The 5 Best Business Phone Systems in Australia

Each business, regardless of size, has some sort of communication process. Some just work better than others. Now, almost 150 years since the first telephone call, to say phone systems have evolved would be the understatement of the century (and a half). 

Whether your company is looking for cloud-based business phone systems in Australia, an on-premise system or if you’re still stuck in a game of broken telephone between colleagues, if your business phone solution can’t simplify processes and maximise profitability, it’s not doing its job. 

To help you better understand the different business phone systems in Australia—and to help you choose the right one for you—let’s look at the different types of business phone systems. 

The Evolution of Business Phone Systems in Australia

Business phone systems in Australia fall into five major categories. To help you choose the best business phone system in Australia, it’s helpful first to understand what you are (and aren’t) looking for. 

POTS

We call it POTS (plain old telephone system). It’s also commonly known as a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). This vintage business telephone system is nothing more than a good-old telephone and landline. Classic. 

Private branch exchange (PBX)

This business phone system includes all the benefits of POTS (like speaker and hold) but takes it up a notch. It has the capacity of up to 23 channels and separates these channels from each other. 

Internet Protocol PBX (IP PBX)

This business telephone system is an improved version of the well-known PBX. The most significant difference is that it now includes VoIP support, allowing you to transmit voice messages over the internet. 

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)

VoIP refers to the ability to connect voice and data networks. This includes both on-premise VoIP and Cloud VoIP. 

Cloud VoIP

Hosted VoIP is a 100% cloud-based business phone system. It diminishes the use of chunky desk telephones. But this differs from the on-premise VoIP, which still requires the installation of a telephony structure. 

Learn more on our VoIP knowledge hub. 

Although many modern phone systems appreciate the benefit of VoIP technology and include it as a feature in on-premise calls (VoIP + PBX),  these business phone systems still limit the growth potential of a business. Instead, cloud VoIP business phone systems in Australia include soaring capabilities that pivot your communication system into the 21st century. 

In Australia, there are multiple business phone solutions to choose from. The first aspect to consider is not necessarily which one to choose, but why your business actually needs a phone system in the first place. 

Why Do You Need a Business Phone System in Australia?

61% of companies are switching away from landlines and towards VoIP phone systems. This means that most of your competitors probably are too. 

Companies that have switched to VoIP solutions have seen a 22% increase in productivity by allowing sales leaders to unify their internal processes. 

It reduces time wasted on manual procedures and streamlines business communications. Regardless of the type of phone system your business is drawn to, it’s crucial to have a system in place that:

• Improves customer service

• Scales your business

• Improves cost efficiency

• Leverages technology

The best business systems in Australia take conversations and use data-driven analytics and technology to improve your internal processes and maximise profitability. But identifying this key feature is difficult when it’s quickly overshadowed by marketing, soft features, pricing plans and vanity metrics. 

We recommend these top five features to help you sift through the options. 

The Top 5 Features You Need to Have in a Business Phone System

Priority features for your business phone system in Australia largely depend on the type of phone system you’re looking for. There are many specific features that facilitate business growth and focus on different business objectives. 

But to help you decide which features are helpful and which aren’t, we’ve summarised the five core features to look out for. 

1. Reach and agility

Through VoIP, businesses save up to 90% on international calls. This feature is vital for businesses that target a global audience or who would like to in the future. A business phone system in Australia should offer multiple lines to different countries to encourage reach and flexibility. 

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2. Seamless integration

Choose a business phone system in Australia that offers flexible integration with other business tools and current business processes. Ideal integration features create an ecosystem of apps that improves productivity and client-specific insights on each call. 

3. Value over price

Although lower monthly costs quickly draw in small businesses, comparing the price with the features' value is important. Easily estimate the value of features by comparing them to the features and capabilities of other business phone systems in Australia within a similar price range. 

4. Real-time analytics

The only way forward is to know the road ahead. Analytics and reporting enable real-time tracking all in one place. There is no need to catch teams up to speed, as all vital information gathers on an easy-to-navigate dashboard. A live activity feed also creates an opportunity for real-time feedback and support through tools like call whispering.

5. Automation capabilities

When it comes to team profitability, it hinges on peak productivity. Automation features reduce redundancy and streamline what’s important. Key productivity features to look out for are power dialers, CRM integrations, click-to-dial capabilities and call tags. 

Comparison of the 5 Best Business Phone Systems in Australia

At Aircall, hosted VoIP will always remain our top choice. That way, there’s no need for the hassle with hardware, and your team can benefit from the flexibility and mobility of accessing the system from anywhere. 

All you need is: 

• A device that can run the software

• An internet connection

But even if your business is ready to shift towards a better phone solution, it requires careful consideration as you sift through the many available options. 

Luckily, the responsibility of choosing the right phone provider doesn’t have to be a lonely task. So here are our top business phone recommendations.

1. Aircall

Aircall is an industry-leading provider of business phone solutions for enterprises that want to improve their call centre's quality, impact and profitability. It includes high-quality features even in its basic package, which alternatives usually add at premium rates. Aircall also offers one of the largest app integration ecosystems, which allows maximised productivity and efficiency at a minimal cost. 

Features

• Zero hardware requirements

• Integration ecosystem with 100+ business tools

• Real-time analytics and reporting

• Calls to over 100 countries

• Unlimited domestic inbound and outbound calls

• Cost-effective call bundles

The ideal user

Aircall best suits SMEs that need an all-in-one business phone solution that tracks and boosts performance and profitability. As it’s 100% cloud-based, it allows full workplace autonomy for remote and hybrid teams. It also provides significant value at low monthly rates, which is ideal for businesses that focus on growth and sustainability.  

Integrations

Aircall has an industry-leading app integration system that connects 100+ business tools. All integrations are easy to manage and centralise all CRM software and APIs so managers can track, assign and streamline all internal processes with a few clicks. Popular Aircall integration partners include Salesforce, Zendesk, HubSpot, and Pipedrive.  

“When they call, we can greet them by name. We can see from their HubSpot profile when they call, how many times, everything. We have better customer service,” says Aircall customer Genuine Legal, a law firm based in Australia.

Price 

Monthly plans start at AU$45 per user. The highest-tier plan is customisable to match your specific company needs. Aircall’s basic plan is the most comprehensive option among the top five business phone solutions. 

Rating

4.3 / 5 based on 303 reviews [Capterra Aus] 

2. RingCentral

RingCentral MVP is a unified cloud-based business phone system that includes messages, video and phone solutions. It meets all the basic core call requirements, such as call logging, monitoring and call recording.

Features

• Free video calling integration

• 24-hour support (99.95% uptime)

• CRM integrations

• Real-time analytics

• Mobile friendly

The ideal user

RingCentral best suits businesses focused on video integration.

Integrations

RingCentral includes intuitive integrations such as SalesForce, Microsoft 365, and Zendesk.

Price 

RingCentral has a range of subscription options that range from AU$29,66 to AU$33,69.

Rating

4.2 out of 5 [Capterra Aus]

3. CloudTalk

CloudTalk is a business phone solution that helps businesses scale past local territories.

Features

• Automated call distribution

• Interaction recording

• IVR

• Custom reporting

The ideal user

Its most frequent customers include people in sales who make regular outbound calls. 

Integrations

CloudTalk includes over 25 third-party integrations and combines with your CRM, helpdesk or e-commerce tools. Choices include Shopify, SalesForce, Pipedrive, and Intercom.

Price 

AU$37,09 per month (billed annually)

Rating

4.4 out of 5 [Capterra Aus] 

4. 8X8 Express

8x8 Express is a business phone system geared towards micro-businesses. What it lacks in scalability, it makes up for in pricing. Its basic plan doesn’t include as many core call features. But as this plan targets sole traders, freelancers or local shops - it offers a good starting point. 

Features

• Unlimited AU calls in its upgraded plan

• Auto-attendant

• Team messaging

• Voicemail to email 

The ideal user

Independent sales agents or micro-businesses.

Integrations

The 8x8 express includes Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace integrations.

Price 

The express plan starts at AU$22,26 per user per month

Rating

4 out of 5 [Capterra Aus]

5. GoToConnect

GoToConnect is another unified communications solution. This means that it includes video, messaging, and phone solutions, similar to RingCentral. 

Features

• Customisable plans

• 100+ call features

• International calls to 50+ countries

The ideal user

GoToConnect is ideal for businesses with growth capacity that can invest more in their business phone system.

Integrations

GoToConnect includes a variety of integration apps, including Salesforce, Hubspot and Microsoft teams. 

Price 

GoToConnect has a higher starting cost than most for their basic package. Pricing varies based on the number of users and ranges from AU$40,06 to AU$63,80 per user per month. 

Rating

4.5 out of 5 [Capterra Australia]

How to Choose the Right Business Phone System for Your Business?

If your business is weighing up its choices for the best phone systems on the market, there are a few helpful questions to ask before you make your decision. 

1. Is the system integrated? 

The best business system for call centres creates a balance of efficiency and engagement. It should be easy to integrate and should provide real-time analytics to aid in coaching, scalability and profitability.

2. Is the system affordable and sustainable? 

VoIP reduces phone-related costs by 40% to 80%. This allows small businesses to not only increase their growth but save time and money while doing so. Recent statistics also show that VoIP reduces startup costs by as much as 90%. 

3. Is the system accessible? 

In a competitive market, accessibility is vital. The flexibility of VoIP and its ability to connect you to your customers from anywhere is a core feature that your business phone system can’t negate. 

Why Australian enterprises prefer Aircall

Talk might be cheap, but the outcomes are significant. 

Aircall can reduce maintenance and calling costs by up to $1300 per user. In addition to the benefits of reduced costs, Aircall also increases workplace productivity and autonomy through real-time reporting and an intuitive dashboard that aligns all departments. 

Is VoIP available in all Australian cities? 

Yes. As long as you have an internet connection, you can use a VoIP business phone system wherever you are in Australia. For example:

• Canberra

• Rockhampton

• Adelaide

• Gold coast

• Melbourne

• Sydney

Make the right call

Although choosing the right business phone system in Australia can seem complicated, you don’t have to go about it alone. 

There’s more to connectivity than simply getting in touch. Get the most out of every business conversation. Try us for free here.