Best Business Phone Systems for Small Businesses in 2025: OpenPhone vs Grasshopper vs JustCall vs Dialpad vs Ringo

Looking for the best business phone solution for your small business? Whether you're running a local shop, a remote team, or a seasonal operation, having a reliable phone system with texting features can make a big difference.

In this guide, we compare four top business phone services for small U.S. businesses:

• OpenPhone
• Grasshopper
• JustCall
• Dialpad

We also introduce Ringo—a mobile-first alternative that solves key pain points like seat-based pricing and lack of SMS broadcasting.

TL;DR: Best Business Phone System in 2025

1. OpenPhone: Modern & Easy, But No SMS Marketing

Pros:

• Clean UI, easy setup
• Shared numbers across team members
• Voicemail transcription, call recording included

Cons:

• No SMS broadcasting
• CRM integrations only on higher-tier plans
• Occasional reliability issues

Pricing:

• Starter: $15/user/month (annual)
• Business: $23/user/month (annual)

Verdict:
Perfect for solo operators or small teams who need 1-on-1 communication. But skip it if you plan to run bulk SMS campaigns.

2. Grasshopper: Great for Budget, Light on Features

Pros:

• Flat pricing (no per-seat fees)
• Includes multiple extensions
• Unlimited users on all plans

Cons:

• No SMS broadcasting
• No CRM integrations
• Mixed reviews on app reliability

Pricing:

• Solo: $14/month (annual)
• Partner: $25/month (annual)
• Small Business: $55/month (annual)

Verdict:
Best value for teams that want to avoid paying per user. Not ideal if you need advanced features or texting campaigns.

3. JustCall: Feature-Rich, Built for Sales

Pros:

• Bulk SMS and SMS automation
• Power dialer and call monitoring
• Deep CRM integrations (HubSpot, Salesforce, etc.)

Cons:

• Higher cost per seat
• Requires 2–3 user minimum
• Complaints about billing/cancelation issues

Pricing:

• Team: $29/user/month (annual)
• Pro: $49/user/month (annual, includes Bulk SMS)

Verdict:
Ideal for sales or support teams that live in their CRM. Watch for contract fine print, especially with seasonal usage.

4. Dialpad: AI-Powered and Versatile

Pros:

• Real-time AI call transcription
• Unified platform for calls, SMS, video
• Google Workspace integration

Cons:

• No native bulk SMS campaigns
• Long-term contracts limit scaling down
• Mixed reviews on number porting and app UI

Pricing:

• Standard: $15/user/month (annual)
• Pro: $25/user/month (annual)

Verdict:
Great all-around tool with AI features. Just make sure you're clear on your contract terms if you're a seasonal business.

5. Ringo: Mobile-First, Built for Flexible Teams

Pros:

• Mobile-first experience for teams on the move
• SMS broadcasting to re-engage contacts
• Shared inbox for calling and texting
• Pricing based on active contacts, not users
• Add unlimited users at no extra cost

Cons:

• Less suitable for large in-office call centers

Pricing:

• Based on number of active contacts, not seats

Verdict:
Ringo is ideal for dynamic, mobile-first teams who need flexibility. It's also a great fit for seasonal businesses that don’t want to pay for idle user seats. Unlike traditional phone systems, you only pay for what you use—and everyone stays in the loop with a shared inbox.

Why Seat-Based Pricing Can Hurt Small Businesses

Most modern VoIP systems charge per user (aka per "seat"). Sounds simple, but it can become a problem:

• Underutilized seats: You pay for users who barely use the system.
• Seasonal challenges: Can't reduce user count during slow months.
• Annual contracts: Lock you into a user count you might not need later.

Tip: If your team size fluctuates, look for providers with flexible pricing. Ringo and Grasshopper are great options that avoid per-seat traps.

Who Wins?

• Best for Mobile Teams & Flexibility: Ringo (shared inbox, contact-based pricing)
• Best Budget Option: Grasshopper (no seat charges)
• Best for Sales & SMS Campaigns: JustCall (Pro plan)
• Best All-in-One Suite: Dialpad (calls + SMS + video)
• Best for Solo Founders: OpenPhone (simple and sleek)

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right business phone system depends on how you operate. If you send bulk texts, need integrations, or have a changing team size, your provider’s pricing and features matter more than ever.

Make sure to:

• Check trial versions
• Ask about SMS broadcasting rules
• Read the fine print on annual contracts

Need SMS campaigns and flexible pricing? JustCall or Ringo might be your best bet. Want a dead-simple setup with no surprises? Grasshopper or OpenPhone could be perfect.

Need more help picking a provider? Drop us a message and we’ll walk you through what fits your workflow best.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which business phone system is best for bulk SMS?
JustCall and Ringo are your best options. JustCall supports SMS campaigns on its Pro plan. Ringo includes SMS broadcasting by default, based on active contacts.

Is OpenPhone good for SMS marketing?
No. OpenPhone is designed for one-on-one conversations. It doesn’t support SMS broadcasting or marketing campaigns.

How can I avoid overpaying for unused seats?
Use Ringo or Grasshopper. Ringo charges based on active contacts and lets you add unlimited users. Grasshopper uses flat-rate plans regardless of team size.

Do these systems integrate with CRMs like HubSpot or Salesforce?
JustCall and Dialpad offer strong CRM integrations. OpenPhone supports integrations on higher tiers. Grasshopper and Ringo focus more on shared communication and don’t have deep CRM hooks yet.

What’s the most budget-friendly option for a small team?
Grasshopper offers the best value if you want unlimited users and don’t need CRM or bulk texting. Ringo offers scalable pricing for teams that prioritize SMS.

Can I try these services before buying?
Yes. All five providers—OpenPhone, Grasshopper, JustCall, Dialpad, and Ringo—offer free trials.