RingCentral vs. Zoom: Key differentiators you need to know

"Vs," for versus, against a dark background with a lighter blue streak running between the V and S.If you’re considering migrating your on-premises phone system to the cloud or replacing your current Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) platform, you might be overwhelmed by all the options and suppliers in the cloud phone system marketplace.

As a trusted partner of Zoom and RingCentral, Stratosphere Networks can help you determine which cloud solution makes the most sense for your business. Our technology advisors have experience with both Zoom and RingCentral deployments and can identify the ideal product for your organization after evaluating your current situation, requirements, and objectives. On top of that, our price parity guarantee means working with us won’t cost you more than going straight to the supplier.

One way we add value for our clients is by producing objective comparison matrices showing how different products stack up against each other. Seeing the software compared side-by-side can streamline the decision-making process. That’s why we’re publishing this “versus” blog series to illustrate how leading cloud phone systems compare in terms of key differentiators and features.

This blog entry will look at how RingCentral compares with Zoom as a cloud phone system supplier. Before reviewing the matrix, here’s some essential background about each provider.

Cloud phone system profile: RingCentral

RingCentral logoRingCentral has delivered leading business communication solutions since 1999. Headquartered in Belmont, CA, with regional offices worldwide, this supplier stands out in the UCaaS space for their intuitive and easy-to-deploy software. RingCentral’s cloud phone system offering is accessible from any device with an internet connection and boasts high reliability and security. On top of that, it comes with over 300 app integrations. They also provide a contact center platform that’s a leader in leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) in innovative ways.

Additionally, this supplier’s products integrate with Microsoft Teams. RingCentral has a presence in over 45 countries and territories worldwide and serves businesses of all sizes around the world including healthcare, education, retail, and high-tech, among other industries.

Cloud phone system profile: Zoom

Zoom logo.At the beginning of 2020, when everyone suddenly needed a way to stay connected from home, Zoom emerged as a convenient platform for working and socializing from a distance. Based in San Jose, CA, this supplier has delivered outstanding video communications solutions since 2011. Zoom’s UCaaS offering continues to drive productivity and streamline collaboration for businesses of all sizes globally with an intuitive interface, reliability, HD video and audio, high-level security, easy scalability, and other useful features.

With Zoom, you can also easily add telephone users to your meetings, and it’s easy for end users to transition from on-premises solutions if they already have experience using the platform for meetings. This supplier also offers a newer contact center solution that continues to evolve and has a global presence with phone service in over 40 countries and territories.

ProviderRingCentralZoom
HQSupplier’s headquartersBelmont, CASan Jose, CA
# of EmployeesSize of supplier by employee count4,0005,000+
Public / PrivatePrivately owned or publicly tradedPublic: RNGPublic: ZM
Seats in ServiceNumber of licenses deployed2M70+ Million UCaaS Subscribers with over 2 Million Phone Seats
Gartner Magic Quadrant 2022This provider’s placement in Gartner’s Magic Quadrant for the industryLeadersLeaders
Sweet SpotIdeal opportunities for the provider500 – 25,000 seats150-10,000+ seats
Key AcquisitionsCompanies acquired and integrated into the supplier’s offeringDimelo – Renamed RingCentral Engage (a social media customer communications service)

Glip

Keybase, Kites
Datacenter LocationsLocation of supplier’s data centers

APAC: Asia-Pacific

EMEA: Europe, Middle East, Africa

LATAM: Latin America

NA: North America

NA: Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Jose, Seattle, Toronto, Vienna (VA)

EMEA: Amsterdam, London, Paris, Zurich

APAC: Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo

LATAM: Rio de Janeiro

NA: Denver, New York City, San Jose

EMEA: Amsterdam, Frankfurt

APAC: Hong Kong, Melbourne, Mumbai (pending – 2H 2020), Sydney, Tokyo

LATAM: São Paulo (pending – 2H 2020)

Compatible HandsetsIP phones supported and/or resold by supplierCisco (SPA), Mitel, Poly, Yealink (click here for device list)AudioCodes, Cisco, Poly, Yealink (click here for device list)
PlatformDoes provider leverage a proprietary/native platform or leverage a platform via third-party partnership?ProprietaryProprietary
ComplianceRegulatory compliances the supplier meetsCyber Security, FINRA, GDPR, HIPAA, HITRUST CSF, PCI, SOC 2, SOXGDPR, FedRAMP, HIPPA, SOC2, CSA-STAR, IAPP, NCSC DOD IL2, FERPA, PIPE DA/PHIPA

Full List Available Here

GDPR ComplianceAbility to comply with new EU standardYesYes
Contact CenterContact center solutions the supplier offersRingCentral Contact Center (NICE inContact) RingCentral EngagePartners with Five9, NICE inContact, Twilio, Talkdesk, Genesys. Currently deploying proprietary version called VEC (Video Engagement Center)
Key System EmulationCan imitate Key Phone System functionalityNoYes
SIP Trunking AvailableDoes the supplier offer SIP trunking services for onpremises PBXs?NoYes
CRM / ERP / Ticketing App Integration3rd-party SaaS solutions with which the supplier has pre-built integrationsSalesforce, Bullhorn, HubSpot, Microsoft Dynamics, NetSuite, Oracle Sales Cloud, ServiceNow, Zendesk, ZohoSalesforce, HubSpot, Microsoft Dynamics, ServiceNow Zendesk, Zoho

Full List Here

Productivity App Integration3rd-party mail/collaboration solutions with which the supplier has pre-built integrationsGoogle Workspace, Microsoft/Office365, Slack, Microsoft TeamsGoogle Workspace, Microsoft/Office365, Slack, Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams IntegrationsSupplier’s capability with Microsoft TeamsDirect Routing for PSTN access

Embedded Softphone Dialer (Teams webversion)

Embedded Softphone Dialer

Bot integration

SD-WAN OfferingsSD-WAN technologies that these providers offer and manage themselves.nonenone
Circuits OfferedDo these suppliers offer Dedicated Circuits for UCaaS traffic only, Internet circuits, and/or SIP trunking?If yes, please specific which ones.yes; dedicated voice circuitsno
Bring Your Own MPLSIf MPLS is supported, can the client bring any MPLS provider? Additional cost likely to applyyesyes
Notable ClientsKey customer wins (references available upon request)Chili’s, Golden State Warriors, HyattAccess Physicians, Kiesel Law, Trend Micro, University of Washington

Additional case studies here. References available upon request.

Top Customer VerticalsVerticals in which supplier has historically had the most successFinancial Services, Healthcare, Retail, SLEDEducation, Healthcare, Professional Services, Technology
On-Site Implementation / TrainingDoes the supplier charge extra for these services?Add-on admin implementation & training available beyond standard services providedYes
Implementation OverviewDescription or link providing further detailImplementation OverviewImplementation Overview
DowndetectorCollection of reports offering real-time status and outage informationDowndetector: RingCentralDowndetector: Zoom
Collaboration Solutions AvailableNative and/or 3rd-party resale options offered by supplierRingCentral Meetings, RingCentral Rooms, RingCentral Room Connector, RingCentral WebinarZoom Meetings, Webinars, Room Systems
DifferentiatorsUnique features of the provider30+ Data Centers worldwide; 45+ carrier peering; 200+ ISP Peering

40+ Global Office Countries with expanded International Virtual Number coverage to 100+ countries; localization for 16 languages, and service to China & India (ICB)

100+ ISV Partners; largest developer community in the cloud space – 40,000+ Developers, 30+ GLIP Integrations, 250 + RESTful APIs and Cloud Integrations

World-class video/web conferencing platform, including Zoom Room Systems with wireless content sharing and oneclick meetings

Single platform organically developed, providing a consistent user experience across chat, meetings, and phone on any preferred device

Contact Center partnerships with Five9, Genesys, NICE inContact, Talkdesk, and Twilio, allowing agents to use Zoom Phone endpoints to field voice interactions

Zoom App Marketplace with 200+ apps and bots, along with free access to APIs and SDKs

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If you’re interested in learning more about your cloud phone system options, our advisors can identify the best product for your business. Take the first step toward better business communications today by calling 877-599-3999 or emailing sales@stratospherenetworks.com to schedule a consultation.

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