Best Small Business Phone Systems in Canada (2025)

Based on our research, RingCentral’s $35 per user, per month Advanced plan is the best VoIP phone system for small businesses. The Advanced plan offers unlimited domestic calling and texting (CA & US), call features for training staff, and a much wider range of integrations than most competitors, including all the major CRM platforms.

If RingCentral doesn’t sound like it’s for you, there are other options. For instance, Google Workspace users will find Google Voice one of the cheapest and quickest systems to set up. Meanwhile, Net2Phone’s Business Lite plan will be best for businesses with international customer or client bases since it includes unlimited international calling to 40 countries.

What are the Best Small Business Phone Systems in Canada in 2025?

We researched and tested numerous business phone systems, critically evaluating each one to find out whether it was suitable for a small business. This allowed us to handpick seven of the best phone systems for small businesses in Canada:

1. RingCentral Advanced – Best for Integrations

Rising above the rest, RingCentral is our highest-ranked phone system for small businesses in Canada. Namely, its Advanced plan is best suited to small businesses of its three tiers, offering important features like call recording and advanced call management, like whisper coaching or call takeover (barge) for growing teams.

Best of all, and its major benefit over other providers in our view, is that RingCentral Advanced allows for integrations with more third-party software than any other provider, including over 110 CRM tools like Salesforce and HubSpot. So if you are a small business that uses lots of software and wants all your data integrated and synced between them, RingCentral is the best option for you. Here’s why else it impressed us.

What features does RingCentral Advanced offer for small businesses?

• Transcription & voicemail-to-text
  • Searchable notes after every call.
  • Saves wrap-up time for agents.
  • Dialpad also leans hard on similar AI extras.
• Reliability & security
  • 99.9% uptime, MFA, encryption.
  • Meets common SMB compliance needs.
  • Comparable to 8×8 and GoTo Connect.
• Admin controls & analytics
  • Centralized roles, policies, dashboards.
  • Track queues, users, KPIs in one place.
  • Deepest analytics on Ultra tier.

How does RingCentral Advanced compare with other VoIP providers for small businesses?

RingCentral Advanced has more integrations than other small business phone plans, beating close competitor 8×8. However, 8×8 has a leg up over RingCentral when it comes to domestic calls, since its cheapest plan (previously called X2) offers unlimited calls in 14 countries, while RingCentral Advanced offers this for domestic calls and calls to the US.

When it comes to scalability, we’d argue RingCentral and 8×8 are top of the pile and are pretty evenly matched between them, both providing various plans for small to large businesses depending on your needs. For instance, RingCentral’s upgraded Ultra package provides customizable analytics and reporting, improved capacity (200-person) video conferencing, and other additions that may help when your organization needs greater detail and capacity for your operations.

However, RingCentral isn’t the cheapest option on this page. Overall, it’s more expensive than Dialpad and Google Voice and is the most expensive provider, just ahead of GoTo Connect’s plan.

Good alternatives to RingCentral

• 8×8: Unlimited calling in 14 countries; strong for global-leaning SMBs.
• Dialpad Pro: Best-in-class AI summaries/transcripts; lower entry price.

2. 8×8 – Best for Scalability

8×8 offers a wide menu of subscription options that’ll allow you to scale your business as and when you need to.

You have essential features like ring groups and call queues, and international calling to 14 countries offered at its base subscription plan (previously called X2), meaning your small business will easily be able to deal with large volumes of callers.

And from there, you can expand your package (such as going up to 48 countries or more coaching tools) as and when you need them. That should appeal to businesses that are looking to (or already are) growing fast and want an adaptable system to cater to their needs as they change, especially if that includes operating in multiple countries.

Since July 2023, 8×8’s pricing hasn’t been public, but we’ve listed the figures above so you have a rough idea of what you’ll be paying. If you want an exact figure, you’ll need to contact the provider directly for a quote. 

What features does 8×8 offer for small businesses?

• CRM & helpdesk integrations
  • Syncs calling with ticketing and records.
  • Faster lookups; fewer app switches.
  • Smaller catalog than RingCentral, but solid coverage.
• 24/7 phone + chat support
  • Round-the-clock help for distributed teams.
  • 99.9% uptime SLA reduces risk.
  • Support hours beat Ooma/Google Voice.
• Team messaging & file sharing
  • Calls, chat, and video under one app.
  • Cuts spending on separate chat tools.
  • Dialpad leads on AI extras; 8×8 is steadier on scale.
• Clear upgrade path
  • Unlock barge/whisper and deeper analytics as you grow.
  • Keep users in the same ecosystem.
  • Avoid costly rip-and-replace later.

How does 8×8 compare with other VoIP providers for small businesses?

8×8’s lowest-priced plan is missing a few call features when compared to RingCentral’s Advanced plan. There’s no call barge or call whisper, for example. But, it does come with unlimited calls to 14 different countries, while RingCentral Advanced only supports calls to Canada and the US. Still, you can call a larger array of countries without paying extra via GoTo or Net2Phone.

Another downside is that 8×8 also doesn’t publish its pricing anymore, making it far less transparent than its competitors. Based on past pricing, 8×8 is generally more expensive than rivals Google Voice and Dialpad, but it does offer users a broader range of features.

8×8 redeems itself when it comes to customer support and security, offering 24/7 phone support (only matched by RingCentral and Ooma), and password protection rules, user permission, and two-factor authentication on all its plans, making it unrivalled among the providers on this list.

Good alternatives to 8×8

• RingCentral Advanced: 500+ integrations and stronger built-in call coaching.
• GoTo Connect Phone System: Unlimited calling to 50+ countries on Standard; powerful visual dial-plan editor.

3. Dialpad – Best Conversational AI

Dialpad is best known for its innovative use of conversational AI. It can accurately transcribe your phone calls in real-time, flag whether or not the conversation features happy or frustrated customers, and automate post-call summaries. Plus, you can even enable you to create notes with tips and advice that appear on the screen when certain keywords or phrases are spoken on a call.

You can also choose to turn off this feature if you’re worried about confidentiality, but it is a superb tool that other phone systems have only begun to replicate in the past year. In other words, for AI smarts, we think Dialpad is the best option on the market if any of its features discussed here are for you. Let’s dive into why else Dialpad could be for you.

• Integrations you’ll actually use
  • Pro adds Salesforce, HubSpot, Zendesk.
  • One-click logging and contact sync.
  • Smaller catalog than RingCentral.
• Actionable analytics
  • Real-time dashboards for voice/SMS.
  • Spot trends; coach to KPIs.
  • Less customizable than RC Ultra.
• Reliability & support
  • 24/7 chat + phone (Pro, Enterprise).
  • Onboarding help available (may cost).
  • Uptime comparable to peers.

How does Dialpad Pro compare with other VoIP providers for small businesses?

Dialpad supports fewer ready-made integrations than RingCentral or 8×8. For example, it only supports around 16 CRM integrations compared with RingCentral’s 110+.

On the flipside, Dialpad offers strong customer support options, including 24/7 live chat support on its Pro and Enterprise plans. It offers more support choices than the likes of GoTo Connect, Net2Phone, and Google Voice.

Lastly, Dialpad has AI-assisted tools on all of its plans, even the cheapest one, Standard, which isn’t the case for most competitors.

Good alternatives to Dialpad

• RingCentral Advanced: 500+ integrations and deeper coach/monitor features.
• 8×8: Unlimited calling to 14 countries and 500-participant meetings on the cheapest plan.

4. Ooma Office Pro – Best Value for Money

For the affordable price of $29.95 per user, per month, you get access to Ooma’s scalable features and generous customer support. For that reason, we think it’s a solid value-for-money choice, albeit not the cheapest option of our top-rated providers (that award goes to Google Voice).

Businesses that want an appealing balance between price and features, without the complexity of other systems, but paired with 24/7 support, should appreciate what Ooma has to offer. Here’s what exactly you can do for your money.

• 24/7 chat + phone support
  • Help whenever issues pop up.
  • Lower learning curve for newcomers.
  • Support breadth rivals 8×8/RingCentral.
• Simple admin & easy onboarding
  • Quick number setup and user adds.
  • Less time in the dashboard.
  • Fewer deep analytics than RingCentral/GoTo.

How does Ooma Office Pro compare to other VoIP providers for small businesses?

Ooma costs less than most of its competitors, especially when it comes to its more advanced plans, while still retaining advanced features like ring groups and customizable receptionists.

For instance, the Ooma Office Pro Plus plan, its highest possible tier, is $34.95/month per user, which is far less than comparable plans on the likes of GoTo and 8×8, and cheaper than most other choices, including our leading pick RingCentral. As mentioned, Google Voice is slightly cheaper than Ooma, starting at $10 per user, per month, but it offers much less functionality.

Although its price point is very alluring, the downside is that you are compromising on external connections. With Ooma Office Pro, you miss out on CRM, Helpdesk, Web Conferencing, External and Internal live chat, analytics, API, and SSO software integrations. Therefore, if you’re looking for a Swiss army knife for external connections, we’d recommend looking at RingCentral instead.

When it comes to security features, Ooma Office Pro isn’t particularly solid either. It doesn’t offer multi-factor authentication, password rules, or user permissions. 

Good alternatives to Ooma

• RingCentral Advanced: Deeper integrations and coaching tools if you outgrow Ooma’s feature set.
• Google Voice Standard: Lowest entry price and strong security for Google Workspace teams.

5. Google Voice Standard – Best for Google Users

Google Voice is a top player for clients who are already big fans of Google in their workspace. Using Google AI within multiple aspects of its operation, from blocking spam to transcribing voicemails, Google Voice is known for its robust security features and its seamless integration with all other things Google.

Companies already embedded in the Google ecosystem will appreciate how seamlessly it integrates with other Google tools, as well as how cost-effective it is to purchase as an add-on for Workspace compared to other VoIP systems. But if you aren’t a Google customer, we’d suggest looking elsewhere as its calling features are a little lacking. Here’s what it can offer you.

• Flexible device routing
  • Forward to web, mobile, or desk endpoints.
  • Choose which devices ring, and when.
  • Handy for solo founders and hybrid teams.
• Reliable operations
  • 99.9% uptime target for peace of mind.
  • 24/7 phone support on Standard/Premier.
  • Smoothest help path for Google-first orgs.

How does Google Voice Standard compare to other VoIP providers for small businesses?

We found that Google Voice has the most limited call features of all the systems we tested. It doesn’t offer caller ID, power dialing, or call queues, to name a few. If you’re willing to pay more, you’ll get access to better features for a still reasonable price with Ooma. For a full suite of features, we recommend RingCentral or 8×8, if you have the budget for them.

It’s also not a strong contender for businesses that use a lot of third-party software that needs to integrate with their chosen VoIP phone system. Google Voice doesn’t integrate with any non-Google products, unlike the extensive options via 8×8 and RingCentral in particular. But if you’re already happy with all the Google products that businesses use, the setup will be fairly straightforward and painless.

On the brighter side, and as mentioned, Google Voice excels in its security offerings, including encryption and multi-factor authentication. Only 8×8 rivals Google Voice when it comes to security features.

Good alternatives to Google Voice

• Ooma Office Pro: Budget-friendly with ring groups and a virtual receptionist; easier path beyond Google-only apps.
• RingCentral Advanced: 500+ integrations and deeper call coaching/analytics when you outgrow Voice.

6. Net2Phone Business Lite – Best for International Calling

Most systems charge extra fees for international calls, but Net2Phone stands out because it comes with unlimited calling to more than 40 countries. This means speaking to clients and teams across the world is completely free, allowing you to maintain and expand your international reach. Better yet, Net2Phone can also give you virtual phone numbers and dial tones in over 50 countries.

That’s the highest availability of calling locations we’ve seen for Canadian businesses per dollar spent. So, if you’d like to establish a presence in places like Europe or Asia for little money, your contact options are easily taken care of. Let’s dive into what else Net2Phone does well and could improve on.

How does Net2Phone compare to other VoIP providers for small businesses?

Net2Phone is generally cheaper than top competitors RingCentral, 8×8, and offers great value for money with unlimited calling to over 40 countries. For international calling, it’s the best behind GoTo, and beating 8×8’s 14 international countries by a mile. Since it’s cheaper than GoTo, it might well be a better value choice for international operations, too.

On the other hand, Net2Phone has very limited integrations, second worst after Google Voice. With the Business Lite plan, you’ll only be able to integrate with its Chrome Extension and will have to use the open API to integrate anything else. If you need plenty of ready-made third-party integrations, we recommend RingCentral, and failing that, 8×8.

Good alternatives to Net2Phone

• GoTo Connect Phone System: Unlimited calling to 50+ countries and a powerful visual dial-plan editor.
• 8×8: 14-country unlimited bundle plus 500-participant meetings, plus stronger supervisor tools on higher tiers.

7. GoTo Connect Phone System – Most Secure System

GoTo Connect is a safe option if you’re looking to get value for your money, promising a seamless onboarding process, using which you can get your cloud phone system working within a day.

Granted, it’s not the cheapest option – in fact, it is the second most expensive – but you get a lot of calling features for your money that are likely to be a crucial factor for your small business operations. Let’s discuss exactly what it can offer your team.

• Admin analytics & dashboards
  • Monitor queues, agents, and call quality.
  • Spot bottlenecks and fix routing fast.
  • Less granular than RingCentral Ultra.
• Security and trust features
  • TLS/SRTP encryption; roles & permissions.
  • STIR/SHAKEN “verified caller” indicator

How does GoTo Connect compare to other VoIP providers for small businesses?

GoTo Connect’s customer support isn’t quite on par with RingCentral’s, with no 24/7 support on live chat available. So if you are a new VoIP phone system user, then you may want to look elsewhere.

Still, its streamlined admin portal means you can easily configure call flows with a drag-and-drop dial plan editor and comb through call analytics to identify which team or agent needs improvement, too. We’d say it’s pretty intuitive in that sense, so hopefully you wouldn’t need to make use of its customer support all that often.

However, features you can access on its entry point Phone System subscription are far more advanced than those offered by most competitors starting plans. For example, GoTo Connect gives you free international calling to 50+ countries, making it a great softphone option for businesses that need this sort of offering. That’s more than any other provider on this page.

Good alternatives to GoTo Connect

• RingCentral Advanced: 500+ integrations and deeper call coaching/analytics.
• 8×8: 14-country unlimited calling on cheapest tier and 500-participant meetings.

VoIP vs PBX for Canadian small businesses: which should you choose?

A traditional PBX system uses a landline to make and receive calls, while a VoIP system uses the Internet.

What are VoIP phone systems?

VoIP phone systems transmit audio over the internet.

Most VoIP phone systems come with an app that your team can download onto a device of their choice, including a cell phone. This makes them a great option for remote workers, who can use either their laptop or cell devices to make calls and access the system’s features, rather than being tethered to a desk phone. This means you won’t need to purchase extra hardware for your team, which is great if you’re on a budget. If you do want separate hardware, know that IP phones are VoIP-compatible desk phones.

If you’re worried about call quality, don’t be. As long as you invest in a strong and stable internet connection, VoIP call quality will be better than on a landline.

What are PBX phone systems?

A PBX phone system turns your traditional phone system into a multi-line system, giving you the option to add extensions that lead to each phone. Once a call comes in, the PBX auto attendant directs the caller to the right extension number, freeing up the phone line for another call to come in.

The features of a landline PBX phone system are basic when compared to those available with VoIP – which is one of the reasons why we recommend VoIP instead.

What Small Business Phone System Features are Most Important?

Below are the five most important features need to help your small business scale, run smoothly, and allow for easy communication:

1. Effortless call transfer and routing

Running a small business often means juggling multiple tasks. A user-friendly call transfer option is invaluable, enabling you or your office manager to transfer calls with a simple click. Make sure your chosen phone system offers this feature without the need for an IT team’s assistance.

2. Cloud-based flexibility and mobile compatibility

Go for a cloud-based phone system for small businesses that is compatible with mobile devices. This will allow your team to make and receive calls from anywhere with mobile and desktop apps. Also, automatic software updates make management a breeze, empowering you to add new users or hires without external help.

3. Seamless mobile call forwarding

For those on the move, a reliable call-forwarding service is essential. Look for VoIP providers that allow easy setup of forwarding to cell phone numbers or colleagues’ lines. Missed calls can be automatically directed to other team members or departments, ensuring crucial calls are never missed, even when someone is out of the office.

3. Keep your existing business number

Maintaining continuity is vital for establishing a reputable brand image. Choose a phone system that allows smooth porting of your existing business number, so your customers and suppliers won’t need to update their contact lists, saving them time and reducing hassle for your business.

5. Customisable caller ID

With this feature, you can display a preferred caller ID when contacting prospective clients or customers.

How to choose a small business phone system (costs, integrations, scaling)

While researching the needs of small businesses, we found that decision makers considered cost, scalability, and compatibility with existing software infrastructure when choosing a business phone system. Below we explore these factors in more detail:

• Cost: As is the case for many small businesses, cost is at the forefront of most decisions. Therefore, it’s important to prioritize options that charge low up-front monthly fees, offer inclusive domestic minutes, provide multiple communication channels (so you don’t have to pay extra to get these from other providers), and provide solid customer support, so you can avoid losing money during a potential phone downtime. Signing up for an annual contract also tends to be cheaper than paying monthly.
• Compatibility with your software infrastructure: Whether you’re migrating to VoIP or between providers, you’ll want a provider that offers numerous integrations, allowing you to continue using the software you already use to run your small business. Ensure the platform you choose offers ready-made integrations with CRM, workspace software, email, web conferencing, internal messaging, and external messaging platforms.
• Scalability: A small business can be burdened by long-term additional costs, like outgrowing an important software system. You’ll need a VoIP system that can grow alongside your small business can. Key indicators for this will be providers that let you onboard an unlimited number of users, offer call queues, ring groups, a good array of management features, and features that allow you to run your operation remotely. Security is also a key point as it can help shield your business from risks during expansion.

How We Rank VoIP Products and Services for Small Businesses