The 5 Best Hosted PBX Providers for Businesses of All Sizes

Hosted PBX is still one of the fastest-growing Voice over IP (VoIP) services.

In fact, if your organization has decided to outsource your hosted voice services to a vendor, you're part of a growing majority of businesses.

With a private branch exchange (PBX), companies appreciate lower implementation costs, an improved ability to scale phone lines, increased uptime and reliability, and many more benefits. These benefits have led to PBX becoming a necessity.

But if you're looking to switch from plain old telephones (POTs) to Hosted PBX, you don't want to pick a provider that promises the world, only to be underwhelmed by their level of service. After all, you don't want to enter a lengthy contract for a service that doesn't get the job done.

That's why we've compiled a list of the best Hosted PBX providers available today. 

The Top 6 Hosted PBX Providers for Businesses

The best PBX providers for businesses of any size are the ones that deliver easy to use, affordable, and flexible services. But the wisest approach to picking a PBX vendor should involve reviewing providers who service your area and considering the following factors:

• Do you need just plain hosted PBX or full unified business communications?
• How much support do you need to get started and to maintain your phone system?
• Does your business model or industry demand intense attention to security, reliability, and uptime?

• Do you require a communications vendor who is compliant with HIPAA, PCI, or other regulatory measures?

Ultimately, the right PBX for you is the one who offers the right amount of support and flexibility at a price you can afford. If you're not exactly sure what your business requirements are, it may be wise to start your search by talking to an expert.

1. Ring Central

One of the most popular choices for hosted PBX, Ring Central provides low-cost, cloud-based phone systems for companies worldwide. While this organization's offerings primarily consist of VoIP, other services include basic add-on features like mobile call handling, voicemail, and some faxing. There is also the potential to integrate your Ring Central phones with some common business apps, including Box, Dropbox, Google, and others.

Ring Central may be right for you if:

• Ease-of-use is important.
• You need a low-cost, relatively basic Hosted PBX option.

• You are satisfied with your existing business communications aside from VoIP.

2. Vonage Enterprise (Formerly iCore Networks)

iCore Networks, which is now a part of Vonage Business, offers business class VoIP with many of the most popular benefits, including mobility, the potential for contact center services, and video conferencing. This platform can be integrated with Microsoft Exchange, SharePoint, and Lync (now Skype for Business), and offers some additional add-on services if you are interested in unified business communications.

Vonage may be right for you if:

• You are comfortable with committing more technical or fiscal resources towards complex implementations (i.e. contact center).
• You want to pick and choose add-on VoIP services based on their pricing model.

• You want to purchase (or manage your own) optional in-house VoIP training.

3. 8 x 8

8 x 8, much like Ring Central, is a VoIP solution that's designed specifically for ease-of-use and cost-efficiency. Their primary service offerings include business phone systems, Hosted PBX for contact centers, and some limited unified communications offerings. If you're a serious DIY-er, you may like 8 x 8's "Academy" or the fact that their support offerings are heavily focused on online courses on-demand.

8 x 8 may be right for you if:

• You are considering mobile-only VoIP with no handsets.
• You are looking for strong basic VoIP functionality at a low price.

• You have no interest in custom app integration (8 x 8 does NOT offer open APIs).

4. XO Communications

XO is a nationwide provider of "data and IP services," which includes VoIP. A slightly more complex offering than the first three hosted PBX providers listed here, XO focuses on delivering a lower investment cost to businesses with complex telephony needs. Some of their add-on services can include group call handling, mobile consolidation, and flexible call routing.

XO Communications may be right for you if:

• Your organization needs a highly-flexible PBX implementation without the upfront investment of on-premises VoIP.
• You are comfortable signing a long-term contract for hosted PBX services.

• You have limited needs for support based on in-house VoIP expertise.

5. Atlantech Online

Atlantech Online is a trusted provider of unified business communications services, which include hosted PBX for organizations of all sizes. Other complementary business offerings include Internet or Point-to-Point connectivity over fiber, data center, and even inside wiring. Everything you need for business telecommunications can be delivered by Atlantech Online.

Atlantech specializes in security and reliability by keeping their voice communications on their own network as opposed to transmitting calls over the top via public internet connectivity. In addition, customers can access 24/7/365 support from in-house experts.

Atlantech Online may be right for you if:

• You need security, reliability, and business continuity from your PBX host vendor.
• You want expert assistance with implementation and best-of-class support post-implementation.

• You want to appreciate the benefits of unified communications now or in the future.

Why does a full-service provider matter? To learn more, click over to How to Boost Business by Leveraging Unified Business Communications Tools.

Let Us Win Your Business

Atlantech Online specializes in setting companies up with first class business communications. This means we take a no-pressure, sales-pitch-free approach to answering the questions others won't. Whether you're just starting the transition to hosted PBX, or you're looking to upgrade from your current provider, start a complimentary consultation today.