Ready to level up from Google Voice? Check out the top 5 Google Voice alternatives for your business VoIP needs!
Firstly, Google Voice, while suitable for VoIP calls, offers limited features compared to other solutions. It lacks essential capabilities like phone support and advanced call handling, even in its higher-priced plans.
Secondly, Google Voice's pricing can be deceptive. While it provides a free basic phone line, adding critical business features requires switching to costly plans. More cost-effective alternatives with comprehensive features are readily available.
Moreover, international calling with Google Voice necessitates adding credits, whereas some alternatives offer unlimited international calling, crucial for businesses with global reach.
Privacy is another concern. Google Voice may share call logs and user data for personalized ads. In a privacy-conscious world, storing sensitive information on third-party servers is less desirable.
Additionally, Google Voice's customer service may not meet the demands of businesses requiring swift issue resolution.
Furthermore, it lacks integrations with tools beyond Google Workspace, limiting its efficiency in improving customer service.
Porting numbers out of Google Voice can be complicated, and the service lacks essential call monitoring options necessary for efficient call management.
Lastly, simplicity and quick setup are vital. Businesses benefit from providers like Quicktalk, which offer user-friendly solutions for setting up a cloud phone system swiftly.
Are you looking for a better option than Google Voice? Compare the other solutions on the market to select the best tool for your small or medium-sized business. Below, you will find a review of the competitors in terms of price, features, and ease of use:
If you are a small business looking for a virtual phone number system that is easy to set up, at affordable rates, consider Quicktalk. With over 15 years' experience in the telecom industry, Quicktalk has the expertise to help small and medium businesses manage their customer calls effectively, making it an excellent alternative to Google Voice.
As of now, they have just one unique pricing plan which comes with fantastic features, including call recording, live monitoring, and call statistics.
Discover how it works here.
Enjoy mobile and desktop unlimited calling from anywhere: Quicktalk allows you to take calls from your desktop and also redirect calls to your own mobile phone which makes it super easy to manage your customer calls from anywhere.
Pricing: enjoy unlimited calling for only 19€ per month per company (up to 3 users included).
Connect your number to your workspace: Run your business efficiently by connecting your number to your CRM, e-commerce software, and other workspaces like Slack.
Keep your existing phone number: Got customers who identify your business with your number? You can keep your same number when you use Quicktalk!
Grasshopper is a business VoIP system that offers all the communication tools you need to manage your business proficiently. When you sign up for Grasshopper, you will get a unique number for your business, which you can use to make and receive calls and texts from any desktop or mobile application.
Check out our complete comparative analysis between Google Voice and Grasshopper.
Calls made to the number can have specific greetings to redirect the customer to the precise department/team member. What's more, you can even answer multiple calls by redirecting them quickly and not miss a single call.
You can use Grasshopper to get vanity, toll-free, and local numbers, as well as the functionality, to port your own number. Other features include making calls via VoIP and Wi-Fi, voicemail transcription, virtual fax, extensions, and incoming call control.
They have three plans currently - Solo ($26 per user), Partner ($44), and Small Business ($80).
Grasshopper's pricing is structured to cater to solo entrepreneurs and small businesses, with a focus on professionalism and branding.
Google Voice offers more budget-friendly options, making it suitable for very small businesses looking for simplicity and integration with Google's ecosystem.
In the end, Grasshopper's plans are tailored for businesses seeking a professional image and customizable greetings. However, it does not offer call recording.
Businesses with a focus on comprehensive communication features, call tracking, and advanced call management may find Nextiva to be the better fit, especially if they have larger teams and can benefit from its higher-tier plans.
On the other hand, small businesses and solo entrepreneurs with basic communication needs and tight budgets may prefer Google Voice for its simplicity and affordability.
The choice between Nextiva and Google Voice ultimately depends on a business's size, budget, and specific communication requirements.
Read our comprehensive comparative analysis between Google Voice and Nextiva
Nextiva offers VoIP services with a focus on voice and video calls, conferences, and contact center options. It provides three subscription plans with varying features, designed for different business needs.
These features include unified communications, call recording, voicemail to email, mobile apps for on-the-go access, call analytics, team collaboration tools, seamless integrations with other business applications, number porting for continuity of service, multi-level auto attendant for sophisticated call routing, CRM integration, call forwarding, conference calling, robust security measures, and more.
Nextiva's pricing ranges from $30.95 to $45.95 per user per month, depending on the plan and features selected. Google Voice offers more budget-friendly plans, with prices starting at $10 per user per month and going up to $30 per user per month.
Businesses with a focus on comprehensive communication features, call tracking, and advanced call management may find Nextiva to be the better fit, especially if they have larger teams and can benefit from its higher-tier plans.
On the other hand, small businesses and solo entrepreneurs with basic communication needs and tight budgets may prefer Google Voice for its simplicity and affordability.
Dialpad, powered by AI, offers a feature-rich experience with voice, video, and messaging capabilities across 70+ countries. With a range of plans, including the Standard plan, it provides essential features along with advanced functionalities like real-time call transcription. However, this robust feature set comes at a higher price point.
Discover our analysis about Dialpad vs Google Voice
Dialpad features include unlimited calling and texting, auto-attendant, group calling, voicemail transcription, real-time call transcription, call recording, Google Workspace integrations, analytics, and reporting.
RingCentral is a cloud-based phone system designed to revolutionize communication for businesses. It offers a suite of features that integrate calls, messages, video, and even faxes onto a single platform, making communication more efficient and effective.
However, it's worth noting that RingCentral's pricing tends to be higher, especially for its more advanced features. This makes it an ideal choice for small businesses with more complex communication needs.
Check out our complete study about RingCentral vs Google Voice
Unlimited calling, Basic auto-attendant, Analytics for IT managers, Integration with Google Workspace, Integration with Microsoft 365, Multi-level auto attendant, Real-time analytics, Automatic call recording, Quality-of-service reports, Video meetings with up to 100 participants, Video fax, Exclusive video communication plans, Four contact center options.
RingCentral provides a comprehensive range of plans, from Core starting at $30 per user per month to Ultra at $45 per user per month, catering to businesses of various sizes with features like unlimited calling, auto-attendants, and advanced analytics.
However, its pricing tends to be on the higher side. In contrast, Google Voice is notably cost-effective, with plans starting at just $10 per user per month for the Starter plan, $20 per user per month for the Standard plan, and $30 per user per month for the Premier plan. It's an excellent choice for very small businesses looking to keep costs low.
Zoom Phone and Google Voice offer distinct options. Zoom Phone, an extension of the renowned video conferencing platform, caters to global enterprises and remote teams
Discover our in depth comparative analysis between Zoom Phone and Google Voice
Zoom Phone offers calling, sms messaging, video calling, voicemail, auto-attendant, call recording, CRM integration, multi-level auto attendant, call monitoring, call analytics, conference calling, desktop and mobile apps, call queues, hold music and messages and custom greetings.
Zoom Phone offers three plans: Metered at $10 per user per month, Unlimited at $15 per user per month, and United Kingdom & Europe at $20 per user per month.
With Zoom Phone's Metered Plan priced at $10 per user per month, businesses can access essential features like auto-attendant, voicemail transcription, and call recording. However, it's important to note that this plan includes metered outbound calling, which might limit communication for larger businesses.
In contrast, Google Voice's Starter Plan is also priced at $10 per user per month and includes features like voicemail transcription, call forwarding, and Google app integrations. Google Voice offers cost-effective options for very small businesses.
OpenPhone is a versatile cloud-based phone system designed to enhance communication and productivity for businesses of all sizes.
Both services offer competitive pricing and mobile app support, making them viable options for businesses of various sizes. Ultimately, the choice between OpenPhone and Google Voice depends on your specific communication needs and budget.
Read our complete article about Openphone vs Google Voice.
These include unlimited calling and texting within the USA and Canada, voicemail transcription, a basic auto-attendant for call routing, call recording for training and review, basic integrations with apps like Slack and Google Contacts, shared contacts, message templates for quicker responses, call analytics, and more. Premium features include IVR-based call routing, group calling, advanced call analytics, and enhanced call forwarding options.
OpenPhone provides a Standard Plan for $17 per user per month and a Premium Plan for $25 per user per month.
Google Voice's Starter Plan is the most budget-friendly option, while OpenPhone's Standard Plan is slightly higher in cost but includes robust features. The choice between the two will depend on your specific business needs and budget considerations.
Vonage is a communication solution known for its cloud-based calling platform. It offers a comprehensive suite of features that integrate voice, video, and text communication. This platform is designed to facilitate collaboration and connectivity, making it suitable for various business sizes.
Check out our complete comparative analysis between Google Voice and Vonage
Vonage's main features include unlimited domestic calling, SMS and MMS, desktop and mobile apps, unlimited video meetings (up to 200 participants), call recording, call forwarding, virtual receptionist, integrations with business apps, analytics, reporting, and more.
Vonage plans consistently run about $10/user/month more expensive than Google Voice on each one of their plans. Vonage's Mobile plan is at $19.99/user/month; Google Voice's Starter plan is at $10/user/month.
For mid-tier plans, Vonage runs at $29.99/user/month and Google Voice at $30/user/month.
Larger plans maintain the trend: Vonage's large plan is at $39.99/user/month.
These differences highlight how Vonage excels in office-specific features and advanced call tracking, while Google Voice is more cost-effective for international calling. Businesses should consider these distinctions when choosing the most suitable solution for their needs.
8x8 is a comprehensive communication solution that offers a range of plans tailored to various business needs. Known for its robust features and capabilities, 8x8 is an excellent choice for mid-sized call centers and customer support teams.
Read our analysis between Google Voice and 8x8
8x8 provides a variety of plans, including the X2 and X4 plans, packed with features such as unlimited calling to multiple countries, multi-level auto-attendant, advanced call monitoring, CRM integration, video conferencing, call analytics, supervisor analytics, and more.
8x8 plans run more expensive than Google Voices plans. However, quality and the amount of features provided should also be considered in your decision-making process. 8x8 plans run at $28/user/month and $57/user/month with a wide range of features, while Google Voice's plans run at $10, $20, and $30/user/month.
Depending on your size and budget, selecting between Google Voice and 8x8 should be quite clear.
Phone.com offers a robust communication solution for businesses, particularly those with basic communication needs and budget constraints. It provides various subscription plans with features designed for small businesses and solo entrepreneurs.
Discover the full competitive analysis between Google Voice and Phone.com
Phone.com offers a wide range of features including calling and video capabilities, voicemail transcription, IVR capabilities for call routing, greetings customization, call tracking and reporting, and optional call recording at an additional cost.
Phone.com's pricing ($14.90/user/month) starts at a slightly higher point than Google Voice ($10/user/month), but it also offers more features.
Phone.com's Plus Plan ($23.99/user/month) and Pro Plan ($30.99/user/month) are similar to Google Voice's higher level plans, Google Voice's Standard ($20/user/month) and Premier Plans ($30/user/month). All of these higher plans cater to businesses requiring more advanced features.
Phone.com and Google Voice offer distinct advantages depending on your business requirements. Phone.com provides more features like additional customization, call management, and call recording options. While Google Voice stands out for its budget-friendly Starter Plan.
Ooma is a comprehensive business communication solution that offers VoIP services, communication hardware, and a range of monthly plans. It provides over 50 features, including call forwarding and virtual faxes, making it suitable for small businesses.
Discover a more in depth comparison of Google Voice and Ooma
Ooma's main features include: VoIP calling, free calling to U.S. and Canada, international calling, voicemail and voicemail transcription, call blocking, caller ID, virtual receptionist, conference calling, mobile app, number porting, online account management, customizable ring patterns, call waiting and forwarding, and 3-way calling.
Ooma's low and mid-tier plans are a bit more expensive than Google Voice's plans, but their upper-tier plans are priced the same.
Ooma's low-tier plan is $19.95/user/month, while Google Voice is at $10 (a difference of $9.95)
Ooma's mid-tier plan is $24.95/user/month, while Google Voice is at $20 (a difference of $4.95)
Ooma's upper-tier plan is $29.95/user/month, while Google Voice is at $30 (basically the same price)
These differences can influence your choice between Ooma and Google Voice, depending on your specific business priorities.
Google Voice, launched in 2009, is a telephone service exclusively available to Google Account customers in the U.S. and Canada. It offers users a versatile American phone number, which can be customized based on area code availability or linked to an existing number.
Like most business phone system providers, you can either select a US phone number from available area codes or port your existing number to the service, giving you choices to suit your communication needs. Google Voice enables PC-to-phone and app-to-phone calling exclusively within Canada and the United States (unless you go for the Premier business plan at $30 per user per month that includes international calling).
Furthermore, users can benefit from a range of features such as voicemail, text messaging, as well as access to both transcribed and audio voicemails.
You can use Google Voice for both personal and business purposes. While the former is free, you need to pay for a subscription if you need it for your business.
As a Google Voice Personal customer, you will be able to create just one phone number account. On the other hand, Google Voice Business customers can create multiple accounts, depending on the plan they have chosen (Starter, Standard, and Premier).
The costs will depend on the features of each subscription. While personal users can use the account only in the U.S., Google Voice business users can currently buy available phone numbers from 13 countries.
Google Voice Personal accounts come with basic features like call forwarding, voicemail transcripts, and mobile application feature. You get much more from your company's Google Workspace managed voice account, such as desk phone compatibility, do not disturb button, and auto attendants.
Source: Google Voice pricing on cloud.google.com on the 09/19/2023
Google Voice's monthly plans for businesses range from $10 to $30 per user.
The base model is only applicable to emerging startups and small businesses as it has a limit of 10 users.
The standard plan is priced at $20 per user per month and has no limits on the number of users but does not offer international calling.
If you have more than 10 users and need to make international calls, the premier plan at $30 is the only option. Note that while all plans offer free calling to the USA from any country, Google Voice is not available in all countries (only US and Canada).
Google Voice is a great software for quickly gaining a new phone number and making VoIP calls. But the offer remains very limited and there is a possibility that individual entrepreneurs will need to replace their mobile number with a new number.
Google Voice is oriented towards business, but the features are weak compared to other solutions on the market. For example, you won't be able to set up phone support or voice menus to manage customer calls, even with the $30 per month/per user package.
Pros: Google Voice is good for making VoIP calls
Cons: The features offered by Google Voice are weak compared to other solutions
Google Voice appears to be a free solution since it allows you to get a local US number at no cost. However, if you want to use Google Voice on a professional level, you will need to switch to a paid plan ranging from $10 to $30 per user per month. Very few features are offered in these packages, much less than most other business solutions available on the market. Better alternatives can be found quite easily.
If you want to set up an auto-attendant to manage your calls like an established business, that option is available starting from $20 per user. If you have a team of 3 people managing calls, you will need to spend $60 a month. With Quicktalk, you'll have the same option with more features at $19.
Pros: Google Voice provides a free basic phone line for domestic use only
Cons: Adding essential business features is costly. For the same price, you have better options with other VoIP providers
When you want to place calls overseas, you'll need to add credits to your account to pay for service. In most cases, however, the fees are minimal and just a couple of cents per minute.
Here's a handy tool from Google on call rates. You can input the country you're planning to contact and see associated costs.
International calling might not matter at this point for your business, but things can move quickly if you have an international phone number. Whether you start using foreign providers to manage your business or expand internationally, having a business phone that covers international calls will undoubtedly make a difference at some point.
With Quicktalk, enjoy unlimited outbound and inbound calling towards 36 countries.
When it comes to Google, privacy has been a concern for everyone. When using Google Voice, you unknowingly end up sharing your call logs, information about your callers, the text exchanges between you and your clients or any such details with them.
Unfortunately for us, these details will be forever stored on Google's servers. Can Google publish or sell your data? The answer is a big NO. Typically, the stored information will be used to offer you personalized ads making you purchase unwanted products. Learn more about Google Privacy policy.
However, in a world of increased scrutiny and where the debate of block-chain based and privacy-oriented Web 3 is gaining momentum, it is not desirable to have your personal and business critical information stored on third party servers owned by the GAFA.
If privacy matters to you, you need to consider a different service provider that you are sure that they won't save and use your data to further their business.
When choosing a business communication service provider, it is important to go for a provider that gives the utmost importance to addressing customer complaints. However, Google Voice doesn't even have a dedicated phone number where you can reach their customer care for immediate resolution of your concerns.
So, how do you contact Google Voice's customer care? You can reach them through their Workspace community, social media or the support at Google Admin console. Here is a guide to reaching Google Voice's support https://support.google.com/a/contact/gsuite voice_complaints.
And once you raise a complaint they take around 10 working days to resolve it. Unfortunately, a business can't wait for 10 days to resolve an issue, especially when it is related to call quality that can affect your daily business.
Integrating your phone number system into your office CRM or e-commerce software can be highly beneficial for your business. It not only saves time and costs but also improves your business's overall efficiency and customer experience.
Google does not integrate with anything other than Google Workspace. However, being able to integrate your phone system with other tools unleashes a lot of potential in your customer service. Here are some examples:
Since Google Voice does not have these integrations, and alternative like Quicktalk would be a better option.
Many users complained about outbound portability issues. When customers usually port their numbers to Google Voice, it works most of the time, even if it costs them a $20 fee. But if you need to switch from Google Voice to another provider, porting your Google Voice number can be complicated. You can't reach out to someone at Google and get it fixed quickly. Everything is happening online, and you may face certain issues.
To manage customer calls, established businesses must have their team trained on how to answer the phone. You can't really do that efficiently without call recording and live call listening.
Then, in order to monitor your call activity with efficiency, you need the minimum call statistics options. How many calls did your business miss last month? How is that improving? How much business are you losing every month because of missed calls? How can you manage to take more calls with smarter call routing? etc.
Whenever you choose a new software solution for your business, you must always go for something that is simple, yet highly advantageous. When it comes to virtual phone systems, you need to choose a provider that can offer state-of-the-art solutions to help you set up a cloud phone system in a matter of 3 minutes or less.
If Google Voice takes longer to connect, worry not; there are many other alternate providers such as Quicktalk who offer fantastic solutions.
Check out a comprehensive Google Voice review here.
Google's Voice has a starter pack with basic calling features priced at $10 per user per month. This is for up to 10 users. The standard pack is priced at $20 per user per month for unlimited users. If you need to upgrade to permit international calling, you will need the Premier pack priced at $30 per user per month.
Google Voice has many other U.S. based competitors that offer cloud communication solutions like business phone systems, call center solutions, video calling, etc. Google Voice is generally compared to Quicktalk, Skype or magicJack that provide similar features.
Top 5 Google Voice competitors
1: Quicktalk
2: Grasshopper
3: Nextiva
4: Dialpad
5: RingCentral
6: Zoom Phone
7: Openphone
If you are an entrepreneur or small business wanting another alternative to Google Voice, Quicktalk could be a great alternative for you. It is easy to set up, affordable, and will help improve your customer experience.
Paul is a tech and business phone system enthusiast always open to discuss ideas. If you’re interested in collaborating on content projects or getting a product listed on our blog, don’t hesitate and reach out to us: [email protected].
