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iPlum is the best Klara alternative, thanks to its true HIPAA compliance and robust feature suite.
First, it matches Klara’s capabilities, such as two-way messaging, voicemail transcriptions, and EHR integration.
iPlum also pushes the envelope with other features not available with Klara, such as phone tree, a mobile second line, and 800 toll-free lines.
Before we go over iPlum and other Klara alternatives, let’s first look at Klara’s issues and limitations.
Klara Reviews: What Are Users Saying?
Every patient communication platform is only as good as its users say it is. Klara reviews on Capterra, Getapp, and Trustpilot reveal the following pros and cons.
❌ Poor customer support
Klara's customer support could do better, according to users.
“It took ages to get a response… felt dismissive.” — Shannon M., G2
❌ Unread messages reappear in the inbox
If a message is marked unread, it reappears in the inbox and can be missed or duplicated.
“The ‘unread’ messages from the patients go back into our inbox.” — Tami F., GetApp.
❌ Some patients struggle to log in or access documents
Login issues and document visibility problems can delay communication.
“Patients have been having issues logging in and cannot view certain documents…” — Novee N., Capterra.
❌ Transcriptions aren't always accurate
Voicemail transcripts often contain errors, so staff may still need to listen to the recording.
“Even though it is not always accurate…” — Skylar W., Capterra
❌No option to exclude specific patients from broadcasts
Once a message is scheduled, there's no way to remove patients it doesn’t apply to.
“I would like to be able to ‘delete’ certain patients out of broadcasts…” — Alexis W., Capterra
❌ No mass messaging feature
A few users wished for a bulk message tool.
“Can not send out to our patients a mass broadcast message.” — Andrea H., GetApp
❌ No direct EHR sync
Manual steps are needed to move data into other systems.
“I wish there was more collaboration with the EMR software…” — Sarah A., GetApp
✔ Lets staff send and receive secure SMS messages
Patients can reply directly via text, making communication easier.
“It is an easy and HIPAA-compliant way of directly communicating with patients.” — Sophia K., Capterra
✔ Easy to use and customize
Several reviews highlight Klara’s intuitive interface and fast setup.
“No extensive training needed… implementation was easy.” — Verified User, G2
Klara Pricing
Klara doesn’t state its pricing publicly. However, Klara reviews point to an expensive service compared to competitors.
Here’s an example:
"Too much for a solo practice. There are less expensive options that do the same thing."
— Anne C., G2 Discussion
Klara Features
Here’s what you can do with Klara
- Texting – Send and receive secure messages with patients.
- Attachments – Share and receive documents, forms, and images.
- Read Receipts – Know whether a patient has seen your message.
- Reminder – Send text reminders to patients.
Why Look for a Klara Alternative?
If Klara's reviews are anything to go by, there are many reasons to look elsewhere. Here’s why you’d consider an alternative to Klara.
- Poor customer support
- Frequent downtime
- SMS delays and errors
- Limited EHR integrations
- Hard-to-customize message templates
- Limited automation capabilities
- Inadequate training resources
- Few third-party integrations
- Limited language support
Best Alternatives to Klara
Before we look at what the Klara alternatives on our list offer, here’s a quick overview of how they compare from a distance.
1. iPlum (Best Value)
iPlum leads the pack of the best Klara alternatives—and for some good reasons.
You see.
Klara positions itself as a HIPAA-compliant messaging platform. But that’s as far as this capability goes. The platform struggles to deliver true HIPAA compliance.
That’s where iPlum stands out.
iPlum delivers true end-to-end security for calls, texts, and voicemails.
With iPlum, healthcare professionals get a dedicated business phone number—not just an in-app messaging system. This means, unlike Klara, patients can call and text directly as they would with any normal phone number, Plus, every interaction is automatically encrypted with AES-256 security.
Moreover, iPlum provides full HIPAA compliance without extra steps, including a signed Business Associate Agreement (BAA) for every business account.
As if that’s not enough, iPlum also boasts robust phone system capabilities that Klara simply doesn’t.
Features like auto-attendants, call forwarding, voicemail transcription, and text scheduling make iPlum a complete communication solution for medical offices. That way, clinics can manage everything from one easy-to-use platform instead of using multiple tools.
For multi-provider clinics, iPlum has team accounts and multi-user support. These allow administrators to assign HIPAA-compliant phone numbers to each staff member, ensuring secure communication across the entire team.
And unlike Klara’s pricing model, which requires you to request a quote, iPlum offers transparent, budget-friendly plans with no hidden costs.
One more thing.
iPlum also supports secure SMS texting and encrypted iPlum-to-iPlum messaging through secure channels.
This ensures healthcare professionals can keep communication private and compliant. whether they're communicating with other staff members or directly with patients
For more details on secure texting, visit iPlum’s Secure Channels FAQ and How to Do Secure Texting.
iPlum Pricing
Speaking of pricing, iPlum provides affordable business communication with three plans as follows:
Standard Plan ($8.99/user/month) – Ideal for essential business calling and texting, this plan includes a local or toll-free number, voicemail, spam blocking, business hours, phone tree, and auto-replies.
Professional Plan ($14.99/user/month) – Adds web texting, voicemail transcription, group messaging, text archiving, HIPAA compliance, and Business Associate Agreements, making it a feature-rich option for healthcare and regulated industries.
Premium Plan($19.99/user) – Includes everything in Professional plus call recording and archiving, catering to finance, insurance, legal, and sales professionals who need compliance-ready communication.
Check out iPlum’s pricing page
How to Get Started With iPlum
If you’re a new user, you can create a free iPlum account or port/transfer your Klara number to access true HIPAA compliance.
Here’s how to transfer your Klara number to iPlum:
- Check if your number is active – Your Klara number must still be working with your current provider for the porting process to go through.
- Unlock your number if needed – Some virtual providers such as Google Voice, Google Fi, Sideline, and Smartline require you to unlock your number before porting.
- Go to iPlum’s portal – Visit my.iplum.com and click “Port Existing Number” to start the transfer.
- Create or log into your iPlum account – If you're new to iPlum, sign up with a different mobile number (this will be your login ID). If you already have an iPlum account, log in and go to “Dashboard” → “Users” → Click your login ID → “More” → “Port Number.”
- Fill out the porting form – Enter details about your current carrier, including your account number, billing phone number, PIN (if applicable), and service address. Make sure the details match what’s on your current carrier’s records.
- Submit your request—iPlum will verify your information and submit the port request to your provider. Depending on your carrier, the transfer usually takes 1 to 7 business days.
- Receive a confirmation email – Once the port is complete, iPlum will notify you via email. At this point, your Klara number will stop working with your old provider and start working in iPlum.
- Download the iPlum app – Install the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play, login, and start using your ported number.
- Cancel your old service – Contact your previous provider to confirm the service has been canceled so you won’t be billed for a line you no longer use.
Note: Your Klara number will continue to work with your current provider While the port is in progress.
Port Your Klara Number to iPlum
2. Nextiva
Nextiva is a Klara alternative with a broader feature set including business phone, fax, and video conferencing.
But, unlike Klara, which caters to patient engagement, Nextiva is a “general-purpose communication” platform that adapts its features for healthcare users.
It provides cloud-based calling, auto-attendants, and virtual faxing, making it a potential choice for medical offices looking for a VoIP solution.
That said, Nextiva’s HIPAA compliance is restrictive and requires manual configuration. To enable compliance, users must sign a Business Associate Agreement.
In addition, they must activate HIPAA-specific settings. Otherwise, their accounts remain non-compliant by default.
Even with these settings enabled, Nextiva disables key functions like voicemail-to-email, voicemail transcription, and email-based faxing. This forces providers to trade usability for security.
So, while Nextiva offers a version of HIPAA compliance, it’s an afterthought rather than a true solution.
iPlum, on the other hand, is built from the ground up with HIPAA compliance at its core. The platform allows encrypted messaging, secure calling, and automatic compliance. And you don’t have to disable important communication features.
3. Dialpad
Dialpad is a Klara competitor that supports VoIP calling, messaging, video conferencing, AI-powered call transcription, and virtual fax.
Compared to Klara, it isn't inherently designed for healthcare providers. For instance, the platform lacks patient engagement tools like automated appointment reminders and telehealth tools.
Still, clinics can use Dialpad for voice calls, team messaging, and virtual meetings …which begs the question—is Dialpad HIPAA compliant?
Well, Dialpad is technically HIPAA-compliant. However, you must configure it properly. For example, you need to sign a Business Associate Agreement. In addition, you’ll have to manually adjust security settings to meet HIPAA compliance standards.
And, even after enabling HIPAA mode, features like voicemail transcription, email-based faxing, and some AI-driven analytics remain disabled. Although this prevents potential data exposure, it limits Dialpad’s overall usability for medical professionals.
Do you know what this means? It means that while you can use Dialpad in a healthcare setting, it wasn’t built with medical providers in mind.
In other words, Dialpad doesn’t offer true out-of-the-box HIPAA compliance. Instead, it requires clinics to adjust settings and, in the process, forgo useful features to meet security requirements.
iPlum, by comparison, is a Klara alternative purpose-built for healthcare with HIPAA compliance included from the get-go.
With iPlum, secure calling, messaging, and voicemail are built-in, and no setup hassles or feature trade-offs are required. That’s true HIPAA compliance right there.
4. Google Voice
Google Voice is a cloud-based calling and messaging service integrated with Google Workspace.
Its core features include free calls and texts within the US and Canada, voicemail transcription, and call forwarding. It also integrates with other Google services, including Google Workspace and Google Meet.
Like Nextiva and Dialpad, Google Voice is a healthcare-first communication platform. So, as you’d expect, it drops the ball in some areas when it comes to HIPAA compliance.
The free version of Google Voice isn't HIPAA-compliant. Therefore, if you use it to handle PHI, you’re violating HIPAA regulations right out of the gate.
To its credit, Google Voice offers HIPAA compliance as part of the paid Google Workspace suite. However, there are a couple of things you need to know. First, Google Voice disables certain features in HIPAA mode, such as voicemail transcription.
On top of that, the Business Associate Agreement isn’t automatic. You’ll need to sign it manually, as with Nextiva and Diapad.
Therefore, while Google is “reasonably” HIPAA compliant, healthcare providers must consider whether the drawbacks and manual setup are worth the trouble.
True HIPAA compliance doesn't have to be this complicated, though, especially when using Klara alternatives like iPlum to safeguard sensitive data.
And the beauty of it is that iPlum delivers true HIPAA compliance from day one. No feature compromises. No manual security tweaks. Just secure, reliable communication tailored for healthcare professionals and other operators in heavily regulated industries.
Plus, iPlum’s HIPAA compliance starts at $14.99 per user per month, compared to Google Voice’s $26.30 monthly fee for one user.
5. RingCentral
RingCentral is a cloud-based communication platform offering voice, messaging, video conferencing, and contact center solutions.
It touts a flexible design that supports remote work, customer engagement, and industry-specific needs, including healthcare and finance.
RingCentral says it offers HIPAA-compliant communication solutions for healthcare providers.
Its safeguard rails include encryption, secure access controls, and third-party compliance audits. It also supports integrations with electronic health record (EHR) systems and healthcare apps to help streamline workflows and maintain the set security standards.
In addition, RingCentral provides Business Associate Agreements to covered entities.
However, there are limitations.
RingCentral’s HIPAA compliance isn’t enabled by default. Like Nextiva, Dialpad, Nextiva, and Google Voice, you must manually configure security settings and sign the BAA.
Furthermore, although RingCentral encrypts voice, messaging, and video data, it doesn’t control how third-party integrations handle PHI, creating potential security gaps.
Another challenge is that some features, such as call recording, require extra precautions to avoid HIPAA violations, complicating things further for healthcare providers.
And there’s the cost factor.
RingCentral’s HIPAA-compliant plans are on the higher end, making it a costly option for small practices.
Because it’s primarily a business communication platform rather than a healthcare-first solution, some essential compliance features require workarounds or additional tools.
While RingCentral is a solid choice for larger healthcare organizations, providers seeking a simpler, cost-effective, and fully compliant alternative may find better options with Klara alternatives like iPlum.
iPlum offers true HIPAA compliance for the health industry, saving you the headache of manual security configurations.
With encrypted voice, text, and voicemail, iPlum ensures PHI stays protected without sacrificing essential features. Plus, at just $14.99 per user per month, it delivers compliance at a fraction of RingCentral’s cost.
Best Alternatives to Klara — Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Alternative to Klara?
iPlum. Apart from having overlapping features, iPlum offers rock-solid HIPAA compliance calling and texting at an affordable rate. Secure patient communication starts at just $14.99 per user per month.
Does Klara Offer a Second Business Line?
No, Klara doesn’t offer a second business line. It focuses on patient messaging. If you’re looking for a mobile 2nd line, iPlum is a good Klara alternative to consider.
It gives you a dedicated second line for calls, texts, and voicemail, ensuring secure and professional communication on your existing device.
How Much Does Klara Cost?
Klara’s pricing isn’t transparent. You must request a custom quote, and costs vary based on practice size and features. There’s no publicly listed plan, making comparisons difficult.
Klara Alternatives- Why Choose iPlum Over Competitors
Any serious healthcare provider knows HIPAA compliance isn't something you can afford to gamble on.
The wrong solution exposes you to security risks, regulatory penalties, and legal trouble.
As you've seen, most Klara alternatives claim to offer full HIPAA compliance.
But in reality, impose restrictions, turn off key features, or require extra steps that put the burden on you to stay compliant.
A truly HIPAA-compliant platform should be secure from the outset.
If a provider makes compliance an afterthought, you'll be the one left picking up the pieces.
The right solution delivers built-in security, a signed BAA, and all the necessary features to communicate safely and efficiently.
There's no room for uncertainty when patient data is on the line.
That's why healthcare professionals trust iPlum for true HIPAA compliance.
With iPlum, you get automatic HIPAA compliance, a pre-signed BAA, and all the communication tools you need to keep your facility running smoothly.
