RingCentral vs 8x8: which should you choose?
Quick answer: RingCentral is built for enterprise, while 8x8 suits enterprise. For most users RingCentral is the stronger default, but 8x8 can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case. RingCentral has the lower entry price.
If you're weighing RingCentral against 8x8, the right answer depends on your priorities. Below we compare them on pricing, strengths and the use cases each one fits, then give a clear verdict.
Side-by-side
| RingCentral | 8x8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Ucaas | Ucaas |
| What it's known for | Flagship cloud UCaaS combining business phone, SMS, video and team messaging with the broadest integration ecosystem and enterprise reliability. | Unified communications and contact center (XCaaS) with integrated voice, video, chat and global PSTN coverage in many countries. |
| Pricing | ~$20/user/mo Core, ~$25/user/mo Advanced, ~$35/user/mo Ultra (annual) | ~$24/user/mo entry plan; mostly quote-based, no full public pricing; enterprise custom |
| Best audience | Mid-market and enterprise teams that need deep CRM/app integrations and proven reliability. | Enterprises and global teams needing wide international calling plus contact center. |
| Best for | enterprise, integrations | enterprise, global-teams |
| Entry price | ~$20/user/mo (annual) | ~$24/user/mo (annual) |
| Biggest strength | Broadest integration ecosystem in the category (330+ apps). | 99.999% uptime SLA with sub-30-second failover. |
| Main caveat | Most CRM/third-party integrations locked to Advanced and Ultra tiers. | Limited public pricing; most tiers are quote-based. |
Features compared
The feature sets only partly overlap. Here is what each one actually gives you:
RingCentral key features
- Cloud business phone with unlimited US/Canada calling, voicemail-to-text, call queues and auto-attendant
- Team messaging, SMS and HD video meetings (up to 100 on Core, 200 on Ultra)
- Automatic call recording and advanced call monitoring (whisper/barge) on Advanced+
- AI features (RingSense) for call summaries and analytics
8x8 key features
- Unified communications + contact center (XCaaS) with voice, video and chat
- Unlimited calling to 14 countries on X2, expanding to 48 on X4
- HD video conferencing for up to 500 participants
- 60+ native integrations including Salesforce, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace
Pricing tiers side by side
RingCentral plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Core | ~$20/user/mo (annual) | Unlimited US/Canada calls, 25 SMS/user/mo, 100-participant video |
| Advanced | ~$25/user/mo (annual) | Auto call recording, CRM integrations, 100 SMS, 1,000 toll-free min |
| Ultra | ~$35/user/mo (annual) | 10,000 toll-free min, unlimited storage, 200-participant video |
8x8 plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| X2 | ~$24/user/mo (annual) | Unlimited calling to 14 countries, 500-participant video |
| X4 | Quote-based | Unlimited calling to 48 countries, advanced supervisor tools |
| Contact Center (X6-X8) | Quote-based | Full CCaaS tiers |
Tiers compiled from the vendors' published plans and independent reviews; prices are approximate and change often, so confirm current figures (and your region's taxes) on each vendor's site.
Strengths compared
Where RingCentral wins
The most integration-rich, enterprise-reliable UCaaS platform in the market.
- Broadest integration ecosystem in the category (330+ apps).
- Enterprise-grade reliability and feature depth.
That makes it the stronger pick for mid-market and enterprise teams that need deep CRM/app integrations and proven reliability.
Where 8x8 wins
Global UCaaS+CCaaS with unlimited calling to up to 48 countries and a 99.999% SLA.
- 99.999% uptime SLA with sub-30-second failover.
- Broad international calling (up to 48 countries unlimited).
That makes it the stronger pick for enterprises and global teams needing wide international calling plus contact center.
Verdict: choose by fit
Both are good at the job, so let your priorities decide.
- Choose RingCentral if you fit its core audience — mid-market and enterprise teams that need deep CRM/app integrations and proven reliability.
- Choose 8x8 if you fit its core audience — enterprises and global teams needing wide international calling plus contact center.
FAQ
Is RingCentral better than 8x8?
RingCentral is the stronger default for most users, but 8x8 can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case.
What is the main difference between RingCentral and 8x8?
RingCentral is the most integration-rich, enterprise-reliable UCaaS platform in the market. 8x8 is global UCaaS+CCaaS with unlimited calling to up to 48 countries and a 99.999% SLA.
Which is cheaper, RingCentral or 8x8?
Entry pricing differs: RingCentral starts at ~$20/user/mo (annual), while 8x8 starts at ~$24/user/mo (annual). Compare the tiers above against your usage.
Sources
Facts above are drawn from these independent reviews and the vendors' own pages for RingCentral and 8x8: