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iPlum is the best Dialpad alternative for small businesses.
With the entry-level plan starting at $15 per user monthly, Dialpad is easily one of the most expensive business communication platforms.
And at that price point, you still don’t get a local number, phone tree, or international texting.
Besides, you must upgrade to the $25 monthly Pro plan if you want phone support. Furthermore, add-ons like larger video meetings come at an extra cost.
If you’re a small business, these costs can rack up quickly.
Affordability isn’t the only reason to choose iPlum over Dialpad.
iPlum also comes with 50+ built-in features for calling, texting, and managing your business line. That way, you can run client calls, route messages, and stay compliant without bending your budget.
In this article, we’ll go all in on why iPlum offers the best value among Dialpad competitors to help you decide from a point of information.
We’ll also talk about five other Dialpad alternatives so you’re aware of other options.
Let’s dive in.
Dialpad Reviews: What Are Users Saying?
To know what to expect from Dialpad or any other communication software, look at user reviews. Why? …because customer reviews give you an unbiased look at real experiences—the good, the bad, and everything in between.
That said, here’s a rundown of Dialpad user reviews showcasing the platform's likes and dislikes.
❌ Glitches and lags with messages
“Messages sent to and from the computer come with a lag… coworkers and I tested it sitting next to each other.” – Verified User, G2
❌ Call connection problems
“It does not work with my wifi, unable to answer calls.” – Verified User, G2
“My phones would not function for my business until I paid these unexpected costs.” – Robert B., Capterra
❌ Delayed or dropped calls
“There is a very big delay when you have calls forwarded to your cell phone.” – Amber K., Capterra
❌ Calls fail to complete
“Sometimes the system hangs and doesn't complete outgoing calls, and the call is abandoned.”– Ante Z., Capterra
❌ Call forwarding and waiting fail
“Failure to execute NORMAL call waiting... failure to execute NORMAL call forwarding.”– TOMTOM, Trustpilot
❌ Delayed account setup, no access to the service
“Account closed immediately after sign up… was still charged for a trial without ever having accessed the account or used it.” – Derek R., Trustpilot
❌ Shared line texting is difficult
“Texting back and forth to customers from shared lines is very difficult.” – Colin J., Capterra.
✔ Easy-to-use texting
“I liked how you could send text messages over Dialpad.”– Jason B., Capterra
✔ Nice interface and conferencing features
“Nice interface and conferencing/messages were easy to use.” – Verified User, G2
Dialpad Pricing
Dialpad is priced in three tiers.
- Standard Plan: $27/user/month — Includes unlimited calling in the US and Canada, one local number, voicemail, and basic call routing.
- Pro Plan: $35/user/month — Adds support for up to 25 ring groups, multiple offices, and advanced routing features.
- Enterprise Plan: Contact sales — Designed for large organizations (100+ users) needing unlimited departments, advanced controls, and custom solutions.
Note: You can also pay for Dialpad in various currencies, including Canadian (CAD), New Zealand (NZD), Australian (AUD) dollars, Euros (EUR), and British Pounds (GBP).
There are a few things to keep in mind about Dialpad pricing, including:
- The Standard Plan lacks essential features such as international SMS, phone support, quality-of-service reports, and multi-office management.
- The base plans do not include features like internet fax, toll-free numbers, and specific integrations.
- While Dialpad offers unlimited calling within your country, the US, and Canada, international calls are subject to additional per-minute charges.
- The Enterprise Plan requires direct contact with sales for pricing, which means less transparency and potential cost variability.
Dialpad Features
Here are some key Dialpad features:
- Calling: Make and receive calls using a desktop, mobile app, or web browser.
- Texting: Send and receive SMS and MMS messages from your business number.
- Call Logs: View detailed call history and analytics.
- Multiple Device Support: Works on iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac.
- Support: Email and chat support are included; phone support is available on higher plans.
Why Look for a Dialpad Alternative?
Dialpad, as user reviews indicate, isn’t perfect. Here are some common reasons users switch from Dialpad. These are worth knowing before you commit to signing up.
- High monthly cost
- Steep learning curve
- Extra charges for add-ons
- Bugs and reliability issues
- Inconsistent customer support
- Limited features on lower plans
- International calling can be expensive
- Standard features such as multi-user texting aren’t available
Best Dialpad Alternatives
We’ve given you an overview of Dialpad, including user reviews, pricing, features, and reasons to look for an alternative.
The big question then becomes—which are the best alternatives to Dialpad?
We’ve rounded up five options below, but before we get into the nitty gritty, here’s a table summarizing the alternatives at a glance.
1. iPlum (Best Value)
Dialpad is big on AI capabilities. However, the platform’s reliance on AI and high pricing shows it’s packaged for larger companies with bigger budgets and full IT teams.
iPlum, by comparison, caters to SMBs, freelancers, startups, local service pros, or healthcare providers looking for an affordable and effective business phone.
First, you can’t access AI features like live coaching and conference tools unless you’re on the Pro plan, which costs $25 monthly. Others are available as add-ons.
iPlum, in contrast, provides over 50 calling and texting features with essential tools such as business hours, phone tree, toll, and local free numbers available in the Standard plan.
Furthermore, iPlum’s Professional plan (Dialpad’s Pro equivalent) offers features such as voicemail transcription, web texting, number sharing, and a free iPlum account for your clients at a reasonable $14.99 per user.
Dialpad offers call flipping, tagging, and masking. Sure, these can be helpful for internal teams, but they come with a cost.
iPlum offers similar tools, such as call management rules, call forwarding, and call transfer, as part of every plan.
Regarding voicemail and call handling, both platforms offer visual voicemail and “do not disturb” modes.
However, iPlum adds extras like custom voicemail greetings, auto-text replies for missed calls, out-of-office messages, and multiple inbound paths. These give more voicemail and call control, even if you’re not tech-savvy.
Dialpad has a developer platform, but reviews mention it’s hard to use and mostly managed in-house. iPlum takes a different path. It offers open REST APIs and universal link integration, which makes it easier for small businesses to build custom workflows.
Dialpad includes standard protections, but iPlum is fully HIPAA and HITECH compliant. It uses AES-256 encryption, offers a Business Associate Agreement, and is a better fit for regulated industries.
Moreover, Dialpad limits 24/7 support to its higher-tier plans. iPlum provides technical support across all plans, plus an easy-to-use admin console.
And to top it all off, iPlum offers voice calling via our web portal, giving you more ways to stay connected—whether they’re on mobile or desktop.
So, while Dialpad markets itself as AI-first, iPlum delivers practical calling and texting features for small businesses at a lower cost and with more built-in value.
Pros:
- Affordable
- HIPAA-compliant texting
- Call recording included
- MMS and international SMS
- Auto-attendant (IVR) built-in
- Voicemail transcription
- Desktop and mobile access
- Toll-free numbers available
- Secure message archiving
- Easy number porting
Cons:
- No video conferencing
iPlum Pricing
iPlum is packaged in three plans priced as follows:
- Standard – $8.99/user/month
- Professional – $14.99/user/month
- Premium – $19.99/user/month
How to Port and Transfer Number to iPlum
We have created a comprehensive video that explains how to port and transfer your number to iPlum.
Watch it below.
Ready to port and transfer your number? Click the link below to get started.
2. RingCentral
RingCentral is a unified communications platform that, like Dialpad, combines voice, messaging, and video. It offers a full suite of business phone features such as IVR, call forwarding, call recording, voicemail-to-email, and more.
So, if you're looking for an all-in-one solution, RingCentral is a solid alternative to Dialpad.
Compared to Dialpad, RingCentral has broader integrations and more flexibility for larger businesses or hybrid teams.
However, it's not necessarily a better value. Its Standard plan starts at $20 per user per month, almost three times the cost of iPlum, for many of the same features. That means you'll pay more for a similar experience unless you specifically need RingCentral's extras, such as CRM integrations or advanced analytics.
That said, some businesses may prefer RingCentral's support for hardware desk phones. It's also a better fit if you're heavy on video conferencing and need built-in team collaboration tools.
While RingCentral isn't the cheapest Dialpad alternative, it remains a capable option, especially for growing teams that want scalability, reliability, and unified communications in one platform.
Pros
- Supports desk phones
Cons
- Expensive
- Steep learning curve
- Hidden upgrade costs
- Not beginner-friendly
RingCentral Pricing
RingCentral pricing is structured as follows:
- Core Plan – $20/user/month
- Advanced Plan – $25/user/month
- Ultra Plan – $35/user/month
3. Nextiva
Nextiva is a player in the VoIP and unified communications space. Like Dialpad, it offers voice, video, and messaging in one platform. It also has a contact center solution for businesses needing customer service tools.
The company has been around for years and is often mentioned alongside RingCentral and Dialpad in UCaaS comparisons. However, bigger doesn’t always mean better.
Nextiva uses third-party software for its business phone system and contact center. Therefore, what you see on the surface isn’t always built in-house.
The platform’s structure explains the inconsistent experience between tools and interfaces, especially when switching between calling and contact center features. This is a key difference from Dialpad, which builds and manages most of its software directly.
Pricing is also on the higher end, and features like call recording and integrations may require upgrades. While Nextiva can work for mid-sized or enterprise businesses that prefer a hands-off setup, it’s not ideal for small teams looking for a unified, easy-to-use system.
The bottom line is, Nextiva can be a functional Dialpad alternative, but it’s not the most streamlined.
Pros
- Contact center add-on
Cons
- Third-party software reliance
- The interface feels disjointed
- Expensive for small teams
- Features locked in tiers
Nextiva Pricing
Nextiva offers its services in four pricing tiers as follows:
- Digital Plan – $20/user/month
- Core Plan – $30/user/month
- Engage Plan – $40/user/month
- Power Suite – $60/user/month
4. Zoom Phone
Zoom Phone offers calling, video meetings, and messaging. It is one of the best Dialpad alternatives if you’re already using Zoom.
Compared to Dialpad, Zoom Phone focuses more on ease of use for existing Zoom customers. It’s more practical if you use Zoom for meetings. In addition to video conferencing, the platform supports email, web chat, social channels, and voice.
But it’s not without downsides. Zoom Phone isn’t known for high call quality or telephony tools. Furthermore, Dialpad offers stronger admin controls, AI features, and more robust number management.
Furthermore, Zoom Phone's security is a concern. Despite improvements, Zoom’s past security incidents still raise eyebrows, especially in industries where data privacy matters.
Zoom Phone can do the job. But if you’re not already tied to Zoom, iPlum is a simpler, lower-cost choice, especially for businesses that want a secure, cost-effective calling and texting business phone system.
Pros
- Ideal for Zoom users
Cons
- Weak call quality
- Reported security issues
- Few phone features
- Add-ons cost extra
Zoom Phone Pricing
Zoom Phone pricing is available in four tiers:
- US and Canada Metered – $10/user/month
- US and Canada Unlimited – $15/user/month
- Global Select – $20/user/month
- Business Plus Bundle – $22.49/user/month
5. 8x8
8x8 is a cloud-based phone system that overlaps Dialpad’s features, including voice, video, and web conferencing. It also offers contact center capabilities as an add-on, making it a flexible option for businesses with customer support needs.
However, 8x8’s softphone and mobile app feel dated compared to newer platforms. The overall design and user experience don’t quite match Dialpad, which provides a more polished interface and built-in AI features.
Like RingCentral and Nextiva, 8x8 resells its contact center software, which can lead to a fragmented experience across tools. While 8x8 covers the standard UCaaS features, it lacks tools like live coaching and call summaries, which Dialpad includes by default.
Pricing-wise, 8x8 is comparable to Dialpad. However, its entry-level plans offer fewer features, meaning you must upgrade to access the provider’s premium features.
Pros
- Contact center available
Cons
- Outdated mobile app
- The entry plan is too limited
- Resells the contact center
8x8 Pricing
8x8's actual pricing isn’t publicly available. You must contact the provider’s sales team for pricing.
Alternatives to Dialpad: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What’s Better Than Dialpad?
iPlum is better than Dialpad for users who want secure calling and texting without the extras they won’t use. It’s simpler, more affordable, and includes essentials like call recording, texting, voicemail, and HIPAA compliance at a lower monthly cost.
How Much is Dialpad Per Month?
Dialpad's pricing starts at $27/user/month. iPlum’s pricing, in comparison, begins at just $8.99/user/month. For less than half the price, iPlum offers business texting, voicemail, call routing, and secure calling features that often require upgrading Dialpad’s pricing tiers.
What Are the Hidden Fees for Dialpad?
Dialpad SMS includes only 250 messages per user/month. After that, extra fees apply—$0.008 to $0.016 per SMS and $0.024 to $0.048 per MMS, inbound or outbound. These charges aren’t obvious upfront and can add up quickly for active users.
Why Choose iPlum Over Other Dialpad Competitors?
Dialpad is a decent communication platform.
However, it’s not built for everyone.
As this comparison shows, Dialpad competitors share the same challenge: too many extras with insufficient focus on what small businesses need.
That’s what makes iPlum the best Dialpad alternative for small businesses. It gives you essential tools like calling, texting, voicemail, and secure messaging without locking them behind higher-tier plans.
There are no confusing upgrades or inflated price tags. Just a straightforward phone system you can set up and use in minutes.
If you're running a small business, clinic, or freelance operation, iPlum gives you more value for less money. And unlike the competitors to Dialpad, it doesn’t make you pay extra for the basics.
If you’d like to see what iPlum offers, click the link below to get started.
