8×8 Vs Vonage Vs Emitrr: Which is the Better VoIP Solution?

Introduction

Are you a business looking for an intelligent VoIP solution but are confused between 8X8 and Vonage? Well, Now you need to broaden your horizons and explore what each of these platforms has to offer. In this blog, we will help you get an extensive understanding of 8×8 and Vonage, and draw a comparison based on their features, pricing, pros, cons, and more. So stay tuned to make an informed choice!

What is 8×8?

8×8 is a cloud-based VoIP and unified communications provider offering business phone systems, video conferencing, and team messaging. It provides essential calling features like call routing, call recording, and voicemail transcription, making it a viable option for businesses needing a flexible communication solution.

What is Vonage?

Vonage is a cloud-based VoIP solution offering communication services for businesses of all sizes. It provides voice, messaging, and video conferencing features to streamline communication. Known for its flexible pricing and integrations, Vonage caters to remote teams and businesses needing scalable communication tools. While it offers essential VoIP functions, some users report concerns about call quality and customer support.

8×8 vs Vonage: Feature comparison

Let’s dive into a detailed comparison of the features offered by both platforms, examining them one by one: 

8×8 Features

• Call Forwarding – Redirect incoming calls to another number to ensure availability.
• Call Routing – Automatically distribute incoming calls to the right department or agent.
• Call Queuing – Manage incoming calls by placing them in a queue until an agent is available.
• Call Recording – Record calls for compliance, training, or review purposes.
• Call Conferencing – Enable multiple participants to join a call for collaboration.
• User Extensions – Assign individual extensions for employees within the system.
• Business Working Hours Set Up – Configure availability based on working hours.
• Multi-location Set Up – Manage calls and communication across different office locations.
• Auto Attendants – Provide an automated system to direct callers to the right department.
• Voicemail Transcription – Convert voicemail messages into text for easier review.

Vonage Features

• Call Forwarding – Ensures calls are redirected to another number or device when unavailable.
• Call Routing – Directs incoming calls to the right department or agent based on predefined rules.
• Call Queuing & Call Queuing Groups – Manages high call volumes by placing callers in a queue until an agent is available, with group-based distribution.
• IVR Menu/ Call Tree – Provides an interactive voice menu for callers to navigate to the right destination without human assistance.
• Call Recording – Records calls for compliance, training, and quality assurance.
• Call Conferencing – Enables multiple participants to join a single call for seamless team collaboration.
• User Extensions – Assigns unique extensions to employees for easy internal and external calling.
• Business Working Hours Setup – Allows businesses to configure call handling based on working hours.
• Multi-location Set Up – Supports communication across multiple office locations under a unified system.
• Voicemail Transcription – Converts voicemail messages into text for easier access and reference.

Here is a quick comparison of the features of 8×8, Vonage, and Emitrr:

Features	8×8	Vonage	Emitrr
Call Forwarding	Yes	Yes	Yes
Call Routing	Yes	Yes	Yes
Call Queuing	Yes	Yes	Yes
Call Queuing Groups	No	Yes	Yes
IVR Menu/ Call Tree	No	Yes	Yes
Call Recording	Yes	Yes	Yes
Call Conferencing	Yes	Yes	Yes
User Extensions	Yes	Yes	Yes
Business Working Hours Set Up	Yes	Yes	Yes
Multi-location Set Up	Yes	Yes	Yes
Auto Attendants	Yes	Yes	Yes
Missed call to text	No	No	Yes
Two-way texting	No	No	Yes
Group Texting	No	Yes	Yes
Webchat-to-Text	No	Yes	Yes
Team Chat	No	No	Yes
Facebook Messenger	No	No	Yes
Voicemail Transcription	No	No	Yes
Auto-responders	Yes	Yes	Yes
AI Receptionist	No	Yes	Yes
Schedule-based texting	No	No	Yes
Broadcast/Bulk SMS	No	Yes	Yes
Appointment Scheduling	No	No	Yes
Automated Reminders	No	No	Yes
Reviews + Reputation	No	No	Yes
Customer Surveys	No	No	Yes
Digital Forms	No	No	Yes
Customer Recall	No	No	Yes
Birthday wishes	No	No	Yes
24/7 Customer Support	No	No	Yes

8×8 vs Vonage: Pricing comparison

Here’s a pricing comparison of 8×8 and Vonage to help you determine which platform offers the best value for your needs, let’s start with 8×8:

8×8 Pricing

8×8 Office offers four pricing plans tailored for businesses of all sizes which start from $0.0102 Per SMS: 

• Contact Center
• CX Beyond the Contact Center
• Communications APIs
• Unified Communications

Vonage Pricing

Vonage offers pricing plans for four verticals which start from $17.99 per month. 

• Communications APIs
• Unified Communications
• Contact Center
• Conversational Commerce

8×8 vs Vonage: Pros and cons

Let’s explore the pros and cons of 8×8 and Vonage to find out which platform suits your needs best:

8×8 Pros

• Reliable Call Connectivity – Offers a stable VoIP system for businesses with minimal downtime.
• Cloud-Based System – Allows remote and hybrid teams to stay connected.
• Good Call Quality – Generally provides clear audio for calls and conferencing.
• International Calling Capabilities – Supports global communication for businesses with overseas clients.

8×8 Cons

• Poor Customer Support – Long wait times and unhelpful responses when resolving issues.
• Frequent Call Drops & Connectivity Issues – Users report dropped calls and lagging connections.
• Difficult Setup & Onboarding – The system can be complicated to configure, especially for non-technical users.
• Buggy & Glitchy Platform – Users experience software bugs, including problems with call routing and voicemail.
• Unintuitive Interface – Navigation and usability are not user-friendly, making simple tasks cumbersome.
• Limited Texting & Messaging Features – No two-way texting or group messaging, limiting communication options.
• Billing & Cancellation Issues – Complaints about hidden fees, contract obligations, and difficulties canceling services.
• Unreliable Mobile App – The mobile app often crashes, making it hard to stay connected on the go.
• Lack of Advanced Features – No AI-powered tools or automation, making it less competitive compared to alternatives.

Vonage Pros

• Established VoIP Provider – A well-known name in the VoIP industry with years of experience.
• Customizable Plans – Offers different pricing options to suit various business needs.
• Supports Remote Work – Can be accessed from different locations, making it useful for distributed teams.
• Scalable Solution – Can accommodate growing teams with features like user extensions and call conferencing.

Vonage Cons

• Poor Customer Support – No real-time issue resolution, unreliable service, and difficult cancellation process.
• Frequent App Crashes & Freezing – Both desktop and mobile apps often crash or freeze, disrupting business communication.
• Limited Integrations – Lacks flexibility to connect with essential third-party tools.
• Mandatory Contracts – Requires users to sign contracts, limiting flexibility.
• Unreliable Call Features – Issues with call forwarding, missed call notifications, and call drops.
• Deceptive Sales – Overpromises on features that do not work as expected.

When to Use 8×8

You Need a Reliable VoIP System with Global Reach

8×8 offers a global cloud communication solution with strong reliability and international coverage. If your business is such that it operates in multiple countries and needs international phone numbers, or requires a VoIP system that can handle high call volumes across regions, 8×8 can be an ideal choice.

You Want Unified Communications (UCaaS & CCaaS)

If you need a solution that integrates voice, video, messaging, and contact center products, 8×8 offers an all-in-one unified communications solution that makes collaboration easier for teams. This platform is perfect for companies that require internal team communication as well as robust customer support.

Security and Compliance Are a Priority

8×8 is HIPAA, GDPR, and SOC 2 compliant which makes it a strong choice for businesses in healthcare, finance, and legal industries where security and compliance are critical. If you work with sensitive information, 8×8 keeps your communications secure.

You Need Strong Contact Center Features

For businesses that are running a customer support or sales operation, 8×8’s Contact Center as a Service (CCaaS) offers advanced call routing, AI-powered analytics, and workforce optimization tools. It’s especially valuable if your company needs features such as IVR (Interactive Voice Response), call analytics, and omnichannel support (voice, chat, email, social media).

You Need a Cost-Effective Alternative to Traditional Phone Systems

If you’re looking to replace outdated PBX systems or reduce telephony costs, 8×8’s cloud-based VoIP offers predictable pricing with unlimited calling plans. It’s a great alternative to traditional phone systems, especially for businesses wanting to avoid hardware costs and maintenance.

You Need Strong CRM & Business App Integrations

8×8 integrates with popular CRM business tools and third-party software like Salesforce, Microsoft Teams, Slack, HubSpot, and more. If your business also relies on these tools, 8×8 helps streamline workflows and improves customer interactions.

When to use Vonage

You Need a Scalable VoIP System

If you are a business owner and looking for a platform that supports businesses of all sizes then you can opt for Vonagee as it is an ideal solution if you are anticipating growth and need a phone system that can scale.

You Require Global Calling Features

If your business operates globally and also has remote teams globally then you can opt for Vonage. It provides virtual numbers in multiple countries, allowing businesses to establish a local presence in different regions without needing physical offices.

You Want Flexible Pricing Plans

Businesses that want flexibility in the prices can also go for Vomage as it offers tiered pricing plans, allowing businesses to choose features based on their needs. If you’re looking for a solution that allows you to start with basic features and upgrade as your business grows, Vonage provides that flexibility.

You Operate a Call Center or Need Advanced Call Features

Vonage offers features like:

• Call recording – Useful for quality assurance and compliance.
• IVR (Interactive Voice Response) – Automates call routing, improving efficiency.
• Call analytics – Provides insights into call volume, agent performance, and customer interactions.
• AI-powered insights – Helps businesses analyze conversations for sentiment, keywords, and trends.

These features are especially useful for customer support teams, call centers, and sales teams that rely heavily on phone interactions.

Emitrr: The better alternative to 8×8 & Vonage

Emitrr Overview

Emitrr is a powerful VoIP phone software designed to streamline business communication with advanced automation and AI capabilities. It offers features like call forwarding, call routing, voicemail-to-text, call recording, and SMS capabilities, ensuring seamless connectivity. With an AI receptionist to handle calls, automate responses, and improve customer engagement, businesses can enhance efficiency and never miss an important call. Emitrr’s VoIP solution is built for industries like healthcare, home services, and local businesses, providing a reliable, intelligent, and scalable communication system.

Emitrr Features

VoIP Features

• IVR/Call Tree – Allows multi-level IVR setup to route calls based on caller input, forwarding calls to specific numbers, extensions, or another call tree.
• Call Forwarding – Redirect calls to another extension, number, or voicemail when unavailable.
• Call Queue Groups – Routes calls to predefined teams with customizable rules.
• Missed Call Handling – Redirects missed calls to another extension, number, or voicemail.
• User Extensions – Each team member gets a unique user extension number.
• Multi-Location Setup – Manage multiple locations from a single platform.
• During and After-Hours Routing – Route calls differently based on business hours.
• Call Recording – Enable/disable call recording for training or compliance.
• Business Working Hours Setup – Define standard business hours to automate after-hours call handling.

Emitrr AI Receptionist 

• AI-Powered Receptionist – Answers 100% of customer calls, even outside business hours.
• 24/7 Appointment Management – Handles bookings, rescheduling, and confirmations while syncing with CRM/EMR/PMS.
• Intelligent Inquiry Handling – Provides instant AI responses to common customer queries, reducing wait times.
• Automated Customer Outreach – Proactively contacts customers for confirmations, reminders, and follow-ups, reducing no-shows.
• Smart Call Routing – Engages callers in preliminary conversations and routes them to the right department efficiently.

Texting Features

• Bulk/Mass Text Messaging – Send thousands of messages with a 98% open rate, personalize campaigns, and integrate with CRM/EMR/PMS.
• Automated Text Reminders – Schedule appointment reminders via text, email, and voice with options for rescheduling or cancellations.
• Online Appointment Bookings – Enable self-scheduling via website or link with automated confirmations and reminders.
• And more… 

Future AI Capabilities

• AI Outbound Calling – Automates customer outreach.
• Expanded AI Inquiry Handling – Enhances AI’s ability to answer a broader range of queries.
• AI-Powered Voicemail Management – Listens to and responds to voicemails automatically.
• Automated SMS Conversations – Engages customers via AI-powered text responses.
• Increased Customization & Personalization – Businesses can tailor AI responses to their workflows.

Emitrr Pricing

Emitrr offers different pricing plans for different capabilities. For VoIP, there are 2 pricing plans – Standard and Professional. 

Name of the plan	Pricing if paid annually	Pricing if paid monthly
Standard	$20 per user per month	$25 per user per month
Professional	$25 per user per month	$30 per user per month

Key features of Standard Plan: 

• Calling (1000 mins/user)
• HD Voice
• Call Hold Music
• Call Recording (manual)
• Call Queue Groups
• Call Extensions
• Call Routing (During and After Hours)
• Call Transfer
• Call Forwarding
• Number Porting
• Contact Sync
• Set personal working hours
• Mobile App

Key features of Professional Plan: 

Everything in Standard plus

• Call Transcription
• IVR (Interactive Voice Response)  / Call Tree
• Call Recording (automated)
• Missed Call Auto Text
• Call Conference
• Voicemail Transcription
• HIPAA Compliance
• Access Management 

Emitrr Integrations

Emitrr offers 500+ integrations across different industries such as dental, recruiting, real estate, etc. with tools like:

• MailChimp
• Denticon
• AthenaHealth
• Zapier
• Salesforce
• HubSpot
• Facebook
• HouseCall Pro
• Slack 
• Curve Hero
• Kareo
• Dentrix Ascend
• Eaglesoft
• Orthotrac
• Dentrix
• OpenDental
• Practiceworks
• And more!

Emitrr Reviews

“AWESOME. I would recommend to anyone looking for a messaging platform. Especially love having a text friendly retail number that is the SAME as the number we’ve always had.”

“Great. One of the best communications tools that I have used.”

Source: Capterra

Learn more about what our customers have achieved through Emitrr:

8×8 vs Vonage FAQs

Conclusion

8×8 as well as Vonage both are a robust VoIP platform for diverse business needs but Emitrr shines when it comes to going beyond VoIP and harnessing the power of advanced features in an affordable manner. With smart automation, seamless customer interactions, and industry-leading support, Emitrr transforms call and messaging management for businesses. Ready to level up your communication game? Schedule a demo with Emitrr today!