Since its launch in 2009, Google Voice has become one of the more popular virtual phone services used by both individuals and businesses. While the free plan is for individuals, the Google Voice plans for businesses charge users on a monthly basis. All plans come with a few baseline features, with more expensive subscription plans opening up additional options.
While Google Voice is a top service used by businesses to manage their phone needs, it might not be the best option for a number of businesses. Offering features such as voice calls, voicemail, call forwarding, and text messaging, Google Voice often doesn’t always have everything your company needs. So, we have put together a list of Google Voice alternatives that provide more robust solutions to fit businesses of any size.
Google Voice – What is It?
Google Voice has been a popular virtual phone service since 2009 when it was first introduced to the public after GrandCentral was bought by Google. Though other competitors may appear more complex, Google Voice can actually be quite versatile – especially when used in conjunction with other Google tools such as Hangouts, Calendar, and Meet.
Google Voice offers a free plan for individuals and businesses. The latter are charged per user and month, but all plans include some standard features with more options available in the pricier packages.
Although Google Voice has been successful for a lot of companies, it still needs some development in certain areas. One such area is customer service; compared to other VoIP providers, Google does not provide as much personalized support. Another potential drawback of Google Voice is its reliability; many businesses need a system that they can count on without fail. So if Google Voice isn’t the right fit for a business, what are the alternatives and how do they compare?
What Makes Google Voice So Popular?
Google Voice is a budget-friendly way to make calls to any U.S. or Canadian phone number, and international calling rates are very reasonable. You can also text from your Google Voice account for added convenience.
Another bonus of Google Voice is that it integrates seamlessly with Gmail, Google Hangouts, and your calendar, meaning you don’t have to waste time switching between apps when checking your voicemail or sending a text message. It’s a good option for very small businesses that don’t need sophisticated or scalable solutions. However, if you’re looking for more features and flexibility, there is a wide range of Google Voice alternatives that can provide what you need.
So, What are the Best Google Voice Alternatives?
To make things easier for you, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best Google Voice alternative apps on the market. Here, we will explore the advantages and disadvantages of each Google Voice alternative. Additionally, we will touch on what sets it apart from Google Voice and if it is a practical choice for your business needs.
Carolina Digital Phone is always available to attend to your business’ local phone service needs. The 24/7 support from a knowledgeable and friendly local team makes this provider stand apart from the rest. Not only do they provide fast, friendly help, but they will also remember your name, rather than just another nameless customer.
You’ll never have to stress about being overcharged on costs with their clear pricing model – from the moment you’re given a quote, that’s what you pay. And in addition to that, security and reliability are always included as part of their services. The service provides various features like unlimited calls within the US and Canada, caller ID, voicemail and text messaging, and video conferencing for four people – everything available month-to-month without having to sign a contract!
The company not only offers superb service but also provides clients with outstanding upgrades. A few of these include the ability to video conference, faxing options, and even a call center extension to attend to all customer service needs.
Where Carolina Digital Phone Beats Google Voice
Carolina Digital is an all-inclusive solution for businesses that want to be able to access their data from anywhere. With CRM integrations and a chrome extension, as well as iOS & Android apps, this business solution has everything you need whether you’re a small business or large corporation.
Are you a small to medium business owner looking for a Google Voice alternative? Enter Monster VoIP. With top-tier software, flexible pricing, low costs, and an array of features, it’s simple to take advantage of phone communications for your business with our help.
Trust Monster VoIP to provide you with unparalleled customer service, whether you need transparent pricing options or customizable solutions that fit your specific needs. With dedicated support from their team of experts, all of your questions will be answered quickly and efficiently.
Check out Monster VoIP for all your business needs- you can easily customize the technology to get exactly what features you want without overpaying, and personalize it so that it is perfect for your company. You’ll also be taken care of by an amazing customer service team who are always ready to help!
How Monster VoIP Outperforms Google Voice
- Flexible, low-cost pricing.
- Monster VoIP is a cloud-based solution with nationwide geo-redundancy.
- Monster VoIP is more secure than Google Voice because it uses encryption and authentication technologies to ensure that your calls are private. With Monster VoIP, you can be sure that your conversations will remain between you and the person you’re speaking to.
- Business owners can also take advantage of voicemail announcements and faxing capabilities to make their company more accessible to clients and help it expand.
- Monster VoIP has made a name for itself by partnering with some of the biggest names in the industry.
- No matter how big or small your business is, Monster VoIP has a solution for you.
With Ring Central, you can make calls, join video conferences, and message your team – all through the cloud. Some of the standout features include call forwarding, HD-quality video Calling, and hosting up to 100 people in a single meeting.
If your enterprise needs to make or receive calls from any location, then use Global Call instead of Google Voice. With local dialing plans across more than 100 countries, it’s great for businesses with employees or customers in many time zones. The price may be higher compared to other choices; however, the initial plan allows 20 users – perfect for small-to-medium companies.
RingCentral’s Quality of Service (QoS) reports offer users practical data that can be used to enhance their service. Both call and user-level details are provided for clear insights. There is also an expansive variety of integrations with third-party applications, such as Zendesk, Salesforce, Slack, and Canva–making teamwork more readily available.
Why Choose Ring Central Over Google Voice?
Although Google Voice was a game-changer, Ring Central has taken it to the next level. Here’s why:
- Ring Central not only provides more features than Google Voice but also distinguishes itself by allowing users to text and take calls from their mobile phone through their computer or tablet. An additional benefit is that you can send texts directly from your computer – so there’s no need for a secondary app.
- Google Voice’s user interface is outdated, while RingCentral has a design that makes it easy to locate what you need without sifting through menus or lengthy pages.
- RingCentral offers much better customer service than Google Voice. If your business constantly relies on making and receiving phone calls, then any downtime can be detrimental. With RingCentral, however, you have the guarantee that real people will be there to help you rather than an automated message telling you to wait or try again later. This way, you can get back to what’s important much faster.
If you need a phone service that is reliable with many features and integrations, Vonage may be the right choice for your business. Its ratings are high, and it integrates with Salesforce, Microsoft Teams, and G-Suite, among others. You can also get local numbers in more than 60 countries – making this perfect if your global activity or customers are based internationally.
Vonage and Google Voice are both excellent choices for phone service, but Vonage offers the benefit of having both a desktop app and a mobile app. In addition, customer service has been rated slightly higher than Google Voice, according to tech.co. Although neither company rates above 3.5 out of 5. Vonage does have some great features like training materials and extras that come at an additional cost. When it comes down to security though, Goggle typically beats out Vonage.
Why Vonage Beats Google
Vonage offers live chat support while Google Voice only offers customer service through email, which can be a lengthy process. If you need help immediately, Vonage is the better option as their website provides excellent support that won’t take up your entire day.
If you need a more scalable phone solution with better integrations and features, Vonage is the way to go. Google Voice might be sufficient for small businesses, but when you start needing more complex solutions, Vonage will provide what you require.
Not sure what VoIP is? You might have heard of Grasshopper before. It’s a lot like Google Voice with similar features such as local phone numbers, call management, and multiple extensions.
Although, there are some disparities between the two products. For example, Grasshopper’s integration with G-Suite is cheaper than Google Voice. Also, it has a virtual receptionist tool to help manage your calls by directing them correctly, taking messages if need be, and utilizing recorded greetings–an option that many businesses find quite useful. A lot of reviews have commended the quality of voice talent used for this service. So if you want an improved business image, then Grasshopper may be a good pick for you
Although Grasshopper is more expensive for international calls, it does not charge per user like Google Voice. The number of numbers and extensions offered also varies in each plan so that you can customize the service to your needs.
How Grasshopper Jumps Google Voice
Though they initially look the same, Google Voice and Grasshopper have subtle but crucial distinctions.
For example, Grasshopper requires an initial down payment of $500 for international calling. It also integrates with the same G-Suite apps, but at a lower price point. A big advantage that Grasshopper has over Google Voice is that you can have a live receptionist to handle your inbound calls; this service is just like hiring a full-time receptionist to answer and forward calls—but it only costs a fraction of the price.
If you conduct business in America or Canada, Nextiva’s VoIP telephone services may be a great option for you, especially if you have a larger operation. With some features that Google Voice doesn’t offer, including world-class customer service and auto-attendance, it might be the perfect Google Voice alternative. You’ll also gain SMS capabilities and access to a CRM feature with Nextiva. Although the plans do start at a higher price point than some competitors, the first plan includes unlimited voice and video calls.
Nextiva has a variety of reviews, with some people finding it useful and others having complaints. Its effectiveness largely depends on the size of your business; this service tends to work better for large enterprises rather than small businesses or solopreneurs. Plans and features can be customized according to larger businesses’ needs, but they may not suit smaller companies quite as well.
Where Nextiva Bests Google Voice
While both Nextiva and Google Voice have similar features, there are some distinct differences between the two. Here is where Nextiva shines:
- Better customer support
- They offer auto attendant options.
- Unlimited calling within the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico
While Nextiva does have contracts, they can be difficult to get out of. Customers report the CRM feature being a bit buggy, and customer support being slow to handle technical issues.
There are various things to think about when scanning VoIP providers. Some seek a service that is conventional, like a phone number with global access. Others want technology that is brand-new. Ooma could be what you desire if you’re in the market for a dependable solution without enterprise-level pricing.
Ooma was founded in 2004 in Palo Alto, California, and is still based there today. Ooma offers a wide variety of products and services for both consumers and businesses.
Where Oomah Shines
Although both companies offer fairly similar products, there are a couple of key differences worth mentioning. To begin with, Ooma has more features than its competitor.
A few examples include:
- call recording
- Ooma’s desktop app
- virtual receptionist option
- “round-robin” feature
For larger companies, Ooma offers desk phones, video meetings, API integrations, and much more. When compared to Google Voice, Ooma is a much more robust option for businesses.
Skype has been a leading player in the VoIP industry since it was established. The brand is still recognized as a top choice for virtual calls and video conferences. Even though Zoom might have taken over as the big name during COVID-19 for video conferencing, Skype is still an important part of VoIP communications.
Skype is more than just a landline and cell phone provider; you can also use it to send text messages. The core Skype platform is free, but if businesses want access to all of its features, they need to sign up for a Skype Number. Since Microsoft purchased Skype in 2011, it has become popular with those who already use other Microsoft tools since they can integrate them with Skype.
One selling point that Skype’s desktop app has over Google Voice is the option for users to create international phone numbers in 26 countries instead of only 12.
Why Choose Skype Over Google Voice?
Although Skype and Google Voice share many features, Skype offers a few more. The most apparent distinction is that Skype allows for video calling so you can see the person you’re talking to – which has become increasingly important in today’s day and age.
In addition to making regular voice calls, Skype also supports group calls with video for up to 100 members. You can even share your screen during these calls so that everyone is looking at the same thing and can work together on projects or presentations.
Sideline is the perfect alternative to Google Voice, and it even surpasses Google Voice in many ways. Even though Sideline isn’t technically classified as a VoIP system, it has just as many features (if not more).
Sideline gives you great call quality and reliability, but it also uses your carrier minutes. So if you don’t have an unlimited plan with your provider, your business calls could start to rack up a bill. The good news is that most plans are limited these days.
Why Sideline is Better than Google Voice
Sideline is more dependable than Google Voice. If you’re having trouble with your cell phone service, then it’s likely that Sideline will have the same issue.
In other words, you can trust that your calls will go through without any issues. However, Sideline uses minutes from your phone plan so you’ll want to make sure you have an unlimited calling plan before using it.
If you want a call center solution for your business that will provide features like CRM integration and customer data tracking, OpenPhone is a perfect choice.
OpenPhone offers some of the best features on the market and is always working to improve them. Currently, they have voicemail transcription and auto-attendant available, with dedicated customer support to help manage the Google Voice porting process if you’re wanting to switch over.
Where OpenPhone Beats Google Voice
OpenPhone, similar to Google Voice, is a helpful way for your entire company to communicate via voice and text with customers and potential clients. The best part about OpenPhone is that it allows multiple people within different departments of your company to share one business number. You can also effortlessly route incoming callers to the right department or individual with only a few taps on the screen.
OpenPhone also has a built-in, lightweight CRM that integrates with Hubspot and Salesforce. If you’re thinking about dumping Google Voice for OpenPhone, they make it easy to port your information over. However, while the usability of OpenPhone is better than what we’ve seen from Google Voice in the past, it’s not as scalable or high quality as Monster VoIP quite yet.
The Hushed WiFi calling phone number app is a VoIP-based service that offers prepaid plans, unlimited subscriptions, and pay-as-you-go international plans. In addition to voice and text communication, the app also provides features such as call forwarding, call routing, and custom voicemail greetings.
Hushed has many features that come with it such as automatic replies to messages, the ability to use it on multiple devices, and integrations with DropBox and Slack. If you’re looking for a cheaper Google Voice alternative that is more simplistic, go with Hushed. However, it might not have enough Advanced Features for bigger companies. It does provide numbers from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom though.
Hushed Over Google Voice?
Hushed is a great choice for those looking for an affordable and user-friendly Google Voice alternative. With Hushed, you get features like automatic replies to messages, the ability to use it on multiple devices, and integrations with DropBox and Slack.
This software is ideal for small businesses and individual entrepreneurs; however, bigger companies might find it lacking in advanced features. With that being said, it does provide numbers from the United States, Canada, and United Kingdom.
Conclusion
While a great choice for business telephone service, Google Voice is not the defacto choice for everyone. There are many options for Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephony. And, generally speaking, VoIP is more often than not a better value than regular landlines. And, as more landlines are being phased out of use, VoIP is the best long-term choice for business communications.