Best Business Phone Systems

Telstra Cloud Calling gives Australian businesses a carrier-based option for internet calling. Its Cloud Calling for Business service belongs within Telstra’s broader collaboration offering, with package choices affecting the tools available. It is relevant when a business values an Australian telecommunications relationship, although buyers should compare the specific service rather than assume Telstra products work identically.

• Compare the phone lines, number arrangements and call destinations required by your business. Routing and virtual-number options have service conditions, so demonstrate the incoming call flow before ordering.
• Check app access, compatible devices and any Webex options included or purchased separately. Recording, collaboration and integration requirements should be assessed against the exact configuration offered in your quote.
• Confirm number portability, installation, support and ongoing charges. Review internet and power dependencies, emergency calling arrangements and the migration plan for equipment using your line.

Our view: A practical starting point when an Australian carrier relationship matters.

Microsoft Teams Phone adds business telephone capabilities to Teams for Australian organisations. It differs from ordinary Teams meetings and internal calls. Phone Standard requires an eligible Teams licence and a suitable connection to the public telephone network, making licence and carrier choices central to the comparison. Buyers should assess the complete arrangement.

• Use Teams applications for business calls, with auto attendants and queues configured for work. Confirm the features required by reception staff, shared numbers and employees working away from the office.
• Compare Microsoft calling arrangements, Operator Connect or Direct Routing where appropriate. Number availability, carrier charges and support responsibilities depend on the chosen route and applicable service conditions.
• Review devices, recording, premium features and AI eligibility separately. Test call routing and mobile use, and verify number migration, emergency location requirements and resilience during internet or power interruptions.

Our view: A logical shortlist choice for established Teams users.

RingCentral RingEX provides Australian businesses with a cloud communications platform combining business calling and collaboration. Its Australian packages should be checked directly because plan names, inclusions and optional services can change. It is relevant when an organisation wants calling within a broader workspace, rather than a sales dialler or single-line service.

• Compare phone numbers, call routing, voicemail and desktop or mobile access against the way staff handle enquiries. Demonstrate shared numbers, transfers and after-hours arrangements before selecting a package.
• Integrations, recordings, analytics and AI options have tier or add-on conditions. Confirm the exact capabilities included and whether any contact centre or receptionist requirements involve a separate product.
• Review Australian calling allowances, SMS availability, additional numbers and contract terms. Trial audio quality and integrations, and confirm porting, emergency calling arrangements, retention and support responsibilities before moving existing services.

Our view: A useful comparison when unified communications are important.

Zoom Phone brings cloud business calling into the Zoom environment for Australian businesses. It is distinct from Zoom Workplace video meetings, so an meeting subscription does not automatically provide telephone service. Australian regional calling packages and number arrangements make it relevant to organisations wanting telephone calls alongside their Zoom workflows.

• Use supported desktop and mobile applications to make and receive calls. Auto receptionists, queues and voicemail can organise incoming enquiries, with administrator configuration required for the intended business workflow.
• Compare Australian calling allowances, SMS eligibility and recording options. AI capabilities and related products have licence conditions, so check the complete package rather than assuming every Zoom feature is included.
• Test transfers, mobile access and call quality. Confirm number-porting eligibility, renewal terms and additional usage costs, and review emergency calling requirements and alternative contact arrangements during outages.

Our view: A practical shortlist option for businesses already invested in Zoom.

8×8 Work offers Australian businesses a unified communications option bringing voice and collaboration together. Its packages and commercial arrangements should be confirmed through the Australian offering rather than overseas pricing. It is relevant when a business wants a communications platform for teams with international requirements, although calling destinations and exclusions must be assessed carefully.

• Compare business numbers, routing, voicemail and application access against your workflow. Ask for a demonstration of shared lines, transfers and queues with the package proposed.
• Check CRM connections, recording and advanced reporting requirements. These features have package conditions, and contact centre functionality should be assessed separately where your operation needs more specialised customer handling.
• Request a complete quote covering users, destinations, additional numbers and implementation. Review porting, support, emergency calling, retention and internet dependencies, and test the integrations and devices required by staff.

Our view: Worth comparing when unified communications and broader calling requirements matter.

Dialpad Connect provides Australian businesses with calling and collaboration within Dialpad’s platform. It is relevant when a team wants to compare conventional phone functions alongside transcription and AI-assisted capabilities. Buyers should distinguish Connect from Dialpad’s sales, support and AI Agent products, since a subscription to one product does not automatically establish access to every capability.

• Compare business numbers, routing, voicemail and desktop or mobile access. Demonstrate the transfer workflow staff need, including the handling of unanswered calls and after-hours enquiries.
• Review transcription, summaries and integrations for the selected package. AI output can contain errors, so assess its usefulness alongside permissions, recording consent, retention and staff review requirements.
• Confirm Australian call allowances, SMS support and minimum licences directly. Trial quality and integrations, and compare the total quoted cost, porting arrangements, emergency calling requirements and any separately priced products.

Our view: A useful shortlist option when AI-assisted calling warrants evaluation.

Aircall offers Australian businesses a phone platform oriented towards customer conversations and connections with CRM or helpdesk systems. Its Essentials and higher packages provide different workflow capabilities, with minimum licence requirements affecting the starting cost. It is relevant for sales and support teams wanting call activity connected to customer information, rather than a replacement line.

• Use call flows, IVR and business-hours settings to direct enquiries. Desktop and mobile applications support staff calling, while integration setup determines how conversations connect with your customer records.
• Compare recording, transcription, reporting and more advanced routing against the selected tier. AI allowances and additional usage have conditions, so model realistic volumes before deciding on a package.
• Review Australian calling allowances, SMS rates, number charges and minimum licences. Test integrations and quality, and confirm porting, privacy, retention, emergency calling limitations and alternative arrangements during outages.

Our view: Worth comparing for CRM-connected sales and support operations.

CloudTalk provides Australian numbers and a calling platform oriented towards sales and customer support workflows. Its entry and higher tiers differ in routing, integrations and advanced tools, making configuration important. Australian buyers should assess local call charges directly: advertised US or Canadian inclusions should not be treated as an Australian calling allowance or a local quotation.

• Compare IVR, voicemail, business-hours routing and application access against incoming enquiry handling. Check number types and documentation requirements before assuming each number option is available.
• Assess CRM connections, recording, reporting and AI tools for the selected tier. Additional numbers, usage and advanced features can affect costs, so compare the actual package with call volumes.
• Trial call quality and integrations, and review retention, recording consent and permissions. Confirm porting, emergency calling limitations and outage alternatives before using it as your business telephone service.

Our view: A useful comparison for teams needing structured calling workflows.