By Stephen Sweeney, President and CEO of Uprite Services.
Last updated: June 4, 2026
The best phone systems for remote workers in 2026 are Nextiva, RingCentral, Zoom Phone, Ooma, Grasshopper, and 8×8. All are cloud-based VoIP platforms that work on any device, and for Texas businesses that want it fully managed, Uprite IT Services handles selection, setup, security, and 24/7 support.
Remote work is becoming more popular and common in the modern world, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Many companies and organizations have discovered the benefits of letting their employees work from anywhere, such as increased productivity, flexibility, cost savings, and employee satisfaction.
However, remote work also poses some challenges, especially when it comes to communication and collaboration. Remote workers need a reliable, secure, and easy-to-use phone system that can connect them with their colleagues, customers, and partners, regardless of their location, device, or network. Fortunately, there are many cloud-based phone systems that are designed for remote teams and virtual offices.
In this article, we review the top 7 phone systems for remote workers and where each one fits.
TL;DR
Remote teams need a cloud phone system that works on any device, anywhere. Nextiva and RingCentral lead on features and integrations, Zoom Phone fits teams already on Zoom, and Ooma, Grasshopper, and 8×8 cover budget and small-business needs. Uprite’s own managed option suits Texas businesses that would rather have the system chosen, secured, and supported for them than run it in-house.
What is a cloud phone system for remote workers?
A cloud phone system, or VoIP service, routes business calls over the internet instead of traditional phone lines. Remote workers share one business number across laptops, desk phones, and mobile apps, so they can call, text, and join meetings from anywhere with a connection, without exposing their personal numbers.
Top 7 phone systems for remote workers at a glance
| System | Best for | Starting price | Standout feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uprite IT Services | Texas businesses wanting it fully managed | Custom quote | Selection, setup, security, and 24/7 support |
| Nextiva | All-in-one voice, video, and CRM | Quote-based | Built-in CRM and award-winning support |
| RingCentral | Integrations and team collaboration | $20 per user/mo | Glip collaboration plus broad app integrations |
| Ooma | Simple, low-cost setup | $19.95 per user/mo | No contracts or activation fees |
| Zoom Phone | Teams already living in Zoom | $10 per user/mo | Native Zoom meetings integration |
| Grasshopper | Solo operators and small teams | $14 per mo | Runs on your existing phone, unlimited texting |
| 8×8 | Global and international calling | Free or low tier | Local numbers in 120+ countries |
1. Uprite IT Services
Uprite IT Services is a trusted and experienced IT service provider that offers a range of solutions for businesses of all sizes and industries. Uprite provides cloud-based phone systems for remote workers and virtual offices.
Uprite IT Services can help you select the best phone system for your remote team, based on your specific needs, budget, and goals. We can also handle the installation, configuration, maintenance, and support of your phone system, ensuring that it runs smoothly and securely at all times as part of our broader managed cybersecurity coverage.
Benefits of working with Uprite
Some of the benefits of working with Uprite IT Services for your phone system include the following.
- Expertise. Uprite IT Services has over 20 years of experience in providing IT solutions and has a team of certified and skilled technicians who can handle any phone system project.
- Customization. We can tailor your phone system to your specific needs and preferences, and integrate it with your existing IT infrastructure and applications.
- Support. Uprite IT Services offers 24/7 help desk support and monitoring for your phone system, and can quickly resolve any issues or problems that may arise.
- Affordability. Uprite IT Services offers competitive and transparent pricing for their phone system solutions, and can help you save money on your phone bills and hardware costs.
Uprite has supported Texas businesses for over 20 years, and you can see the results in our case studies and client testimonials. If you want a reliable IT partner to handle your phone system for remote workers, you can contact us today for a free consultation and quote.
2. Nextiva
Nextiva is one of the most popular and reputable cloud-based phone systems for remote teams and virtual offices. It offers a comprehensive and easy-to-use communication platform that includes voice, video, chat, SMS, email, and CRM features.
Nextiva allows you to make and receive unlimited calls from any device, anywhere in the world, using a single business phone number. You can also enjoy advanced call management features, such as auto attendant, call routing, call recording, voicemail to email, and analytics.
Nextiva also integrates with many popular business applications, such as Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Salesforce, HubSpot, and Zendesk, allowing you to streamline your workflows and improve your customer service.
Benefits of working with Nextiva
- Reliability. Nextiva has an uptime guarantee, and uses multiple data centers and carriers to ensure high-quality and uninterrupted service.
- Scalability. Nextiva can easily grow with your business, and allows you to add or remove users, features, and locations as needed.
- Security. Nextiva uses encryption, firewalls, and compliance standards to protect your data and privacy.
- Customer service. Nextiva has a dedicated and award-winning customer support team that is available 24/7 via phone, email, and chat.
3. RingCentral
RingCentral is another leading cloud-based phone system for remote workers and virtual offices. It offers a robust and versatile communication platform that includes voice, video, chat, SMS, fax, and collaboration features.
Your team can place and take calls on desk phones, laptops, or mobile, all tied to one business number, wherever they’re working. You can also access advanced call management features, such as auto attendant, call routing, call recording, voicemail to email, and analytics.
RingCentral also integrates with many popular business applications, such as Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Google Workspace, Salesforce, HubSpot, and Zendesk, allowing you to enhance your productivity and efficiency.
Benefits of working with RingCentral
RingCentral has four pricing plans to choose from, starting from $20 per user per month. Some of the benefits of RingCentral include the following.
- Flexibility. RingCentral gives you the freedom and control to customize your phone system to your specific needs and preferences, and change them at any time.
- Collaboration. RingCentral offers a powerful and user-friendly collaboration tool, called Glip, that allows you to create teams, chat, share files, assign tasks, and host video meetings.
- Security. RingCentral uses encryption, firewalls, and compliance standards to protect your data and privacy.
- Customer service. RingCentral has a responsive and knowledgeable customer support team that is available 24/7 via phone, email, and chat.
4. Ooma
Ooma is a simple and affordable cloud-based phone system for remote workers and virtual offices. It offers a basic and straightforward communication platform that includes voice, SMS, fax, and conferencing features.
Staff can call and be reached from any device on a single business line, whether they’re home, traveling, or in a coworking space. You can also access basic call management features, such as auto attendant, call routing, call recording, voicemail to email, and analytics.
Ooma also integrates with some business applications, such as Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Google Workspace, and Salesforce, allowing you to improve your communication and collaboration.
Benefits of working with Ooma
Ooma has two pricing plans to choose from, starting from $19.95 per user per month. Some of the benefits of Ooma include the following.
- Simplicity. Ooma is easy to set up and use, and does not require any technical skills or hardware installation.
- Affordability. Ooma is one of the most cost-effective phone systems for remote workers, and does not charge any contracts, activation fees, or cancellation fees.
- Quality. Ooma delivers clear and consistent voice quality, and uses adaptive redundancy and dynamic bandwidth management to ensure optimal performance.
- Customer service. Ooma has a friendly and helpful customer support team that is available 24/7 via phone, email, and chat.
5. Zoom Phone
Zoom Phone is a cloud-based phone system that is part of the Zoom unified communications platform. It offers a tightly integrated communication platform that includes voice, video, chat, SMS, and webinar features.
Calls route to whatever device a worker is on, all under one business number, from anywhere with a connection. You can also access advanced call management features, such as auto attendant, call routing, call recording, voicemail to email, and analytics.
Zoom Phone also integrates with many popular business applications, such as Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Google Workspace, Salesforce, HubSpot, and Zendesk, allowing you to connect and collaborate with ease.
Benefits of working with Zoom Phone
Zoom Phone has three pricing plans to choose from, starting from $10 per user per month. Some of the benefits of Zoom Phone include the following.
- Integration. Zoom Phone is fully integrated with the Zoom video conferencing and chat platform, allowing you to switch between different modes of communication with one click.
- Mobility. Zoom Phone has a mobile app that allows you to make and receive calls, chat, and join video meetings from your smartphone or tablet.
- Security. Zoom Phone uses encryption, firewalls, and compliance standards to protect your data and privacy.
- Customer service. Zoom Phone has a reliable and professional customer support team that is available 24/7 via phone, email, and chat.
6. Grasshopper
Grasshopper is a cloud-based phone system that is designed for small businesses and entrepreneurs. It offers a simple and convenient communication platform that includes voice, SMS, and fax features.
It runs on your existing phone or Wi-Fi, so remote and traveling staff keep one business number across every device. You can also access basic call management features, such as auto attendant, call routing, call recording, voicemail to email, and analytics.
Grasshopper does not integrate with any business applications, but it does offer a desktop app and a mobile app that allow you to manage your phone system from your computer or smartphone.
Benefits of working with Grasshopper
Grasshopper has three pricing plans to choose from, starting from $14 per month. Some of the benefits of Grasshopper include the following.
- Ease of use. Grasshopper is very easy to set up and use, and does not require any hardware installation or technical skills.
- Unlimited texting. Grasshopper offers unlimited texting from your business phone number, allowing you to communicate with your customers and colleagues in a convenient and personal way.
- Quality. Grasshopper delivers high-quality and reliable voice service, and uses your existing phone service or Wi-Fi connection to make calls.
7. 8×8
8×8 is a cloud-based phone system that is part of the Google Workspace suite. It offers a simple and free communication platform that includes voice, SMS, and voicemail features. It allows you to make and receive unlimited calls from any device, anywhere in the world, using a single business phone number. You can also access basic call management features, such as call routing, call recording, voicemail to email, and analytics. You can use the “Highlight to Dial” feature to easily make calls from any web page or application.
Benefits of working with 8×8
- Unified Communications. 8×8 integrates voice, video, and messaging into a single platform, allowing your team to communicate efficiently.
- Global Reach. 8×8 provides international calling and local numbers in over 120 countries, making it suitable for businesses with a global presence.
- Advanced Features. Enjoy features like call recording, auto-attendants, voicemail transcription, and analytics to enhance productivity.
- Reliability. 8×8 offers a reliable service ensuring uninterrupted communication for your business.
Our honest take
Most teams overbuy. If you’re five people who mainly need calls and texts, Grasshopper or 8×8 will handle it for a fraction of what Nextiva or RingCentral cost. The bigger platforms only earn their price when you genuinely need CRM integration, heavy call routing, or detailed analytics. We’ll tell you when the cheaper option is the smarter one.
Not sure which phone system fits your remote team?
Uprite’s IT team will assess how your people work, recommend the right platform, and handle setup, security, and 24/7 support, so you don’t have to manage it yourself.Get a free phone system consultation →
Common Questions About Remote Phone Systems
What is the best phone system for remote workers?
For most remote teams, Nextiva and RingCentral offer the deepest feature set, while Zoom Phone wins if your team already lives in Zoom. The right pick depends on team size, budget, and the apps you need it to integrate with.
Are cloud phone systems secure for remote teams?
Yes. Every system on this list uses encryption, firewalls, and compliance standards to protect calls and data. Security still depends on configuration, which is why many businesses have the system set up and monitored professionally rather than relying on defaults.
How much do remote phone systems cost?
Entry-level plans typically start in the low-teens to low-$20s per user per month, depending on provider and features. Grasshopper and 8×8 sit at the budget end, while Nextiva and RingCentral cost more but add advanced call management and integrations.
Can remote workers use these systems on their phones?
Absolutely. All seven platforms include mobile apps that let staff make and receive business calls, send texts, and join meetings from a phone or tablet using the company number, not their personal line.
What’s the difference between a self-serve VoIP app and a managed phone system?
A self-serve app like Grasshopper or 8×8 is something you buy and configure yourself. A managed phone system means a provider like Uprite selects, installs, secures, and supports it for you, with 24/7 monitoring.
Which phone system is best for a small Texas business?
Small Texas businesses that want low overhead often start with Grasshopper or 8×8. If you’d rather not manage it yourself, Uprite configures and supports any of these systems for teams across Houston, Austin, and Dallas.
Conclusion
These are the top 7 phone systems for remote workers and virtual offices that we have reviewed and compared in this article. Each of them has its own benefits and you should choose the one that best suits your remote work needs and goals.
However, if you are looking for a reliable and professional IT service provider that can help you with your phone system for remote workers, Uprite IT Services is the local choice for Texas businesses. We can help you select, install, configure, maintain, and support the best phone system for your remote team, and ensure that you enjoy the benefits of cloud-based communication and collaboration.
We also offer competitive and transparent pricing, and 24/7 support and monitoring for your phone system. If you are interested in working with Uprite IT Services for your phone system for remote workers, you can contact them today for a free consultation and quote.
