10 Greatest Dialpad Alternate options & Why Select Them in 2026

Dialpad’s AI-centric strategy has been fairly well-received in shaping trendy enterprise telephony. Nonetheless, for a lot of companies, the additional value for AI options doesn’t make sense in the event that they want a easy, dependable business telephone system with good assist. Given advanced pricing constructions and a steep studying curve, many customers are in search of Dialpad alternate options.

If you happen to’re in search of a user-friendly and cost-effective telephone system that prioritizes human interplay over AI automation, you’ve come to the appropriate place.

On this information, we’ve ranked the highest 10 Dialpad alternate options for 2026, breaking down their options, strengths, weaknesses, and pricing that can assist you discover the optimum resolution for what you are promoting wants.

Why Companies Are Searching for Dialpad Alternate options

Earlier than we take a look at Dialpad alternate options, it’s vital to know why prospects are switching. Dialpad is called an AI-powered workspace and is usually a highly effective instrument for forward-thinking companies with the mandatory finances. Nonetheless, many companies expertise discrepancies between Dialpad’s sticker costs and the precise advantages.

Listed below are the primary explanation why rising companies search for a Dialpad various:

1) AI options usually are not for everybody

Dialpad’s distinctive promoting level is its voice intelligence (Vi), which permits reside transcription and sentiment evaluation. Whereas spectacular on paper, it comes with sensible challenges:

• Excessive bandwidth necessities: The always-on AI streams knowledge repeatedly. For distant groups with fluctuating web speeds, this may result in stuttering, latency, and audio dropouts that don’t happen with a conventional VoIP service.
• Accuracy points: Clients report that with out a manually programmed firm dictionary, the AI ​​struggles with business jargon and accents. This leads to inaccurate transcripts that distract workers somewhat than assist them.
• The human issue: In delicate industries (healthcare, authorized, consulting), real-time AI-generated assessments can really feel impersonal or intrusive, as effectivity metrics take priority over real human interplay.

2) Vital safety (SSO) is gated

This can be a main impediment for mid-sized companies. Single Signal-On (SSO), important for safe worker login through Okta, Azure & OneLogin, is completely out there within the Enterprise model. The Enterprise model requires at the least 100 seats. Companies with 50 workers that want SSO for compliance causes can’t get this resolution.

3) Assist entry is tiered

At Dialpad, 24/7 telephone assist is reserved for Professional and Enterprise plans. Customary plan customers can solely entry internet chat and assist tickets throughout enterprise hours. Many Dialpad rivals provide 24/7 telephone assist throughout all plans, making certain that assist is accessible whatever the chosen subscription.

4) Seat minimal necessities

The requirement to pay for a minimal variety of licenses is usually a deal-breaker for solopreneurs and small companies.

• Dialpad Enterprise: 100-license minimal. Companies with say 50 workers needing uptime ensures (SLAs) is not going to discover a plan tailor-made to their wants.
• Dialpad Professional: Requires a minimal of three customers to unlock particular workplace or departmental options.

5) The add-on price construction

Whereas Dialpad provides aggressive base charges, the ultimate bill consists of line gadgets that rivals bundle without cost.

• Toll-free numbers: Incur a separate month-to-month lease price plus per-minute expenses.
• Web fax: An add-on throughout plans that requires a separate paid license plus per-page utilization charges.
• SMS limits: Limitless plans don’t present a good utilization cap on SMS quantity, compelling high-volume SMS customers to buy extra credit score bundles.
• Worldwide caps: World calling packages embrace a cap (normally round 1,500 minutes), after which customary charges apply.

6) Technical glitches and backbone instances

Consumer opinions on platforms like G2 and Capterra level to stability points, comparable to the necessity to restart the app to resolve bugs and dropped calls, and delays. Extra importantly, the shortage of fast telephone assist for normal customers experiencing such technical issues can result in prolonged downtime, stopping groups from shortly resolving crucial communication bottlenecks.

7) Gradual buyer assist workforce

Some customers have reported sluggish or unhelpful buyer assist experiences, notably with advanced points. This may be irritating for companies needing fast resolutions. Customers on G2 and Trustpilot have talked about unresponsiveness and product points, main them to change suppliers.

Greatest Dialpad Alternate options by Class

To mitigate Dialpad’s limitations, right here’s a abstract of the very best Dialpad rivals to contemplate (by their respective strengths).

All-in-one UCaaS platforms (finest for reliability)

• Nextiva: The value-performance winner. Greatest for companies that want a unified communications platform (voice, video, customer support) with 24/7 telephone assist and no AI bloat.
• RingCentral: For advanced integrations (over 300 apps) or international workplaces.
• 8×8: For limitless worldwide calling plans, supreme for multinational groups.
• GoTo Join: For Microsoft Groups customers preferring a easy, visible drag-and-drop setup.

Video-first & app integrations

• Zoom Cellphone: Excellent if you happen to already pay for Zoom Conferences and need to consolidate your invoice into one interface.
• Vonage: Greatest you probably have builders who need to construct customized video/voice workflows through APIs.

Gross sales & assist specialists

• Aircall: Designed for gross sales groups residing in Salesforce or HubSpot who want an influence dialer to hit targets.

Price range & simplicity (startups & solopreneurs)

• Quo (previously OpenPhone): Provides a glossy interface and shared inboxes, finest for startups and digital natives.
• Grasshopper: Greatest for solopreneurs who simply need a enterprise quantity forwarded to their private cellphone.
• 3CX: Ultimate for IT specialists who need a free/low cost license and are keen to self-host the server.
• OnSIP: Greatest for seasonal companies or small workplaces that want a pay-as-you-go mannequin.

High 10 Dialpad Alternate options & Opponents In contrast

Want a fast reply? Right here’s how the very best Dialpad rivals stack up.

Supplier	Beginning value (annual)	Greatest for	Standout characteristic	Key AI capabilities	Assist entry
Nextiva	$15/person/mo	Small and mid-sized companies	Unified CX platform	Voicemail with AI transcription, AI transcription and summarization,	24/7 telephone, chat, electronic mail (all plans)
Quo (previously OpenPhone)	$15/person/mo	Startups	Shared inbox	Sona AI agent, AI message responses, AI tags	E-mail (decrease tier plans) Stay chat and telephone (greater tiers
Zoom Cellphone	$10/person/mo	Zoom customers	Video conferences	AI Companion	Restricted assist choices for decrease tiers; Ticket, reside chat, and telephone assist for premium Zoom apps
Aircall	$30/person/mo (Minimal 3 licenses)	Gross sales groups	CRM energy dialer	AI transcripts, A voice agent	24/5 reside chat, electronic mail, and telephone; premium paid assist
3CX	$350 (8 simultaneous calls)	IT specialists	Price range DIY internet hosting	Transcription	Paid tickets
Grasshopper	$14/person/mo	Solopreneurs	Digital quantity overlay	❌	24/7 telephone, electronic mail, social media, and chat assist
8×8	Customized quote	World enterprises	Unmetered worldwide calling	Speech analytics, AI-powered voicemail transcription	24/7 internet case submission, reside chat, and telephone assist
Vonage	$13.99/person/mo	Builders	Customized voice APIs	Paid add-on	24/7 chat and telephone
GoTo Join	Customized quote	Microsoft Groups customers	Direct groups routing	AI chat evaluation, AI name summaries	24/7 telephone
OnSIP	$18.95/person/mo (Minimal 5 customers)	Small groups	Pay-as-you-go choice	❌	E-mail and telephone throughout enterprise hours; off-hours ticketing assist

Right here’s a deeper dive into the highest Dialpad alternate options based mostly on worth, reliability, and the way they deal with key points Dialpad customers face (comparable to entry to assist and AI bloat).

1) Nextiva: Greatest unified communications platform

Greatest for: Small and mid-sized companies that want a unified buyer expertise (CX) platform.

If you happen to’re in search of a cloud-based telephone system that doesn’t require difficult configurations and unifies all of your buyer communication — whether or not by telephone, video, electronic mail, chat, and even social media — on a unified platform, Nextiva is your best option. Whereas Dialpad is AI-heavy proper off the bat, Nextiva focuses on delivering a unified buyer expertise with rigorously crafted AI options that flexibly adapt to your wants.

Key options:

• Omnichannel assist: Handle all communication channels in a single place.
• Superior reporting: Monitor key name metrics throughout all channels.
• Intensive integrations: Join with fashionable CRMs and helpdesk options.
• Group collaboration: Constructed-in collaboration instruments for workforce messaging, file sharing, and job administration.
• Cellular-first: Highly effective cellular apps for iOS and Android mirror the desktop expertise.

Why select Nextiva over Dialpad

Nextiva’s Core plan ($15/mo) is extra feature-rich than Dialpad’s entry-level tier, providing superior reliability (99.999% uptime) and 24/7 buyer assist entry. On prime, Nextiva’s intuitive interface outshines Dialpad’s advanced setup.

👉 Watch the video overview 👇

Pricing:

With Nextiva, you get versatile plans tailor-made to satisfy your numerous enterprise wants. The highest plans are:

• Core ($15/person/mo): Limitless calling, video conferences, and enterprise SMS.
• Have interaction ($25/person/mo): Provides a toll-free quantity, 2,000 toll-free minutes, and superior reporting.
• Energy Suite CX ($75/person/mo): Contains AI transcription, omnichannel routing, and limitless toll-free minutes.

Try all of Nextiva’s pricing choices ↗

The decision: Swap to Nextiva if you need an intuitive and dependable communication platform with glorious customer support. Nextiva is the very best substitute for Dialpad and eliminates its related assist issues.

2) Quo (previously OpenPhone): The trendy alternative for startups

Greatest for: Solopreneurs, startups, and groups needing a glossy cellular app.

Quo eliminates the cumbersome {hardware} really feel of conventional VoIP programs and replaces it with a clear, app-based person interface. It’s supreme for SMS and shared mailboxes, making it excellent for groups that use each textual content messaging and voice calls.

Key options:

• Shared telephone numbers: Collaborate together with your workforce seamlessly.
• CRM integrations: Join with Salesforce and HubSpot.
• Customized telephone guide: Simply handle what you are promoting contacts.
• Limitless calling and texting inside the US and Canada.

Professionals:

• Shared numbers: A number of teammates can name and textual content from a single quantity (e.g., assist line).
• UI/UX: The interface is extra trendy than Dialpad’s.

Cons:

• Routing limits: Lacks the advanced IVR and name middle routing of enterprise instruments.
• No video conferences: Not like Dialpad, Quo is voice/textual content solely. You will want a separate Zoom account.

Pricing:

Quo has three pricing plans with a la carte choices for added options:

• Starter ($15/person/mo): Primary calls and SMS.
  Enterprise ($23/person/mo): Provides HubSpot/Salesforce integrations and name recording.
• Enterprise: For organizations with extra advanced necessities, request a quote from Quo’s gross sales workforce.

The decision: Select Quo if you happen to’re a startup with fewer than 10 workers and worth an excellent cellular app over superior name middle options.

3) Zoom Cellphone: The enterprise telephony resolution for Zoom customers

Greatest for: Groups already paying for Zoom Conferences.

In case your workforce spends lots of time in Zoom conferences, including Zoom Cellphone is a logical step. Zoom’s VoIP telephone service integrates a telephone system immediately into your current Zoom app, simplifying your billing and software program panorama.

Key options:

• Built-in UCaaS: Mix telephone, conferences, chat, and extra in a single app.
• Acquainted interface: Straightforward to undertake for current Zoom customers.
• Well-liked communication channels: Helps electronic mail, internet chat, social media, and extra.

Professionals:

• Consolidation: One invoice for video and telephone.
• Video integration: Seamlessly elevate a telephone name to a video assembly with one click on.

Cons:

• Assist prices: 24/7 assist is a paid add-on or reserved for greater tiers.
• Add-on charges: {Hardware} leasing and superior options can shortly drive up a budget base value.

Pricing:

Zoom Cellphone has a freemium pricing mannequin with tiered paid plans for particular person customers, small groups, and companies.

• Metered ($10/person/mo): Pay per minute (good for low name volumes).
• Limitless ($15-$20/person/mo): Customary limitless calling plan.
• World Choose 48 international locations: Limitless calling to 48 international locations, together with the US, Canada, and plenty of European international locations, for $240 per 12 months per person.

The decision: Select Zoom Cellphone if you wish to consolidate invoices and already use the Zoom interface.

4) Aircall: The CRM instrument for gross sales and assist

Greatest for: Gross sales and assist groups residing in HubSpot or Salesforce.

Aircall is designed for groups that use their telephone system as an integral a part of their CRM system. In case your each day workflow relies on Salesforce or Zendesk, integrating Aircall is tighter and quicker than integrating Dialpad.

Key options:

• Actual-time analytics: Monitor name efficiency and agent exercise.
• Name monitoring & recording: For high quality assurance and coaching.
• Customizable IVR: Create personalised greetings and route calls effectively.

Professionals:

• PowerDialer: A powerful instrument for outbound gross sales groups to hurry up calling lists.
• Quick setup: You’ll be able to add numbers and customers shortly.

Cons:

• Worth: Begins at $30/person (with a 3-user minimal), making it double the price of Dialpad for small groups.
• No video: Like Quo, Aircall is only for voice.

Pricing:

Aircall provides two principal subscription plans with a free trial out there:

• Skilled ($50/person/mo): Provides Salesforce integration and PowerDialer.
• Necessities ($30/person/mo): Primary options + easy integrations.

The decision: Select Aircall in case your gross sales workforce makes use of Salesforce and desires an influence dialer to make outbound calls.

5) 3CX: The finances DIY choice

Greatest for: IT groups and firms with on-premise server {hardware}.

3CX is exclusive as a result of it provides an reasonably priced software program license if you happen to host the server your self. It’s a robust system, however it does require technical experience.

Key options:

• Superior telephone service performance for granular management and customization.
• Internet browser and cellular app entry for handy communication.
• QR code softphone configuration for simple person setup.

Professionals:

• Value: Onerous to beat you probably have the {hardware} and expertise.
• Flexibility: You select your individual SIP trunk supplier (service), which might lower your expenses on per-minute charges.

Cons:

• Complexity: This isn’t a easy plug-and-play set up. If you happen to’re not an IT knowledgeable, setting it up can be fairly troublesome in comparison with Dialpad.
• Assist: Assist is ticket-based or offered by companions.

Pricing:

3CX provides two key pricing tiers:

• Free/SMB: Free for as much as 10 customers (self-hosted).
• Professional/Ent: Tiered based mostly on simultaneous calls, not customers.

The decision: Select 3CX you probably have a devoted IT supervisor who needs full management over the PBX backend.

6) Grasshopper: Separate enterprise calls on cellular

Greatest for: Solopreneurs requiring a devoted enterprise line on their private machine.

Grasshopper isn’t a full-fledged VoIP system, however somewhat a digital extension of your current cellular community. If Dialpad is just too difficult for you, Grasshopper’s digital telephone system is the right resolution for separating enterprise and private calls.

Key options:

• Digital receptionist: Mechanically route calls based mostly on caller enter.
• Toll-free numbers: Set up knowledgeable presence.
• Straightforward setup: Get began shortly and simply.

Professionals:

• Simplicity: No new apps or {hardware} required (although an app is accessible). It simply forwards voice calls.
• Flat charge: Pricing is per account, not per person, which will be cheaper for a small workforce.

Cons:

• Options: No video, no chat, no integrations.
• WiFi calling: Depends in your mobile sign high quality.

Pricing:

Grasshopper provides the next pricing plans:

• True Solo ($14/mo): 1 person, 1 quantity, 1 extension.
• Solo Plus ($25/mo): Limitless customers, 3 extensions, 1 telephone quantity.
• Small Enterprise ($55/mo): Limitless customers, 4 telephone numbers, limitless extensions.

The decision: Select Grasshopper if you happen to’re a solopreneur who needs a second quantity for enterprise shoppers.

7) 8×8: Scale globally with unmetered calling

Greatest for: Multinational companies with workplaces in a number of international locations.

8×8 is a unified communications platform that immediately competes with Dialpad’s Enterprise providing. Its X Sequence plans embrace limitless calls to roughly 48 international locations, which might present vital value financial savings for international groups.

Key options:

• Built-in platform: All communication instruments in a single place.
• Contact middle options: Superior options for high-volume name facilities.
• World protection: Join with prospects all over the world.

Professionals:

• World attain: Among the finest worldwide calling plans in the marketplace.
• Unified dashboard: Contains robust contact middle and video instruments.

Cons:

• Interface: Can really feel clunky and dated in comparison with different alternate options.
• Assist: Combined opinions on responsiveness for billing points.

Pricing:

8×8’s pricing plans usually are not public and wish a gross sales dialog. Contact its gross sales workforce for a customized quote.

The decision: Select 8×8 you probably have branches worldwide and wish just one bill for all of them.

8) Vonage: Construct customized communication workflows

Greatest for: Companies needing customized programmable voice APIs.

Vonage is especially highly effective you probably have builders. Its API platform means that you can combine customized video and voice experiences into your individual app or web site.

Key options:

• Developer-friendly APIs: Customise and combine together with your current programs.
• Conversational commerce instruments: Have interaction prospects throughout a number of channels.
• CPaaS choices: Construct customized communication options.

Professionals:

• Customization: Construct precisely what you want with APIs.
• Uptime: Sturdy international reliability infrastructure.

Cons:

• Nickel-and-dime: Many options (name recording, on-demand name queues) are paid add-ons, making the ultimate invoice unpredictable in comparison with Dialpad’s bundles.

Pricing:

Listed below are the pricing choices you get with Vonage for 20-99 customers:

• Cellular ($13.99/mo): Primary mobile-only entry.
• Premium ($20.99/mo): Provides desk telephone assist and conferences.
• Superior ($27/mo): Provides name teams and visible voicemail.

The decision: Select Vonage if it’s worthwhile to embed calling into your individual product or app utilizing APIs.

9. GoTo Join: Streamlined administration for Microsoft Groups

Greatest for: Microsoft Groups customers.

GoTo Join (previously Jive) is a dependable unified communications platform. It stands out with its direct routing integration with Microsoft Groups and its extremely visible dialing plan editor.

Key options:

• Webinar and convention calling: Host massive on-line occasions.
• Consumer-friendly interface: Straightforward to arrange and use.
• Add-ons: Get enterprise continuity and SD-WAN.

Professionals:

• Visible editor: Drag-and-drop editor for establishing name flows is without doubt one of the finest within the business.
• Reliability: Glorious uptime historical past.

Cons:

• Worth: Begins greater (round $26/mo) than Nextiva or Zoom.
• Interface: The desktop app can really feel a bit dated.

Pricing:

GoTo Join’s pricing isn’t public. Contact its gross sales groups for specifics and potential quantity reductions. Right here’s an estimate based mostly on business knowledge.

• Cellphone system (~$26/person/mo): Full PBX options.
• Join CX (~$34/person/mo): Provides buyer engagement instruments.

The decision: Select GoTo Join if you need a dependable system with a stratightforward drag-and-drop setup.

10) OnSIP: Easy VoIP for small groups

Greatest for: Seasonal companies or low-volume workplaces.

OnSIP is simple to arrange and use for folks with out technical experience. Though it doesn’t have the intensive options of Dialpad, it’s a extra streamlined and cost-effective resolution for companies that worth simplicity. It gives important name administration options, making it a good selection for small groups with fundamental communication wants.

Key options:

• Primary name administration: Name forwarding, voicemail, and name parking.
• Integrations: Join with HubSpot and Zendesk.
• Internet-based administration: Straightforward system administration.

Professionals:

• Pay-as-you-go: Nice for workplaces that may solely make 50 calls a month.
• BYOD: Works effectively with current SIP desk telephones.

Cons:

• Outdated UI: The interface feels older than trendy instruments.
• Function limits: Lacks the superior AI and SMS options of Dialpad.

Pricing:

Listed below are the primary OnSIP pricing plans:

• Limitless ($18.95/person/mo): Customary per-user pricing.
• Primary ($49.95/account/mo): Pay for utilization + options individually (calling minutes and messaging not included).

The decision: Select OnSIP if you happen to’re a seasonal enterprise (like a tax accountant) who wants a versatile invoice.

Honorable point out: RingCentral

Greatest for: Enterprises migrating from advanced legacy programs. Whereas not in our prime 5 for simplicity, RingCentral is a direct competitor to Dialpad for large-scale deployments. It provides a deeper app ecosystem (300+ integrations) however suffers from related hidden price points as Dialpad.

How To Select the Proper Dialpad Different

You’ll be able to simply get misplaced within the sea of ​​beneficial choices and Dialpad rivals. Selecting a VoIP supplier boils down to a couple concerns. You’ll be able to then slender your choices and decide the very best Dialpad various for what you are promoting.

• Price range: Decide your finances and examine pricing fashions (per person, per characteristic, and many others.).
• Group measurement & scalability: Think about the variety of workforce members and whether or not it’s worthwhile to scale sooner or later.
• Important options: Prioritize must-have options like video calls, worldwide calling, or name recording.
• Integrations: Make sure the platform integrates together with your CRM, assist desk software program, and different key instruments.
• Communication fashion: Assess whether or not you want an answer for distant groups, a contact middle, or a small workplace.
• Buyer assist: Consider the extent of assist supplied (telephone, electronic mail, chat, 24/7 availability).
• Ease of use: Think about the interface and see if it’s intuitive to your workforce.
• Cellular app performance: See if you happen to want a strong cellular app for on-the-go communication.
• Safety: Search for options like encryption and compliance certifications to guard buyer knowledge.

Abstract Comparability: Nextiva vs. Dialpad

If you happen to’re narrowing it right down to the highest two, right here’s a direct comparability.

Function	Nextiva	Dialpad
Key focus	Buyer expertise & reliability	AI & transcription
Reliability	99.999% uptime	Excessive, however reliant on a powerful web
Assist	24/7 telephone/chat/electronic mail (all plans)	Internet-only for decrease tiers
Pricing	Begins at $15/mo	Begins at $15/mo
Video calls	Included (limitless)	Included
SMS	Group shared inbox	Customary SMS

The decision:

• Persist with Dialpad if you happen to completely require real-time AI sentiment evaluation throughout calls and have a powerful IT workforce to handle it.
• Swap to Nextiva if you need a dependable, easy-to-use telephone system that unifies calls, texts, and video with out the AI complexity. Nextiva rivals Dialpad’s prime tiers by together with AI options however at a extra clear value level.

Why Nextiva Is a High Dialpad Different

Nextiva provides a strong characteristic set, dependable service (backed by a 99.999% uptime SLA), and highly-rated 24/7 buyer assist accessible to all customers. Its give attention to unifying communication channels into one intuitive platform helps companies handle interactions effectively.

Nextiva has constantly acquired reward within the business:

• U.S. Information & World Report: Named Nextiva the Greatest Enterprise Cellphone System for 4 consecutive years.
• Forbes Advisor: Gave Nextiva a 4.6 out of 5-star ranking, highlighting its reliability and options.
• CrazyEgg: Described Nextiva as extremely dependable and praised its ease of use.

Corporations like Shelby America, Veterans House Care, and Orange County Rescue Mission have chosen Nextiva for his or her enterprise communications wants.

“Establishing a telephone tree for a gazillion folks is just not straightforward however the questions that our Nextiva reps requested and what they’ve carried out with different corporations made it straightforward. What I like essentially the most about Nextiva is how scalable it’s been. We began at 400 workers and we’re at nearly 1800 workers now.”

Annie Izquierdo, Management & Course of Coach at Titan Photo voltaic Energy

Dialpad, Aircall, 3CX, OnSIP, Quo, Grasshopper, Zoom, Vonage, GoTo Join, and eight×8 don’t have any relationship with Nextiva, Inc. and are the registered logos of their respective homeowners.

Incessantly Requested Questions (FAQs)