The 6 Best VoIP Providers in Canada 2023

Based on our product testing, we found that the best VoIP provider in Canada is 8×8. If you're in search of a highly functional system that is loaded with features, or if you're looking for a solution that can be easily scaled, then 8×8 is the best choice for you. Although this provider may be more expensive than other options we've tested, it is still a worthwhile investment.

With so many options to choose from, we know that switching VoIP providers (or finding one in the first place) can be challenging. But don't worry, to make your choice easier, we've done the research, and product testing, and compiled a list of the top six VoIP providers.

Short on time? You can also use our quick quote comparison tool to get free, bespoke quotes from the best VoIP providers for your business.

What is VoIP?

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is a technology that enables voice communication over the Internet instead of traditional phone lines. It replaces conventional telephony systems, allowing you to make calls using an internet connection on various devices like computers, smartphones, or VoIP phones. Businesses use VoIP due to its cost-effectiveness, flexibility, and scalability, as it eliminates long-distance charges, and integrates easily with other applications.

However, it can be vulnerable to internet connection issues and may lack the reliability of traditional phones during power outages. To use VoIP, your business needs a reliable internet connection, a VoIP service provider, and a compatible device. But don't worry, this page will show you how to find the best VoIP provider in Canada for your specific needs.

8×8: Best Overall VoIP Provider in Canada

8×8 is no longer public with its pricing, so the above prices may not be accurate. You'll need to contact the provider directly for a quote. 

We also have given 8×8 the pole VoIP position because it has an ample range of integrations. From CRM to Helpdesk, to web conferencing, and more, you can easily merge 8×8 with your pre-existing software infrastructure. It is also compatible with various third-party desktop phones, including Polycom, Cisco, Panasonic, and Yealink. This makes it a robust and scalable tool, which explains why we gave it a 4.9/5 for scalability.

However, 8×8 is not perfect. It scores a 2.5/5 for price, making it one of the least affordable VoIP providers in the market. As of our latest update in November 2023, 8×8 no longer offers its lowest-priced X1 plan. Therefore, if you’re looking to save some money as you consolidate your unified communication strategy, we’d recommend looking at Net2Phone or GoToConnect.

How Does 8×8 Compare With Other VoIP Providers?

We gave 8×8 4.7/5 overall in our testing because we believe it stands out due to its wealthy range of features, security, integrations, and customer support. These assets comfortably place 8×8 in the lead for scalability with a superb score of 4.9/5 in this category. This score is only equalled by RingCentral.

However, 8×8 stumbles significantly when compared with the other providers in price. Its pricing has increased by around 6% and scoring an average 2.5/5 score in this category, it's outshone by all of the other providers we examine. Therefore, we'd recommend looking at GoToConnect, Dialpad, or Net2Phone Canada if you're on the hunt for a more affordable VoIP solution.

All in all, we believe 8×8 is the best VoIP in Canada if you want to switch to a reliable brand that has impressive features to help you hit the ground running, ensuring minimal downtime when switching.

What do 8×8's customers say?

We've scoured the web for insight from 8×8's business users. Here's what one office lead had to say:

RingCentral: Best VoIP System for Scalability

We were overall most impressed with RingCentral's customer support, scoring it a perfect 5/5. Since phone lines are many businesses main method of communication with customers, you want to be sure that help is on hand in case of downtime.

RingCentral has recently introduced added support for French territories as well as mandatory 10-digit dialling.

The downside is that you need to sign up for either of RingCentral's most lucrative subscriptions (Premium or Ultimate) to access the most functional version of RingCentral. If you’re looking to tighten your unified communications belt, we’d recommend considering GoToConnect or Net2Phone Canada.

How Does RingCentral Compare With Other VoIP Providers?

If you're looking to switch to a Canada VoIP provider that'll grow alongside your thriving business, then RingCentral is definitely one of the strongest competitors on the market. Scoring a nearly perfect 4.9/5 for scalability in our research, RingCentral dominates the field alongside 8×8 (4.9/5), making it the best VoIP system for small businesses. It similarly races ahead of everyone else for external connections, scoring a 4.3/5 – the highest score we awarded in this category!

However. RingCentral also puts up a shaky performance for price. Scoring a 3.5/5 in this category in our research, you're better off going for Net2Phone Canada or GoToConnect if you don't want to commit to a pricey, unified communications investment.

What do RingCentral's customers say?

To get an insight into a real user's experience, we've taken a look at RingCentral's honest online reviews. Here's what an associate from a large business had to say:

Ooma: Best VoIP Provider for Value for Money

We liked that Ooma is an incredibly easy system to set up. Ooma can supply dedicated desk phones that work out of the box, and they can be configured in less than 15 minutes. The price and the easy setup make it a great option for startups.

How Does Ooma Compare With Other VoIP Providers?

With an overall score of 4.2/5 in our testing, the main reason Ooma is one of our favourite VoIP providers in Canada is because of its value for money. For as little as $19.95 per user, per month, with a 4.1/5 rating for features and scalability, you have access to numerous inbound communication (including ring groups and a virtual receptionist) and customer support features.

However, keep in mind that for a cheaper price, you do compromise on security and external connections. We rated Ooma a very poor 1/5 for security because it lacks multi-factor authentication, password rules, and user permissions. In our testing, Google Voice scored 5/5 for its security features, which is far better than Ooma.

If you do take out a subscription for Ooma Office or Ooma Office Pro, you're also very limited when it comes to software integrations, and this could pose a few potential operational hiccups. If you want a system that can integrate with tons of systems and is secure, we'd recommend looking at 8×8.

What do Ooma's customers say?

We scoured the internet for honest reviews from Ooma's business customers. Here's the most useful insight we found:

GoTo: Best VoIP Brand for International Calls

GoTo is no longer public with its pricing, so the above prices may not be accurate. You'll need to contact the provider directly for a quote. 

We like GoToConnect because of its streamlined admin portal, which allows you to easily configure call flows and comb through call analytics to identify which team, or agent, needs improvement. GoToConnect is also a very secure option with nearly all the VoIP security features you need to be reassured that your operation is safe from unwanted attention.

GoToConnect, however, falls through the cracks when it comes to external connections. Scoring an above-average 2.6/5 in this category in our research, it has a very thin menu of software integration providers you can sync your VoIP system with. For instance, you can only integrate your CRM system through Salesforce or Zoho. If you want a system that is way more flexible for software integrations, we’d recommend going for RingCentral or 8×8.

How Does GoToConnect Compare With Other VoIP Providers?

When it comes to international calling, GoToConnect is unrivalled in the VoIP-verse. GoToConnect allows you to make calls to over 50+ countries, which is greater than Net2Phone's 40+ countries. Therefore, if you want to expand or maintain your international client database, GoToConnect is a very solid solution. GoToConnect is also a very affordable and secure option, scoring 4.3/5 and 4/5 in our price and security analysis, respectively. This affordability makes GoToConnect the best VoIP in Canada if you want to switch to a cheaper VoIP system.

However, you might want to be more sceptical about GoToConnect if you want to seamlessly integrate your software infrastructure with your VoIP System. Scoring a 2.6/5 for external connections in our research, you have a thin menu of platforms you can sync with your unified communication operation. If this sounds like a deal breaker for your business, we'd recommend turning to RingCentral or 8×8.

What do GoTo's customers say?

We've researched what business users say about GoToConnect. Here's one manager's experience:

Net2Phone Canada: Best VoIP System for Customer Satisfaction

Net2Phone also stands out when it comes to pricing, scoring a 4/5 in this category in our research. For as little as $29.99 per user, per month, you gain access to all of the inbound communication features you need to get your VoIP system up and running.

However, like Dialpad and Ooma, Net2Phone Canada also isn’t great with external connections. Scoring an unimpressive 2.1/5 in this category, you have virtually no software to integrate with a Starter Kit or Business Lite subscription and a very limited number of eligible platforms in the other subscriptions. Therefore, 8×8 or RingCentral are great alternatives if you’re looking for a Swiss army knife of integrations.

How Does Net2Phone Compare With Other VoIP Providers?

When it comes to customer satisfaction, there's no other VoIP provider in Canada that does a better job than Net2Phone Canada. Taking home the average customer score (4.7/5) on review sites like Capterra and G2, Net2Phone users have left a myriad of positive reviews. Therefore, if you're looking for a reassuring customer experience, Net2Phone is definitely the one to look out for. Net2Phone is also an overachiever for price. Receiving the second-highest score in this category (4/5), Net2Phone is a great low-cost international calling system that lets you make calls to over 40 countries.

However, we didn't think highly of Net2Phone's external connections, scoring it a 2.1/5 in this category, as you have a limited choice if you want to seamlessly integrate your software infrastructure. RingCentral and 8×8 are better options for their capacities for third-party integration.

What do Net2Phone Canada's customers say?

We've been reading honest reviews from around the web to bring you experiences from business users. Here's a helpful insight from a Net2Phone Canada customer:

Dialpad: Best For Conversational AI

The other great thing about Dialpad is its robust customer support. Scoring a 4.5/5 in this category in our research, Dialpad gives you access to a user forum, a knowledge base, live chat, a phone line, 24/7 live support, and a 100% uptime guarantee.

How Does Dialpad Compare With Other VoIP Providers?

Thanks to its futuristic conversational AI feature, we were big fans of Dialpad's range of features, taking home a 4.4/5 score in this category in our research. This is the second-highest score for features, right after 8×8. We also think Dialpad makes a name for itself thanks to its tight customer support. With a very impressive score of 4.5/5, Dialpad gives you access to a user forum, a knowledge base, live chat, a phone line, 24/7 live support, and a 100% uptime guarantee in case you run into a VoIP SOS.

However, when it comes to external connections, you might want to look beyond Dialpad. Scoring a low 2.4/5 in this category, you're better off with 8×8 or RingCentral if you want to switch to a VoIP provider that enables you to seamlessly integrate your software infrastructure with your VoIP system.

What do Dialpad's customers say?

For an insight into how Dialpad's business customers find its system, here's what one reviewer had to say:

How To Find the Right VoIP System for Your Business

To find the right VoIP system for your business, you might start by asking yourself these questions:

• Scalability: Can the VoIP system grow with your business as it expands or downsizes?
• Features: Look out for important features, such as call forwarding, voicemail, video conferencing, virtual attendants, call analytics, and integration with other business tools.
• Reliability: Check the supplier's track record for reliable service and minimal downtime.
• Call quality: Ensure the supplier offers high call quality and low latency to ensure clear and smooth communication.
• Cost: Compare pricing plans and packages to find a VoIP system that fits your budget without compromising on essential features.
• Integration: Ensure that the VoIP system can integrate seamlessly with your existing business applications like CRM software or email clients.
• Support and training: Assess the level of customer support and training the company offers, which can encourage a smooth transition and optimal system usage.
• Security: Verify that the VoIP system employs robust security measures to protect your communication from potential threats.

Don't forget that we've already researched the best VoIP suppliers in Canada for you, thoroughly testing eight of the leading brands to help you make the best decision for your specific needs.

Our free supplier-matching service can also help you to zero in on the best VoIP phone systems for you, and compare free, tailored quotes directly from them.

How Does VoIP Work?

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is a technology that allows users to make and receive phone calls over the internet rather than traditional phone lines. With VoIP, your voice is converted into digital data packets that are transmitted over the internet to the person you are calling.

It enables flexible, low-cost phone service that can integrate with other web-based tools and provide advanced call-handling features. With a VoIP provider, phone service is no longer tied to a specific location, which makes it ideal for remote teams.

Our guide to VoIP explains everything you need to know about this popular technology.

How Secure is VoIP?

VoIP is generally considered to be more secure than a traditional phone network. However, as with any data transmitted over the internet, there is a risk of hacking.

When selecting a VoIP system provider, it is crucial to verify how they handle cyber security. Most providers are careful about safeguarding their clients with robust security measures. For instance, many systems automatically encrypt all call data, making it unintelligible even if the call is intercepted.

Nevertheless, it's important to check:

• Whether the provider has security accreditations;
• How frequently do they train their personnel to protect data;
• Their response to any previous security breaches or risks.

If your company deals with highly sensitive data, security is a major concern. Then you should ensure that the VoIP system you choose includes:

• Compliance Certifications;
• Password Rules;
• Permissions;
• Multi-factor authentications.

What’s the Future of VoIP?

We predict the future for VoIP to be bright, primarily due to two significant trends in the business world: the rise of businesses using mobile-only communication and the widespread adoption of hybrid work models.

Reliance on mobile-only communication

With the increasing reliance on mobile devices and the ongoing advancements in mobile technology, many businesses are shifting towards mobile-only communication. VoIP plays a crucial role in enabling seamless voice communication over the internet on smartphones and tablets, and as mobile networks continue to improve (and 5G becomes more prevalent), VoIP will become even more reliable and efficient, further solidifying its position as a preferred communication solution.

Increase in hybrid work environments

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of remote and hybrid work models. Many businesses are now embracing a more flexible approach to work, allowing employees to work from both office and remote locations. VoIP is ideally suited for this environment, as it facilitates communication regardless of the user's location, enabling real-time collaboration and teamwork.

Also, VoIP continues to evolve with the emergence of new technologies and features, such as enhanced video conferencing, AI-powered virtual assistants, and improved call analytics. That's why we predict that these advancements should further improve the user experience and contribute to the continued growth of VoIP in the business world.

How We Test VoIP Phone Systems and Services for Businesses

We tested 10 market-leading VoIP products and services to evaluate them in terms of functionality, usability, cost, security options, and more so we can make the most useful recommendations to Canadian businesses.

Our rigorous testing process means these products have been scored and rated in seven main categories of investigation and 16 subcategories – in fact, we covered 78 areas of investigation in total. We then gave each category score a ‘relevance weighting' to ensure the product's final score perfectly reflects the needs and requirements of Expert Market readers – and that's our product testing algorithm in a nutshell!

Our main testing categories for VoIP products and services are:

Customer Score: external customer opinion; the feedback and ratings given by customers who have used a particular VoIP product – the market position and reputation a VoIP software holds.

Cost: the pricing structure associated with the VoIP service, such as monthly subscription fees, call rates, setup fees, hardware costs, and any additional charges for add-on features or services.

Features: the functionalities and capabilities offered by the VoIP service, including basic features such as call forwarding and voicemail, as well as advanced features like auto-attendant and conference calling.

External Connections: the VoIP service's ability to connect and integrate with external systems or devices, such as compatibility with existing phone systems or integration with mobile devices.

Customer Support: the assistance and resources provided by the VoIP service provider to customers, including technical support, online resources, and access to customer support representatives.

Security Options: the measures and features implemented by the VoIP service to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and protection of voice communications and data.

Scalability: the ability of the VoIP service to accommodate the growth and changing needs of an organization, e.g. capacity to handle a growing number of users or support multiple locations.