When it comes to VoIP business phone systems, Google Voice is a name to be reckoned with. It is available in 14 countries and helps businesses improve their internal and outbound communication. There are 3 Google Voice plans to choose from. They are available at monthly subscription rates and are inclusive of a range of features such as voice and video calling, text messaging, voicemail transcription, etc. These services can be accessed through a smartphone app, supported desk phones or a web browser.
Like GoogleVoice, OpenPhone helps businesses improve their communication and productivity by bringing all communication channels on to a single platform. It bundles the communication, collaboration and productivity features available into 3 plans with varying subscription fees and features. Features like unlimited calling within the USA and call recording are available in all plans while features like group calling are included only in upgraded plans. Businesses can get a new number or choose to port their existing numbers when creating an account.
For $10 per user per month, businesses can set up a Google Voice Starter plan for teams of up to 10 people in 10 domestic locations. It includes access to services like voicemail transcription, Google app integrations, call forwarding, usage reporting and more.
The Google Voice Standard plan costs businesses $20 per user per month. There is no limit to the number of users that can use this account. It includes all the features of the Starter plan as well as ad-hoc call recording, ring groups and multi-level auto attendants.
Paying $30 per user per month gives businesses access to the Premier plan. It is inclusive of automatic call recording, advanced call reports and all the Standard plan features.
While GoogleVoice and OpenPhone plans start at different price points, the subscription fee required to upgrade is comparable.
Businesses can jumpstart team communication with a $13 per user per month subscription to the OpenPhone Standard plan. This is inclusive of unlimited calling across the USA and Canada, shared contacts, call recording and many other basic communication features.
An OpenPhone Premium plan subscription costs $20 per user per month. This includes all the features of the Standard plan as well as exclusive communication and collaboration features such as IVR-based call routing, group calling and call analytics. It is also simpler to integrate with other apps.
A deskphone or a web application can be used to access all Google Voice subscribers.
GoogleVoice and OpenPhone have similar connectivity options.
A desktop application for Windows and MAC devices or a web browser can be used to access OpenPhone services.
All Android and iOS device users can access Google Voice services through a free app.
Both GoogleVoice and OpenPhone plans include access to user accounts through a smartphone app.
IVR and multi-level auto attendant facilities are limited to the Google Voice Standard and Premier plans. These are excluded from the Starter plan.
When it comes to starter plans, OpenPhone's inclusion of basic IVR gives it an advantage over GoogleVoice.
The Standard plan includes basic IVR functions. Incoming calls are routed to internal or external numbers based on the caller’s inputs. If the caller does not take any input, the menu will be repeated.
The Premium plan includes advanced IVR that routes calls to internal/external numbers or voicemail. If the caller does not choose an option from the menu, subscribers can select one of 7 actions to be followed.
Google Voice subscribers can customize greetings from an app or web browser.
Step 1: Open Voicemail greetings from the Settings menu.
Step 2: Click on the Record button to set a new greeting.
GoogleVoice and OpenPhone have similar options for customized greetings.
The OpenPhone smartphone and desktop app interfaces can be used to customize voicemail greetings.
Step 1: Login as admin and go to My Phone Numbers.
Step 2: Select a phone number.
Step 3: Click on change in the Voicemail section.
Step 4: Upload a recorded greeting. You can also type your greeting and use the text to speech option.
The Starter plan includes access to voicemail transcriptions and reports on call activity and usage. This makes it easier for supervisors to assess their teams. Further, subscribers can easily transfer calls between agents or to a supervisor if required.
Upgrading from the Starter plan to the Standard pack enables subscribers to find and retrieve specific conversations through eDiscovery for calls, text messages and voicemail records. They can also record calls and listen to them later.
Along with all the features included in the Starter and Standard plans, the Premier plan also includes access to advanced call log reports and automated call recording.
GoogleVoice and OpenPhone plans are exclusive of live call monitoring features but they do offer alternatives.
Both OpenPhone subscriptions give users the ability to quicken responses and follow-ups by creating message templates. These messages can be sent there and then or scheduled to be sent later. Premium account holders can also redirect calls to internal extensions or external phone numbers.
Admin account holders in both cases get visibility and control of all phone numbers and user accounts. The Premium plan also includes reports to help supervisors understand what additional support may be required and assess agent productivity. Soon they may also be able to listen to live calls and coach agents through a call without the other participant’s knowledge.
Incoming and outgoing calls can be recorded only by Standard and Premier plan subscribers. The Standard plan includes ad-hoc call recording while the Premier plan includes automatic call recording.
Call recording is more accessible with OpenPhone as compared to GoogleVoice.
Businesses with an OpenPhone subscription can automate or manually control call recording for all incoming and outgoing calls.
Dialpad offers unlimited calling in the USA, Canada and your country for all plans. Calls to other destinations are billed at a per minute country-specific rate. For example, calls to Australia are billed at $0.03 per minute while calls to Vanuatu are billed at $1.20 per minute.
Dialpad offers unlimited calling in the USA, Canada and your country for all plans. Calls to other destinations are billed at a per minute country-specific rate. For example, calls to Australia are billed at $0.03 per minute while calls to Vanuatu are billed at $1.20 per minute.
Businesses can set up Google Voice accounts with an existing Google account on the Google Voice app or web browser. Services can then be accessed through browser extensions or a smartphone application. Access through desk phones with Obi Edition firmware is also available to Standard and Premier plan users.
Easy online account creation is one of the similarities between GoogleVoice and OpenPhone.
OpenPhone accounts can be created online on your web browser with your existing email address. User roles can then be defined from the dashboard once the account is activated. OpenPhone cannot be accessed from a deskphone but users can download and install applications for smartphones, tablets, laptops and desktop devices.
