Choosing the right phone system is essential for any UK business, and with so many providers on the market, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. GoTo Connect and 8×8 are two of the most popular options, both offering reliable and versatile VoIP solutions with a range of features suited to various business needs. In this full comparison, we’ll break down the features, pricing, integrations, customer support, and more for GoTo Connect vs 8×8 to help you make the best decision for your business.
GoTo Connect vs 8×8
| Feature | GoTo Connect | 8×8 |
|---|---|---|
| Unified communications | VoIP, video conferencing, and team messaging in one platform | VoIP, video conferencing, team messaging, and contact centre features |
| Call management | Call forwarding, routing, customisable call flows | Advanced call routing, call monitoring, and queuing for contact centres |
| Mobile/Desktop Apps | Available for iOS, Android, Windows, Mac | Available for iOS, Android, Windows, Mac |
| Contact centre features | Basic call management | Advanced features including call queuing, analytics, and customer engagement |
| International calling | Limited global reach | Extensive international calling with coverage in up to 47 countries |
| Integrations | Salesforce, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, Slack | Salesforce, HubSpot, Microsoft 365, G Suite, custom API for other integrations |
| Video conferencing | HD video, screen sharing, meeting recording | HD video, screen sharing, meeting recording, scheduling |
| Pricing (per user, per month) | Basic: £16 | X2: £19 |
| Standard: £20 | X4: £35 | |
| Premium: £30 | X6/X8 (contact centre): £60-£85 | |
| Customisable dashboards | Yes | Yes, with advanced analytics on higher plans |
| Security | End-to-end encryption, GDPR compliant | GDPR, HIPAA, and ISO/IEC compliant, advanced data protection |
| Customer support | 24/7 phone support, online help centre | 24/7 support, priority support for X4 plans and above |
| Best suited for | Small to medium-sized businesses needing unified communications | Larger businesses, international operations, regulated industries |
| Pros | Affordable entry-level pricing, intuitive interface | Advanced contact centre features, strong global reach, robust security |
| Cons | Limited international calling, fewer contact centre options | Higher price points for advanced plans, some features locked to premium |
Key features – GoTo Connect vs 8×8
GoTo Connect and 8×8 both offer an impressive range of features, but there are differences in the core functionalities that may sway your decision based on your business’s needs.
GoTo Connect features
- Unified communications: GoTo Connect provides a full suite of unified communications features, including VoIP, video conferencing, and team messaging in one platform, making it a solid choice for teams seeking an all-in-one communication tool.
- Call management: Features such as call forwarding, call routing, and customisable call flows help businesses manage incoming calls with ease, enhancing customer experience.
- Mobile and desktop apps: GoTo Connect’s mobile and desktop applications allow employees to stay connected and manage calls from anywhere, supporting remote and hybrid work arrangements.
- Integrations: Integrates with popular business tools like Salesforce, Microsoft Teams, and Google Workspace to streamline operations and boost productivity.
- Customisable dashboards: GoTo Connect offers customisable dashboards and reporting, enabling businesses to monitor performance metrics and make data-driven decisions.
8×8 features
- Contact centre features: 8×8 shines with its comprehensive contact centre solution, which includes advanced call queuing, analytics, and customer engagement tools, ideal for businesses prioritising customer service.
- HD video conferencing: 8×8 provides robust HD video conferencing for meetings and virtual collaboration, along with screen sharing, recording, and meeting scheduling.
- Cross-platform compatibility: 8×8 apps work seamlessly across devices, including Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows, making it convenient for businesses with diverse tech setups.
- Global reach: 8×8 offers extensive international calling options, which can be a significant advantage for companies with a global presence or remote teams worldwide.
- Security and compliance: 8×8 is known for its focus on security, with compliance standards like GDPR, HIPAA, and ISO/IEC certifications, which is particularly beneficial for businesses in regulated industries.
Pricing comparison – GoTo Connect vs 8×8
Price is often a deciding factor for businesses, especially smaller ones. Here’s how GoTo Connect and 8×8 compare in terms of cost.
Cutting edge payroll software
- Powerful and easy to use
- HMRC & RTI compliant
- Used by payroll pros
The CRM platform to grow your business
- Great for entrepreneurs
- Powerful data analytics
- Manage sales and data
Powerful web builder and advanced business tools
- Great for startups
- Powerful web page builder
- E-commerce available
Supercharged content planning
- Great for marketing
- Better than lists or sheets
- Manage social media
Create a new website in 10 minutes. Easy.
- Launch your website fast
- Powerful data intuitive
- No coding skills needed
GoTo Connect pricing
GoTo Connect offers three pricing tiers:
- Basic: Starts around £16 per user per month, offering essential calling features, messaging, and integrations. This plan is ideal for small businesses needing core communication tools.
- Standard: Priced around £20 per user per month, this plan includes additional features like video conferencing and call management, suited for mid-sized businesses.
- Premium: At approximately £30 per user per month, the Premium plan is targeted at larger organisations with complex needs, offering advanced analytics, reporting, and integration options.
8×8 pricing
8×8 also provides tiered pricing to cater to different business needs:
- X2: Starting at roughly £19 per user per month, the X2 plan includes unlimited calling within 14 countries, HD audio and video meetings, and team messaging, making it a good fit for SMEs.
- X4: At around £35 per user per month, the X4 plan offers unlimited international calling in up to 47 countries, as well as advanced analytics, call monitoring, and quality-of-service reporting, which can appeal to businesses with higher communication demands.
- X6 and X8: These plans are geared towards enterprises needing advanced contact centre functionality, with prices ranging from £60 to £85 per user per month.
Note: Both providers offer discounts for annual payments, which can provide savings for businesses ready to commit long-term.
Call quality and reliability
Both GoTo Connect and 8×8 deliver high-quality, reliable VoIP services. However, they differ slightly in their approach:
- GoTo Connect relies on Amazon Web Services (AWS) infrastructure, ensuring strong performance, low latency, and minimal downtime.
- 8×8 owns and operates its global network, which means they have more direct control over call quality and can offer excellent reliability, particularly in international calls.
Both providers have built-in redundancy and offer uptime guarantees, with 8×8 generally rated slightly higher for international call stability.
Integrations and compatibility
Integrations are vital for a seamless workflow, especially if your business uses CRM or project management tools.
- GoTo Connect integrates with major platforms such as Salesforce, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, and Slack, allowing for straightforward collaboration and data-sharing.
- 8×8 offers similar integrations with CRM systems like Salesforce and HubSpot, as well as productivity tools such as Microsoft 365 and G Suite. Additionally, 8×8 has an open API, which enables businesses to create custom integrations tailored to specific operational needs.
Security and compliance
Security is essential, particularly for businesses that handle sensitive information. Both GoTo Connect and 8×8 maintain strong security protocols, including data encryption and network protection.
- GoTo Connect meets industry standards and provides end-to-end encryption to ensure data privacy.
- 8×8 has a slight edge here with its extensive compliance certifications, including GDPR, HIPAA, and ISO/IEC, which makes it a safer choice for businesses in heavily regulated sectors such as healthcare and finance.
Customer support
Both GoTo Connect and 8×8 offer various levels of customer support, although there are differences in accessibility and response times:
- GoTo Connect provides 24/7 phone support and a comprehensive online help centre, with resources like guides, tutorials, and FAQs to assist users.
- 8×8 also offers 24/7 support, but its higher-tier plans (X4 and above) include priority support, which may be advantageous for larger enterprises requiring faster assistance.
Pros and cons
GoTo Connect pros
- Affordable entry-level pricing
- Unified communication tools in one platform
- Integrates well with other business tools
- User-friendly interface
GoTo Connect cons
- Lacks some advanced contact centre features
- Limited international calling compared to 8×8
8×8 pros
- Comprehensive contact centre capabilities
- Strong security and compliance certifications
- Robust global calling options
- Flexible integrations, including custom APIs
8×8 cons
- Higher pricing on upper tiers
- Some features locked behind premium plans
Final verdict – Which is better for your business?
The choice between GoTo Connect vs 8×8 depends largely on the nature and needs of your business:
- GoTo Connect is a strong option for small to medium-sized businesses looking for a unified communications platform with a straightforward, affordable pricing structure. It’s ideal for companies focused on domestic operations or those that do not need extensive contact centre capabilities.
- 8×8, on the other hand, is better suited for larger businesses or those with a global presence. Its advanced contact centre features, international calling options, and strict security compliance make it a particularly good fit for businesses in regulated industries or those looking to expand internationally.
In summary: If affordability and ease of use are priorities, GoTo Connect is a solid choice. If your business requires advanced features, international calling, and top-tier security, 8×8 will likely provide the best value.
When considering a new phone system, trial both platforms if possible to see which aligns best with your day-to-day operations and future growth plans.
Both GoTo Connect and 8×8 offer a range of features to enhance business communications, but ultimately, your decision should reflect your specific requirements and budget.
FAQ – GoTo Connect vs 8×8
GoTo Connect generally offers a more affordable entry-level option, making it ideal for small businesses needing basic communication tools. It covers essentials like VoIP and team messaging without the advanced features that 8×8’s higher plans offer, which are more suited for larger operations.
Yes, 8×8 has broader international calling options, covering up to 47 countries. GoTo Connect’s global reach is more limited, which may make 8×8 a better choice for businesses with a global presence or international client base needing reliable, cost-effective international calling.
Both platforms integrate with popular tools like Salesforce and Google Workspace, but 8×8 includes additional compatibility with CRMs like HubSpot and offers a custom API for unique integrations. GoTo Connect covers most standard needs, while 8×8 supports more customisation for complex workflows.
Yes, GoTo Connect’s entry-level plan starts at around £16 per user per month, while 8×8’s plans start at £19. However, 8×8’s higher-tier plans add advanced features, so if those are essential, the pricing difference may be worthwhile.
8×8 is more robust for contact centres, offering advanced call queuing, customer engagement tools, and analytics, ideal for customer service-focused businesses. GoTo Connect includes basic call management but lacks the specialised contact centre capabilities that 8×8 provides on its higher-tier plans.
8×8 is known for its strong security and compliance, including GDPR, HIPAA, and ISO/IEC standards, which is particularly beneficial for regulated industries. GoTo Connect also prioritises security with end-to-end encryption, but 8×8 has a more extensive compliance portfolio.
Both platforms provide 24/7 support, but 8×8 offers priority support on higher-tier plans, which can be helpful for larger organisations needing quick assistance. GoTo Connect offers reliable support and a comprehensive help centre but doesn’t include priority support options.
Yes, both GoTo Connect and 8×8 offer mobile and desktop applications, allowing employees to manage calls and collaborate from any location. This makes them both excellent choices for businesses with remote or hybrid teams needing flexible communication solutions.
Both platforms are known for user-friendly interfaces and ease of setup. GoTo Connect is slightly simpler for small businesses needing basic features, while 8×8 may take more time to configure due to its extensive options, especially on higher-tier contact centre plans.
Both GoTo Connect and 8×8 offer HD video conferencing with screen sharing and meeting recording. 8×8’s video features may be more extensive on premium plans, while GoTo Connect provides all essential video conferencing features across its plans, making it suitable for general business needs.