7 VoIP Business Phone Systems with the Best Mobile Apps

Once, business communication required that you be in the office. Even once cell phones became more common, you really wanted a landline for the best clarity and connectivity. Those days are long gone.

Today, business communication doesn’t have to take place within an office and even conference calls can happen on the go thanks to mobile technology. Here are a few interesting insights that illustrate just how important phone-based communications remain today when employees and even CEOs are increasingly on the go.

• According to RingCentral, 64.8% of employees use a mobile phone with a business number and only a little over half of all companies even have legacy phone systems for on-premises use.

• Masergy points out that improved flexibility and increased communication quality are driving factors in the push toward cloud-based, mobile communications.

• The US BLS highlights that 26 million Americans work remotely and rely on apps for communication.

How does VoIP fit into the mobile connectivity picture? The answer is that some forward-thinking VoIP companies now offer access to most or even all of their features through mobile apps that work right on your team’s smartphones and tablets. That opens up entirely new worlds of communication and productivity.

What is VoIP?

Not sure what VoIP is? Just in case you haven’t kept up with communications technology, it stands for “voice over Internet protocol”. VoIP business phones let you tap into your high-speed Internet connection to communicate, rather than relying on traditional telephone lines. And in most cases, you’ll find that the costs are far less than paying a phone provider, too.

Of course, there’s no shortage of VoIP providers today. You have industry mainstays, newcomers to the segment, trending companies, and more. How do you go about choosing the right one for your needs?

Well, it’s pretty simple, at least initially. Not all VoIP companies offer mobile apps, so if you need that type of connectivity, you can immediately cross any companies that don’t offer it off your list. We do realize that comparing both mobile app capabilities and VoIP provider benefits can be time-consuming, so we’ve ranked the seven VoIP business phones with the best mobile apps for you.

Before we dive into the list, let’s talk a little about what these apps offer, and what they should offer if you’re going to consider using them. Although there is no hard-and-fast list of rules because every business has different needs, these guidelines should help just about everyone. 

What to look for in the mobile apps you use

When it comes to VoIP, the considerations of what you want in an app aren’t much different than the other tools that you use — convenience, ease of use, access to plenty of features, and so forth. You’ll want to consider the apps below, as well as any others on your radar, and take the time to see what you’re getting for the money.

• Available support: The last thing that you want is a service provider who isn’t available when you need them.

• Operating system: Know whether the platform offers apps for iOS or Android devices, or both, as well as what you need to support your team.

• Trial: A free trial allows you to put the app through its paces and find out how it works for your needs without having to commit.

• Integration: Your team uses a wide range of other software and apps. Make sure the VoIP platform you choose integrates with your technology stack.

• App-only: Is the VoIP platform app-only? Does it offer both traditional communications capabilities and mobile options?

There’s no “right” or “wrong” choice here; it’s about what’s best for your business. Now that you know more about what to look for, it will be easier for you to review the apps below and what they have to offer. Take the time to explore all the options, take advantage of the trials, and you’ll see that VoIP is going to change the way you communicate for the better in more ways than you anticipated. 

The 7 best VoIP mobile apps

1. Dialpad

Dialpad is one of the hottest VoIP apps on the market today. It offers a variety of services and plans for teams that need a mobile solution for modern communication. It also offers contact syncing with G Suite, Outlook, and others. Customer service is there to help you along the way, too. 

While plans may seem limited in their features, there are a lot of upgrades available. The company designed its solution for the basics but wanted to be inclusive, so it offers most things as an add-on with a la carte pricing. You can upgrade to premium plans to get more features if you’d like, as well. 

• Price: $15 per month

• Free 14-day trial

• AI voice intelligence

• Syncing and integrations offered

• Mobile apps with robust features

2. CloudTalk

CloudTalk is a great platform for those who want a robust VoIP provider that includes a well-designed app. There are so many different features available on all the plans, including skill-based call routing, personalized greetings, and more. You can tag internal numbers, collect caller details, and direct calls quickly and efficiently with the help of AI. You can even set your own business hours. 

Mobile apps ensure that you can keep up with communications on the go, no matter what device you’re using. There are iOS and Android apps that include all the same features as the desktop and web versions, along with monitoring, analytics, and intelligent calling features to help you streamline your communications. 

• Price: $25 per month

• Automated call routing and voice intelligence

• Auto attendant

• Personalized greetings

• iOS and Android apps

3. Ooma

Ooma has two types of VoIP solutions, including one that comes with a robust mobile app that can be used on any Android or iOS device of your choosing. You’ll be able to get Ooma-enabled desk phones if you’d like, or you can sign up for the monthly subscription and bring your own devices. It also integrates with smart home devices like Amazon Echo for even more power. 

Ooma also provides customized greetings and voicemail transcription, and you can monitor your communications from the apps, too. There are plenty of advanced features and plans available, helping your business get the communications solution that it needs. Its apps are really where it shines, so be sure to check them out when you choose this provider. 

• Price: $19.95 per month

• Guaranteed for 30 days

• AI-powered call routing

• Auto attendant and customized greetings

• Unlimited plans available

• Robust mobile apps

4. Google Voice

Google Voice is probably one of the best choices for simple, straightforward VoIP when you’re a solo business or an SMB that only has a couple of users. First of all, it’s free for domestic calls and you can set it up to link to your mobile phone and other devices through the Google Voice app. You can even get a new number to mask your personal number if you’d like. 

Google Voice can be used from desktop devices, too, and you can send messages as much as you’d like, to anyone, anywhere. You can also pay for international credits if you find that you need to reach out to people across the globe. 

• Price: Free for domestic use

• Unlimited calling and texting

• Dedicated number for masking

• Call forwarding

• Integrates with Google and works on all mobile devices

5. Nextiva

Nextiva makes a lot of the “best” lists for VoIP service, including for their mobile app. They also have a 30-day trial so that you get a full month to try out the platform before you commit or spend a single dime. You can even find plans in all sizes, for everyone from the SMB to the Enterprise operation. AI and automated routing, contact syncing, and other standard features are included, as well. 

With Nextiva, you can set up free automated greetings and install the mobile app on any Android or iOS device so that you can check on communications, have calls and messages forwarded, and even fax via mobile (which is included, unlimited, with every plan). Upgrade to an unlimited audio plan if you need more minutes and enjoy easy syncing with any device. 

• Price: $17.39 per month to start

• Unlimited Internet faxing included

• Free automated greetings and AI voice intelligence

• Customization and scalability available

• Simple, robust mobile app for easy access on the go

6. OpenPhone

OpenPhone might not have the same recognition as some of the platforms on our list, but it’s a solid contender. That’s particularly true if you’re running a growing business and need a good mix of affordability, scalability, and reliability. You get access to some of the most critical communication features and capabilities, including SMS and MMS. It also offers native apps for your devices, including iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac.

Other capabilities you’ll appreciate include group messaging, shared phone numbers, and voicemail transcriptions, to name just a few. If you’re worried about uptime, don’t be, because OpenPhone has an excellent record.

• Price: $15 per user per month

• Free 7-day trial

• Local and toll-free numbers

• Voicemail transcription

• Interactive voice response (IVR)

• Upgraded features are available with the Business plan, which starts at $23 per month

7. Intermedia Unite

Intermedia Unite is an all-in-one integrated business phone solution. That includes traditional VoIP functionality, as well as mobile apps. And, with this provider, your desktop and mobile apps work together to ensure a seamless, cohesive experience, improve communication quality, and enhance your team’s experience. You’ll find native apps for iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows, too.

Intermedia Unite brings over 90 enterprise-grade features and capabilities but packages them into offerings ideal for small and medium-sized businesses looking to centralize their communications and manage everything from one place. In addition to robust mobile apps and lots of features, you also get access to industry-best security to protect your information and that of your customers or clients.

• Price: $27.99 per month

• Free devices

• Unlimited calling

• Caller ID, auto attendant, call park, and more

• iOS and Android apps for seamless communications

Speaking of seamless communications, partner with Smith.ai to handle everything else

Mobile apps and VoIP technology can help ensure that you’re able to enjoy flexible, affordable communication capabilities. However, don’t forget that there’s more to it than just having the right platform. You also need the right people in place, and that can be challenging for SMBs.

The dedicated receptionists at Smith.ai can pick up when your team runs out of time and resources. Whether it’s with after-hours calls, website chat, or even SMS answering, our 24/7 answering service specialists will make sure that everything is handled when you’re focusing on mission-critical things that need your attention. 

We’ll help you create a total communications strategy that will give you the advantage that you need to run your business better. Plus, we can scale with you as your business grows and as your needs change. Add or remove services as necessary, from accepting payments to logging notes in your CRM or even qualifying leads, and experience the difference the right partner can make in your business’s success.

To learn more, schedule a consultation to discuss the 24/7 virtual receptionist solutions available to help your business communications thrive. You can also reach us at hello@smith.ai or (650) 709-2947.