If real-time communication is a must in your sales process, a phone system that integrates well with your CRM will help seal deals. And let’s face it, the competition never sleeps, so your stack has to make selling as easy as possible.
If you’re here, you’re either looking for a phone tool for better communication, or OpenPhone isn’t cutting it. Read on to discover why people switch from OpenPhone or skip ahead to the best alternatives for your small business.
5 Whys Behind an OpenPhone Alternative Search
OpenPhone pitches itself as “the best phone system for teams.” After all, you can make calls, send texts, and keep your contacts tidy, all in one app—across Mac, Windows, Web, iOS, and Android.
Sounds decent, right? Well, here’s the catch: despite its slick interface and all-in-one convenience, some users think it doesn’t quite hit the mark.
Why are folks looking elsewhere?
There are two key culprits: bugs and not-so-great support. So we’d say the devil is in the details, or, in this case, the usability issues. Let’s jump into the details.
1. Technical Bugs
First off, no software is perfect—we get that. A hiccup here and there? Totally fine. But when it's one of those days that turns into most days, that's a bit of a red flag, right?
With OpenPhone, users frequently encounter issues such as mistakenly placing in the wrong workgroups, dropped calls, and poor call quality.
For example, a G2 reviewer says: “Sometimes the web app is buggy, and some text messages don't show up, but it is fixed after a manual refresh.”
On Product Hunt, users state, “After using it for a few months, I was plagued with more and more bugs. To name a few, scheduled messages not being sent, loss of all contacts I had created except for four, not being able to use the app for a business day and more.”
These are pretty serious bugs that can hinder sales team ops.
2. Inconsistent Customer Support
At Close, we're big believers that customer support should always be reliable. As we said before, minor bugs here and there aren't the end of the world, especially when support is just a quick message away.
But when tech glitches meet, so-so support? Yeah, that's a worse scenario.
And indeed, OpenPhone users have mixed feelings about support. Some new reviews say: “Live tech support is not available. However, for the few times we have had issues, it really took no longer to get the problem corrected than it did with other vendors that did have live support.”
Other comments are more negative, like this example: “Terrible customer service. They banned my account without any reason, even though I haven't used the number yet.”
Some users point out the turnaround time as a common problem: “The communication could be a little bit better. They reply with warmth, but it takes a little bit of time. The time to reply could be better.”
3. Notification and Feature Gaps
OpenPhone's sleek interface might look good, but missing basic features can frustrate users. Common complaints include notification issues, calls skipping to voicemail, and a lack of a mute option during calls.
Plus, there's a cap on mass messaging, limiting it to nine lines, complicating sending bulk communications like surveys or feedback without third-party help. These feature gaps can hinder business communications and frustrate those needing robust functionality.
4. Privacy and Security Concerns
With new data privacy laws popping up globally, privacy by default is table stakes. OpenPhone users have pointed out some privacy gaps, like everyone seeing the owner's details, which isn't ideal for keeping sensitive info under wraps.
On the other hand, security-wise, OpenPhone has introduced two-step verification, which is great. At the same time, some of these new developments around security caused delays in the number porting process, where users transfer their phones from one service provider to another.
5. Limited Number of Native Integrations
OpenPhone offers some useful native integrations like Zapier, HubSpot, and Slack. However, it falls short when you want to connect with other tools in your sales stack. For example, it doesn’t natively integrate with Close, Zoho, or Pipedrive.
Given that OpenPhone positions itself as a do-it-all chat hub, its limited CRM connectivity could slow you down when you're trying to track leads, manage sales pipelines, or automate emails.
If you're looking for a tool that smoothly blends phone systems with CRM, you might look for a more integrated solution. After all, it’s more convenient to have both under one roof, right?
9 Best OpenPhone Alternatives for Small Businesses in 2024
We've sifted through a ton of reviews of OpenPhone, and it's clear that many small business owners still think this tool can work for their team. But if you’re feeling like OpenPhone isn’t a great fix, it’s time to consider your options.
1. Close: Best for Small Businesses Who Want to Integrate Calling in Their CRM
Main Features:
- Sales pipeline management: Track and manage sales processes with customizable pipelines.
- Built-in calling and SMS capabilities: Integrate voice and text communication directly within the CRM.
- Inbound and outbound calling features: If your team does heavy outbound calling, you'll shave hours off your workflow with the Power and Predictive Dialers in Close. For inbound calling, seamlessly connect callers to the right human with integrated phone menu and call routing for group phone numbers. Add all these advanced features to your Close plan at just $19 per month.
- Sales workflow automation: Automate your workflows and track engagement to improve outreach efforts.
Pricing:pre
- Startup Plan: $49 per user per month, billed annually
- Professional Plan: $99 per user per month, billed annually
- Enterprise Plan: $139 per user per month, billed annually
Close CRM is great for small biz owners and sales folks who don’t want to juggle multiple B2B sales tools. With built-in calling, messaging, and many integrations, it handles high call volumes directly through the CRM.
Close is your go-to if you’re making over 50 calls a day and need to track each interaction. Plus, we heard some rumors that our customer support actually knows what they’re talking about, jumping in fast when you need them.
2. Dialpad AI Voice: Best for Small Biz That Wants AI-Driven Communication
Main Features:
- Multi-level auto attendant: Directs callers automatically to appropriate departments or personnel, optimizing call flow without human touch.
- Custom call routing: Tailors how incoming calls are managed based on predefined rules, ensuring efficient handling based on caller, time, and other criteria.
- Visual voicemail with transcription: Displays voicemails in a list format with the option for text transcriptions, allowing for quick assessment and response without audio playback.
Pricing (only for AI Voice):
- Standard plan: $15 user per month, billed annually
- Pro plan: $25 user per month, billed annually
- Enterprise plan: Not shared
- Paid add-ons:
- Additional international or toll-free numbers: Starting at $15
- Additional local numbers: Starting at $5
Dialpad AI offers AI Voice for customer connections, AI Contact Center for customer satisfaction, and AI Sales Center for onboarding and deals, blending customer engagement with AI-driven communication.
Pricing starts affordably at $25/month but can hike with add-ons. It's a great tool for AI enthusiasts, but it might not suit those preferring simplicity.
3. CloudTalk: Best for International Teams That Need a Stable Caller Tool
Main Features:
- Call flow designer: Allows for the creation of flexible call flows.
- Integration capabilities: Compatible with various CRMs and ticketing systems
- Multi-device support: Accessible on various devices, including PCs, smartphones, and tablets.
Pricing:
- Starter: $25 per month, per user, billed annually
- Essential: $30 per month, per user, billed annually
- Expert: $50 per month, per user, billed annually
- Custom: Upon request
CloudTalk is a solid pick for small businesses wanting a reliable calling tool. The basic plan covers calls to 160+ countries, unlimited inbound and intracompany calls, call queuing, and a mobile app.
But to integrate with other software, you'll need the Expert plan (already at Close’s first-tier price level). While call quality is good, the mobile app has occasional tech hiccups.
4. GoTo Connect: Best for SMBs That Want to Combine Phone System and CX Software
Main Features:
- Dial plans: Allows for flexible and complex call routing options.
- Admin portal: An intuitive management platform for overseeing call flows and system settings.
- VoIP and physical device support: Supports both software-based softphones and physical devices, enabling flexible communication across various platforms.
Pricing (from G2):
- Basic plan: Starting at $27.00 for 1 User, per month
- Standard plan: Starting at $32.00, 1 User, per month
GoTo offers various tools, from business phone systems to video conferencing and webinars. GoTo Connect is a solid cloud phone system with secure voice, video, and chat to boost customer engagement. While it integrates with major CRMs and Zapier, it lacks numerous native integrations for a flexible sales stack.
5. MightyCall: Best for Small Businesses that Want a Flexible Call Center Solution
Main Features:
- Call flow: Flexible and customizable call routing to ensure calls are directed correctly.
- Call monitoring: You can oversee and manage calls effectively.
- Call analytics: Offers insights and data on call patterns and usage.
Pricing:
- Core plan: $15 per user, per month, billed annually (three-user minimum)
- Pro plan: $23 per user, per month, billed annually (three-user minimum)
- Power plan: $30 per user, per month, billed annually (three-user minimum)
- Enterprise plan: Get a quote
We liked MightyCall because even the cheapest plan gives you a "mighty" business phone system to keep customer communication on point. It's great for small businesses, though its native integrations are quite limited. Despite occasional call stability issues, their solid support and easy setup make up for it.
6. Grasshopper: Best for the Solopreneurs Who Want Simplicity
Main Features:
- Voicemail to text: Transcribes voicemail messages to text for easier review.
- Call forwarding: Enables routing of incoming calls to any phone number or device, ensuring no calls are missed, regardless of location.
- Automatic text messaging: Allows sending of auto-reply texts to missed calls, enhancing customer communication.
Pricing:
- True Solo: $14 per user, per month, billed annually
- Solo Plus: $25 per unlimited users, per month, billed annually
- Small Business: $55 per unlimited users, per month, billed annually
If we were a one-man (or woman) band type of business, we’d consider going with Grasshopper. It's straightforward, user-friendly, and great for solopreneurs.
But while you’re running your business solo, you may not want to pay $9 per additional phone number. There are a few drawbacks, like less-than-stellar customer support and security issues (and it works only in the US and Canada).
7. Ring4: Best if You Want an Easy Business Communication Setup
Main Features:
- Video conferencing: Includes a simple, browser-based video conferencing system that doesn’t require software downloads.
- International functionality: Gives reliable service even when users are abroad, making it suitable for international business operations.
- Centralized communication: Allows multiple phone lines and messaging management from a single interface.
Pricing:
- Personal: $15 per number per month
- Business: $49 per shared number per month
- Second phone line service for individuals: $15 per month
Ring4 is incredibly easy to set up and use, making it a great pick for those who value simplicity. Small businesses appreciate its instant video conferencing capabilities.
However, its fixed settings can be limiting, so it might not suit larger organizations or those needing advanced customization. If straightforward functionality is your priority, Ring4 is a decent choice.
8. Nextiva: Best for Businesses That Want a Full Blown Customer Experience Management Suite
Main Features:
- Voice: VoIP services for clear and reliable voice communications.
- Video: Integrates video conferencing capabilities so you get convenient virtual meetings.
- SMS and messengers: Managing messages across various platforms through one tool.
Pricing (for Customer Conversation Suite):
- Essential: $18.95 per user, per month, billed annually
- Professional: $22.95 per user, per month, billed annually
- Enterprise: $32.95 per user, per month, billed annually
Nextiva is an affordable option for your business phone system, offering calls, texts, and video all in one place. It's straightforward and flexible for sales and support teams but might not be ideal if you need a combined CRM and calling tool. There are better—and potentially more affordable—options for those needs.
9. Google Voice for Business: Best for Businesses that Want to Extend Their Google Workspace Suite with Calling
Main Features:
- Voicemail transcription: Automatically converts your voicemails into readable text, saving you time and making it easier to stay on top of missed calls.
- Google Meet integration: Allows you to switch from audio calls to video meetings easily.
- Multi-level auto attendant: Directs incoming calls to the right person or department through a customizable menu system.
Pricing:
- Starter: $10 per user per month
- Standard: $20 per user per month
- Premier: $30 per user per month
Google Voice for Business integrates with Google Workspace, making it a strong addition to your business phone setup. It's affordable and handles calls, texts, and videos well.
Need an OpenPhone Alternative? Why Not Combine Your Phone With Your CRM?
That would be it! We've listed some nice options, but at the end of the day, they’re just calling tools. Your sales operations are most efficient when you stay within one tool. So, if you want the convenience of calling and CRM at a good price, check out Close.
Try our 14-day free trial. The less you switch between tasks and tools, the more productive you are, and the better you’ll be at closing deals and making money.
