Looking for your next (or first) contact center software solution for your customer communication needs? No wonder Aircall and RingCentral are on your radar. These are both leading cloud-based communication platforms, but they actually cater to different business needs.
While Aircall excels in ease of use and offers powerful inbound call management features and over 100 integrations with third-party apps, RingCentral provides a more comprehensive unified communications solution (combining voice, video, and messaging), wider third-party integration options, and better security features. Which one is right for you ultimately depends on what’s important to your business.
In this blog, we’ll compare Aircall and RingCentral side by side in terms of key features, AI capabilities, third-party integrations, pricing, and customer support. In the end, we’ll also show you how they stack up against an alternative contact center software platform like VoiceSpin – and where VoiceSpin might be a smarter choice.
Aircall vs. RingCentral: Comparing Core Features and Capabilities
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| Monthly Starting Price | $30 user /month (billed annually), requires a minimum of 3 users | $20 user /month (billed annually) |
| Free Trial | 7-day free trial | 14-day free trial |
| Calling Features |
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| SMS Texting Messaging | SMS text messaging is only available in the US, Canada, UK, France, Australia, and Germany |
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| Video Meetings |
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| Team Collaboration |
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| Omnichannel Integration | Voice and WhatsApp | Voice and 20+ digital and social channels |
| AI and Automation |
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| Reporting and Analytics |
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| Third-party Integrations |
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| Reliability and Security |
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| Mobile App | iOS and Android | iOS and Android |
| Customer Support |
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| Best For | SMEs that have an international presence and prioritize voice communications and integrations with third-party apps | Mid-sized businesses to large enterprises with remote and hybrid teams |
| Target Industries |
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What is Aircall?
Aircall is a popular cloud-based phone system for customer support and sales teams. Built in 2014, Aircall is known for its quick setup, intuitive interface, powerful call management features for inbound and outbound calling, and extensive integrations with popular CRM systems and other business apps. On top of that, over the recent years, Aircall has doubled down on AI, introducing features like voicemail transcription, AI call summaries, AI call scoring, and AI voice agents.
Aircall is best for:
Aircall’s phone system is best for SMEs and mid-sized businesses looking for an easy-to-set-up and use call center system with basic and advanced call management features and ready-made integrations with third-party tools.
Aircall is not right for:
Aircall isn’t the right fit for businesses and enterprises that need team collaboration features, global SMS text messaging, video conferencing tools, and robust security. And since Aircall requires a minimum of three users to sign up, it might not be the most budget-friendly option for smaller teams.
What is RingCentral?
RingCentral is much more than a business phone system. Founded in 1999, it offers a unified business communications platform with a wide range of calling features, advanced team collaboration tools, video conferencing capabilities, and omnichannel integration options. But what particularly sets RingCentral apart as a great Aircall alternative is that it offers one of the largest ecosystems of third-party integrations. In addition, over the last few years, RingCentral added lots of AI-powered features to its offerings, including AI conversation insights, AI coaching tools, and the ability to integrate AI agents.
RingCentral is best for:
RingCentral is ideal for large-scale businesses and enterprises looking for a unified communications platform with robust security features, global SMS text messaging, and extensive integration options.
RingCentral is not right for:
RingCentral isn’t the best fit for small businesses and startups with limited budgets looking for a lightweight phone system and those who want access to popular CRM integrations (like HubSpot or Salesforce) on lower-tier plans.
Aircall vs. RingCentral: Getting into the Details
Aircall vs. RingCentral: comparing key features
- Inbound calling features: Aircall and RingCentral offer a similar set of inbound call handling features, including advanced call routing, Interactive Voice Response (IVR), call queue management, in-queue callbacks, real-time call monitoring, call summaries, and robust call reporting and analytics tools. That means with both platforms, you basically get everything you need to handle high volumes of inbound calls effectively while delivering excellent customer support and maintaining customer satisfaction.
- Outbound calling features: Both platforms offer outbound dialers for sales teams, but their capabilities vary. Aircall only supports power dialing, while RingCentral’s dialer can operate in progressive, predictive, preview, and voice broadcasting modes based on your campaign preferences. However, RingCentral falls short by not offering voicemail drop, a key feature many RingCentral customers have been waiting for.
- Omnichannel integration: Aircall is primarily built for voice and SMS text messaging – and it doesn’t allow you to integrate multiple digital channels except WhatsApp. In contrast, RingCentral supports a broad range of channels beyond voice, including email, SMS, social media, WhatsApp, and more – over 20 digital channels in total. So, if you’re looking to consolidate multiple communication channels into a single platform, RingCentral is, obviously, a better fit.
Which one is better in terms of core features?
When comparing the calling and omnichannel capabilities of both providers, RingCentral clearly leads the race by offering more advanced contact center features and omnichannel integration options. Plus, RingCentral offers global SMS text messaging (while Aircall texting is only available in certain countries), video meetings, and team messaging features.
Aircall vs. RingCentral: comparing AI tools and capabilities
Aircall: Aircall’s AI offerings include call and voicemail transcription and an AI assist add-on that provides call summaries, key topic recognition, trending topics, talk-to-listen ratios, call scoring, sentiment analysis, action items, and CRM logging. And what’s more, Aircall has recently introduced an AI voice agent that can answer FAQs, capture caller information, and seamlessly transfer conversations to human reps while maintaining the context.
RingCentral: With RingCentral, you can leverage an AI assistant for calls (for call transcriptions, summaries, sentiment analyses, and action items), an AI assistant for video (for meeting transcriptions, summaries, and highlights), an AI assistant for SMS (for drafting and translating SMS texts), and an AI assistant for messaging (for composing and translating team messages). Beyond these, RingCentral supports AI agent integration (chatbots and voice agents) and offers advanced call analytics, conversation insights, and coaching recommendations in its RingSense suite.
Which one is better in terms of AI capabilities?
Though Aircall does provide solid AI features, its offerings are still relatively limited compared to RingCentral and focused primarily on voice interactions. RingCentral, on the other hand, delivers a broader range of AI-powered tools across multiple communication channels, including calls, video, SMS, and team messaging, which makes it a stronger option for businesses looking for advanced AI capabilities.
Aircall vs. RingCentral: comparing third-party integration options
Aircall: Aircall contact center software integrates with 100+ third-party tools, including CRM systems, helpdesk software, e-commerce platforms, sales automation tools, and productivity apps. These integrations, along with APIs and webhooks, are available on all pricing plans. But here’s the hitch: Salesforce integration isn’t included in the lowest-tier plan.
RingCentral: RingCentral has a clear edge over Aircall with its extensive integration ecosystem. It offers over 400 out-of-the-box integrations with popular CRM systems and business apps across various categories. Beyond that, RingCentral offers industry-specific integrations for finance, healthcare, education, legal, and retail sectors. For custom setups, it provides APIs, SDKs, widgets, and other developer tools. The downside? Essential integrations like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Zendesk aren’t available on the entry-level plan.
Which one is better in terms of integration options?
While both platforms include integrations with popular third-party tools, RingCentral outpaces Aircall as it supports a much broader ecosystem and offers industry-specific integrations. However, unlike RingCentral, Aircall includes 100+ integrations even with the entry-level plan.
Aircall vs. RingCentral: comparing pricing plans
Aircall pricing:
- Essentials (3 users minimum) – $30 user/month (billed annually)
- Professional (3 users minimum) – $50 user/month (billed annually)
- Custom (25 users minimum) – Call for details
Add-ons:
- AI Assist – $9 /license
- AI Voice Agent – $0.99 /minute
- Analytics+ Add-on – $15 /license
RingCentral contact center pricing:
RingEX (best for customer service teams):
- Core – $20 user/month (billed annually)
- Advanced – $25 user/month (billed annually)
- Ultra – $35 user/month (billed annually)
RingCX (best for contact centers and omnichannel support) – starts at $65 user/month (billed annually)
RingSense (best for sales teams) – starts at $60 user/month (billed annually)
Which one is better in terms of pricing?
RingCentral is generally a more budget-friendly choice and offers more value, especially for small and mid-sized businesses. Its entry-level plan is more affordable than Aircall’s – and there’s no minimum user requirement.
Aircall vs. RingCentral: comparing customer support
Aircall: Aircall provides customer support via phone and email during standard business hours. The top-tier plan additionally includes premium onboarding and priority support. If your Aircall plan includes 10 or more users, you’ll also have a dedicated account manager to assist you. And you also get access to a help center with a ton of resources like courses, videos, troubleshooting guides, and on-demand webinars.
RingCentral: Unlike Aircall, RingCentral does offer 24/7 support across all plans, along with a comprehensive self-help resource library and a community forum where users can ask questions and get support. On the flip side, however, RingCentral’s live support relies heavily on AI, which means it often takes extra effort to speak with a real person.
Which one is better in terms of customer support?
RingCentral might be a better option here. It offers round-the-clock support regardless of your subscription, which is a major advantage over Aircall, whose support is limited to standard business hours unless you’re on the highest-tier plan.
Aircall vs. RingCentral vs. VoiceSpin: What’s the Best Option for Your Customer Communication Needs?
| VoiceSpin | Aircall | RingCentral | |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Calling | 160+ countries | 100+ countries | 100+ countries |
| Advanced Call Routing | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Interactive Voice Response | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Call Queue Management | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Real-time Call Monitoring | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Call Recording Storage | Unlimited in all plans | Not specified | Unlimited only in the Ultra plan |
| Outbound Dialer |
Power dialer
AI predictive dialer
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Power dialer |
Preview dialer
Predictive dialer
Progressive dialer |
| Intelligent Lead Distribution | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Local Caller ID | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Outbound Voicemail Drop | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| SMS Text Messaging | ✔ | Limited | ✔ |
| Reporting and Analytics | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Advanced Speech Analytics | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| AI Call Summary | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Omnichannel Integration | Voice, digital, and social media channels | Voice and WhatsApp | Voice, digital, and social media channels |
| AI Chatbot Integration | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ |
| AI Voice Bot Integration | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Third-party Integrations | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| API Developer Support | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Custom Integrations and Development | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ |
| 24/7 Support on All Plans | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ |
Both Aircall and RingCentral are solid platforms for managing customer communications, but depending on your specific needs, they may not always be the perfect fit. While Aircall works well for voice-centric businesses with integration needs, RingCentral is better suited for teams focused on omnichannel support and team collaboration. And if you’re looking for a more well-rounded solution for sales and customer support teams that want flexibility, scalability, and AI-powered automation, VoiceSpin might be a better alternative to RingCentral and Aircall. Here’s why:
- Broader number coverage: While Aircall and RingCentral allow you to purchase local phone numbers in 100+ countries, VoiceSpin provides broader global coverage. With access to local numbers in 160+ countries all across the globe (often at lower rates), VoiceSpin is ideal for call centers with truly international operations.
- Advanced AI predictive dialer: Both RingCentral and Aircall offer auto dialing solutions for outbound sales teams. But VoiceSpin’s predictive dialer stands out for its AI and machine learning capabilities. With advanced features like AI lead scoring, intelligent lead distribution, and automated voicemail drop, VoiceSpin is a better option for sales teams.
- AI chatbots and voice bots: VoiceSpin is an excellent Aircall alternative as it allows you to integrate both AI voice bots and AI chatbots for customer service automation, appointment scheduling, and lead generation. VoiceSpin’s AI bots (AI agents) support hundreds of languages, maintain human-like dialogue, and can naturally escalate conversations to live reps when needed.
- Omnichannel integration (voice + digital): While RingCentral does allow you to integrate multiple channels, Aircall falls short by only offering WhatsApp integration. That’s where VoiceSpin shines. With our AI Messaging platform, you can bring together email, live chat, social media, and WhatsApp into a single omnichannel inbox and provide a seamless customer communication experience across every channel.
- 24/7 customer support on all plans: When it comes to customer support, VoiceSpin pulls ahead of Aircall and RingCentral by offering 24/7 assistance on every plan across phone, email, and WhatsApp. Our customer support team is always quick to respond and ready to assist, no matter the issue, regardless of your subscription tier.
Want to see VoiceSpin’s AI contact center solutions in action? Book a demo call with one of our sales reps and find out whether VoiceSpin is a smarter choice for your customer communication needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is RingCentral’s biggest competitor?
Zoom Phone is generally considered the biggest RingCentral competitor, offering similar unified communications capabilities. Other similar companies like RingCentral include 8×8, Vonage, Avaya, Nextiva, Aircall, VoiceSpin, and Dialpad, each offering a unique set of features for specific use cases. And there are also many providers that are better than RingCentral, particularly for smaller teams, in terms of being more budget-friendly and easier to set up and use. These are, for example, OpenPhone, Ooma, and Grasshopper.
How much does RingCentral cost?
RingCentral’s pricing starts at $20 user /month (billed annually) for unlimited calling in the U.S. and Canada, call routing, IVR, business SMS, video meetings, call monitoring and reporting, team collaboration features, and call transcription. While that seems quite affordable for an entry-level plan, the thing is that many advanced features and integrations with popular CRM systems are actually locked behind more expensive plans and paid add-ons, so the overall cost of the solution can be significantly higher.
Who uses Aircall?
Aircall is mostly used by businesses seeking a voice-focused solution with essential and advanced call management features for customer support and sales teams that handle high call volumes. And it’s particularly popular among call centers that heavily rely on CRM integrations. But it isn’t the best choice for businesses that need deep omnichannel capabilities.
What makes VoiceSpin a better alternative to Aircall and RingCentral?
Firstly, VoiceSpin is a better Aircall and RingCentral alternative for sales teams because of its AI-powered predictive dialer, which is one of the most advanced dialers on the market. It can intelligently score your leads and connect them to the best-suited sales reps to help you maximize conversions when running outbound calling campaigns. Secondly, VoiceSpin is a better choice for call centers operating globally as it offers local numbers in 160+ countries. To top it off, with VoiceSpin, you get 24/7 live support with every plan.
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