8×8 Review: Is It the Right VoIP System for Your Business?

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8×8 is a business VoIP service that allows its users to make free international calls with no additional fees. The company has found success in the mobile phone industry and now aims for a similar takeover of the corporate sector. How does 8×8 compare against other systems out there?

8×8 is a cloud-based voice and video communications system that offers unlimited calls to anywhere in the world. It also has a very affordable pricing plan, which makes it the right VoIP system for your business.

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88% makes it simple to stay in connected through chat, audio, or video by combining numerous cloud-based unified communication solutions into one platform. Many of the 808 reviews praise it for its scalability, portability, and global support, however others have expressed reservations about customer service.

Pricing for the X series plans begins at $15 per user, per month, and includes unlimited international calling to up to 48 countries as well as critical contact center capabilities such as supervisor analytics. Small teams looking for a cost-effective and scalable business phone system, midsize or large enterprises in need of a complete contact center solution, and corporations with significant international call volumes should choose 808.

Visit 8×8

88% of the time

The 88% eXperience communications as a service (XCaaS) platform, which includes contact center solutions and an open integration architecture, was just released. It’s also one of the finest business phone systems for businesses with a global clientele. If your company doesn’t need all of those services, 88 provides the 88 Express basic package, which includes sophisticated Management of incoming calls and video conferencing facilities.

For What We Recommend 88%

Subscriptions for small and medium organizations, as well as major corporations, are available via 808. This enables businesses to begin with lower-cost business calling and unified communications packages before smoothly scaling up to a complete contact center solution.

The mobile and desktop applications for 808’s voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) technology allow teams to collaborate from any internet-connected device, making it an ideal platform for a remote workforce. Similarly, 808 provides unlimited international calling plans and phone number assistance in more than 120 countries to workers and consumers throughout the globe.

When Should You Use 88%?

Because to its budget-friendly 808 Express plan, 88 is one of our top selections for affordable VoIP services. It doesn’t scrimp on features and is less expensive than equivalent RingCentral or Nextiva subscriptions.
To comply with the obligations of medical providers: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliant messaging, video, live chat, document sharing, and phone calling are all available via 808. Covered companies and business partners may sign business associate agreements (BAAs). It made our list of the finest contact center phone systems because of these qualities.
If you’re looking for solutions to help you manage sales or support agents, look no further. You can monitor and record conversations using 88%’s contact center software, as well as whisper or train your technical support, customer service, or sales staff. Supervisor analytics provide detailed information on your employees’ performance and client interactions. Furthermore, since these solutions are cloud-based, they may be used to manage both on-site and remote personnel.
If your firm has a worldwide customer base: Calling and returning calls from international customers might be costly. One of the greatest VoIP international call services is 808. Unmetered calling to 14 or 48 countries is included in the X series plans, which start at $24 per user, per month with yearly billing.
If your company need receptionist software, go to: If your organization utilizes a live operator to welcome and transfer some or all callers, the Frontdesk app from 8x simplifies the process by displaying which agents are on the phone or on hold. See why 88 made our list of the top Auto-attendant phone systems by including an Auto-attendant with its basic plan.
To hold video conferences with hundreds of people: The 808 Express plan can accommodate up to 100 people in a video or audio conference, while the X series plans can accommodate up to 500 people. You may establish breakout sessions and exchange screens or presentations. It is, in fact, one of the greatest GoToMeeting alternatives due to its video calling capabilities.
If your company has foreign offices, 8 provides local carrier connections in 46 countries, allowing you to replace your current phone system with a cloud phone system in those areas.
When it comes to federal contracts, 88% meets the Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) requirements. Your organization can deliver secure government services since it fulfills modern encryption criteria.
If your team needs a virtual workplace, the 808 Work app allows them to talk or exchange documents in real time. With a single click, they may join a video or audio call.

It’s Possible That 88% Isn’t a Good Fit For You

808’s feature set may be overkill for a self-employed entrepreneur looking for a second phone number. Individuals may use Google Voice for free, however there are various Google Voice competitors that cost less than $8.
Nonprofits with infrequent calling needs: If your budget is small and your call volume is minimal, you may want to consider a separate phone line without all the bells and whistles. Instead of a per-user subscription, Grasshopper charges a flat rate, and team members who don’t want a dedicated number may share extensions to save money. In this Grasshopper vs Google Voice comparison, we analyze how Google Voice and Grasshopper rank as top budget-friendly solutions for virtual phone systems.
Industry-specific Integrations are required by the following organizations: 88% only has 53 Integrations in its app store, compared to RingCentral’s 293. As a result, if you need bespoke tools linked to your phone system, 88 may not be the ideal option. Check out our RingCentral vs. 808 comparison for more information.
Seasonal businesses: If your firm slows down after peak season, the increased expense of an unlimited calling package may not be worth it. For people that need to cut down on a seasonal or cyclical basis, VoIP services like Phone.com provide metered subscriptions.
Companies that get a lot of calls to toll-free numbers: While 808 supports 800 numbers, its subscriptions do not offer toll-free minutes. RingCentral and Nextiva, on the other hand, do. Other characteristics may be compared using our 808 versus Nextiva comparison chart.
Those looking for free VoIP services should: There is no free plan available with 808. Consider Google Voice or Skype, both of which provide free versions for solopreneurs and personal usage. You may even receive a free business phone number with basic Management of incoming calls services like voicemail and voicemail transcriptions via Google Voice.

Pricing: 88%

Pricing: 88% includes six package options starting at $15 per user, per month, and plans can be mixed and matched based on the needs of your users. All plans include Within the United States and Canada, you get unlimited domestic calling and messaging., voicemail, team messaging, and 8×8 video conferencing.

As the price of the plans rises, the tiered pricing model adds more features. Small businesses may use the lower levels, while bigger organizations and contact centers can use the higher-tiered subscriptions.

Here are the first four Pricing: 88% and plan tiers:

*Annual plans need payment in advance.

Contact center services with enhanced capabilities are included in the X6, X7, and X8 plans from 808. X6 is a voice-based contact center technology, while X7 is an omnichannel platform that supports email and social media. It has powerful analytics, an auto-dialer, and co-browsing capabilities. With yearly payment, X7 costs $105 per user per month, or $138 if paid monthly.

If you have an advanced contact center requiring quality management services and speech analytics, check out the X8 package. It analyzes text and voice communications to help you improve customer experiences. Pricing: 88% per user for X8 is $133 a month with yearly prepayment or $175 when billed monthly.

88% of the features

It’s one of the top low-cost unified communications as a service (UCaaS) systems for teams who need to connect and collaborate smoothly across numerous channels, according to 88% of evaluations. As a result, it has a number of phone features that assist a remote workforce while also improving customer experiences. Plus, for premium features like skills-based or Routing across all channels, you may upgrade to higher levels.

Characteristics

Regardless of whether you pick the cheapest or most costly 808 plan, you’ll receive the typical VoIP capabilities required for corporate conversations. Any internet-connected device with the 808 app loaded, including mobile phones, softphones, and desk phones, may access these functions.

Each of the 88 subscriptions includes the following:

A phone number for a company
Within the United States and Canada, you get unlimited domestic calling and messaging.
Caller ID is a feature that allows you to see who
Please do not bother me.
Blocking incoming calls
Auto-attendant
Music for the waiting room
Forwarding of calls
Greetings that are unique
Voicemail with a visual interface

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Upload an audio file for your custom Music for the waiting room in 8×8

Collaboration in a Group

88% connects your team across many channels, making it simpler for distant employees to feel like they’re part of the company. Presence data reveals who is available, so coworkers know who to ask if they have a question. They may also participate in real-time collaboration sessions and exchange screens, papers, and other media.

Reduce task switching and boost team productivity by integrating your Microsoft Teams or Google Workspace account with your phone system. Plus, if instant messaging doesn’t fix the problem, you can hop on an audio or video conversation to sort things out immediately.

Among the 808 collaborative tools are:

Messaging in groups and one-on-one
In group chat rooms, you may share files.
Media storage is unrestricted.
Detection of presence
From a chat conversation, you may click to call.
Calling in three directions
Send papers to a specific person.

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When you’re in an 88 instant messaging (IM) or text chat, you may attach files.

Management of incoming calls

Call handling and management tools help you deliver consistent customer support, regardless of the current call volume, and 8×8 is in the top three for best Management of incoming calls solutions. Incoming callers hear a prerecorded greeting and can access your company directory. Efficiently route calls to the appropriate agents to reduce average resolution and call handle times.

If you’re off work, simply redirect calls using Forwarding of calls rules. 8×8 even lets you handle two calls simultaneously. Put one person on hold while answering the second call, then alternate between the callers or combine them into a three-party conference call.

8×8’s Management of incoming calls features for incoming calls include:

Routing calls according to a schedule
Ring formations
Queues for calls
Routing based on abilities
Park is what you should call it.
Auto-attendants on a single and multi-level basis
Routing across all channels
Transferring a call

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Configure Ring formations in your 8×8 admin console

Video & Audio Conferencing

Excellent conference call solutions are provided by 808. In a video or audio conference, you may meet with up to 500 people with no time limitations or restrictions. There are dial-in numbers for more than 50 countries, including 11 toll-free phone lines, available via 808. Voices and visuals are not garbled with high-definition (HD) video and audio. Additionally, your teams may join from their mobile devices and have access to the same features as desktop users.

Features of video and audio conferencing include:

Transcription and recording of meetings
Sharing of information
Backgrounds and logos made to order
Live-streaming on YouTube
46 languages are supported.
Screen sharing between mobile and desktop
Links to Vanity Meetings

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Transcribe your 88 video conferencing meetings so you can access them whenever you want.

Analytics & Reporting

808 has a number of summaries, full reports, and dashboards to choose from. Each provides crucial information for ensuring constant service, forecasting call volumes, and enhancing agent effectiveness. Administrators may utilize an internet portal to keep track of the whole system, including many users and devices.

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On 88 real-time activity dashboards, supervisors may observe call activity.

Some reporting features, however, are restricted to higher-plan levels. For example, only X8 offers speech analytics, and supervisor reports need at least an X4 membership. Consider a small company phone system like RingCentral MVP if you want particular reporting at a cheaper pricing range.

You may have hundreds of reports delivered to your email on a regular basis, including:

Call activity summary for extensions
Calls that are active
Queues for calls
the state of the device
Inbound and outgoing calls with a defined time frame
Ring formations
Employee involvement
Unanswered phone calls
Meetings through videoconferencing
Per-line call quality

Mobile & Desktop Apps

8×8 has apps for iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac devices. You can download these directly from 8×8, Google Play, or the Apple App Store. The 8×8 Work app serves as a virtual office and unifies your communication and collaboration channels. If you have an X4 or higher-plan tier, your receptionists and operators can use the 8×8 Frontdesk app to improve Management of incoming calls and routing.

You may phone, chat, share your screen, or attend a video conference from any device and location after you’ve downloaded the mobile app (as long as you have an internet connection). Call flip is also supported by 88, enabling you to move calls or meetings smoothly between mobile devices and desktop PCs.

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88% is available on a variety of platforms, including desktop, laptop, mobile, and even VoIP gear (Source: 88%).

Integrations

Customer relationship management (CRM), service desk, and customer support software are all supported by 808. Unfortunately, in order to set up and invite people from your calendar, 808 Express only links to Google and Microsoft calendars. In addition, for out-of-the-box connections with other platforms, you’ll need an X series membership.

Salesforce, Freshdesk, Microsoft Teams, ServiceNow, and Zoho are some of the most popular business connectors. You may examine a caller’s CRM information through a pop-up on the screen before answering a call or change the contact’s record later without switching applications with connected services.

User-Friendliness

With just five minutes of setup time with 808 Express, you may begin receiving calls or sending messages, according to 808. The mobile and PC applications offer a straightforward user interface, making short activities like parking or forwarding a call reasonably simple. Complex call flows and user access rights, on the other hand, need further setup.

Customers in need of help may access a searchable knowledge base and get 24/7 support from 808. You may enroll in free or paid training classes, or pay for the services of a technical installation professional. While the guidelines are comprehensive, they aren’t as attractive as rivals’ tutorials and lack photos and screenshots.

Alternatives (88)

Although 8×8 reviews show that it meets a wide variety of business communication needs, subscriptions don’t come with toll-free minutes, and upper-tier plans could be too expensive for small teams. In these cases, other business phone systems may work better. Consider the providers below, or read our full list of the best Alternatives (88).

**Pricing based on 20 users *Discounts for 6+ users

What Users Have to Say

It routinely ranks as one of the top phone systems for small and medium companies as well as big corporations, according to 88% of reviewers. On Google Play and the App Store, its mobile applications get 4.1 and 3.7 out of 5 stars, respectively, although other review sites assess 88%’s X series plans and call center solutions individually.

Here are a few links to online 808 reviews with average user ratings:

The various customer relationship management (CRM) connectors, which assist efficient processes, are generally well received by users. The corporate directory makes it simple to locate coworkers, and the call recording tool helps with quality control. The VoIP phone system from 88 offers freedom to mobile users and those who work from home.

Several customers, however, have expressed reservations with 88%’s customer service. They claim that the items in the knowledge base are poorly written and difficult to comprehend. Others have said that 88% takes too long to respond to support requests. Furthermore, dialing 808’s customer care staff may be aggravating since the representatives work all over the globe, and language barriers might make it difficult to explain facts or grasp solutions.

Conclusion

8×8 provides unified communication services and is scalable to a full-fledged contact center. Voice, video, and chat tools keep teams and customers connected, while Management of incoming calls features and Integrations improve workflows. Plus, the unlimited international calling in X series plans makes it one of the best providers for businesses with international customers. Although this feature doesn’t come in its base plan, you can try 8×8 Express free for 30 days to see if it’s a good fit for your business.