Choosing the right phone system is crucial for any business aiming to streamline communication, enhance collaboration, and reduce operational costs. Two major players in the market, Zoom and 8×8, are well-known for their robust communication solutions. While both offer strong VoIP and Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) platforms, their features, pricing, and target audiences have distinct differences. This comparison will give you a clear breakdown of Zoom vs 8×8 offerings so you can make an informed decision for your business.
Zoom vs 8×8
| Feature | Zoom | 8×8 |
|---|---|---|
| Core focus | Primarily video conferencing, expanding into VoIP with Zoom Phone | Strong VoIP focus, with added UCaaS and CCaaS features |
| VoIP call features | Call forwarding, voicemail, call queuing, auto-attendant, call recording, spam prevention | Comprehensive VoIP features including call forwarding, voicemail transcription, call monitoring, whisper, barge |
| International calling | Access to 30+ countries on higher-tier plans | Unlimited calls to 48 countries on certain plans |
| Video conferencing | High-definition video, breakout rooms, whiteboarding, screen sharing | Video capabilities included but less robust, suitable for occasional video needs |
| Collaboration tools | Integrated video, chat, and voice; supports breakout rooms, file sharing, and meeting whiteboards | Limited collaboration features; focuses more on voice services and analytics |
| Integrations | Microsoft Teams, Slack, Salesforce, and others | Microsoft Teams, Salesforce, Google Workspace, and more (over 25 integrations) |
| APIs for customisation | Limited API capabilities | Open API allows extensive customisation with third-party apps |
| Analytics & reporting | Basic call quality and usage reporting; limited analytics | Advanced analytics with call quality, duration, and customer experience metrics |
| Security | End-to-end encryption, role-based access, SSO, secure recording | End-to-end encryption, GDPR compliance, ISO-certified data centres |
| Customer support | Live chat, email, phone (support level based on plan); response times vary by plan | Strong customer service reputation; higher-tier plans include a dedicated support representative |
| Pricing | From £8 per user/month for basic plans to around £20 per user/month for advanced plans | From £12 per user/month for basic plans to £20-£40 per user/month for advanced VoIP and contact centre features |
| Best for | Businesses focused on video meetings and collaboration | Businesses needing robust VoIP features, global calling, and detailed analytics |
Overview of Zoom vs 8×8
- Zoom: Initially known for video conferencing, Zoom has expanded its offerings to include Zoom Phone, a cloud-based phone system aimed at businesses of all sizes. It integrates seamlessly with its video services, creating an all-in-one platform for video, chat, and voice communication.
- 8×8: With a strong focus on VoIP and business phone systems, 8×8 has developed into a comprehensive UCaaS platform with additional Contact Centre as a Service (CCaaS) solutions. Its focus is on providing extensive business communication tools, from voice calls to analytics.
Key features comparison
1. Call Management and VoIP Features
- Zoom: Zoom Phone provides standard VoIP features such as call forwarding, voicemail, call queuing, and auto-attendant. Its integration with Zoom Meetings means users can seamlessly switch between calls and video conferences. Zoom also offers features like call recording, spam prevention, and the ability to connect with over 30 countries for international calling.
- 8×8: 8×8’s VoIP features are extensive, including call forwarding, auto-attendant, voicemail transcription, and call analytics. Additionally, 8×8 provides unlimited calling within 48 countries, which can significantly benefit businesses with a global presence. 8×8’s system also includes features like call monitoring, whisper, and barge, often valuable for customer service teams.
2. Video and Collaboration Tools
- Zoom: Renowned for video conferencing, Zoom’s strength lies in its collaboration tools. Zoom Meetings offers high-definition video calls, breakout rooms, whiteboarding, and screen sharing, making it an ideal choice for businesses that rely on frequent video meetings.
- 8×8: 8×8 also provides video conferencing but without the extensive features of Zoom’s video tools. For teams primarily focused on voice with occasional video requirements, 8×8’s video capabilities should be sufficient, though it lacks Zoom’s level of sophistication in this area.
3. Integrations
- Zoom: With a vast array of integrations, Zoom works well with popular platforms like Microsoft Teams, Slack, and Salesforce. This makes it a versatile option, particularly if your team already uses these tools.
- 8×8: 8×8 supports over 25 integrations, including Microsoft Teams, Salesforce, and Google Workspace. It also has an open API, allowing more customisation for businesses that require specific third-party app connections.
4. Analytics and Reporting
- Zoom: Zoom Phone offers call quality and usage reporting but has limited analytics compared to some other UCaaS platforms. However, it does provide real-time call quality scores, which can help IT teams troubleshoot any issues quickly.
- 8×8: Known for its detailed analytics, 8×8 offers a comprehensive reporting suite, including call quality, call duration, and customer experience metrics. Advanced analytics are available on certain plans, making 8×8 a better choice for businesses that value deep insights into communication patterns and customer interactions.
5. Security
- Zoom: Zoom has implemented end-to-end encryption for meetings and calls. Other security measures include role-based access, SSO, and secure recording management. However, it’s worth noting that Zoom has had some security concerns in the past, although these issues have been addressed with recent updates.
- 8×8: Security is one of 8×8’s strengths, with end-to-end encryption, GDPR compliance, and ISO-certified data centres. The platform also supports secure guest access, role-based access control, and real-time encryption, making it a strong choice for data-sensitive businesses.
Cost comparison – Zoom vs 8×8
- Zoom Phone: Pricing begins at approximately £8 per user per month for the basic plan, which includes standard calling features and essential integrations. Zoom’s higher-tier plans, which add features like international calling and additional analytics, can go up to £20 per user per month.
- 8×8: 8×8’s pricing starts around £12 per user per month, with unlimited calls to 48 countries on certain plans, offering excellent value for businesses with international clients. Advanced plans, which include analytics and contact centre capabilities, range between £20 and £40 per user per month.
Both platforms offer volume discounts for larger teams, so pricing can vary depending on the size of your organisation.
Customer support and reliability
- Zoom: Zoom’s customer support is generally well-rated, with various channels, including live chat, email, and phone support. However, support response times can depend on the plan level.
- 8×8: 8×8 has a strong reputation for customer service, particularly with larger organisations. It offers phone and email support, and higher-tier plans include a dedicated support representative.
Pros and cons summary
| Feature | Zoom | 8×8 |
|---|---|---|
| Pros | – Strong video conferencing and collaboration tools – Affordable pricing for smaller teams | – Comprehensive VoIP features – Unlimited calling to 48 countries – Advanced analytics |
| Cons | – Limited analytics – Some past security issues | – Video features not as robust as Zoom’s – Higher starting price |
| Best For | Businesses prioritising video meetings and integrations with collaboration tools | Companies seeking extensive VoIP features and detailed analytics |
Choosing between Zoom vs 8×8
The decision between Zoom vs 8×8 depends largely on your business’s communication priorities:
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- Choose Zoom if your business relies heavily on video meetings and requires a platform with strong collaboration tools. It’s ideal for small to medium-sized teams looking for a cost-effective solution that integrates well with existing tools.
- Choose 8×8 if your business prioritises VoIP features, advanced call analytics, and international calling. 8×8 is suitable for businesses that need comprehensive communication features and global coverage, particularly those with a focus on voice rather than video.
Final verdict
Both Zoom and 8×8 offer compelling business communication solutions.
Zoom excels in video and collaborative features, making it suitable for businesses with a strong focus on virtual meetings.
In contrast, 8×8 is a powerful option for companies looking for a well-rounded VoIP system with global reach and robust analytics.
Whichever platform you choose, both Zoom and 8×8 offer flexible and scalable solutions to meet the evolving needs of your business.
FAQ – Zoom vs 8×8 comparison
Zoom is stronger in video conferencing, offering high-definition calls, breakout rooms, whiteboarding, and screen sharing. 8×8 provides video capabilities as well, but it lacks Zoom’s advanced features, making it better suited for occasional video needs rather than regular, collaborative video meetings.
8×8 offers unlimited calling to 48 countries on some plans, which is ideal for global businesses. Zoom Phone covers 30+ countries but requires higher-tier plans. If international calling is a priority, 8×8 may offer better coverage and cost benefits.
Both platforms support popular integrations, but Zoom has a broader array, including Microsoft Teams, Slack, and Salesforce. 8×8 integrates with similar tools but also provides an open API for custom setups, giving flexibility to businesses with specific app requirements.
Zoom’s entry-level pricing starts lower, around £8 per user/month, while 8×8 begins around £12 per user/month. However, 8×8 includes unlimited calling to more countries in its plans, which may offer better value for international businesses.
Yes, but 8×8 is more comprehensive, providing advanced call metrics like customer experience scores, call duration, and quality monitoring. Zoom Phone offers basic usage reporting and call quality insights but lacks the in-depth analytics available on 8×8.
8×8 has a strong reputation for customer support, especially for higher-tier plans that include a dedicated representative. Zoom offers phone, chat, and email support, but response times and support level can vary based on the plan selected.
Both provide end-to-end encryption and role-based access controls, but 8×8 also offers GDPR compliance and ISO-certified data centres, adding an extra layer of security. Zoom has improved its security features in recent updates, making it safe but slightly less robust compared to 8×8.
8×8 is stronger for VoIP, offering extensive features like call monitoring, whisper, and barge capabilities. Zoom’s VoIP features cover basics such as call forwarding, voicemail, and recording, but lack the advanced call management options provided by 8×8.
Yes, both platforms are scalable and offer volume discounts for large teams. Zoom may be more affordable for small teams, while 8×8’s international call benefits and comprehensive VoIP features are advantageous for larger, global teams.
For customer analytics, 8×8 is the stronger option, with in-depth metrics covering customer experience, call quality, and more. Zoom offers basic analytics but is less suited to detailed customer insights, making 8×8 a better choice for data-driven businesses.