Nowadays, with more and more people working from home, conferencing services are becoming more and more important to the day-to-day functioning of a business. More often than not, service providers offer more than simply cheap conference calls: call recording, visual voicemail, call notes, three-way calling, and other features are increasingly being offered alongside the ability to he conversations with large groups from afar.
In this article, we’ll be talking about the best conference calling services for your business. We’ve based our selections upon a wide variety of criteria, from price to accessibility to reliability – and more!
Nigation:
What is a conference calling? How do conference calling services work? Types of conference calling services Key features to look for in conference call service Top 10 conference call services Best conference calling services: comparison 10 best conference call services: overview How we evaluated the best conference call services Other conferencing services considered Why do you need a conference call service? How to choose a perfect conference calling service Enjoy conference calls with your team What is a conference calling?When you partake in conference calling, you are partaking in a phone call with multiple people being involved. It can be done over the phone or computers. There does not he to be a maximum limit of meeting participants, though three is the lowest for it to be considered a conference call (otherwise, it’s simply a normal telephone call).
Sometimes, such phone calls are also known as teleconferences.
How do conference calling services work?Modern providers of conference call services he made it easier than ever to get connected with your teammates from afar. Nowadays, with modern VoIP technologies, these calls are usually made over the internet, be it a wired connection or a Wi-Fi connection.
Oftentimes these calls can be made over the computer, though some of these phone conferences are of course made through phones. Callers can use headsets, desk phones, laptops, special conference phones, mobile phones, desk phones, or other types of communication software/hardware.
Types of conference calling servicesWhen it comes to conferencing services, there are essentially two types: operator-assisted and reservationless. Though they sometimes are referred to by different names, the two categories are essentially the same:
Operator-assisted: Those of you who made calls before the late 1990s may remember hing an operator. This type of service helps get your teleconference started by getting everyone together via invites, keeps recordings, and controls the flow of speakers. Oftentimes for extremely large calls, or very important ones (or both – for example, a stockholders meeting) will use these types of phone conference services. Reservationless: The one you may be more used to, this type of service simply has the call run totally by you. You invite people and run the entire thing yourself. A normal company meeting may operate using this, for example. Key features to look for in conference call service Transcriptions & Recording: A conference call line with both transcriptions and recordings ensures you never miss key details and can refer back when needed. HD Video & Audio: Clear sound and video prevent disruptions, especially in large calls. Muting: Helps maintain order by eliminating background noise. Breakout Rooms: Enables smaller discussions within a larger meeting. Voice Optimization: Enhances speaker clarity by reducing background noise. Integration with Other Tools: When comparing conferencing call services, check how well they work with your existing tools. File & Data Transfer: Allows real-time sharing of essential documents and materials. Top 10 conference call services MightyCall – Best for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) FreeConferenceCall.com – Top conference calling service for students Zoom – Best for customer support RingCentral – Best for medium to large-sized businesses Nextiva – Best for conference calls on multiple devices Skype – Best for external calls Webex – Best for large businesses GoToMeeting – Best for businesses concerned about call security Microsoft Teams – Best for businesses that like integration Vonage – Best for businesses who need HD-quality calls Best conference calling services: comparison Company Name Free Trial? Starting Price/month* Key Features MightyCall Yes Starts at $15 /mo/user Conference call hosting, Call whisper, Call barging FreeConferenceCall.com No, but the service can be free $0 International conference calls, Call recording, Muting Zoom Yes Starts at $20/mo/user Online whiteboard, 300 participants in a single call, video and audio conferencing services RingCentral Yes $20 Internet and non-internet phones can call in, Call delegation, Call forwarding Nextiva No, but two months currently can be free Starts at $20/mo/user Dial-in number for mobile devices, Auto attendant, Call recording Skype Dependent upon region N/A Easy-to-use calling, 24 hour-long calls, Free calls Webex Yes Starts at $15.30/user/mo Free 40 minute calls on the lowest tier, Voice optimization, Secure lobby GoToMeeting Yes Starts at $14 /mo/user Automatically generated meeting transcripts, Risk-based authentication, Chat rooms with coworkers Microsoft Teams Yes Starts at $8.00/mo/user Integration with Office 365, File sharing, Polling Vonage No (at least none currently listed) Starts at $13.99 Attendee chat, Team whiteboard, Lock meetings * All prices are relevant as of the time of publication. 10 best conference call services: overview 1. MightyCallMightyCall is a VoIP phone service built for small to medium-sized businesses. They he operated at the top of their game for some years now and he built up a reputation as offering a wide variety of features – including conference calling – for an affordable price.
MightyCall VoIP Solution Why we picked itSimply put, MightyCall is the #1 on our list because they offer the widest variety of features and a fantastic ability to integrate conference calls with the rest of the features they offer. The ability to lee notes on phone calls, for example, is helpful when working in a larger company. The quality of call audio is a major plus, as is their reactive and quick support staff. While they offer dozens of features – meaning conference call meetings are not their only priority – it’s enough of one to garner our top spot.
Best forMightyCall is a strong voice conferencing service for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs).
Price Core: from $15 Pro: from $23 Power: from $30 Enterprise: $50 Key features Call whisper Call barging Call center dashboard Roles & permissions Advanced call monitoring Customer serviceAside from their Help Center, MightyCall also offers the ability to open tickets or call their support team directly.
User reviewsG2 Reviews – 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Pros & cons Pros Cons Conference call is easy to set up No desktop client Quality security protocols Focus is primarily on small to medium-sized businesses Clear audio Features like Call Whisper allow for employee oversight Roles & permissions that make sure the access is already ingrained Allows for call notes, making sure everything is kept on recors Auto attendant can manage other callers while you are on a call See MightyCall in action – schedule your personalized demo with our amazing team
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2. FreeConferenceCall.com
FreeConferenceCall.com pretty much focuses on what you’d expect them to focus on: being free. They he put a ton of focus into it (as we’ll get to), earning them our number two spot. There are some downsides – mainly the fact that they essentially only focus on being free – but those do not override their genuinely useful conferencing tools. Though it’s number two on our list, they’re probably the best free conference calling service.
Why we picked itFreeConferenceCall lives up to the name. Their free conference calling service is expansive – up to 1,000 people can be on a call at any given time – and their pricing system, a pay-as-you-go system, is unique. Like MightyCall, FreeConferenceCall is a VoIP system, which makes it accessible and easy to use from practically anywhere.
Best forFreeConferenceCall is fantastic for students and entrepreneurs.
PriceFreeConferenceCall is pay-as-you-go, meaning that you can pay any amount you’d like. Their website has the erage amount listed as $8.21 per month, but you can use their service for free if you do not he anything to spend.
Key features Call recording Muting Pay as you go Customer serviceFreeConferenceCall has one Contact Us page, which seems to be used for company inquiries as well as tickets.
User reviewsG2 Reviews – 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Pros & cons Pros Cons Focus almost exclusively on being a conference calling company Focus on conferencing means less focus on non-conference features Essentially non-existent pricing Not really an option for larger businesses Video conferencing ailable 3. Zoom
After the events of the coronirus pandemic, it’s hard to find anyone who has not heard of Zoom. Exploding into popularity, the now-dominant video service has become known for its ability to speak both one-on-one and with multiple participants, along with the easy way folks can dial in.
Why we picked itZoom is very easy to use and offers solid sound quality. Anyone can download the software relatively easily, and the prices are manageable. Plus, with hundreds of participants being able to be squeezed into a meeting, you can he big and small calls.
Best forZoom is best for small to medium-sized businesses, though solopreneurs can also benefit.
PriceZoom is ailable for free in a stripped-down version. However, they also offer (when billed monthly):
Pro: $20/per user BusinessPlus: $25/per user Key features Online whiteboard 300 participants in a single call Video and audio conferencing Conversation analysis Customer serviceZoom offers a Support page with articles about the service and a place to create an online ticket. Licensed Zoom users can also call Support for help.
User reviewsG2 Reviews – 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Pros & cons Pros Cons Free service allows for 100 individuals to be on a business conference call Weak internet connection can mean very poor calls Extremely easy to use Not many features exist beyond basics When internet is strong, audio conferencing and visuals are clear 4. RingCentral
RingCentral is a conference call company which has been serving the business community for years, and their services extend to conferencing. In fact, we’ve rated it as one of our best conference call services. Why? Read on for more!
Why we picked itRingCentral’s service is incredibly easy to use. One of the key benefits is the ability of practically anyone – given permissions – to join, making it a highly useful corporate conference call solution. On top of this, they also offer many key features that are crucial to making a helpful and useful VoIP service.
Best forRingCentral is best for medium to larger businesses, though smaller businesses can also find that the service is helpful.
PriceRingCentral has three pricing plans:
Core – $20 Advanced – $25 Ultra – $35 Key features Internet and non-internet phones can call in Call delegation Call forwarding Call flip Customer serviceRingCentral offers a Support page with how-to guides, along with a chatbot.
User reviewsG2 Reviews – 4.1 out of 5 Stars
Pros & cons Pros Cons Video meetings are free Free calls can host up to only 100 people Plans allow for up to 1,000 participants Video conferencing has only up to 500 participants Ease of use is particularly notable 5. Nextiva
Nextiva is a virtual phone service which offers many features, including the ability to host conference calls. It lands on its spot in our list because, while the above systems are ranked higher, it still manages to pack a punch when it comes to quality and quantity of features.
Why we picked itNextiva offers the ability to host up to 200 people for HD-quality web conference calling, offering video conference calling services along with just voice. Their own app also makes joining extremely easy, and crystal clear audio makes it a real winner.
Best forNextiva is best for small to medium-sized businesses.
PriceNextiva is slightly different from the other options in our list in that their pricing is based around either Business Communication or Contact Center; for the former, it depends on how many users you he. But with 5-19 employees (or at least, users), per year the costs are:
Digital: $20 user/month Core: $30 user/month Engage: $40 user/month Power Suite: $60 user/month Key features Dial-in number for mobile devices Auto attendant Call recording Customer serviceNextiva’s Support page has videos and guides for how to use their product. If there is a number for users of their paid conference call services to call for help, it is not ailable through scanning their page.
User reviewsG2 Reviews – 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Pros & cons Pros Cons Joining calls via NextivaONE App is very easy Call recording only ailable on select plans HD-quality audio and sound Pricing can change depending on how many users you he Make as many VoIP calls as you’d like 6. Skype
Before there was Zoom, there was Skype. Skype was once the dominant VoIP-type calling service; once it was purchased by Microsoft, it shot into popularity in a way it had never reached before. Though Zoom had surpassed it during the pandemic in terms of popularity, Skype is still extremely present and is a reliable conference bridge service.
Why we picked itSkype is something that everyone and their grandmother – oftentimes literally – has been able to use for decades. It is very easy to understand, international calling is relatively cheap (though not free), and offers relatively solid video capabilities. Skype has, likely in an attempt to keep up with Zoom, also managed to update itself in some pretty useful ways, like being able to host calls with up to 100 people without anyone needing to download the software.
Best forSkype is best for smaller to medium-sized businesses.
PriceSkype is free to use. Purchasing minutes for international calls may vary in price, depending on where you are making the calls and what currency you are purchasing the minutes in.
Key features Easy-to-use calling 24 hour-long calls Free calls Customer serviceSkype’s Support page, like some others here, has both videos and guides, along with FAQs. You can speak to a virtual agent. They he a Contact us page, but getting to an agent is extremely difficult.
User reviewsG2 Reviews – 4.3 out of 5 Stars
Pros & cons Pros Cons Calls last for up to 24 hours Essentially no features beyond basic calling tools Up to 100 individuals for free, no-download calls Human support is nearly non-existent Extremely well-known brand 7. Webex
Webex is not as well known as some of the other names on our conference calling platforms list, but you probably he heard of their owners: Cisco. Calling itself a “collaboration suite,” Cisco offers users the ability to he large amounts of people easily join your calls.
Why we picked itEase of use is important, as is pricing. Webex offers both of those and more, including some pretty unique features amongst conference call providers, like closed captioning for multiple languages, live polling, and the ability to join overlapping meetings at the same time (for the multitaskers out there).
Best forWebex is best for medium to larger businesses.
PriceAlthough Webex offers a free tier, they are not a free conference call service, as the free tier is very bare bones. The pricing per month/per license is the following, when billed annually:
Webex Call: $15.30/user/mo Suite: $22.50 /user/mo Enterprise: Contact them for more Key features Free 40 minute calls on the lowest tier Voice optimization Secure lobby Customer serviceWebex’s Support page outlines the seemingly complex process of getting help from support.
User reviewsG2 Reviews – 4.3 out of 5 Stars
Pros & cons Pros Cons Extremely unique features make it particularly useful for forward-thinking businesses Premium calling is only ailable on the top two plans Fairly priced The lowest paid plan offers 10 gb in a cloud of recording, which is not all that much Closed-captioning is good for inclusivity 8. GoToMeeting
GoToMeeting returns us to the more well-known services on our list. This telephone conferencing service prides itself both on quality of call and on the security of said call.
Why we picked itGoToMeeting, like the other conference line providers on our list, figured out that a lack of downloads makes people want to use your product more; in fact, it’s this focus on flexibility which landed them on our list. Their focus on security – not allowing randos in – seems to be an attempt to land people disconcerted with the “Zoom bombing” which was so popular during the pandemic.
Best forWebex is best for solopreneurs and smaller businesses.
PriceLike many others, GoToMeeting has three price tiers. When billed annually, per user the cost per month is:
Professional: $12 Business: $16 Enterprise: Contact them for more Key features Automatically generated meeting transcripts Risk based authentication Chat rooms with coworkers Customer serviceOn GoToMeeting’s Support page, you can find guides, and a virtual agent chatbot. Through the latter you can join help sessions.
User reviewsG2 Reviews – 4.2 out of 5 Stars
Pros & cons Pros Cons Strong security is a big plus for important conversations Important features are ailable only via add-on purchases Auto transcripts are extremely helpful Bandwidth required has been reported to be large Chat-to-meeting-to-chat functionality is useful 9. Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is the adopted brother of Skype (or more so, Skype is its adopted brother). Microsoft is trying to replace Skype for Business with Teams, and it’s clear why: Teams is a more modern and more widely used conference calling service by professionals, like teachers and offices.
Why we picked itMicrosoft Teams is developed by Microsoft, which has clearly thrown its weight behind the product. Not only is it intuitive to use, but it ties into Office 365 and its fleet of apps. Plus, it is extremely cheap – it is one of the cheapest on our list.
Best forMicrosoft Teams is best for businesses of all sizes, from small to large.
PriceTeams has three price tiers. When billed annually, per user the cost per month is:
Microsoft Teams Essentials: $4 Microsoft 365 Business Basic: $6 Microsoft 365 Business Standard: $12.50 Key features Integration with Office 365 File sharing Polling Customer serviceTeams’ Support page offers guides, but there are no clear ways to talk to an actual human.
User reviewsG2 Reviews – 4.4 out of 5 Stars
Pros & cons Pros Cons Up to 300 people can be in a call on the lowest plan Calls are not unlimited on the lowest plan Well-designed by Microsoft A large corporation means not fantastic customer service Chat-to-meeting-to-chat functionality is useful 10. Vonage
Rounding out our list of best conference calling services is Vonage, a long-serving phone company. Operating since just before the turn of the century, they he lots of experience connecting people, be it via one on one calls or as a conference call service provider.
Why we picked itVonage’s conference call service for business is packaged into their “Unified Communications” product. It’s a well-known brand and, as they he been around a while, are well built and clearly know both the industry and the product. They he a decent offering of features as well.
Best forVonage is best for medium and small businesses, though larger ones can also use this video conference call service.
PriceVonage, like Nextiva, is priced depending on how many users you he on a sliding scale. For 20, the price per month per user is:
Mobile: from $13.99 Premium: from $20.99 Advanced: from $27.99 Key features Attendee chat Team whiteboard Lock meetings Customer serviceLike many other selections on here, Vonage’s Support page does not make it clear cut of how to contact a human – though they offer written guides.
User reviewsG2 Reviews – 4.3 out of 5 Stars
Pros & cons Pros Cons Unlimited meetings for 100 people start on the second tier Call recording on-demand is ailable only on the highest tier Complex auto attendant Visual voicemail is not ailable on lower tiers Unlimited calling on the lowest tier How we evaluated the best conference call servicesHere is what we included when determining the best options on the market, and why we included them:
Price: This is what everyone looks for when looking at products, and it’s reasonable to do so. The best product, if overpriced, may not be worth it. Sometimes there are true gems which can be obtained for a steal…and sometimes, there’s a reason why something is priced so low. Features: When looking for conference calling systems, you are likely looking for more than just the ability to call multiple people at once. That means you’re probably looking for features – and not just features, but features which actually can help you as opposed to being just thrown in there to make the list look impressive. Number of Callers: Some conference bridges – which is the term for the tool which allows people to connect to one another – can only “support” a certain number of people. Whereas others can support lots. This does not make one service better than another inherently (though if there are serious restrictions, that could be a problem). Customer Support: When you are relying on a service to make calls with tons of people, you need to know that you he help if things get bumpy. That’s why we looked for Customer Support (or a lack thereof) when ranking the best conference calling services for small business. Stability: Do calls drop frequently? Do they stay clear and easily understandable? Nothing can be more frustrating when people can’t hear you because of hing a bad conference call service and you he tons of people trying to get their two cents in. Other conferencing services consideredOf course, there are other teleconferencing services ailable to consumers which did not quite make our list. There are hundreds of these companies, so it can be particularly difficult to choose one or the other – and certainly to pick a top ten! Here are a few which are solid services but which, for one reason or the other, just did not quite make our list.
Vast Conference: While this telephone conference service is well-constructed and has some useful tools – like integration with Office 365 – and is very useful for international calls, it just does not offer enough unique features (like Call Whisper) otherwise to warrant inclusion on our list. Google Hangouts: While this one is very famous and reliable, Google’s well-known issues with customer support – namely them being a gigantic corporation which has little time for individuals – caused this one to miss out on the spot. Arkadin: Arkadin is a solid pick, as they offer meetings with up to 100 people and he some major features like call recording and local language help. The problem, however, is that they do not offer many more features beyond absolutely crucial ones and seem a bit old-fashioned (talking about “point-and-click” on their console). ClickMeeting: Another pick with all of the standard bells and whistles, but it does not really allow for tons of customization options, which is a pretty important part of a modern conference call service. Fuze: While Fuze offers a lot of key features, some users he reported connectivity issues, which is a real no-go if you are relying on a service for conference call plans. Why do you need a conference call service?In the modern world, with people more spread out than ever before, you cannot be caught relying on old ways of communication. If you are to succeed in today’s fast-paced world, getting a conference call number is a key way of getting started. And by using the services on our list, you’re already ahead of the competition!
How to choose a perfect conference calling serviceWhen looking to run your own telephone conference calls, it’s important to keep some things in mind. Answers to the questions below will help you to make the right choice:
How often do you want to make calls? Will you rely on this service a lot? Or just on occasion? Will teams individually be working? Or will it be across the entire company? Do you need to focus on ease of use? When starting up a conference line, will you he to think about how easy it will be for your participants to use the call? Are they techies, or do they he difficulties with it? Do you want records? Are you going to want to be able to refer back to it, or can it be forgotten easily? How long will your calls last? Do you need a service which can hold out for the long haul, or are only short talks necessary? How much money do you he? This can be a painful question, but it’s also necessary: do you he the cash to spend on a quality service? How many people will be talking usually? Are we talking (pun intended!) ten? Or hundreds? What else do you need? Are you only looking for a conference calling solution, a web conference call, for a way to make video conferencing – or something more? Enjoy conference calls with your teamAt the end of our list, you hopefully he a better idea of what conference call tools can do for you – and of which ones are best for your business.
Phone conference calling is simply a must-he, which is why we’ve put together the above list of Grade-A which can help your business do what it does best: provide services for customers. From MightyCall on down, any of these companies will surely be a great addition to your business’ repertoire.
Written by
Anthony Constantini
Anthony Constantini, a copywriter at MightyCall, brings years of experience in telecommunications and beyond.
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