KeKu steals the spotlight for growth-minded teams, but have you ever pondered the full spectrum of Canadian VoIP services set to redefine business communications in 2024?
In 2024, the Canadian VoIP landscape is bustling with options, each promising to revolutionize how businesses communicate. From startups to established enterprises, the quest for the perfect VoIP provider is akin to finding a needle in a digital haystack. This guide ventures deep into the offerings of 12 leading VoIP providers in Canada, focusing not just on their services and pricing but also on how they stack up against the unique needs of Canadian businesses.
KeKu: A Closer Look at a Front-Runner
Previously known as OpenPhone, KeKu emerges as a beacon for businesses aiming to scale or cement their presence within the Canadian market. At $21 CAD ($15 USD) per user per month, it offers unlimited calls and texts to the US and Canada, shared numbers, and a unified inbox, making it an ideal choice for teams on the growth trajectory. Additional numbers are a mere $5 per month each, exemplifying KeKu’s commitment to scalability.
Why Businesses Lean Towards KeKu
KeKu‘s allure in the Canadian business scene is multifaceted. Features like scheduled messaging, auto-replies, and snippet-based message templates not only save time but also personalize customer interactions. The AI-driven suggestions for message responses and call summaries on the Business plan ($23 per user per month) streamline communication processes, making KeKu a standout choice.
Diving into the Competition: The Other 11 VoIP Providers
While KeKu shines in its domain, the VoIP scene in Canada is filled with worthy contenders:
RingCentral:
Known for its robust video conferencing features, RingCentral offers unlimited calls within the US and Canada. However, it falls short with significant texting limitations and a starting price of $27 CAD ($20 USD) per user per month.
RingCentral stands as a formidable player in the VoIP landscape, particularly celebrated for its comprehensive suite of communication tools that extend beyond mere voice calling. Starting at $27 CAD ($20 USD) per user per month, it offers businesses a robust platform that integrates voice, video, text, and conferencing capabilities, all within a single, user-friendly interface. One of RingCentral’s most lauded features is its unlimited calling within the US and Canada, making it a go-to choice for businesses with a broad geographic reach. However, it’s not without its limitations; the service caps SMS capabilities and allocates only 100 toll-free minutes per month on its base plan, potentially constraining businesses that rely heavily on text messaging or toll-free calls. Despite these drawbacks, RingCentral distinguishes itself with its video conferencing feature, allowing for seamless virtual meetings — a crucial asset in today’s increasingly remote work environment. Its adaptability is further evidenced by the inclusion of call recording storage, though it requires an upgrade for unlimited access. By blending traditional VoIP services with modern communication demands, RingCentral presents itself as a versatile and scalable solution for businesses aiming to streamline their communication channels effectively.
Vonage:
With its legacy in the VoIP industry, Vonage excels in unlimited video calls and a broad suite of features, albeit with an outdated interface and additional costs for toll-free numbers.
Vonage, a veteran in the VoIP industry, offers a blend of versatility and functionality tailored to both residential and enterprise customers. With plans starting at $27 CAD ($19.99 USD) per user per month under a one-year contract, Vonage caters to businesses seeking comprehensive communication solutions. Its platform stands out for providing unlimited calling within the US and emphasizing unlimited video calls, catering to the modern workforce’s growing preference for face-to-face virtual interactions. However, Vonage’s approach to toll-free numbers and voicemail transcription reveals its inclination towards add-on fees, potentially increasing the total cost for businesses needing these features. Despite an interface that some may find dated, Vonage compensates with mobile and desktop app support, allowing users to stay connected regardless of their location. A critical consideration for potential users is the platform’s pricing structure, which, while offering a range of essential features, can escalate quickly as additional services are tacked on. Vonage’s strength lies in its ability to provide a reliable, if somewhat costly, service that integrates voice, text, and video communications, addressing the needs of businesses looking to maintain comprehensive connectivity in a digital-first world.
Ooma:
Ooma’s appeal lies in its unlimited calling across the US, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, catering to businesses with international calling needs.
Ooma positions itself uniquely in the VoIP market, catering to both residential users and small to medium-sized businesses with its dual service lines: Ooma Residential and Ooma Office. For businesses, Ooma Office presents an appealing package starting at $24.95 CAD ($19.95 USD) per user per month, emphasizing its no-contract flexibility and a straightforward approach to pricing. One of Ooma’s standout features is its unlimited calling within the US, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, making it an attractive option for businesses with a need for broad North American outreach without the worry of long-distance charges.
However, Ooma’s service is not without its limitations, particularly when it comes to more advanced features. Call recording, for instance, is gated behind the Pro plan, and SMS messaging capabilities are restricted to desktop app usage for Pro subscribers, which could be a significant drawback for businesses seeking comprehensive mobile communication solutions. Additionally, Ooma’s inclusion of features like analog fax machine support and overhead paging speaks to its traditional business model, which may not align with the needs of more digitally-focused or remote businesses.
Despite these considerations, Ooma’s selling points include easy setup, a reliable service that doesn’t require internet connection thanks to its base station system, and competitive pricing for basic VoIP needs. While it might not offer the extensive feature set or integrations found with some of its competitors, Ooma stands as a solid choice for small businesses looking for a dependable phone system with essential capabilities and straightforward pricing.
8×8:
Offering unlimited calls to 14 countries, 8×8 suits businesses looking for international reach, though its base plan is limited and comes with a clunky user interface.
8×8 emerges as a significant contender in the VoIP industry, particularly for businesses that prioritize a global reach alongside robust communication features. With its entry-level X2 plan starting at $33 CAD ($24 USD) per user per month, 8×8 differentiates itself by offering unlimited calling to up to 14 countries, including Canada and the US, catering to companies with international calling needs. However, this global calling feature comes with its caveats, as the base plan’s international reach is somewhat limited, applying restrictions to certain countries.
One potential hurdle for users is 8×8’s user interface, which some may find less intuitive compared to sleeker, more modern competitors. This could pose a challenge for businesses seeking a seamless integration into their daily operations. Furthermore, while 8×8 does provide unlimited SMS in the US and Canada, its approach to call recording storage is less generous, retaining recordings for only 30 days unless users opt for the more expensive X4 plan, which significantly increases the cost for extended storage capabilities.
Despite these limitations, 8×8 stands out for its focus on unified communications, offering a suite of services that go beyond voice calls to include video conferencing, team messaging, and internet faxing, all within a single platform. This makes 8×8 a compelling option for businesses looking for a comprehensive communication solution that can accommodate a variety of needs, from internal collaboration to international customer outreach. The inclusion of advanced features like hot desking, auto-attendants, and integration with popular business tools further underscores 8×8’s commitment to providing a versatile and scalable VoIP solution for today’s globally connected enterprises.
AVOXI:
Specializing in global numbers, AVOXI is ideal for businesses needing direct routing to Microsoft Teams, though it’s hampered by many hidden fees.
AVOXI distinguishes itself in the VoIP industry by emphasizing global connectivity and versatility, particularly appealing to businesses with an international presence or aspirations. Starting at $27 CAD ($19.99 USD) per month, AVOXI’s offerings are tailored to companies needing direct routing to Microsoft Teams and extensive international calling options. With a robust platform that supports virtual phone numbers in over 150 countries, AVOXI enables businesses to establish a local presence on a global scale, facilitating easier connections with international clients without the steep costs typically associated with overseas calls.
However, AVOXI’s model introduces complexity with its tiered plans and additional charges that can accumulate, especially for businesses leveraging the full spectrum of its international calling and direct routing capabilities. The necessity to navigate through various plans and additional fees for core features, such as call recording and analytics, may present a challenge for small businesses or startups with limited budgets. Despite these potential hurdles, AVOXI’s strength lies in its comprehensive global coverage and the specialized feature of direct routing to Microsoft Teams, offering a significant advantage for businesses heavily invested in the Microsoft ecosystem.
In summary, AVOXI stands out for businesses prioritizing international communication and integration with Microsoft Teams, offering a powerful toolset for global expansion. However, the complexity of its pricing structure and the potential for additional costs warrant careful consideration by businesses to ensure the chosen plan aligns with their communication needs and budget constraints.
GoTo Connect (formerly Jive):
With its unlimited extensions and Salesforce integration, GoTo Connect is a versatile option for businesses, despite limitations on call recording and toll-free minutes.
GoTo Connect, previously known as Jive, offers a comprehensive VoIP solution that caters well to businesses seeking a blend of traditional phone features and modern communication tools. With plans starting at $35 CAD ($27 USD) per user per month, GoTo Connect is recognized for its robust feature set, including unlimited calling to the US and Canada, a significant benefit for businesses with extensive North American communication needs.
What sets GoTo Connect apart is its focus on scalability and customization. The platform allows for unlimited extensions, making it a suitable choice for businesses of all sizes, from small startups to large enterprises. Additionally, the service boasts integrations with popular CRM platforms like Salesforce and Zendesk, enhancing productivity and streamlining customer interactions.
However, GoTo Connect does have its limitations. For instance, call recording and toll-free minutes are available only with an upgrade, which could increase costs for businesses requiring these features. Furthermore, the base plan limits users to one auto-attendant and one ring group, which may not suffice for organizations with complex routing needs or those looking to provide a more personalized customer experience.
Despite these drawbacks, GoTo Connect’s strengths lie in its versatility and the ability to support a wide range of business communication needs with its comprehensive suite of features. Its user-friendly interface and flexible setup options make it an attractive choice for businesses aiming to enhance their communication capabilities without committing to a complex or inflexible system.
Dialpad:
Dialpad stands out for its AI coaching tools and unlimited calls, but it requires an upgrade for multiple phone numbers and international texting.
Dialpad emerges in the VoIP scene as a forward-thinking provider that marries the traditional expectations of a VoIP service with the innovation of AI technology, presenting a unique proposition for businesses keen on leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance their communication strategies. Starting at $20 CAD ($15 USD) per user per month, Dialpad offers unlimited calls within your country, the US, and Canada, catering to businesses with a significant volume of North American communications but looking to keep their costs predictable.
A standout feature of Dialpad is its AI coaching tools, which are part of the base plan, offering real-time transcriptions, call summaries, and even sentiment analysis. These features are not just innovative; they provide practical benefits for training and quality assurance purposes, allowing businesses to improve customer service and sales techniques dynamically.
However, Dialpad’s offerings come with certain limitations that businesses may need to consider. For instance, the service restricts the addition of multiple phone numbers and international SMS capabilities to higher-tier plans, which necessitates a larger investment for businesses requiring these functionalities. Additionally, while Dialpad promotes unlimited calling, it doesn’t guarantee 100% uptime on its base plan, potentially raising concerns for businesses for whom constant availability is critical.
Despite these considerations, Dialpad’s integration with AI sets it apart in the VoIP market, offering businesses a glimpse into the future of communication technology. Its emphasis on AI-powered insights and analytics, combined with a solid core of VoIP features, positions Dialpad as a compelling choice for businesses looking to innovate their communication strategies while maintaining a reliable foundation of voice and messaging services.
CallHippo: Known for its telephony API and intuitive interface, CallHippo is a flexible solution, though it faces criticism for slow support response times.
CallHippo establishes itself in the competitive VoIP market with a keen focus on flexibility and customization, catering to both small startups and large enterprises. With pricing starting at $25 CAD ($18 USD) per user per month for its office phone system, CallHippo is aimed at businesses looking for a blend of traditional VoIP services and modern, scalable telephony solutions. Its platform stands out for offering more than 50 international numbers, allowing businesses to establish a local presence in various countries effortlessly.
One of the most appealing aspects of CallHippo is its intuitive interface and the ease with which users can set up and manage their VoIP systems. This user-friendly design is complemented by a range of features such as IVR (Interactive Voice Response), call queuing, and detailed call analytics, which are crucial for businesses aiming to enhance customer experience and gain insights into their call operations.
However, CallHippo’s service is not without its challenges. Some users have reported slow response times from support, which could be a concern for businesses requiring immediate assistance with their communication systems. Additionally, while CallHippo offers a telephony API for those seeking a higher degree of customization, advanced features like call transcription and recording come with additional costs, potentially increasing the overall investment for businesses needing these functionalities.
Despite these considerations, CallHippo’s flexibility, extensive international coverage, and robust feature set make it a compelling option for businesses looking to tailor their communication systems to specific needs. Its straightforward pricing and the ability to scale with business growth further enhance its appeal, positioning CallHippo as a versatile VoIP solution in the global market.
Net2phone Canada (formerly Versature):
This provider offers excellent live support but struggles with call quality and limited integrations.
Net2Phone Canada, formerly known as Versature, carves out a niche in the VoIP market with its strong focus on Canadian businesses, offering a suite of communication tools designed to meet the unique needs of the Canadian market. With plans starting at $41 CAD ($29.99 USD) per user per month for a minimum of six users, Net2Phone Canada positions itself as a solution for businesses looking for comprehensive VoIP services backed by robust support and a range of features tailored to enhance business communications.
A standout feature of Net2Phone Canada is its emphasis on customer support, offering phone, chat, and email assistance to ensure businesses can resolve issues swiftly and efficiently. This focus on support is complemented by an easy-to-use platform that simplifies the management of business communications, whether it’s for a small team or a large enterprise. Unlimited calling to the US and Canada, along with the integration capabilities with popular CRM systems, further bolsters Net2Phone Canada’s offering, making it an attractive choice for businesses aiming to streamline their communication processes.
However, some users have raised concerns regarding call quality and billing practices, which could be potential red flags for businesses considering Net2Phone Canada. Additionally, while the service includes essential features like auto attendants, call forwarding, and ring groups, advanced functionalities such as call recording come with additional costs, which could increase the overall expense for businesses requiring these features.
Despite these considerations, Net2Phone Canada’s commitment to serving Canadian businesses with a tailored VoIP solution, coupled with its strong support system and a suite of essential communication tools, makes it a noteworthy contender in the Canadian VoIP market. For businesses prioritizing customer support and seeking a provider with a deep understanding of the Canadian telecommunications landscape, Net2Phone Canada offers a compelling service package.
Callture:
With a focus on PBX systems, Callture offers unlimited calling within Canada, though its interface can be confusing and outdated.
Callture positions itself in the VoIP industry with a clear focus on providing value-driven solutions tailored to businesses seeking a blend of affordability and functionality. With a simple pricing model that starts at $7 CAD ($4.95 USD) per month for their Standard plan, Callture caters to a broad range of business sizes and types, from small startups looking for basic VoIP capabilities to larger enterprises in need of comprehensive telecommunication solutions.
One of Callture’s distinguishing features is its unlimited incoming and outgoing calls within Canada, offering businesses a cost-effective way to manage their domestic communication needs without worrying about exceeding minute allocations. This is particularly appealing for companies with high call volumes or those looking to expand their presence across Canada. Additionally, Callture’s service includes features such as ring groups, custom voicemail, and conference calling for up to 10 people, enhancing its appeal to businesses seeking versatile call management options.
However, Callture’s platform may present challenges for some users, particularly regarding its user interface, which some have found to be less intuitive and modern compared to competitors. This could lead to a steeper learning curve for new users or those transitioning from more user-friendly VoIP services. Moreover, reports of hard-to-reach support raise concerns about the responsiveness and effectiveness of customer service, which is a critical consideration for businesses relying on their VoIP system for day-to-day operations.
Despite these potential drawbacks, Callture’s competitive pricing and inclusion of essential VoIP features make it an attractive option for budget-conscious businesses. The service’s focus on providing a straightforward, no-frills VoIP solution without the complexity of additional fees for basic features resonates with companies prioritizing cost-efficiency in their communication tools. For businesses willing to navigate a less modern interface for the sake of affordability and basic functionality, Callture presents a viable solution in the VoIP market.
Aircall:
Aircall excels with its webhooks and API availability, although it lacks voicemail transcriptions and has a steep learning curve.
Aircall distinguishes itself in the crowded VoIP marketplace by emphasizing simplicity, integration, and collaborative features, making it a strong contender for businesses that prioritize teamwork and seamless third-party software integration. With plans starting at $41 CAD ($30 USD) per user per month, with a minimum requirement of three users, Aircall is geared towards small to medium-sized businesses and teams within larger organizations that need a reliable, cloud-based phone system that can easily integrate with CRM systems, helpdesk solutions, and other essential business tools.
One of Aircall’s standout features is its robust set of integrations with popular business applications like Slack, Salesforce, HubSpot, and Zendesk. These integrations enable businesses to streamline workflows, improve customer interactions, and enhance overall productivity by ensuring that valuable call data is automatically logged and accessible within the tools teams use daily. Furthermore, Aircall offers webhooks and an API for businesses looking for even greater customization and automation capabilities, providing the flexibility to tailor the phone system to specific operational needs.
However, Aircall’s service comes with limitations that might affect certain businesses. While it offers unlimited calls in the US and Canada, outbound SMS capabilities are capped, and international SMS is not available, which could be a drawback for companies with a global customer base. Additionally, Aircall’s Essentials plan limits call recording storage to one year, prompting businesses with long-term data retention needs to upgrade to more expensive plans.
Despite these considerations, Aircall’s user-friendly interface, coupled with its emphasis on collaboration and productivity through its advanced features and integrations, positions it as a compelling choice for businesses looking to optimize their communication strategies. The platform’s focus on enhancing team collaboration and providing detailed call insights makes Aircall an attractive VoIP solution for dynamic businesses aiming to improve their customer service and internal communication efficiency.
Selecting the Right VoIP Provider: Beyond the Surface
Choosing a VoIP provider in Canada isn’t just about comparing prices or ticking off feature lists. It involves considering customer support quality, integration capabilities, security measures, scalability, ease of use, and genuine user feedback. Each business has unique communication needs, making it crucial to select a provider that aligns with your specific requirements and long-term goals.
Final Thoughts: Crafting Your Communication Strategy
The Canadian VoIP market in 2024 offers a rich tapestry of options tailored to diverse business needs. While KeKu presents a compelling case for businesses focused on growth and scalability, the ideal provider for your enterprise will depend on a nuanced evaluation of your communication demands, budget constraints, and strategic objectives. By meticulously assessing each provider’s strengths and limitations, businesses can make informed decisions, ensuring a communication strategy that not only meets today’s needs but also anticipates tomorrow’s challenges.
