Choosing the right phone system can significantly impact your business efficiency. While OpenPhone is a popular option, it isn’t the perfect fit for everyone. If you’re a small business owner, freelancer, or entrepreneur, you may need a solution that better matches your workflow and communication style.

Here’s a guide to the top five OpenPhone alternatives, including how they can help streamline your business communications.

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Criteria for Choosing an OpenPhone Alternative

Switching your business phone system can impact everything from day-to-day workflows to your bottom line. Whether you’re moving from OpenPhone to M1 or another VoIP provider, keep these key factors in mind when choosing the right fit:

• Ease of Use: Choose a phone system that’s simple to set up and use. 

• Pricing Transparency: Avoid surprises by checking for hidden fees. Some providers charge extra for features like call recording or voicemail transcriptions.

• Integrations: Your phone system should work well with the tools you already use.

• Customer Support: Reliable customer support is essential when things go wrong. Look for a provider with responsive, accessible customer support. 

• Scalability: Choose a system that can grow with your business.

• Advanced Features vs. Simplicity: More features aren’t always better. Pick a system that offers the essentials without unnecessary complexity.

Incorporating AI into a business phone system is a game-changer, especially for small businesses. AI helps automate tasks like call routing, transcription through features like call recording and voicemail transcription, and customer interactions, leading to faster response times and more efficient workflows. Look for systems that integrate AI to streamline operations.

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Comparison Overview

Here’s a quick side-by-side comparison of the best OpenPhone alternatives, their key features, and who they’re best suited for.

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M1: A Smart Solution for Modern Business Communication

M1 is the first-ever phone system built with an AI assistant at its core. It’s an intuitive business phone system that streamlines communication for professionals who spend a lot of time on the phone, receive a lot of calls and texts, and need ways to remember info, track action items, and save time to focus on growing their business. It is simple to set up for any professional—no technical expertise required.

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Key Features of M1

Effortless Call Management

M1 provides flexible options for managing your work calls. You can choose to receive a free M1 number, forward your primary line to M1, or even port your existing number from another VoIP service. All calls are managed through a single, easy-to-use platform on iOS, with a desktop version coming soon—complete with call forwarding and caller ID features.

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Simplified Collaboration

M1’s Team plan and shared phone number feature enable seamless collaboration. With a unified inbox and a dedicated business line, your entire team can easily manage and respond to calls and messages together—ensuring that nothing slips through the cracks.

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Transparent Pricing Plans with No Hidden Fees

Unlike OpenPhone’s $15 per user per month, M1 offers competitive pricing plans with no hidden costs. It’s perfect for small businesses or professionals seeking an affordable and transparent pricing model.

• Individuals: $19.99/month or $139.99/year (7-day free trial included)
• Teams: $29.99/month or $199.99/year (unlimited users at no additional cost, 7-day free trial included)

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Smart Automation with AI Core

M1 redefines phone systems with an AI-driven assistant that saves you time and boosts productivity. Seamlessly integrated with Zapier to connect with over 7,000 tools, M1 handles the details so you can focus on growing your business. Key features include:

• AI Call Summaries: M1's call recording feature automatically transcribes calls—capturing key details, extracting action items, and identifying calendar events—while generating actionable summaries without manual note-taking.

• Voicemail Receptionist: Handles incoming call queues efficiently, answering calls (missed calls or all incoming calls, depending on your settings) and engaging naturally with callers to gather essential details, as well as prioritizing callbacks to ensure a professional experience even when you’re unavailable. Each call handled by M1's Receptionist triggers a voicemail transcription that highlights keys information and follow-up actions.

• Daily Recaps: Sends an end-of-day summary of calls, texts, and missed calls with associated action items, streamlining your planning and task tracking.

• In-Person Meeting Recorder: With a single tap, M1's Voice Memo feature records and transcribes live conversations, summarizing key points and action items so you can stay engaged without note-taking.

This suite of features empowers you to manage communications effortlessly and keep your focus on what truly matters.

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Built for Busy Professionals

M1's app is optimized for your busy schedule, allowing you to manage calls and texts from anywhere. Its straightforward design means you don’t have to worry about tech setup—M1 handles that for you. 

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No Hassle Customer Support

Unlike some VoIP providers, M1’s customer support team is responsive and available whenever you need us, from setup assistance to troubleshooting.

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Why M1 Stands Out

M1 differentiates itself by offering a solution that’s simple to set up, easy to manage, and cost-effective—without compromising on the features you need. As the newest competitor to OpenPhone, it comes with unlimited potential. The M1 team works quickly to incorporate customer feedback and continuously add new features and capabilities. With its intuitive design and no-fuss approach, M1 is the ideal alternative for streamlined business communications.

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RingCentral: A Comprehensive Option for Larger Teams

RingCentral is a feature-rich business communications platform designed for larger organizations that need robust functionality, including calls and texts, video conferencing, and team messaging. However, its extensive features come with higher pricing plans and a steeper learning curve, making it less suitable for smaller teams or non-tech-savvy users.

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Key Features of RingCentral:

• Unified Communications: Integrates voice, video, and team messaging into one platform.
• Extensive Integrations: Works with popular tools like Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Salesforce, and Slack.
• Advanced Call Features: Includes call recording, analytics, and custom call routing.
• Global Reach: Provides toll-free numbers and local phone numbers in over 100 countries.

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Drawbacks of RingCentral:

• Complex Setup: Overwhelming for small businesses or those without IT support.
• Higher Costs for Advanced Features: Many key features are locked behind higher-tier pricing plans.
• Too Complex for Small Teams: The platform’s extensive functionality may exceed the needs of smaller businesses.

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OpenPhone vs. RingCentral

OpenPhone is more cost-effective and simpler for small to medium-sized businesses. RingCentral is great for large organizations requiring extensive features and global reach.

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RingCentral Pricing Plans:

• Essentials Plan: $20 per user per month for basic call management and messaging.
• Advanced Plan: $25 per user per month, adding automatic recording and integrations.
• Ultra Plan: $35 per user per month, offering unlimited storage and a full range of features.

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Google Voice: A Basic Option for Google Workspace Users

Google Voice offers a straightforward business phone solution, especially for small teams or individuals already using Google Workspace. It’s simple, affordable, and integrates well with Google tools.

However, its features are limited compared to more robust business phone systems like OpenPhone, making it less ideal for growing teams or businesses needing advanced functionality.

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Key Features of Google Voice:

• Google Workspace Integration: Syncs with Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Meet.
• Basic Call Management: Includes call forwarding, voicemail transcriptions, and call screening.
• Simple Pricing Tiers: Plans start at $10 per user per month.

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Drawbacks of Google Voice:

• Limited Business Features: Lacks advanced collaboration tools and integrations.
• No Toll-Free Numbers: Doesn’t support toll-free numbers.
• Geographic Restrictions: Available only in select countries.

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OpenPhone vs. Google Voice

While Google Voice is good for basic needs, OpenPhone offers more comprehensive features, including shared phone numbers and better integrations with CRMs. Businesses aiming to scale or streamline operations will likely outgrow its limited capabilities.

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Google Voice Pricing Plans:

There is a free version of Google Voice available to all users, but it comes with extremely limited features. For advanced features like AI and collaboration, here are the paid plans:

• Starter Plan: $10 for up to 10 users per month for basic calling and texting, along with limited integration features.
• Standard Plan: $20 with unlimited users per month, which includes unlimited calling within the US and Canada, and call handling features.
• Premier Plan: $30 with unlimited users per month, adding automatic recording.

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Nextiva: A VoIP Provider with a Focus on Customer Management

Nextiva is a business VoIP platform combining calling, messaging, video conferencing, and CRM tools, ideal for businesses focused on customer interaction. However, it’s pricier and may not be the best fit for businesses that prioritize a user-friendly interface.

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Key Features of Nextiva:

• Built-In CRM Tools: Tracks customer interactions alongside VoIP services.
• Team Collaboration: Messaging, task management, and file sharing.
• Call Analytics: Includes agent activity tracking and customer sentiment analysis.
• Reliable VoIP Services: Known for excellent call quality and a 99.99% uptime guarantee.

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Drawbacks of Nextiva:

• Expensive for Smaller Businesses: Priced higher than many alternatives.
• Limited Integrations: Fewer third-party integrations compared to competitors.
• Clunky User Interface: The platform can feel outdated.

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OpenPhone vs. Nextiva

Nextiva’s built-in CRM tools and analytics are ideal for businesses heavily focused on customer relationship management. However, for teams that don’t need these advanced features, Nextiva’s higher costs and limited integrations may outweigh the benefits. OpenPhone is more affordable, simple, and better suited for teams that don’t require an all-in-one CRM.

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Nextiva Pricing Plans:

• Digital Plan: $20 per user per month, including basic VoIP features, unlimited calling, and team messaging.
• Core Plan: $30 per user per month, adding unlimited conference calls and advanced analytics.
• Engage Plan: $40 per user per month, unlocking CRM tools, custom integrations, and additional analytics features.
• Power Suit Plan: $60 per user per month, adding sales and service call center, unified team interface, and a supervisor dashboard.
  
  

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Dialpad: A Cloud-Based Phone System with AI-Enhanced Features

Dialpad stands out with its cloud-based system and AI-powered features, offering real-time call and voicemail transcription and insights into performance. It’s ideal for larger businesses needing in-depth analytics but may be too complex and expensive for smaller teams.

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Key Features of Dialpad:

• AI-Powered Voice Intelligence: Real-time voicemail transcription and call quality analysis.
• Unified Communications: Includes voice calls, video conferencing, SMS, and team chat in one platform.
• Advanced Analytics and Reporting: Monitors call quality, customer satisfaction, and agent performance through detailed reports and dashboards.
• Integrations with Popular Platforms: Integrates with Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Salesforce, Zendesk, and more.

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Drawbacks of Dialpad:

• Complexity for Smaller Teams: Overkill for smaller businesses that only need basic communication tools.
• Pricing for Small Businesses: Higher pricing makes it less suitable for small businesses.
• Learning Curve: Requires time to learn all features.

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OpenPhone vs. Dialpad

Dialpad’s advanced AI, cloud-based system, and analytics capabilities are perfect for larger teams or businesses needing advanced features. However, for smaller businesses or those looking for a more intuitive, user-friendly option, OpenPhone is better suited.

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Dialpad Pricing Plans:

• Standard Plan: $15 per user per month, offering basic calling, SMS, and email support.
• Pro Plan: $25 per user per month, which adds more advanced features such as AI-powered call and voicemail transcriptions and unlimited integrations.
• Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing, which unlocks advanced analytics, priority support, and enterprise-level security features.

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OpenPhone Alternatives

Choosing the right business phone system can streamline your communication and boost productivity. With so many OpenPhone alternatives to consider, consider your specific needs, budget, and technical comfort level.

M1 offers a simple, scalable, and cost-effective solution that caters to busy professionals. Take time to assess your options and reach out to M1's team if you have any questions. Your phone system should make your business more efficient, not complicate it.

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FAQ

Is OpenPhone better than Google Voice?‍

OpenPhone and Google Voice are both solid options for small businesses with different needs. OpenPhone offers a more robust business phone system with features like voicemail transcription, call recording, and advanced call management. Google Voice works well for individuals or businesses on a tight budget. OpenPhone offers seamless integration into business communication platforms, making it a stronger choice for companies needing professional call management, voicemail, and customer support.

Is OpenPhone better than RingCentral?‍

OpenPhone and RingCentral both provide reliable VoIP service and excellent communication solutions. RingCentral is a more comprehensive communication platform, offering features like video conferencing, call centers, and toll-free numbers. OpenPhone shines with its simplified interface, strong voicemail transcription, and focus on small businesses that need a streamlined phone system. For more customizable and scalable solutions with enterprise-level features, RingCentral may be a better fit. For smaller teams or businesses that prioritize ease of use, OpenPhone is a solid alternative.

Is OpenPhone better than Dialpad?‍

OpenPhone and Dialpad both provide VoIP services and customizable communication solutions for businesses. Dialpad offers features like call forwarding, call queues, and AI-powered call management, but OpenPhone focuses on providing an easy-to-use, cloud-based virtual phone system with great customer support and business number options. Dialpad may suit larger businesses with more complex needs, while OpenPhone is ideal for small businesses that want a straightforward, reliable phone system.

Is OpenPhone better than M1?

While OpenPhone offers solid features like call recording and voicemail transcription, M1 elevates business communications with advanced AI-driven functionalities. M1 automatically generates call summaries with suggested actions and calendar events after each call, provides daily recaps to ensure no follow-up is missed, and allows you to quickly retrieve specific details from past interactions. These enhancements streamline workflows and boost productivity for busy professionals.

Where is OpenPhone Located?‍

OpenPhone is based in the United States, with its headquarters in San Francisco, California. As a cloud-based phone system provider, it provides VoIP service, business numbers, and voicemail transcription to companies of all sizes.

How Do You Use the OpenPhone App?‍

Using OpenPhone is simple. After downloading the app, you can sign in with your account and set up your phone system. You’ll be able to assign business phone numbers, manage voicemails, receive calls, and text customers directly from your phone or desktop. The intuitive interface makes managing calls, call records, and business communication straightforward. OpenPhone lets you manage extensions, set up auto-dialers, and integrate with your existing tools.

Is OpenPhone Free?‍

OpenPhone offers a free trial, but it’s a paid service overall with a variety of phone numbers available. The pricing starts with a basic plan for small businesses, offering unlimited calling, voicemail transcription, and custom features. Additional features like call management, international calls, and toll-free numbers are available in higher-tier plans. 

What Is OpenPhone Used For?‍

OpenPhone is a cloud-based phone system designed for small businesses. It’s used for managing business communication, including calls, voicemails, call recording, and text messages. OpenPhone is perfect for teams that need a professional virtual phone, customer support solutions, or an easy way to manage their business number and extensions.

How Long Has OpenPhone Been in Business?‍

OpenPhone was founded in 2017 and has become a popular VoIP provider for small businesses, offering a virtual phone system to streamline business communication. OpenPhone has quickly built a reputation for providing affordable, easy-to-use business phone solutions.

Is OpenPhone Good for Personal Use?‍

While OpenPhone is designed primarily for businesses, it can be used for personal purposes, especially if you need a professional phone number and VoIP service. If you’re just looking for a personal phone system with basic features, services like Google Voice might be more suitable.

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