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The choice between Ooma and Nextiva boils down to either platform’s ability to handle the demands of today’s communication.
Both have features such as virtual numbers, call forwarding, and voicemail for this.
That said, there’s a third option. It’s called iPlum, a cost-effective phone system with better technology.
For starters, Ooma has texting limitations and message caps unless you pay extra.
Nextiva is feature-rich but locks many functions in higher-tier plans, which quickly raises costs.
Unlike Ooma and Nextiva, which are VoIP-only systems, iPlum offers dual-mode calling with carrier and Wi-Fi reliability.
It also offers HIPAA-compliant texting, among other features that we’ll discuss in greater detail below.
Table of Contents
1. Ooma vs Nextiva vs iPlum—A side-by-side comparison
2. Ooma vs Nextiva vs iPlum—User Reviews
3. Ooma vs Nextiva vs iPlum—Pricing
4. How to Port Your Number to iPlum
5. Ooma vs Nextiva vs iPlum—Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
6. Why Choose iPlum Over Ooma and Nextiva
Ooma vs Nextiva vs iPlum—A side-by-side comparison
Although Ooma, Nextiva, and iPlum are communication platforms, what you get and at what price differs from service to service.
We’ll explore these differences in the sections below as we begin the Ooma vs. Nextiva vs. iPlum comparison.
Here’s a comparison table to give you a quick overview.
1. Calling Capabilities
One of the most important considerations when choosing a business phone system is its calling capabilities.
Here’s what you get with the three services.
Ooma
Ooma offers standard calling features such as extension dialing, call forwarding, and conferencing.
You also get call blocking and a virtual receptionist to manage incoming calls. However, Ooma runs entirely on VoIP, meaning voice quality depends on the strength of your internet connection.
It’s not surprising, therefore, that dropped calls or weak audio are some of the most common Ooma complaints.
So, while Ooma offers unlimited calling in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, its reliance on the Internet makes it less reliable in poor connectivity environments.
Nextiva
Nextiva comes with calling essentials like inbound and outbound voice, call routing, and ring groups. Higher plans allow access to intelligent routing and call center features.
But, just like Ooma, the platform runs only on VoIP, which ties call quality to internet stability. Furthermore, Nextiva offers toll-free and local numbers in the Engage plan for $25 per user per month.
iPlum, by comparison, has local, vanity, and toll-free numbers in the Standard plan at $8.99, nearly three times cheaper than Nextiva.
iPlum
iPlum boasts a comprehensive set of calling features designed for business reliability.
The Standard plan offers critical features such as Do-Not-Disturb, call forwarding, phone tree, voicemail, and spam blocking. Meanwhile, Professional users can access web calling and shared numbers.
One notable feature that sets iPlum apart from Ooma and Nextiva is dual-mode calling. The platform routes calls over Wi-Fi, data, or the cellular carrier network, whichever is stronger at the time.
The system ensures conversations continue even when internet coverage is weak.
2. Texting and Messaging
Business texting is now as important as calling. Let’s see what you get with the three services in this area.
Ooma
Ooma offers texting only in the Pro and Pro Plus tiers.
Even then, usage comes with restrictions and message caps that may require buying additional credits. Besides, Standard users cannot access texting features, limiting communication options.
So, if your business relies on SMS to interact with customers, it is important to note that Ooma limits text messaging to 250 per month in the Pro and 1,000 per month in the Pro Plus plan.
Nextiva
Nextiva’s Core plan supports SMS for domestic communication.
However, more sophisticated tools like customer-to-business texting or two-way engagement require upgrading to the Engage plan or higher.
Although Nextiva’s higher tiers offer features such as web chat and toll-free texting, the pricing can significantly increase monthly costs.
So, if you’re hoping to use Nextiva for messaging, be aware that most of the feature’s flexibility is in its mid- and upper-tier subscriptions.
iPlum
iPlum offers texting from the Standard plan, covering U.S. and Canada communication with no restrictive caps.
The Professional plan expands this by offering secure, encrypted texting, voicemail-to-text, scheduled texts, and templates.
In addition, you can create groups and broadcast messages, making communication more efficient.
More importantly, iPlum delivers HIPAA-compliant messaging for healthcare providers and regulated industries. The HIPAA plan comes with a free client account to enable secure two-way communication with patients or customers without relying on unsecured SMS. T
Again, this feature alone sets iPlum apart from Ooma and Nextiva, giving professionals a safe and affordable way to manage daily conversations through text.
3. Auto-Attendant and Call Management
A good phone system should route calls smoothly and create a professional customer front door.
Below, we compare the three services.
Ooma
Ooma offers a virtual receptionist that answers and directs calls.
You also get extension dialing, call transfer, and ring groups to manage incoming traffic. Meanwhile, music on hold and paging support enhance the caller experience.
However, most advanced call management functions are only available in the Pro and Pro Plus plans.
Nextiva
Nextiva includes call routing, ring groups, and extension dialing in its Core plan. Higher tiers offer customizable workflows and multi-site management.
That said, most of these features only make business sense for larger organizations.
If you're a small business, for instance, you may not need full call center automation. However, you may be forced to subscribe to the Power Suite CX for $75 per user per month to access voice and web chat.
So, even though Nextiva has solid call management features, you're roped into paying for tools you don't need to access basic functionality.
iPlum
iPlum offers auto-attendant and call management in the Standard plan, making professional call routing accessible right out of the box.
The platform features an advanced phone tree with auto-attendant and extensions, voicemail, and multiple forwarding paths to ensure calls reach the right person.
In addition, you can customize routing by business hours or out-of-office status, giving callers a structured experience. The phone tree also scales easily, allowing growing businesses to add extensions as needed..
Meanwhile, the Professional and Premium tiers expand functionality with voicemail transcription and call recording.
4. Voicemail and Call Recording
Voicemail and call recording are crucial for customer service and compliance.
Meanwhile, transcriptions save time, while recordings create reliable records for businesses in regulated industries.
Here’s what you get with the three services.
Ooma
Ooma includes voicemail as a standard feature in all plans. You can forward voicemail to email as an audio file, making it easier to monitor missed calls.
However, as with most features, voicemail transcription and call recording are only available in the Pro and Pro Plus plans.
As a result, you’ll miss out on these tools if you’re in the Essentials plan, which adds cost for basic record-keeping and compliance requirements.
Nextiva
Nextiva offers voicemail in every plan, which is accessible through mobile and desktop apps. Standard features work well for basic storage and playback.
Like Ooma, transcription is only available in the Power Suite CX plan, which starts at $75 per user monthly. Furthermore, automatic call recording also requires higher subscriptions.
Although Nextiva boasts strong functionality at the enterprise level, you must pay a premium for voicemail transcription and recording.
iPlum
iPlum builds voicemail and recording features into affordable plans.
The Professional plan comes with voicemail transcription, letting users read messages instead of listening.
Moreover, the Premium plan brings in call recording with consent and archiving, particularly useful in healthcare, finance, and legal fields where compliance is critical. Voicemails also trigger email alerts, ensuring you don’t overlook important calls.
By offering these features at mid-tier prices, iPlum gives small businesses access to tools usually locked in higher-priced packages with Ooma and Nextiva.
So, if you’re in for reliable record-keeping and compliance-friendly communication, iPlum balances cost with advanced functionality.
5. Compliance and Security
Compliance is critical for industries handling sensitive information. Can Ooma, Nextiva, and iPlum allow you to send protected information while protecting client data from exposure or misuse? Let’s find out.
Ooma
Ooma provides solid call features but does not guarantee HIPAA compliance. While you can activate HIPAA mode, it entirely turns off SMS.
The limitation makes Ooma unsuitable for organizations relying on secure texting. While the platform works well for general business use, healthcare providers or financial professionals cannot depend on it for regulatory requirements.
Nextiva
Nextiva, like Ooma, offers the option to operate in HIPAA-compliant mode.
But, activating it removes critical features such as voicemail-to-email, fax-to-email, and SMS. This tradeoff makes compliance possible only by sacrificing convenience.
So, although Nextiva ensures enterprise-grade security, its design does not balance compliance with usability.
iPlum
HIPAA compliance is at the core of iPlum’s functionality.
The Professional plan offers mobile calling and texting compliance. You also get a signed Business Associate Agreement, an essential requirement in healthcare.
In addition to HIPAA, iPlum also meets CMS and Dodd-Frank requirements, making it valuable for financial advisors, insurance providers, and legal professionals.
A unique feature is the free iPlum account for clients or patients, enabling secure, two-way communication outside traditional SMS and MMS.
The function gives professionals a reliable way to exchange sensitive information, positioning iPlum as a compliance-ready solution.
6. Integrations and Add-ons
Integrations extend a phone system’s reach. Below is a comparison of integration capabilities between Ooma, Nextiva, and iPlum.
Ooma
Ooma integrates with Microsoft Office 365 and Google Workspace, but access requires a Pro or Pro Plus subscription.
The Essentials plan doesn’t allow integrations, limiting workflow efficiency. Furthermore, you must upgrade to get analytics and CRM connectivity, which adds more cost.
The pricing model means paying nearly $30 per user monthly to connect calling features with tools you already use daily.
Nextiva
Nextiva provides broad integration options, ranging from CRM systems to productivity platforms.
However, in-depth reporting and real-time insights are available in the Engage plan and above, increasing monthly costs. So, if you’re in for affordable connectivity, you may find Nextiva’s most valuable integrations expensive.
iPlum
iPlum may not have as many integrations as Nextiva.
However, through its REST APIs, you can connect the platform with healthcare systems, financial platforms, or custom applications. As a result, iPlum is adaptable for specialized industries without requiring expensive enterprise packages.
The API option is also available as an add-on, allowing you to design compliance and communication needs workflows.
7. Global Availability and Mobility
Your phone system must support remote workforces and international communication.
Here’s a breakdown of what you get with Ooma, Nextiva, and iPlum regarding global availability.
Ooma
Ooma offers unlimited calling within the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. International calling is also available at additional rates.
You can also use the service on iOS and Android devices, but as previously mentioned, calling still depends on internet stability.
Nextiva
Nextiva is accessible via iOS and Android devices, giving users access on the go.
However, the system operates primarily in the U.S., with limited global reach unless you purchase a higher-tier.
iPlum
iPlum is designed for mobility and global reach. The platform works in over 200 countries and is available in 23+ languages, supporting professionals who travel or serve international clients.
In addition, you can choose U.S. or Canadian local numbers or add toll-free lines, with calls routed over Wi-Fi or the carrier network.
Furthermore, iPlum’s mobile app can run on iOS, Android, tablets, and Chromebooks, ensuring consistent access anywhere.
Meanwhile, the BYOD support means employees can use their own devices securely.
Ooma vs Nextiva vs iPlum—User Reviews
9 in 10 customers read reviews before purchasing a product. Moreover, they trust brands with positive reviews and high ratings.
Below is a snapshot of what users have to say about Ooma, Nextiva, and iPlum.
Ooma reviews
Some users say Ooma’s setup is simple. However, others report weak calling features, texting limits, and frustrating account management
❌ Unreliable call quality
“Phones don’t ring, sound like speaking in a barrel, no Hold button …” — Bob Mikkelson, TrustPilot
❌ Limited texting options
“Ooma lets you text only if you’re on the Pro plan, and even then you’re capped. It doesn’t meet my business needs.” — Verified User, G2
❌ Missing features
“Locked out of phone settings with no option to change basics.” — Brad D., Capterra
✔ Easy setup
“Ooma Office was very easy to implement with a simple online interface.” — Rachel P., Capterra
Nextiva reviews
Nextiva earns praise for its desktop app and portal. However, some users highlight texting delays, mobile call quality problems, and call flow issues.
❌ Texting delays
“Business texting caused my onboarding to drag for months.” — Dr. Kishor K., G2
❌ Poor mobile quality
“Calls often drop with constant poor network messages.” — Verified User, G2
❌ User setup difficulties
“Account creation becomes an issue when users leave and rejoin.” — Verified User, G2
✔ Reliable desktop app
“The desktop application works well.” — Sandra V., G2
iPlum reviews
✔ Easy setup
“iPlum was simple to install and use on a daily basis.” — Kelly M., G2
✔ HIPAA-compliant texting
“I can send and receive text messages without worry.” — Mihaela Born, TrustPilot
✔ Reliable call quality
“The connection stays strong whether I’m on Wi-Fi or mobile data.” — J.A., TrustPilot
✔ Robust phone tree
“The phone tree is my favorite, it automatically directs calls to the right place.” — Taylor B., G2
❌ No video conferencing
iPlum doesn’t currently offer video conferencing even though the feature’s development is underway.
Ooma vs Nextiva vs iPlum—Pricing
Let’s now analyze how much each of these phone services cost and the features that you get in every tier.
How much does Ooma cost?
Essentials — $19.95 per user per month
Comes with unlimited domestic calling across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. Also provides a virtual receptionist, mobile app access, and standard call management tools.
Pro — $24.95 per user per month
Builds on Essentials by adding desktop app calling, text messaging capped at 250 messages monthly, video meetings for up to 25 participants, and the option to record calls.
Pro Plus — $29.95 per user per month
Offers everything in Pro, with expanded texting up to 1,000 messages monthly, larger video meetings supporting 100 participants, CRM integration, call queuing, team chat, and hot desking.
How much does Nextiva cost?
Core — $15 per user per month
Provides inbound and outbound calling, business SMS, call routing, and access through both desktop and mobile apps.
Engage — $25 per user per month
Adds toll-free numbers with bundled minutes, plus access to advanced reporting and analytics.
Power Suite CX — $75 per user per month
Expands calling capacity with skills-based call distribution, call center tools, and enhanced routing for high-volume environments.
How much does iPlum cost?
Standard — $8.99 per user per month
Provides mobile app calling and texting within the U.S. and Canada, voicemail, auto-replies, business hours, and a phone tree with extensions.
Professional — $14.99 per user per month
Builds on Standard with web-based calling and texting, secure encrypted messaging, voicemail transcription, group and broadcast texts, archiving, and HIPAA compliance with a Business Associate Agreement (BAA).
Premium — $19.99 per user per month
Adds to Professional with automatic call recording and compliance features tailored for finance, insurance, legal, sales, and customer support sectors.
Ooma vs Nextiva vs iPlum Pricing—Which offers more value?
When comparing costs, iPlum is the most cost-effective option by far.
The Standard plan at $8.99 per user per month is 55% cheaper than Ooma Essentials ($19.95) and a striking 70% cheaper than Nextiva Core ($30).
iPlum’s Premium at $19.99 remains cheaper than Nextiva’s Core tier, offering call recording and compliance features that Ooma only unlocks at higher tiers.
Ooma and Nextiva quickly become expensive once you add texting, call recording, or reporting. That said, iPlum provides more value for less, giving businesses premium functionality at a fraction of competitor costs.
How to Port Your Number to iPlum
If you’d like to port your Ooma or Nextiva number to iPlum, you only need to follow the instructions outlined in the video below.
Ooma vs Nextiva vs iPlum—Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is better than Nextiva?
iPlum is better than Nextiva for small businesses. It’s cheaper and comes with dual-mode calling, HIPAA texting, and compliance features at lower tiers, a stark difference to Nextiva’s expensive upgrades.
Is iPlum a VoIP?
Yes, iPlum is a VoIP system, but it is unique. It uses Wi-Fi, data, and the cellular network, ensuring reliable calling even when internet connections weaken or drop.
What does Ooma do?
Ooma provides VoIP phone services with calling, texting (in higher plans), voicemail, and a virtual receptionist. It runs entirely on the internet, with no cellular fallback.
Why Choose iPlum Over Ooma and Nextiva
Ooma and Nextiva provide decent calling and messaging features.
However, they may not be the best fit for everyone.
Ooma, for instance, locks texting in higher tiers. Nextiva, on the other hand, has more features, yet those come at steep monthly costs
iPlum is notably different.
For as little as $8.99 per user per month, you get dual-mode calling over Wi-Fi or the cellular network, HIPAA-compliant texting, voicemail transcription, and a phone tree.
Even in higher tiers, iPlum remains cheaper than Nextiva’s base tier, while delivering call recording and compliance tools valuable in healthcare, finance, and legal fields.
Getting started with iPlum is easy.
You only need to click the link below to get your iPlum number.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational purposes and may not reflect the most current features or capabilities of the products or companies mentioned. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please refer to the official sources of each company.
