There are dozens of call forwarding services available, with each promising seamless routing and efficient communication. It's challenging to know which service is right for your needs. Many offer similar features and claim to deliver reliability and flexibility for your company.
Choosing the wrong service can lead to missed calls, unhappy customers, and lost revenue. Not all call forwarding services are created equal—some lack proper integrations, others don't offer the level of customization you require, and many have confusing pricing structures.
In this guide, we'll share the seven call-forwarding services of 2024 that are best for most businesses. We'll walk you through their key features, pricing, and why each one stands out. With this information, you can confidently select and set up a call-forwarding service. But first: let’s dive into the ins and outs of how these services work.
What is a call forwarding service?
A call forwarding service allows you to redirect incoming calls from one phone number to another number of your choice. It is particularly useful for businesses that have multiple phone lines or virtual teams spread across different locations.
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Who uses call-forwarding software?
Call forwarding software is useful for businesses that need a better way to manage incoming calls. It helps customer service and sales teams ensure that incoming customer calls are always answered by the right person or department. For multi-location companies that need to route or redirect calls based on their location, call forwarding software is a critical part of their tech stack.
Call forwarding software is often used in the following scenarios:
- When an agent is out in the field
- When your team is off the clock
- When the intended point of contact is away from their desk
- When a customer has a specific query
What features to look for in a call forwarding platform?
Call forwarding platforms should help your business work smarter, not harder. As such, look for some of these features when selecting a call-forwarding service.
- Customizable call routing: It's critical to have the capacity to develop sophisticated call routing rules that meet your company's needs. Seek out call forwarding providers that offer customizable call routing choices, such as skills-based, location-based, or time-based routing.
- IVR and auto-attendant: Interactive voice response (IVR) menus and an auto-attendant function assist callers in reaching the proper person or department, reducing customer frustration and improving call performance outcomes.
- Multi-channel support: Consider a call forwarding service that can handle email, chat, SMS, and phone calls in addition to voice calls. This coordinated dialogue
- Call recording and analytics: Call forwarding services that include call recording and analytics provide valuable insights into customer interactions and team performance. This data can be used to identify areas for improvement and make data-driven business decisions.
7 Best call forwarding services at a glance
The call-forwarding software space has incredible platforms, but some options stand out above the rest. At a quick glance, here are the key features, free trial availability, and reviewer ratings of the top seven call forwarding services.
A deeper look: The top 7 call forwarding software providers
1 . Plivo
G2 rating: 4.5 out of 5
Plivo’s adaptable and feature-rich platform is one of the top-rated options for managing calls. Plivo’s Voice API provides programmatic control over call destinations, offering the flexibility to customize and manage how calls are routed. With this API, you can access:
- Dynamic call routing: Adjust the call routing in real-time based on predefined rules, such as customer preferences, location, ring time, busy or unreachable lines, round-robin calling, or agent availability. For example, you can direct high-priority customers to specific support teams or agents. Or, if someone doesn’t pick up after 15 seconds, the call will automatically move to another representative.
- Global reach: Route calls to numbers in over 220 countries, enabling seamless international communication without requiring complex setups.
- Failover mechanism: Implement a fallback routing system to ensure calls are always answered, even if the primary destination is unreachable.
- Interactive voice response (IVR): Create multi-level IVR systems to guide customers through automated menus and direct them to the right department based on their inputs.
- Recording and monitoring: Enable call recording for quality assurance or compliance purposes and monitor calls live to evaluate agent performance.
- Customized caller ID: Modify caller ID information to ensure a consistent and recognizable caller identity, increasing customer trust and engagement.
- Analytics and reporting: Access detailed call data and analytics to monitor call quality, duration, and routing effectiveness. Use these insights to optimize your communication strategies.
Plivo’s platform is geared towards enhancing not just efficiency but also the quality of interactions with customers through its sophisticated auto-attendant and IVR system. Additionally, its support for multiple communication channels and detailed analytics helps businesses keep their fingers on the pulse of their communication strategies.
Key features
- Customizable call routing
- Auto-attendant and IVR
- Multi-channel support
- Turnkey single-API solution
- High deliverability
- Built-in fraud control
- Call recording and analytics
Pricing
Visit Plivo's website for detailed pricing information.
Free trial
Plivo offers a free trial period for users to test their services.
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2. Dialpad
G2 rating: 4.5 out of 5
Dialpad’s fast set-up process provides agents with tools to manage calls more effectively and connect with customers from anywhere. Dialpad automatically forwards incoming calls to a maximum of five phone numbers. You can set rules to forward phone calls from your Dialpad number to either your mobile device, a landline, or an accessible agent.
Beyond simple call forwarding, Dialpad provides a robust communications platform. It can route calls through its intelligent system or redirect them to voicemail when agents are unavailable. Moreover, its analytical tools offer insights into communication patterns, enabling businesses to refine their strategies and continuously enhance customer interactions.
Key features
- Multiple phone numbers per account
- AI-enabled sales intelligence tools like AI-assisted sales coaching, playbooks, and interaction scoring
- Unified AI collaboration platform with voice/video calling, messaging, and meeting capabilities
- 25 ring groups (departments)
Pricing
- Standard plan: $15 per user/month
- Pro plan: $25 per user/month
- Enterprise plan: Contact Dialpad for a custom quote
Free trial
Dialpad offers a 14-day free trial for users to evaluate their services.
3. Grasshopper
G2 rating: 4.0 out of 5
Grasshopper is a simple yet powerful call-forwarding service for small businesses and entrepreneurs who need an efficient way to manage calls. The platform is intuitively designed, making it easy for less tech-savvy users to enhance their professional presence and maintain customer connectivity.
Compile a list of call-forwarding phone numbers while ensuring you are notified of incoming calls. Grasshopper offers the flexibility to customize your call schedule and designate specific phone numbers for forwarded calls. With different plans to accommodate growth and a mobile app for on-the-go management, Grasshopper scales with your business as it grows.
Key features
- VoIP and Wifi calling
- Custom greetings
- User-friendly interface suitable for non-technical users
- Simultaneous call handling
- Mobile app for call and message management on the go
Pricing
- Solo plan: $26 per user/month (one number + three extensions)
- Partner plan: $44 per user/month (three numbers + six extensions)
- Small business plan: $80 per user/month (five numbers + unlimited extensions)
Free trial
Grasshopper offers a seven-day free trial for users to try out their services.
4. GoTo Connect
G2 rating: 4.4 out of 5
GoTo Connect is a great call-forwarding service option for small-scale or growth-stage startups. It offers a comprehensive platform that supports voice, video, and text across various devices. The call forwarding service includes automatic call attendance, chat, extensions, voicemail to audio email, SMS, and unlimited calls.
Ideal for teams that operate both remotely and in-office, GoTo Connect ensures that every team member and client stays connected with features like HD video conferencing. It can accommodate up to 25 webcams or 250 people. Overall, the platform’s flexible pricing and ease of integration with other tools make it a preferred choice for businesses looking to streamline their communications without compromising on features or functionality.
Key features
- Unlimited users
- Unlimited call routing, automated attendants, and queues
- Unified communications across voice, video, and text
- Video meetings with up to 250 participants
- Flexible device compatibility for hybrid and remote team setups
- Easy integration with other business tools
- Scalable plan options from basic to premium features
Pricing
- Basic plan: $24 per user/month
- Standard plan: $29 per user/month
- Premium plan: $43 per user/month
Free trial
GoTo Connect offers a 14-day free trial for users to test their services.
5. Talkdesk
G2 rating: 4.4 out of 5
Talkdesk offers a range of features including the ability to forward calls to any phone, be it mobile, landline, or computer. This enables employees to work remotely and stay connected with their customers. Additionally, Talkdesk provides local and toll-free numbers that can be forwarded to agents anywhere, allowing businesses to expand their international presence.
The platform also enables businesses to route calls to agents with specific skills or knowledge, ensuring that customers are always connected to the most appropriate agent for their needs. Finally, Talkdesk allows businesses to monitor forwarded calls for quality assurance while enabling workforce mobility. This helps businesses to maintain high levels of customer satisfaction and ensure that their employees are productive and engaged.
Key features
- Cloud-based call center functionality
- Advanced analytics and real-time reporting
- High scalability to handle varying call volumes
- Power dialer
- Outbound caller ID
- Data import and synchronization
Pricing
- CX Cloud Essentials plan: $75 per user/month
- CX Cloud Elevate plan: $95 per user/month
- CX Cloud Elite plan: $125 per user/month
Free trial
Talkdesk does not offer a free trial.
6. RingCentral
G2 rating: 4.0 out of 5
RingCentral offers a comprehensive set of call-forwarding capabilities that ensure no important calls are missed. With RingCentral, you can improve the caller experience and increase agent responsiveness. Its flexible nature makes it ideal for mobile and remote employees, and its scalable infrastructure is built to handle the growth of small businesses.
Additionally, RingCentral provides after-hours call coverage options and all-in-one cloud communication solutions, including voice, messaging, video, and fax services. It makes mobile management and configuration easy and comes with advanced virtual phone system features. RingCentral also provides international calling services and analytics and reporting tools to help you better understand your communications data.
Key features
- Unlimited users
- Unlimited auto attendants, call routing, and queues
- Video meetings with up to 150 participants
- Strong integration with business applications
- Modular design that grows with your business
Pricing
- Essentials plan: $19.99 per user/month
- Standard plan: $27.99 per user/month
- Premium plan: $34.99 per user/month
- Ultimate plan: $49.99 per user/month
Free trial
RingCentral offers a 14-day free trial for users to test their services.
7. 8x8
G2 rating: 4.0 out of 5
The cloud communications platform from 8x8 is a comprehensive solution that integrates voice, video, chat, and contact center capabilities. It offers customizable call forwarding and transfer rules that can be tailored to meet the specific needs of the users, making it a flexible and mobile solution. Businesses can work from anywhere, including remotely or from home, to stay connected to their customers and colleagues.
The platform also enables businesses to improve their customer experience by easily transferring calls to the right person to handle a customer query. Additionally, the platform provides advanced call routing options including ring groups to ensure that calls are routed to the appropriate team members in a timely manner.
Key features
- Caller ID, blocking, and do not disturb
- Call waiting and parking
- Three-way calling
- Competitive pricing suited for SMEs
Pricing
- Express plan: $15 per user/month
- X2 plan: $24 per user/month
- X4 plan: $44 per user/month
Free trial
8x8 provides a 30-day free trial for users to evaluate their services.
How to choose the right call forwarding service for your business
The call forwarding service you choose impacts a substantial part of your customer (and employee) experience. Consider the following factors when making your decision.
- Business needs: Assess your business requirements and identify the specific features and capabilities you need from a call forwarding service. Consider factors such as the number of users, flexibility, multi-channel support, and software integrations.
- Budget: Look into your budget and choose a call forwarding service that fits within your financial capabilities. Consider not only the monthly subscription fees but also any additional costs for extra features or usage.
- User experience: Test the user interface and evaluate the ease of use of the call forwarding service. A user-friendly interface and intuitive navigation will save time and reduce the learning curve for your team.
- Reliability and support: Look for a call forwarding service with a reputation for reliable performance and strong customer support. Uptime guarantees, security features, and the responsiveness of its support staff are crucial.
- Integration capabilities: Test and explore the integration capabilities of your call forwarding service with other tools and platforms your business relies on. CRM systems, help desk software, and other communication tools that can be integrated are likely to enhance productivity and ensure a smooth operation.
Free trials help you make an informed decision and choose the right call-forwarding service that aligns with your business goals and requirements.
Get started with Plivo
Plivo consistently stands out for its robust features and reliable service. Whether you're looking to enhance your customer service, streamline your communications, or simply manage calls more efficiently, Plivo offers a comprehensive and user-friendly platform that can adapt to your business’s unique needs.
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