Published November 14, 2026
RingCentral vs Zoom Phone for small business with real per-user costs
For a US small business, Zoom Phone is usually the cheaper bill. Its $16 per user US and CA Unlimited plan, billed yearly, already includes queues, recording and texting, while RingCentral charges $20 for Core and moves recording and CRM integrations up to Advanced at $25. RingCentral is the better choice for teams that need many integrations, several countries or a full contact center. Both vendors add taxes and fees, and RingCentral sells queues, texting and AI as boosters.
RingCentral vs Zoom Phone prices per user
Prices are per user per month. Zoom's figures were read on zoom.us in October 2026, and RingCentral's seat prices come from 2026 pricing reviews that agree with each other, with its add-on prices read on ringcentral.com. Confirm both in a written quote.
| Plan | Billed yearly | Billed monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Zoom Phone US and CA Unlimited | $16 | $18 |
| Zoom Phone Pro Plus | $20.50 | $24 |
| Zoom Phone Business Plus | $24.50 | $29 |
| RingCentral Core | $20 | $30 |
| RingCentral Advanced | $25 | $35 |
| RingCentral Ultra | $35 | $45 |
The gap between the entry plans is $4 per user on yearly billing and $12 on monthly billing. That is $480 a year for 10 seats, or $1,440 if you pay monthly, before anything else is added.
What each plan includes
This is where the entry price misleads. Zoom's cheapest plan carries the features a small office reaches for first, and RingCentral spreads the same features across tiers and add-ons.
| Feature | Zoom Phone Unlimited, $16 | RingCentral Core, $20 | RingCentral Advanced, $25 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auto attendant and menu | Unlimited | Yes | Yes |
| Call queues | Included | Booster, $35 | Booster, $35 |
| Automatic call recording | Included | Not on Core | Included |
| Texting | US and Canada SMS and MMS | 25 texts per user, SMS Booster $25 | Same limits and booster |
| CRM integration | Salesforce | Not on Core | HubSpot and Salesforce |
| Video meetings | 40 minutes, 100 participants | Video and team chat | Video and team chat |
| Seat minimum | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Zoom's weak spots are narrower: texting summaries need an extra pack, toll-free numbers are sold separately, and international calling outside your region is billed on top. RingCentral's strengths are its integration catalog, its long track record and international reach.
What a 5, 10 and 25 person office pays
Monthly license bill at yearly rates, before taxes, fees, hardware and extra numbers. The RingCentral Advanced row assumes recording and CRM logging are needed. The boosters row adds the queue and SMS boosters once for the account.
| Team | Zoom Unlimited | RingCentral Core | RingCentral Advanced | Advanced plus both boosters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 users | $80 | $100 | $125 | $185 |
| 10 users | $160 | $200 | $250 | $310 |
| 25 users | $400 | $500 | $625 | $685 |
Worked example. A 10 person accounting office wants recording, a menu and a small queue for tax season. On Zoom Unlimited that is $160 a month, or $1,920 a year. On RingCentral Advanced with the queue booster it is $285 a month, or $3,420 a year, a $1,500 difference for similar phone features. If the same office also needs hundreds of integrations or a second country, the RingCentral premium may be worth it. If it only needs the phone, it is not.
When RingCentral beats Zoom Phone
RingCentral wins when the phone system has to connect to many other tools, when offices span several countries, or when a contact center is on the roadmap. It has a longer history in business telephony and a bigger partner catalog, and its analytics tiers go deeper. Zoom Phone wins for offices that already run on Zoom meetings and want one app, and for teams that want queues and recording on the cheapest plan.
A bookkeeping practice that scans client receipts into QuickBooks with a tool such as receiptqbo.com needs a phone that is simple and cheap rather than a catalog of integrations, which usually points to the cheaper bill.
A third option for plain offices
Zoom Phone suits teams inside the Zoom ecosystem, and RingCentral suits integration-heavy teams. A plain US office of 3 to 25 people that wants a menu, ring groups, recording and a CRM connection can also price Youvoip. Essentials is $12.50 per user billed yearly ($25 monthly) with recording on every seat. Business is $19.50 yearly ($39 monthly) and adds business texting, call queues, a year of searchable recordings and HubSpot, Salesforce and Zoho integrations. There is no contract and numbers port in at no charge. Youvoip has a two-seat minimum and unlimited calling only in the US and Canada.
For the vendor-by-vendor detail, read the Zoom Phone alternative and RingCentral alternative pages, the Zoom Phone pricing and RingCentral pricing breakdowns, or the head-to-head Dialpad vs RingCentral comparison. The cost per user worksheet helps you line up quotes, and the pricing page shows every Youvoip plan.
RingCentral vs Zoom Phone questions
Is Zoom Phone cheaper than RingCentral?
Yes for most small businesses. Zoom Phone US and CA Unlimited is $16 per user billed yearly and includes queues and recording, while RingCentral Core is $20 and Advanced, which adds recording, is $25. Boosters widen the gap further.
Which is better for a small business, RingCentral or Zoom Phone?
Zoom Phone is better for a small office that wants a low bill and already uses Zoom meetings. RingCentral is better when you need many integrations, several countries or a contact center. Compare the all-in monthly total for your seat count.
Does Zoom Phone include call recording?
Yes. Zoom Phone US and CA Unlimited includes call recording, unlimited auto attendants and call queues. RingCentral starts automatic recording on Advanced at $25 per user billed yearly.
Do I need Zoom meetings to use Zoom Phone?
No. Zoom Phone is sold as its own plan, and Zoom meeting licenses do not include a calling plan. The entry phone plan does bundle meetings of up to 40 minutes, which you can ignore.
Can I keep my number if I switch from either one?
Yes. Local and toll-free numbers can be ported out of both, usually in one to three weeks. Keep the old account active until the port completes so calls never drop. Youvoip ports numbers in at no charge.