Nextiva vs. 8×8 vs. Emitrr: Which is the Better VoIP Solution?

Introduction

Keeping your business connected is easier with the right VoIP phone system for small businesses. Whether it is managing team communication or enhancing customer interactions, choosing the right platform can save time and improve efficiency. Nextiva and 8×8 are well-known VoIP providers, offering a range of features designed to meet various business needs. While both platforms excel in functionality, pricing, and overall value, Emitrr stands out as a smarter and more flexible alternative. With advanced automation, smooth texting, and 24/7 support, Emitrr simplifies business communication and helps teams stay connected effortlessly.

In this blog, we will break down the key differences between Nextiva and 8×8 while showing how Emitrr can be a better alternative for your business. Keep reading!

What is Nextiva?

Nextiva is a cloud-based VoIP provider offering communication and collaboration solutions for businesses of all sizes. It provides voice, video, messaging, and customer relationship tools to streamline communication and enhance productivity. Known for its user-friendly interface and scalability, Nextiva is designed to support remote and hybrid work environments.

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.

Nextiva vs. 8×8: Feature Comparison

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

Nextiva Features

• Call Forwarding – Call forwarding ensures calls are seamlessly redirected to another number or device, minimizing missed calls.
• Call Routing – Call routing directs incoming calls to the right person or department based on predefined rules.
• Call Queuing – Places incoming callers in a queue until an agent is available, improving call management.
• IVR Menu/Call Tree – Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system allows callers to navigate menu options for efficient self-service.
• Call Recording – Records conversations for training, compliance, and quality assurance purposes.
• Call Conferencing – Enables multiple participants to join a single call for collaboration.
• User Extensions – Assigns unique extensions to users, making internal communication easier.
• Voicemail Transcription – Converts voicemails into text for quick review and easy access.
• Two-Way Texting – Allows businesses to send and receive text messages for better customer communication.
• AI Receptionist – Uses AI to handle and route calls, reducing the need for manual call handling.

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.

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

Features	Nextiva	8×8	Emitrr
Call Forwarding	Yes	Yes	Yes
Call Routing	Yes	Yes	Yes
Call Queuing	Yes	Yes	Yes
Call Queuing Groups	Yes	No	Yes
IVR Menu/ Call Tree	Yes	No	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	Limited	Yes	Yes
Auto Attendants	No	Yes	Yes
Missed call to text	Yes	No	Yes
Two-way texting	No	No	Yes
Group Texting	Yes	No	Yes
Webchat-to-Text	No	No	Yes
Team Chat	No	No	Yes
Facebook Messenger	No	No	Yes
Voicemail Transcription	No	No	Yes
Auto-responders	Yes	Yes	Yes
AI Receptionist	No	No	Yes
Schedule-based texting	No	No	Yes
Broadcast/Bulk SMS	Limited	No	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

Nextiva vs. 8×8: Pricing Comparison

Nextiva Pricing

Nextiva offers two pricing models, one for small businesses, and one for enterprises. For small businesses, there are four pricing plans: 

• Digital
• Core
• Engage
• Power Suite 

These plans start at $25 per user per month and going up to $75 per user per month. 

For Enterprises, there are three plans: Essential, Professional, and Premium. These three plans can be opted based on Per Agent Per Month, Usage-Based Pricing, and Concurrent Pricing. 

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

Nextiva vs. 8×8: Pros and Cons

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

Nextiva Pros

• Cloud-Based System – Eliminates the need for traditional phone lines, making it easier to manage communications.
• Designed for Businesses – Built to support professional communication needs across various industries.
• Reliable Performance – Generally provides stable connectivity when network conditions are good.
• Expandable for Growth – Can accommodate businesses as they scale, with options for additional users and features.
• Basic AI Functionalities – Offers automation tools that help streamline call management.

Nextiva Cons

• Unintuitive Interface – The platform is difficult to navigate, making it less user-friendly.
• Multiple Dashboard Logins – Requires too many logins, adding complexity to the user experience.
• Poor Customer Support – Users report slow response times and ineffective issue resolution.
• Difficult Setup – The initial configuration process is not seamless and can be time-consuming.
• Missed Calls & Voicemail Issues – Users have reported losing customer calls, and voicemail transcription is lacking.
• Inefficient Workflow – Teams experience delays due to usability challenges and wasted time on navigation.

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.

When to use Nextiva?

Nextiva is a powerful communication platform ideal for businesses of all sizes aiming to improve customer interactions and boost team collaboration. It’s a great fit for:

• All-in-One Communication – Nextiva integrates voice, video, chat, and SMS into a single, easy-to-use platform, simplifying communication and enhancing team efficiency.
• Flexibility and Growth – As a cloud-based solution, Nextiva allows businesses to stay connected from anywhere and effortlessly scale their communication systems as their needs evolve.
• Better Customer Engagement – With features like live chat, AI-driven chatbots, and omnichannel support, Nextiva ensures smooth and consistent customer interactions across multiple channels.

When to use 8×8?

8×8 is a comprehensive unified communications platform that meets various business communication needs, from calls and meetings to messaging and faxing, accessible across desktop, mobile, and web platforms. Here’s when 8×8 can be a valuable solution:

• Suitable for Businesses of Any Size – Whether you’re managing a small business or a large organization, 8×8 Work enhances communication and collaboration across teams.
• Ideal for Remote and Hybrid Teams – 8×8 Work enables smooth and efficient communication, keeping teams connected and productive from any location.
• Optimized for Contact Centers – 8×8 Contact Center uses AI to streamline operations and equip agents with the tools they need to deliver outstanding customer service.

Emitrr: The Better Alternative to Nextiva and 8×8

Emitrr is 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 – The AI 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 – Bulk texting sends 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 two pricing plans: Standard and Professional. 

Standard Plan

• Annually: $20 per user per month
• Monthly: $25 per user per month

Professional Plan

• Annually: $25 per user per month
• Monthly: $30 per user per month

Emitrr Integrations

Emitrr integrates with over 1000+ CRM systems, making automation and customer engagement effortless by eliminating manual work and boosting efficiency.

Integrations include:

• Zapier
• Mailchimp 
• HubSpot
• AthenaHealth
• Denticon
• Curve Hero
• Dentrix
• Dentrix Enterprise
• Dentrix Ascend
• Dolphin
• DrChrono
• eClinicalWorks
• Eaglesoft
• OpenDental
• Orthotrac
• Kareo
• Practiceworks
• Acuity Scheduling
• HousecallPro

Emitrr Reviews 

Emitrr has a customer rating of 4.8 on Capterra and 4.7 on G2, and here’s what customers are saying about it:

“My overall experience with Emitrr is so far excellent – great responsive customer service and extremely helpful.”

“They have built a powerful, easy to use web interface. The onboarding of our staff and contacts was excellent 3 Any issues we have had were addressed immediately and professionally by Emitrr staff.” 

Source: Capterra

Nextiva vs. 8×8: FAQs

Conclusion

Nextiva and 8×8 both bring valuable features to the table—whether you’re looking to unify your communication channels or boost the efficiency of your contact center. However, if you’re searching for something that offers more flexibility and affordability, Emitrr is worth considering. With powerful automation, seamless texting, and 24/7 support, Emitrr is designed to simplify communication and help your business stay connected effortlessly. Curious to see how it can make a difference? Book a free demo with Emitrr today and explore how it can enhance your business communication!