What is a cloud VoIP phone system?
Cloud VoIP is a cloud-based phone system that saves companies up to 60% off their business communication costs by routing calls through the internet.
In addition to voice calls, cloud VoIP services like Nextiva include advanced features like auto attendants, text messaging (SMS), call recording, video conferencing, and flexible inbound call routing.
Watch this short video to learn about the advantages of a cloud-hosted VoIP solution.
How does cloud VoIP work?
Cloud VoIP pricing
For small teams
Reliably run your business and communicate with your team and customers through unified voice, video, SMS, and digital channels with instant setup, no hardware, centralized conversations, and built-in tools for productivity, collaboration, and responsiveness.
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Core features:
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Inbound & Outbound VoiceConnect with customers and your team using award-winning, reliable voice conversations within the U.S. and CA*. Get a new number or bring over your existing number for free.
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Business SMS
Send and receive SMS text messages from your business phone number using the desktop and mobile app.
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Video meetings
Collaborate face-to-face with video meetings. Engage in sidebar chats and record for future reference.
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Screenshare & file share
Get on the same page by sharing your screen during a video call or exchanging key files.
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Call routing
Ensure all calls are professionally answered and properly routed using a virtual receptionist recording that directs callers to, for instance, “press one for Sales and two for Service.”
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Team chat & collaboration
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Mobile app
For growing teams
Equip your sales and service teams to deliver fast, personalized experiences at scale with automation, advanced service tools, multi-site management, customizable workflows, intelligent routing, and real-time performance insights.
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Everything in Core, plus:
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Customer-to-team SMS Messaging
Enable customers to reach your entire team via a shared SMS inbox, allowing multiple team members to access messages, respond promptly, and deliver faster resolutions.
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Toll-free number & minutes
Give your business a professional edge by offering a universal, non-local, toll-free number.
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Advanced reporting
Move your business forward with insight gained from data found within your voice analytics.
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Inbound sales and service call center*
Manage high-volume inbound calls and use touch tone prompts to route calls to best-fit agents.
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Web chat: Live & bot
Offer 24/7 support and efficiently manage responses to FAQs with web chatbot automation. Start with automated prompts to gather essential information, then seamlessly transition to a live-agent interaction.
For sales & service teams
Deliver inbound and outbound service across two essential channels—voice and web chat—with built-in journey orchestration, automations, intelligent routing, and unified customer context. Everything you need to create a seamless, scalable customer experience.
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Power Suite CX features:
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Voice & web chatProvide consistent support across voice and web chat channels. Use web chatbots to collect key information upfront and offer 24/7 self-service, with the option to transfer to a live agent when needed.
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Blended inbound & outbound calling
Let agents handle both incoming and outgoing calls in a single interface—maximizing productivity and reducing idle time.
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AI transcription & summarization
Automatically capture the content of voice conversations in real time and create post-call summaries.
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Customizable intelligent and skills-based routing
Improve first-call resolution by routing callers to best-fit agents equipped to handle interactions specific to area of expertise, language, or demographic.
Get all the VoIP features your business needs.
Get all the VoIP features your business needs.
More than a dial tone.
- Unified communication with VoIP, video, & chat
- Bundle with helpdesk software & Sales CRM
- Unlimited calling, faxing, and texting nationwide
- Amazing Service with 24/7 support
- Free toll-free, virtual voicemail, & auto attendant
Work from anywhere.
- Top rated iOS & Android mobile app
- Easy-to-use desktop app for Windows and Mac
- Send text messages from your mobile device
- One-click conference calling from your cell phone
- Declutter your workspace. Ditch the desk phone
Conference calling
- Host unlimited audio and video meetings
- Audio conferencing with messaging & screen share
- Dedicated conference bridge for all your meetings
- Crystal-clear, HD audio with no static on the line
- Advanced VoIP conferencing with call recording
Bring teams together.
- Collaborate using your business phone software
- Create groups to connect via chat, video, & audio
- Chat, screen share, & file sharing made easy
- Schedule meetings, & assign tasks with due dates
- Keep track of conversations and team projects
Reveal insights.
- Access historical and live call data
- Real-time call tracking with custom reports & dashboards
- Identify business trends by analyzing call logs
- Make QA a breeze with call recording and rating
- Gamify your employee performance data
Business apps
- Sales CRM for managing your leads and opportunities
- Helpdesk tools to manage customer service requests
- Workflows to automate mundane tasks
- Call Pop, so you know your customers at the time they call
- Customer journey sentiment and experience management
Integrate your team’s tools.
- Integrate your business phone software with other apps
- Boost efficiency by connecting your CRM and VoIP system
- Easy integration with Google, Microsoft, & more
- Click to dial phone numbers within business apps
- Improve your business communications
On-premises vs. cloud-hosted VoIP
Moving from an on-premises PBX system to a cloud VoIP phone system? These advantages are hard to beat.
Cost-effective without additional setup or hardware costs.
HD audio and video conferencing for real-time collaboration.
Softphones let you work anywhere — even the from car.
Setting up a home office is easy, unlike with traditional phone systems.
45+ features like CRM integrations, call forwarding, auto attendants, and call routing.
Requires a reliable internet connection.
Replaces your private branch exchange (PBX).
Might want to update your desk phones.
Accomplish (virtually) anything with
Nextiva.
Video calls
Never skip a beat in your presentations. Get instant screen sharing, crystal clear audio, and high-definition video conferencing.
Screen sharing
In addition to a free business phone number, every user gets a virtual room, too. Sharing screens, sending files, and managing tasks — all in one place.
NextivaONE App
Download the Nextiva mobile app on your iOS or Android mobile devices. Instantly connect your business phone number and set up caller ID, call transfer, call recording, and even hold music.
Software integrations
We understand your teams may rely on critical tools to stay in the loop. With our integrations, connect your trusted business apps to your cloud-based phone service.
Call recording
Silently record all calls without any hardware. Use call recording to verify facts or provide coaching opportunities for your team. Cloud telephony makes it easy and reliable.
Number porting
If you already have one or more phone numbers for your business, you can move them over to Nextiva with VoIP number porting. You also get a toll-free phone number included from Nextiva.
CLOUD VOIP PROVIDERS
Which Cloud VoIP Provider Is Best?
Validated by more than 3,000 reviews on GetVoIP.
TLDR: Nextiva is the best VoIP solution on the market.
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#1 Rated  Professional |
RingCentral Core |
Dialpad Standard |
Vonage Premium |
8X8 X2 |
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| G2 Rating |
4.6 out of 5 (3,183 reviews) |
4.0 |
4.4 |
4.3 |
4.1 |
| Gartner PeerInsights Rating |
4.7 out of 5 (666 reviews) |
4.4 |
4.4 |
4.4 |
4.4 |
| Trustpilot Rating |
4.8 out of 5 (3,386 reviews) |
2.4 |
4.3 |
4.3 |
2 |
| Customer Recommendations (GetVoIP) |
92% (3,186 reviews) |
70% (586 reviews) |
95% (265 reviews) |
67% (264 reviews) |
86% (767 reviews) |
| Uptime and reliability (2024) |
99.999% |
99.99% |
99.75% |
99.999% |
99.999% |
| 24/7 Support (Phone, Email, Chat) |
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| Unlimited Calling in US & CAN |
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| HD Audio & Video Conferencing |
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| Text Messaging (SMS & MMS) Included |
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Additional cost |
Additional cost |
Additional cost |
Additional cost |
| Team Chat & Document/File Management |
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| Mobile and Desktop Softphone Apps |
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| Visual Call Flow Designer |
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| Certified VoIP Hardware (Pre-Configured) |
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| Website Chat Engagement |
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Additional cost |
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| AI-powered Voicemail Transcripts |
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| Unlimited Secure Online Faxing |
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1000 pages incl. |
$14.99/mo |
$18.95/mo |
| Browser-based VoIP Phone Calls |
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| White-glove 10DLC Support |
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Additional costs |
Additional costs |
Additional costs |
Additional costs |
| Email and SSO integrations |
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Google & Microsoft Incl. |
Additional costs |
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| International Calling |
Starts at $0.01/min. |
Starts at $0.01/min. |
Starts at $0.01/min. |
Starts at $0.01/min. |
Starts at $0.01/min. |
| Bulk/Mass Texting |
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Starts at $0.01/msg |
Additional costs |
Additional costs |
Additional costs |
| International Phone Numbers (DIDs) |
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Starts at $5.99/mo |
Additional costs |
Additional costs |
Additional costs |
| Strengths |
Best for small and medium-sized companies with one or more locations and hybrid workforces. |
Ideal for those with global calling needs and limited SMS and faxing needs. |
One-size-fits-all approach to business voice needs and call transcripts. |
Good for complex environments with engineering teams. |
Strong fit for mid-size companies with global calling needs. |
Nextiva is recommended by 92% customers. Rated by 3000+ customers.
Make the move to a communication platform you can count on.
Get started with cloud VoIP in three
easy steps:
Test your network and internet connection
Choose your VoIP apps and hardware
Find a VoIP provider with the right features
Concerned about how much bandwidth a cloud phone system can use? A rule of thumb is about 100 kbps upload and download speeds per line.
Most internet service providers offer gigabit speeds, so your current connection may be fast enough for a VoIP phone system.
Take our VoIP speed test to check for potential call quality issues.
Convert your existing analog telephone to a SIP phone with an ATA. Or, purchase a hard phone.
VoIP hard phones are similar to traditional phones but let you connect to an IP network. You can easily get a SIP-enabled hard phone under $100.
You can also use a softphone, which lets you make and receive phone calls from your computer, smartphone, or tablet. It works like any VoIP app.
Nextiva is rated Best Business Phone Service in 2023‑24 by U.S. News and is known for unparalleled customer service.
We’ll gladly handle everything for you in the transition. With our award-winning Amazing Service®, we’re here to help your business grow long-term.
Customers love us.
What led us to looking for a new business phone was the efficiencies of Nextiva. The cost, capabilities, call recording, call groups, and being able to do the attendants and receptionist.
Phat Scooters
I can’t really say enough about the support. Nextiva is top-notch when it comes to any issues that I have. It is thorough, it is responsive, and it’s professional.
Shelby American
Communication is everything. The key reason we reached out to Nextiva is that we needed a bigger system than what we had.
Veterans Home Care
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Cloud-based VoIP FAQs
How do cloud VoIP services work?
Hosted VoIP service manages your company’s calls with a trusted phone service provider like Nextiva.
Since your phone system is in the cloud, you can instantly add users, set up advanced features, change your phone service, and manage how you want to handle incoming calls anytime.
With Nextiva, small businesses and enterprises can streamline business communications into one platform.
Can I keep my existing phone numbers?
Yes, you can keep your existing phone numbers with Nextiva’s cloud-based phone system. The process of transferring numbers is known as porting. You can port landline, toll-free, cell phone, VoIP, and virtual phone numbers.
Nextiva includes complimentary porting with every account. We’ll guide you through every step to ensure you transfer your number successfully.
Watch this short video to learn how to use your existing phone numbers with Nextiva:
To get a new business phone number, you can choose them during account setup. Nextiva accounts also get a toll-free number at no charge.
How many phone lines do I need?
We recommend selecting the number of lines you plan to use within the next year. Offering dedicated lines for sales, customer support, and remote employees is a good idea.
Don’t forget to provide lines for meeting rooms, private offices, and other workspaces your company uses. If you advertise on the radio or on billboards, these phone lines can track response rates and route calls directly to your sales team.
Learn more about how many phone lines your business needs in this helpful blog post.
What does cloud-based PBX mean?
A cloud-based PBX provides phone connectivity for an organization through the internet instead of a local server or a traditional phone solution.
This type of hosted PBX is different. You get the modern telephony features you want without the hassles of setup, infrastructure, or configuring every UCaaS feature along the way.
Companies that switch to cloud-based VoIP experience lower costs and instant access to dozens of advanced features. This includes call routing, voicemail transcription, SMS, IVR, etc.
Cloud-based VoIP service works with nearly all of today’s VoIP desk phones and can be used with a downloadable app. (NextivaONE is a free business phone app for Nextiva users.)
How do I get a business phone number?
A phone number says a lot about your company.
It’s easy to get a business phone number from Nextiva. While setting up your phone system, you can pick out one or more phone numbers for your company. It’s interactive, so you provide a location, and you can pick out your new phone numbers in seconds.
Watch this short video to see how to get a business phone number:
If you need time to think about it, you can select a new business phone number while speaking with one of our cloud communication experts.
Reach us via online chat or by dialing 1-800-799-0600. Rest assured that you can always change your number later.
How reliable is cloud-based VoIP?
For a cloud-based VoIP service, uptime depends on the VoIP provider, its carriers, and the reliability of the devices installed.
With broadband internet connections widely available, including 4G and 5G cellular coverage, you’ll have continuous availability and coverage 24/7.
Cloud PBX providers like Nextiva have a redundant network of data centers. These servers, also known as Points of Presence (often called “POPs”), are equipped with active monitoring and automatic failover.
Nextiva’s superior 99.999% uptime is possible from eight strategically located data centers. You won’t need to think about it because downtime practically never happens.