Blog10 Best 8x8 Alternatives in 2025: Top Competitors Compared

10 Best 8x8 Alternatives in 2025: Top Competitors Compared

10 Best 8x8 Alternatives in 2025 | Top Picks

8x8 is a well-known cloud communications provider, offering voice, video, messaging, and contact center solutions. However, many businesses have turned to 8x8 alternatives recently due to its complex pricing, limited customization options, and integration challenges.

Fortunately, there are several 8x8 alternatives that offer better ease of use, stronger integrations, and more flexible pricing. These platforms are built to support modern teams, whether you’re a small business, a customer support team, or a growing enterprise.

In this guide, we’ll explore the top substitutes for 8x8, alongside their pros, cons, pricing, and key features to find the best fit for your business.

Let’s begin!

Key Takeaways:

  • 8x8 is a cloud-based unified communications platform that combines voice, video, messaging, and contact center features for business use.
  • Many businesses look for 8x8 alternatives due to challenges like complex setup, high-tier pricing for essential features, and limited integration flexibility.
  • Top alternatives offer simpler interfaces, transparent pricing, deeper CRM integrations, and advanced tools like AI insights and custom workflows.
  • Calilio, RingCentral, Nextiva, Dialpad, GoTo Connect, Aircall, Vonage, Ooma, Mitel, and Five9 are the top alternatives to 8x8.

Why Do Businesses Look for 8x8 Alternatives?

Businesses look for 8x8 alternatives due to its limitations, like complex setup, poor customer support, high-tier pricing for essential features, and limited integration.

1. High Costs & Confusing Pricing

Pricing is one of the main reasons businesses switch from 8x8. It lacks clear public pricing. Businesses must contact sales for a personalized quote, which isn’t always convenient.

2. Lack of Essential Features in Basic Plan

Key features like call recording or analytics are only available in higher-tier plans. This makes it harder for small businesses with limited budgets to track performance effectively.

3. Inconsistent Customer Support

Reliable customer support is essential for any communication platform. While some users report positive interactions with 8x8, many reviews highlight long wait times and delayed resolutions. In situations when every downtime impacts productivity and customer trust, this inconsistency can be a major drawback.

4. Integrations Gap

8x8 does connect with popular tools like Salesforce and Microsoft Teams, but its integration options aren’t as broad as some competitors. Businesses that rely on niche or industry-specific tools may find them limited in terms of compatibility, leading to workflow disruptions.

Top 10 8x8 Alternatives & Competitors for Businesses

Calilio, RingCentral, Nextiva, Dialpad, GoTo Connect, Aircall, Vonage, Ooma, Mitel, and Five9 are the best 8x8 competitors.

1. Calilio

For businesses focused on affordability and simplicity, Calilio offers the best alternative to 8x8’s high pricing and complexity. While 8x8 does not provide clear pricing in public platforms, Calilio provides transparent plans, starting at just $15/user/month. The affordable pricing makes Calilio suitable for startups, solopreneurs, and small businesses that need a reliable and budget-friendly cloud telephony solution.

Beyond affordable pricing, Calilio also includes the key features that support growing teams. Its features, like global phone numbers, unified callbox, web dialer, voicemail-to-email, and more, deliver real value to businesses even on the basic plans. Additional features are offered in upgraded plans, which are also available at reasonable costs.

Pros

Cons

  • User-friendly interface
  • Affordable pricing plans
  • Clear call quality
  • No video conferencing

2. RingCentral

Among the top 8x8 alternatives, RingCentral stands out for its strong business phone integration capabilities. While 8x8 offers core communication tools, it lacks sufficient built-in integrations to support complex business workflows.

RingCentral solves this, offering 500+ pre-built integrations with widely used platforms like Salesforce, HubSpot, Zendesk, and Microsoft Teams. This helps teams simplify operations, keeping communication and workflow tools connected in one place.

So, for companies that use multiple apps, RingCentral is a more flexible and complete alternative to 8x8.

Pros

Cons

  • Extensive features and integrations
  • Flexible pricing structure
  • Suitable for all business sizes
  • Advanced features are locked in higher tiers
  • SMS limitations and slow registration process

3. Nextiva

Nextiva is a strong 8x8 alternative in terms of customer support and ease of use. Many users find the 8x8 interface difficult to navigate. They may even need help from the IT department to get started. On the other hand, Nextiva offers a user-friendly platform and highly rated support.

Due to its intuitive platform, Nextiva is suitable for teams to manage high call volume, messages, and contacts without needing technical expertise. Users can get started instantly without any technical help.

In addition, Nextiva has earned high ratings on popular review sites like G2 and Gartner for its responsive and helpful support team. From onboarding to daily operations, businesses can get instant support whenever needed.

Pros

Cons

  • Highly rated, responsive customer support
  • Simple, intuitive interface for all users
  • Built-in tools for voice, email, chat, and social media
  • Unclear pricing for add-ons and extras
  • Occasional mobile app glitches and bugs

4. Dialpad

For businesses that need AI-driven insights and real-time analytics, Dialpad is a strong alternative to 8x8.

Dialpad is built on its own proprietary AI, Dialpad AI, which adds a deeper level of intelligence. It can transcribe calls and meetings in real time, provide live sentiment analysis, and highlight key action items while the conversation is still ongoing.

On the other hand, 8x8 primarily focuses on operational data such as call volume and agent performance. While these reports are helpful, they don’t provide much insight into the actual conversations.

Pros

Cons

  • Powerful real-time AI insights
  • Clean, modern user interface
  • Excellent international voice quality
  • Key AI features not available in basic plans
  • Basic reporting lacks depth

5. Mitel

Mitel is a strong 8x8 alternative for businesses that need deployment flexibility. While 8x8 is fully cloud-based, Mitel supports a variety of setups, including on-premise, private cloud, and hybrid models.

Unlike 8x8’s online solution, Mitel allows businesses to keep their current physical infrastructure while connecting them to cloud-based tools. This hybrid approach gives full control over data, migration pace, and call management.

It is especially useful for organizations in healthcare, finance, or government that rely on existing phone hardware or are required to follow strict security and call center compliance rules.

Pros

Cons

  • Offers on-premise, cloud, and hybrid deployments
  • Tailored solutions for industries like healthcare and hospitality
  • Outdated and less intuitive interface
  • High upfront and ongoing costs.

6. GoTo Connect

GoTo Connect is a smart 8x8 alternative for businesses that want simplicity without losing advanced features. It stands out for its ease of use and a clean interface, receiving higher ratings than 8x8 on platforms like G2.

One of its most valuable features is the visual call flow editor. This drag-and-drop tool allows users to create customized call routing paths efficiently.

Pros

Cons

  • Visual call flow editor
  • Unified chat, voice, and video communication
  • Works with a wide range of desk phones
  • Mixed reviews on customer support responsiveness
  • Occasional app performance issues

7. Vonage

Vonage is a flexible 8x8 alternative for businesses that want full control and customization over their communication system.

Since 8x8 offers a ready-made UCaaS platform, it follows a pre-set structure that may not suit teams with unique communication needs. This is where Vonage takes a different approach. It works as both a UCaaS and CPaaS platform, offering a complete phone system along with developer-friendly APIs.

This dual capability makes it suitable for businesses that want ready-to-use tools now and the freedom to build custom solutions later.

Pros

Cons

  • API-first architecture for full customization
  • CPaaS and UCaaS flexibility in one platform
  • Strong call quality and service uptime
  • Complicated and unclear pricing structure
  • Admin dashboard can be complex for beginners

8. Aircall

Aircall is a powerful alternative to 8x8, built for sales and support teams. It connects deeply with numerous integration tools, helping teams manage calls without switching between apps.

While 8x8 does support third-party integrations, it's only useful for general business use. It isn’t enough forteams that need close integration with their CRM or helpdesk tools.

Pros

Cons

  • User-friendly mobile app
  • Dependable call analytics
  • Occasional call drops and poor audio quality
  • Issues with time zone settings

9. Ooma

Ooma is designed for small businesses and home services that want simplicity, low cost, and easy setup. 8x8 has a complex setup process and expensive pricing. Ooma, in contrast, offers an easy-to-install and manage phone system at an affordable cost.

Another thing that makes Ooma stand out is its hardware-based setup. 8x8 completely relies on the cloud. Ooma, on the other hand, uses a device called the Ooma Telo, which connects directly to the router. This makes setup fast and simple, best suited for business owners who want a physical system for easy management.

Pros

Cons

  • Straightforward pricing with no hidden fees
  • DIY setup with no professional installation needed
  • Mobile and desktop apps are reliable and easy to use
  • Limited app integrations
  • Not ideal for large teams or enterprises

10. Five9

Five9 is a leading 8x8 alternative built for high-volume contact centers. While 8x8 also includes contact center tools, its platform is mainly designed for general purposes.

Five9 includes tools made for complex, multi-channel support. Its intelligent routing matches customers to the right agent based on channel, skills, and past interactions. It also provides advanced workforce management, helping managers schedule staff, track performance, and meet service goals.

Pros

Cons

  • Advanced AI features for contact centers
  • Built exclusively for high-volume customer support
  • Strong workforce management tools
  • Complex admin interface
  • Lacks internal collaboration tools

Comparison Between Best 8x8 Alternatives: Pricing & Features

Provider’s Name

Key Features

Pricing

Best for

Calilio
  • Standard: $15/month
  • Premium: $35/month
  • Enterprise (Custom)
Startups to large enterprises that need an affordable, easy-to-use VoIP system with global virtual numbers.
RingCentral
  • 500+ Integrations
  • Team Messaging and Video
  • Strong Mobile Apps
  • Robust Developer API
  • Core: $30/month
  • Advanced: $35/month
  • Ultra: $45/month
Companies that require advanced integrations with CRM, helpdesk, and collaboration tools.
Nextiva
  • Intuitive Dashboard
  • Reliable Support
  • Voicemail-to-email
  • CRM Integration
  • Core: $23/user/month
  • Engage: $50/user/month
Businesses that are looking for a simple platform with strong customer support and quick setup.
Dialpad
  • Built-in AI and Transcription
  • Real-Time Analytics
  • Voice Intelligence
  • Smart Call Routing
  • Standard: $27/user/month
  • Pro: $35/user/month
  • Enterprise (Custom)
Sales and support teams that want AI-driven features like real-time transcriptions and sentiment analysis.
GoTo Connect
  • Visual Call Flow Editor
  • Auto Attendants
  • Video Conferencing
  • Call Recording
  • Basic: $27/user/month
  • Standard: $32/user/month
SMBs that need easy-to-manage call flows and an intuitive phone system that requires no technical setup.
Vonage
  • VoIP Calling
  • Mobile and Desktop Apps
  • CRM Integrations
  • Developer APIs
  • Mobile: $19.99/user/month
  • Premium: $29.99/user/month
  • Advanced: $39.99/user/month
Businesses that want a flexible phone system with both standard features and developer tools to build custom solutions.
Aircall
  • Shared Inbox
  • 100+ CRM Integrations
  • Click-to-dial
  • Smart Call Routing
  • Essentials: $40/license
  • Professional: $70/license
  • Custom
Sales and support teams that rely heavily on CRM integration and customer interaction context.
Ooma
  • Plug-and-play Setup
  • Virtual Receptionist
  • Voicemail Transcription
  • Ooma Telo Hardware
  • Office Essentials: $19.95
  • Office Pro: $24.95
  • Office Pro Plus: $29.95
Home services and small businesses that require a low-cost phone system with physical hardware.
Mitel
  • Enhanced 911 (E911)
  • Active Call Distribution (ACD)
  • Analog Paging System
  • Audio Conferencing
  • Essentials: $20.99/user/month
  • Premier: $26.59/user/month
  • Elite: $38.49/user/month
Organizations that need on-premise or hybrid cloud deployments for security, compliance, or legacy reasons.
Five9
  • AI-Powered Contact Center
  • Omnichannel Support
  • Workforce Management
  • Real-time Analytics
  • Digital: $119 monthly
  • Core: $119 monthly
  • Premium (Contact sales)
  • Optimal (Contact sales)
High-volume contact centers that need advanced routing, workforce tools, and AI-powered automation.

Evaluation Criteria: To create the above list of the top 8x8 alternatives, we analyzed factors such as pricing clarity, customer support, scalability, and integration options of each competitor. Benefits and limitations were cross-checked from user reviews on G2 and Capterra, as well as official provider resources, to ensure reliable and useful recommendations.

Conclusion

8x8’s cloud telephony platform may not fit every business. Some teams find it too complex, others face limitations with pricing, support, or integration options. That’s why many businesses explore alternatives that better match their specific needs.
 

If you're looking for a solution that’s easy to use and built for modern teams, Calilio is a strong option to consider. With transparent pricing and advanced features built for growing teams, it helps businesses manage communication without added complexity. Register your account with Calilio today!


Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a cheaper alternative to 8x8 with similar features?

Yes. Many providers like Calilio, Nextiva, and Dialpad offer the same core features, like call routing, call recording, analytics, and team messaging at a lower cost than 8x8. These alternatives also provide better pricing transparency, so you know exactly what you’re paying for.

Why should I switch from 8x8 to another provider?

Is it easy to switch from 8x8 to another phone system?

FAQ Illustration

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