Best Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CallManager) Alternatives & Competitors for 2025

Imed Bouchrika, Phd

by Imed Bouchrika, Phd

Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist

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1

5 / 5

Read more about monday

Monday.com is a highly adaptable platform designed to streamline work and project management for teams of various sizes. Its user-friendly, visually organized interface, enhanced by color-coded elements, allows users to navigate effortlessly without needing technical skills. With over 200 ready-made templates and a straightforward drag-and-drop system, teams can quickly set up workflows and begin managing tasks efficiently. Additionally, its powerful dashboard builder and no-code automation tools help users visualize data clearly and eliminate repetitive processes, boosting overall productivity.

Key Features of monday
  • Visual Board Structure
  • Customizable Columns
  • Multiple Board Views
  • Automations
  • Integrations
  • Dashboards and Reporting
  • Time Tracking
  • Mobile App Support
Price of monday

monday.com offers a Free Plan for up to two users at no cost, ideal for individuals or small teams. The Basic Plan costs $12 per seat monthly and includes unlimited boards and prioritized support. The Standard Plan at $17 per seat monthly adds timeline and calendar views, guest access, and automation limits of 250 actions. The Pro Plan, $28 per seat monthly, significantly increases automation and integrations to 25,000 actions and introduces private boards and enhanced analytics. Enterprise pricing is custom and includes advanced security and premium support. A 14-day free trial of Pro is available.

2

4.8 / 5

Read more about Jotform

Jotform stands out as a versatile online form builder software that caters to both individuals and organizations seeking efficient solutions for creating customized forms without needing coding skills. Its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, combined with a vast library of pre-designed templates, enables users to quickly produce professional-quality forms for various applications such as surveys, registrations, and payments. The platform’s strong integration capabilities with popular third-party tools streamline data management and automate workflows, while features like conditional logic personalize the user experience by adapting forms based on input. Additionally, Jotform prioritizes security with SSL encryption and offers collaborative tools and notification systems, making it a comprehensive choice that is accessible even to small users through its free plan.

Key Features of Jotform
  • Powerful User-Friendly Survey Builder Tools
  • Vast Library of Customizable Templates
  • Real-Time Comprehensive Reporting and Analytics
  • Seamless Embedded Website Form Integration
  • Innovative Optimized Mobile-Friendly Form Experience
  • Dynamic Conditional Logic for Customization
  • Extensive Integrations with Third Parties
  • Secure Payments Integration for Commerce
Price of Jotform

Jotform offers flexible pricing plans to suit diverse needs. The Free plan provides limited monthly submissions and basic features at no cost, ideal for testing new ideas. The Bronze and Silver plans, at $34 and $39 per month respectively, expand submission limits, payment capacities, storage, and form customization by eliminating branding. Advanced users benefit from the Gold plan at $49 monthly, combining extensive submissions, larger storage, and HIPAA compliance. For unlimited use and tailored solutions, the Enterprise plan invites direct inquiry for pricing details. Contact Jotform now for further information.

3

4.55 / 5

Read more about ClickUp

ClickUp is introduced as a project management solution crafted to simplify team coordination and streamline workflow processes. The available overview hints at a platform that brings together various elements of project management into an integrated interface, potentially supporting task organization and team collaboration. Although the details remain minimal, the initial impression is that ClickUp may offer a flexible framework adaptable to different project needs, aligning well with customers looking for an all-in-one project management tool. This brief insight lays the groundwork for a deeper exploration of how ClickUp might serve as a strategic resource for modern teams.

Key Features of ClickUp
  • Comprehensive Task Management and Organization
  • Customizable Views to Fit Workflow
  • Manage Dependencies Across Complex Projects
  • Efficient Automations Reducing Manual Tasks
  • Integrated Time Tracking for Efficiency
  • Real-time Collaboration Enhancing Effective Teamwork
  • Insightful Reporting and Custom Dashboards
  • Seamless Integrations Connecting Essential Tools
Price of ClickUp

ClickUp offers diverse pricing options catering to individuals and large teams. The Free plan provides essential collaborative features at no cost, appealing to small teams. For expanded functionalities, the Unlimited plan costs $7 per user monthly, while the Business plan at $12 per user elevates performance with additional tracking and automation tools. The Business Plus plan, priced at $19 per user per month, further enhances customization and admin controls. For comprehensive enterprise needs, pricing details are available upon contact, ensuring scalability and tailored solutions for growing organizations. Expert support available.

4

4.35 / 5

Read more about Celoxis

Celoxis emerges as a project management solution aimed at helping teams handle their projects with clear structure and organization. It is presented as a tool that streamlines planning and tracking tasks while addressing the common challenges encountered during project execution. Designed to cater to diverse business needs, Celoxis offers a platform where project coordination and resource management are integrated into a unified environment. Though specific details are not provided here, the solution positions itself as a viable option for companies seeking efficient oversight of their project-related operations.

Key Features of Celoxis
  • Task management, deadlines and priorities
  • Project planning using dynamic tools
  • Efficient resource management and scheduling
  • Real-time project tracking and analysis
  • Accurate financial management and forecasting
  • Seamless collaboration with shared tools
  • Mobile accessibility for remote work
  • Extensive integration with business applications
Price of Celoxis

Celoxis provides two straightforward pricing plans. The Cloud (SaaS) plan costs $25 per user per month, billed annually, and requires a minimum of five users. This hosted option includes robust project management, resource coordination, collaboration, and a free client portal with additional file storage available. Alternatively, the On-Premise plan—designed for companies preferring in-house hosting—operates on a one-time license fee model, with pricing details provided upon inquiry. Both plans offer a free 14-day trial to fully assess the platform before commitment. Each option features flexible capabilities for business success.

Read more about Kissflow

Kissflow emerges as a solution aimed at streamlining workflow management, even though the current source did not furnish an in-depth overview of its functionalities. Its promise seems to lie in facilitating process automation and optimizing business operations, a proposition that could resonate well with organizations on the lookout for comprehensive business process management software. While specific details about its tools and integrations remain to be fully disclosed, the platform is portrayed as a potentially user-friendly interface that supports the varied needs of modern process management. Prospective customers are encouraged to explore further details as they become available, ensuring the software aligns seamlessly with their operational strategies.

Key Features of Kissflow
  • Extensive Enterprise Workflow Customization
  • Rapid and Flexible No-Code and Low-Code Development
  • Intuitive Drag-and-Drop Visual Workflow Builder
  • Integrated Real-Time Team Collaboration Tools
  • Automated End-to-End Business Process Workflows
  • Comprehensive Data-Driven Reporting and Analytics
  • In-Depth and Real-Time Process Analysis
  • Seamless Multi-Device Mobile Accessibility
Price of Kissflow

Kissflow offers a pricing structure that meets diverse business process management needs. Its Basic Plan starts at $1,500 per month and handles simple workflows with internal and external access, a private cluster option, and supports up to 50 users. The Enterprise Plan, available under custom pricing, suits more complex requirements by accommodating both internal and external users and offering dedicated private cluster hosting. Additionally, Kissflow provides a free trial post-consultation, enabling prospective customers to assess if its low-code/no-code solutions align with their organizational objectives. This flexible pricing model supports growth.

6

4.15 / 5

Read more about Wrike

Wrike emerges in the realm of project collaboration software as a solution designed with teams in mind, promising an environment that supports streamlined coordination and efficient project management. Although the available source details remain sparse, Wrike's brief positioning hints at an underlying framework aimed at optimizing collaborative workflows for varying project scales. Its general profile suggests that it caters to teams seeking a central hub for managing project tasks and enhancing communication. For prospective customers exploring project collaboration options, Wrike presents itself as a candidate worthy of further investigation to clarify its full range of capabilities.

Key Features of Wrike
  • Task Management for effective teams
  • Robust Project Planning with Kanban
  • Collaboration Tools via shared workspaces
  • Real-Time Reporting for instant visibility
  • Mobile Access for on-the-go teams
  • Integrations with over 400 applications
  • Automation to streamline repetitive tasks
  • Custom Dashboards for key insights
Price of Wrike

Wrike offers flexible pricing plans. The Free Plan is ideal for small teams with a simple task list at zero cost. The Team Plan, priced at $10 per user monthly, delivers unlimited projects and effective Gantt charts. At $24.80 per user monthly, the Business Plan extends features with nested projects and advanced reporting. The Enterprise and Pinnacle Plans require direct inquiries, offering superior security and management capabilities designed for large organizations. Experience all premium functionalities risk-free with a 14-day trial that does not require a credit card. Contact vendor.

Read more about Notion

Notion is introduced as a platform designed to address knowledge management needs, positioning itself for teams and organizations seeking a centralized solution. Although the source material did not include an in‐depth breakdown of its features, it implies that Notion aims to streamline the processes involved in capturing, organizing, and sharing information. The platform is portrayed in a way that suggests flexibility and adaptability, qualities that can be especially relevant to prospective customers evaluating knowledge base software. Overall, Notion appears to offer a cohesive framework intended to simplify internal workflows while supporting effective information retrieval.

Key Features of Notion
  • Advanced Knowledge Base Pages
  • Comprehensive, Robust Database Functionality System
  • Powerful, Intelligent Search and Discovery Capability
  • Versatile, Fully Customizable Knowledge Templates
  • Seamless Real-time Collaboration Tools
  • Intuitive Workspace Customization Options
  • Secure Public and Private Page Control
  • Reliable Data Backup and Export Options
Price of Notion

Notion offers pricing plans for individuals, small teams, and growing businesses. The Free Plan is ideal for personal organization, offering unlimited blocks and basic analytics at no cost. Professionals get the Plus Plan starting at $10 monthly (annual billing) or $12 monthly, adding file uploads and customizations. Businesses advance with the Business Plan at $15 monthly (annual billing) or $18 monthly, with enhanced security and analytics. The Enterprise Plan requires direct contact. Notion AI is available at rates from $8 per member, boosting content creation. All plans include essential collaboration.

Read more about Asana

Asana emerges as a dynamic project collaboration solution, designed to empower teams with intuitive task management and streamlined coordination. It offers a robust platform that balances simplicity with a suite of integrative tools, ensuring that every project benefits from clear progress tracking and efficient workflow organization. Prospective customers of project collaboration software will find Asana a compelling option, one that marries straightforward usability with the depth needed to support intricate team dynamics, all within an environment that elevates productivity across diverse work settings.

Key Features of Asana
  • Efficient task creation and assignment
  • Set due dates and prioritize
  • Customizable project views and mapping
  • Automated workflows and task dependencies
  • Streamlined dashboards and report generation
  • Robust integrations with essential apps
  • Mobile, desktop apps support collaboration
  • Effective resource scheduling and workload
Price of Asana

Asana’s pricing offers flexible options for every team size and project complexity. The free Personal plan caters to users and small teams with essential task management. The Starter plan introduces additional features and a monthly per-user fee, while the Advanced plan scales up with enhanced automation and resource oversight. For larger organizations, the Enterprise plans require direct contact for tailored quotes and advanced capabilities, including team-wide and portfolio management tools. With clear tiered structures based on monthly or annual billing cycles, prospective customers can choose a solution matching their needs.

9

Trello

4.5 / 5

Read more about Trello

Trello emerges as a project management solution designed to streamline how teams and individuals coordinate their tasks, blending simplicity with an intuitive visual layout. It provides a framework that encourages a flexible approach to organizing projects, allowing users to maintain clear oversight of their work. In offering this straightforward yet adaptable method, Trello positions itself as a viable option for those exploring project management software solutions, ensuring that prospective customers can focus on enhancing productivity and clarity in their workflows.

Key Features of Trello
  • Visual boards for project planning
  • Interactive cards tracking individual tasks
  • Organized lists categorizing workflow stages
  • Detailed checklists breaking complex tasks
  • Clear due dates for accountability
  • Color-coded labels easing task recognition
  • Robust team collaboration enriching productivity
  • Seamless Butler automation streamlines processes
Price of Trello

Trello offers pricing plans that scale from simple task management to enterprise-level project control. The Free plan is perfect for small teams, offering unlimited cards and basic features. The Standard plan, billed annually at $5 per user monthly, adds advanced checklists and custom fields. For teams up to 100, the Premium plan, at $10 per user monthly when billed annually, provides enhanced views and project tracking. Enterprise pricing begins around $17.50, offering advanced permissions, security, and multi-board collaboration. This pricing structure suits various project needs effectively.

Read more about nTask

nTask overview

nTask emerges as a task management solution tailored for teams and individuals looking for streamlined organization without unnecessary complexity. Its intuitive design and flexible framework address the core needs of scheduling, task assignment, and progress tracking, all designed to support productivity in varied work environments. While the finer details remain to be fully elaborated, prospective users can appreciate the platform's promise of consolidating essential task management functions into a singular, user-friendly interface. This overview serves as a starting point for evaluating how nTask aligns with the broader requirements of effective task management software.

Key Features of nTask
  • Comprehensive Project and Task Management
  • Interactive Gantt Chart Scheduling Tools
  • Visual Kanban Boards for Workflow
  • Built-in Time Tracking and Logging
  • Automated Notifications and Deadline Reminders
  • Mobile Application for On-The-Go Access
  • Recurring Tasks and Customizable Templates
  • Integrated Issue, Risk, Meeting Management
Price of nTask

nTask presents four pricing tiers tailored for different business sizes. The Basic version remains free for teams with up to five members and offers essential features. The Premium plan costs $3 per user monthly with annual billing or $4 per user monthly, adding extra storage and project management tools. The Business plan is $8 per user monthly with annual billing or $12 monthly, enhancing functionality with custom fields and advanced analytics. For enterprise solutions, pricing details are available upon contact. A seven-day trial for Premium and Business plans enables exploration.

Overview

Choosing the right communication software is crucial for businesses seeking seamless collaboration and efficient operations. Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CallManager) is a popular choice, but it may not fit every company’s unique needs or budget constraints.

Many prospective customers struggle with finding alternatives that offer similar reliability and features without unnecessary complexity or cost. This can lead to wasted resources and hindered productivity.

This article will guide you through key factors to consider when exploring Cisco Unified Communications Manager alternatives. It will help you identify solutions tailored to your specific requirements, ensuring you invest in technology that truly supports your business goals.

By reading this, you’ll gain clarity on the advantages and limitations of different options, empowering you to make an informed decision. Ultimately, you’ll discover how to enhance communication workflows while optimizing your investment.

What is Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CallManager)?

Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CallManager) serves as a powerful software-based call control platform that orchestrates voice, video, and data traffic within enterprise networks. It functions as the backbone of Cisco’s IP telephony ecosystem, delivering real-time call processing and device management for IP phones, video endpoints, and softphones.

This platform is essential for organizations aiming to replace traditional PBX systems with a flexible, scalable IP telephony infrastructure. It expertly manages key telephony operations such as call setup, teardown, hold, transfer, forward, conference, and park, while also handling dial plan administration and device registration.

Administrators benefit from granular control over dial plans, extension schemes, call routing, and custom call flows, enabling tailored communication architectures that can grow alongside business needs. The integration extends beyond basic telephony, supporting voice, video, and data applications to facilitate unified messaging, multimedia conferencing, and collaboration tools.

Open APIs permit seamless integration with third-party voice-processing applications, broadening the platform’s versatility. Additionally, features like call queuing, auto-attendant, and call recording enhance operational efficiency and user experience, reducing the necessity for dedicated reception personnel.

Security and uptime are prioritized with built-in support for high availability, redundancy, and emergency calling for remote workers, ensuring reliable communications across distributed environments. The system’s layered design—separating infrastructure, call control, applications, and endpoints—simplifies management and scaling.

Because CallManager is software-driven, new functionalities and improvements can be rolled out through updates, avoiding costly hardware replacements and supporting continuous innovation. Its capability to unify conferencing, messaging, and collaboration makes it an attractive choice for medium to large enterprises.

For organizations evaluating communication solutions alongside other critical operational tools, consulting resources on business case management software may provide valuable insights into integrating communication platforms within broader business workflows.

What to look for in Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CallManager) alternatives?

Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM) is a robust enterprise IP telephony platform that manages call control, routing, device provisioning, user authentication, conferencing, presence, and mobility within a unified network. Its architecture supports integration of voice, video, and data traffic, accommodating both Cisco-specific and standard devices and protocols.

When exploring alternatives, it is critical to prioritize solutions that offer strong call processing capabilities with flexible dial plan management, advanced routing, and seamless call transfers. Scalability is equally important, as CUCM supports extensive deployments involving thousands of users and devices; any replacement must ensure high availability with redundancy and failover options to maintain uninterrupted service.

Device compatibility is another cornerstone. Alternatives should support a broad array of endpoints, including desk phones, softphones, and mobile devices, while enabling straightforward provisioning. Beyond telephony, CUCM delivers unified communications features such as instant messaging, presence indicators, video conferencing, and analytics. Prospective options should match or exceed these capabilities, offering real-time collaboration tools and integrated messaging.

Interoperability matters greatly in enterprise environments. Cisco’s solution integrates well with third-party applications through extensive APIs and connectors. Any alternative should provide similar or better integration options to fit seamlessly into existing business workflows.

Security cannot be overlooked. CUCM is designed with enterprise-grade protections, including strong user authentication, encryption, and regulatory compliance. Alternatives must meet these stringent security standards to safeguard communications.

Effective management tools and insightful analytics for monitoring call quality, user behavior, and system health are essential for ongoing administration. Additionally, a clear migration path from CUCM, supported by thorough vendor resources and documentation, facilitates a smoother transition and reduces operational risks.

Organizations seeking comprehensive solutions may also benefit from reviewing the top cloud accounting softwares, which can complement communication tools and enhance overall operational efficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CallManager)

What are the most recognized alternatives to Cisco Unified Communications Manager?

The leading alternatives include Genesys Cloud CX, RingEX (RingCentral), 3CX, Nextiva, Five9, 8×8, Talkdesk, Dialpad, Avaya Cloud Office, and Mitel.

Why might businesses switch from Cisco Unified Communications Manager to another platform?

Many customers look for options that offer lower costs, simpler scalability, easier management, cloud deployment, or more modern user interfaces and integrations.

Are there cloud-based options among the Cisco Unified Communications Manager alternatives?

Definitely. Platforms like RingEX, Genesys Cloud CX, Nextiva, and 8×8 provide cloud-native unified communications and contact center features without requiring on-site hardware.

How do the pricing models of these alternatives compare with Cisco Unified Communications Manager?

Cloud-based alternatives usually feature predictable subscription fees and help reduce upfront investments in hardware and ongoing maintenance expenses.

Do these alternatives support integration with other business software?

Yes, most top alternatives come with extensive integration capabilities for CRMs, productivity tools, and collaboration suites, streamlining business workflows.

Can existing phone numbers and data be migrated to alternative platforms?

Most alternatives facilitate number porting and provide migration services to transfer contacts, call logs, and other critical data from Cisco Unified Communications Manager.

Are there alternatives suitable for different business sizes?

Yes, solutions like 3CX and Avaya Cloud Office target small to medium businesses, while Genesys Cloud CX and Five9 are designed for large enterprises with more complex communication demands.

Do alternatives offer support for global calling and multi-site management?

Top providers such as RingEX, 8×8, and Nextiva enable global calling, local number availability, and support for managing multiple locations.

Are there any free or open-source alternatives available?

Yes. FreePBX and Grandstream UCM are popular open-source or low-cost on-premises options, though they often require more technical skill to implement and maintain.

How does customer support compare among these alternatives?

Many alternatives are praised for responsive customer service, including features like 24/7 help desks, dedicated account managers, and rich online support resources.

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