Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to traditional phone lines, letting users to make voice calls over an internet connection.
Since you don’t need the cable infrastructure, it’s easier to set up and can be more cost-effective to run. In 2024, it's well worth finding the best VoIP service for your business, no matter the scale.
Due to the large number of providers out there, working out which VoIP provider is the right one can be difficult. 8x8 is a popular provider that offers several different All-in-One Communications plans under the banner 8x8 X Series. (The service was formerly known as Virtual Office Pro.)
In this 8x8 All-in-One Communications review, we assess the pricing, features, interface, support, and security offered by this VoIP service.
Every company has its own needs – sometimes very specific needs – and so we recommend checking out our reviews of RingCentral, GoToConnect, Zoom, Aircall, and the best VoIP services to make the absolute right decision.
We have to be upfront here: assessing the pricing for 8x8 is difficult as the new tiers are available only upon request. What we do know is how much these plans, or at least similar plans, cost prior to this update, as detailed in previous reviews.
Starting off, 8x8 offers five tiers: X2, X4, X6, X7, and X8. As you can imagine, each of these adds on something to the prior tiers, from X2 to X8, and many of these upgrades are applicable to larger organisations.
In past reviews, the price of the X2 plan was $28/user/month, the X4 was $57/user/month, the X6 was $112/user/month, the X7 was $131/user/month, and the X8 was $170/user/month. While 8x8 is unlikely to have changed these levels too drastically, it's worth checking with them based on your specific needs.
Some of the core considerations will be whether your business needs to make international calls, whether you need video conferencing, internet fax, and so on. We'll get into the features in more detail below.
As with most companies on our radar – but not all – there are savings to be had if you’re willing to pay for one year upfront. The exact saving depends on which plan you’re considering and where you are in the world, but they’re mostly somewhere between 14% and 24%, which is can be a nice discount.
The call options offered by 8x8 are more than just the standard VoIP calls.
The X Series enables high-definition audio and video conferencing with up to 100 participants, and there are multiple moderation controls available, including host delegation and participant lobbies.
8x8 has also added the ability to record the audio, video, and chat, to be published to the cloud for those who missed the meeting.
A large amount of cloud analytics data is efficiently collected on 8x8's single platform, enabling easy access and analysis. The dashboards are updated in real time and can be customized to your liking.
With detailed data like speech analyses of every call, you can identify employee and customer trends and interpret them to solve problems and increase efficiency.
(Image credit: 8&8 Inc)
Besides making calls from 8x8’s own app, you can integrate the service into other apps and software that your employees may already use, such as Microsoft Teams, Salesforce, Google Workspace, and Slack. This makes your processes more efficient and reduces the time that employees need to spend learning new software.
Larger companies will value the extra features that come with the higher-level X tiers, like hot desking, wider call handling capabilities, and 30-day UC meeting and call storage.
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8x8 X Series: User interface
(Image credit: 8&8 Inc)
The setup process for 8x8 X Series is simple. It only takes a few minutes to provide the basic information about your business needed to get going, and you can then access the web dashboard, as well as the mobile and desktop apps.
All the interfaces are well designed for efficient use. The main app for employees is called Work and has a simple layout that makes it easy to navigate. It functions as a central hub from which you can access voice calls, video calls, text messaging, meetings, and more.
The browser-based dashboards for supervisor use are more complex but have a wide range of functions, including analytics and switchboard control.
8x8 X Series: Support
(Image credit: 8&8 Inc)
If you run into problems when setting up or running your 8x8 X Series system, there are various support options available. You’re first sent to an AI assistant, which will direct you to articles on the knowledge base relevant to your question.
If these don’t help, you can contact technical support via text chat, ticket, or phone. However, the live assisted support is only available to those on the X2 plan or above, not 8x8 Express. The quality of tech support does seem to be variable - many customers have complained that communication has been poor, or that problems have been passed on from phone call to email. There are plenty of positive reviews to counter this, though, so it’s likely that 8x8 is no different to other companies.
8x8 X Series: Security
When you’re running a business that handles financial information or other confidential customer data, it’s crucial to know that your systems are secure. 8x8 excels in this respect, as it has multiple security measures in place, and it’s open and transparent regarding them.
Communications are fully encrypted using Transport Layer Security and Secure Real-time Transport Protocol, so you can be sure messages and calls aren’t being intercepted. Secure coding practices are used to ensure that the technology is safe. Fraud detection tools are also built into the system.
We like additional steps that end users can take to protect their own data, and 8x8 delivers in this respect, too, with two-factor authentication (2FA).
(Image credit: 8&8 Inc)
8x8 X Series: The competition
One popular choice is Dialpad, which has prices beginning at $15 per user per month when paid annually. It has an impressive range of features and like 8x8, has comprehensive security and decent video conferencing performance.
Another option is RingCentral MVP (formerly known as RingCentral Office). This is more expensive, starting at $19.99 per user per month, but it comes with a suite of advanced features and integrations with numerous CRM programs and other software, including some pretty impactful AI-driven features like call monitoring.
8x8 X Series: Final verdict
There’s not much to fault with the 8x8 X Series. The app combines multiple methods of communication into one efficient workspace, and there are multiple useful features, such as analytics, integration with other software, and video conferencing. Also, the security is among the best on the market.
One downside is that the quality of tech support seems to be a little sub-standard. However, the pricing is quite good, with plenty of features packed into one of the most affordable VoIP packages that you’ll find.
While the basic 8x8 Express plan includes all main features, the increased support options and international calling make the X2 plan the most likely choice for most small and medium businesses. If you’re looking for a comprehensive and reliable VoIP provider, we recommend signing up for a trial with 8x8.
Hourly is a combination of payroll and time management software teamed with a workers’ comp insurance package. It’s been designed to let business users save time and potentially save money by offering a more efficient way of working. The Palo Alto-based fintech outfit has been expanding its appeal rapidly and offers two packages; Payroll and Time Tracking, or a combination of the two. With many businesses and workers requiring the services of software just like Hourly, its added appeal lies in the way it can be controlled through your mobile phone.
Hourly software was initially developed by a group of business owners who couldn't find a solution for their needs. So, since launching back in 2018 the Hourly brand has grown to help business owners and contractors who need to tackle payroll and benefits admin, without too much in the way of effort. It’s working hard to match rival products such as Gusto and OnPay.
Hourly has two core packages plus a combination option too (Image credit: Hourly)
Hourly payroll and time tracking: Pricing
There are three plans associated with the Hourly portfolio. Time Tracking is a package designed to reduce payroll errors and increase productivity according to Hourly, and this costs $8 a month per active user, along with a $40 per month base cost. Next is Payroll, which offers the ability to run payroll from anywhere and do it pretty rapidly to boot. That costs $10 per month per active user and comes with a $60 per month base fee.
The third option is something of a combination package, featuring as it does both Time Tracking and Payroll. This is listed as Hourly’s most popular package, which is hardly surprising as it costs $14 per month for each active user along with an $80 per month base charge. Hourly does also offer a free trial and can give you a demo of the software too if that’s more suitable.
The Hourly packages have been carefully designed for use on mobile devices (Image credit: Hourly)
Hourly payroll and time tracking: Features
As mentioned above, there are three packages that you can sign up for, with obviously the combination model being the one to go for if you’re looking for most efficiency and the best cost savings. The Time Tracking package comes with the ability to track time for all of your workers; there are automatic timesheets and GPS clock-ins and tracking too.
Add in the ability to monitor overtime and breaks, plus the option to create detailed reports and audit logs and you’ve got a fairly potent package. Meanwhile, the Payroll package comes with unlimited payroll runs, direct deposit and paper checks, automatic tax filing and the handling of 1099s and W-2s.
It offers salaried and hourly handling plus garnishments and benefit management too. If you plump for the combination of both Time Tracking and Payroll you can also add in smart works comp insurance, plus priority phone support and HR support too.
It's possible to explore the software with a free 14-day trial or get a guided demo (Image credit: Hourly)
Hourly payroll and time tracking: Performance
The real benefit with the Hourly software package is that it can be used to track time plus handle payroll from anywhere. If you’re looking to improve productivity and require extra convenience then this level of performance is really going to deliver value over time. It’s easy to see that the people who've created this software were obviously the ones who had a need for it in the first place. Hourly covers all bases in real time and, if you’ve got it setup on your cell phone, it’s possible to manage all of your tasks no matter where the location happens to be.
Hourly can certainly speed up productivity especially if you use it on the move (Image credit: Hourly)
Hourly payroll and time tracking: Ease of use
If you’ve been used to picking through timesheets and spreadsheets in order to process payroll and collate hours worked by employees or contractors then you’ll find Hourly hugely beneficial. The software has been cleverly designed to provide a real time picture of staff movements, allowing you to manage hours worked, time taken off and so on.
Hourly can also handle workers comp that helps protect both employees and employers (Image credit: Hourly)
The reporting aspect of Hourly is also a really practical feature, with the ability to drill down into specific worker files and carry out checks on hours, overtime and more with very little in the way of effort. All told, Hourly should help to shave off plenty of time from your payroll and time tracking duties. The main dashboard is also very easy to get to grips with, so the initial learning curve should be fairly painless too.
Registered users can contact support or dip into the knowledge base (Image credit: Hourly)
Hourly payroll and time tracking: Support
There’s a very decent Hourly knowledge base that can be accessed via the website and which serves up a healthy supply of articles. In fact, using this resource you can take a really deep dive into the workings of the Time Tracking and Payroll packages, and also investigate workers comp information too. In addition, there’s a neat Hourly blog, which offers some useful insights for small business owners on all sorts of everyday matters. Registered users do, of course, also have access to live support, via email, chat and phone options.
Hourly payroll and time tracking: Final verdict
Hourly is a great solution for business owners with employees and who currently struggle with the labor-intensive aspect of both payroll and timesheets. Hourly has bundled both into the one combination package, which looks like the more sensible option to go for rather than choosing either one as a standalone solution.
What's more, get them both together and you’ll save some money too. Combine that with the savings in time that Hourly promises to deliver and the return on your investment could turn out to be fairly healthy.
Better still, Hourly has been created so that you can manage your employees from anywhere, with a strong focus on mobile management. If you’re out and about a lot, or simply want the convenience of managing everything via your cell phone or tablet, then Hourly looks even more appealing.
Workful is an interesting option if you’re a small business owner that needs to maximize your time management by covering payroll, HR and timesheet needs inside one package. The software solution has been around for four years now, is perhaps best known for its payroll potential and was developed by the same people who brought us TaxSlayer software. However, the online package does quite a lot more than that and, thankfully, offers its services for an affordable amount of money.
What’s more, Workful aims to deliver a simple to use system that should hopefully be relatively low maintenance. The package comes with a pretty straightforward setup process, plus there’s also plenty of help available from support services. Add it all together and Workful is an impressive proposition that should grow more appealing as you pick through the features outlined below.
Workful offers a refreshingly straightforward single tier pricing system (Image credit: Workful)
Workful payroll and HR: Pricing
The Workful ethos seems to be one of keeping things simple, and that follows through to the area of pricing. Currently, Workful offers a free 30 day trial, and following that you can sign up for the paid-for service, which costs $25 a month plus $5 for each employee per month. The single pricing tier is helpful as you know exactly where you stand with Workful because it includes the core aspects of the package, which revolve around payroll, time tracking and also packs in plenty of employee tools too.
The Workful features a very easy to use interface for both managers and employees (Image credit: Workful)
Workful payroll and HR: Features
Considering the affordability offered by Workflow the set of features it comes with is impressive and covers a variety of bases. For the payroll aspect of the package there are unlimited payroll runs, multiple pay rates, built-in time tracking, state/federal tax forms and integration with QuickBooks. You can also prepare W-2 and 1099 forms, create reports, produce electronic paystubs and carry out direct deposits.
In addition, users get an employee portal for W-4’s, onboarding tools, check printing and everything can be access from any location. Time tracking follows suit with more on the features front, including payroll syncing, automatic calculation of overtime and hours plus PTO tracking. It also delivers customized policies and there are multiple accrual methods.
Employee tools add another edge to the feature set, with the aforementioned employee portal allowing easy onboarding, expense tracking and a place to store documents and file for mileage reimbursement.
Usefully Workful can be accessed via a browser or through your mobile (Image credit: Workful)
Workful payroll and HR: Performance
For a system that is going to be accessible by both managers and employees the Workflow concept is a strong one. The employee portal allows workers to easily access information, via the web with an app that emulates the exact same experience. That means it can be accessed from anywhere, and gives managers the option of carrying out tasks like making reimbursements via payroll, tracking time-off requests and creating calendar events and notifications.
Overall then, Workflow has been nicely developed to offer a simple but effective package that is especially useful thanks to its access-from-anywhere appeal.
Payroll tasks can be run from the desktop or a mobile device (Image credit: Workful)
Workful payroll and HR: Ease of use
The bulk of your activity, and naturally that of your employees will happen in and around the central dashboard area. This is an aspect of Workful that has been spruced up more recently, so the latest iteration packs in more functionality and features while also offering a much more straightforward user experience.
Official forms can be stored and accessed from with the dashboard area (Image credit: Workful)
The menu that runs down the left-hand side of the main window allows access to core options, such as payroll and the time clock, but it also lets you dip into employee data areas, locate and store documents as well as delivering expense and mileage tools. In addition, there’s a reports tab plus the ability to tweak and customize settings when and if it’s necessary.
Workful comes with all of the usual levels of support plus an inline hub (Image credit: Workful)
Workful payroll and HR: Support
If you’re signed up for the Workflow package you also get the benefit of access to its support network. This opens up with a great central help hub, which contains the option for searching through articles and videos about the software and all of its features. On top of that, the help center enables you to get in touch with the support staff during regular business hours.
In fact, it's possible to chat, send an email or give the support team a call depending on your question or technical issue. There’s also a very decent online community that can be found with the support area, plus there’s a blog that delivers some practical insights into both the software and the people and businesses who use it.
Workful payroll and HR: Final verdict
Workful delivers an excellent package that will primarily appeal to the small business community, not least of which because of its affordability. There are plenty of power tools for tackling everyday SME challenges too though, with the ability to handle payroll, HR and time handling with little in the way of fuss and bother. It’s hardly surprising to find these efficiency-based tools come from the same people who developed TaxSlayer all those years ago.
The experience shows in this package, and while it’s something of a work in progress there’s definitely enough on offer here to make Workflow worth considering if you’re a small business owner. It’s doing battle with the likes of Gusto and OnPay, but there’s no reason why there isn't room in this marketplace for another practical software solution.
If you’re struggling to balance your communications with clients and team members, finding the best Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service could help streamline all your messages through a single cloud-based app. Pretty nifty.
VoIP provider Nextiva, used by more than 100,000 businesses, markets itself as being built for “non-technical business owners, not IT wizards.” For smaller teams, that might be music to your ears.
In our review, we examine the various plans available, their features, the software’s usability, and how it compares to its competitors. Overall, we were happy with Nextiva, and think the plans work especially well for smaller businesses.
Of course, as with everything in business, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and we do recommend checking out TechRadar's extensive coverage of the VoIP market and competitors like RingCentral, 8x8, and GoTo Connect, all of which excel in their own specific way.
Every business is different, even in very subtle ways, and there is no cost to checking the pricing and feature lists for every VoIP service out there.
If you decide to purchase VoIP software through Nextiva, you can choose between three plan types: Essential, Professional, and Enterprise.
All plans get voicemail transcription, unlimited internet fax, and video calls up to 45 minutes each as part of the package. Opt for Essential and you’ll get 1,500 toll-free minutes for $17.95-$30.95 per user per month, depending on how many employees you have in your organization and whether you’re willing to commit to an annual subscription to keep the prices down.
Mid-tier Professional members get up to 3,000 minutes for $21.95-$35.95/user/month, while the range-topping Enterprise plan brings 12,500 minutes with it for the price of $31.95-$45.95 per user per month.
Exact pricing is based on whether you have 1-4, 5-19, 20-99, or more than 100 employees. Savings for annual payments are between 17% and 28%.
There’s a 14-day free trial available, which is pretty average, but nothing special. If you’re unsure whether a VoIP service is the right solution for your business, there are companies out there that offer free trials at least twice as long as this.
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Nextiva VoIP: Features
(Image credit: Nextiva)
If you choose Nextiva, you can make unlimited calls to any phone in the US or Canada. Its real-time presence feature also allows you to see which of your contacts is currently available, while the call queue allows you to handle calls during busy times.
Nextiva claims its calls are of HD quality to eliminate static, though this is fairly common by today’s standards.
Previously, Nextiva offered different levels of video conferencing depending on the plan, but this has changed and every plan comes with video call support for up to 250 participants, with a time limit of 45 minutes. Like most video conferencing solutions, Nextiva allows you to share screens and files during your conferences. You can also use Nextiva’s video function to livestream virtual events and webinars.
If you receive a voicemail, the message will be delivered directly to your email’s inbox, and the software also gives you the ability to record your outgoing voicemail message. Some plans add SMS notifications, too.
If you choose Nextiva, you can send and receive an unlimited number of text messages with your customers, which can enable you to perform tasks such as delivering updates and scheduling appointments.
If you’re chairing a meeting, this feature will allow you to set up a dedicated line for this event. As well as setting these meetings up, you can moderate your conferences and record them in HD.
The software also allows you to send and receive unlimited faxes as you would with email. You’ll receive a text alert whenever a new fax arrives.
If you choose one of the more expensive Enterprise or Ultimate packages, you can also benefit from voice analytics. Voicemail transcription, standard on all paid plans, allow you to keep comprehensive written records of your calls which can be handy for keeping records without the need for large audio files.
The company’s Sales Pipeline CRM allows you to create and manage contacts and accounts, as well as seeing a consolidated view of all your conversations with the client.
Should you choose the Ultimate plan, you’ll benefit from automated surveys and analytics related to your customers’ journeys through the sales process, which can provide invaluable insights into your users’ behavior.
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Nextiva VoIP: User interface
(Image credit: Nextiva)
When we signed up for a free trial with Nextiva, we found the process extremely straightforward and were able to gain access to its services without any difficulties.
Although the design of the system’s dashboard is not especially dynamic and its graphics perhaps feel a little dated, the system has clearly been designed with usability and functionality in mind. By dividing its tools on the basis of communication, sales, and service, the company allows you to find the features you need as soon as you log in.
You’ll also benefit from various integrations with the software, which vary according to the plan you choose. We really value the Google Contacts and Microsoft Outlook integration that’s standard on all plans, because being able to maintain one central database rather than having multiple digital phone books helps avoid mistakes.
There are plenty of other integrations reserved for mid-spec and/or high-spec plans, like Salesforce, Zendesk, and Netsuite, just to name a few.
According to the company’s website, its systems experience an uptime of 99.99%. It’s also one of the most widely adoptable platforms, with apps for Windows and Mac, as well as iOS and Android. That’s on top of the (watered down) browser web app.
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Nextiva VoIP: Support
(Image credit: Nextiva)
If you have a question regarding your plan, you can contact Nextiva over the phone, through an online ticketing system, via email, or online chat. When we used the online chat function, we received a polite response containing all the information we needed.
We previously criticized Nextiva for its average support - there was nothing to write home about. Things have changed, and the company now gives 24/7 access to phone, email, and chat support to all paying customers. Many other companies reserve this for their highest paying customers.
Should you have a more general query, the website has a selection of product guides and a blog, which contains articles on topics relevant to business, such as communications, customer experience, leadership, marketing, productivity, and sales.
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Nextiva VoIP: Security
When you’re dealing with potentially sensitive business information, security and privacy can be of paramount importance.
Nextiva’s interface gives you the option to create a whitelist of authorized IP addresses, which allows you to grant users access to your system only through trusted computers.
(Image credit: Nextiva)
You can also use your account’s centralized management system to block email addresses from accessing your services.
If you opt for a plan through Nextiva, your communications will also be encrypted via TLS and SRTP, which are both designed to protect your privacy when you’re communicating over the internet. Working in real time, this protection ensures your conversations aren’t left vulnerable to snoopers in the always-on environment of cyberspace, and you can also safeguard information such as your call history.
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Nextiva VoIP: The competition
Despite its undoubtedly impressive features, Nextiva is far from your only option if you’re considering a VoIP service for your business.
RingCentral MVP (previously RingCentral Office) is one of the most highly regarded options on the market, with prices beginning at $19.99 (usual price $29.99) per user per month for two to 20 users on an annual plan. Like Nextiva, the company offers a comprehensive range of plans depending on your organization’s needs, and many customers praise its user-friendly design and interface. Read our Nextiva vs RingCentral review.
If CRM is a priority for your business, you could consider purchasing a plan through Aircall, which allows you to set up a call center within minutes and includes a wide range of help desk features.
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Nextiva VoIP: Final verdict
If you’re considering cloud-based communication for your employees and customers, Nextiva certainly has many points in its favor, including flexible pricing plans and a range of features to match many of its rivals. We also value its wide range of third-party integrations, and the fact that basic plans don’t just get the basic features - Nextiva seems pretty generous all-round
Also vital for companies running complex IT solutions is Nextiva’s 24/7 support, which represents a huge leap forward from previous years. If you’re still undecided, it might be worth signing up for the trial to see if Nextiva is the right solution for your organization.
Zoom established itself as one of the best video conferencing options on the market, to the extent that a Google Search lands you several articles about it becoming so popular that it’s now used as a verb, thanks partly to its huge success during the pandemic
To date, Zoom now hosts over 300 million daily meeting participants and has added a ton of features to cement its place among the best video conferencing and best VoIP services for most businesses.
New features like direct messaging, HD audio and video, built-in collaboration tools, an AI companion, and more have taken the app to the next level, as we'll discover in more detail later on.
In this Zoom review, we go over several aspects of the software, including its plans and pricing, main features, customer support, and security, to help you determine whether it’s right for you.
We'll also take a look at its competitors in the VoIP space, like RingCentral, 8x8, GoTo Connect, and Aircall. TechRadar Pro recommends that businesses every size check out all of the options to make the most informed choice.
Zoom offers four plans depending on your needs (Image credit: Zoom)
Zoom offers four plans, and the pricing per plan is for a single license. To host meetings simultaneously, you’ll need more than one license, so bear that in mind.
The free plan (or Basic plan) offers up to 100 participants, but has a 40-minute time limit on group meetings. One-to-one meetings, however, are unlimited.
Compared with other paid video conferencing suites, being able to communicate with so many people at once for no cost is great, but there are plenty of free alternatives like FaceTime for personal users and Google Meet for personal and business users, which are a little less limiting.
The Pro plan costs $149.90 (or £119) per year, and gives you the ability to host 100 participants, stream on social media, 5GB of cloud storage for recordings (up from 1GB previously), and real-time transcription. There’s also support for three whiteboards, which is great for collaboration, however they must be under 25MB.
The Business plan removes the limits on whiteboards and offers greater control for companies with regards to branding and single sign-on (SSO), which is usually the reserve of more expensive plans. Business costs $199 (or £159) per user per year, but at least 10 users are required for this type of membership.
On the high end, Business Plus doubles the recording storage to 10GB and adds Zoom Phone integration with unlimited regional calling for $250 (or £185) per user per year, something only a select few businesses might need.
Some businesses will prefer to pay for their subscriptions on a monthly basis, which is available on all plans, however the 17% saving for annual commitments is sadly lost. The above plans come under the Zoom One family.
Zoom also offers subscriptions for its Phone, Events & Webinars, Rooms, Contact Center, and new Whiteboard.
Zoom is a powerhouse of features, supporting HD video and audio calling, social media streaming, screen sharing, integration with essential apps, and much more. Let’s look at some of the most important.
All of Zoom’s plans enable you to record meetings locally, and there’s cloud recording on all the paid plans, with the Enterprise plan offering unlimited cloud storage (though you’ll need to get in touch with the sales department for a quote). Because all other plans come with a fairly limited space for storing video recordings, we think you’ll be better off in most cases paying for cloud storage elsewhere and exporting your files to that provider.
Audio transcription is available on the higher plans. This feature transcribes the audio of cloud-recorded meeting files and saves it, so you can focus on the meeting rather than worry about note-taking. You can also display the transcript in a video, like captions.
Live audio transcription, which creates a real-time transcript of the audio while the meeting is ongoing, has also been rolled out across all plans including the free tier, however language support is pretty limited. When it launched, it only supported English, however in due course plenty of other languages will likely be added.
Zoom was one of the first companies to bring virtual backgrounds to the spotlight, and although it cannot be credited to be the first, it deserves credit for the scope available. Users can pick pictures and videos of their own, or from Zoom’s small library, as well as use a less intrusive background blur.
Zoom suppresses distracting background noises to give you a focused experience. You can adjust the noise cancellation depending on your environment. On the low setting, it’ll suppress faint background noises. On the high setting, it’ll clear louder sounds, like keyboard typing or a dog barking. Much like RingCentral’s AI background noise cancellation feature, and indeed sound-cancelling headphones like AirPods Pro, the technology is still fairly new and does not claim to fully cancel out sounds. With background and sound blurring, Zoom does do a respectable job at highlighting its subject.
With the advanced plans, you can use the admin portal to track meetings and participants, receive usage insights, and manage all your company’s users on one account for simplified billing.
Zoom: User interface
(Image credit: Zoom)
Zoom has a neat, uniform interface on both the mobile and desktop app. The home screen has four large icons to fulfill all your meeting needs: New Meeting, Join, Schedule, and Share Screen. You can use Zoom on the browser, but it lacks some features like meeting recording. Downloading the desktop client takes a few minutes and doesn’t have any restrictions.
With a strong internet connection, audio and video relaying were smooth. Zoom’s latest version is well optimized and used around 15–20% CPU on a 2.20 GHz 4-Core Intel Core i7 device. This is a tremendous upgrade, considering the application used around 50% CPU in 2020 on devices with similar specs. On a Mac with an M1 chip, CPU usage still seemed to be at around 50% on our latest tests, which is disappointing considering the improvements that have been seen elsewhere.
Zoom: Support
(Image credit: Zoom)
Support is limited with Zoom’s free plan: you only have access to the Help Center, which has easy-to-follow video tutorials and guides. There is also a simple chatbot that connects you to the relevant resources.
Pro plan users enjoy better support, with live chat and ticketing, while those on the Business and Enterprise plans can also avail of phone support.
A support ticket’s response time depends on its priority grade. Urgent tickets receive a response in one hour and high priority tickets receive a response in four hours. The normal and low priority tickets get a response within 24 hours. All the advanced plans have 24/7 support across phone, chat, and web, even on public holidays.
Zoom: Security
Zoom now offers end-to-end encryption for its meetings (Image credit: Zoom)
Zoom’s security has improved considerably since 2020. Meetings are secured with Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) 256, which is practically unbreakable by brute computing force. With AES-256, a one-time encryption key is created and managed on Zoom’s servers for every session. But this means the keys can be compromised if Zoom comes under a cybersecurity attack.
To provide enhanced protection, Zoom has launched end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for both free and paid accounts, and users can opt to enable or disable this feature. With E2EE turned on, the encrypted keys are created on the participants’ machines, so only they have access to them. This data can’t be accessed by anyone else, including Zoom. However, activating E2EE disables features like streaming and cloud recording.
Zoom: The competition
There are many video conferencing applications with incredible features, but the best software for you will meet your needs perfectly.
Google Meet, for instance, doesn’t have advanced features like Zoom, but it’s better optimized for smaller teams. As part of Google Workspace, it integrates excellently with other Google applications, like Calendar and Docs. Then there’s Teams from rival company Microsoft, which offers a desktop and mobile app with similar video and chat functionalities, with the benefit of further integration with the company’s other products like OneDrive.
When it comes to security, Webex’s default settings enhance data privacy, so customers aren’t responsible for securing their accounts. Similarly, Lifesize’s meetings are end-to-end encrypted by default. With Zoom, you have to adjust your security settings yourself to avail of additional protection. If security is paramount for you, then Webex and Lifesize won’t disappoint.
Zoom: Final verdict
Zoom is packed with great features and has a clean, user-friendly interface. It has optimized its performance to improve quality and reduce system load, and now offers end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for its meetings. Although Zoom’s default settings don’t bolster account security and privacy, it makes up for this with its advanced features and ease of use.
Zoom is perfect for businesses with rigorous video conferencing needs. But if you only require simple features, then a quick setup web app, like Google Meet, will be more convenient. With a 60-minute limit on meetings and features like screen share, whiteboard, and virtual background, Meet’s free plan is perfect for basic use.
Patriot is an online solution for handling both accounting and payroll tasks. It’s ideally suited to small business owners thanks in particular to its highly praised support, which can help provide ongoing help and also assist your business in configuring the system to work in the first place. The company itself has been around for over three decades, so it clearly has plenty of experience on both the accounting and payroll fronts.
The real bonus with Patriot, however, is that it seems to have retained its original roots feel, with a keenness on providing a great level of customer service and support. Adding to that ongoing appeal is Patriot’s easy-to-use design and a user interface that aims to provide business owners with an affordable accounting solution that’s reasonably stress-free too.
Patriot comes with a very easy to use interface that features a central dashboard (Image credit: Patriot)
Patriot: Pricing
Patriot continues to offer consistent pricing across its product portfolio, which allows business owners to choose from the package that suits their needs the best. Currently, there are two accounting packages, with Accounting Premium being the most popular choice. This comes with all the features required for tracking business expenses, money and invoices. It currently costs $25 per month. A cheaper alternative is Accounting Basic, which costs $15 per month and lets you keep a less comprehensive record of money going in and out of your business.
Meanwhile, the payroll side of things features a full service payroll package, which starts at $30 per month, plus $4 per employee/contractor. This package can let you run payroll, while Patriot takes care of payroll taxes. There’s a basic payroll edition too, which effectively does the same job, but you handle both payroll and payroll taxes yourself. This package starts at $10 per month plus $4 per employee/contractor.
The Payroll tool is easy to set up especially with help from the support team (Image credit: Patriot)
Patriot: Features
Despite its value appeal Patriot still comes armed with plenty of features, with some of the key options outlined below. On the accounting front, this is topped by that free expert support, while functionality is extensive too. Features include unlimited payments to vendors, the ability to create and print 1099s and 1096s, optional 1099 e-filing, expense and income tracking, the option to produce unlimited customer invoices, accept credit card payments, record payments, import bank transactions automatically and integrate your accounts with payroll.
Therefore, the payroll aspect adds another level of value, so if you’re combining the two there’s free expert advice and setup. That's before we get to free direct deposit, the ability to set up an employee portal, workers’ comp integration, unlimited payrolls, the ability to handle all pay frequencies, cover multiple locations, make use of customizable hours, money and deductions alongside integration with other accounting software packages. The whole system is mobile-friendly too, which makes it convenient for people on the go.
The online accounting aspect of Patriot is similarly user friendly (Image credit: Patriot)
Patriot: Performance
Users report that Patriot runs like a dream, which is hardly surprising given that the company has been plying its wares for so long. Given that the service handles a lot of data, particularly when it comes to employee details, Patriot also goes to great pains to remind us that security is its number one priority. Data is encrypted, audited annually and the company also adheres to all federal privacy, anti-fraud and security laws.
You can also use the collated data in Patriot to produce detailed reports (Image credit: Patriot)
Patriot: Ease of use
Setting up any accounting or payroll product for the first time can be daunting, so Patriot gains praise for its ability to get you started and keep things ticking over further down the line. The company has done a great job in making improvements to the usability of the software, especially now that it has implemented a beefy setup wizard that can help new users get up and running faster.
There's even a mobile edition of the Patriot experience for users on the move (Image credit: Patriot)
If you’ve got employees to think about and want to be sure that information input into the system is correct and where it should be then this wizard is a real bonus. Of course, setting things up is always going to be the hardest part of the process due to the need for adding employee data for the first time. However, Patriot has really come up trumps with the latest incarnation of its package.
Patriot gets widely praised for its great levels of help from the support team (Image credit: Patriot)
Patriot: Support
The level of support that comes with the Patriot experience is what seems to drive many of its customers to keep using the online accounting and payroll service. Knowing that you’ve got people who can talk you through the various processes, features and functions is a valuable asset and Patriot consistently secures positive results on this front.
While it is possible to soldier on and do everything yourself, with the benefit of plenty of online guidance, the support options are plentiful, including free phone, email and chat availability whenever you need them. However, the icing on the cake is having the ability to call on a Patriot expert to get you through any tricky stages, with the opportunity for hands-on, live help proving invaluable.
Patriot: Final verdict
Patriot is an excellent software option for business users searching for a duo of solutions on the accounting and payroll front. The company has had a long time to perfect its formula, and while it continues to make improvements including within the user interface, the core tools inside this package come very recommended. The pricing is competitive, the user experience makes it one of the easiest to understand packages out there and the way it uses support is a real bonus.
In addition, having team members on hand to smooth the transition into using it makes Patriot very appealing. Overall then, this is an accounting and payroll package that should be investigated, especially if you're looking for the extra benefit of that hands-on, real-time support.
Wondershare is one of the big names when it comes to creative tools and PC utilities. So, it’s no wonder that its Wondershare Recoverit excels as one of the best photo recovery apps.
The data recovery software has a superb interface, and behind that you’ll find a robust set of features that can recover photos and video – and, if you’re happy to pay for higher levels, you’ll benefit from video repair options and bootable recovery tools too. There's even support for recovering from NAS and Linux devices depending on the version you buy.
On paper, there’s plenty to like.
If you run your own business or just want data recovery for personal files, it’s easy to download and anyone can start using Wondershare Recoverit. There’s more data stored on computers, in photos, and over videos than ever before. Recoverit helps you protect that information so you don’t accidentally delete or have it stolen from you. We’ll cover the basic plan options you can choose from and the features that are included.
Wondershare Recoverit: Plans & pricing
(Image credit: Wondershare Recoverit)
Pricier than some alternatives, and with a restrictive free version
Wondershare Recoverit does a rock-solid job at finding photos, but its pricing sits towards the top-end of the photo recovery market. While it’s worth paying if you want to restore important imagery, that’s worth bearing in mind if you’re on a budget.
The essential product includes photo and data recovery, deep scanning and free tech support, but it costs $69.99 for a one-year, one-PC license and $119 for lifetime access. Both prices lift Recoverit above many of its entry-level contemporaries in the data recovery market.
The Standard product adds the ability to recover pictures from crashed systems and lets users create bootable, portable versions of Recoverit on USB memory sticks, but it costs $79.99 for a one-year license and $139 for a lifetime license.
At the top end is the Premium product, which takes all of those features and adds advanced video recovery, merging and repair tools, not to mention NAS, RAID and Linux recovery. That package costs $99.99 for a year of access or $159.99 for lifetime, but it does support two PCs rather than one.
Wondershare claim that 'Premium' is the most popular version of this product but we’d only recommend it if you need those extra video repair abilities or are dealing with a non-Windows/Mac file system.
We also don’t recommend the free download of Recoverit – its data limit of 100MB is tiny when compared to other free data recovery tools and trials. During our tests we also found that the free version wouldn't recover individual files of less than 100MB - we hit a software paywall each time we tried.
This said, you can use the free version of Recoverit to run a "Quick Scan" and preview your files to see if recovery is possible before paying. If you do this though, remember the utility's preview feature will only play the first 30 seconds of any audio/video file and the first page of certain documents like XML files.
Wondershare Recoverit: Interface
(Image credit: Wondershare)
An impressive interface, but perhaps TMI on-screen
Recoverit has one of the best interfaces you’ll find anywhere in the photo recovery scene. Boot the app, and you’ll see separate sections for your hard disks, SSDs, and external devices – a distinction that many other apps don’t make.
There’s also a section at the bottom where you can quickly access the Recycle Bin, desktop or specific folders, so you’ll be able to reach common scanning scenarios quickly. That’s also welcome because lots of apps don’t allow you to scan an individual folder.
The Recoverit interface is very impressive. In fact, there’s so much information on the website that if you’re new to browsing photo and data recovery software, you might feel a bit overwhelmed. However, after looking around you’ll see how easy it is to view the plans and look at pricing.
If you have questions, there’s an option to launch the FAQ on the Wondershare website. We found that when we entered a query though it displayed answers from external websites as well as the developers.
The online 'User Guide' on the other hand does sit on the Wondershare website and is extremely clear and well laid out.
Recoverit does have customer support, available round the clock. You can easily reach out and chat over the website or send an email if you have additional questions.
This is really important especially if you’re new to the world of data recovery. If you already know what to do, then it’s also easy to start with one of the paid plans.
Wondershare Recoverit: Features
(Image credit: Wondershare)
Good range of options and filtering for ease of use
If you want to recover a specific type of data, Recoverit allows you to. All you need to do is use the filtering function that’s set up in the software and you’ll have access to specific documents or files. Data recovery can go as fast as a few minutes. However, if you have tons of information to restore then it could take hours.
There’s a great computer crash recovery feature which allows you to restore data lost on your hard drive. Even though this is a viable option, it’s always better to backup your data (and then it’s easy to restore) than lose your data and try to retrieve it.
You can recover information lost on a wide variety of devices. Recoverit works on your computer or laptop, camera, drone, music player, even old camcorder. The software is great for recovering files or images that were accidentally lost.
We were especially impressed to see how Recoverit runs simultaneous searches, displaying both found data and "Unsourced Files". These were files that are recoverable but are missing their metadata like filename, time stamp, size and so on.
Wondershare Recoverit: How we tested
For our data recovery tests we used a virtual machine with a clean install of Windows 11. The only third-party tools installed besides Wondershare Recoverit were VLC Media Player and GIMP. We used the free version of the utility to run the tests.
Data files
The files we chose for recovery are an album of Mozart's Music available from the Internet Archive.
We did this as we wanted to see how the utility performed with a wide variety of files.The album included 4 music files (2 in Mp3 and 2 in FLAC) format, 6 JPG image files of album covers (with thumbnails) and 4 PNG image files. The files also included 2 XML files, a torrent file and an 'SQLite' file containing details of the album. There were 25 files in total.
We copied the files in the music album to a 512MB virtual NTFS-formatted hard drive, which was then attached to the Windows 11 virtual machine.
Data tests
The tests were performed one after the other on three separate virtual drives:
1. File deletion: the album files were simply deleted from the drive and the Recycle Bin emptied. No other data was copied to the drive. We then tried to recover the files.
2. Delete & format: The files were deleted as outlined above and we also performed a 'Quick Format' using the 'Disk Management' utility built into Windows 11. We then tried to recover the files from the formatted partition.
3. Recover corrupted files: We used the freeware program 'Victoria' to overwrite the volume header of the drive containing the files with zeroes. The drive didn't mount automatically in File Explorer and showed as being unpartitioned in Windows "Disk Management" utility. We then checked if the utility could see it and if so, recover the files.
We do not believe that running data recovery tools in a virtual environment has a significant effect on how they function. Still, if you're considering buying software we encourage you to read all reviews thoroughly and make sure that the developer offers a refund policy.
Wondershare Recoverit: Test results
Our very first test was run on a drive where the files had simply been deleted from the Recycle Bin. The "Quick Scan" feature found 28 files. These included the original 25 deleted files and their filenames, as well as 3 systems files. All files opened without any issue.
We next tested the drive which had been formatted after the files had been deleted. Wondershare Recoverit discovered 26 files in that case. These files were categorized as "Unsourced", in that their original names and other metadata weren't available.
The utility didn't recover all 25 the original deleted files this time. Of the 26 that were recovered, 4 were system files. The good news is that all the JPG and PNG files were recovered and opened without issue. The same was true for the two MP3 files, XML files and the .sqlite file. The two FLAC audio files and the torrent file weren't recovered this time.
Our final test was on the file with the corrupted volume header. Wondershare Recoverit spotted the "Lost Partition" right away and when we clicked it, performed a "Quick Scan". A total of 50 files were found but all but 21 showed as being unrecoverable, even when we clicked into them to try to repair them.
This is where "Unsourced Files" came to the rescue again. Here we found 21 of the 25 original files, minus their filenames. The FLAC audio files, one JPG thumbnail and the torrent file were missing. All the rest opened without issue.
Wondershare Recoverit: Photo recovery
Huge format and device support make this a versatile option, even if it’s not too quick
As you've seen, the user can easily see images and other files that Recoverit has found during the scanning process. You're also able to instantly start restoration just by clicking in a damaged file – perfect if you can already spot the photos you need. Results are filterable with a broader range of variables than on most other apps, so it’s easier to find your lost images, and you’ll get warned if your disk or drive has any issues.
It’s very easy to use, and Wondershare’s app delivers thorough, in-depth scanning results. This is no surprise when you consider that Wondershare uses 35 data recovery patents to get the job done.
We’ve only got minor issues with scans using this app: In our latest review we were only performing quick scans in a small virtual drive, so results were displayed in seconds. Still, in previous reviews we found scans of larger drives are not particularly fast, especially if you deploy a deep scan.
Photo previews aren’t very well-supported. That’s irritating if you want to look at files before committing to restoration. This is also crucial if you're simply installing Wondershare Recoverit to check if it can detect your missing files before paying for a subscription. As we mentioned, the free version of the app also refused to restore any files for us, even those well below the promised 100 MB quota.
Still, there are many impressive aspects to Recoverit beyond the interface. It’s been verified to work with more than 2,000 different devices, including PC and Mac drives and SSDs, USB memory sticks, SD cards, cameras and external hard drives – it’ll hunt down photos on virtually anything. It also supports more than 1,000 different file formats, which is extensive. Photographers will be pleased to see RAW, PSD and CRW files among all of the key mainstream formats.
This app works with formatted drives, raw disks, partitions, and drives with invalid partition tables or excessive fragmentation. It works on Windows and Mac, too. Support is also excellent: it’s available 24 hours per day, and it’s free.
There are loads of extra features available, although some are only included at higher payment tiers. You’re able to create bootable disks and USB drives to recover photography from crashed PCs, and there’s also video repair, scanning and fragment merging on offer. Sadly, those video repair options don’t extend to photographs.
If you do want video repair, you can select "Enhanced Recovery" from within the Utility. This will only work for drives though : you can't choose specific folders. The utility also only supports the more common video formats like MP4, MOV and AVI. There's a feedback option if you want to request more obscure formats like Theora (OGV).
If the files you've recovered are corrupted, you can also try to repair them with Wondershare's Repairit. This is available as a desktop app, online and via e-mail as a service.
The desktop version is priced at $69.99 a month, $79.99 for a one-year license or $99.99 for lifetime access, so it just adds cost. There is a free version which you can use to check if repair is possible before handing over your money.
Wondershare Recoverit: Final verdict
There’s no doubt that Wondershare Recoverit is one of the market's classiest and most capable photo recovery solutions. Its interface makes it easy to use for beginners, and its range of features and effective scanning make it suitable for pro-tier photo recovery, too.
Wondershare Recoverit is data recovery software that works on practically any device. Even if you want to restore video on your old camcorder, you can use Recoverit to do so. If you want to protect data because you work from home, or just want to know your photos and videos are safe, then you can easily try the free download to see if it’s the right software for you.
Beyond the thorough scanning you’ll find plenty of support for different file systems and formats alongside 24/7 support. Negatively, though, you get video repair but no photo repair at higher tiers, photo previews could be better, and scans could be a bit quicker for larger drives. We were also disappointed to see that the promised quota of 100MB of free recovery wasn't possible, though the 'Preview' feature did allow us to view most file formats.
None of those issues are dealbreakers, though, especially if you want to use Wondershare Recoverit to recover photos and home or in a small business rather than a big enterprise. This is an effective product that combines powerful performance with impressive ease-of-use, so it should be at the top of your list.
What’s great about Recoverit is how easy it is to download and use. You can download the free version and start using it right away to see how it works. You can restore up to 100 MB free without even purchasing the plans. While it’s easy to download the software, the interface is still complex and might take beginners a while to figure out.
Overall, Recoverit is a great data recovery option especially if you want to try one for free before making a purchase.
BambooHR has built up a solid reputation in the relatively short space of time the company has been going. The HR business was first launched back in 2008 by Ben Peterson and Ryan Sanders and continues today from its base in Utah. BambooHR offers a cloud-based HR software solution, rather than outsourcing, that combines a great user interface with lots of practical tools for managing your workforce.
The BambooHR package does a little bit of everything, which includes helping to onboard new employees, analyze people data and manage benefits all while helping to get the job done in a fresh and fun kind of way. That’s not to detract from the potential of this package though as BambooHR has more than enough capability to help business of all shapes and sizes manage their HR workflow.
BambooHR comes with a central dashboard that's a breeze to use (Image credit: BambooHR)
BambooHR: Pricing
The amount of money you pay to enjoy using BambooHR basically depends on the number of employees you have working in your company. You’ll therefore need to get in touch with the sales team to get a precise tailored quote to match your requirements as there is no obvious pricing that we could find.
However, in the meantime it’s possible to try a live demo of the software, which expands to a 7 day trial if you think you want to spend time getting used to the features and functionality. The trial is a full working version and comes complete with sample data, so you don't need to spend time populating the package to see exactly how it works. This is a quick and easy way to see the potential of BambooHR.
The top menu lets you quickly access core functions within BambooHR (Image credit: BambooHR)
BambooHR: Features
Once you’ve created an account and logged in to BambooHR all of the main features are clearly set out in the central dashboard area. There are core options that let you control the vital aspects of your workforce data, with the top menu offering instant access to My Info, People, Hiring, Reports and Files, all of which are pretty self-explanatory.
Over on the right are options for account settings and instant access to help should you need it. The main work area contains widgets with all of the main feature content, plus there’s direct access to crucial records such as vacation and time off for sickness.
BambooHR continues to have improvements made to its set of features, with an open API option allowing you to combine the package with other HR software services where needed. There is also a BambooHR app marketplace too, that lets users explore other BambooHR-friendly software solutions that help compliment its capabilities.
The trial of BambooHR includes sample data to help you gauge its appeal (Image credit: BambooHR)
BambooHR: Performance
During our trial time using BambooHR we found that the SaaS solution performed impeccably, particularly considering it was quite well packed with plenty of sample data. Logging in and getting started was fault free, and even the sign up was a doddle. Once into the main work area we found BambooHR to be everything it promised, with great functionality and no issues with managing records and adding, or deleting data either. Overall, BambooHR really hits the spot with its zesty performance.
It's similarly easy to pull out data and produce reports within BambooHR (Image credit: BambooHR)
BambooHR: Ease of use
There’s a really relaxed learning curve involved with picking up BambooHR, with a user interface based around its central dashboard that makes progress both quick and easy. Despite its laid back layout and menu options, BambooHR actually bristles with plenty of power tools, all designed to let you tackle human resources tools without the stress normally associated with this aspect of business admin.
It's easy to tweak and fine-tune all of the settings within the software (Image credit: BambooHR)
BambooHR is very customizable too, with a settings area that lets you tweak all of the content tools. Access levels, employee fields, approvals, apps, benefits, company directory, email alerts, employee satisfaction, hiring and holidays can all be tailored to suit your needs. It's even possible to drop in your own logo and set a colour scheme as needed.
BambooHR: Support
Once you’re logged into the BambooHR system there’s always help at hand thanks to support options over on the top right-hand side of the program interface. In this region there’s a searchable knowledge base, which can point you towards topics that solve many queries.
Once you're signed in there are help options accessible from within the dashboard (Image credit: BambooHR)
It’s also possible to chat with the support team from here. In the same area is the option to submit a support request. Meanwhile, the BambooHR website has a combination of contact options, including phone numbers if you need to speak with them directly.
BambooHR: Final verdict
BambooHR is a great option for small to medium-sized business that have to tackle human resources chores and more besides. The way it’s been designed and laid out means that those humdrum everyday tasks associated with HR duties are made rather more palatable than normal. It’s got oodles of cool tools nestling in amongst the vibrant user interface, with everything from benefits administration through to performance reviews covered and a whole lot more besides.
The fact that you can test drive the package before committing makes it perfect for business owners who want to make doubly sure it’s going to be right for them before signing up. You’ll need to contact the BambooHR sales team in order to get pricing, although this is based around the number of workers your business employs. BambooHR is certainly one of the easiest solutions of its type out there, with plenty of capacity to accommodate your business as it grows too.
