Comparing VoIP Providers: Zadarma vs 8x8

• How a cloud PBX works
• What to check before you choose
• Pricing models
• Zadarma and 8x8 compared
• Key features to compare
• How to estimate your real costs
• Moving your existing numbers
• Conclusion
• FAQs

A cloud phone system (VoIP) routes calls over the internet. Your team members can make and receive business calls through desktop and mobile apps or compatible IP phones, using company numbers instead of personal ones. In this business VoIP comparison, we look at Zadarma and 8x8: pricing models, plans and key features.

How a cloud PBX works

A cloud PBX is the system that routes calls inside a company. You can set up the call flow according to your business needs, and when the call comes in, the PBX decides which employee or department receives each call, plays voice menus and handles transfers.

A cloud PBX works on the provider’s servers, and doesn't require any hardware or wiring. Your employees connect to it over the internet, and you can manage everything through your account on the website. You can add a new employee in minutes, as your business grows, and your team can work from any location with just an internet connection.

What to check before you choose

Prices and plans differ a lot between providers. When choosing a provider for your business, compare them on the same points. Look for a provider that:

• Provides clear prices, so you know the total monthly cost before you sign up
• Includes the countries you call most often in its call bundles
• Offers support in your time zone
• Connects to the CRM and other tools your team uses
• Offers phone numbers in countries or cities you operate

Pricing models

Before you compare features, check how each provider charges.

Per-user pricing. You pay a fixed amount for every person on the system. For example, ten users cost ten times as much as one. This model is simple to predict but expensive for larger teams.

Package pricing. You pay one price for a group of users, with calls, numbers and advanced features included. If you need more users than the package covers, you can add them for a small monthly fee. Calls outside the package are billed separately.

8x8 uses per-user pricing. Zadarma uses package pricing and also offers a pays-as-you-go plan.

Zadarma and 8x8 compared

Both companies offer a virtual phone system for business with advanced call management features. The table below compares both providers.

Zadarma's full list of available price plan regions and prices are available on the website. 8x8 does not publish a full price list. To know the price, you need to chat with the sales team, and if it's not available, schedule a call.

Key features to compare

Voice menus (IVR)

A voice menu greets callers and sends them to the right department. For example, “Press 1 for sales, press 2 for support”. Both providers include this tool.

At Zadarma, the number of menus depends on the plan: 4 on Standard, 6 on Office and 12 on Corporation. On Office and Corporation, you can add extra menus for $1 per month each.

Call recording

Recordings help with staff training, quality checks and settling disputes with customers. If you need to keep recordings for a long time, check the retention period or storage limit, and plan how you will download and archive older calls.

CRM integration

When your phone system is connected to your CRM, each call appears in the customer’s record automatically. The sales and support team can see who is calling before they answer. Check that the provider supports your specific CRM.

AI tools

Zadarma includes AI in its Office and Corporation plans: AI agent minutes for a 24/7 virtual operator and speech recognition minutes for call transcription. Extra minutes available for a small fee. AI speech analytics is also available.

8x8 offers AI call transcription and chat summaries in 8x8 Work, and a conversational AI assistant for customer self-service in its contact centre products.

Customer support

When your phone system stops working, you need help quickly and in a language you understand. Zadarma provides 24/7 multichannel support in 9 languages, through chat, email, tickets and phone, on every plan.

8x8 offers 24/7 technical support by phone, chat and its support portal, but no email support. General customer service by phone is available Monday to Saturday during US business hours.

How to estimate your real costs

Before choosing a provider, review the following points:

1. Count your users. Include part-time employees and anyone who only takes occasional voice calls.
2. List your call destinations. Check your last three months of call records and note which countries you call most.
3. Check the included minutes. Compare your monthly call volume with each plan’s bundle.
4. Price the extras. Add the cost of additional virtual phone numbers, toll-free minutes and calls outside the bundle.
5. Compare annual and monthly billing. Annual prepayment is usually cheaper.

Moving your existing numbers

Most businesses want to keep the numbers their customers already know. Number porting lets you transfer an existing number from your current operator. Both 8x8 and Zadarma offer it in many countries.

The process usually takes a few days to a few weeks, depending on the country and the operator. Keep your old service active until the transfer is complete, so you don’t miss any calls.

Conclusion

Clear communication keeps clients informed and teams productive, especially when people work in different places. A system packed with features your team never uses only adds to the monthly bill.

Start with your core requirements and your budget. Then choose a reliable, secure and affordable system that fits the way your business already works.