RingCentral vs Microsoft Teams Phone (2026): Which Is Better for UK Businesses? Quick answer
If your business needs a full-featured cloud phone system with advanced call handling, RingCentral is typically the better option, but if you already rely heavily on Microsoft 365 and want calling built directly into Teams, Microsoft Teams Phone is often more cost-effective and simpler to manage.
In short we think:
RingCentra l = best for phone-first businesses.
Teams Phone = best for Microsoft-first businesses.
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Contents
What is RingCentral?
What is MS Teams?
RingCentral vs Teams Phone
Pricing comparison
Which is best?
Key takeaways (2026)
RingCentral is a dedicated UCaaS platform with deeper telephony features
Teams Phone is tightly integrated into Microsoft 365 and ideal for collaboration-led teams
RingCentral typically costs more but includes richer call management tools
Teams Phone often requires add-ons (calling plans or Operator Connect) to match RingCentral features
Both support remote, hybrid and multi-site UK businesses
Choice usually comes down to feature depth vs ecosystem simplicity
How do we work?
Transparent, impartial, and data‑driven reviews made by a team of expert humans, never AI generated – here’s exactly how Compare Your Business Costs helps you find the best deals from trusted UK providers: click here
Authored by: Ally Cox (Business Technology & B2B Services Specialist 10+ Years’ Experience)
Reviewed by: James Ward (Telecoms Specialist, 12+ Years Experience)
Last Updated: January 2026
What is RingCentral? RingCentral is a cloud-based VoIP and unified communications platform offering voice, video, messaging, SMS and contact centre tools in one system, and was initially created as a phone-first solution, with advanced features such as call queues, IVR, analytics, recording and CRM integrations built in as standard.
they are commonly used by:
Sales teams
Customer service teams
Growing SMEs and mid-market organisations
Businesses replacing traditional PBX systems
What is Microsoft Teams Phone? Microsoft Teams Phone turns Microsoft Teams into a business phone system, allowing users to make and receive external calls from the Teams app. It works alongside Microsoft 365 and can be deployed using Microsoft Calling Plans, Operator Connect, or Direct Routing via a SIP provider.
they are commonly chosen by:
Businesses already using Microsoft 365
Hybrid and remote teams
Organisations prioritising collaboration over advanced telephony
RingCentral vs Teams Phone: Feature comparison RingCentral strengths
Advanced call handling (queues, IVR, call routing)
Built-in call analytics and reporting
Native CRM integrations (Salesforce, HubSpot)
Strong contact centre and omnichannel options
Designed specifically as a VoIP platform
Teams Phone strengths
Native Microsoft 365 integration
Familiar interface for Teams users
Lower entry cost for existing Microsoft customers
Strong collaboration features (chat, meetings, file sharing)
Flexible connectivity via Operator Connect or Direct Routing
RingCentral vs Microsoft Teams Phone: feature comparison
Feature RingCentral Microsoft Teams Phone
Best for
Businesses needing a full standalone VoIP & UCaaS platform
Businesses already using Microsoft 365
Typical users
10–1,000+ users
5–5,000+ users
Pricing model
Per user, per month (public pricing tiers)
Add-on to Microsoft 365 licences
Public pricing
Yes (tiered plans)
Partially (licence + calling plan costs)
Cloud phone system
Yes (native, full-featured PBX)
Yes (via Teams Phone licence)
SIP trunking
Yes
Yes (via Operator Connect or Direct Routing)
Call queues & IVR
Included on most plans
Available, but setup can be more complex
Call recording
Built-in on many plans
Often requires add-ons or compliance licences
Analytics & reporting
Advanced, admin-friendly dashboards
Basic by default, advanced via Power BI
CRM integrations
Strong (Salesforce, HubSpot, Zendesk, etc.)
Limited unless using third-party tools
Video meetings
Yes (RingCentral Meetings)
Yes (Teams meetings – very strong)
Mobile & desktop apps
Yes
Yes
International calling
Strong global coverage
Available, but region-dependent
Ease of setup
Quick for VoIP-first deployments
Easier if already on Microsoft 365
Support model
RingCentral support + partners
Microsoft + operator / partner support
Ideal use case
Replacing a traditional phone system
Adding calling to Teams collaboration
Pricing comparison RingCentral
Per-user, per-month pricing
Costs increase with advanced features and analytics
Generally mid-to-premium priced compared to UK VoIP providers
Microsoft Teams Phone
Teams Phone licence + calling plan or SIP provider
Often cheaper for Microsoft 365 users
Costs can rise when adding advanced call features or integrations
Rule of thumb:
RingCentral costs more upfront but includes more telephony features. Teams Phone can be cheaper initially but may need add-ons to match RingCentral’s capability.
Which is best for call quality and reliability? Both platforms deliver excellent call quality when paired with:
Stable business broadband
QoS-enabled routers
Wired connections for high-volume users
But we think that RingCentral benefits from being a dedicated voice platform, while Teams Phone quality depends more heavily on your Microsoft tenant setup and chosen calling method.
Which is easier to manage?
RingCentral: Centralised admin portal designed specifically for telephony
Teams Phone: Managed through Microsoft 365 admin tools, which may already be familiar
Therefore, for non-technical teams, RingCentral often feels more intuitive for phone management, but for, say, IT teams already managing Microsoft 365, Teams Phone is simpler operationally.
Who should choose RingCentral? we think that RingCentral is usually a better fit if you:
Rely heavily on inbound and outbound calling
Need advanced call routing, reporting or recording
Run sales or support teams
Want a phone system that works independently of Microsoft
Who should choose Microsoft Teams Phone? and on the other hand, we think that Teams Phone is usually a better fit if you:
Already use Microsoft 365 company-wide
Prioritise collaboration over telephony depth
Want calling built directly into Teams
Have relatively straightforward call flows
FAQs Is RingCentral better than Microsoft Teams Phone?
It depends on your use case. RingCentral is stronger for advanced telephony, while Teams Phone is better for Microsoft-centric collaboration.
Is Teams Phone cheaper than RingCentral?
Often yes, especially if you already pay for Microsoft 365. However, costs can increase once calling plans or SIP providers are added.
Can RingCentral integrate with Microsoft Teams?
Yes. RingCentral offers direct Microsoft Teams integrations, allowing users to keep Teams while using RingCentral for calling.
Does Teams Phone replace a traditional PBX?
Yes. Teams Phone can fully replace on-premise PBX systems when configured correctly.
Which is better for remote teams?
Both platforms support remote and hybrid working very well, with mobile and desktop apps.
Do I need special broadband for either system?
Not always, but business-grade broadband or leased lines improve reliability significantly for high call volumes.
Can I switch between RingCentral and Teams Phone later?
Yes, but switching platforms usually involves number porting, user retraining and system reconfiguration.
How to Purc hase Ring Central Direct:
Alternatively:
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Hi, I’m Ally Cox , a senior copywriter and blogger at CompareYourBusinessCosts.co.uk, the UK’s trusted platform for comparing business services.over a decade of experience in the B2B sector, I specialise in simplifying complex topics like leased lines, VoIP, business energy, HR and payroll solutions, accounting software, and EPOS systems .HR, copywriting, and business operations- from clocking-in systems to card machines and office technology .informed, confident decisions when choosing products and services that improve efficiency and save money.
