The Best Auto-Attendant Phone Systems of 2021

3CX offers several phone services to clients. Some top systems include an on-site or hosted private branch exchange (PBX), free videoconferencing, browser live chats, and call center tools. If you already use the provider for these functions, it’s easy to add the auto-attendant and integrate it with the rest.

It holds a dial-by-name directory to let clients select specific employees to redirect to in the list. You’ll need to set it up according to a structure in the menu and sub-menus, but it’s an effective method for customers to find the right person if they don’t know the department.

Features include:

• Free digital receptionist
• Integrates with hosted or on-site PBX
• Work remotely with mobile apps
• Call identity
• Voicemail redirection

You have the option to use the 3CX auto-attendant free for one year. After that, you’ll need to pay a small monthly fee per user. There’s also a 40-day free trial available.

The 8X8 auto-desk phone system covers several platforms you can control it through for more efficient operations. Moreover, there are X-series configuration and account manager modules to establish how your digital receptionists function. You can also use drop-down menus to create rules.

Creating custom greetings is as straightforward as letting the professional team write and record your messages. Whether it’s for business hours, after hours, out-of-office, or vacations, there are plenty of options to inform your clients about what’s happening. 

Features include:

• Call parking
• Queues
• Ring groups
• Role-based access
• Customized greetings

While 8x8’s website mentions you can request a quote, there are four different price plans for the X Series auto-attendant phone systems. You’ll pay per user monthly based on the setup you choose.

Dialpad has some interesting features in its auto-attendant phone system technology. Instead of listening to voicemails, the platform transcribes the words into text you can read at your leisure. It’s a helpful tool when you’re in a meeting and want to make sure the call wasn’t an emergency.

Of course, the digital receptionist’s primary focus is call forwarding and parking. There’s automatic call distribution to ensure verbal inquiries reach the right team members. It also includes a call summary, presenting the most significant notes and snippets.

Features include:

• Voice intelligence
• Post-call automation
• Live-sentiment analysis
• Visual voicemail
• Live coach and real-time assistance

You can choose from three price plans, the first two with set rates based on agents per month. If you have a large organization, there’s the option to contact the live support team for a custom quote.

There are two solutions on the table, depending on your location. eReceptionist provides call management services for small to medium businesses (SMBs) in the United Kingdom. If your company is based in Canada or the United States, you can make use of the auto-attendant phone system called eVoice.

One of the top features it offers is diary-based forwarding that redirects calls to specific teams based on events or occasions. It will also only send calls to another employee during certain times of the day if you’ve booked those slots for meetings or seminars. It works for both local numbers and international clients.

Features include:

• International numbers
• Call forwarding
• Virtual office
• Diary-based forwarding
• Telephone redirection
• Studio recording for greetings
• Voicemail transcription

eVoice has one price plan for all your virtual assistant needs. You can test it out with a free demo, but you’ll pay per user every month.

Grasshopper delivers its best auto-attendant phone system in collaboration with the popular Ruby voice assistant. Not only does it answer calls but it also collects details from any scheduled appointments. If you already have a Ruby account when you sign up for Grasshopper’s virtual assistant, you can instantly connect the two.

You can receive more than one business number per user for situations where you deal with different entities or industries. Your phone system will be completely virtual, integrating with VoIP and voicemail tools. It also lets you craft conditions for call forwarding.

Features include:

• Extension distribution
• Studio-quality greetings
• Call-forwarding rules
• VoIP integration
• Voicemail tools

Grasshopper spoils you for choice with three payment plans based on the business type. You can also select a free demo or free trial to test the system first.

Nextiva is one of the most highly praised providers among the best auto-attendant phone systems. The company isn’t shy in boasting about its accomplishments, either. Its website has a blog that covers what digital assistants do and how its services rank against competitors.

It has reason to be so confident, though. The phone system is entirely customizable, and you'll find few features missing. What makes it stand out from its rivals is that it can handle any business size and is compliant with SOC-2 and HIPAA regulations.

Features include:

• Handles any scale
• SOC-2 and HIPAA compliant
• Easy to create
• Free auto-attendants

While its auto-attendant feature is free, you’ll still have to pay to use it. The monthly subscription covers the cost of its phone services, which incorporates the virtual assistant. Once you’ve signed up for Nextiva, you can create as many attendants as you want at no extra cost.

Ooma has several call management functions you can install alongside your auto-attendant. Some are rather interesting, such as transferring music and extension dialing and monitoring. It can even forward calls when the phone sets aren’t working.

Since it forms part of a more extensive system, you’ll find numerous integrations tied to the service. For instance, there are voicemail transcribing and flexible numbers. Mobile apps have their own set of features, such as simultaneous ringing, SMS messaging from missed calls, and call flip.

Features include:

• Desktop application
• Call routing
• Multi-call options
• Ring groups
• Flexible numbering

Ooma offers two price packages with different features for each. There’s a generous 60-day free trial, so you'll have plenty of time to test your options.

Phone.com is another provider that delivers a holistic call management service with an auto-attendant function embedded in the package. If you already have a phone system in place, you can procure the digital receptionist as a separate function, but it works better with Phone.com’s platform. 

The auto-attendant phone system has several functions you can maintain. Some of these include call transfers, screens, blocks, recording, parking, handling rules, and logs. If you’re stuck in a videoconference on your mobile device, the system will auto-detect it and redirect the call to the scheduled number.

Features include:

• VoIP integration
• HIPAA compliance
• Hold music
• Call routing
• Analytics
• Call blocking

Since you need a customized service based on your requirements, either for the entire phone setup or merely the auto-attendant, you’ll need to contact Phone.com for a tailored quote.

There’s no limit to where RingCentral’s auto-attendant phone system can redirect calls. You can establish toll-free and vanity numbers for accepting calls, while they can be forwarded worldwide. If the extension or number is unavailable, the system sends it to the appropriate voicemail.

RingCentral manages and filters the workflow, delegating it to the correct employee or agent. There’s also a dial-by-name automated business directory so clients can choose who to be redirected to. If your company’s administrator is out of the office and system changes need to be made, they can alter settings from the comfort of their mobile device.

Features include:

• Toll-free and vanity numbers
• Extension routing
• Call delegation
• Call flip and parking
• RingOut

You can select one of four subscription plans based on your business requirements, the price increasing with the amount of features.

When clients contact your company with a Vonage auto-attendant phone system in place, they have three options: Use the dial-by-name option by typing the full name on the keypad, follow the menu prompts, or listen to the dynamic business directory.

You can set the parameters for how the system responds to calls. Set multiple pathways, or keep it simple for better efficiency. It’s best that you study how your clients behave after being redirected, letting it guide you to any changes you need to make. 

Features include:

• Customizable parameters
• Robust menu system
• Flexible tools
• Online webinar training

Vonage offers three payment plans per line monthly. You can choose to view the demo or test a 14-day free trial.