Key Takeaways
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Both RingRx and Spruce Health offer HIPAA-aware VoIP built for healthcare practices.
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Spruce leans into an app based messaging model. RingRx focuses on full phone, fax, and texting with advanced call handling.
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At current list prices, many clinics can get queues, fax, and hardware from RingRx at a lower per user rate than Spruce’s top tier
Updated Dec 3, 2025
Sports rivalries elicit fans’ competitive natures. Whether it’s the New York Yankees facing off against the crosstown Mets or the Dallas Cowboys running routes against the Green Bay Packers, those who root for these franchises want their teams to prevail.
Competition is generally healthy. It motivates individuals to perform at their best, boosts productivity and prepares them for future challenges. It also often encourages growth by spurring a higher level of effort to procure an edge over an opponent.
Like sports teams, businesses across multiple industries face competition. Just watch some TV, and you’ll see ads for car companies touting the features that supposedly make their product a superior choice compared to similar automobiles.
Although Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone systems are somewhat new to telecommunications, only a few are designed specifically for the healthcare industry. One of those is Spruce Health, along with RingRx. In the spirit of competition, we’re comparing these two healthcare VoIP solutions side-by-side so you have all the information you need when deciding to upgrade your practice’s patient communication system.
RingRx vs. Spruce Health at a Glance (2025)
| AREA | SPRUCE HEALTH (COMMUNICATOR) | RINGRX (CLINIC) |
| Core focus | Messaging app + VoIP | VoIP, fax, and texting stack |
| Call queues | Not offered | Built in Call Queues |
| Fax | App based eFax only | Web + machine fax |
| Starting price | $49/user/month | $25/user/month |
| Desk phones | Select Yealink devices | Wider hardware support, phone included on Clinic |
Desk Phones
Spruce Health: Spruce is compatible with a defined set of Yealink VoIP phones that you purchase through Spruce on the Communicator plan. Hardware is billed per device rather than bundled into the user fee.
RingRx: Our enterprise grade phone system is compatible with a range of Polycom, Yealink and Obihai models. On the Clinic Plan, many customers receive a desk phone included with each user subscription at about $25 per user per month.
Faxing
Spruce Health: The company offers a HIPAA-compliant eFax service that allows users to send and receive faxes. Once a practice’s fax number is ported into Spruce, it’s no longer compatible with a physical fax machine. eFax is available on all three Spruce plans at no additional cost and covers unlimited inbound and outbound faxing.
RingRx: Our HIPAA-compliant solution combines secure traditional faxing and convenient web app functionality into one efficient solution. Unlimited RingRx faxing can be done through your user account on our website or by fax machine.
Audio Conferencing
Spruce Health: Users can connect with multiple parties using Spruce’s VoIP phone system when an outgoing call is placed to a patient. However, it’s only possible to conference with one additional participant.
RingRx: Our conference rooms can be used for voice and video collaboration between on- and off-platform users. Multiple individuals can be invited—guests dial a phone number and enter a nine-digit code for the conference. Moderators are optional and have privileges to regulate attendance and conference start and end.
Call Queuing
Spruce Health: Spruce Health does not currently offer call queuing at the time of writing. Calls that are not answered go directly to voicemail.
RingRx: Our Call Queue feature enables users to manage high volume call traffic and ensure patients can speak with the right person. It sequentially routes calls to available agents, offers music on hold, or re-offers the call as availability changes.
Business Associate Agreements (BAAs)
Spruce Health: A HIPAA Business Associate Agreement (BAA) is included automatically in the company’s standard terms of service for organizations.
RingRx: A BAA is executed for organizations upon request. Users must log into the RingRx portal to complete this process.
Spam Prevention
Spruce Health: To prevent spam calls and texts when using the Spruce phone system, the company recommends blocking numbers associated with these incoming communication requests.
RingRx: Our Privacy Defender feature utilizes artificial intelligence-based detection and a unique challenge system to ensure security for legitimate calls. It protects medical practices from unwanted and risky spam calls in real-time, reduces the time staff spends dealing with them, and minimizes the risk of identity theft or other outcomes from fraudulent callers.
Pricing
Spruce Health: As of 2025, the Basic plan costs $24 per user per month. The Communicator plan is $49 per user per month and adds missed call text back, scheduled auto replies, enhanced call routing, bulk messaging, and API access.
RingRx: As of 2025, we offer Lite ($15), Grow ($19), and Clinic ($25) per user per month. The Clinic Plan typically includes a desk phone, call queues, web and machine faxing, and our Privacy Defender spam protection, often at about half the per user list price of Spruce’s Communicator plan.
FAQ
Is RingRx or Spruce Health better for small practices?
Both can work. If you want a messaging first experience, Spruce may fit. If you rely on phones, fax, and queues, RingRx often fits front office workflows better.
Do both options support HIPAA and BAAs?
Yes. Both position themselves as HIPAA capable and offer Business Associate Agreements for healthcare organizations, although the process to execute a BAA is different.
Can we keep our existing numbers if we switch?
In most cases, yes. Both platforms support number porting, subject to carrier and number type checks.
In Summary
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Both RingRx and Spruce Health offer HIPAA-aware VoIP and BAAsfor healthcare practices.
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Spruce centers on an app based messaging experience, while RingRx focuses on a full phone, fax, and texting stack for front offices.
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Spruce does not currently offer call queues; RingRx includes built-in call queues for high volume clinics.
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Spruce provides app based eFax only, while RingRx supports both web fax and physical fax machines on qualifying plans.
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As of 2025, Spruce Communicator lists at $49/user/month and RingRx Clinic at $25/user/month, often with a desk phone included.
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RingRx’s Privacy Defender adds AI powered spam and fraud call filtering, while Spruce relies more on manual blocking and carrier tools.
Choosing the Best HIPAA-Compliant Phone System
Both RingRx and Spruce Health offer free 14 day trials. If you need queues, fax options, strong spam protection, and clear HIPAA controls at a predictable price, RingRx is often the simpler fit for real front office workflows.
RingRx is purpose built for healthcare, with a HIPAA aware phone, fax, and texting platform and a signed BAA so your team can focus on patients instead of wrestling with your phone system.
