Nextiva Comparison and Review

Pros:

• Low monthly fee for one line
• Low monthly fee per line for five lines
• Low monthly fee per line for ten lines
• Unlimited local minutes provided
• 24/7 Phone support

Cons:

• No toll-free minutes provided
• No free trial

Conclusion:

Nextiva's Office Pro Plus offers reasonable monthly rates, and they've done a number of things to improve their service in the last few years, including adding a moblie app, conference bridge and softphone. Nextiva also offers a Pro plan ($34.95 monthly for one user) and an Office Enterprise plan ($44.95 for one user), but the Pro Plus is the best value for most businesses. This plan provides unlimited calling to and from a local number (inbound calls to your toll free number are charged $.025/ minute). 

Pricing

Nextiva offers a tiered pricing plan based on the number of lines that you order and the service level plan you choose. We have reviewed the Office Pro Plus Plan, which includes unlimited local and long distance minutes from a local phone line as well as unlimited virtual faxing, a conference bridge and the Nextiva Mobile App. Nextiva charges $37.95 per line for one to four lines, $32.95 per line for five to nineteen lines, and $27.95 per line for twenty to ninety-nine lines. There are no start-up fees. If you choose a toll-free number, all incoming calls are charged at $.025 per minute. Nextiva does not offer a free trial or a money-back guarantee, which does not meet our Market Standard for testing its service.

Online Features

The online interface is an important feature of any Business VoIP system. By logging into the online interface, you are able to set up and maintain your system, as well as view call logs, access voicemails, and more. You can store an unlimited number of call logs which can be filtered and sorted. Recorded calls cannot be downloaded, but you can receive voicemails via email.

Phone Numbers

Nextiva offers local numbers in 49 states and Washington D.C. If you prefer to have a toll-free number, Nextiva offers, at no additional cost, 855, 866, 877, and 888 toll-free numbers while true 800 numbers are not available. No toll-free minutes come included with the plan and cost $0.025 for any inbound toll-free usage. You may choose whichever combination of local and toll-free lines that meets the needs of your personal business. Porting an existing number from a different telecom provider into Nextiva’s Business VoIP system is free.

Technological Requirements

Nextiva will work with most high-speed Internet connections such as DSL and cable. It requires about 80-100 Kbps of bandwidth per concurrent phone call to provide clear service. Most cable modem service providers offer at least 1000 Kbps of bandwidth, and often provide much more, so no upgraded Internet service is required for most users. A dial-up modem will not usually provide enough bandwidth for this service.

Technological Accessories

Nextiva offers many IP enabled phones from Cisco and Polycom starting at $82.95 per phone. When ordered with Business VoIP service, Nextiva delivers your phones completely preconfigured for your account. Nextiva does not provide a softphone for use with their service but is compatible with third party softphones. A softphone is a computer program for making and receiving phone calls with speakers and a microphone connected to your computer.

Conference Calling, Internet Faxing, and Mobile Apps

Conference calling and Internet faxing are additional services that are often included with a Business VoIP system. Nextiva offers conference calling with a maximum of three people on a call. Internet fax service with both send and receive capability also comes with Nextiva’s Business VoIP system. Unlimited free faxes are included along with six months of online fax storage. Mobile applications are not available.

Customer Service

Nextiva’s phone support is available 24/7. Having around the clock customer service is essential for business communications, especially for businesses that depend greatly on communicating with their customers. Nextiva also offers email and live chat support, as well as FAQs. Its customer support is average quality and located in the US. Nextiva has built redundant servers to ensure minimum service interruption in case one goes offline.