13 Best VoIP Phone Systems For Schools In 2024

Senior Writer: Nikita Agarwal

Date: April 5, 2024

Like any other institution, schools, and colleges also require phone systems to manage daily operations. The VoIP phone system helps manage administrative tasks more efficiently and facilitates communication logs with staff, students, and parents.

Not only that, but it also controls access to school premises and ensures school safety from intruders or trespassers. Over 1/3rd of businesses use VoIP phone systems, including schools and other organizations.

While there are several school phone systems, a voice-over-Internet protocol (VoIP) school phone system is best suited to serve its needs. In this post, we will learn more about VoIP solutions for schools, their advantages, the best phone systems for schools, and factors to consider while choosing a private school VoIP.

How Does A VoIP Solutions For School Work?

Educational systems have unique communication needs that are best served by newer systems that run on an internet connection. Unlike conventional landlines, VoIP phone systems consist of interconnected multiple phone lines, making it easy for administrative staff members to make calls. In fact, it can be easily used on any device, including mobile devices, desk phones, etc.

Hosted PBX and premise-based PBX are two types of VoIP systems. Hosted PBX runs on a cloud server and eliminates the need for on-site servers and hardware maintenance. A premise-based PBX includes providing and installing servers at business premises or schools.

For instance, you might consider flatiron school reviews to understand how educational institutions are adopting advanced communication systems. By examining such case studies, other educational institutions consider similar transitions of VoIP system.

Let us understand why.

Expert Advice

"Every school needs a VoIP phone system to streamline processes. You can compare different school phone systems and select the one that best suits your requirements. "

Top 13 VoIP Phone Systems For Schools

Here are some of the best voip solutions for schools:

1. CallHippo

CallHippo is one of the most popular VoIP providers famous for offering voip solutions for schools. Its installation process doesn’t take more than three minutes. All you need to do is buy phone numbers, add users, and make calls.

Features

• Voice broadcasting
• Call queuing
• Call transfer
• Option of choosing from 50+ countries’ phone services

CallHippo Pros and Cons

Ease of use and seamless transition from an older phone system

Calls are easily connected and don’t end up in spam folders

Dashboards provide real-time analytics of calls

Slow customer support is a drawback of CallHippo

At times, the call connection quality is poor

Pricing

CallHippo has four pricing categories: Basic, Bronze, Silver, and Platinum.

• Basic: Free
• Bronze:  $16 per user per month
• Silver: $24 per user per month
• Platinum: $40 per user per month

2. Nextiva

Nextiva is an all-in-one phone system that provides various functionalities such as social media management, contact center, and reputation management. What’s more, Nextiva also provides sales and marketing functionalities, making it a go-to platform for both small and large enterprises.

Features

• Mobileapp
• Conference calling
• Collaboration tool
• Call analytics

Nextiva Pros and Cons

Create workflows on different channels clients use to make calls

Assign other flows during different times of school hours

The platform can be accessed either from the desktop or mobile app

Slow customer support service and frequent glitches

At times, the incoming calls feature stops working

Pricing

Nextiva has three pricing plans for its VoIP contact center: Essential, Professional, and Enterprise.

• Essential: Starts from $23.95 per user per month 
• Professional: Starts from $27.95 per user per month 
• Enterprise: Starts from $37.95 per user per month

You May Also Read : The 10+ Best VoIP Apps for Businesses in 2023

3. Aircall

Aircall is a cloud-based VoIP call center solution that provides customized tools depending on the industry and size of your business.

Aircall is considered among the most preferred platforms for schools due to the availability of tools such as call distribution, the flexibility of organizing workflows, viewing students’ academic history, and delivering personalized learning experiences to students and staff.

Features

• Call monitoring
• Business hours
• IVR
• Integrations with multiple apps

Aircall Pros and Cons

Allows you to host conference calls with a group of five people for better collaboration

Simple and user-friendly interface for better communication

Effective communication tools for seamless experience

At times, users encounter difficulties such as calls not logging or not being able to hear callers

Aircall’s mobile app has limited functionality compared to its desktop version

Pricing

Aircall has three pricing models: Essentials, Professional, and Custom.

• Essentials: $40 per month
• Professional: $70 per month
• Custom: Get in touch with Aircall’s sales team directly

4. OpenPhone

OpenPhone is another all-in-one VoIP phone system that boasts an integrated CRM tool. It acts as a database whereby you can access the audio storage to get recording archives when schools require it to submit to the central authorities. Moreover, OpenPhone allows teams to simultaneously use a single number to call and text.

Features

• Call verification
• Round robin
• Call recording
• Number management

Openphone Pros and Cons

User-friendly and well-organized interface

Transparent pricing model

Quick customer support

OpenPhone can be difficult to adapt owing to slow software upgrades

The porting process for toll-free numbers is quite slow

Pricing

OpenPhone has three pricing plans: Standard, Premium, and Enterprise.

• Standard: $17 per user per month
• Premium: $25 per user per month
• Enterprise: Contact OpenPhone’s sales team directly

5. RingCentral

RingCentral is a cloud-based contact center platform enabling you to work even when you are moving. The platform can be accessed from your mobile phone or desktop computer. It is also integrated with well-known applications such as Salesforce, Google, and Microsoft.

Features

• Call screening
• Intercom
• Shared lines
• Visual voicemails

Ringcentral Pros and Cons

User-friendly interface with easy navigation

Helps easily forward messages or emails to other users

Records call automatically and review them anytime

Call settings may sometimes appear complicated, particularly when a call is rejected

Slow customer service

Pricing

RingCentral has four pricing models: Essentials, Standard, Premium, and Ultimate. You can contact RingCentral’s sales team directly to buy any of these plans.

6. Dialpad

Dialpad is an AI-powered VoIP phone system that enables businesses to communicate with their clients through multiple digital channels and analyze customer behavior using its AI-powered business intelligence tool. It also provides a unified workspace for teams to interact, message, and support customers.

Features

• Digital customer engagement
• Real-time speech analytics
• HD calls
• Toll-free numbers

Dialpad Pros and Cons

Users can review call recordings along with their transcripts and easily transfer calls between agents

Allows users to review call histories and texts without losing any information from previous interactions

Helps create and review reports in real-time

When there are too many users, Dialpad can be slow to load

Its features are limited compared to other similar platforms

Pricing

Dialpad has three pricing plans: Standard, Pro, and Enterprise.

• Standard: $23 per user per month
• Pro: $35 per user per month 
• Enterprise: Contact Dialpad’s sales team directly to request a quote

7. Vonage

Consider Vonage if you are looking for a VoIP phone system for your school that helps team members operate virtually. Vonage is an all-in-one communications platform that helps you scale your contact center by providing cloud-based solutions to scale rapidly.

Features

• Desktop app
• Video conferencing
• Business inbox
• Virtual receptionist

Vonage Pros and Cons

Simple interface, easy integration with other devices, and convenience of using the mobile app

It helps you create images, GIFs, and videos within users’ chats

Robust API service

Often, calls made through Vonage are marked as spam and difficult to remove from the blacklist

The setup process is complicated and can take a lot of time

Pricing

Vonage has three pricing plans: Mobile, Premium, and Advanced.

• Mobile: $19.99 per month
• Premium: $29.99 per month 
• Advanced: $39.99 per month.

You May Also Read : 12 VoIP Advantages and Disadvantages You Need To Know

8. GoTo Connect

GoTo Connect is a unified communications tool that provides VoIP calling solutions along with a host of other features that helps remote and hybrid teams operate efficiently. With GoTo Connect, companies can build the right workflows to route calls to the best agents, speed up outbound dialing, and switch seamlessly between voice calls, SMS, chat, and social media.

Features

• Call queuing
• Virtual meetings
• Dial Plan Editor
• Messaging

Go To Connect Pros and Cons

Helps edit and create adjustments quickly, track phone calls, and listen to all calls made during the day

Allows users to easily switch between numbers while working with different clients

Compatible across all devices

The mobile admin interface needs improvement

Updates take place too frequently

Pricing

GoTo Connect has two pricing plans: Basic and Standard.

• Basic: Starts from $27 per user per month
• Standard: Starts from $32 per user per month

9. 8X8

8X8 Contact Center is another all-in-one contact center software that provides VoIP calling among its key products. From video conferencing to team chat to text messaging, 8X8 has covered everything. It also empowers customers to respond instantly to their queries through the self-service portal.

Features

• Omnichannel routing
• Agent workspace
• Analytics
• Self-service

8X8 Pros and Cons

8X8 Contact Center has a simple yet comprehensive interface that makes finding things quite easy

Helps easily customize agent availability, grouping, and call queuing

Reporting systems of 8×8 are easy to use

Lacks an API feature, making it difficult to onboard or remove users

Searching for recorded calls is a difficult and time-consuming process

Pricing

8X8 Contact Center has three pricing plans: X6, X7, and X8.

• X6: $85 per user per month 
• X7: $110 per user per month
• X8: $140 per user per month

10. Ooma

Ooma Office is a versatile VoIP contact center platform that provides calling services for various business needs. Whether a small business or an established enterprise, Ooma Office caters to all your contact center requirements. Moreover, with Ooma, you can port your existing phone numbers to its platform, saving costs.

Features

• CRM integration
• Call queuing
• Ring groups
• Video conferencing

Ooma Pros and Cons

Helps team members make and receive calls independently thanks to direct phone lines

A wide range of features are available at affordable prices

Allows businesses to change account settings from the mobile app itself

Ooma Office makes it difficult to delete multiple messages at a time

Slow customer service leads to bad experience

Pricing

Ooma Office has three pricing plans: Essentials, Pro, and Pro Plus.

• Essentials: $19.95 per user per month
• Pro: $24.95 per user per month
• Pro Plus: $29.95 per user per month

11. Freshcaller

Freshcaller is one of the most cost-effective phone systems for schools and has a wide range of features to enhance customer service. It integrates with over 20+ third-party applications, including Zoho CRM, Salesforce, and HubSpot, to bring all your customer information to one place. 

Features

• Multi-level IVR
• Call routing
• Call recording
• Shared lines

Freshcaller Pros and Cons

Provides comprehensive ticketing features to track queries from creation to resolution

Agents can work collaboratively by sharing notes and adding comments

Agents get a unified timeline of all conversations with a customer across channels

Integration with third-party tools is limited

Administrative functions have a more complex learning curve

Pricing

Freshcaller has four pricing plans: Free, Growth, Pro, and Enterprise. 

• Free: $0 per user per month
• Growth: $15 per user per month
• Pro: $39 per user per month
• Enterprise: $69 per user per month

12. 3CX

3CX is an all-in-one school phone system that allows you to connect with students and parents over the phone, video conferencing, and live chat. What’s more, you can connect and collaborate with your team. Plus, you can choose between cloud-based and self-hosted systems based on your preferences. 

Features

• Holiday and business hour routing
• WhatsApp Business Integration
• Ring group and welcome message
• Call queues

3CX Pros and Cons

It can be deployed on-premise, in the cloud via hosting partners, or in a hybrid model

3CX has extensive documentation and support availability across different regions

You can configure the 3CX softphone to support BYOD environments

Calls can be choppy at times, affecting communications

There can be incompatibilities between 3CX and some third-party software

Pricing

3CX offers four plans: Free, Small Business, Professional, and Enterprise.

• Free: $0 forever (for up to 10 users)
• Small Business: $175 annually
• Professional: $145 annually
• Enterprise: $180 annually

13. DialerHQ

DialerHQ is a popular VoIP solution for schools thanks to its advanced features at nominal costs. Its user-friendly interface allows you to get started instantly with minimal training. Its text messaging capabilities let you update parents about their kids’ performance and other important information. 

Features

• Voicemail
• SMS
• Call reminder
• Feedback for calls

DialerHQ Pros and Cons

Set up holiday routing to route calls during vacation

Integrate with 100+ tools to create better call workflows

Access voicemail to see who called after working hours

The mobile app could be improved

It has basic real-time analytics and lacks more advanced reporting features

Pricing

DialerHQ offers four plans: Basic, Bronze, Silver, and Platinum

• Basic: $0 per user per month
• Bronze: $7.99 per user per month
• Silver: $11.99 per user per month
• Platinum: $19.99 per user per month

Importance Of Having A School Phone System

Studies have shown that adopting a VoIP solution has helped businesses save over 90% on international calls and over 75% on operational costs. In addition, the global market for VoIP services is expected to grow to $102.5 billion by 2026.

Here are a few reasons to consider implementing a VoIP phone system for schools.

1. Affordably Priced

VoIP phones offer highly affordable pricing plans, usually cheaper than conventional landlines. Many platforms boast forever-free plans and provide international calling at rates much lower than telecom networks.

2. Better Productivity

Unlike traditional phone systems, VoIP systems are accompanied by various advanced functionalities. For instance, you can run multiple calls on the same network and improve productivity. It acts as an audio storage and allows call routing, text messaging, etc.

3. Flexible

Many schools are adopting VoIP solutions for their ability to automate various administrative functions. You can easily connect the school system to a user-friendly handset and access it virtually from anywhere with the help of a fiber connection.

4. Highly Secure

VoIP security privileges like two-factor authentication ensure protection from data security breaches, resulting in student safety.

You May Also Read : Top 15 IP Phones for Business: Pricing, Features and Review

How To Choose The Right VoIP Phone System For Schools?

You need to consider several factors while choosing the best VoIP system for your school. Let us have a look at some of them.

1. Features

Ensure that the VoIP system you choose has all the essential features, such as call routing, call forwarding, call recording, voicemail, auto broadcasting, etc.

2. Pricing

Again, price plays a crucial role in choosing a phone system that suits your needs. Include how much funds to allocate in your budget process and compare the subscription plans across all platforms.

3. Customer Service

The software should ideally provide 24/7 customer support or have quick response times while handling inquiries.

4. Security

Before buying a VoIP tool, make sure to check the security and encryption measures added to it. This prevents unauthorized access and keeps user data safe.

5. Interface

The VoIP solution should have an easy to use interface so that it can be easily adapted by first-time users. Besides, the learning curve shouldn’t be high. 

Wrap Up

Today, VoIP systems have become a necessity for educational institutions. They lead to effective communication among staff and students and ensure high data protection. 

VoIP phone solutions let you send and receive calls and texts and get in touch with people over different communication channels, all from the comfort of your desktop. Choose a VoIP solution that works best for your organization and increases your staff productivity efficiently. 

FAQs

1. Do schools use VoIP phones?

Yes, schools use VoIP phone systems to effectively communicate with staff, students, and parents, handle administrative tasks, and ensure protection from on-campus intruders and other safety-related concerns.

2. Is there a free VoIP service?

There are various VoIP solutions for schools that offer a forever-free pricing plan. One such platform is CallHippo, which boasts a Basic Plan that is completely free of cost and includes features like call forwarding, voicemail, click-to-dial, global connect, and text messaging.

3. How much does a school phone system cost?

The cost of a school phone system depends upon the platform you choose and its features. While plans with basic VoIP calling tools are either free or affordable, those with advanced features are priced higher.

4. What are the features to consider when choosing a school phone system?

A good school phone system must have essential features such as call forwarding, call routing, video conferencing, automated group SMS, etc.

Nikita Agarwal

Nikita is a SaaS copywriter and content marketing expert with almost five years of experience. She creates engaging and high-quality content for SaaS businesses by understanding their pain points and requirements. When not writing, she is busy following the industry news to stay updated on all emerging SaaS trends.

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