Choosing the right business phone system is essential, as effective communication can directly influence both productivity and customer relations. In this comparison, we’ll look at the key features, costs, and other critical factors for two leading VoIP providers, Sipgate vs Vonage, to help you decide which is best suited for your business.
Sipgate vs Vonage
| Feature | Sipgate | Vonage |
|---|---|---|
| Call Handling | Customisable call routing, call forwarding, call groups | Advanced call routing, call forwarding, call queueing |
| Voicemail | Basic voicemail with email notifications | Voicemail-to-email and voicemail transcription |
| Mobile & Desktop App | Mobile app with core calling and messaging functionalities | Mobile and desktop apps with full functionality |
| Video Conferencing | Not included in basic plans, available as an optional add-on | Included in many business plans |
| CRM Integrations | Basic integrations available with some CRMs | Extensive integrations, including Salesforce, HubSpot, Microsoft Teams, and Slack |
| International Calling | Pay-as-you-go rates, limited to select regions | Wide international calling options with various plans |
| Analytics | Basic call logs | In-depth analytics and reporting features |
| Security | Encrypted VoIP services, GDPR compliant | AES-256 encryption, GDPR, and SOC 2 compliance |
| Monthly Plan Cost | Starts at £9.95 per user | Starts at £12 per user with free UK minutes |
| Call Rates | Pay-as-you-go; additional costs per call | Includes free UK minutes, pay-as-you-go for international |
| Add-Ons | Optional voicemail, call groups, and analytics | Advanced analytics and extensive CRM integrations included in higher-tier plans |
| Video Conferencing Cost | Optional, pay-as-you-go | Included in higher-tier plans |
| Contract Options | Flexible month-to-month and annual plans | Flexible month-to-month and annual plans |
| Support | Email support, online help centre | 24/7 phone and chat support, dedicated UK-based support for larger accounts |
| Reliability | Generally reliable, though with slower response times | 99.999% uptime SLA, highly reliable with robust support infrastructure |
| Best For | Small to mid-sized teams needing a cost-effective, simple phone system | Larger organisations, remote teams, or customer service-heavy businesses requiring robust features |
| Pros | Affordable, flexible call rates, suitable for small to mid-sized teams | Comprehensive feature set, strong integrations, 24/7 support, and reliable system |
| Cons | Limited third-party integrations, additional costs for essential features, basic support only | Higher starting price, can be complex for very small businesses, advanced features in top-tier only |
Introduction to Sipgate vs Vonage
Sipgate is recognised for its highly customisable VoIP services, providing flexibility and scalability that appeals to a wide range of UK businesses, from freelancers to mid-sized enterprises. Known for its straightforward offerings, Sipgate is a practical choice for businesses looking to integrate a reliable phone system seamlessly into their workflow.
Vonage, on the other hand, is a global leader in business communications, offering a rich variety of VoIP solutions. With advanced features and extensive third-party integrations, Vonage caters to businesses of all sizes, making it especially useful for companies with remote or hybrid teams who prioritise robust, reliable communication channels.
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Key features of Sipgate vs Vonage
Both Sipgate and Vonage offer essential VoIP functionalities, but they have unique strengths that cater to different business needs.
- Call Handling: Sipgate provides fundamental call handling features, such as customisable call routing, forwarding, and call groups. This is ideal for businesses seeking a simple setup. Vonage goes a step further, offering call queueing and advanced call routing, which can be advantageous for customer service teams or businesses that handle a high call volume.
- Voicemail Services: Sipgate includes voicemail with basic email notifications, while Vonage enhances this with voicemail-to-email and transcription capabilities, allowing team members to read voicemail messages quickly.
- Mobile Access: Sipgate’s mobile app covers core calling and messaging features. Vonage’s app is more sophisticated, offering seamless transitions across desktop and mobile devices, which is beneficial for teams working remotely and needing consistent functionality.
- Integrations: While Sipgate supports basic CRM integrations, Vonage offers a more extensive range, including compatibility with CRM systems like Salesforce and HubSpot, as well as productivity tools such as Microsoft Teams and Slack. For businesses needing deeper software integration, Vonage is likely a better fit.
- Security: Both Sipgate and Vonage prioritise data security and are GDPR compliant, with encrypted communications to ensure data protection. However, Vonage provides additional reassurance with SOC 2 compliance, an advantage for businesses with stringent security requirements.
Pricing overview – Sipgate vs Vonage
Pricing is a significant factor when selecting a business phone system, and Sipgate and Vonage have different structures:
- Sipgate’s monthly plans start at £9.95 per user. This offers an affordable base, but it operates on a pay-as-you-go model for calls, which could lead to additional costs for businesses making frequent calls. Add-ons such as voicemail and advanced analytics are available for an extra fee, making it a practical choice for smaller businesses needing a simple, cost-effective setup.
- Vonage begins its plans at £12 per user per month, including free UK minutes, which can be beneficial for domestic call-heavy businesses. Higher-tier plans include video conferencing, advanced analytics, and CRM integrations. This inclusive pricing can prove cost-effective for larger organisations needing more features and extensive call handling tools.
Both providers offer flexible contract options, including month-to-month and annual plans, giving businesses control over their commitment level.
Support and reliability
Reliable customer support and system uptime are crucial, particularly for businesses that rely on consistent communication:
- Sipgate provides email support and a detailed online help centre, ideal for businesses with low support needs. While its system is generally reliable, response times for support requests can be slower than other providers.
- Vonage offers round-the-clock phone and chat support, with a dedicated UK-based support team for larger accounts. It also guarantees a 99.999% uptime, meaning businesses can rely on a stable and resilient service. This robust support structure makes Vonage a better choice for organisations that may need immediate assistance or have complex communication requirements.
Pros and cons of Sipgate vs Vonage
Each provider has its strengths and limitations, which should align with specific business needs:
- Sipgate Pros: Affordable, simple pricing structure, flexible call rates, and suitable for small to mid-sized teams looking for a straightforward solution.
- Sipgate Cons: Limited integrations, additional costs for essential features like voicemail, and basic support options.
- Vonage Pros: Comprehensive feature set, CRM and productivity tool integrations, 24/7 support, and high reliability for larger, more complex organisations.
- Vonage Cons: Higher starting price point, potentially complex for very small businesses, and some advanced features available only in higher-tier plans.
Ideal use cases
Sipgate suits UK-based small businesses or startups that want a straightforward, customisable phone system without the need for extensive integrations or 24/7 support. Its pay-as-you-go pricing model is ideal for teams with moderate call requirements who need affordability and flexibility.
Vonage is a better fit for larger companies, remote teams, or customer service environments that require a more advanced feature set, extensive third-party integrations, and reliable support. Vonage’s scalable solutions are also advantageous for businesses anticipating growth.
Final verdict
For UK businesses comparing Sipgate vs Vonage, the decision ultimately comes down to specific needs around budget, functionality, and support:
- Choose Sipgate if you need a simple, cost-effective phone system for a small team, especially if extensive integrations and support are not priorities.
- Opt for Vonage if your business requires a robust feature set, especially CRM integrations and dedicated support, and can accommodate a slightly higher monthly cost.
FAQ – Sipgate vs Vonage
Vonage offers more advanced call handling features, including call queueing and routing options. Sipgate covers the basics with call forwarding and routing but lacks some of the more robust call management tools Vonage provides, which may benefit customer support teams or businesses with high call volumes.
Only Vonage includes voicemail transcription as a standard feature, making it easier for users to review voicemails in written form. Sipgate offers voicemail with email notifications but does not include transcription, which may be a drawback for businesses wanting this convenience.
Vonage’s mobile app is more feature-rich, offering seamless transitions between mobile and desktop. Sipgate’s app provides core calling and messaging features but lacks some of the advanced functionalities found in Vonage, which is ideal for teams needing consistent access on the go.
Vonage includes video conferencing in many of its business plans, making it an integrated solution for teams needing video calls. Sipgate does not include this as a standard feature; businesses interested in video conferencing with Sipgate would need to explore additional solutions or add-ons.
Vonage supports a broader range of CRM integrations, including Salesforce, HubSpot, and Microsoft Teams. Sipgate has limited CRM options, which may suit smaller businesses but lacks the depth of integration that Vonage offers, making Vonage the better option for CRM-focused operations.
Vonage offers a wide selection of international calling options across its plans, which is helpful for businesses with international clients. Sipgate provides pay-as-you-go international calling, but options are more limited, which may increase costs for companies with extensive international communication needs.
Both Sipgate and Vonage offer flexible contracts, including month-to-month and annual options. This gives businesses flexibility in commitment, though Vonage’s added features and higher cost may encourage users to consider annual contracts for additional savings on this platform.
Vonage provides 24/7 phone and chat support and a UK-based support team for larger accounts. Sipgate’s support is limited to email and an online help centre, which can lead to slower response times and may not suit businesses needing instant support.
Sipgate is often more suitable for small businesses due to its lower starting costs and essential call management features. Vonage, while feature-rich, may be more complex and better suited for medium to large businesses or those with advanced communication needs.
Both Sipgate and Vonage comply with GDPR standards and offer encrypted communication. However, Vonage holds an additional SOC 2 certification, providing enhanced security assurance, which may appeal to businesses with strict compliance needs or those handling sensitive information.