Tonet vs 8x8: Which Is Better for Small Business?
8x8's entry plan starts at $28/user/month billed annually, and it still doesn't include call recording. Tonet is $15/user/month with call recording, IVR, and analytics included from day one, no contract required.
Start with $15The Short Version
Save $156/year per user, and actually get call recording8x8's X2 plan runs $28/user/month billed annually. At that price you still can't record calls or set up a full phone menu. Those require the X4 plan at $44+/user/month, nearly three times what Tonet costs. Meanwhile, 8x8 has removed most pricing from its website, so you have to go through a sales call just to find out what you'll pay. Tonet is $15/user/month, everything included, and you can see the price right now.
Pricing Comparison
| Tonet | 8x8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $15/user/mo | $24-$44/user/mo |
| Billing | Daily (pay only for days used) | Monthly or annual |
| Contracts | None | Annual commitment typical |
| Setup Fee | Free | $1,000-$25,000+ for larger deployments |
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
What 8x8 Doesn't Tell You
- Call recording requires upgrading to 8x8's X4 plan at $44+/user/month. On their entry X2 plan at $28/user/month, you're paying almost double Tonet's price and still can't record a single call.
- 8x8 no longer publishes pricing publicly for most plans. You have to contact sales to get a quote, and actual costs vary based on company size and how hard you negotiate.
- Setup and implementation fees typically start at $1,500 and can reach $25,000+ for larger deployments, before your team makes their first call.
- Annual contracts are standard, and 8x8 contracts commonly include price escalation clauses of 3-5% per year unless you negotiate a specific cap in writing.
- Full IVR phone menus are locked behind contact center tiers, not included in the X2 or X4 plans that most small businesses would start with.
The real cost of 8x8 for a small business
8x8's X2 plan is typically quoted at $24-28/user/month billed annually [1]. That's already nearly double Tonet's $15/user/month. But what stings more is what's missing at that price. Call recording, which most businesses need for compliance, training, or just settling disputes, requires upgrading to the X4 plan at $44+/user/month [2]. A 10-person team on X4 spends $5,280 a year on the subscription alone, before setup costs, before annual increases, before add-ons.
Speaking of setup, 8x8 charges implementation fees that commonly run $1,500 for a basic deployment and scale to $25,000 or more depending on complexity [3]. And once you're in, contracts typically include annual price increases of 3-5% unless you push for a written cap during negotiations [1]. That same 10-person team paying $44/user/month today could be paying $46-47/user/month in year two without any service change.
8x8 built its name in enterprise telephony and it shows: the platform is deep and capable for organizations with dedicated IT teams and complex call center requirements. But for a business that just needs reliable calling, call recording, and a phone menu without a sales call, a setup invoice, and a year-long commitment, that depth comes at a real cost that doesn't scale down neatly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 8x8 include call recording on all plans?
No. Call recording is only available starting at the X4 plan, which runs $44+/user/month billed annually. If you sign up for the entry-level X2 plan at $28/user/month, you cannot record calls without paying to upgrade. Tonet includes call recording on every plan at $15/user/month.
Why doesn't 8x8 list its prices on its website?
8x8 removed public pricing for most plans and now requires you to contact their sales team for a quote. Actual prices vary based on your company size, contract length, and how the negotiation goes. That makes it genuinely hard to comparison shop before committing to a call with a rep.
Are there setup fees with 8x8?
Yes. 8x8 charges one-time implementation fees that typically start around $1,500 for a basic setup and can reach $25,000 or more for larger or more complex deployments. These fees are sometimes negotiable if you push back during the sales process, but they are standard in most contracts.
Can I switch from 8x8 to Tonet?
Yes. Your existing business number can be ported to Tonet. Number porting typically takes 1-2 weeks and your calls continue without interruption during the process. If you're currently under an annual 8x8 contract, review your agreement for early termination terms before you start the switch.
Is Tonet really $15/user/month with everything included?
Yes. Tonet is $15/user/month and includes call recording, IVR phone menus, call analytics, and AI call transcription. There are no annual contracts and billing is daily, so you only pay for the days your users are actually active. A phone number costs $2.50/month. No setup fees, no surprise upgrades.
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Start with $15