Browser Calling for Small Teams

Best Microsoft Teams Alternatives for Small Groups

Looking for a simpler, faster way for a small team to call, meet, and reach real phone numbers from the browser? Compare lightweight alternatives and discover a web-first solution that lets you call phones directly from Chrome, Safari, or Firefox without installs.

See Alternatives
StartACall Highlights
Browser calling, virtual numbers, AI copilot
  • Make and receive PSTN calls from your browser
  • Purchase virtual numbers in 190+ countries
  • AI agents and real-time copilot for live calls
  • Admin-friendly for small teams and agencies

Why small groups choose alternatives to Teams

Small teams and agencies often need speed, simplicity, and direct phone connectivity. Teams is powerful, but lighter options provide faster onboarding, lower admin overhead, and browser-first calling.

No installs

Start or join calls directly from Chrome, Safari, or Firefox. Perfect for distributed small teams and clients who do not want to install apps.

Privacy and control

Simple permission models and admin controls make it easy to manage a handful of users and shared phone lines.

Faster workflow

Lightweight UX, direct PSTN calling, and AI copilots reduce time spent switching tools and hunting for context.

Popular Teams alternatives for small groups

Below is a concise comparison to help you choose the right option depending on your needs for calling, phone number access, and collaboration.

StartACall - Browser-first calling

Make and receive calls from the browser, buy virtual numbers in 190+ countries, and use AI agents for autonomous or assisted calls. Built for teams who need direct PSTN access without installs.

  • Browser-based PSTN calls
  • Virtual numbers and inbound calls
  • AI Copilot and autonomous agents

Zoom - Meetings focused

Excellent for video meetings and webinar-style gatherings. Works for small groups but often centers around meetings rather than direct PSTN phone numbers unless combined with a phone plan.

Google Meet - Integrated in Workspace

Good for teams already using Google Workspace. Lightweight and reliable for meetings and screen sharing, but not optimized for outbound/inbound PSTN calling without add-ons.

Discord - Lightweight voice channels

Great for always-on voice channels and informal collaboration. Lacks native PSTN phone number support and business telephony features.

Slack - Chat-first with huddles

Ideal for teams whose work centers on messaging. Huddles offer quick voice chats, but phone line features and global PSTN reach are limited or require integrations.

Jitsi - Open-source meetings

Self-host or use hosted instances for private, open-source calling. Strong on privacy, but requires setup to connect to the PSTN or add advanced telephony features.

Use cases where Teams alternatives shine for small groups

Small teams and agencies often need focused telephony, fast client calls, and simple admin. Here are common scenarios and the features that matter.

Client calls from browser

Call clients directly from your browser and route inbound calls to team members or an IVR. No app installs for clients.

Local presence with virtual numbers

Buy local numbers in key markets so customers see a familiar caller ID and can call you back to a local line.

AI assistance during live calls

Use AI copilots to transcribe, suggest responses, or let autonomous agents handle routine outbound or inbound flows so your team focuses on higher-value work.

Frequently asked questions

Can a small team use browser calling to reach regular phone numbers?

Yes. Browser-based VoIP platforms bridge WebRTC to the PSTN so you can call mobile and landline numbers directly from your browser and receive inbound calls on a virtual number.

Do I need to install anything to use StartACall?

No. StartACall runs in modern browsers. Sign up, log in, and start calling without downloads or mobile apps.

What is an AI copilot for calls?

An AI copilot transcribes the conversation and offers real-time suggestions, notes, and next steps. It can also power autonomous voice agents for common tasks.

Can I buy a local phone number for my small team?

Yes. Many browser-first telephony platforms let you purchase virtual numbers in dozens or hundreds of countries so you can present a local caller ID and accept inbound calls.

Ready to replace Teams for your small group?

Sign up and test browser calling, virtual numbers, and AI copilots in minutes. No installs required for your team or clients.