Best Telephone Systems for Small Businesses in South Africa in 2024

Every day, small businesses in South Africa fight for their survival in the marketplace. Those small businesses must need to have a competitive advantage over competitors to survive in the market.

Don’t let your business telephone system fail you. Stop losing money, clients, and staff.

To get an edge over the competition, you must invest in the emerging cloud telephone system in your business for smooth internal and external communication. 

For your business & clients, you should select a telephone system that is trustworthy, reliable, and user-friendly.

Don’t Worry!

This article provides you with the best telephone systems for small businesses in South Africa in 2024 along with its key features & pricing.

Stick to the end!

You get to know every guidance regarding the telephone system for small businesses in South Africa like its types, benefits, etc.

What is Small Businesses Telephone System?

A small business telephone system is a telephony service that enables your business to conduct outgoing & receive incoming business calls at a basic level. 

Aside from that, you’ll likely want something that allows you to record, monitor, transfer, and forward calls.

Businesses use business telephone systems to connect multiple phone lines for functions like call management and forwarding, teleconferences, call measurement and reporting, and personal and public voice message boxes, among others.

Types of Telephone Systems Used in South African Small Business

There are mainly 3 types of telephone systems small business uses in South Africa and they are:

KSU (Key System Units)

The most straightforward basic corporate telephone system is the KSU.

This solution is only suited for small firms with less than 40 workers working as phone operators because of the restrictions on the range of phone lines it can accommodate.

It’s a straightforward system that functions similarly to a home phone. It has all of the capabilities that a business needs, but it is limited in scalability and versatility. It uses the KSU, a central switching device, to choose a phone line manually.

Pros & Cons of KSU

Pros	Cons
It’s simple to use.	It has a maximum of only 40 phone lines.
It has all of the essential telecom functions that a company requires.	It lacks the adaptability that rising businesses require.

PBX (Private Branch Exchange)

PBX is a business telephone system that employs standard phone lines. Incoming calls are automatically routed using programmable switching devices.

Due to its completely automated nature, this type of corporate phone system is most suitable for companies with more than 40 employees.

A PBX system is a more expensive choice. Generally, you’ll have to buy additional infrastructure upfront and pay an IT professional to come in and assist you with adjustments such as adding users or changing voicemail options.

Pros & Cons of PBX

Pros	Cons
It can route incoming calls automatically.	Your firm is responsible for all maintenance.
It is capable of serving businesses with a high range of employees.	Between workplaces, redundancy difficulties can arise.

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)

VoIP is an advanced & more prevalent business invention. VoIP is by far the most appropriate solution, enabling a prospective customer and a phone operator to communicate even though they’re in separate countries.

The key benefit of this solution is that it can access all of its operations through a computer connected to your company’s internet connection.

The VoIP system, like the PBX, can be hosted. Because the supplier administers the central telephone system, the hosted variant delivers the same benefits as the standard VoIP method, with less installation and maintenance for the business utilizing it.

Pros and Cons of VoIP

Pros	Cons
You can interact with people all around the world via an internet connection.	Communications could be interrupted or stopped due to lag and bandwidth difficulty.
It’s simple to scale so that more teams can communicate.	Cyberattacks.

Benefits of the Telephone System for Small Businesses in South Africa

Having a telephone system for your South African business has many advantages, but we will discuss some of the main ones.

So, the main benefits of the telephone systems for small businesses in South Africa are:

Greater Productivity through Unified Communications

Telephone systems enable organizations to connect their phones to various scenarios.

Telephone systems provide a wide range of communication functions that make collaboration smoother. As a consequence, you’ll be able to engage with your customers and staff more effectively.

Improved Customer Service

A telephone system makes it possible to provide better customer service. Functions like automatic call distribution, call logging, collaboration, and teleconference are all available with an updated telephone system.

Customers’ information is automatically displayed when they communicate with a system, and it allows you to respond to their requirements as quickly as feasible.

Time & Money Saving

Small businesses can save time and money using business phone solutions, especially cloud-based telephone systems like KrispCall. 

You can easily add or remove employees from your phone system using a cloud-based telephone system within a few minutes. You can easily collaborate with your employees & customers within minutes.

Advantage Over Rivals

Making a switch to a cloud-based phone system like KrispCall will always give you an edge over your competitors.

👉 Read Also: PBX to VoIP Migration Checklist

Cloud-based phone system advanced features help you easily collaborate with your team and interact with your customers along with a variety of features such as; call recording, call routing, call forwarding, call monitoring, etc.

Top 13 Telephone System for Small Businesses in South Africa in 2024

1. KrispCall

KrispCall is the emerging cloud-based virtual telephony system that is most appropriate for small businesses to large businesses. It has a lot of functions, is easy to set up, and is reasonably priced.

KrispCall is a single tool that allows you to handle your personal, commercial, and corporate telephony needs. So, you can easily implement the KrispCall telephone system for small businesses in South Africa.

You can even buy the South African virtual phone number from KrispCall. KrispCall is more than just a phone system, it offers a variety of advanced feature that helps to grow your business.

Key Features of KrispCall

Some key features that the KrispCall cloud telephony offers to improve your business are:

Call Transfer

Direct consumer calls to a different line or employee who can better handle their questions. Your customer shouldn’t have to wait.

Call Monitoring

To provide training and feedback to your employees, use the KrispCall call monitoring function to listen to phone calls in real-time.

Global Calling

KrispCall’s global calling features allow you to make quick calls across borders, which will help you grow your customer base globally.

Call Recording

KrispCall helps to record calls to keep track of customer requests and team efficiency.

Voicemail

When you’re unavailable, KrispCall won’t let your clients down. KrispCall enables customers to leave voicemails so that their questions are never ignored.

Caller ID

For outgoing international calls, use location-based caller IDs offered by KrispCall. Increase your chances of contacting potential consumers in new markets by localizing your phone number.

SMS

Krispcall offers to receive and send customized text messages to your customers for a faster response.

Integrations

Link your KrispCall workstation with top CRM software out there to receive valuable customer data analytics.

Price: Starting from USD 15

2. Nextiva

In terms of functionality and usability, Nextiva is one of the greatest business phone services. It features a straightforward web-based admin interface that allows small businesses to operate the unified communication system like an expert.

Small businesses in South Africa can use Nextiva’s powerful VOIP phone service like voicemails, text messages, call routing, etc.

Nextiva’s integrations are minimal. 

Key Feature of Nextiva

Some of the key features of Nextiva are as follows:

• Voicemail
• Group Chat
• HD VoIP
• Calls are Unrestricted
• Auto Attendant

Price: Starting from USD 18.95

3. RingCentral

RingCentral is another best telephone system provider that fits any size of business. It could be also the best option for small businesses in South Africa.

RingCentral’s phone system integrates audio, visual, conference, and group texting into a single, unified communication system.

It offers one of the most feature-rich small business phone systems on the market. It features some of the advanced functions like call transferring,  unlimited call, caller ID, voicemails, etc.

Key Features of RingCentral

Some of the key features of RingCentral are as follows:

• Cloud PBX
• Voicemails
• Business SMS & MMS
• Internet Fax
• Call Forwarding

Price: Starting from USD 19.99

4. Goto Connect

Goto Connect is also known as Jive, which is another best option as a phone system for small businesses in South Africa. It provides a cloud-based phone system at a reasonable rate. 

For businesses, the GoToConnect service simplifies phone line administration, call monitoring, and conference setup.

GoToConnect is a comprehensive business communication system that includes more than simply corporate phone services. It includes advanced features such as unlimited calls, call forwarding, voicemails, number sharing, etc.

Key Features of Goto Connect

Some of the main features of Goto Connect are:

• Call Management
• Call Routing
• International calling
• Caller ID
• Video Conferencing

Price: Starting from USD 24

5. Dialpad

Dialpad is a cloud-based commercial communications platform with an integrated phone system driven by AI. 

Dialpad enables you to communicate with your employees in a variety of ways, including audio, video, messaging, AI, and meetings, all from your existing devices.

It is appropriate for small businesses in South Africa, Dialpad is simple to implement & deploy from anywhere across the globe.

Key Features of Dialpad

Some of the key features of Dialpad are as follows:

• Call Transfer
• Auto Attendant
• Voicemail
• SMS
• Integrations

Price: Starting from USD 15 

6. Phone.com

Another nice alternative for small business phone service in South Africa is Phone.com. It provides a business communications system that includes VoIP phones as well as upgraded analog phones.

They provide a simple web and mobile management panel with conventional phone service capabilities like call routing, call forwarding, caller ID, conferences, etc.

Key Features of Phone.com

Some key features of Phone.com are:

• Voicemail
• SMS
• Video Calling
• Call Forwarding
• Integration

Price: Starting from USD 12.99

7. 8×8

8×8 provides a unified framework for cloud contact centers, as well as services for voice, video, and SMS. This might be one of the best options for small businesses in South Africa.

8×8 concentrates its focus on assuring that they have a genuinely integrated cloud-based communication solution that integrates with your company easily and effectively. Keeping in touch with your clients is a priority for 8×8.

Key Features of 8×8

Some key features of 8×8 are as follows:

• Call Forwarding & Transferring
• Call Recording
• Caller ID
• Multi-level Auto Attendant
• Unlimited SMS, Fax & Calling

Price: Starting from USD 15

8. Ooma

Ooma has technology that ensures that every incoming call from a client or outgoing call from your business to the client is perfectly understandable. Its startup is simple and takes only a few minutes to implement in your small business in South Africa.

Ooma includes all of the capabilities you’d expect from a strong platform like mobile apps, virtual receptionist, extension dialing, call management, etc.

Ooma platform helps you & your team to communicate, collaborate, and work together.

Key Feature of Ooma

There are various main features of Ooma. They are:

• Call Forwarding & Transferring
• Auto Attendant
• Voicemails
• Virtual Extension
• Desktop & Mobile Apps

Price: Starting from USD 19.95

9. Avaya

Avaya provides a cloud telephone system that allows you to contact, text message, meet and interact with colleagues and customers from a single platform. 

All Avaya users will benefit from their tool, which is meant to provide tailored, smart, and simple interactions. So, it is another option for South African small businesses to choose as the best telephone system.

Avaya Cloud Office was created to provide an all-in-one solution that is tailored to your specific working style.

Key Features of Avaya

Some of the main characteristics of Avaya are:

• Video Conferencing
• SMS
• Voicemail
• Desktop or Mobile Apps
• Analytics

Price: Starting from USD 19.99

10. Vonage

Vonage is a basic VoIP company that aims to be a viable alternative to traditional landlines. It definitely helps you scale your small businesses in South Africa.

Vonage is a cloud-based business telephone system. Furthermore, Vonage enables you to simply adopt new software without the need for additional equipment or fees, allowing you to expand your business.

With omnichannel features, the Vonage API framework enables organizations to significantly improve customer experiences.

Key Features of Vonage

Some of the main features of Vonage are:

• Quality Calls
• Call Blocking
• Simple Setup
• Good Customer Support

Price: Starting from USD 19.99

11. CallHippo

A CallHippo is a feature-rich telephone system that streamlines your calling process. It helps you to improve your team’s lead quality and efficiency.

CallHippo is another alternative as a perfect telephone system for small businesses in South Africa. It definitely scales your business.

Key Features of CallHippo

Some main features of CallHippo are:

• Call Tracking
• Call Forwarding
• Call Queuing
• Call Recording
• Integration
• Voicemail

Price: Starting from USD 16

12. Zadarma

Zadarma is one of the best telephone system providers for small businesses in South Africa. It is a cloud-based PBX, CRM & phone system that helps you to expand your business in South Africa.

There’s no need to spend a lot of money on pricey gear or deal with hardware and phone lines. You just connect to the internet, while the operator’s servers construct and manage your telephone system.

Key Features of Zadarma

Some of the main features of Zadarma are given below:

• Call Forwarding
• Integration
• Call Recording
• Auto Attendant
• Voicemail
• Call Waiting

Price: Starting from USD 0

13. Grasshopper

Grasshopper is a small-business-focused cloud-based telephone system. It is one of the top telephone system providers for small businesses in South Africa.

Grasshopper is a VoIP service that provides virtual phone numbers for small enterprises. To handle your account and telephone system, it provides user-friendly web and smartphone apps.

Grasshopper also offers some great capabilities like call routing, call forwarding, voicemails, etc. It also provides you the desktop and mobile apps.

Key Features of Grasshopper

There are various main capabilities that Grasshopper offers are:

• Call Forwarding & Transferring
• Business Phone Number
• Business Texting
• Voicemail
• VoIP & Wifi Calls
• Desktop & Mobile apps

Price: Starting from USD 29.99

Those are the top 13 telephone systems for small businesses in South Africa for 2024, that obviously help you to grow your business by collaborating & meeting.

Final Verdict: Which is the Best Small Business Telephone System in South Africa?

When choosing a telephone system for your business, make sure that your employees and clients are at the top of your priority list.

Before that!

You need to be aware of the best telephone system available for small businesses in South Africa in 2024.

You already know the best 13 telephone systems that actually help to grow business in South Africa.

Among them!

KrispCall should be always your first priority since it is more advanced & hold a number of features compared to other telephone systems.

KrispCall is a telephony solution for small businesses that allows you to take your work with you.

KrispCall’s price is really affordable & it is a very flexible system. You can easily set up KrispCall in your business.

You can tour KrispCall with a free demo. You just need to sign up with KrispCall first. After that, you can buy price plans according to your business size.