Talkroute vs RingCentral: Mi opinión

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Por Nate Drake

Last Updated on enero 31, 2025 by Ewen Finser

If you’re looking for a way to decide on the very best business phone solution, you’ve come to the right place.

I’ve consulted with business clients on both sides of the Atlantic and like any company, they all wanted affordable, flexible, and reliable telecoms.

Two of the biggest players in the business phone sector are RingCentral and Talkroute. Both are respectable platforms for managing your calls, but I’ve often been asked: which is better?

Here we’ll take a look at Talkroute vs RingCentral. I’ll assess all the features that RingCentral and Talkroute share and dive into their unique selling points, so you can make the right choice for your business.

Lo esencial por adelantado: 

If you’re looking for a business phone system with clear pricing, reliable connections and all the essentials for an SMB, then Talkroute is your best choice. If you need a more scalable solution and/or run a larger organization that needs extra business telephone features, RingCentral might be a better option. 

Why I Like Talkroute

I happen to like Talkroute as the better fit for small businesses. I don't need extra telephony equipment and it's easy to setup (compared to many VOIP services). It's also perfect if your internet service is uneven OR can't handle a full-on VOIP install. It's also cheaper than most peers I looked it.

Give Talkroute a Test
Ganamos una comisión si hace clic en este enlace y realiza una compra sin coste adicional para usted.

Main differences between Talkroute and RingCentral

  • RingCentral caters to every type of client from small businesses to large enterprises. Talkroute focuses more on small to medium-sized businesses. 
  • RingCentral connects calls using VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol). Talkroute connects calls using PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network).
  • As a VOIP service, RingCentral has a large number of business telephone features. Talkroute focuses more on essential features like voice mailboxes.
  • As a PSTN service, Talkroute doesn’t require purchasing additional equipment. RingCentral subscribers may need to buy or rent equipment like IP phones and network adapters. 
  • RingCentral charges a fee per month per user. Talkroute subscribers pay a basic monthly fee, then an additional fee of $5 per user.

Similarities between Talkroute and RingCentral

  • Both platforms offer unlimited calls within the US and Canada, even on the lowest pricing tier.
  • Talkroute and RingCentral also offer the basic features you’d expect to see in a business phone system, including voice mailboxes, business SMS, call menus, and call forwarding/routing. 
  • Subscribers can use both Talkroute and RingCentral using software provided for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices.
  • Both services also allow you to keep your existing phone numbers. 

Standout Talkroute features:

  • Talkroute’s main selling point for my clients has been the fact it uses the old-school PSTN network. That means it doesn’t need the Internet to function, which is very useful in areas with limited connectivity. 
  • Talkroute customers don’t have to buy any networking equipment – the service will work with your existing business telephone hardware.
  • Talkroute offers vanity numbers e.g. 1 (800) 23STORE free of charge. (RingCentral does offer this, but only for an extra fee. As I found out, the Talkroute support team will even search for a suitable vanity number for your company.

Standout RingCentral features:

  • RingCentral users can send faxes via its mobile and desktop software. Talkroute doesn’t currently support this feature. 
  • The platform also has integrated AI for performing useful tasks like transcribing and recording meetings, as well as displaying closed captions.
  • RingCentral has offices in multiple locations around the world, meaning you can receive telephone support outside US business hours.

Precios

RingCentral

RingCentral has a fairly complex pricing structure. There are three main tiers depending on the size of your company:

  • Core: $20/user/month 
  • Advanced: $25/user/month 
  • Ultra: $35/user/month 

The above prices assume that users pay annually. Monthly subscriptions are available for a higher price e.g. the first tier rises from $20 to $30.

The basic ‘Core’ tier includes unlimited domestic calls, business SMS, call menus, and video meetings. If you want more advanced features like call monitoring and dynamic routing, you’ll need to upgrade to the ‘Advanced’ or ‘Ultra’ tiers. 

This can quickly become very expensive. For example, subscribing to the ‘Ultra’ tier for a team of twelve would cost $420 per month. 

Talkroute

Compared to RingCentral, Talkroute uses simpler pricing. There are four tiers:

  • Básico: $19/month (one user included)
  • Más: $13/month (3 users included)
  • Pro: $59/month (10 users included)
  • Empresa: Custom pricing, starting at $99 per month.

Each tier includes a certain number of users. For example, Talkroute’s most popular ‘Pro’ plan includes 10 users. Whichever plan you choose, additional users are $5 each per month.

For instance, if you have a team of twelve, a Pro subscription would cost $69 total per month.

The ‘Pro’ plan also includes 3 phone numbers, 10 mailboxes, multi-digit extensions, as well as call recording and forwarding.

RingCentral : Pros and Cons

Pros

  • The platform offers a range of advanced features, including AI tools to manage calls.
  • RingCentral is very scalable, as it targets everyone from small businesses to large corporations.
  • The wide number of international offices means RingCentral has a global presence, potentially making it easier to get telephone support. 

Contras

  • The pricing model makes it difficult to work out at the total cost at times, particularly as there are a number of add-ons. 
  • While the number of features is impressive, they’ll also likely present a steep learning curve when onboarding new workers.
  • As a VOIP platform, RingCentral is heavily reliant on reliable, fast Internet connections to work properly. 

Talkroute : Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Of all the business phone systems I’ve tested, Talkroute has the simplest pricing structure by far. Plans include a certain number of users, as well as most features you’d expect without paying for add-ons.
  • Talkroute works with existing telephony equipment. There’s no need to purchase devices like IP phones for your workplace, saving time and money.
  • As Talkroute uses PSTN, it can offer close to 100% uptime and excellent call quality, even in places where the Internet is unreliable.

Contras

  • Using traditional telephone equipment means Talkroute isn’t always as scalable as VOIP solutions when it comes to adding new workplaces and users. 
  • Talkroute focuses on providing business phone essentials, so lacks some advanced features like AI management of calls.
  • As Talkroute’s customer support operates during US business hours, users may need to use email outside these times to request assistance. 
Why I Like Talkroute

I happen to like Talkroute as the better fit for small businesses. I don't need extra telephony equipment and it's easy to setup (compared to many VOIP services). It's also perfect if your internet service is uneven OR can't handle a full-on VOIP install. It's also cheaper than most peers I looked it.

Give Talkroute a Test
Ganamos una comisión si hace clic en este enlace y realiza una compra sin coste adicional para usted.

Who should use RingCentral?

I’d recommend choosing RingCentral if:

  • You have a growing business and know you will need to add many users or work sites quickly in the future.
  • You need very advanced business phone features like AI transcription or multiple, detailed call analytics. 
  • You need extensive integration options with the service API with your existing business applications.

Who should use Talkroute?

Talkroute offers the best business phone solution if:

  • You have an SMB are looking for a simple, reliable phone system.
  • You prefer a straightforward pricing structure, with minimal add-ons.
  • Your organization is happy with US-based customer support.
  • The Internet connection in your location is patchy and you need reliable call quality.

If any of these use cases sound like you, go with Talkroute.

Talkroute vs RingCentral :Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make international calls?

Talkroute supports outgoing calls to the US or Canada. You can also receive international calls to your Talkroute numbers. RingCentral generally allows international calls but has restricted calls to certain countries.

Which platform offers the best security?

Talkroute uses HTTPS to encrypt all communications with the exception of sending business SMS and its voicemail to email feature. RingCentral also encrypts voice and video calls. 

Is there a free trial?

RingCentral offers a 14-day trial. This is limited to a maximum of five users and two desktop phones. SMS isn’t available during the trial. Talkroute offers a 7-day free trial with one virtual phone number, subject to a ‘Reasonable Use Policy’.

Which platform offers the best value for money?

While RingCentral’s pricing plans may seem to cost less upfront, if you want to make full use of advanced features, you’ll need to pay for add-ons. For example RingSense AI call management costs $80 per user. Talkroute has all the basic telephone features a small business needs and follows a clearer pricing model.

Talkroute vs RingCentral :Which is better?

Both of these platforms offer phone solutions but they each cater to the needs of different types of businesses.

Talkroute is simple to set up and offers clear pricing. It’s an excellent choice for startups and medium-sized companies that just want a no-frills phone system that works even when the Internet doesn’t.

RingCentral is a different beast altogether. It’s arguably easier to scale, given that you can add more users just by downloading its client software to new devices. It also has some very advanced features for call management, which can be useful for large organizations. 

Remember, both platforms offer free trials. Make sure to set this up for your team to try Talkroute or RingCentral out before paying for a subscription.

Why I Like Talkroute

I happen to like Talkroute as the better fit for small businesses. I don't need extra telephony equipment and it's easy to setup (compared to many VOIP services). It's also perfect if your internet service is uneven OR can't handle a full-on VOIP install. It's also cheaper than most peers I looked it.

Give Talkroute a Test
Ganamos una comisión si hace clic en este enlace y realiza una compra sin coste adicional para usted.

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