Remote work isn't new anymore, it's the norm. As teams stretch across cities, countries, and time zones, having a reliable phone system can be the difference between a smooth operation and a daily grind of missed calls and dropped connections. The right platform keeps conversations sharp, teams connected, and customers happy.
How to Choose a Phone System for Remote Work?
According to Lensa's research on workplace demands, remote work had the highest annual Google searches in 2022. Here are some things you need to keep in mind when choosing a phone system to support your remote workforce:
Reliability
Reliability of the phone lines should be the key focus for companies looking at technology for their remote employees. While copper-wired phones are reliable, they do not have several features that enable remote collaboration.
VoIP-based phones may have several features that make collaboration seamless but unreliable due to internet availability and speed.
Community Phone offers a variety of VoIP features with the reliability of a copper wire landline through its wireless business phone service. The technology of their home phone base and partnership with nationwide carriers ensures that you stay connected across 99% of the U.S, including rural areas.
Security
Companies must ensure that their employees handle customers' data and company-related confidential information securely. VoIP phones are vulnerable to hacks and breaches as they use the internet for communication.
Community Phone's home phone service is the best bet to handle confidential data securely as it is not vulnerable to breaches and hacks. Spam call blocking services the company offers ensure unwanted calls are blocked before your employees' phones ring, protecting them from fraudulent calls and scammers.
Best Phone System For Remote Workers and Employees
1. RingCentral
Best for: Full-featured business communication
RingCentral remains a top choice for distributed teams that need more than just voice calls. With video meetings, team messaging, and robust integrations (think Salesforce, Slack), it's built for companies aiming to centralize their communication stack.
Pros: Reliable uptime, mobile app is polished, flexible pricing.
Cons: Might feel overwhelming for smaller teams.
2. Grasshopper
Best for: Small teams and solopreneurs
Grasshopper focuses on simplicity. You get a business number that works through your smartphone, no heavy infrastructure needed. Perfect for startups and lean teams wanting a professional image without a learning curve.
Pros: Easy setup, affordable plans, great for small operations.
Cons: Lacks some collaboration features like video or team chat.
3. Community Phone
Best for: Teams needing a straightforward, reliable phone system
Community Phone offers an interesting option for remote teams who prioritize call quality and simplicity over layers of tech. They specialize in landline replacement but also provide VoIP services that are easy to set up and manage—ideal for businesses wanting reliable service without getting stuck in a web of apps.
Pros: Excellent customer support, no internet required for landline services, quick setup.
Cons: Not a full unified communications platform (yet).
4. Nextiva
Best for: Growing businesses wanting scalability
Nextiva combines VoIP with CRM tools, making it appealing for remote teams that are scaling fast. Their platform emphasizes customer experience, with features like automated surveys and sentiment analysis.
Pros: Solid voice quality, intuitive dashboard, strong reporting.
Cons: Some features require higher-tier plans.
5. 8x8
Best for: International teams
8x8 shines for global remote teams thanks to unlimited international calling in many plans. It covers voice, video, chat, and contact center solutions, making it a one-stop shop for cross-border operations.
Pros: Great international features, strong security.
Cons: Some users report a steeper learning curve.
6. Zoom Phone
Best for: Teams already using Zoom Meetings
If your team lives on Zoom for meetings, Zoom Phone feels like a natural extension. It integrates directly with the Zoom platform, streamlining workflows and reducing tool switching.
Pros: Seamless with Zoom Meetings, simple interface.
Cons: Still maturing compared to older VoIP platforms.
7. Aircall
Best for: Sales and support teams
Aircall focuses on inbound and outbound call-heavy teams. Sales and customer support teams especially benefit from its strong CRM integrations (like HubSpot and Salesforce) and real-time analytics.
Pros: Smooth integrations, user-friendly, scalable.
Cons: Pricier than some alternatives for basic needs.
Final Thoughts
The best phone system depends heavily on your team's size, industry, and collaboration style. Community Phone offers one of the best solutions for your employees working from home. Wireless connectivity, superior call quality, easy setup, and the ability to work during power outages make Community Phone's phone system reliable, flexible, and unrivaled.