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RingCentral vs. Zoom Comparison
Is RingCentral or Zoom the right business phone system for your small business?
Table of Contents
If you’re in the market for the best business phone system, then Zoom and RingCentral are two names that you’ve probably already encountered. Zoom has become the darling of remote workers, but it also offers a robust phone system. RingCentral started out as a cloud-based business phone service. But, it has expanded to provide multiple communication solutions — including video features similar to Zoom.
In this guide, we compare our Zoom review to our review of RingEX, RingCentral’s business phone offering. Also, we consider which is suitable for small businesses with basic internet telephony needs.
RingCentral vs. Zoom Compared
RingCentral | Zoom | |
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Plans and pricing |
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Phone features |
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Video calling |
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International calling |
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Integrations |
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AI tools |
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Who Do We Recommend RingCentral For?
RingCentral is an established provider of business unified communication services. It offers video conferencing, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and call center phone systems; this includes solutions that allow workers to take calls offsite. RingEX, their business phone system offering, is our choice for companies that have a high call volume and need advanced phone features for team collaboration and communication with customers.
RingCentral’s RingEX makes voice and video calls painless thanks to its unified platform and AI features. Source: RingCentral
Looking for a powerful cloud-based business phone system that enables customers to contact you (and vice versa) wherever they are? Then RingCentral has a definite edge over Zoom. Cloud VoIP is the core of RingCentral’s business; they’ve developed competent video conferencing features and powerful AI tools that make communicating efficiently easier than ever.
RingCentral is also a great choice for businesses with a wide international footprint that require lots of local numbers. The platform includes support in multiple languages. Also, it allows you to set up virtual numbers so your customers can reach you affordably in over 110 countries.
RingEX by RingCentral stands out for these reasons:
- Robust features like call routing and interactive voice response menus for high call volumes.
- Audio conferencing with up to 1,000 attendees.
- Extensive integrations and international calling features.
Who Do We Recommend Zoom For?
We found Zoom Phone, Zoom’s cloud-hosted telephony system, suitable for the needs of most small businesses. However, we think Zoom Phone is best for businesses that make extensive use of Zoom’s other products — especially meetings and webinars. If your company is already running both internal and external communications on this popular communications platform, then it might make sense to opt for its VoIP for business offering too.
Zoom Phone makes calling as easy and intuitive as Zoom’s well-known video conferencing software. Source: Zoom
Businesses can choose to subscribe to either unlimited or pay-as-you-go calling plans. All phone plans include Zoom’s basic video conferencing tools. You can also choose a bundled package with premium video features. Zoom has set the bar for video conferencing. We recommend it for companies that conduct a majority of their communications via video and want to spend less on their phone plan.
Here’s what we love about Zoom Phone:
- Affordable plans that let you pay as you go or get unlimited domestic calling.
- Top-of-the-line video conferencing features, including AI tools with every plan.
- Essential phone features that ensure your team can always stay on top of every call.
RingCentral vs. Zoom Comparison
Still on the fence about which service is best for your business? Let’s go into more detail about these comparisons.
Plans and Pricing
RingCentral
- There are three plans that include a local or toll-free number.
- Unlimited domestic calling and advanced phone features come standard.
- You can add-on additional numbers, international numbers or marketing SMS capabilities.
RingCentral offers three RingEX phone system plans. You can try RingEX free for 14 days; the trial includes most features, but it doesn’t include SMS. All plan prices listed are for monthly payments. RingCentral offers discounted rates for annual payments and custom pricing for businesses with over 100 users.
Here’s an overview of RingEX plans:
Plan | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|
Core | $20 per month, per user ($30 when paid monthly) | Local or toll-free number, 100 toll-free minutes, unlimited calling in the U.S. and Canada, 25 SMS/user/month, IVR, advanced voicemail tools, basic call queues, on-demand call recording, team messaging, unlimited audio conferencing for up to 1,000 attendees, video calls with up to 100 participants, RingSense AI for video, video collaboration tools, unlimited video recording and a developer platform. |
Advanced | $25 per month, per user ($35 when paid monthly) | All Core features plus 1,000 toll-free minutes, 100 SMS/user/month, advanced call queues and routing, automatic call recording, extension codes, call monitoring (whisper, barge, monitor), hot desking, unlimited internet fax, advanced analytics, CRM integrations and industry-specific integrations. |
Ultra | $35 per month, per user ($45 when paid monthly) | All Advanced features plus 10,000 toll-free minutes, 200 SMS/user/month, unlimited storage and video calls with up to 200 participants. |
There are a number of add-on features and functions available with any plan, such as:
- Additional vanity numbers: a one-time $30 fee plus a $4.99 setup fee.
- Additional toll-free or local numbers: $4.99 per month.
- Additional international numbers: starting at $5.99 month/user.
- Additional international toll-free numbers: starting at $14.99 month/user plus a one-time $25 fee.
- High-volume SMS: starting at $0.01 per message.
- RingCentral Webinar: $40 month per organizer.
- RingCX AI Contact Center: $65/user.
Zoom
- You can pay as you go or sign up for unlimited domestic calls.
- There are affordable packages that combine Zoom Phone and premium video features.
- There are add-ons for additional numbers, advanced call center features and global calling.
Zoom has a number of affordable plans and add-ons depending on your phone and video needs. For businesses that don’t use the phone frequently, the pay-as-you-go metered plan is the best option. Otherwise, Zoom offers a plan with unlimited domestic calling. Both plans include access to all of Zoom’s free video services. You also have the option of signing up for a bundle package with unlimited calling and premium video features.
Here’s how the plans break down:
Plan | Price* | Features |
U.S. and Canada Metered | $10 per month, per user | Local number, metered domestic calls, metered international calls, SMS and MMS, AI Companion for Zoom Phone, port numbers, voicemail transcription, IVR, call monitoring (barge, monitor, whisper, takeover), call recording, switch to video, integrations, 24/7 live support and free video features including unlimited meetings up to 40 minutes, 100 participants per meeting, local recording, captions, 3 editable whiteboards, team chat and 10 shareable documents. |
U.S. and Canada Unlimited | $15 per month, per user | Unlimited domestic calls, plus all Metered plan features and add-on for international calls to 19 countries. |
Pro Plus | $18.32 per month, per user ($21.99 when paid monthly) | Zoom Phone U.S. and Canada Unlimited and Zoom Workplace Pro bundle, including all phone features plus unlimited video meetings up to 30 hours, add-on for meetings with 500 or 1,000 participants, AI Companion for video, local or cloud recording, 5GB cloud storage, unlimited clips, docs, streaming and language interpretation. |
Business Plus | $22.49 per month, per user ($26.99 when paid monthly) | Zoom Phone U.S. and Canada Unlimited and Zoom Workplace Business bundle, including all phone and Workplace Pro features plus 300 video participants, unlimited whiteboards, Zoom scheduler, recorded transcripts, visitor management, 10GB storage, translated captions and workspace reservations. |
*Prices listed are for monthly billing. Annual payment pricing is also available.
Zoom also offers some additional calling options and add-ons such as:
- Zoom Phone Global Select: $20 per month/user for unlimited local calling in 1 of over 45 countries.
- Zoom Phone Power Pack: $25 per month for enhanced call queue analytics and historical insights for call center teams.
- Toll-free numbers: $5 per month.
- Additional numbers: $5 per month.
- International calling: $10 per month for unlimited calling to over 15 countries.
Phone Features
RingCentral
- There are extensive features for incoming and outgoing calls.
- Users can access their extension and voicemail from anywhere.
- You can host audio conferences with up to 1,000 people.
We love that the RingCentral app makes calling from anywhere painless, whether on a mobile phone, computer or desk phone. You can design interactive voice response (IVR) systems to set up menus so callers can easily reach the right department. Plus, queues and call routing are painless to implement, keeping things running smoothly during high call volume moments.
You can select a local, toll-free, or vanity number, and also have the option of porting your current number. We appreciate that RingCentral’s hot desking feature lets individual users access their own extension and voicemail all from the main number using any device. Plus, you can seamlessly switch from one device to another while on a call. We especially like the audio conferencing feature that allows up to 1,000 participants.
Zoom
- Zoom Phone is just as competent and reliable as its video service.
- You get a local number but will have to pay for a toll-free number.
- Users can connect from anywhere.
While Zoom is well-known for its video services, we found its phone system to be just as reliable. You get a local number when you sign up, can port your own number or pay for a toll-free number. Similar to RingCentral, you can easily connect to Zoom’s phone services from a computer, mobile device or desk phone.
We found that Zoom Phone includes all the essential features most small businesses need in a phone system. Managing incoming calls is straightforward, as is call collaboration with features like whisper and barge. You can access voicemail from any device and even get transcripts.
Video Calling
RingCentral
- RingCental’s video services with AI assistance are impressive.
- There are multiple tools for collaboration, like unlimited whiteboards.
- You can host up to 200 people in a video conference.
We were impressed with RingCentral’s HD video services, especially that AI features, like transcript and summaries, are included with all plans. All plans also include great collaboration tools, like unlimited whiteboards and breakout rooms. Core and Advanced subscribers get up to 100 participants per meeting, which expands to 200 for Ultra users.
Switching between devices mid-call is simple. Plus, we especially like that you can even jump from an audio call to video with just a click. RingCentral’s Webinar add-on is a great feature for businesses that would find it useful.
Zoom
Zoom offers the highest-quality video and audio compared to the competition. Source: Zoom
- Zoom’s audio and video quality is superior.
- You can host up to 1,000 participants with an add-on.
- Zoom’s well-known video features are included with all plans.
Zoom is one of the leaders in video conferencing, and its services don’t disappoint. We found that Zoom’s audio and video quality is the best in the game. Like RingCentral, jumping from an audio call to video is simple. Plus, hosts can easily invite new guests or create breakout rooms. Also, anyone can join in from any web browser.
While Zoom’s standard video participant limit is 100, we appreciate that the Business Plus plan increases that limit to 300. Plus, either package plan allows you to expand up to 1,000 people for a fee. We especially love the convenient features that Zoom is known for, like virtual backgrounds, screen sharing and noise cancellation.
International Calling
RingCentral
- RingCentral supports 18 languages, plus there are AI-assisted translations.
- You can accept calls from over 110 countries with virtual phone numbers.
- Global RingEX provides PSTN service in 45 countries.
RingCentral’s plans focus on domestic calling in the U.S. and Canada. But, we appreciate that there are multiple solutions for businesses with an international presence. No matter where you do business, communication is made simple with live translations and multilingual phone menus. The RingCentral app can also be used in 18 different languages, so multinational teams can all work from the same platform.
If you operate in the U.S., but have international customers, RingCentral allows you to add-on virtual phone numbers in over 110 countries. We love that people can get in touch without paying for expensive long-distance calls. For companies with foreign offices, you can add-on Global RingEX with PSTN service in 45 different countries. Or, you can bring your own carrier to RingCentral in over 69 countries.
Zoom
- AI translations are available in nine languages.
- Local PSTN numbers are available in 45 countries.
- You can also add-on unlimited international calls in 15 countries.
No matter what plan you choose, Zoom includes international calls with different rates based on the country or region. Similar to RingCentral, you can add-on a local PSTN in 45 countries. So, you can make domestic calls wherever your business operates. Zoom also provides toll-free services in 29 countries and unlimited international calling to over 15 countries. And, global team members can communicate fluidly thanks to AI Companion’s translations into nine different languages.
Integrations
RingCentral
- RingCentral integrates with over 300 external business solutions.
- You can integrate with top SMS marketing and CRM software solutions.
- Not all integrations are available with all plans.
RingCentral’s extensive list of external integrations allows for excellent team collaboration. You can connect the platform with over 300 different business solutions, including the best text messaging marketing services. We appreciate that RingCentral integrates with the best CRM software, like ZenDesk and HubSpot, and industry-specific solutions. But, we would have liked to see these integrations available with all plans.
Zoom
- Integrations for Zoom Phone are limited.
- You can connect with basic tools like Google, Slack and some CRM software.
- Many popular software solutions can’t be integrated.
Compared to RingCentral, Zoom is quite limited in the amount of integrations it offers. Though you’ll be able to connect with most of the essential day-to-day tools your small business uses, like Google, Slack and Microsoft products. We appreciate that Zoom allows for integrations with Salesforce CRM and HubSpot with every plan, but other CRM and popular business solutions are not included.
AI Tools
RingCentral
- RingSense AI is not currently available to all users.
- It includes notes, sentiment analysis, insights and searchable transcripts.
- AI can compose, edit or translate any message.
AI provides summaries, searchable transcripts, sentiment analysis, and useful insights for your video and audio calls. Source: RingCentral
With the launch of RingEx, RingCentral also introduced RingSense AI, a powerful AI assistant. While these features are currently only available to some users, they will soon be available to all RingEx subscribers.
We love that RingSense AI lets you turn all of your calls into actionable data in seconds. You’ll get real-time notes, sentiment analysis, useful insights and personalized highlights for every conversation. AI transcription allows for easy search, and it will even generate answers based on call transcripts. We especially love that AI will compose, edit and even translate any message on the spot.
While AI call features are still being rolled out, all plans already include access to powerful AI video features, like live transcription, background noise reduction, closed captioning, and meeting summaries and highlights.
Zoom
- AI Companion helps you make the most of video and audio calls.
- You get summaries, transcripts, insights, message composition and translations.
- AI will extract important details from unplayed voicemails.
Zoom already includes AI tools that help you leverage useful data and insights from all your phone and video calls. Zoom’s AI Companion provides useful summaries of calls, voicemails and even SMS threads if you purchase the Power Pack add-on. We especially like the voicemail task extraction feature that captures important information from voicemail without you needing to listen to messages.
AI Companion also helps you make the most of your video calls with searchable transcripts and summaries. You can even chat with an AI Companion to catch up on what you’ve missed or get insights based on past meetings. We especially like that you can get real-time translations and even use AI to compose messages with filters for tone and length.
RingCentral vs. Zoom Recap
Choose RingCentral if …
- You want a wide range of phone features from a company with an established reputation for VoIP services.
- Your company needs international calling options and external integrations with top business software solutions.
- You’re looking for a company with highly capable and scalable cloud-hosted communication solutions for voice and video.
Choose Zoom if …
- You want an affordable solution for your unified communication needs.
- Your company needs first-rate video conferencing features and the ability to host hundreds of participants.
- You’re looking for a basic but capable cloud telephony solution that seamlessly integrates with the rest of the Zoom stack.
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