8×8 vs RingCentral vs Squaretalk: Which is the Better Phone System?

Last updated on May 21, 2025

Voice is still king. Even with the explosion of chatbots and video meetings, a live phone call remains the shortest distance between your team and your customers.

Pick the wrong cloud phone system, though, and that lifeline turns into a tangle of missed calls, hidden fees, and integration headaches.

Eight years ago, choosing a business VoIP platform was mostly a price hunt. Today the decision is strategic. Providers bundle voice with video, team chat, AI, and analytics yet they package and price those pieces very differently.

8×8, RingCentral, and Squaretalk sit at the top of that crowded leaderboard, each promising rock-solid reliability and modern extras like real-time transcription or predictive dialing. The tricky part is that they serve very different sweet spots.

This deep-dive compares the three side-by-side so you can decide which engine will power your conversations for the next five years and why Squaretalk might be the sleeper pick to future-proof your stack.

8x8 vs RingCentral vs Squaretalk: At a Glance Comparison

Features	8x8	RingCentral	Squaretalk
Core Capabilities	Voice, SMS, video, team chat, omnichannel contact-center options	Voice, SMS/MMS, video, team messaging, webinars, optional CX suite	Voice omnichannel conversation options
Flagship Features	Unlimited calling to up to 32 countries, multi-level auto-attendant, HD meetings (500 seats)	AI Assistant call transcripts, unlimited US/CA calling, 330+ integrations	AI predictive dialer, multi-level IVR,AI Conversation analytics, WhatsApp Business Messaging , real-time queues
AI Highlights	Intelligent Customer Assistant (voice & digital bots), sentiment analytics	RingSense for Phone: live transcription, summaries, sentiment & action items	Predictive dialer, AI voice agents + roadmap features for AI-based routing, AI conversation analytics, sentiment analysis
Analytics	Real-time dashboards, speech analytics, custom reports	Business Analytics dashboards, QoS reports, live contact-center views	Live custom monitoring, call transcript with search options, detailed analytics of over 80 KPIs for agent efficiency and operations
Entry Price	Custom pricing - chat with sales	Core – $20 user/mo (annual)	Core – $15 user/mo (3-user min./annual)
GetApp Rating	4.0 / 5 (308 reviews)GetApp	4.2 / 5 (1.2 k reviews)GetApp	4.9 / 5 (93 reviews)GetApp

Where the Three Platforms Overlap

8×8, RingCentral, and Squaretalk are all cloud-based business phone solutions that offer a range of advanced features to cater to diverse communication needs.

Below is a brief look at how these three providers align in key areas, from core functionality and call management to collaboration features and security standards.

Cloud-native voice: Each solution replaces on-prem PBXs with SIP-based calling plus texting from desktop or browser, Built-in collaboration: Video meetings (up to 200 seats on RingCentral, 500 on 8×8) and persistent team chat mean employees can switch channels without leaving the app.

Call-management core : Multi-level IVR menus, ring groups, call queues, and voicemail transcription are table stakes across the board.

Security & compliance : All three encrypt traffic, offer role-based access, and maintain GDPR compliance; 8×8 and RingCentral add HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and other attestations for regulated industries.

App ecosystems : Integrations with Salesforce, Zendesk, HubSpot, Zoho, and open REST APIs ensure each platform can slot into existing stacks.

How They Differ

While 8×8, RingCentral, and Squaretalk all deliver comparable VoIP capabilities, they stand apart in key areas such as feature emphasis, AI integration, reporting depth, pricing models, and best-fit business scenarios.

Below is a detailed breakdown of how these phone systems differ.

1. Key Features

Each platform offers a robust suite of essential features tailored for today’s business communication needs.

Let’s explore the standout capabilities of 8×8, RingCentral, and Squaretalk and where they set themselves apart.

8x8

Unlimited international voice calls to 32 countries even on mid-tier X3/X4 licences, a differentiator for global firms.

Unified interface for calls, meetings, and chat – up to 500-participant video rooms without extra cost.

Contact-center tiers (X6-X8) add blended omnichannel queues, auto-dialers, and quality-management modules.

RingCentral

RingEX Core delivers US/CA unlimited calling, team chat, and 330+ prebuilt integrations right out of the box.

AI Receptionist and AI Assistant now bundled in every plan – 24/7 phone agents plus automated transcriptions, summaries, and translations.

Optional RingCX (contact-center) layers in digital channels, WEM, and advanced AI quality scoring.

Squaretalk

Contact center platform – multi-level IVR, smart ACD, predictive dialer, AI-powered insights, real-time monitoring, AI voice agents etc.

Custom call flows via a no-code visual builder let admins tweak routing without dev help.

2. Artificial-Intelligence Toolkit

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way businesses communicate – streamlining workflows, enhancing customer interactions, and unlocking deeper insights..

Let’s explore the AI-powered features offered by 8*8, RingCentral, and Squaretalk.

Features

8x8

RingCentral

Squaretalk

Self-service bots

Intelligent Customer Assistant for voice & chat

AI Receptionist for 24/7 phone agents

Specialized AI voice agents for Sales, Support and Appointment handling

Live agent assist

Real-time coaching & sentiment hints

RingSense: live transcription, highlights, action items

Speech-to-Text function with search options, sentiment analysis, call summarization and key takeaways presentation

Outbound efficiency

Preview & progressive dialers on X6+

Sales-centric call transcripts & keyword mining

Automated workflows for more efficient communication

Squaretalk focuses its AI where it drives immediate ROI equipping teams with AI-powered voice agents that handle outreach and engagement with natural, human-like conversations—eliminating the need for manual dialing. These intelligent agents can:

Automate outbound calls to reach leads at scale

Schedule appointments seamlessly based on live availability

Generate and revive leads by identifying interest and re-engaging cold prospects

Handle inbound leads instantly, improving speed-to-lead and conversion rates

Deliver 24/7 customer service, in multiple languages and custom voice profiles

3. Analytics & Reporting

Gaining visibility into customer interactions and team performance is vital for optimizing operations and delivering better service. Each platform comes equipped with a comprehensive set of analytics tools designed to surface actionable insights:

8×8 ships enterprise-grade dashboards, historical and live widgets, plus speech-analytics that mine call transcripts for trends.

RingCentral blends usage dashboards for phone/video/chat with contact-center KPI boards and Quality-of-Service (packet-loss, jitter) drill-downs.

Squaretalk gives every plan a supervisor dashboard showing real-time queues, agent status, and live KPIs; throughAI-powered transcript and analytics, call center managers can strengthen their QA processes, do a deep-dive in conversations with negative sentiment and gain better understanding of the customer experience their team is delivering.

4. Pricing & Licensing

Pricing plays a pivotal role when choosing the right business phone system.

Let’s break down the pricing models of 8×8, RingCentral, and Squaretalk to give you a clear understanding of their plans, tiers, and what’s included so you can identify the most cost-effective option for your organization’s needs.

Plan	Monthly (paid annually)	Notable terms
8x8 Contact  Center	Custom price	UC suite, unlimited US/CA + 32-country calling
8x8 CX Beyond the Contact Center	Custom price	Adds operator console, call monitoring
8x8 Communications APIs	Custom price	Entry omnichannel contact center
8x8 Unified Communications	Custom price	Connects teams and customers globally
RingEX Core	$20 user/mo	100-seat video meetings, basic analytics
RingEX Advanced	$25 user/mo	Auto-recording, deeper integrations
RingEX Ultra	$35 user/mo	Full analytics, unlimited storage
Squaretalk Core	$25 user/mo	Core voice/SMS, basic IVR
Squaretalk Connect	$40 user/mo	Predictive dialer, WhatsApp business messaging, real-time analytics
Squaretalk Scale	Custom	Tailored solutions like Viber, email, AI bot messaging, specialized AI agents, VIP support etc.

5. Customer Reviews

One way to gauge these platforms is through user ratings. According to reviews on GetApp , here’s how the three compare in user satisfaction:

8×8 : 4.0/5. Users appreciate its comprehensive features but note some pain points (more on that below).

RingCentral : 4.2/5. It’s broadly liked, reflecting its status as a leading UCaaS provider.

Squaretalk : 4.9/5. Squaretalk enjoys a very high satisfaction score, indicating that users find it delivers excellent value and experience.

Pros and Cons

Evaluating the strengths and limitations of each platform is essential to choosing the right solution for your business. Below is a summary of the key pros and cons of 8×8, RingCentral, and Squaretalk, drawn from expert analysis and real user experiences:

8x8

Pros

Global unlimited calling keeps international bills predictable.

Wide feature span from UC to full-blown CCaaS in one contract.

Reliable HD voice and 99.999 % uptime.

Cons

Public pricing removed in 2024—procurement now requires quotes and negotiation.

Smaller integration catalogue (≈70) than RingCentral’s 300+.

Some customers report complex cancellation terms and autorenewal gotchas.

RingCentral

Pros

Polished apps across desktop, mobile, and browser; minimal user training needed.

Largest integration marketplace among UCaaS peers.

AI Assistant and RingSense deliver impressive real-time productivity gains.

Cons

Support responsiveness draws mixed reviews; queue times can stretch.

Add-on creep—webinars, high-volume SMS, extra analytics—can double TCO.

Limited transparency about how generative-AI models use customer data.

Squaretalk

Pros

Advanced monitoring and reporting capabilities

Lightning-fast, personable support praised by SMBs and enterprises alike.

Visual flow builder lets non-developers tailor routing and automation.

AI-driven voice agents that make smart, human-like calls to qualify leads, schedule meetings, and follow up

Cons

As updates ship rapidly, occasional UI tweaks may surprise end users (though hot-fixes come quickly).

Use Cases

Choosing the right phone system comes down to aligning its strengths with your business goals and operational needs. Each platform excels in different scenarios, making them better suited for certain use cases.

Here’s a look at where 8×8, RingCentral, and Squaretalk shine best:

8x8

Best For: Businesses that require a unified communication and contact center solution with strong global calling capabilities.

Ideal Scenarios:

Multinational enterprises with offices or clients across multiple countries benefit from 8×8’s extensive global network and high-quality international calling.

Small and medium-sized businesses looking to cut costs by consolidating phone, video, and contact center into one platform.

High-volume call centers that handle large call volumes and require advanced call management features (like auto-dialers, call analytics, call monitoring) will find 8×8’s contact center plans well-suited.

RingCentral

Best For: Companies of all sizes that want a proven, full-featured unified communications platform. Particularly beneficial for distributed teams and businesses that rely on a broad range of communication channels (phone, video, messaging).

Ideal Scenarios :

Remote and hybrid teams with remote or hybrid workforces. Its easy-to-use mobile and desktop apps keep teams connected anywhere.

Startups and growing mid-size companies that anticipate rapid growth can trust RingCentral to scale with them.

Multi-site organizations operating across multiple offices or regions (including multinational) benefit from RingCentral’s cloud PBX which unifies all locations.

Businesses that heavily use various SaaS tools (CRM, helpdesk, marketing apps).

Squaretalk

Best For: Businesses of all sizes looking for a flexible, cloud-based communication platform that offers contact-center-grade features with exceptional support and value.

Ideal Scenarios:

Any organization that places a high emphasis on customer communication (be it sales or support) will benefit from Squaretalk.

Startups, SMBs, or even larger enterprises that want advanced capabilities without breaking the bank.

Companies that rely on analytics to drive decisions (call centers optimizing agent performance, or sales teams tracking outreach metrics).

Businesses that handle sensitive customer data (such as payment info, personal details) appreciate Squaretalk’s strong security features.

Distributed contact centers with agents distributed in different locations or even working from home.

Cost-conscious call centers that need capabilities like predictive dialing, call recording, and multi-channel contact (SMS/voice) but have to watch the budget.

Squaretalk is Future-Ready, Are You?

Squaretalk’s mission is to give companies big-league contact-center power without big-vendor complexity or price tags. The platform’s deep CRM integrations, and relentlessly customer-centric roadmap translate into three tangible benefits :

Productivity that scales : AI-driven dialing, skill-based routing, and real-time dashboards help agents handle more conversations in less time.
Pricing that makes sense : Transparent seat-based plans include essentials—no surprise toll-free bundles or per-feature upcharges.
Partnership support : From onboarding to ongoing optimisation, Squaretalk’s support engineers act as an extension of your team, not a ticket queue.

Ready to experience Squaretalk?

See how a future-ready communications platform can unlock growth for your organisation. Book a live demo today and let our specialists tailor a walkthrough to your unique goals.