Compare the Best Google Voice Alternatives
Best Google Voice Alternatives Of 2025
What Google Voice Does Well
Most notably, Google Voice stands out from alternative cloud phone systems as the cheapest option available for small teams. However, businesses will also appreciate its unlimited calling and texting and easy-to-use dashboard on desktop and mobile.
Low Cost
Starting at $10 monthly per user, Google Voiceโs Starter plan is the cheapest VoIP system Iโve ever seen. For teams of 10 or fewer users that want unlimited calling and texting without advanced features, you wonโt find a better value than Google Voice. Unfortunately, teams of more than 10 are forced to upgrade to the $20 Standard plan, which is still a good deal but not as exceptional.
Unlimited Calling and Texting
Google Voice offers unlimited calling and texting in the US and Canada, or within Europe. This offering is special in a couple of ways. For one, unlimited SMS texting is surprisingly rare for VoIP systems. Many competitors, such as Nextiva and RingCentral, limit your monthly text allotment to as few as 100 texts per user. So, if you plan to text customers frequently, for marketing or conversational purposes, Google Voice is a solid option.
And while nearly all VoIP alternatives match Google Voiceโs offering for unlimited calling in the U.S., the unlimited calling within Europe is a standout capability. Teams based in Europe will likely not find a better value than Google Voice.
User-Friendly Interface
Whether youโre using the web portal or mobile app, Google Voice has a simple, modern and clean interface. All the essentialsโSMS, calling, contacts and virtual number managementโare organized in a cohesive dashboard and side panel menu. Itโs a great option for companies that are new to VoIP telephony and want something without a steep learning curve.
Where Google Voice Falls Short
Google Voiceโs main shortcoming is its lack of advanced VoIP features. Specifically, it lacks prebuilt analytics and AI tools, and its integration library is virtually nonexistent.
Lack of User-Friendly Analytics
Google Voiceโs low-tier plans donโt include any reporting or analytics, which provide insights about your daily call volume and messaging usage. While the Premier plan includes BigQuery analytics, this option requires programming knowledge to build reports, making it a less user-friendly option and out of reach for many teams.
If youโd like insights about your companyโs call history, Dialpadโs real-time analytics dashboard is fantastic.
10-User Limit on Starter Plan
While Google Voiceโs Starter plan is cheap, it only supports up to 10 users. Teams of more than ten must upgrade to the Standard plan, which is twice the price. If your team is larger than 10 users and looking for a cost-effective solution, Grasshopper is a great choice. Grasshopperโs Small Business plan supports unlimited users and is a good value for teams of 10 to 15, even if you need to purchase additional phone numbers for $9 each.
Minimal Integrations
Third-party integrations allow you to connect your VoIP system to other software you use, such as CRM platforms, data systems, and marketing apps. These integrations can sync data and actions across platforms, making your day more efficient. Google Voice only integrates with two productsโGoogle Meet and Google Calendar. On the other hand, platforms like RingCentral integrate with over 100 third-party apps, enabling you to use your call data for additional business purposes.
What To Look For in a Google Voice Alternative
When choosing a Google Voice alternative, look for a platform that offers the features and channels you plan to use, with a minimum of โextrasโ that you wonโt. Make sure your chosen software supports unlimited calling, and if you plan to text customers frequently, choose a plan with unlimited SMS.
Hereโs what to look for when choosing a Google Voice alternative.
- Channel offerings. Choose a provider and plan that offers only the channels you plan to use. You may want voice only with a provider such as Grasshopper, or you may want to offer multichannel customer service through live chat, email and social media.
- Call routing features. Google Voice offers ring groups and call queues, which are important capabilities for handling inbound calls. If you want even stronger call routing features, look for a provider with call queueing or advanced call distribution rules.
- Low cost. While Google Voiceโs Starter plan already boasts a low cost, if you want a more feature-rich alternative, look for one under $25 monthly per user. Zoom Phone, OpenPhone and Grasshopper are cost-effective options.
- User-friendly dashboard and interface. Before making your final choice, see if you can access a free trial or YouTube tutorial for the platform you plan to use. This way, you can test the app dashboard and ensure it feels comfortable for your users.
- Real-time analytics. One of Google Voiceโs major shortcomings is that its BigQuery analytics is difficult to use and only comes with the $30 plan. When choosing an alternative, look for one that includes real-time analytics such as Dialpad or RingCentral.
Iโd consider options that offer better scalability, integrations with customer relationship tools and more robust call analytics to help understand and optimize customer interactions.
โWhitney Duenas Richardson, Google Voice user and founder of Global Sprouts, a childrenโs education brand.
If youโre questioning whether Google Voice is the right choice for your small business, there are plenty of Google Voice alternatives available. It all depends on which gap in its service offerings you want or need to fill to better suit your business communication needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are there any free VoIP services?
There are two free VoIP servicesโGoogle Voiceโs personal phone plans and TextNow. However, both of these services are intended for personal use, rather than a business phone system. I recommend that small businesses use a low-cost VoIP system instead, such as Google Voice, Zoom Phone or Grasshopper.
Is Google discontinuing Google Voice?
No. Google Voice continues to offer VoIP phone service. Google has continually updated the software interface and feature offering for Google Voice, ensuring that it works well with the rest of Google Workspace.
Why would someone use a Google Voice number?
A Google Voice virtual number allows you to establish a business presence in a U.S. area code of your choosing. You can separate your business number from your personal number while taking the business number with you wherever you go, on a mobile device or computer. Google Voice numbers also give you easily manageable business phone features, such as IVR menus.