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Google Voice is a great VoIP platform for making international calls over the internet, and it’s also one of the cheapest VoIP providers on the market, with plans starting from as little as $10 per month. On the other hand, Google Voice’s calling features are limited compared to lots of alternatives, and some users also struggle to get a number for their desired area code.
Luckily, if you’re interested in switching from Google Voice, there are plenty of solid competitors out there. Our research and testing suggest that the best alternative to Google Voice is 8×8, due to its bigger feature catalog and equally strong security. With plans starting from $24 per month, it’s not as cheap as Google – but you get far more bang for your buck.
In this article, we take a closer look at the best alternatives to Google Voice, prioritizing solutions that match the provider’s affordability and slick user experience. We also round up some free VoIP services that you could use instead of Google Voice’s free personal plan – although, like that plan, they aren’t suitable for businesses.
Google Voice Alternatives Overview
- 8×8 – Best Google Voice alternative
- RingCentral – Best for hospitality, retail and customer service
- Zoom Phone – Best value Google Voice alternative overall
- Ooma – Great customer experience
- GoTo Connect – Better value for larger companies
- Nextiva – Great option for professional services
- OpenPhone – Equal cost alternative to Google Voice
- Grasshopper – A Google Voice alternative for individuals
- Telzio – Flat fee alternative not based on user numbers
Click on the links to start comparing prices for Google Voice alternatives today.
Best Google Voice Alternatives Compared
Google Voice is one of the most secure calling tools we have tested, and comes as a low-cost add-on to the popular Google Workspace, which costs $7.20 per user, per month.
Google Voice prices start from $10 per user, per month, which puts it at the cheapest end of the VoIP market. However, we’ve found that Google Voice lacks the features, integrations, and customer support options offered by the industry’s best VoIP providers. Plus, you can get Zoom Phone’s Metered plan for a similar price to Google Voice – but you don’t have to pay for the Workspace subscription.
| Price from The typical lowest starting price. The lowest price available for your business will depend on your needs. | Best For | Free Trial | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | BEST ALTERNATIVE  | BEST VALUE  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Google Voice | 8×8 | Zoom Phone | RingCentral | GoTo Connect | Ooma | Nextiva | OpenPhone | Grasshopper | Monster VoIP | Telzio |
| Small businesses that prioritize security | Security | Value for money | Integrations | Managing large volumes of inbound calls | Overall customer experience. Also great for retailers, due to strong inbound and outbound communication tools. | Professional services | Mobile startup teams | Lots of features on the Solo tier | App add-ons | Multiple users at a flat fee |
| No free trial | 30 days | None | 15 days | Free demo only | None | 30 days | 7 days | 7 days | Yes (length not specified) | 30 days |
| Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote |
Our research found that Zoom, RingCentral, and 8×8 are the best VoIP options overall. They have better features and will cater to both medium-sized and large businesses in a way that Google Voice can’t – but naturally, they cost a little more because of this.
We’d recommend the likes of 8×8 to sales teams over Google Voice, as it has more features for managing outbound calls and training staff on the job, like call whisper and call barge-in, as well as video conferencing for up to 500 participants. RingCentral performed better than Google Voice in every category aside from security and has lots of inbound call features that make it a better choice for healthcare, hospitality and retail businesses.
Microsoft Teams is also a stellar pick, providing a low-cost option with some serious scalability, but you’ll find a lot of features you don’t need if you’re working solo or in a small team. Ooma is well-rated by customers with strong customer support channels, but it scores poorly for security – and that’s an area where Google Voice excels.
Expert tip for choosing a Google Voice alternative
Google Voice is a great option if you’re already using Google Workspace and want to extend your stay under Google’s reassuring security umbrella. In fact, it’s one of the most secure ways to make a call over the Internet.
However, providers like Zoom have significantly upgraded their security offerings in recent years. I spoke to the Zoom team a few weeks ago, and they pointed out several improvements they’d made to the platform, such as providing more ways for users to authenticate their accounts.
Now that it’s closed the security gap, it’s actually a much better platform overall than Google Voice – Zoom has way more features for managing inbound calls, so will be a better choice than Google Voice for healthcare, customer service, and retail teams. There’s also 24/7 customer support available, which is always great to have on hand.
Note for reader: At Tech.co, we conduct independent research into all the products, software, and services we write about. This includes devising extensive market research frameworks that allow us to score products. For our VoIP research series, we scored providers against more than 80 different criteria. Find out more in our methodology section.
Pros
- Extensive outgoing call features are perfect for sales teams
- Great security features, perfect for sensitive data handling
- Training features like call whisper, call barge will help staff improve
- Onboarding assistance on all plans makes getting started smooth
Cons
- Unimpressive customer scores from those who've used the product
- Higher tiers are very pricey, and there are cheaper options for small businesses
- No dedicated spam prevention mechanism, which may prove problematic for large businesses
- Pricing starts from $24/user/month (as per most recently available data)
- 30-day free trial
- Contact center plans: $85-$140/user/month (as per most recently available data)
Why is 8×8 a good Google Voice alternative?
8×8 is one of the most popular and robust VoIP providers on the market today, with over 3 million users globally. It’s home to a range of features that make it highly scalable, including user limits, call queues, ring groups, local numbers, and a whole host of tools for training staff, such as call monitoring and supervision tools.
Features like these mean that 8×8 now is a much smarter long-term solution if you’re running a growing business than Google Voice, which won’t be suitable for large teams and doesn’t include these features.
I recently took 8×8 out for a spin and I was impressed by how user-friendly the interface was, considering the number of features. It’s actually not a world away from Google Voice’s layout:
Making calls in 8×8 is easy, whether you’re on your desktop (like I was in the image above) or using the mobile app. Image: Tech.co
8×8’s biggest selling point as a Google Voice alternative, however, is that it is the only VoIP provider in our research to have the same level of security as Google Voice, with both scoring a perfect 5 out of 5 (these were the only two providers awarded full marks in this assessment area).
8×8 offers everything from password rules and multi-factor authentication to TLS/SRTP encryption and a vast array of compliances across all plans. Plus, 8×8 is always evolving, and announced the 8×8 Technology Partner Ecosystem last year to help customer service organizations integrate more software into their platform.
Viewing a contact’s profile in 8×8. Image: Tech.co
If you need a heavy-duty VoIP solution with the kind of on-call features a call center crew or customer service team might need, then Google Voice just won’t do. 8×8 even offers features like an online whiteboard, which you can use to make your internal and external meetings more interactive. Google Voice doesn’t offer features like this.
8×8 also has a native video calling function accessible via the left-hand menu bar, but you’ll need Google Meet if you want to make a call in Google Voice. However, both have a 100-attendee cap, so they’re pretty similar in that regard.
Making a call with 8×8 during my test of the platform. Image: Tech.co
8×8 plans and pricing
Recently, 8×8 removed the publicly available pricing on their website. However, the prices listed below are what they were in our most recent research, so that should give you a good idea of what’s available.
8×8 offers two pricing plans for standard VoIP use – X2 and X4 – which cost $24 and $44 per user per month, respectively.
Additionally, 8×8 offers three call center plans – X6, X7, and X8 – which are more expensive but are aimed at larger businesses that need to handle lots of incoming calls and cost a lot more. These plans will charge you $85, $110 and $140 per user, per month, respectively.
You can also check out our 8×8 pricing and review guide for more information
Pros
- Very low starting price ($10/user/month)
- Excellent for managing high numbers of incoming calls (spam prevention, hold music, etc.)
- Low-cost training features, perfect for growing teams
- Vastly improved security features make it an option for teams working with sensitive data
Cons
- Limited number of CRM and Helpdesk integrations
- No email support available and you don't get much help with onboarding
- It's missing outbound call features sales teams tend to need
- Pricing starts at $10/user/month
- Unlimited plan from $15/user/month
- Select plan ($20/user/month) with unlimited calling to 40+ countries
Why is Zoom Phone a good Google Voice alternative?
There’s no doubt you’ve heard of Zoom before. The video conferencing tool that was used fervently throughout the pandemic for everything from happy hours to work meetings has built out its business offerings and now also offers a VoIP system in the form of Zoom Phone.
Our independent research found Zoom Phone to be the third best VoIP option on the market, thanks to its easy-to-use interface and strong feature set. In fact, we found Zoom Phone to be the best value for the money across the entire industry, with prices starting on the lower end of the spectrum.
Even better, Zoom Phone is always adding new features, including advanced encryption for voicemails in a July 2023 update. There are also two-factor authentication options and a password rule feature to ensure that all end users secure their accounts appropriately. Zoom Phone also has user permissions now, which used to set Google Voice apart.
It took me a couple of taps to check my voicemail with Zoom Phone. Source: Tech.co user testing
Zoom Phone plans and pricing
Zoom pricing for the Metered plan comes in at $10 per user, per month, the Unlimited plan costs $15 per user, per month, and the Global Select plan costs $20 per user, per month, all of which are more affordable than some starter plans on this list.
It’s also worth noting that although Zoom Phone is still sold as a standalone product (and this is the cheapest way to purchase it) Zoom Phone is also part of Zoom One, the provider’s new product which combines Zoom Phone with Meetings, Team Chat, and other Zoom video conferencing features. However, you’ll need the Zoom One Business Plus plan ($25 per license, per month) or the Enterprise plan (no public pricing) if you want VoIP features.
Check out our Zoom Phone review for more information about this VoIP solution
Pros
- Highly scalable thanks to lots of team management features
- Lots of integrations, which make setup very easy
- Both sales and customer service functionality for all teams
Cons
- Limited inclusive toll-free minutes, and you'll have to pay extra if you need more
- Not as popular with its users as some of the other providers on this list
- Core plan: $20/user/month
- Advanced plan: $25/user/month
- Ultra plan: $35/user/month
Why is RingCentral a good Google Voice alternative?
Chances are you’ve seen RingCentral mentioned before in your online VoIP searches. A huge company with a global reach, RingCentral is very much a safe pair of hands, particularly as a Google Voice alternative.
In our testing, RingCentral’s customer support center came out stronger than Google Voice. Users can contact RingCentral by live chat, phone, or email, and there’s 24/7 live support on offer too, as well as onboarding support for new customers. In comparison, there’s no onboarding support for Google Voice, nor live chat or email support, so it didn’t score as highly.
One of the selling points for Google Voice is that it’s easy to use and set up, which our research found to be true for RingCentral as well. It’s also worth noting that, just like Google Voice, RingCentral includes unlimited calls to the US and Canada as part of its package. As you can see from the image below, the interface is pretty friendly, tidy and won’t take you long to get to grips with:
RingCentral makes it simple and easy to join a desktop conference call. Image: RingCentral
RingCentral plans and pricing
The platform will cost you $20 per user, per month for its Core VoIP package or $25 per user, per month for its Advanced plan – so it’s a little more expensive than Google Voice, which starts at $10 per user, per month.
The Advanced plan might be the smarter choice depending on your needs and business size. For this price, you’ll get features like automatic call recording, whisper, call barge-in, and more CRM integrations such as Salesforce, Zendesk, and more. Those interested in the unlimited storage, as well as device status reports and alerts, might even consider the Ultra plan, at $35 per user, per month.
RingCentral may be a slightly pricier prospect than some of the other Google Voice alternatives on our list, but there’s no doubt that it’s a fully-featured platform that won’t leave your business wanting.
For more information, check out our RingCentral pricing guide.
Pros
- Free number transfer, so canceling your existing service is super easy
- Multi-level virtual receptionist, great for businesses fielding lots of incoming calls
- Easy DIY installation, so you can get going really quickly
- 24/7 support, which is nice to have in the back pocket
Cons
- Pricier high-tier plans without the features to justify the cost
- Scores poorly for security, so there are better options for businesses handling sensitive data
- Few third-party integrations, which will make it harder to slot into your business infrastructure
- Starts from $19.95/user/month
- Pro plan: $24.99/user/month
- Pro Plus plan: $29.95/user/month
- Enterprise-level plans available starting from $19.99/user/month
Why is Ooma Office a good Google Voice alternative?
Ooma marries strong features, integrations, and value into one appealing bundle, and we feel that it’s a great alternative to Google Voice for small businesses.
We really like the integrations that are available with Ooma, such as Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics, Zendesk, Microsoft 365, and ServiceNow. However, its list of add-ons isn’t as exhaustive as those offered by RingCentral and 8×8 so if you’re after a VoIP system that integrates seamlessly into your business set-up Ooma may not be the one for you.
Google Voice does a little better than Ooma on this front though. It integrates with CRM platforms such as Zoho CRM, Copper, Pipedrive, Salesforce, Freshsales, Agile CRM, and HubSpot, which is a better range than Ooma. However, you’ll also have Google Meet and Google’s other workspace tools on hand too, giving it the edge.
It was easy to access past call logs with Ooma through its Dashboard tab. Source: Tech.co user testing
Read our head-to-head Ooma vs Google Voice comparison to learn more
It’s not ranked more highly on our list, however, because its security is pretty bad. Ooma lacks some pretty basic safeguards like multi-factor authentication, user permissions, and strict password rules. This is in contrast to Google Voice, which boasts all of these security features and more.
What it does do well is support its users, and support them in supporting their customers. When we looked into user satisfaction levels, Ooma’s customer rating was eye to eye with Google Voice. Ooma offers far better support options than Google Voice too, including 24/7 live chat and phone support, and extensive onboarding support, making it the superior option for businesses in a pinch.
Ooma Office plans and pricing
Ooma Office starts at $19.95 for the Essentials plan, and unlike some basic tiers, this one is actually well worth your time and your wallet. With it you can expect a bevy of features, including a virtual receptionist, which gives it a serious leg up on Google Voice. However, it’s almost twice the price of Google Voice’s Starter plan.
For $24.95 per user per month, you can get the Pro plan, which gives companies higher usage limits for audio conferencing and extension monitoring. Finally, the Pro Plus plan is available for $29.95 per user, per month, which adds Salesforce integration and advanced call management features.
If you really want to make sure that Ooma suits your business needs, simply sign up for the free trial offered by the provider.
Check out our Ooma Office review to learn more
Pros
- Excellent 24-hour support service, minimizing downtime
- Uncomplicated product range, meaning no hidden costs or paid add-ons
- Lots of features for the price point, which is lower than 8x8 and Vonage's top-tier plans
Cons
- Setting up is quite complicated, so you won't be able to get started quickly
- No free trial, so you can't test the software before you buy it
- Users often complain about performance and connectivity issues
- Phone System: $26 per user, per month
- Connect CX: $34 per user, per month
- Contact Center: $80 per user, per month
Why is GoTo Connect a good Google Voice alternative?
GoTo Connect is the VoIP service from GoTo, with a moderate offering of features and customer support options. Our researchers found that it has great customer support, and the customer score is high enough to tell us that users don’t hate using the system. All in all, it’s one of the stronger Google Voice alternatives.
Check out our GoTo Connect review for learn more
GoTo Connect’s extensive calling features and scalable pricing packages make it a better option than Google Voice for businesses that are planning to grow and expand. It has management features like call recording which is useful for training staff, as well as tools for fielding high volumes of inbound calls, such as call queues. Google Voice doesn’t offer either of these features.
GoTo Connect’s complex management tools make it a great pick for a large or fast-growing company. Image: GoTo
The biggest downside for GoTo Connect, however, is the number of integrations available for users. For example, there are very few CRM integrations available – the only big names GoTo syncs up with are Salesforce, Zoho CRM and Zendesk. There are also very few scheduling and calendar integrations that make organizing yourself a little tougher, whereas Google Voice users will have Google Calendar at their fingertips.
Simply put, if you need a value option that can stand on its own, GoTo Connect is a great option, but there are definitely better providers out there if you look hard enough.
GoTo Connect plans and pricing
GoTo Connect recently updated its pricing strategy. Currently, its entry-level plan – Phone System – is $26 per user, per month. If you require more advanced capabilities like sophisticated reporting and analytics, social media campaigns, and CRM integrations, the provider’s Connect CX plan ($34 per user month) will be a good option, while Contact Center ($80 per user, per month) is designed specifically for sales teams.
Plan for plan, they’re all slightly more expensive than Google Voice, but offer a lot more for your money. Even GoTo’s cheapest plan, the basic Phone System, has call recording capabilities that aren’t available on any Google Voice plan.
Pros
- Unlimited users on all plans, ideal for large businesses on a budget
- Easy to use and simple set up, which makes it good for beginners
- 24/7 live support + excellent additional support options
- Lots of collaboration features like a team messenger, which is great for hybrid/remote teams
Cons
- Few management features, which means it isn't very scalable
- No multi-factor authentication, and there are better options for managing sensitive customer info
- Few integrations on the first paid plan, so you won't be able to sync it with your CRM
- Pricing starts from $20
- Most expensive plan is $60 per user, per month
Why is Nextiva a good Google Voice alternative?
Much like Ooma, Nextiva is a well-known and respected VoIP brand with plenty of experience, and they’re a solid choice for most businesses looking for Google Voice alternatives. The provider offers noticeably more features than Google Voice, such as customizable greetings and virtual receptionists, scoring a 3.8 out of 5 in our research, compared to Google Voice’s mere 2.8 out of 5. Its security is average compared to Google, let down by a lack of multi-factor authentication and password rules, but, again like Ooma, it has better customer support.
What we like most about Nextiva is its strong suite of analytical tools. This is something that you won’t get with the likes of Google Voice, and something which could well give you valuable insights into your business. Our research also found that the features Nextiva prioritizes in its plans are especially good for those working in service industries such as consultants, accountants, contractors, and designers.
Overall, Nextiva is an alternative to Google Voice to consider, but given its cost, the features don’t blow us away, so it’s not quite as good value for money unless you do work in a professional service role. Find the best value for money for your unique business needs by comparing VoIP quotes.
Learn more in our Nextiva review
Even Nextiva’s cheapest plan (Essentials) includes unlimited voice and video calling. Image: Nextiva
Nextiva plans and pricing
Nextiva’s Essential tier starts at $23.95 per user, per month for 1-4 users, but drops as you add users, costing just $18.95 per user for teams with between 20 and 100 users. It offers unlimited voice and video calling, auto attendant, integration with Outlook and Google Contacts, unlimited internet fax and 24/7 customer support. We particularly like the included video calling on this tier, as well as the friendly user interface.
Professional is priced at $27.95 per user, per month for 1-4 users or $22.95 per user, per month for 20-100 users, and adds in unlimited conference calls, for up to 40 participants, unlimited text messages, and offers more integrations with Salesforce, HubSpot and Zendesk.
At the top end of the scale, there’s Enterprise, priced at $37.95 per user, per month for 1-4 users or $32.95 per user, per month for 20-100 users. This is where the analytical features come to the fore, with voice and customer journey analytics. The integrations are also bolstered with Microsoft Teams, Oracle Sales, and ServiceNow.
Pros:
- Cheap alternative to other VoIP providers like 8x8 and RingCentral
- A very modern interface compared to some other cheap providers
- Free trial available so you can test out the software without parting ways with any cash
Cons:
- Customer support team isn't easy to get hold of
- You may experience more downtime than you would with bigger providers
- Doesn't have a very sophisticated spam prevention mechanism
- One of the cheapest VoIP options
- Starts from $15 per month
Why is OpenPhone a good Google Voice alternative?
OpenPhone is another Google Voice alternative worth checking out, not least for the affordable $15 per user, per month price it sets its first paid plan at. While it’s not quite as cheap as Google Voice, the costs are significantly lower than 8×8, which starts from $24 per user, per month.
If you’re thinking of switching over to OpenPhone, the good news is that you’ll be able to port your old number over for free, rather than paying for the change. There’s also a wide range of different local and toll-free numbers to choose from, and considerably more than is sometimes on offer from Google Voice.
Another big difference between Google Voice and OpenPhone is the latter’s AI-powered text response tools, which is great considering that there’s no messaging limit enforced on any OpenPhone plans, so you can reply quickly and at scale.
With OpenPhone, each contact’s calling and text history can be pulled up alongside their contact profile. Image: OpenPhone
OpenPhone integrates with over 5,000 other platforms via Zapier, which gives it one of the most expansive integration directories offered by a VoIP provider.
However, these don’t function in the same way as native integrations, of which OpenPhone only has seven. Concerningly, there are only two CRM options (Salesforce and HubSpot), while Google Voice has almost 10 native CRM integrations and video calling functionality in the form of Google Meet.
It’s also worth noting that if you opt for the cheapest OpenPhone plan, you may struggle to get a quick customer support response. Google Voice doesn’t score too high here either, and OpenPhone isn’t much better. Those on the $15 tier only get email and SMS support, and there’s no 24/7 support option. Premium and Enterprise customers get priority service.
OpenPhone plans and pricing
OpenPhone offers three price plans: Standard for $15 per user, per month, Premium for $23 per user, per month, and Enterprise, for a custom quote on request.
When it comes to price, OpenPhone’s $15-per-month Standard package is a good swap for Google Voice’s $10-per-month starting plan. On the surface, this seems like great value, as it offers unlimited calls. When you look at the features included for the entry price though, you’ll see that it’s not just a pretty face.
Pros:
- Attractive pricing for businesses - it's even cheaper than OpenPhone
- 24/7 customer support is available on all Grasshopper plans, which is great to have if you get stuck
- Relatively easy to use for a VoIP system, it's quite simple and straightforward
Cons:
- Few features a large business/call center would need, like video calling
- Doesn't have any CRM integrations, which again restricts it to smaller businesses
- Pricing starts at $14
- Free trial available
Why is Grasshopper a good Google Voice alternative?
Grasshopper is a relatively unknown name compared to some of the other providers on this list, but still a respectable option to consider as a Google Voice alternative. It can be a bit expensive compared to others on this list, but its Solo plan is fairly generous.
On its most basic “Solo” tier, Grasshopper grants you access to ring groups and advanced reporting, which are reserved for the more expensive Google Voice plans.
Higher tiers increase the amount of phone numbers and extensions, and a free seven-day trial comes with one phone number and three extensions, 100 minutes, and 100 texts.
Ultimately, Grasshopper doesn’t offer enough features to compete with the other VoIP options listed above, but if you’re just looking for the basics and a business number, its “True Solo” tier could be suitable as an alternative to Google Voice offering slightly better value for an entrepreneur. Here’s what the user interface looks like on desktop and mobile:
Grasshopper’s clean interface includes plenty of white space. Image: Grasshopper
Grasshopper plans and pricing
Grasshopper pricing starts quite competitively, with its True Solo plan starting at only $14 per month, a comparable price to Google Voice. You only get one user, one phone number, and one extension, though, which explains the name.
The Grasshopper Solo Plus tier starts at $14 per month and offers one phone number and 3 extensions. The second tier, Partner, includes all of the features in Solo but comes with three phone numbers instead, and six extensions. It’s priced at $46 per month.
Lastly, the ‘Small Business’ tier adds five phone numbers and unlimited extensions and is priced at $80 per month.
Related: Best Softphone VoIP Apps
Pros:
- Base price cheap if you're not planning on making too many calls
- Unlimited users and extensions, so can be used by businesses of all sizes
- Free trial available for those who don't want to pay without testing it
Cons:
- Not as easy to navigate or use as most other VoIP services we review
- Mobile app has improved but still has a long way to go
- $50 per month
- Free trial available
Why Is Telzio a good Google Voice alternative?
Telzio’s approach differs slightly from its competitors, in that you don’t pay per user like you do with Google Voice. Rather, businesses pay for a set number of minutes, which can be used by as many employees as needed. This won’t work for everyone and could work out rather expensive if you’re a business that is looking to make a lot of calls.
However, if you are a fledgling business with not many calls to make and want the flexibility to allow anyone within your business to make these calls, then Telzio could be a viable solution for you.
Telzio offers a comprehensive interface that even beginners can figure out. Image: Telzio
In terms of integrations, there are a few big-name software platforms that Telzio connects with, but it’s not exhaustive. Google Analytics, Zapier, Stripe, Vtiger, and Webhooks are all represented. Features-wise, there’s a very good lineup of useful tools for businesses, including hold music, voicemail, call queues, menus, call recording, and live reporting.
Honestly, it’s really not a great Google Voice alternative, although it has its pros. Would we recommend Telzio to everyone? No, there are much better, cheaper options, but if you’re a business with low call volumes and lots of users, then this platform could well suit your needs.
Telzio plans and pricing
Starting at $50 per month for 1,000 minutes of call time, Telzio is not the cheapest option, but a good set of features and strong customer support do go some way to make up for it.
The service also charges separately for SMS messaging, which again, is unusual – Google Voice simply includes this in its packages.
Methodology: How We Test Google Voice Alternatives
We take our hands-on testing and impartial analysis seriously, so you can have complete confidence that we're giving you the clearest, most useful recommendations.
After conducting an initial exploration to identify the most relevant, popular, and established business phone platforms on the market, we assessed ten of the top VoIP systems across 78 areas of investigation.
Based on years of market research, product testing, and user needs analysis, we've established a VoIP system testing methodology that scores each product in seven main categories of investigation and 16 subcategories. This covers everything from the features and security options available to the product's value for money and customer score, as well as much more.
Our main testing categories for VoIP phone systems are:
- Customer Score: the feedback and ratings given by customers who have used a particular VoIP system, as well as the wider reputation a VoIP software holds.
- Cost: the pricing structure associated with the VoIP service, including factors such as monthly subscription fees, domestic and international call rates, setup fees, hardware costs, and extra costs like add-on features or services.
- Features: the functionalities and capabilities offered by the VoIP service, including basic features such as call forwarding, and voicemail, as well as more advanced features like auto-attendant, conference calling, and interactive voice response (IVR).
- External Connections: the VoIP service's ability to connect and integrate with external systems or devices. This can include compatibility with existing phone systems, mobile devices, or other third-party software.
- Customer Support: the assistance and resources provided by the VoIP service provider to customers, including online resources, knowledge bases, and access to customer support representatives and AI chatbots.
- Security Options: Security options refer to the measures and features implemented by the VoIP service to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and protection of voice communications and data.
- Scalability: the ability of the VoIP service to accommodate the growth and changing needs of an organization, including its capacity to handle a growing number of users, support multiple locations or offices, and scale up or down.
When it comes to calculating a product's final score, not all testing areas are weighted evenly, as we know some aspects matter more to our readers than others, which are merely "nice to have." After hundreds of hours, our process is complete, and the results should ensure you can find the best solution for your needs.
What’s the Best Free Google Voice Alternative?
Now that we’ve looked at paid providers, it’s only logical to ask: is there a free alternative to Google Voice? Well, the best free alternative to Google Voice is Facebook Messenger, which offers a familiar interface and is incredibly simple to use. Other options include Line, Just Call, and WhatsApp, but their business features are limited.
Facebook Messenger
+ Doesn’t cost anything
+ Most people already use Facebook and should be familiar with Messenger
+ Can use to contract individuals or groups
– Not many features
– Not secure
– Relies on the person you’re trying to contact having Facebook Messenger
Line
+ Available on most platforms including iOS, Android and Windows
+ Includes in-app payment system
+ Widely used in countries such as China and Japan
– Very little recognition in the US
– Very basic features
– No customer support
+ Free to use
+ WhatsApp for Business option
– Not built for business functionality
– Mobile app lacks analytics and menus
– No hold music
– Business-specific plan requires messy integration with dedicated API
Free VoIP services may seem a great solution, but in reality, they will only serve your business in the short term, especially if you’re looking to grow. They offer few features, can look unprofessional, and almost never offer the level of support that a paid for VoIP platform does. To find the best deal for your needs from a range of recommended VoIP providers, use our free price comparison tool.
What Do Customers Have to Say About Google Voice?
“I use Google Voice for my VoIP and it is easy to use,” says Tim Connon, Founder of ParamountQuote Insurance Advisors. “I really like the call forwarding and the fact that I can have it tell me it is from my Google Voice number on my mobile phone. I also like the user interface and how basic it can be, which keeps things simple.”
However, it’s not all plain sailing with Google Voice. “My biggest dislike of it is the fact that not all inbound calls come through in real-time,” Connon explains. “I will receive a missed call on my Google Voice phone and never even hear it ring. That is my biggest frustration with Google Voice I would hope it gets fixed soon.”
Bonnie Whitfield, Human Resources Director of Family Destinations Guide, said Google Voice was “cost-effective” and eliminated her company’s need for “traditional phone lines and equipment,” which she said saved her business “money on phone and communication expenses.”
However, Whitfield said that she’s found the voicemail transcription service offered by Google Voice isn’t always useful. “While it is a convenient way to quickly read and respond to voicemails, I have found that the accuracy of the transcription is not always up to my standards,” she remarked.
Pros
- Excellent security features – Google Voice has industry-leading security safeguards, including compliance certifications, and features like user permissions and MFA to protect your company’s data.
- Cheaper than competitors – Google Voice is on the cheaper end of the VoIP market, and undercuts RingCentral, 8×8, GoTo Connect, and various other top VoIP systems.
- 24/7 live support available – If you’re experiencing technical issues, Google has staff on hand to help, whatever time of day.
Cons
- You have to have a Google Workspace Subscription – starting from $6 per month, purchasing this beforehand is the only way you’ll be able to access Google Voice.
- Not very scalable – Growing businesses may find Google Voice sufficient to start with, but there aren’t enough management and high-level comms features to scale up this software.
- No localized or toll-free numbers – Google Voice doesn’t offer this important feature, but all the VoIP providers we tested do.
Should I Still Choose Google Voice Anyway?
Google Voice will still be worth using for many businesses. The provider has excellent security options, a native integration with Google Workspace, and its starting plan is cheaper than pretty much every other provider’s starting plan, including 8×8, Nextiva, and GoTo Connect.
For this reason, we’d recommend Google Voice if:
- Your business handles sensitive information like personal, financial, or medical data
- You want to get started with a VoIP system for as little as possible
- Your business makes a lot of international calls
- You’re already subscribed to Google Workspace
However, Google Voice isn’t perfect. It lacks some pretty basic call management features, and provides poor onboarding support for starters. Its entry price of $10 per month doesn’t factor in the cost of a Google Workspace subscription, either, making its value offering slightly poorer than it initially seems.
For this reason, we wouldn’t recommend Google Voice if:
- You make a high volume of outbound calls, especially to localized or toll-free numbers
- You don’t want to pay $6 per month extra for Google Workspace
- You want a VoIP platform that alongside your business
- You recruit new staff a lot, and want useful onboarding and training features to match
Google Voice vs Google Meet
Communicating with Google services has become quite popular in recent years, particularly with the pandemic spurring the remote work boom that had everyone signing into video chats to stay in touch with their team. As a result, you may be thinking that Google Meet could be a good alternative to Google Voice, as it provides an affordable way to talk to others.
However, the reality is that Google Voice and Google Meet serve very different functions. Google Meet is a video conferencing platform at its core, which means you can’t really set it up to replace your business phone system. Yes, it’s a great way to stay in touch with people on your team, but you can’t set it up in a way that could accept outside calls for your business.
In summary, Google Meet is not a suitable Google Voice alternative, which means you’ll have to look at one of the aforementioned competitors above to get your business phone system set up today.
How To Switch From Google Voice
To switch from Google Voice, start by checking what type of account you have. Google Voice has a light version, but only a full account requires you to port or create a telephone number. If switching from a full account, you’ll either need to swap your Google Voice number to a new line or change your telephone number entirely, which a new provider can do for you.
You likely want to port your number to your new provider. First you’ll have to unlock the number, which is a simple process that is either free or a $3 charge, depending on how you first set up your number. If your new provider requests an account number to complete the porting process, just give them your Google Voice number.
Switch from Google Voice: Find the best provider for free today
Verdict: Which Google Voice Alternative Is Best for You?
So, 8×8 is the best Google Voice alternative – but of course, it certainly isn’t the cheapest. Zoom Phone can be purchased for exactly the same price – $10 per user, per month – but it has significantly more training, team management, and on-call features.
All in all, Zoom Phone is the best VoIP provider in terms of value, and the only one with a pricing structure that matches Google Voice’s affordability. Not everyone has the cash to fork out on the RingCentral or Nextiva, and there’s really no better option for smaller businesses looking for a familiar but functional VoIP system that’s right at the lower end of the market when it comes to pricing.
If you want a quick way to find the best deal on a Google Voice alternative, just use our free comparison tool – the questions take less than 60 seconds to complete and it’ll help you narrow down the providers already catering to businesses of your size in your industry.