When choosing the right communication solution for your business, it’s essential to evaluate both features and costs. Mitel and Vonage are two prominent players in the cloud-based communications market, each offering an array of products designed to cater to various business needs. In this detailed comparison, we’ll explore the features, pricing structures, and the pros and cons of Mitel vs Vonage to help you make an informed decision for your UK business.
Overview of Mitel vs Vonage
Mitel is well known for its long-standing history in traditional telecoms and its evolution into VoIP and unified communications solutions. It serves businesses of all sizes with a range of products from basic telephony to advanced unified communications and collaboration (UC&C) tools.
Vonage, on the other hand, started as a residential VoIP provider and has grown to become a leading cloud communications platform, particularly noted for its flexibility, mobile apps, and integration capabilities. Vonage offers a comprehensive suite of business communications products, including cloud-hosted VoIP, contact centre solutions, and APIs for custom communications solutions.
| Category | Mitel | Vonage |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | Traditional telecoms provider with a robust VoIP and UCaaS solution, suitable for enterprises. | Cloud-based communications platform known for flexibility and customisation. |
| VoIP Telephony | Yes | Yes |
| Unified Communications (UC) | Yes, with MiCloud Connect and MiCollab. | Yes, with Vonage Business Communications. |
| Mobile App | Yes, available for both iOS and Android. | Yes, mobile-friendly and easy to use. |
| Video Conferencing | Yes, via Mitel Meetings (part of MiCollab). | Yes, through Vonage Meetings (browser-based, no software needed). |
| Contact Centre Solutions | Yes, via MiContact Centre (advanced features for large enterprises). | Yes, Vonage Contact Center (easy integration with CRM like Salesforce). |
| Third-Party Integrations | Extensive integrations with Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, Salesforce, etc. | Extensive integrations, including Google Workspace, Microsoft Teams, and Salesforce. |
| APIs for Custom Solutions | Limited API capabilities for custom communications. | Extensive API-driven platform for customisation (Vonage Communications APIs). |
| Scalability | Excellent scalability for enterprises. | Suitable for SMEs and enterprises, highly scalable. |
| International Calling | Yes, supports international communication. | Yes, offers global communication services. |
| Security and Reliability | High-level security and compliance features for enterprise use. | Secure and reliable, suitable for SMEs and larger businesses. |
| Ease of Use | User-friendly but geared towards enterprise-level complexity. | Easy to set up and use, ideal for businesses of all sizes. |
| Customer Support | 24/7 support, with enterprise-grade SLAs available. | 24/7 support, with dedicated account managers for larger businesses. |
| Entry-Level Pricing Plan | From £16 per user/month | From £12 per user/month |
| Mid-Tier Pricing Plan | From £21 per user/month | From £20 per user/month |
| Enterprise-Level Pricing Plan | From £26 per user/month | From £25 per user/month |
| Pros | – Comprehensive UCaaS solution. – Strong focus on large enterprises. – Advanced contact centre features. – Trusted provider with long history. | – Competitive pricing for SMEs. – Extensive API and customisation options. – Flexible and mobile-friendly. – Strong integration with CRM tools. |
| Cons | – Higher pricing compared to competitors. – Less customisation via APIs. | – Contact centre solutions not as advanced for large operations. – Less enterprise focus. |
Key features comparison
VoIP and unified communications
Both Mitel and Vonage offer VoIP and unified communications solutions designed to streamline business communications. Mitel’s MiCloud Connect is a comprehensive UCaaS (Unified Communications as a Service) platform, which integrates voice, video, messaging, and collaboration tools in a single interface. It’s particularly suited for larger enterprises and businesses that require robust scalability.
Vonage offers a similar solution with its Vonage Business Communications platform. It combines voice, video, messaging, and conferencing tools, with a particular emphasis on mobile capabilities and flexibility. Vonage also has a strong focus on APIs, allowing businesses to build custom communication tools to suit specific needs, an area where it has a clear edge over Mitel.
Contact centre solutions
If your business needs a contact centre, both Mitel and Vonage offer capable solutions. Mitel’s MiContact Centre provides omnichannel communication support, workforce management, and analytics, making it a robust solution for enterprises handling high call volumes.
Vonage’s Contact Center solution is highly flexible, integrating smoothly with CRM platforms like Salesforce. It’s also cloud-based, which offers easy scalability, making it a great choice for growing businesses.
Integrations
Both providers offer a wide range of third-party integrations. Mitel’s platforms integrate with Microsoft Teams, Salesforce, and Google Workspace, among others, ensuring that businesses using popular productivity and CRM tools can create a seamless communication environment.
Vonage excels in this area, offering not only the common integrations with tools like Google Workspace, Microsoft Teams, Salesforce, but also extensive API-driven capabilities for businesses looking to create custom integrations. This API capability can be especially valuable for businesses with specific or unique workflows.
Video conferencing
Both providers have built-in video conferencing capabilities, but the user experience may vary. Mitel offers Mitel Meetings through its MiCollab platform, allowing for HD video conferencing with features like screen sharing and file sharing.
Vonage offers Vonage Meetings, a browser-based video conferencing tool that integrates seamlessly with its Business Communications platform. Vonage’s video conferencing solution is noted for its ease of use, with no need for additional software downloads, making it accessible and convenient.
Mitel vs Vonage pricing comparison
Pricing is a significant consideration, especially for UK businesses that need a solution that fits within budget constraints. Below is a high-level comparison of the pricing structures for Mitel and Vonage.
| Pricing Plan | Mitel | Vonage |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level plan | From £16 per user/month | From £12 per user/month |
| Mid-tier plan | From £21 per user/month | From £20 per user/month |
| Enterprise-level plan | From £26 per user/month | From £25 per user/month |
Both providers offer tiered pricing structures, typically based on the number of features included. Mitel’s plans tend to be slightly more expensive than Vonage’s, particularly at the entry level. However, Mitel is well-suited to larger organisations that require more robust solutions with higher scalability.
Vonage, on the other hand, offers more competitive pricing for smaller businesses or those seeking flexibility with fewer upfront costs. Vonage’s API-driven solutions also provide excellent value for companies looking to develop custom communications solutions without paying for enterprise-grade features they may not need.
Key differentiators
- Mitel’s strength lies in its enterprise-grade solutions, excellent scalability, and deep-rooted telecoms expertise. Businesses looking for a robust and established platform with a track record in traditional and VoIP telephony may prefer Mitel.
- Vonage stands out for its flexibility, competitive pricing, and developer-friendly API offerings. If your business prioritises mobile capabilities, ease of use, and customisable communications, Vonage could be a better choice.
Pros and cons of Mitel vs Vonage
Mitel pros:
- Comprehensive UCaaS solution
- Strong enterprise focus with excellent scalability
- Advanced contact centre features
- Wide range of integrations with popular business tools
- Trusted by large businesses with high communication demands
Mitel cons:
- Pricing may be higher compared to competitors
- Less emphasis on customisation via APIs
Vonage pros:
- Highly flexible and mobile-friendly
- Competitive pricing for SMEs
- Extensive API capabilities for customisation
- Easy-to-use video conferencing
- Strong integration with CRM tools like Salesforce
Vonage cons:
- Not as enterprise-focused as Mitel
- Contact centre solutions may not be as advanced for very large operations
Which is best for your UK business?
Choosing between Mitel vs Vonage ultimately comes down to the size, needs, and priorities of your business.
- Mitel is ideal if you’re a larger organisation looking for a robust, enterprise-level solution with proven reliability, especially if you require advanced contact centre functionality.
- Vonage may be better suited to smaller or mid-sized businesses that need flexibility, mobile capabilities, and the ability to integrate with various tools and platforms easily. Its competitive pricing and custom API options also make it an attractive option for businesses with specific communication needs.
By thoroughly evaluating your business’s communication requirements, budget, and long-term growth plans, you’ll be in a better position to choose between these two reputable providers.
FAQ
Vonage is typically better for small businesses due to its flexible pricing, easy setup, and mobile-friendly features. It offers strong integration with CRM tools and APIs for customisation, making it a great fit for growing SMEs. Mitel is more suited for larger enterprises.
Vonage tends to offer more affordable entry-level plans, starting from £12 per user/month. Mitel’s pricing begins at £16 per user/month but provides more enterprise-grade features. For businesses needing advanced functionalities, Mitel’s higher price might justify its offering, whereas Vonage is ideal for cost-conscious SMEs.
Yes, both Mitel and Vonage provide contact centre solutions. Mitel’s MiContact Centre is suited for large enterprises needing robust features. Vonage’s Contact Center integrates well with CRM tools like Salesforce and is ideal for growing businesses, though it may not match Mitel in enterprise-level capabilities.
Vonage has a slight edge with extensive third-party integrations, particularly for CRM tools like Salesforce, Microsoft Teams, and Google Workspace. It also excels in API-driven customisation. Mitel offers strong integrations as well, but Vonage’s developer-friendly platform makes it more flexible for custom solutions.
Both Mitel and Vonage offer excellent scalability. Mitel is well-suited for large enterprises with high communication demands, while Vonage offers flexibility and scalability that work well for both SMEs and enterprises. Vonage’s API capabilities make it especially attractive for fast-growing businesses needing customised solutions.
Both Mitel and Vonage offer robust mobile apps for iOS and Android. However, Vonage’s mobile experience is more intuitive and flexible, particularly for businesses relying on remote or mobile workforces. Mitel’s app is also strong but leans more towards enterprise users with complex communication needs.
Both Mitel and Vonage offer video conferencing solutions. Mitel’s Meetings is integrated into its UC platform and provides HD video, screen sharing, and collaboration tools. Vonage Meetings is browser-based, offering an easy-to-use, no-download option. Vonage’s solution is better for businesses looking for simplicity and convenience.
Yes, both Mitel and Vonage provide international calling. Mitel offers comprehensive global communication solutions, ideal for enterprises with a global presence. Vonage also supports international calls and is a strong choice for small and mid-sized businesses seeking global communication at a lower cost.
Vonage is generally easier to use, especially for small to medium-sized businesses. It has a user-friendly interface, quick setup, and seamless integration with third-party tools. Mitel, while offering more advanced features, may require a steeper learning curve due to its enterprise-level functionalities.
Both Mitel and Vonage provide 24/7 customer support. Mitel offers enterprise-grade SLAs and extensive support options, which may be ideal for larger organisations. Vonage provides excellent support with dedicated account managers for bigger clients, but it is also known for its responsive and accessible service for smaller businesses.