This roundup is for US small businesses choosing a cloud phone in 2026. It only uses features and prices XI publishes — Starter at $17/user/30 days, Business at $20/user/30 days, Business Plus at $23/user/30 days. Competitor prices are not invented here; open each compare page or the vendor’s site for their quote.
Start with the job: a single shared number, after-hours coverage, or SMS from the same line. Then check whether you can keep your number, whether calling and texting live together, and whether routing is a real virtual receptionist or only forwarding.
XI is built as a cloud VoIP system with apps on iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and the web. Local numbers are listed for cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
Cloud VoIP for US small businesses. Published Starter price $17/user/30 days. Calling, SMS, routing, and apps on iOS, Android, desktop, and web.
A shared-inbox style business number popular with small teams. Compare calling, SMS, and shared numbers against XI.
A long-running UCaaS brand. XI’s Vonage pages focus on pricing clarity, routing, and a smaller product surface.
Phone service attached to the Zoom meeting stack. Useful if the team already lives in Zoom; compare if you mainly need a business line.
Office and home VoIP with hardware roots. Compare if you want a software-first number with SMS and routing.
A Google Workspace number for light calling and texting. Compare if you need shared routing, recordings, or a dedicated business phone.
A large UCaaS suite. Compare if you want a narrower phone system without a multi-product bundle.
AI-leaning cloud phone. Compare deliverability, support, and published seat price against XI.
Mid-market UCaaS. Compare contracts, SMS inclusion, and onboarding against XI’s month-to-month published plans.
A virtual-number product built around forwarding. Compare if you now need live transfers, SMS, and a cloud PBX.
