For many small businesses, the phone remains the primary means by which customers reach out. In fact, over 80% of people prefer to contact a company by phone or email when they need assistance.
When calls get missed, which happens more often than you’d think, it can mean lost opportunities.
With AI voice agents becoming easier (and more affordable) to use, more business owners are turning to tools that can answer, route, and resolve calls automatically. This guide covers Goodcall alternatives that are built to work out of the box, with no IT team or complex setup required.
Table of Contents
Goodcall Alternatives
1. Nextiva
Nextiva is a top alternative to Goodcall because it’s fast to launch and effectively addresses real customer needs. In just minutes, you can turn on an AI receptionist that answers calls, books appointments, responds to questions, and sends follow-ups by text or chat, no IT help needed.
XBert AI receptionist delivers natural conversations that feel human. The system handles over a billion interactions each year, and works exceptionally well for small teams that want automation without complexity.
Key features include:
- Fast Setup: Start taking calls in under five minutes with no code or IT
- All-in-One Inbox: Handle calls, texts, chat, messaging apps, and email from one
- Flexible AI: Update voice agent behavior anytime, with no added cost or
- Live S. Support: Get help from real people, including onboarding and ongoing assistance.
- Simple Pricing: Budget-friendly for small teams, with room to scale as you
Here’s a side-by-side comparison for quick reference:
| Feature | Nextiva XBert AI | Goodcall |
| AI Voice Agent | Yes (advanced) | Yes (basic) |
| Omnichannel (Call/Chat/SMS) | Yes | No |
| Instant Setup | Yes | Yes |
| Real-Time Customization | Yes (no code needed) | Limited |
| Live Support | Yes | Email only |
2. Grasshopper
Grasshopper gives entrepreneurs a business phone setup without new hardware. Use your existing mobile or laptop. It includes voicemail transcription, call forwarding, and an auto‑attendant.
While it doesn’t handle advanced conversational AI like some platforms, it covers basic call directing and professional voicemail needs. Pricing starts at $14 per month when billed annually.
What it includes:
- Virtual business number usable on mobile or desktop
- Voicemail‑to‑email or transcription
- Call forwarding and simultaneous ring
- Affordable entry pricing (starting ~$14/month)
3. Ooma Office
Ooma Office is a voice solution built for cost-conscious small businesses. It offers basic VoIP tools like a virtual receptionist, call transfer, and voicemail without needing new hardware.
Pricing begins at $19.95/user/month, making it one of the most affordable options for startups. Ooma doesn’t offer AI voice agents, calls are routed using menu options instead of natural language. It’s best for businesses that want essential phone features with simple setup.
Key Features
- Virtual receptionist and call queuing
- Voicemail-to-email and mobile app access
- No advanced AI or natural language processing
- Uses existing internet for fast setup
- Starts at $19.95/user/month
4. OpenPhone
OpenPhone delivers a mobile‑first business phone experience that works on smartphones and laptops. It includes shared numbers, call recording, unified texting, voicemail transcription, and simple automations, but it does not offer full conversational AI. This makes it ideal for lean teams who need streamlined communications without heavy tech overhead.
What it offers:
- Shared business numbers and call/text support on mobile and desktop
- Voicemail transcription and basic auto‑reply workflows
- No hardware needed; works over your existing internet
- No full conversational AI; focused on simplicity
- Pricing starting ~$15/user/month (annual billing)
5. MightyCall
MightyCall is designed for small businesses that want advanced calling tools on a budget. It supports call screening, IVR, voicemail‑to‑text, call recording, detailed routing, analytics, and integrations. While it offers sophisticated call flows, it still does not deliver true conversational AI. Pricing begins at $15 per user/month (billed annually).
Key Features:
- Multi‑level IVR and custom call flows with no‑code builder
- Call recording, voicemail‑to‑text, call monitoring and analytics
- Budget‑friendly plans starting $15/user/month (annual billing)
- Not focused on conversational AI voice agents
- Good for small teams needing advanced call routing without large overhead
6. Vonage
Vonage offers a flexible unified communications platform for businesses that need voice, SMS, video, and team chat in one place. Its Virtual Receptionist automates call routing via menus and
customizable schedules, though it stops short of full natural‑language voice agents. Pricing varies based on modules and add‑ons.
Feature highlights:
- Voice, SMS, video, and team chat all in one platform
- Virtual Receptionist with customizable call menus and business‑hour routing
- Strong customization options for call flows and schedules
- Does not provide advanced conversational AI voice agents
- Flexible plan structure optimized for growth
7. Google Voice
Google Voice works well for small teams already using Google Workspace. It gives each user a business number that runs on a laptop, smartphone, or tablet, and links smoothly with Gmail, Calendar, and Drive. While it doesn’t include advanced conversational AI, you do get voicemail transcription, call forwarding, and ring‑groups (on higher plans).
Feature highlights:
- Works across your devices and Google apps
- Voicemail transcription and call forwarding
- Ring groups and auto‑attendants on higher tiers
- Basic call management without full voice‑AI
- Plans are $10 / $20 / $30 per user/month based on tier
The Bottom Line
Finding the right Goodcall alternative comes down to what your business truly needs, whether that’s faster response times, improved call coverage, or reduced manual tasks. Today’s voice agents answer questions, book appointments, and help teams stay focused.
Nextiva stands out for its fast setup, human-like AI, and strong customer support. Research shows that automating routine calls can boost productivity by up to 30%
(TechCrunch). Most top providers offer free trials or low-risk pilots, so you can explore the
benefits firsthand before making a decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best Goodcall alternatives for small businesses?
Top alternatives include Nextiva, Grasshopper, RingCentral, Ooma Office, OpenPhone, MightyCall, Vonage, and Google Voice. These platforms offer options ranging from AI voice agents to basic virtual phone systems, depending on your budget and support needs.
How does Nextiva compare to Goodcall for AI voice agents?
Nextiva offers a more advanced AI experience through XBert AI, which can handle customer questions, book appointments, and send follow-ups across multiple channels. Goodcall’s AI is more limited, with fewer customization options and basic support.
Which platform is best for scalability and integrations?
Nextiva excels in scalability, offering advanced routing, analytics, and integrations with tools such as Salesforce, Google Workspace, and Microsoft 365, making it ideal for businesses with growth in mind.
Do all alternatives offer AI-powered automation?
Not all. Platforms like Nextiva and Dialpad provide full AI automation. Others, such as Grasshopper or Ooma Office, focus on call forwarding and routing without conversational AI.