RingCentral is one of the most popular VoIP platforms on the market. It offers advanced solutions, including text, voice, and video communications, and its versatile apps are attractive and easy to use.
It offers advanced reporting and analytics, as well as app integrations with a variety of third-party platforms. In short, RingCentral is a valuable option for businesses of all sizes that need advanced VoIP solutions.
PROS
- Free trial
- Third-party integrations
- Excellent mobile apps
CONS
- A bit expensive
- Basic plan is limited
Overview
How RingCentral Works
RingCentral Available Features
RingCentral MVP is a popular VoIP system with a wide range of features designed for businesses of all sizes.
Versatile Communication Solutions
RingCentral MVP offers comprehensive messaging, audio calling, and video conferencing capabilities. It’s available for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices and supports teams of over 1,000 users. The apps are attractive and easy to use, with modern user interfaces and a variety of tools.
A Choice of Phone Numbers
When you start using RingCentral, you can choose from a wide range of phone numbers. There are over 200 area codes available, as well as a variety of toll-free and blank numbers. More advanced plans also allow you to add virtual numbers from over 100 different countries.
Administration Tools
The RingCentral business phone system has a variety of built-in management features. These include an auto attendant, pre-installed music, greetings, and call monitoring tools. You can assign access permissions to employees, and there are various data and analytics tools available to monitor their performance.
Visual Voicemail
RingCentral’s visual voicemail tool offers accurate text-to-text voicemail solutions. This is a useful option for those who can’t listen to audio messages all the time, as it lets them know who’s trying to call and why.
Security and Reliability
RingCentral is known for its excellent security systems. It uses a variety of security methods, including physical data center security and digital security, so your sensitive data is never compromised.
For example, all transmissions are protected by encryption and Transport Layer Security (TLS), ensuring they are tamper-proof. The upcoming addition of zero-knowledge encryption has been announced, adding an extra layer of protection for companies handling highly sensitive data.
The entire infrastructure is protected by advanced software and network security measures. These include powerful firewalls, multi-factor authentication for administrative personnel, proactive system monitoring, and advanced intrusion detection systems.
To back up its built-in security procedures, RingCentral holds several security certifications, including ISO 27001, ISO 27017, and ISO 27018, which address data security. It is also fully compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). However, you must contact RingCentral and request an affiliate agreement to use it.
RingCentral Integrations
RingCentral offers a wide range of integrations through its native App Gallery, where you’ll find apps for everything from video conferencing to collaboration and marketing automation.
All apps are neatly categorized and have a search box that you can use to find specific options. For example, a quick look at the customer relationship management (CRM) category reveals 94 apps. Here, you’ll find integrations with many popular CRM systems, including Salesforce, Zendesk, ServiceNow, and Zoho CRM. There are also options for everything from productivity and workflow management to instant messaging and email marketing.
Another feature is RingCentral’s developer tools. In the RingCentral developer center, you’ll find the documentation and tools you need to create your own integrations and connect RingCentral with your company’s other productivity apps. Of course, you’ll need advanced programming skills for this.
There’s also a portal that allows you to submit a development request. If you think there’s an integration with a popular platform that could be useful, you can suggest it here.
RingCentral App
The RingCentral mobile app is available for iOS and Android devices. It’s very well designed and easy to learn, although we found it a bit confusing. It supports messaging, voice calls, and video conferencing.
The RingCentral app has other tools that make it truly unique. You can schedule meetings, make calls over your carrier’s network, manage your contacts, and perform various actions through integrations with third-party apps.
RingCentral Customer Support
RingCentral’s live customer support is limited to 24/7 online and phone tickets. It can take a while to get a response via the online ticket method, but the support agents are generally friendly and knowledgeable.
There’s also a wide selection of self-help resources. The pop-up bubble will take you to a built-in chat bot. Talking to them is a surprisingly effective way to find relevant articles and guides quickly and efficiently.
However, you can also explore the knowledge base yourself. You’ll find everything from video tutorials and tutorials to quick start guides and integration documentation. There’s also a community forum and a comprehensive learning center with internal learning resources.
RingCentral Pricing
Pricing & Special Offers
RingCentral offers four MVP plans (for messaging, video messaging, and phone) designed for enterprise users. Each plan is available for 1 to 999+ users, and the price per user decreases as you add team members. Plus, you’ll save up to 31% with an annual subscription and a free trial that supports up to 5 users.
The most affordable Essentials plan includes phone and messaging for up to 20 users, making it a viable option for small businesses. Prices range from $29.99 to $39.99 per user per month. Monthly costs can be as low as $19.99 when billed annually. You’ll get unlimited calling access to the U.S. and Canada.
By upgrading to the Standard plan ($32.99 to $49.99 per user per month), you can add an unlimited number of users to your VoIP system. It also includes unlimited internet fax, various third-party application integrations, and video conferencing tools for up to 100 participants.
The Premium ($42.99 to $54.99 per user per month) and Ultimate ($52.99 to $69.99 per user per month) plans include more advanced features, such as additional app integrations, developer tools, and real-time analytics.
In addition to its VoIP solutions, RingCentral also offers video and contact center products. A subscription to RingCentral Video Pro lets you host free meetings with up to 100 participants. A subscription to RingCentral Video Pro+ (starting at $14.99 per month) adds several advanced features.
Contact center solutions vary depending on your needs. Pricing is determined on a case-by-case basis, and we recommend consulting with the RingCentral team for more information.
RingCentral’s pricing is similar to many of its major competitors. For example, Grasshopper’s Solo plan starts at $29 per month. However, there are cheaper options, such as Phone by Web.com, which starts at $14.99 per month.
RingCentral vs Vonage
Vonage is another top-tier option that, along with RingCentral, is considered one of the best VoIP service providers on the market. RingCentral is a bit more expensive, but it also offers industry-leading security and integrations with hundreds of third-party apps.
RingCentral vs Grasshopper
Grasshopper is a cheaper alternative to RingCentral, but it’s also much more basic. It doesn’t offer the third-party integrations that RingCentral offers and doesn’t have video calling capabilities. However, it’s still a good option for those who need a basic voice and text VoIP solution.
Ringcentral vs Phone by web.com
Phone by Web.com is a much simpler, simpler VoIP option than RingCentral. The $14.99 subscription fee gives you access to both services, making it a good choice for small businesses. However, it lacks advanced features like video calling, third-party app integration, and a support website.
Bottom Line
Overall, RingCentral MVP offers some of the best business VoIP solutions we’ve seen. It’s a bit pricey, but there are options for everyone from freelancers to large enterprises.
RingCentral does everything professionally. Its security measures leave nothing to chance, it’s available on a variety of mobile and desktop operating systems, and it integrates with hundreds of third-party platforms.
You’ll also benefit from an attractive user interface. Access controls are available for those managing large teams, and the 24/7 phone support team is responsive and knowledgeable. There’s even a selection of user guides and videos to help you get started.
Conclusion: RingCentral is a VoIP option worth considering for businesses of all sizes. We recommend taking advantage of its free trial and trying it out if you need advanced VoIP software that supports video conferencing.
