A new web-based customer communication platform called OnAir has sparked intense discussion within the tech community about the future of business communications. The bootstrapped solution aims to simplify customer-business interactions through instant web-based calling, challenging traditional phone systems and scheduled meeting platforms.
Web Calling: Innovation or Unnecessary Complexity
The platform's approach to replacing traditional phone systems with web links has generated mixed reactions from the community. While some praise its innovative approach to reducing friction in customer communications, others question whether it solves a real problem. The system allows businesses to create unique links (e.g., onair/yourname) that customers can use to initiate instant calls through their web browsers, without downloading any apps.
Hide's real phone-number and allows you to control when, how you receive calls. Pretty smart honestly.
Key Features:
- Browser-based calling system
- No app downloads required
- Round-robin call routing
- Lead capture functionality
- Recording and transcription
- Google Calendar integration
- Privacy-focused design
Pricing:
- Basic Plan: $9/user/month
- Enterprise Plans: Starting at $250/month (up to 50 users)
Technical Implementation and Integration Concerns
Built on Livekit's WebRTC infrastructure, OnAir offers features like round-robin call routing, lead capture, and call recording. However, enterprise users have raised concerns about integration with existing systems. Several commenters highlighted the need for integration with popular platforms like Salesforce and Gong for wider adoption in corporate environments.
Pricing Structure Controversy
The platform's pricing model has come under scrutiny, with some users pointing out potentially misleading presentation. While advertised at $9/month for 10 links and round-robin capabilities, the community discovered this is actually $9/user/month, making features like multi-user round-robin significantly more expensive than initially apparent.
User Experience Challenges
A significant portion of the discussion centers around practical limitations of web-based calling. Users highlighted scenarios where traditional phone systems might be preferable, such as desktop computers without audio equipment or situations with unstable internet connections. The community also raised concerns about the lack of a fallback option when representatives are unavailable.
The launch of OnAir represents an interesting experiment in modernizing business communications, but community feedback suggests that finding the right balance between innovation and practicality remains a challenge. While the platform offers promising features for small businesses looking to streamline customer communications, its success may depend on addressing integration needs and clarity in pricing structure.
Source Citations: Zero-friction customer calls