Mitel vs RingCentral – Comparing features and costs to help you choose

Mitel and RingCentral are two of the leading providers in the VoIP and unified communications space, each offering a range of features that can transform the way businesses operate. In this analysis, we’ll compare the features, pricing, and overall value of Mitel vs RingCentral to help UK businesses make an informed decision.

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Overview of Mitel vs RingCentral

Mitel is a well-established provider in the communications industry, particularly known for its on-premise phone systems and cloud-based VoIP solutions. The company serves businesses of all sizes but has a strong focus on medium to large enterprises. Its product portfolio includes unified communications, contact centres, and collaboration tools.

RingCentral is a cloud-native platform offering a complete suite of unified communications-as-a-service (UCaaS) solutions. RingCentral is designed for businesses of all sizes and is particularly popular among small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) due to its ease of use, flexibility, and robust integrations.

Feature/AspectMitelRingCentral
DeploymentCloud and on-premise optionsFully cloud-based
Unified communicationsMiCloud Connect (voice, video, messaging, etc.)RingCentral MVP (Message, Video, Phone)
Video conferencingBasic video functionalityAdvanced video features with RingCentral Video
Contact centre solutionsMiCloud Flex (omnichannel, workforce management, advanced analytics)RingCentral Contact Centre (omnichannel, scalable, integrated with cloud)
IntegrationsMicrosoft Teams, Salesforce, othersGoogle Workspace, Microsoft 365, Slack, extensive app gallery
CustomisationHigh customisation, especially for on-premise solutionsLimited, but APIs available for custom integrations
Mobile appMiCollab for mobile collaborationRingCentral mobile app with full functionality
Call recordingAvailable with MiCloud Connect Premier and aboveAvailable with Premium and above packages
Analytics and reportingAdvanced analytics (especially for contact centres)Included in Premium and Ultimate plans
SecurityStrong security features for on-premise systems, cloud options secured by MitelRobust cloud security with compliance certifications (SOC 2, GDPR, etc.)
User interfaceCustomisable but less intuitive than RingCentralUser-friendly interface with easy navigation
Support24/7 support, better for large businesses24/7 support, more accessible for small to medium businesses
ScalabilitySuited for medium to large enterprises, on-premise scaling depends on infrastructureHighly scalable for businesses of all sizes due to cloud-based nature
Pricing (Cloud)Starts from £16 per user/month (Essentials)Starts from £8.99 per user/month (Essentials)
Premium pricing (Cloud)£26 per user/month (Elite)£24.99 per user/month (Ultimate)
On-premise optionAvailable, with initial setup and hardware costsNot available (cloud-only)
Ideal forMedium to large enterprises with complex requirementsSMBs and businesses seeking simplicity and scalability
Pros– Flexible deployment options
– Strong contact centre features
– High customisation for enterprises
– Fully cloud-based
– Superior video conferencing
– Transparent pricing for SMBs
Cons– On-premise systems have high upfront costs
– Less advanced video features
– Pricing is less transparent
– Limited customisation for larger enterprises
– May not be ideal for complex contact centres
Mitel vs RingCentral

Key features comparison

1. Cloud vs on-premise solutions

One of the fundamental differences between Mitel and RingCentral is their approach to deployment.

  • Mitel offers both on-premise PBX systems and cloud-based VoIP solutions. This gives businesses more flexibility in how they manage their communications infrastructure. For companies that prefer maintaining control over their phone systems, Mitel’s on-premise options are highly customisable and secure.
  • RingCentral, on the other hand, is fully cloud-based. This eliminates the need for businesses to manage physical hardware, allowing them to access all communication tools via the cloud. The scalability of RingCentral’s cloud solutions makes it a compelling option for companies that expect rapid growth or need to support a remote workforce.

2. Unified communications

Both Mitel and RingCentral offer comprehensive unified communications solutions that integrate voice, video, messaging, and collaboration tools into a single platform.

  • Mitel MiCloud Connect delivers a full suite of communication tools, including HD voice calling, instant messaging, video conferencing, and mobile apps for remote work. It also integrates with a range of third-party business applications such as Microsoft Teams and Salesforce.
  • RingCentral MVP (Message, Video, Phone) offers a similarly robust set of features. RingCentral’s standout is its seamless integration of messaging, video conferencing, and voice into one easy-to-use interface. RingCentral also integrates with a wide variety of business applications like Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and Slack, enhancing productivity and collaboration.

3. Video conferencing

With remote working now the norm, video conferencing is a must-have feature for most businesses.

  • Mitel offers video conferencing as part of its unified communications solution, but its video functionality is not as prominent as that of RingCentral. Mitel focuses more on voice communications and contact centres.
  • RingCentral has built a reputation for its advanced video conferencing features. RingCentral Video offers high-quality video meetings with screen sharing, team collaboration, and document sharing functionalities. It competes strongly with other leading video platforms like Zoom.

4. Contact centre solutions

Both providers offer advanced contact centre capabilities, but with different approaches:

  • Mitel MiCloud Flex provides a comprehensive contact centre solution that includes omnichannel support, workforce management, and advanced analytics. This is ideal for medium to large enterprises with sophisticated contact centre requirements.
  • RingCentral Contact Centre also offers omnichannel capabilities, including voice, chat, email, and social media support. It’s cloud-based and scalable, making it a strong option for businesses of all sizes, including those looking to scale quickly or support hybrid working models.

5. Integration and customisation

  • Mitel offers a wide range of integrations, particularly for businesses using Microsoft Teams, Salesforce, or similar enterprise-level platforms. Mitel also allows customisation for businesses with specific needs in terms of call flows, reporting, and contact management.
  • RingCentral is known for its extensive integrations with hundreds of third-party apps through its App Gallery. Businesses using popular platforms like Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, or Slack will find RingCentral’s integrations particularly beneficial. The platform also offers APIs for custom integrations, making it highly adaptable.

Mitel vs RingCentral cost comparison

Pricing is a key consideration for any business looking to choose between Mitel and RingCentral. Both providers offer flexible pricing models, but there are significant differences in cost structure.

Mitel pricing

Mitel’s pricing is highly customisable based on the specific needs of the business. It offers three main pricing tiers for its cloud solutions, but businesses seeking on-premise systems will need to factor in additional costs for hardware and maintenance.

  1. MiCloud Connect Essentials: Pricing starts from around £16 per user, per month, offering basic VoIP functionality.
  2. MiCloud Connect Premier: From around £21 per user, per month, with additional features such as call recording and conferencing.
  3. MiCloud Connect Elite: Priced from £26 per user, per month, offering all features, including advanced analytics and contact centre capabilities.

Mitel’s pricing can vary based on the deployment (cloud vs on-premise), the number of users, and any custom requirements the business may have. Additionally, businesses opting for an on-premise system will need to budget for the initial setup, hardware, and ongoing maintenance.

RingCentral pricing

RingCentral’s pricing is more transparent and standardised, making it easier for businesses to budget. The platform offers four main pricing tiers, all of which are cloud-based:

  1. Essentials: £8.99 per user, per month, for up to 20 users. This includes basic messaging and phone features.
  2. Standard: £14.99 per user, per month, offering unlimited users, unlimited internet fax, and advanced call handling.
  3. Premium: £19.99 per user, per month, with additional features like automatic call recording, CRM integration, and advanced analytics.
  4. Ultimate: £24.99 per user, per month, offering all the Premium features, plus device status reports and detailed analytics.

RingCentral’s pricing tends to be more competitive for SMBs looking for an all-in-one solution with minimal upfront costs. Since RingCentral is fully cloud-based, there are no additional costs for hardware or ongoing maintenance, which can be a significant saving for businesses.

Pros and cons

Mitel pros:

  • Flexible deployment options (cloud and on-premise).
  • Strong contact centre and enterprise-level solutions.
  • Customisable features and integrations for larger businesses.

Mitel cons:

  • On-premise systems require significant upfront costs.
  • Video conferencing features are less advanced than RingCentral’s.
  • Pricing is less transparent and may involve hidden costs.

RingCentral pros:

  • Fully cloud-based, making it easier to scale.
  • Advanced video conferencing and collaboration tools.
  • Transparent and competitive pricing for SMBs.
  • Extensive app integrations, enhancing productivity.

RingCentral cons:

  • Limited customisation for businesses with complex needs.
  • May not be ideal for enterprises with specific contact centre requirements.

Conclusion – Mitel vs RingCentral

When deciding between Mitel vs RingCentral, businesses need to consider their specific communication needs, infrastructure preferences, and budget.

  • Mitel is an excellent choice for medium to large enterprises that require highly customisable solutions, particularly those looking for a mix of on-premise and cloud options. Its robust contact centre capabilities and enterprise-level features make it a good fit for businesses with complex communication needs.
  • RingCentral is better suited for businesses seeking a fully cloud-based, all-in-one solution with minimal maintenance. Its competitive pricing, extensive integrations, and superior video conferencing features make it particularly appealing to small and medium-sized businesses.

Ultimately, the choice between Mitel vs RingCentral will depend on your business’s priorities—whether you prefer flexibility and customisation or ease of use and scalability.

FAQ

Which is better for VoIP services, Mitel or RingCentral?

Both Mitel and RingCentral offer excellent VoIP services, but RingCentral provides more comprehensive features, including multi-level IVR and advanced call routing. Mitel excels in reliability and traditional telephony, making it a solid choice for businesses looking for stable, proven VoIP solutions.

Do Mitel and RingCentral offer unified communications solutions?

Yes, both Mitel and RingCentral offer unified communications (UC) solutions. RingCentral has a more extensive UC platform, including video conferencing, messaging, and task management. Mitel also offers UC, focusing more on integrating telephony and communication tools, ideal for businesses prioritising traditional phone systems.

Which platform offers better video conferencing, Mitel or RingCentral?

RingCentral excels in video conferencing, supporting up to 200 participants with advanced features like breakout rooms and analytics. Mitel offers video conferencing through its MiCollab platform, but its capacity and features are more limited compared to RingCentral’s comprehensive video tools.

Is Mitel or RingCentral more affordable for businesses?

Pricing for Mitel depends on custom solutions and varies by the provider. RingCentral’s pricing is transparent and tiered, starting at £19.99 per user/month. Mitel may be more cost-effective for businesses needing primarily telephony, while RingCentral is priced competitively for those needing an all-in-one communication platform.

Which has better mobile apps, Mitel or RingCentral?

RingCentral’s mobile app is more comprehensive, offering all desktop features, including messaging, video conferencing, and call management. Mitel’s mobile app focuses more on telephony features, making it useful for call management but not as feature-rich for remote work and collaboration as RingCentral’s mobile experience.

Does Mitel or RingCentral offer more third-party integrations?

RingCentral supports over 200 third-party integrations, including CRMs, productivity tools, and project management software, making it highly adaptable. Mitel offers integrations but focuses primarily on telephony and business communication tools, with fewer options compared to RingCentral’s extensive integration capabilities.

Which platform is better for team collaboration, Mitel or RingCentral?

RingCentral is better for team collaboration, providing messaging, task management, file sharing, and integration with tools like Google Workspace and Microsoft 365. Mitel offers team messaging and file sharing through MiCollab, but its collaboration tools are not as advanced or comprehensive as RingCentral’s.

Which platform offers better security features, Mitel or RingCentral?

Both Mitel and RingCentral offer strong security measures. RingCentral provides enterprise-grade security with multi-factor authentication, data encryption, and compliance with GDPR and HIPAA. Mitel also offers secure communications with encryption, but RingCentral’s security framework is generally considered more extensive.

Which platform is better for scalability, Mitel or RingCentral?

RingCentral is better for scalability, with its cloud-based infrastructure supporting large enterprises and distributed teams. It’s easy to scale up with additional features and users. Mitel is reliable for scaling within traditional telephony systems but may not be as flexible for businesses needing extensive cloud communication tools.

Who should choose Mitel over RingCentral?

Businesses prioritising traditional telephony with proven reliability should choose Mitel, especially if they need a mix of on-premises and cloud-based solutions. RingCentral is better for businesses seeking a cloud-first approach with robust collaboration, video conferencing, and scalability across large teams and remote work environments.

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