OpenPhone Review

ByObeydul Haque Reading Time: 8 minutes

OpenPhone is a cloud-based VoIP platform designed to simplify business communication. It allows users to manage calls, texts, and contacts through a single, intuitive app available on iOS, Android, and desktop devices. Unlike traditional phone systems that require expensive hardware or complex setups, OpenPhone operates entirely over the internet, making it accessible from anywhere with a stable connection. The platform is particularly appealing to startups, freelancers, and small businesses that need a professional phone number without the hassle of carrying a second device or dealing with spam calls on personal lines.

OpenPhone’s core value proposition is its ability to provide a dedicated business phone number that teams can share, enabling seamless collaboration and efficient customer interactions. With features like shared numbers, AI-powered call summaries, and integrations with popular tools like HubSpot and Slack, OpenPhone positions itself as an all-in-one communication solution for modern businesses.

Key Features of OpenPhone

OpenPhone offers a robust set of features designed to enhance business communication and productivity. Below is a detailed breakdown of its standout functionalities:

1. Shared Phone Numbers

One of OpenPhone’s most praised features is its shared phone number capability. This allows multiple team members to access the same phone number, enabling collaborative responses to calls and texts. For example, a customer support team can monitor a single number, with each member able to view and respond to conversations in real time. This feature ensures no customer query goes unanswered and promotes accountability within teams.

2. AI-Powered Tools

OpenPhone leverages artificial intelligence to streamline communication tasks. Its AI call summaries and transcriptions allow users to quickly review conversations without listening to entire recordings. The platform also suggests next steps based on call content, which is particularly useful for sales teams or customer support agents. Additionally, OpenPhone’s AI agent, Sona, can answer calls 24/7, logging important details and ensuring businesses never miss a lead, even after hours.

3. Voicemail Transcription and Call Recording

Every voicemail on OpenPhone is automatically transcribed into text, making it easy to review messages without listening to audio files. Users can also enable auto-call recording or record calls on demand, which is invaluable for training purposes or maintaining records of customer interactions.

4. Integrations

OpenPhone integrates seamlessly with popular business tools, including:

  • HubSpot and Salesforce: Automatically log calls and texts into your CRM for a unified view of customer interactions.
  • Zapier: Connect OpenPhone with thousands of apps to automate workflows.
  • Slack: Receive notifications and manage communications directly from Slack. These integrations enhance productivity by reducing manual data entry and ensuring all tools work together cohesively.

5. Customizable Call Routing

OpenPhone offers flexible call routing options, including phone menus (e.g., “Press 1 for sales, 2 for support”) and business hours settings. Users can configure notifications to ring specific team members, groups, or everyone simultaneously, ensuring calls are directed to the right person at the right time.

6. Unlimited Calling and Texting

OpenPhone provides unlimited domestic calling and texting to US and Canadian numbers, subject to a fair use policy. This is a significant advantage for businesses with high communication volumes, as it eliminates per-minute or per-message charges for North American contacts.

7. Lightweight CRM

OpenPhone includes a mini CRM for managing contacts, complete with custom properties and notes. The platform suggests adding new contacts based on call and voicemail transcripts, simplifying contact management for small teams.

8. Security and Compliance

OpenPhone prioritizes data security with 256-bit AES encryption and compliance with GDPR, CCPA, and SOC 2 standards. Data is stored across multiple physical locations to ensure reliability and availability, giving businesses confidence in the platform’s safety.

Pricing and Plans

OpenPhone offers three pricing tiers, each designed to cater to different business needs. All plans are billed per user, allowing businesses to scale as they grow. Below is an overview of the plans as of 2025:

1. Starter Plan ($15/user/month)

  • Unlimited calling and texting to US/Canada
  • Shared phone numbers
  • Voicemail transcription
  • Basic integrations (e.g., Slack, Zapier)
  • Ideal for small teams or solopreneurs starting with a business phone system.

2. Business Plan ($23/user/month)

  • Everything in the Starter plan
  • AI call summaries and transcriptions
  • Auto-call recording
  • Advanced integrations (e.g., HubSpot, Salesforce)
  • Phone menus and analytics
  • Suitable for growing teams needing advanced features and automation.

3. Enterprise Plan (Custom pricing)

  • Everything in the Business plan
  • Dedicated account manager
  • Custom solutions and enhanced security
  • Designed for large teams or businesses with complex communication needs.

Additional Fees

  • Carrier Review and Setup Fee: A one-time $19 fee for A2P 10DLC registration, required for texting in the US to ensure messages aren’t flagged as spam.
  • Monthly Messaging Fees: $1.50–$3/month based on business classification (e.g., low-volume standard, sole proprietor, nonprofit).
  • Additional Numbers: $5/month per additional phone number.
  • International Calling/Texting: Billed per minute or message, varying by country.

OpenPhone offers a 7-day free trial for the Starter and Business plans, allowing businesses to test the platform risk-free. The pricing is transparent, with no hidden fees, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious startups.

Pros of OpenPhone

OpenPhone has garnered significant praise for its user-friendly design and robust feature set. Here are the key advantages based on user reviews and expert analyses:

  1. Ease of Use: The platform’s intuitive interface is easy to navigate, even for beginners. Switching between calls, texts, and team chats is seamless, and the dashboard simplifies contact management.
  2. Affordability: Starting at $15/user/month, OpenPhone is competitively priced compared to alternatives like RingCentral or Dialpad, especially given its unlimited calling and texting.
  3. Excellent Customer Support: Users consistently highlight OpenPhone’s responsive support team, accessible via live chat, email, or a comprehensive knowledge base. Support is available 24/7 for email inquiries, and the team is proactive in resolving issues.
  4. Collaboration Features: Shared numbers and internal threads foster team collaboration, making it easy to coordinate responses and maintain accountability.
  5. No Hardware Required: OpenPhone works on existing devices, eliminating the need for expensive desk phones or additional SIM cards.
  6. Constant Updates: OpenPhone frequently introduces new features, such as AI tools and phone menus, keeping the platform competitive and relevant.

Cons of OpenPhone

Despite its strengths, OpenPhone has some limitations that may affect certain businesses:

  1. Limited Advanced Features: While OpenPhone covers the basics well, it lacks some advanced features offered by competitors like RingCentral (e.g., extensive call center capabilities) or Nextiva (e.g., video conferencing and faxing).
  2. Spam Call Issues: Some users report that OpenPhone numbers are occasionally flagged as “scam likely” or spam by carriers, which can affect call deliverability. OpenPhone attributes this to growing spam prevention regulations but acknowledges it as an ongoing challenge.
  3. Syncing and Glitch Issues: A few users have experienced syncing problems between desktop and mobile apps, such as delayed notifications or missing activity logs. While not widespread, these issues can disrupt workflows.
  4. Slow Number Porting: Porting existing numbers to OpenPhone can take longer than expected, with some users reporting delays of over a week.
  5. Not Ideal for Large Enterprises: OpenPhone is optimized for small to medium-sized businesses. Large organizations with high call volumes or complex needs may find it lacking in scalability compared to enterprise-focused solutions like 8×8 or Vonage.

User Experiences and Reviews

OpenPhone has a strong reputation among users, with an average rating of 4.7 stars across platforms like G2, Trustpilot, and Capterra, based on thousands of reviews. Below is a summary of user feedback:

Positive Feedback

  • Reliability and Simplicity: Users appreciate OpenPhone’s reliable call quality and straightforward setup. A Trustpilot reviewer noted, “The platform is intuitive and well-designed, making the transition from my previous setup incredibly smooth” ().
  • Team Collaboration: Small business owners love the shared number feature, with one Capterra user stating, “Anyone on my team can log in from their device and respond to customers, which is a game-changer” ().
  • Customer Support: Many users praise OpenPhone’s support team for being proactive and responsive. A Product Hunt reviewer said, “The team consistently delivers on high-quality product and user experience” ().

Negative Feedback

  • Call Disconnections: Some users have reported issues with calls being automatically disconnected, leading to lost business opportunities. A Capterra reviewer wrote, “Calls cannot be answered and are automatically disconnected, which has cost me clients” ().
  • Verification Delays: The A2P 10DLC registration process can be lengthy, with one Trustpilot user complaining, “The verification method is too long; it took almost a month” ().
  • Service Outages: Though rare, OpenPhone has experienced service outages that disrupted operations for some users ().

Comparisons with Competitors

To provide context, let’s compare OpenPhone with two popular VoIP competitors: Nextiva and RingCentral.

OpenPhone vs. Nextiva

  • Features: Nextiva is a more comprehensive solution, offering video conferencing, faxing, and team chat alongside VoIP. OpenPhone focuses on simplicity, lacking these additional channels but excelling in texting and shared numbers ().
  • Pricing: OpenPhone’s plans start at $15/user/month, while Nextiva’s are slightly higher but include more features. Nextiva offers better value for businesses needing a full communication suite.
  • Best For: OpenPhone is ideal for small teams prioritizing texting and collaboration, while Nextiva suits businesses needing a broader communication platform.

OpenPhone vs. RingCentral

  • Features: RingCentral is a feature-rich platform with extensive call center capabilities, video conferencing, and global scalability. OpenPhone is simpler, focusing on core VoIP functions and AI tools ().
  • Pricing: RingCentral’s plans are pricier, starting at around $20–$30/user/month. OpenPhone is more affordable for small businesses.
  • Best For: RingCentral is better for large enterprises or businesses with international needs, while OpenPhone is tailored to startups and remote teams.

Who Should Use OpenPhone?

OpenPhone is best suited for:

  • Startups and Small Businesses: Its affordable pricing, shared numbers, and lightweight CRM make it perfect for small teams looking to professionalize their communication.
  • Remote Teams: The cloud-based platform and mobile app ensure accessibility from anywhere, ideal for distributed workforces.
  • Freelancers and Solopreneurs: The ability to separate personal and business numbers without a second device is a major draw.
  • Businesses with High Texting Volumes: Unlimited texting and automation features cater to teams that rely heavily on SMS.

However, OpenPhone may not be the best fit for:

  • Large Enterprises: Businesses with complex needs or high call volumes may require more advanced features.
  • Companies Needing Desktop Phones: OpenPhone does not support traditional VoIP desk phones, limiting its appeal for office-based setups.
  • International Businesses: While international calling is available, it’s usage-based and less cost-effective than competitors like 8×8 ().

Conclusion

OpenPhone is a standout VoIP solution for small businesses, startups, and remote teams in 2025. Its user-friendly interface, affordable pricing, and collaborative features like shared numbers and AI-powered tools make it a compelling choice for businesses looking to streamline communication. The platform’s unlimited calling and texting, combined with integrations and a lightweight CRM, provide excellent value for small teams. However, limitations such as occasional spam call issues, syncing glitches, and a lack of advanced features may deter larger enterprises or businesses with complex needs.

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