RingCentral is one of the most popular VoIP platforms on the market. It offers advanced solutions including text, voice and video communication, and its versatile applications are attractive and easy to use.
Advanced reporting and analytics are available, and there are app integrations with many third-party platforms. Overall, RingCentral is an option worth considering for businesses of all shapes and sizes that need advanced VoIP solutions.
PROS
- Free trial
- Third Party Integration
- Great 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 for businesses of all shapes and sizes.
Versatile Communication Solutions
RingCentral MVP has full messaging, audio calling, and video conferencing capabilities. It is available on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices and supports large teams of 1,000+ users. The apps are attractive and easy to use, featuring modern user interfaces and many tools.
A Choice of Phone Numbers
When you start using RingCentral, you'll be able to choose from a wide variety of phone numbers. There are over 200 local 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
There are many management features built into the RingCentral business phone system. These include auto attendant, stored music, greetings, and call monitoring tools. You can grant access permissions to employees, and a variety of data and analytics tools are available to monitor their performance.
Visual Voicemail
RingCentral's Visual Voicemail tool provides accurate text-to-text voicemail solutions. This is a useful option for those who cannot listen to audio messages all the time, as it allows them to know who tried 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 cannot be intercepted. It has been announced that zero-knowledge encryption is coming soon, adding another 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 staff, proactive system monitoring, and advanced intrusion detection systems.
To support its built-in security procedures, RingCentral has several security certifications. These include ISO27001, ISO27017 and ISO27018 certifications that 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 has tons 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 clearly categorized and there is a search bar that you can use to find specific options. For example, a quick look at the customer relationship management (CRM) category reveals 94 applications. Here you'll find integrations with many popular CRMs, 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 thing worth noting here is RingCentral's developer tools. In the RingCentral Developers Hub, you'll find the documentation and tools you need to create your own integrations and connect RingCentral with other productivity apps in your business. Of course, you will need a lot of programming knowledge to do this.
There is also a portal that allows you to propose a request for development. If there is an integration with a particularly popular platform that you think could be useful, you can suggest it here.
RingCentral App
The RingCentral mobile app is available for iOS and Android devices. It's pretty well designed and easy to learn to use, although we found it a little confusing. Supports messaging, audio calling and video conferencing.
There are a number of other tools that make the RingCentral app really stand out. You can schedule meetings, make calls using your carrier's network, manage your contacts, and perform various actions through integration with third-party applications.
RingCentral Customer Support
RingCentral live customer support is limited to 24/7 online and phone tickets. It may take some time to get a response using the online ticketing method, but support agents are usually friendly and knowledgeable.
There is also a large selection of self-help resources. A bubble that may appear to open a live chat bubble will take you to the integrated chat bot. Chatting with him 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 guides and tutorials to quick start guides and integration documentation. There is also a community forum as well as a comprehensive learning center with resources for in-house learning.
RingCentral Pricing
Pricing & Special Offers
RingCentral has 4 MVP plans (Messaging, Video, Phone) designed for business users. Each plan is available from 1 to 999+ users, and the price per user drops as you add additional team members. You'll also save up to 31% with an annual subscription and a free trial that supports up to 5 users.
The cheapest Essentials plan includes phone and messaging service 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 for annual billing. You'll have access to unlimited calling within the US and Canada.
Upgrading to the Standard plan ($32.99 to $49.99 per user, per month) allows you to add an unlimited number of users to your VoIP system. It also includes unlimited Internet faxing, a number of integrations with third-party applications, and video conferencing tools that support up to 100 participants.
Premium ($42.99 to $54.99 per user, per month) and Ultimate ($52.99 to $69.99 per user, per month) plans add more advanced tools. These include additional app integrations, various developer tools, and real-time analytics.
Along with its VoIP solutions, RingCentral has video and contact center products. Signing up for RingCentral Video Pro will allow you to host free meetings with up to 100 participants. A subscription to RingCentral Video Pro+ (starting at $14.99 per month) adds a variety of advanced features.
Contact center solutions vary depending on your requirements. Pricing is developed on a case-by-case basis and you should speak to the RingCentral team for more information.
RingCentral is priced similarly to many of its top competitors. For example, Grasshopper's Solo plan starts at $29 per month. However, there are some cheaper options, such as Phone by Web.com, which starts at $14.99 per month.
RingCentral vs Vonage
Vonage is another high-end option that ranks alongside RingCentral as one of the best VoIP service providers on the market. RingCentral is a little more expensive, but it also has industry-leading security and integration 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 does, and there are no video calling features. However, it's still a decent option for those who require a basic VoIP voice and text solution.
Ringcentral vs Phone by web.com
Phone by Web.com is a basic VoIP option that is much simpler than RingCentral. The $14.99 subscription fee provides access to 2 issues, making it a good option for small businesses. However, it lacks advanced features such as video calling, third-party app integration, and a support website.
Bottom Line
Overall, RingCentral MVP offers some of the best enterprise VoIP solutions we've seen. It's a bit pricey, but there are options for everyone from sole traders to enterprise-level companies.
Everything RingCentral does, it does professionally. Its security measures leave nothing to chance, it's available on a selection of mobile and desktop operating systems, and there are integrations with hundreds of third-party platforms.
You will also benefit from attractive user interfaces. Access control is 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.
Bottom line: RingCentral is a VoIP option worth considering for businesses of all shapes and sizes. We suggest you take advantage of its free trial and give it a try if you need an advanced VoIP software that supports video conferencing.