Ooma Review

Matt By: Matt | Last updated January 23, 2021

ooma logo small business phone systems

9.0 / 10

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PROS:

  • On-site and virtual systems
  • Mobile app
  • Easy setup

CONS:

  • A limited number of features
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SUMMARY:

Ooma seems like an obvious choice as a phone system for small businesses. Aside from the traditional system that requires desktop phones, it also offers a virtual service that doesn’t require any equipment and can be connected to a home or mobile phone. Although it has less features than some other phone systems we looked at, Ooma is still a good solution for small businesses.

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COMPLETE REVIEW

Like some other providers we looked at, Ooma offers two different phone system types which makes it an excellent fit for small businesses. Aside from the traditional phone system it offers, Ooma also has a virtual phone system which works with mobile and home phones. Having two options to choose from can be a big difference if you’re a small business with just a handful of employees.

While the number of features Ooma has to offer might be much smaller than with other top tier phone systems, the company still offers long-distance calls and unlimited minutes with each plan which makes it a good deal for small businesses. Some of the features both systems include are voicemail, call logs, a virtual attendant, on-hold music, daytime modes, conference calling and online faxes. IP phones offer a few more additional options. Both systems are also fully supported by Ooma’s mobile app for Android and iOS devices. The app allows employees to use their mobile devices as business phones.

Features:

  • Unlimited calling in U.S. and Canada
  • Caller-ID and name
  • Toll-free numbers available
  • Virtual receptionist
  • Extension dialing
  • Voicemail
  • Call transfer
  • Call log
  • Modes for business and after hours
  • Ring groups
  • Music on hold
  • Conference bridge
  • Virtual FAX
  • Call forwarding
  • Voicemail forwarding
  • Multi-ring
  • Virtual extensions
Pricing

The traditional Ooma Office system has a one-time payment at the time of the purchase, and a recurring monthly service fee. The basic equipment package costs $250 and it includes a base station and two Linx devices. Nevertheless, the company often has very alluring promotions or discounts that can bring the price down by as much as $100. If your business has expanded and you need to add more employees, you’ll have to set aside $50 for per Linx device, and another $100 for an expansion base station. With the monthly payment, you have access to all of Ooma’s features, as well as unlimited minutes and individual phone numbers for all users. The only additional cost you might see on your bill, is if your business use more than 500 toll-free minutes per month. Once you go over that limit, each minute is charged 3.4 cents. Although you can use analog phones, Ooma has many different IP phones in offer ranging from $70 to $400. It’s important to note that both Ooma Office and Ooma Office for Mobile have a 30-day money back guarantee. If you see the system isn’t a good fit with your company, you can return the product within a month from your purchase and you’ll get a full refund.

Performance

If you’re a small business owner, you know the importance of having as little hassle as possible with your phone system. This is where Ooma comes in. The Ooma Office system can be installed in under 20 minutes by any one of your employees without any need for previous training. This is very convenient since it saves you a considerable amount in installation fees and employee training.

Although it might sound a little intricate to someone without any technical expertise, Ooma’s system is very simple and easy to set up. The most important part of the system is the router/base station that makes sure you have reliable phone service at all times. Another important component is the Linx device that connects your analog phones wirelessly. Since Linx’ are tied users, if you have more than five employees, you’re going to have to purchase extra expansion routers, with 20 supported employees maximum. Setting up the system can be done fairly quickly and by anyone, all you need to do is activate the base station, choose a number and plug the router into a high-speed modem. The final step is plugging your phones into the base stations and you’re ready to start. If down the line you want to connect additional IP phones, you can do so by simply plugging them into a LAN. If you prefer using analog phones, you can connect them through the Linx devices. As an employer with administrative rights, you can control and oversee the system from the control board on Ooma’s website. Here you can assign numbers and extensions for your employees, set up an automated attendant and more.

Ooma’s alternative to the traditional notion of business phone solutions is a virtual phone system that takes away the need for physical desktop phones, and makes the entire system almost equipment-free. Since you don’t need to buy any new phones, Ooma Office for Mobile can connect to your home or mobile phones with ease. Like other virtual phone systems, Ooma is an intricate call-forwarding system that. When a customer calls and dials an extension, the system then automatically transfers the call to a specific phone that employee has designated as their business phone (mobile or house phone). Ooma Office for Mobile is a virtual phone system especially suited small businesses since it doesn’t require any equipment or installation and can support up to 20 employees.

Help/Support

Email: support.ooma.com/contact-us

Phone number: 1-888-711-6662 (US) and 1-866-929-6662 (Canada)

Website: www.ooma.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/oomainc

We had an overall good experience with Ooma’s customer support service. To test how helpful and informative the service is, we posed as a small business owner and asked several different questions regarding the service. Our call was answered promptly by a courteous, knowledgeable, customer support representative who was willing to listen to all our questions and guide us through anything we might not have understood. Since he answered all our questions about both systems, their individual features and prices, he made a recommendation on what we should look at more closely for our particular business. By the end of our call we knew enough to make an informed decision on our new phone system.

Ooma’s support can be reached by phone during business hours on workdays, and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. over the weekends. You can also write an email or start a live chat conversation at any time, 24/7.

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Our editorial staff evaluates products and services independently, but Best Review Guide may earn money when you click on links. Read our advertising disclosure.

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