Ohio.net vs. Microsoft Teams: Best Business Phone System

Choosing the right business phone system is a big decision for any business owner or manager. The right solution boosts team communication, supports growth, and ensures customers reach you reliably. Today, advanced options like hosted VoIP and cloud-based phone platforms let businesses move beyond old-school landlines for more flexible, cost-effective service.

Two top contenders for modern business phone calls are Ohio.net and Microsoft Teams Phone. Both serve small and mid-size companies, but with different strengths and approaches. Are you looking for a system tailored specifically for your industry, or do you want to unify calling, chat, and meetings under one familiar platform? In this complete comparison, we’ll spotlight features, pricing, integrations, support, flexibility, and more, so you can confidently pick the best fit for your business.

Overview of Ohio.net and Microsoft Teams Phone

Ohio.net

Ohio.net is a dedicated VoIP service provider with a history going back over a century. Based in Ohio and serving customers around the globe, Ohio.net specializes in hosted VoIP business solutions designed to support small to midsize businesses (2–200 users).

Their offerings include Cloud PBX, Hosted VoIP, and other advanced options, delivered as a full-service, directly managed package.

What stands out about Ohio.net is their personal touch. Unlike resellers or generic providers, they handle everything in-house: planning, setup, support, and even custom development.

Businesses can expect flexible plans, customized features, and direct access to experts who understand their specific needs.

Microsoft Teams Phone

Microsoft Teams Phone transforms Microsoft Teams, a powerhouse for collaboration, into a complete business phone system. Integrated tightly with the Microsoft 365 suite, Teams Phone adds PBX features and links users to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), letting you place and receive external calls with your work number from anywhere.

As part of Microsoft’s powerful UCaaS (Unified Communications as a Service) lineup, Teams Phone is perfect for businesses already relying on Microsoft’s ecosystem for chat, video conferencing, and document sharing.

With Teams Phone, your organization can streamline internal and external communications securely and efficiently.

Key Features Comparison

Core Features

Ohio.net offers:

Microsoft Teams Phone delivers:

• Auto attendants and call queues
• Voicemail to Exchange mailbox
• Call forwarding/delegation
• Music on hold, call groups
• External caller ID
• Integrated dial pad
• Call blocking & emergency calling
• Advanced dial plans
• Variety of PSTN connectivity options

Integration Capabilities

Ohio.net integrates with:

•  Most SIP phones and softphones
• Mobile apps for on-the-go access
• SIP trunking for modern phone systems
• Custom development options for unique business needs

Microsoft Teams Phone:

• Deeply integrates with Microsoft 365 apps (Outlook, OneDrive, SharePoint, more)
• Works seamlessly on desktop, mobile, and web
• Supports Certified Teams desk phones

Both providers offer modern integrations, but Ohio.net stands out for businesses needing hands-on flexibility, while Teams Phone shines for organizations already using Microsoft’s suite.

User Experience

Ohio.net’s user experience emphasizes:

• Easy-to-learn, intuitive interfaces
• Access via desk phone, mobile app, or browser
• Minimal hardware needed; most features cloud-based

Microsoft Teams Phone provides:

• Unified messaging, video, and calling in one interface
• Presence-based routing for more efficient communication
• Consistent features and UI, regardless of device
• Device switching for seamless workflow

Costs and Pricing Structure

Ohio.net:

• Transparent, pay-for-what-you-need pricing
• Customizable plans for features your business actually uses
• Add-ons like call recording/conferencing available
• No long-term contracts with flexibility to scale or change anytime
• Especially cost-effective for businesses with specific telephony needs

Microsoft Teams Phone:

• Requires Microsoft 365 subscription and Teams Phone licensing
• PSTN connectivity options:
  • Microsoft Calling Plans (monthly per user billing)
  • Operator Connect (third-party carrier billing)
  • Direct Routing (more complex – keep existing carrier)
• Shared Calling for budget scenarios
• Can be pricier if only some Teams features are needed, but includes broad collaboration tools

Industry Fit and Customization

Ohio.net:

Ideal for businesses needing industry-specific features, such as:

•  Insurance agencies requiring call recording and CRM integration
• Home service fleets relying on mobile integration and smart routing
• Funeral homes needing virtual receptionists

Highly customizable, with the ability to create solutions “one phone at a time.” Custom development is available to address specialized business needs.

Microsoft Teams Phone:

Best-suited for companies that:

• Want a reliable, all-in-one communications platform 
• Already use Microsoft’s tools
• Are focused on broad collaboration rather than industry-specific calling features

While robust for general business needs, the standardized feature set of Teams Phone is usually less tailored for special telephony requirements.

Support and Service

Ohio.net:

Businesses receive 24/7 support from Ohio-based staff. A dedicated representative walks you through every step: assessment, setup, training, and daily changes. 

This means expert assistance tailored to your business (something national providers can’t always match).

Microsoft Teams Phone:

Support includes online troubleshooting, phone help, and (for larger customers) dedicated workshops and FastTrack enablement. However, support is more impersonal.

While extensive, it lacks the deep customization and one-on-one approach offered by smaller, specialized providers like Ohio.net.

Security and Compliance

Security should be a top priority when picking a business phone system, especially for industries with regulatory requirements.

Ohio.net:

• Offers a tailored approach, focusing on compliance and customer-specific security
• Cloud PBX services with disaster recovery included for business continuity
• Automatic backups safeguard against outages or data loss

Microsoft Teams Phone:

• Built on Microsoft 365’s enterprise-grade security, with certifications for various industries
• Advanced threat protection and centralized management

When evaluating security, follow VoIP security best practices (FCC) for additional peace of mind.

When to Choose Ohio.net vs. Microsoft Teams

Choose Ohio.net if:

• You want an industry-specific, highly customizable VoIP solution
• Personalized, in-house support is important to you
• You need flexibility to pay only for what you use, with no contracts
• Advanced VoIP features (like call recording or custom routing) are a must
• Your company has 2–200 users and values direct, hands-on service 

Choose Microsoft Teams Phone if:

• Your business already relies on Microsoft 365
• Unified messaging, calling, and meetings in one app is a top priority
• You need a consistent experience across devices and locations
• Broad collaboration matters more than deep telephony customization

What Do Ohio.net Customers Say?

Ohio.net Customer Success:

“We needed to leverage the features that voice over IP brings to custom-fit the system to our needs. We have multiple companies and locations, so controlling call flow was a must.”
— Matt Soful, CEO, Consolidated Casework & Choice Traditions

“With the new phone system, we have a lot more options. It’s working great for everybody; we’re super happy. Even with the transition to mobile during race week, we didn’t have any issues.”
— Cory Katzenmeyer, Marketing Manager, Soapbox Derby

“We chose VoIP to bring everything together … The beauty is to plug the phones in, do the training, and everything is already set!”
— Dan Nagy, President, Nagy’s Collision

Making the Right Choice for Your Business

Ohio.net and Microsoft Teams Phone each fit different business situations.

Ohio.net is the top pick for small to mid-size companies seeking a customized, industry-focused VoIP service backed by direct, personal support. Its hands-on onboarding, feature-rich systems, and flexibility (like no contracts or required hardware) mean your unique business needs drive the solution.

Microsoft Teams Phone works best in businesses already using Microsoft tools and wanting unified communications. Its strengths lie in broad collaboration rather than specialization.

For a deeper dive, check out our In-Depth Guide to Choosing the Right Business Phone System.

Ready to upgrade how your business connects? Contact Ohio.net today to see how a custom business phone solution can power your team’s communication. Their local experts will walk you through every step, so you get the perfect fit, fast. Visit Ohio.net or call (888) 881-0805 and discover a better way to keep your business talking!