Scale Your Business Communication with OnSIP’s Cloud Phone System
OnSIP provides scalable, cloud-based VoIP and WebRTC communications for SMBs, offering flexible pricing and a developer-friendly platform for modern businesses.
Overview
OnSIP, an Ooma company, is a leading provider of cloud-based business communications designed to serve small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and distributed teams. Established in 2004 and headquartered in New York, OnSIP was a pioneer in the hosted VoIP space, focusing on leveraging the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) to deliver high-quality, reliable voice and video services. In 2021, OnSIP was acquired by Ooma, Inc., a move that integrated OnSIP’s sophisticated web-calling technology with Ooma’s extensive telecommunications infrastructure and market reach.
The vendor’s core offering is a comprehensive Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) platform. This includes a full suite of PBX features such as auto-attendants, ring groups, call recording, and voicemail-to-email, alongside modern collaboration tools like instant messaging, video conferencing, and screen sharing. OnSIP is particularly well-regarded for its WebRTC-based solutions, which bridge the gap between traditional telephony and web-based interaction.
OnSIP serves over 100,000 customer accounts, ranging from small startups to established professional services firms. Their market presence is defined by a reputation for reliability and a "no-contract" approach to service. By focusing on open standards, OnSIP ensures that its customers are not locked into proprietary hardware, providing a level of future-proofing that is highly valued in the rapidly evolving digital workplace. Today, as part of Ooma, OnSIP continues to innovate at the intersection of web technology and business telephony, providing scalable solutions that grow alongside their clients.
Positioning
OnSIP positions itself as the "flexible alternative" to the rigid, high-cost enterprise UCaaS providers. Their market strategy targets the "prosumer" and SMB segments that are often underserved by larger carriers—specifically those who require professional-grade features without the burden of long-term contracts or complex pricing tiers.
Key messaging centers on the concepts of freedom and agility. By positioning themselves against the industry-standard "per-user, per-month" model, OnSIP appeals to businesses with fluctuating staff levels or low-volume calling needs through their unique "Per-Seat Mix" and "Pay-As-You-Go" plans. This allows them to capture a niche of cost-conscious yet technically demanding customers.
In the competitive landscape, OnSIP differentiates through its "Web First" brand positioning. While competitors like RingCentral or 8x8 focus on the breadth of their enterprise integrations, OnSIP emphasizes the ease of connecting with customers via the web. Their branding highlights the ability to "turn your website into a call center," positioning their WebRTC capabilities as a lead generation and customer experience tool rather than just internal utility. This strategy effectively moves the conversation from "phone systems" to "comprehensive communication experiences," allowing them to compete effectively against both traditional VoIP providers and modern customer engagement platforms.
Differentiation
The OnSIP product suite is built on a geographically distributed "super-plug" architecture that eliminates the single points of failure common in traditional PBX systems. A primary technical differentiator is their early and deep integration of WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication). While many competitors treat the web browser as an afterthought, OnSIP’s platform allows businesses to treat their website as a communication endpoint. Features like "sayso," their proprietary website voice and video chat tool, allow visitors to initiate high-definition calls directly from a browser without any downloads or plugins.
Another significant product differentiator is the "OnSIP App," which serves as a comprehensive softphone for mobile and desktop, integrating seamlessly with their cloud PBX. Their platform supports an extensive range of hardware, maintaining a "bring your own device" (BYOD) philosophy that allows for easy provisioning of various IP phone brands. Furthermore, OnSIP offers a robust API and developer toolkit, enabling companies to embed real-time voice and video capabilities directly into their own applications or workflows. This flexibility, combined with high-definition audio codecs and an intuitive administrative portal, makes the product particularly attractive to tech-forward companies that require more than a "one size fits all" telephony solution.
Ideal Customer Profile
- Company Size: 5 to 100 employees (though they can scale higher, their "sweet spot" is the SMB and lower-mid market).
- Industry: Professional services (Legal, Accounting), E-commerce, Tech Startups, and Healthcare.
- Technical Maturity: Moderate. Ideal for companies that prefer a "self-service" web portal for management rather than calling a technician for every extension change.
- Budget Range: Flexible; specifically attractive to those seeking to move away from high fixed monthly telecom costs.
- Team Composition: Distributed teams, remote-first organizations, or companies with a heavy emphasis on inbound website-driven leads.
Best Fit
- Distributed and Remote Teams: OnSIP is built on a geographically redundant SIP network, making it ideal for companies with a 100% remote workforce or multiple small satellite offices that need a unified phone system without hardware overhead.
- Customer-Facing Web Businesses: Its unique "Sayso" website voice and video chat tool makes it a premier choice for companies that want to convert website visitors into sales calls instantly via a browser.
- Budget-Conscious Small Businesses: The "Pay-as-you-go" model is a standout for companies with low outbound call volume or those who primarily receive inbound calls, allowing them to avoid high per-user monthly seats.
- BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) Environments: Organizations that prefer using softphones, mobile apps, or existing unlocked SIP hardware rather than being forced into proprietary desk phones.
Offerings
- OnSIP Platform: The core cloud PBX service providing high-definition voice and video, available in both metered and unlimited formats.
- Sayso: A specialized lead-generation tool that embeds voice/video calling directly into websites. It is often included in certain tiers or available as a standalone engagement tool.
- OnSIP Mobile & Desktop Apps: Included with user licenses, providing a softphone interface that replaces the need for physical hardware.
- Hardware Store: A curated selection of pre-provisioned desk phones and headsets from leading manufacturers, guaranteed to work out-of-the-box with the OnSIP service.
- Ooma Family Integration: As an Ooma company, OnSIP users may have access to broader enterprise features and global infrastructure as the platforms continue to integrate.
Get our evaluation of OnSIP (an Ooma Company)
Our advisory team has deep experience with OnSIP (an Ooma Company). We'll give you an honest, independent assessment — including how they compare to alternatives and what to watch out for.
Request EvaluationBuying Guide: OnSIP (an Ooma Company)
Everything you need to evaluate OnSIP (an Ooma Company)— from features and pricing to implementation and security.
Introduction
OnSIP, an Ooma company, represents a modern approach to business communications, pivoting away from the rigid structures of traditional PBX systems. This guide explores OnSIP’s unique position in the Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) market, specifically focusing on its flexible "pay-as-you-go" pricing and its innovative browser-based communication tools.
As businesses move toward hybrid work models and digital-first customer interactions, the need for a scalable, cloud-native voice solution has never been higher. Prospective buyers will learn about OnSIP's technical foundations, its industry-leading 'Sayso' technology for website engagement, and how to evaluate if its cost structure aligns with their specific call volume patterns. Whether you are a small startup looking to minimize monthly overhead or a mid-market firm seeking to enhance your web presence, this guide provides the technical and operational insights necessary to make an informed decision.
Key Features
- Cloud PBX Capabilities: Comprehensive suite of enterprise features including automated attendants, ring groups, music on hold, and multi-level IVR (Interactive Voice Response).
- Sayso (Website Voice/Video): A unique tool that allows website visitors to start a voice or video call with a specific representative directly through their browser—no phone numbers or downloads required.
- OnSIP App: A unified communication client available for Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android, supporting HD voice, video calling, and team presence indicators.
- Geographically Redundant Network: Built on a proprietary distributed architecture that ensures high availability and low latency by routing calls through the nearest data center.
- Reporting and Analytics: Real-time call data records (CDR) and dashboards that provide insights into call volumes, wait times, and user performance.
- Virtual Queues: Advanced call queuing for sales or support teams, ensuring callers are distributed efficiently among available agents.
Use Cases
- The High-Growth Tech Startup: A SaaS company uses OnSIP’s "Sayso" on their pricing page. When a prospect has a question, they click a button on the site and are instantly connected to a sales rep's desk phone or laptop, increasing conversion rates by 20%.
- The Professional Services Firm: A law firm with 15 employees uses the Pay-As-You-Go plan. Because they primarily communicate via email and only use phones for occasional client check-ins, they save 60% compared to a traditional "per-user" flat-rate plan.
- The Multi-State Retailer: A boutique retail chain uses OnSIP to connect five different locations. They use a centralized Auto-Attendant to route calls to the correct store, allowing for a "big company" feel with localized service.
- The Remote Support Center: A distributed support team uses the OnSIP desktop app and Slack integration. When a call comes in, the agent sees the customer's Zendesk info via a screen pop, reducing handle time and improving the customer experience.
Pricing Models
- Pay-As-You-Go: A unique industry offering where companies pay a low monthly base fee per account plus 3.9 cents per minute for outbound calls. This is ideal for businesses with low call volume.
- Unlimited User Plan: A predictable monthly flat rate (typically around $18.95 per user/month) that includes unlimited standard calling, making it better for high-volume sales and support teams.
- Core Cost Drivers: The number of users, the choice of "Unlimited" vs "Pay-As-You-Go," and add-ons like call recording, international numbers, or advanced queue features.
- Hardware Costs: While OnSIP sells hardware, it is a significant "bring your own device" (BYOD) friendly provider, often saving companies thousands in upfront capital expenditure.
Technical Requirements
- Bandwidth: Minimum 100 Kbps of symmetric bandwidth (upload and download) per concurrent call.
- Network Hardware: A VoIP-aware router/firewall. SIP ALG (Application Layer Gateway) should typically be disabled as it often interferes with SIP signaling.
- Browsers: Full support for WebRTC-compliant browsers, including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge.
- Hardware Compatibility: Any SIP-compliant (RFC 3261) device. Recommended brands include Poly (Polycom), Yealink, and Cisco (SPA series).
- Operating Systems: OnSIP desktop apps support recent versions of macOS and Windows 10/11; mobile apps support current iOS and Android versions.
Business Requirements
- Network Readiness: Since OnSIP is a cloud-based VoIP service, a stable, high-speed internet connection is the primary prerequisite. Quality of Service (QoS) settings should be enabled on office routers to prioritize voice traffic.
- Internal Support Capability: Small teams will need a designated "Admin" who understands basic telephony concepts (e.g., extensions, ring groups, auto-attendants) to manage the web-based portal.
- Change Management: For teams moving from traditional landlines, training on the OnSIP app (desktop/mobile) is essential to ensure adoption of features like "drag-and-drop" call transferring.
- Stakeholder Buy-in: Marketing teams should be involved if implementing the 'Sayso' website widget, as it impacts the customer's digital journey and website UI.
Implementation Timeline
- Phase 1: Discovery & Account Setup (1-3 Days): Defining the dial plan, creating users, and setting up initial ring groups and auto-attendants in the admin portal.
- Phase 2: Hardware/Software Configuration (2-5 Days): Provisioning SIP-compliant desk phones or installing the OnSIP app on employee laptops and mobile devices.
- Phase 3: Number Porting (7-14 Days): This is the most variable stage, depending on how quickly your current carrier releases your existing phone numbers. OnSIP provides temporary numbers in the interim.
- Phase 4: Testing & Training (2-3 Days): Running test calls to ensure call routing logic is correct and conducting brief training sessions for staff.
- Phase 5: Go-Live: Cutting over to the ported numbers and activating live website chat features.
Support Options
- US-Based Support: OnSIP prides itself on its "Customer Success" team located in the United States, available via phone, chat, and email.
- Knowledge Base: An extensive online library featuring step-by-step configuration guides for dozens of different SIP phone models and software integrations.
- Professional Services: For larger deployments, OnSIP offers structured onboarding and migration assistance to ensure a smooth transition from legacy systems.
- Community & Developer Docs: Comprehensive documentation for developers looking to utilize the OnSIP API or web-based communication tools.
Integration Requirements
- CRM Integrations: OnSIP offers native integrations with popular platforms like Zendesk, Slack, and HubSpot, allowing for screen pops and automated call logging.
- Browser-Based Extensions: A powerful Google Chrome extension allows for "Click-to-Call" functionality across any web-based application.
- API Access: For custom needs, OnSIP provides a robust API for developers to integrate voice functions into proprietary business applications.
- Interoperability: Because it is based on open SIP standards, it integrates with a wide variety of third-party SIP hardware (Poly, Yealink, Grandstream, etc.) and software-based SIP clients.
Security & Compliance
- Encryption: Support for SRTP (Secure Real-time Transport Protocol) and TLS (Transport Layer Security) to encrypt voice traffic and signaling.
- Data Center Security: Hosted in SOC 2 compliant data centers with physical security, redundant power, and environmental controls.
- HIPAA Considerations: While VoIP can be part of a HIPAA-compliant workflow, buyers should consult with OnSIP regarding Business Associate Agreements (BAAs) for specific configurations.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Secure access to the admin portal to prevent unauthorized configuration changes.
- Fraud Protection: Automated monitoring tools to detect and block suspicious international calling patterns or toll fraud.
Considering OnSIP (an Ooma Company)?
Independent. Vendor-funded. Expert-backed.
We'll help you evaluate OnSIP (an Ooma Company)against alternatives, negotiate better terms, and ensure a successful implementation. Our advisory services are funded through the vendor ecosystem — at no cost to you.