Shoppers around the world are on the hunt for value. They’re looking to snag a great deal on products and save time getting answers to their support questions. Shoppers are taking advantage of more channels than ever before, and they expect instant access to answers. But as new channels become available, many customers still find that calling businesses is the fastest path to resolution.
Phone support consistently has the highest ratings for customer satisfaction. In fact, more than 76% of customers say they prefer phone calls when they need help. In addition, a whopping 89% of service representatives say phones will always be used for customer service, with 76% of reps adding that they also prefer phone calls when handling complex cases.
To say voice matters in your communications strategy is the understatement of the year. As with everything else, this channel is evolving. To help you manage these changes, here’s a list of the top 18 SIP trunking providers best suited for SMBs.
The Top 18 SIP Trunking Providers for SMBs
- Broadvoice
- Twilio
- 8×8
- RingCentral
- Nextiva
- Vonage
- Bandwidth
- SIP.US
- Net2Phone
- Callcentric
- Unitel Voice SIP
- 1-VoIP
- Plivo
- AlliancePhones
- Fusion Connect
- Telnyx
- Insider Telecom
- Monster VoIP
1. Broadvoice
Top Features:
- Call recording
- Flexible pricing
- Virtual fax
- Auto attendant
- International DIDs
- Call analytics
- Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
- Call bursting
- Multi-layer 4G failover
- Unified administration
About Broadvoice: We might be biased, but we have some of the best SIP trunking features on the market. In fact, we’ve been recognized for being the best SIP provider thanks to our global unlimited calling. Our features meet your table stakes needs, but we tend to win deals because of our 24/7 U.S.-based service and support. Plus, we have flexible “pay for what you need” pricing, which makes us a strong option for SMBs.
2. Twilio
Top Features:
- Scalability
- Flexible pricing
- Unlimited concurrent calling
- International functionality
About Twilio: Twilio’s Elastic SIP trunking service automatically scales to meet your needs with unlimited capacity. The solution also has centralized global provisioning and management for consistent service.
3. 8×8
Top Features:
- A flat monthly fee
- Easy scalability
- Cloud-based
- Flexible pricing
About 8×8: Known for its reliable service and global reach, 8×8 gives users a range of communication tools. They streamline systems so you can sync your existing accounts with 8×8 or create one in their system.
4. RingCentral
Top Features:
- Toll-free numbers
- Multiple DIDs
- e911
- PSTN forwarding
- Automatic failover
- Disaster recovery
- International numbers
About RingCentral: RingCentral MVP is an extensive cloud-based trunk provider that helps optimize your business communications. Your team can work remotely with enterprise-class voice, fax, texting, and video capabilities.
5. Nextiva
Top Features:
- Online management
- Fraud mitigation
- Automatic failover
- Detailed call records
- e911
About Nextiva: Nextiva offers customers a range of unified communications services and features. They have redundant servers that provide low-latency connectivity with multiple call routes, and they focus on simplicity for IT managers so they can get up and running on the solution quickly.
6. Vonage
Top Features:
- Automatic, location-based routing
- PBX compatibility
- Programmable SIP
- Multi-codec support
- TLS support
About Vonage: Vonage has a variety of features, such as mobility, conferencing, and integrations with top cloud applications. It’s also available in several plans and packages to fit your unique business needs.
7. Bandwidth
Top Features:
- Flexible pricing
- Access to dedicated launch teams
- e911
- 24/7 support
About Bandwidth: Bandwidth offers voice, messaging, and management for a limitless amount of phone numbers. Their APIs cut out the middleman, giving you a partner invested in the success of your business communications.
8. SIP.US
Top Features:
- Flexible configuration
- Easy-to-use panel
- Fast set-up
- Microsoft Teams integration
- Redundant network
About SIP.US: SIP.US focuses exclusively on SIP trunking services, so they understand SIP trunking and related IP technologies. While their services are limited, their expertise is not.
9. Net2Phone
Top Features:
- Free nationwide and international business calling
- Voice encryption with TLS and SRTP
About Net2Phone: Net2Phone delivers SaaS-based business VoIP communications and call analytics solutions to Canadian businesses. Net2Phone offers the highest-quality Polycom phone systems, a sophisticated feature set, integrations with various CRM platforms, in-depth call analytics, and HD video conferencing with an exclusive focus on VoIP and SIP trunking for businesses.
10. Callcentric
Top Features:
- Pay-per-call rate plans
- DIDs in the U.S., Canada, and 35 other countries
- Call filtering for spam
- Sub-accounts
- Block telemarketing calls
- Unlimited in-network calling
About Callcentric: Callcentric is known for its straightforward pricing and expertise in SIP trunking. They’re a no-frills option designed for small businesses.
11. Unitel Voice SIP
Top Features:
- Speedy set-up
- U.S.-based support
- Domestic management
About Unitel Voice SIP: Unitel Voice offers low-cost, high-quality SIP trunking for small businesses and call centers. It’s great if your business needs affordable SIP pricing for local and toll-free numbers.
12. 1-VoIP
Top Features:
- Flexibility
- U.S.-based support
- Unlimited on-net calling
- Unlimited call paths
- Virtual numbers
About 1-VoIP: This SIP trunking provider offers unlimited incoming minutes in multiple areas and simultaneous calls. 1-VoIP holds a clear advantage over other business trunking providers because of its integration with the anti-spam software Nomorobo.
13. Plivo
Top Features:
- Global infrastructure
- High availability and uptime
- Unlimited concurrent outbound calling
- Instant number provisioning
About Plivo: Plivo offers outbound calling in 195 countries, inbound calling in 70+ countries, and no minimum commitment. Their PoPs are located in six regions across five continents to ensure you experience low latency and high voice quality.
14. AlliancePhones
Top Features:
- Instant number provisioning
- Nationwide coverage
- Automatic failover
- Geo-redundant servers
About AlliancePhones: AlliancePhones offers a variety of different features with all-inclusive plans. If your business has a limited budget and low call volume, this provider has metered plans that give you access to all the bells and whistles at affordable prices.
15. Fusion Connect
Top Features:
- Flat rate pricing
- A variety of add-on features
- Unlimited inbound, outbound local, on-net, and domestic long-distance calling
About Fusion Connect: Fusion Connect pins your company registration to a specific IP address to help stop fraud due to enrollment from other locations. Businesses can improve their communications by using additional call sessions above their purchased amount during peak call times.
16. Telnyx
Top Features:
- Real-time analytics
- Call flow visualization
- SIP ladder exporting
About Telnyx: Telnyx was created to be customized to fit your needs. It was designed to optimize for quality calls, messaging, and data with a focus on real-time communications.
17. Insider Telecom
Top Features:
- Conference calling
- Caller ID
- Call forwarding
- Auto attendant
About Insider Telecom: Focused on helping small U.S.-based businesses, Insider Telecom provides you with what you need to reduce your upfront costs. While they offer standard features but no integrations, they boast a top-notch support team.
18. Monster VoIP
Top Features:
- Flexibility
- Compatibility with any PBX system
- e911
- On-site redundancy and dynamic failover
About Monster VoIP: Monster VoIP is an auto attendant that operates through a digital receptionist. It was designed with a focus on real-time communications and quality calls, messaging, and data.
Key Considerations
1. Reliability and Uptime
Look for a SIP trunking provider with a strong reputation for reliability. Downtime can significantly impact your operations, so finding a vendor with high service reliability (preferably with an SLA) is important.
2. Scalability and Flexibility
Small businesses are dynamic, which means your communication needs may change. Choose a provider that can evolve alongside your business. Check to make sure your provider can easily upgrade or downgrade based on your needs.
3. Quality of Service (QoS) and Redundancy
The quality of your voice and data transmission is crucial for effective communication. Be sure to assess your provider’s commitment to QoS and redundancy. Consider things like call clarity, latency, failovers, and connection reliability.
4. Security and Compliance
Security is a top priority when handling voice and data transmissions, so you have to ensure your provider takes it seriously. Look for features like encryption, firewall protection, and secure transmission protocols. Make sure they comply with any industry regulations and standards such as HIPAA and GDPR.
5. Customer Support
When you have a technical issue or question, getting help should be easy. Assess your provider’s level of support by looking at their available channels and response times. Review their terms and SLAs to make sure you understand the commitments and remedies in case of service disruption.
To learn more about SIP trunking and finding the right provider for your business, check out our guide to SIP trunking.