The best cloud PBX phone systems
for small business.
We compared the top hosted PBX providers on price, routing, and AI. Frontdesk wins on flat pricing and a receptionist that actually answers. Here is the full breakdown.
A cloud PBX should answer your calls. Most only route them.
A cloud PBX moves extensions, hunt groups, and call routing to the internet so you never touch on-site hardware again. That part is solved. The problem small businesses still have is the same one they had with a rack-mounted PBX. Calls go unanswered, leads slip through, and nobody logs what was said.
Frontdesk is a hosted PBX with an AI receptionist built in. It answers the calls your team cannot, qualifies the lead, books the appointment, and writes the whole conversation back to your CRM. Flat monthly price, unlimited extensions, no AI add-on meter.
This guide ranks RingCentral, 8x8, Nextiva, Dialpad, Ooma, Vonage, GoTo, and Frontdesk against what small businesses actually need from a cloud PBX in 2026.
Everything a great Cloud PBX does. At 1/10th the cost.
A hosted PBX with nothing on site
Get extensions, departments, hunt groups, and call routing in the cloud. Everything small businesses expect from a PBX without a box in the closet or a vendor on retainer.
AI receptionist answers when you cannot
Frontdesk picks up every call your team misses. It books appointments, qualifies leads, and texts you a summary.
Calls, texts, and email in one inbox
Customers reach you on any channel. You see a single timeline per customer instead of four scattered tools.
Native CRM sync
Every call, text, and voicemail logs to the contact in HubSpot, Salesforce, or Pipedrive automatically.
Flat pricing, no per-extension fees
One monthly price, unlimited extensions and users. RingCentral and 8x8 charge $25 to $50 per user before AI add-ons.
Live the same day
Port your existing number or pick a new one, build your extensions, and start answering calls in under 30 minutes.
Cloud PBX tuned to your business.
Pre-trained workflows, industry-specific FAQ libraries, and CRM mappings for the most common verticals.
Popular use cases
Frontdesk vs RingCentral vs 8x8.
| Capability | RingCentral | 8x8 | Frontdesk AI |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI receptionist | Add-on | Limited | Included |
| Pricing | $30/seat | $24/seat | Free |
| CRM sync | Integration tier | Higher tier only | Native + Zapier |
| Two-way SMS | Standard | Standard | AI-assisted |
| Setup time | 1 to 2 days | 1 to 2 days | 30 minutes |
FAQ
Cloud PBX FAQs
Common questions about Cloud PBX. If you don't see your question, our team can walk you through it.
Contact supportFrontdesk is the best cloud PBX if you want AI answering, lead capture, and CRM sync without paying per extension. RingCentral and 8x8 lead the legacy PBX category but charge more once you turn on AI features.
Get a cloud PBX that answers every call.
In 30 minutes.
Port your number, build your extensions, and start capturing every call today. Flat price, no per-extension fees.