of VoIP features on offer. Their pricing model is also appealing for businesses of all sizes. 

Key Features 

• Cloud PBX – RingCentral’s virtual PBX software has fantastic functionality and is a cost-effective option for businesses to consider. Their system comes with the kinds of features you’d expect to see from a standard PBX system but without the typical restrictions and cost of physical hardware. RingCentral is also heavily focused on ensuring that users can remain mobile while using their service which is why their cloud PBX system has become so popular among companies today that have more employees working remotely. 
• Toll Free Numbers – Businesses that are looking to keep their costs low will be glad to find that RingCentral offers toll free numbers. This is an especially great benefit for smaller companies that want to create a better sense of professionalism. You can use a toll free number that’s more recognizable as a company number. This can give customers reassurance to answer the phone compared to if a random mobile number was calling them. There’s a variety of minutes available starting at 1,000 and ranging upwards to 100,000 minutes. You can also buy more minutes quickly and hassle-free if you require more. 
• Greetings & Voicemail – The voicemail feature allows you to receive messages from customers or colleagues when you’ve missed their call. There are several options available when it comes to managing these voicemails to help employees promptly respond back to people. You can receive voicemails through a range of devices which include your desktop, mobile phone, and desk phone. This is all possible due to the RingCentral portal which lets you access your account from a variety of devices. Voicemail transcription is another handy feature that allows messages to be automatically transcripted and forwarded to your email or a colleague’s email address. This can be helpful for dealing with a large influx of voicemails. In addition to this, voicemail greetings are also available. RingCentral has their own voicemail greeting but you have the choice to make a custom greeting too. This can be a great way to make your business more personable for your customers. 
• Collaboration – Employees can have an easier time collaborating with each other when using RingCentral’s VoIP features. Their system allows you to easily create online meetings that can host colleagues from no matter where they’re located. Up to 500 people can be present in online meetings. This makes collaboration on large projects go smoothly as employees can work together more conveniently. The video meetings can be a superb way for employees to communicate with each other, especially since HD videos are available. Furthermore, RingCentral’s screen sharing feature enables employees to show their screen when describing something to others for improved collaboration. 

Comparing with 8×8 

Verdict 

RingCentral is a leader in the VoIP service provider market due to how their features promote collaboration and productivity. Their pricing plans and wide selection of features also make them an ideal choice for companies of varying sizes. 

They’re an excellent option worth considering for large organizations because of how their VoIP features allow for collaboration on a big scale. The integrations available with RingCentral tend to be more useful for many businesses which could be a big factor that puts them in the lead ahead of 8×8.

8×8 vs Nextiva 

At a Glance Nextiva has been around since 2006 and they’ve created a well-known name for themselves in the VoIP industry. Their system provides businesses with a way to unify their communications and work more productively. 

The services that Nextiva offers can be used by small and medium businesses, as well as large enterprises. They have a wide selection of VoIP features that help companies that are upscaling their communications. 

Users like how they’re given a lot of flexibility when it comes to using Nextiva. Their software is also easy to update to ensure that using their services is a smooth process. 

If you’re looking for an alternative to 8×8 Nextiva is a great option!

Key Features 

• Flexibility – The level of flexibility available when using Nextiva is one of the biggest elements that attracts users. There are many VoIP features that employees can use to stay in communication with colleagues and customers, regardless of where they’re located. As a result, your employees will be able to communicate better with customers which improves their experience with your business. It also allows employees to work seamlessly with one another to boost your company’s productivity. Furthermore, you’re provided with flexibility when it comes to scaling your company’s operations. You’re able to add and remove users and features quickly which ensures that you can always have the right kinds of features and lines available to use depending on the size of your operations. 
• Dashboard– Nextiva has a dashboard which makes it much easier for companies to manage all of their communications as it’s all available in one central location. Users have been liking how the dashboard is easy to use to make sure that employees can access their accounts and use the VoIP features hassle-free. This dashboard is especially helpful during times when businesses are upscaling. Having all of the communications available in one place means that you can be more effective at managing incoming and outgoing communications so that employees can continue working together and maintaining a good level of customer support. 
• Wi-Fi Calling– Companies have been liking how Nextiva offers Wi-Fi calling. It means that your employees can make and receive calls by using the Nextiva app through the internet. This can be a great feature that enables employees to make and receive calls via the internet so that they don’t have to use up their mobile data. As a result, they can save money. You can benefit from Wi-Fi calling by downloading the Nextiva app on your mobile device. However, this feature tends to work best when you have a strong Wi-Fi connection. 
• Porting- Nextiva has a department that is dedicated to helping companies with number porting. This ensures that the process of porting numbers for your business can go smoothly. Being able to port existing numbers can be a big feature for businesses to consider. If you’ve already become established, customers and other companies that you work with may be used to seeing your number when you’re contacting them. Maintaining existing numbers is a must for some companies and having a department dedicated towards porting existing numbers can be a great benefit. You can port your existing toll-free or local numbers to the Nextiva software so that customers and companies see the same number when you call. 

Comparing with 8×8 

Verdict

Both 8×8 and Nextiva offer features and pricing plans that are superb for businesses of all sizes. The integrations available from 8×8 are more common and could be more useful for many companies.

However, the flexibility that you get when using Nextiva is something worth considering. This is especially for businesses that are looking to expand and upscale their communications in the near future. 

8×8 vs Vonage Business

Vonage Business is a popular VoIP service provider that enables companies to unify their communications to make them easier to manage. Their features allow employees to stay in contact with colleagues and customers more easily. 

They were established in 2001 and have been providing businesses with telecommunications services for years. Their VoIP service is targeted towards small and medium size businesses. 

In regards to services offerings and price Vonage Business is a good alternative to 8×8.

The uptime available when using Vonage is a big reason as to why thousands of companies have chosen them to be their VoIP service provider. They also offer over 40 features that are tailored towards helping small and medium businesses manage their communications better. 

Key Features 

• Toll Free Numbers – Being able to use toll free numbers is a great benefit for many businesses. This allows you to use make and receive calls on a specific number to ensure that you aren’t being charged.

• Image Sharing – When users are using the Vonage Business app, they’re able to attach images to their messages and share them with colleagues. This can be an effective way for employees to have an easier time working together on collaborative projects.

• Conferences – The conferencing features available from Vonage Business is an excellent collaboration tool. It allows employees to work together on projects and stay productive, even if they’re not always able to have the meetings in person.

• Call Queues – Call queues can be a great feature for helping companies deal with high volumes of calls. Instead of customers having to put the phone down and ring again, they can stay on the line until you have a customer support member who’s available to speak with them. In addition to this, there’s a music-on-hold feature available too. This can help to provide your business with a more professional feeling that small and medium businesses may be striving for.

• Call Recording – The call recording features available from Vonage Business are automated to ensure that important calls are always recorded in case you need to revisit them. This can be handy for evaluating conversations for training purposes.

• Portal – Vonage has a portal that helps businesses manage all of their incoming and outgoing communications. You’re able to have total control over all of the VoIP features that your company is using. This system also allows you to add and remove extensions seamlessly. This could be a superb feature for small businesses that are looking to scale up to becoming a medium-sized company and need more extensions. Using all of the VoIP features available from Vonage is a lot easier when it’s done through their centralized portal.

• WiFi Callin – Wi-Fi calling is a great feature that enables employees to make and receive calls through the internet. This removes the need for them to have to use their mobile data to make calls which allows them to save money. Communicating via the internet means that companies can get rid of physical hardware and speak together and with customers through their own devices. Wi-Fi calling works best for companies that have a strong internet connection. Therefore, you may want to consider upgrading your Wi-Fi before using these Wi-Fi calling features. Employees use the Vonage Business app on their devices to make calls, while also being able to receive instant messages and voicemails.

Comparing with 8×8 

Verdict

The integrations available with Vonage are common among many companies which can make the integration process run more smoothly. Vonage also allows you to have total access to the system in one location which makes it easy for small and medium businesses to manage communications. 

They also have a 99.99% uptime which makes them a reliable VoIP service provider. Their data centers also mean that you’re provided with plenty of support when it comes to needing help with technical issues. 

These features are ideal towards small businesses. 8×8, on the other hand, comes with features that larger businesses can benefit more from compared to small and medium companies. 

8×8 vs Dialpad 

Dialpad offers VoIP features that are suited to small and medium companies, as well as businesses that are looking to expand and become larger. Their software allows companies to communicate better internally and with customers. This VoIP service provider is more of a newcomer but they’ve proven themselves to be helpful for improving communications among companies. 

Businesses that are looking to scale may find that the features and flexibility available with Dialpad suits their needs well. 

The majority of medium sized business would find that Dialpad is a strong competitor of 8×8.

Key Features 

• Call Switching- Call switching is a helpful feature that enables you to change the platform on which you’re taking a call without the line being disrupted. This can be an excellent feature for times when you’ve received a call through a device that you need to be using or keep free without interrupting the current call that you’re on. It’s a great feature that can help employees manage their communications across different platforms. 
• Mobile & Messenger- Dialpad’s features help employees work with mobility to ensure that they can be productive, no matter whether they’re traveling or in the office. The Dialpad app can be downloaded across a wide selection of devices that include Apple and Android smartphones, as well as Mac and Windows desktops. This means that employees can have an easier time staying in communication with customers and colleagues from no matter where they’re located. Using the app means that they can attend online meetings that could be crucial in keeping your business working productively. The app also has an instant messaging feature. As a result, employees can have an easy time keeping in touch with one another when they need to get a quick response. 
• Faxing- Dialpad’s faxing feature allows you to receive and send faxes through the internet. Using faxes may be something that some businesses need when it comes to keeping physical copies of important documents. You are also provided with email confirmations when faxes have been sent or received. 
• Collaboration- The screen sharing feature that Dialpad offers is a superb tool that helps employees work better together. Being able to share their screen can make it easier to explain issues or resolutions to problems without having to spend time explaining everything in detail. In addition to this, conference calls can be set up online. This is a great feature for businesses that have employees who are working from different locations. It means that employees can still work from remote locations and still be able to attend important meetings online. Video and phone calls can also be easily made by using the app through the internet. All of these features encourage employees to work more productively with each other from no matter where they’re located. 

Comparing with 8×8 

Verdict

Both 8×8 and Dialpad provide VoIP services that small, medium and large sized businesses can benefit from greatly. Their features are both similar, however, the pricing model available from Dialpad may be more appealing to companies.

On the other hand, the customer service from 8×8 is more supportive compared to Dialpad. This is a big factor to consider, especially for companies that are switching from traditional phone lines to a VoIP service provider. It may give you peace of mind to know you have a reliable customer support team that can help you through issues. 

8×8 vs Cisco

Cisco provides VoIP services for businesses that are looking to unify their communications to boost productivity and improve customer service. Their VoIP features allow employees to host meetings and collaborate on projects, regardless of where they’re located. 

The pricing plans that they have to offer are suited for small, medium, and large businesses. Users have been especially impressed with the range of integrations that Cisco has to offer too. 

If you’re business is seeking out a 8×8 competitor then Cisco would be a good choice!

Key Features 

• Conferences – The conference feature allows employees to host conferences and invite select people to attent. Depending on the pricing plan that you opt for, the conference feature can allow for unlimited callers, or a limited number of 24 people. This feature helps employees have an easier time working together on larger projects where there are more people involved. Users find that the conferencing feature is easy to use which allows you to improve productivity among your employees. 
• Instant Messenger – The instant messenger can be downloaded through an app on Apple and Android devices. It enables employees to get instant messages over to each other no matter where they are. This can be an effective way for employees to collaborate with each other during busy times. 
• Auto Attendant – Having an auto attendant feature is a must for large companies, as well as businesses that are looking to scale their communications. This ensures that employees who are answering calls can provide callers with prompts to send them to the right department. This can improve the customer experience as you’re able to be more efficient when it comes to putting people through directly to the department that they need to be speaking with. It also means that employees can work more efficiently to manage incoming calls. 
• Screen Sharing – Being able to share your screen with others can be an excellent benefit that encourages collaboration. Users find that this feature is especially helpful when it comes to working on large complex projects. If everyone can’t be in the office, you can simply share your screen with the relevant people to describe issues or resolutions in an easy-to-digest format. 
• Music On Hold – Small businesses and businesses that are looking to make themselves more professional may want to consider using the music on hold features that Cisco offers. Music on hold can give customers a better experience with your company as it’s something that feels more professional. It can be a more pleasant way to put customers on hold during times when you’re especially busy with incoming calls. 

Comparing with 8×8 

Verdict

The VoIP features that Cisco and 8×8 offer are both excellent for companies of all sizes. Having said that, one of the main areas that sets tham apart from each other is the integrations. 

Cisco offers an impressive range of over 90 integrations. Many of these integrations are popular applications that businesses of all sizes use daily. If your company uses the integrations available with Cisco, you may find that the entire integration process can be a lot easier and quicker. 

Furthermore, 8×8 doesn’t currently work with Linux devices. Cisco’s VoIP services, on the other hand, are compatible with Linux devices which could make them a more appealing choice for Linux users. 

8×8 vs Ooma Office

Ooma Office has been in the telecommunications industry since 2004 where they began by providing VoIP services on a small scale with people who were using landlines. They’ve now established themselves as a big player in the VoIP industry and provide their services for small and medium businesses, as well as large organizations. 

Their range of VoIP features help employees communicate with each other when working on projects, while also being able to improve communications with customers. 

Key Features

• Voicemail – The voicemail feature is a must for companies that are dealing with lots of calls. If you miss a call, you’ll want to have a voicemail system to rely on to receive any messages that have been left. To make this process even easier, Ooma has a system that enables you to receive notifications whenever a new voicemail is left. You can choose to receive these notifications through your email address. In addition to this, you can forward voicemails to other colleagues. This can be a great way to deal with voicemails in a more systematic manner by ensuring that you manage voicemails that are related to you and pass on anything else to the relevant people. 
• Virtual Receptionist – The virtual receptionist that’s available when using Ooma Office can be helpful for businesses that are scaling their communications. It works by providing callers with prompts about the reason they’re calling. They can then choose to be put through to the number that’s the most relevant to their requirements. As a result, your employees can work more efficiently from the beginning by helping customers who have chosen to be put through to the right departments. There’s a text-to-speech function that’s available that allows you to create a customized recorded message that provides callers with information. The message can include information surrounding office hours, office location, and availability. 
• Virtual Extension – Using a virtual extension is a superb way to help employees stay on top of calls with colleagues and customers, while being able to keep their personal devices private. Ooma’s virtual extension allows employees to make and receive calls using a business number. This means that employees are able to use their personal devices for business calls without having to give out their personal number. It’s an excellent way to keep employees in contact with each other, even if they’re not always in the office. 

Comparing with 8×8 

Verdict

The features and pricing plans available from Ooma Office may be more suitable for small or medium business in comparison to 8×8. Ooma’s features enable you to operate similarly to large organizations, without you having to bear a huge cost in the process.

However, the big downside when it comes to using Ooma Office is that the integrations are disappointing. Companies that use a lot of programs may find that using a VoIP service that’s compatible with these applications makes the initial process of using the new features easier. 

Having said that, if your business doesn’t need a VoIP service that’s compatible with a range of applications, the low cost of Ooma can make it a good choice to consider. Companies that are looking to expand may prefer the features, integrations, and pricing plans that 8×8 have to offer. 

8×8 vs Mitel 

Mitel is an established VoIP provider that is present in 100 countries and has thousands of clients. They provide VoIP services for companies of all sizes, ranging from start-ups to large enterprises. Their features help businesses unify their communications which enables employees to collaborate more effectively with each other.

They can also communicate better with customers which improves customer ratings. Their contact center and integrations are superb for all types of businesses. 

Key Features 

• Collaboration – Users have been liking how Mitel’s VoIP service comes with a great range of collaboration features. These include desktop sharing, conferences, video chat, and an instant messaging feature. Employees are able to easily stay in contact with each other, no matter whether they’re working remotely or in the office. The instant messaging feature is excellent for letting employees get instant messages across to each other when times are busy. The conference features are also commonly used in companies. They’re superb for allowing employees to get together virtually to discuss projects and promote productivity within the business. Furthermore, the desktop sharing feature is helpful during times when employees are trying to share something with colleagues or help them with technical issues.

• Contact Center – Mitel’s contact center is loaded with features that make it easy to use. As a result, your company is able to be more effective when it comes to managing all communications. In particular, customer support teams can do their job more efficiently by using the contact center. It comes with a call routing feature which is something that customer support teams have been making use of. It enables calls to be routed to different numbers in order to help customers be put through to the department or person that’s the most relevant to their needs. In addition to this, there are analytics available that help businesses monitor how their employees are performing when it comes to communications. The dashboard allows you to track chats, emails, and voicemails in one place. 
• Automated Attendant – The automated attendant allows your business to provide callers with prompts about the reason they’re calling followed by options to be put through to the most relevant person or department. This feature helps employees be more efficient at managing incoming calls. Callers can also be left feeling more satisfied by being put through to the correct number and have their questions and queries answered conveniently. 
• Number Porting – Mitel offers a number porting feature that allows you to transfer existing numbers to replace the new number given to you. You can also choose from local numbers which is a handy feature for small and medium businesses to consider. When callers recognize the number, they’re more likely to pick up. Also, companies that are well established can keep their old number so that they remain familiar with their customers and other companies. 

Comparing with 8×8 

Verdict

Both 8×8 and Mitel have VoIP features and pricing plans that companies of all sizes can benefit from, making Mitel a quality alternative to 8×8. 

Although, the integrations available from 8×8 are more commonly used by most companies. There’s also a wider variety of integrations when using 8×8 which is something to consider, especially if the integrations are with applications that your company already uses. 

It can make the integration process easier as employees can get used to using the new VoIP software with programs that they’re confident in using already. 

8×8 also offers a free trial period which can give you a chance to see if their features are suited to your business. Mitel currently doesn’t offer a free trial period which could be a downside for some companies. 

8×8 vs Jive 

Jive provides companies with VoIP solutions to improve their communications at competitive prices. Users find that their VoIP services are reliable and they’ve become popular among small companies, start-ups, and larger organizations. 

There are no installation costs and setting up Jive’s VoIP software is quick and easy. This makes it an appealing choice for start-ups and small businesses that are looking for a simple VoIP solution that’s effective. 

Key Features 

• Collaboration– Jive includes file and screen sharing features that users have been loving. These features make it incredibly easy for colleagues to work together on projects and be productive, no matter whether everyone is in the office or not. Being able to share your screen can be excellent for presentations and complex projects that require visuals for people to understand. The file sharing feature is also useful as it lets employees share files with each other through one unified system which can make it easier to keep track of documents and progress. 
• Admin Features– Call routing schedules are available through using the admin features available with Jive. This allows customers to be put through to the correct person when calling your company. It can be an efficient way to handle an influx of incoming calls efficiently. In addition to this, you can create custom greetings. These can be great for providing callers with a customized message during times when your closed for business. It can include information about when you’ll next be open and how they can contact you again. It can also send calls straight to voicemail. Some businesses may prefer this as it provides their customers with a chance to let them know what they’re looking for or if they have any queries that need to be followed up on. A dashboard is also available that includes reports and analytics that you may find useful. Companies can use these reports to analyze how productive their employees are being and whether there are any areas that need improving. 
• Video Conferences– Video conferencing is becoming a feature that more businesses are using frequently. It’s an excellent feature to have if you employ people who are working from home. They’re able to attend important conferences regardless of their location. Businesses can also use video conferences to communicate with prospects and other companies. Creating video conferences with Jive is super easy and can be done by using their app. You can invite others to join your video conference without them needing to download any software. You can simply send them the link and they’ll be able to attend the meeting through their web browser. 
• Queue Management- Using a queue management system can be an effective way to deal with lots of incoming calls. This is an especially hendy feature for businesses that are scaling their communications. Employees can have an easier time managing large incoming call volumes by creating a queue for callers to wait in before being able to speak with someone. 

Comparing with 8×8 

Verdict

The pricing options that Jive offers are appealing for large companies. Their prices are reasonable for companies that have lots of users which is ideal for large companies. Jive includes a free trial period as well which may be useful in helping you to try out their features and decide whether it’s the right option for you. 

Medium and small businesses may prefer the pricing options available from 8×8 as it lets them easily scale their communications if they need to. There’s more flexibility and integrations available when using 8×8 too. 

All-in-all Jive is a good alternative to 8×8.

8×8 vs CloudTalk 

CloudTalk provides businesses with over 50 VoIP features that they can use to improve their communications. Their software is easy to use and enables employees to work more efficiently and manage customers professionally. 

Their VoIP software can be accessed on mobile devices and desktops which means that employees are given plenty of flexibility. They can stay in contact with customers and colleagues from any location. 

The range of VoIP features available from CloudTalk help companies that are expanding to deal with the higher volume of calls to ensure that they can continue scaling their communications. 

Key Features 

• Call Recording– The call recording feature is handy for helping members of your customer service team learn how to interact with customers. Calls can be automatically recorded and saved on the system. Employees can then listen to call recordings as a way to be trained with how to best manage customers. It’s an easy and effective way to bring your employees up to speed on handling customers in a more professional manner. 
• Voicemail– You can create customized greetings when someone tries to ring your phone line but doesn’t get through. This customized greeting can be a great way to provide customers with information about your opening hours and when they can expect to get through to someone. The voicemails that are left on the system can also be listened to from any device no matter where you’re located. This can be a great way for employees to keep up to speed with important messages that they may have missed. 
• Toll Free Numbers – Toll free numbers are available when using CloudTalk which enables customers to call your business at low rates or for free. This can provide your businesses with an advantage over other companies. Customers are more likely to ring your business if they see that the rates are very low or that the calls can be made for free. It’s a feature that small companies can use to make themselves seem more appealing to potential customers. 
• Conference Call- Employees who are working in large teams can benefit from the conference call feature. It enables teams to collaborate on projects by being dialled into the same group call together. This can make it easier for your employees who are working remotely or from home to stay in the loop with projects. The system for creating and scheduling conference calls is also simple. 
• Call Masking– Call masking is an excellent feature that allows your personal phone number to remain private. This is a great feature for employees who are using their personal mobile devices to make and receive messages and calls related to the company without having their number being given out to everyone. Employees have the choice to mask their real number with the company number. This makes it more convenient for them to stay in touch with colleagues and respond to customers while maintaining their privacy. 

Comparing with 8×8 

Verdict

Both 8×8 and CloudTalk have useful VoIP features and integrations that businesses can use to improve their communications. Companies that use Linux devices would prefer CloudTalk due to how their software is compatible.

Furthermore, 8×8’s VoIP features are targeted to small, medium, and large companies. CloudTalk is used by these types of companies as well, along with start-ups. The flexibility available with their pricing plans may be more appealing to start-ups that don’t currently have a lot of employees. 

8×8 vs VirtualPBX 

VirtualPBX is a VoIP company that has gained a reputation over the years for providing reliable services for businesses of all sizes. Their flexibility when it comes to their pricing plans and features is also a big advantage that has encouraged many companies to choose them as their VoIP service provider. 

The entire setup process involved with VirtualPBX is incredibly quick and easy. It can take just minutes to have the software downloaded and ready to use. This is a big factor for some businesses to consider, especially if they’ve just made the move from traditional phone lines to cloud-based systems. 

Key Features 

• Connectivity– One of the great benefits to using VirtualPBX’s VoIP system is the fact that you’re provided with the ability to use the 4G LTE network. This network is available nationwide and it helps to boost the connectivity that you get when using the VoIP system. This is one of the features that has made VirtualPBX such a reliable VoIP service provider. Employees can be sure to connect with customers and colleagues to be there for important calls and to keep customer service ratings high. Employees who are working from home can also feel more confident in being able to stay in contact with team members and respond to customers with the impressive connectivity features. 
• Conferences & Video Calls– The conference feature that’s available from VirtualPBX allows employees to be part of group calls via the internet. This is an efficient way to bring team members together to collaborate on projects, regardless of whether they’re working in the office or from home. Video calls are also available which can help to make collaborations more personable.
• Instant Messenger– The instant messenger feature is superb for allowing employees to stay in contact with each other through quick messages. This can be great for times when employees are busy but need to get messages across to each other quickly. They can work more efficiently by having access to an instant messaging feature. 
• Screen Sharing- VirtualPBXs’ screen sharing feature is excellent for helping employees collaborate with each other on large or more complex projects. This is especially handy for helping employees who are working together from different locations. Having the ability to share your screen with colleagues makes it much easier to describe certain parts of a project and provide everyone with a visual aid. 
• Music-On-Hold- The music-on-hold feature is a fantastic way to help your business function more professionally. If customers need to be put on hold, providing them with music while on hold creates a sense of professionalism. This is a great feature that small businesses may be able to benefit from greatly. It can give customers the impression that your company is larger than it actually is and provides them with a better overall experience with your business. 
• Automated Attendant– The automated attendant feature provides customers with options when they’re ringing your company. These options can include prompts to help customers be put through to the correct department more efficiently. Using an auto-attendant feature can also be handy for times when employees aren’t available. Instead of customers being left without any response, the auto-attendant system can provide them with information about opening hours or any other numbers that they can call. 

Comparing with 8×8 

Verdict

8×8 and VirtualPBX have features that companies of all sizes can benefit from using. However, freelancers have found that the flexibility of features and pricing plans available from VirtualPBX are more enticing compared to 8×8. 

For smaller businesses VirtualPBX is likely a good 8×8 alternative!

8×8 vs Avaya 

Avaya is a well known VoIP service provider that has helped companies improve their communications and customer relations. Their VoIP features are easy to use and employees are able to have an easier time communicating with each other and customers. 

As a result of the high-quality VoIP features, customers are given a better experience when contacting your company which increases customer retention and satisfaction. Furthermore, employees can collaborate and work more productively together using Avaya’s VoIP features. 

Key Features 

• Data– Historical and real time data are available through Avaya’s VoIP system. This data can be accessed easily through Avaya’s dashboard. As a result, you can create reports based in real time that can help your company find areas for improvement. 
• Collaboration– Avaya’s VoIP system comes with a range of features that are great for collaborating. These include an instant messenger, video calls, and group conferences. The instant messenger is an excellent feature that allows employees to quickly and conveniently stay in touch with each other during busy times. The video calls and conference features are also handy for allowing employees to collaborate with each other on projects, regardless of where they’re located. In addition to this, employees can keep track of meetings and who has participated to keep tabs on how a project is progressing. Employees can also keep track of any files that have been shared within meetings and access them at any time through Avaya’s VoIP software. 
• Flexibility– Avaya allows you to buy more numbers if you need to increase the number of users that you want to have on the system. This amount of flexibility is a fantastic feature that enables businesses of different sizes to add phone numbers instantly. This is an especially useful benefit for companies that are looking to expand in the near future. You can be sure to easily add phone numbers without any hassle. 
• Queue Manager- The queue management feature is an incredibly useful tool that can help your customer service department have an easier time managing high call volumes. This feature creates a system in which incoming callers are put into a queue before being able to speak with a representative from your company. As a result, employees are able to prioritize calls and help customers in a more systematic approach. 
• Fax– Companies have been liking how they’re provided with unlimited faxes. This ensures that you’re able to fax important documents to clients without worrying about any limits. Furthermore, these faxes can be completed through the internet and Avaya’s VoIP software which is easy to use. 

Comparing with 8×8 

Verdict

Avaya has been around in the VoIP industry for some time and over the years, they’ve developed flexible plans and features that growing businesses have been benefitting from. One of the main reasons why companies may choose Avaya over 8×8 is because you only have to pay for the features that you use. 

This can also make it easier for employees to learn how to use the system as they don’t need to be overwhelmed with tons of features that they don’t need. 

8×8 vs Aircall

Aircall provides companies with a phone system that works via the cloud and enables employees to stay in touch with colleagues and customers easily. Their software is easy to install and allows companies to start using their features within minutes. 

Their system comes with a fantastic range of integrations which makes the integration process go smoothly. Aircall’s new VoIP features can be implemented with the current infrastructure that you’re working with. 

Key Features 

• Voicemail– The voicemail feature is handy for times when customers are trying to speak with someone during busy times or out-of-office hours. Being able to leave a voicemail allows employees to get back to the customer conveniently. In addition to this, customized messages can be created for times when the phone lines are busy or when your phone lines are closed. These messages can include details about when you’ll next be open or other relevant information that can be helpful for customers. Having a voicemail greeting is also a professional way to handle customers and it can improve their overall experience with your company. 
• Conferences– Aircall has a conference feature which is superb for enabling employees to collaborate with each other on big projects. You can have up to five people attending live conferences at once. This allows people who are working in different locations to come together and work closely on projects to be productive. 
• Call Queuing– Call queuing is an excellent feature that can help your customer service department handle lots of incoming calls. This feature lets customers know that they’re being put in a queue and that a representative from your company will be with them when they’re available. This creates a system for customer service representatives to have an easier time working their way through each caller. 
• Activity Feed– The activity feed available with Aircall allows teams to see all of the activity on a shared call. This can help employees keep track of project progress and collaborate with each other more conveniently through a unified system. Furthermore, all of the details regarding customers can be stored in one place. This makes it much easier for employees to find relevant information quickly to help customers and provide a better experience.
• Parallel Calls – Parallel calls can be a useful feature for times when employees are incredibly busy and trying to get multiple things done at once. This feature allows the conversation that you’re currently on to be put on hold while still being able to make a call with another person. You can then resume the conversation after putting the phone down with the person on the other line. This feature is great for times when you may need to speak with someone else to answer a quick question. Instead of hanging up the line with the person you’re talking with, you can just put them on hold and get straight back to them. 

Comparing with 8×8 

Verdict

The features and pricing plans available from Aircall are superb for freelancers, as well as companies of all sizes. 8×8, on the other hand, doesn’t tailor so much towards freelancers. Instead, their features are more focused on small and medium companies, as well as large enterprises. 

There are also far more integrations available when using Aircall compared to 8×8. These integrations could prove to be incredibly useful and help employees have an easier time learning how to use the new VoIP features.

8×8 vs Five9

Five9’s VoIP system includes artificial intelligence technology that provides businesses with communications solutions. Their software enables companies to access all of their incoming and outgoing communications through a unified system. 

They offer a great variety of features that help employees be more effective when it comes to managing incoming calls. They can also use Five9’s VoIP features to improve the way that they collaborate and communicate with each other for better productivity. 

This VoIP provider has been established since 2001 and has continuously provided businesses with communications solutions. Their AI technology has helped companies of all sizes be much more efficient when dealing with lots of calls and managing incoming communications better. 

Key Features 

•  Dashboard – The dashboard that’s available with Five9 allows you to see all of your company’s communications in one area. This makes it easier to manage incoming and outgoing communications which can be a big help for businesses that are expanding their operations. Employees can look through the dashboard to find files and messages that may have been shared to bring themselves up to speed on a project. Members of your customer service team can also find customer information easily. 
• Reports – With more than 150 types of reports available, you can feel confident in knowing that you’re able to keep track of progress on projects. There are plenty of insights available that can let you know how well teams are performing and whether there are any areas for improvement. As a result, you can also set goals for teams to strive towards after you’ve delved into the reports. Both historical and real-time reports are available which businesses can use to boost productivity. 
• Video – Video calls are an excellent feature available that employees can use when speaking to colleagues and customers. Being on a video call can feel more personable and help employees work well together. Being able to have video calls with customers can also be a great benefit as it allows them to share issues with representatives from your company that may be easier to explain through a video call.
• Instant Messaging– Being able to instantly message colleagues is a superb feature that helps employees collaborate with each other. If things are busy and there isn’t always time to make a call, employees can simply send a quick message to the relevant person for them to see the message and respond quickly. This is a great feature for allowing employees to work while on the go. They’re able to conveniently stay in communication with each other via the messaging feature to get information across quickly and concisely. 

Comparing with 8×8 

Verdict

The flexibility when it comes to the pricing and features available with Five9 may be more appealing to businesses compared to 8×8. You only have to pay for the features that you’re using which can allow you to be more cost-effective. It can also make it easier for employees to learn how to use the new software as there are only a limited number of features that they need to know how to use. 

8×8 and Five9 offer useful integrations that many businesses use regularly. However, 8×8 is compatible with Android devices, whereas Five9 isn’t. This could be a big factor to consider if there are many employees within your company who use Android devices. 

Does 8×8 Automatically Launch When You Start Up Your Desktop?

There’s a feature within the settings with 8×8 that allows you to have the app running automatically when you turn on your desktop.

How Can You Set a Status Message?

A customized status message can be set which lets contacts know your current status. You can create a custom status by clicking on your profile image and type in a message for others to see.

Can You Sync Your Calendar With 8×8?

You can sync 8×8 with your Office 365 and Google Calendar. This allows you to schedule meetings through 8×8 and have them show up in your calendar.

Our Conclusion to the Top 8×8 Competitors & Alternatives

There are some superb alternatives to 8×8 and it can be tricky trying to decide which VoIP service provider is best for your company. The VoIP providers mentioned throughout this post can all be beneficial for companies, depending on their specific needs.

Therefore, it’s important that you first understand what it is that you want to receive from using a VoIP service. You can then have an easier time going through the various VoIP providers and choosing the one that ticks most of the boxes for your company’s requirements. 

A free VoIP consultation is also available through our website which could provide you with more details about choosing the right VoIP provider.