When 8x8 doesn’t add up: The best 8x8 alternatives for business communications

If you’re looking for a new communications solution, you’ll definitely have seen 8x8 pop up in your search. It’s a well-known name in business communications.

8x8 has its good points, and its XCaaS branding sounds interesting, but if you're looking at 8x8 alternatives, there are a few options that give you way more bang for your buck. Let's dig into the alternatives, but first, let’s see what 8x8 has to offer.

What is 8x8?

8x8 has been around for a while, and offers a VoIP phone system with advanced call management, video conferencing, team chat, and a contact center option. There’s also 24/7 technical support via live chat and phone for users of some products (dependant on the plan you're on).

Pricing plans start at $15 per user per month for 8x8 Express, which gives you up to 5 users and unlimited calling in the US and Canada, plus auto attendant, intelligent call routing, voicemail, and music on hold. You can upgrade to the next tier at $28 per user per month, while the most advanced plan is $57 per user per month at regular price.¹

Reasons why you might look for an 8x8 alternative

You’re looking for a fully integrated platform

Although it’s presented as a unified communications platform, 8x8’s features aren’t quite as tightly bound together as, for example, Dialpad’s. The contact center offering is a case in point—8x8 was planning to build its own product, but is now reselling the Genesys contact center solution through a new partnership.

That’s actually quite a common practice for UCaaS companies, but what it means is that 8x8 doesn’t have full ownership of its platform (which could be tricky in situations like if you need technical support or want to provide feedback on the product roadmap).

A fully integrated platform also makes for a much more consistent user experience, as you have a single interface for all your comms and data, with no need to toggle between different screens or systems. That’s why Dialpad builds its own software and owns every bit of its code.

You want the best value for money

You’ve probably realized already that “value for money” can mean different things to different businesses, but it’s something to keep a close eye on when you’re researching 8x8 virtual office alternatives.

8x8’s pricing starts at $15 per user per month for the Express package, which is pretty standard at first glance, especially if you’re on a tight budget. But this level only gives you limited features, and you have to pay quite a lot more for the advanced ones.

If there’s one tip I can give you, it’s to have a serious think about what your business needs—and what it’s going to need in the future—before committing to a solution based purely on price.

Consider how much it will cost to implement, configure, and support your chosen software. If it’s tricky to set up and learn, the hassle could negate the affordable price point.

To use Dialpad as an example again, the lowest-priced tier is $15—exactly the same as 8x8 Express. They share some features, like smart call routing. However, Dialpad’s $15 plan provides additional value such as built-in AI, call analytics, and voicemail transcription:

And because it’s truly integrated, it offers a much lower total cost of ownership than paying for a bunch of separate apps.