8 Best Google Voice Alternatives for 2023
This article is part of a larger series onVoIP.
Google Voice offers small businesses a lightweight phone system with essential features like unlimited text messaging and call forwarding. However, it lacks advanced call management tools and doesn’t integrate with much beyond the Google ecosystem. A great Google Voice alternative provides powerful call management and productivity solutions, budget-friendly pricing, and powerful built-in video conferencing and messaging tools.
Based on our research of dozens of providers, here are the eight best Google Voice competitors:
- Phone.com:Best overall Google Voice alternative
- RingCentral:Best for call management capabilities
- Dialpad:Best for artificial intelligence (AI) functionality
- Vonage:Best for customizable plans
- Ooma:Best for micro-businesses and home offices
- 8×8:Best for international expansion
- GoTo Connect:Best for remote work arrangements
- Grasshopper:最好的无限的用户和账户共享
Google Voice & Best Alternatives at a Glance
Best Alternatives to Google Voice |
Monthly Starting Price (per User) |
Key Features |
Free Plan |
FSB Rating |
---|---|---|---|---|
|
$10 |
|
✓ |
3.94 out of 5 |
|
$14.99 |
|
✕
(30-day money-back guarantee) |
4.50 out of 5 |
|
$30 |
|
✕
(14-day free trial) |
4.41 out of 5 |
|
$23 |
|
✕
(14-day free trial) |
4.39 out of 5 |
|
$19.99 |
|
✕ |
4.33 out of 5 |
|
$19.95 |
|
✓
(30-day money-back guarantee) |
4.28 out of 5 |
|
$28 |
|
✕ |
4.21 out of 5 |
|
$32 |
|
✕
(14-day free trial) |
4.08 out of 5 |
|
$31
(flat-rate pricing) |
|
✕
(7-day free trial) |
3.97 out of 5 |
Want to revisit what Google Voice has to offer? For everything you need to know about this virtual phone system, read ourGoogle Voice reviewand learn about its use cases, pricing, and features.
Phone.com: Best Overall Google Voice Alternative
What We Like
- Plus and Pro plans are Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliant
- All plans come with 24/7 customer support
- Optional live receptionist services available
Where It Falls Behind
- Call recording is a paid feature for Basic and Plus plan users
- Application integration tools are exclusive to Pro users
- Video meetings only accommodate a maximum of 100 participants
How It Compares to Google Voice
- Google Voice only supports local phone numbers, while Phone.com offers more variety, including local, toll-free, vanity, and international numbers
- Google Voice offers a free personal plan, while Phone.com does not
- Both providers offer voicemail transcription, call forwarding, and auto-attendant
Phone.com topped our list as the best overall Google Voice alternative for small businesses looking for a cost-effectivevoice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP)service. It offers mix-and-match plans and discounts for annual billing and volume users. Phone.com allows subscribers to choose specific plans per user, ensuring each team member gets the particular features they need. It also offers special pricing for 30-plus users and annual billing discounts.
All Phone.com plans include conference calls, SMS text messaging, voicemail to email, and HIPAA compliance. Its premium paid features include a live receptionist, IP phone connection, international dialing, call recording, additional minutes, and global numbers. With over 50 standard features, this Google Voice alternative is an excellent choice for small businesses with seasonal call volumes needing a flexible phone system.
While Phone.com offers a wide range of phone system features, it falls short of native integrations with third-party business tools. You need Zapier to expand integration with productivity and collaboration apps. If this is a deal-breaker, check out RingCentral. It has hundreds of integrations and comes with an application programming interface (API).
Phone.com Monthly Pricing at a Glance*
- Basic:$14.99 per user for 500 pooled minutes, one phone number per account, call forwarding, 10-participant video conferencing, and automated attendant
- Plus:$21.99 per user for unlimited minutes, one phone number per user, SMS, 25-participant video conferencing with recording, and voicemail transcription
- Pro:$31.99 per user for call recording, call analytics, 100-participant video conferencing, and third-party integrations
*Opt for annual billing and save 15%, and volume discounts apply for five or more users.
Phone.com Features
- Live receptionist:Add a live answering service to yourbusiness phone systemfor greater credibility, enhanced customer support, and flexibility. Pricing starts at $90 per month. Receptionists can assist with appointment scheduling, spam filtering, and call forwarding.
- Multiple number types:Basic users get one phone number, and Plus and Pro users get one number per user. Choose from toll-free, custom, and global phone numbers. International numbers start at $4.99 per month.
- Browser access:Phone.com works with most browsers, giving instant and easy access to your phone system regardless of location.
Read our detailedPhone.com reviewwith pricing details and key features to learn more.
RingCentral: Best for Call Management Capabilities
What We Like
- Video conferencing comes with a whiteboard, collaborative notes, and breakout rooms
- Unlimited video recording on all plans
- Offers enhanced business analytic suite
Where It Falls Behind
- Video recording has one-year cloud retention
- RingCentral Rooms and Webinars are add-on options
- Virtual meeting caps out at 200 participants
How It Compares to Google Voice
- Google Voice lacks international number support, while RingCentral offers local phone numbers in over 100 countries
- RingCentral has advanced call monitoring features like whisper, barge, and takeover, which Google Voice lacks
- RingCentral’s video conferencing features are built in, while Google Voice offers video conferencing through Google Meet integration
RingCentral is the top option for companies looking for robust call management features. All RingCentral plans come with multi-level auto-attendant, interactive voice response (IVR), toll-free minutes, and unlimited domestic calling in the U.S. and Canada. Higher-tier plans get access to advanced calling solutions, such as automatic call recording, call monitoring, and business analytics.
It’s our recommendedbest cheap VoIP service providerbecause it’s an all-in-one communication solution that integrates VoIP calling, video conferencing, and team chat. Get unlimited audio conferencing and high-definition (HD) video with AI insights and live transcription. Teams using RingCentral can collaborate effectively using tools like task assignment, team messaging, and calendar sharing.
RingCentral’s HD video conferencing allows up to 200 video participants. If you’re looking for a platform with a high participant capacity, try 8×8. Its HD audio and video conferencing with screen sharing accommodates up to 500 active participants.
RingCentral Monthly Pricing at a Glance*
- Core:$30 per user for 100 toll-free minutes, 25 SMS per user, multi-level auto-attendant with interactive voice response (IVR), team messaging, video conferencing for up to 100, basic call queues, and on-demand call recording
- Advanced:$35 per user for 1,000 toll-free minutes, 100 SMS per user, hot desking, advanced call monitoring, and unlimited internet fax
- Ultra:$45 per user for 10,000 toll-free minutes, custom business insights, unlimited HD video, unmetered file sharing and storage, and enhanced business analytics suite
*Avail of volume discounts for 50-plus users and save up to 33% with annual billing.
RingCentral Features
- Business calls and texts:RingCentral’s unmetered calling and texting with the U.S. and Canada lets you communicate without limits. With coverage in over 40 countries and inbound virtual numbers in 100-plus countries, choose from different paid calling plans or bundles to make international calls.
- Multi-level auto-attendant:Simplify your call routing system and deploy multiple IVR menus for various locations. Users get up to 250 voice menus and submenus per account.
- Team huddle:Jump in and out of collaborative meetings like in a physical office. RingCentral’s team huddle is designed for those spur-of-the-moment sessions with colleagues. This feature lets you start audio and video meetings where participants can come and go as they please.
OurRingCentral reviewoutlines the platform’s use cases, disadvantages, and subscription plans.
Dialpad: Best for Artificial Intelligence Functionality
What We Like
- Includes unlimited calling
- Comes with one local number
- All plans have real-time analytics and reporting
Where It Falls Behind
- Low video conferencing participant limit
- Only the highest-tier plan offers single sign-on (SSO) capabilities
- International SMS not available on base plan
How It Compares to Google Voice
- Google Voice doesn’t support internet fax, which Dialpad offers
- Dialpad offers international SMS, while Google Voice’s text messaging services are limited to U.S. and Canadian numbers
- Dialpad offers a wider range ofcustomer relationship management (CRM) integrationsthan Google Voice
Dialpad is the best Google Voice alternative for advanced AI technology integration thanks to its Dialpad Ai solution that uses NLP (natural language processing) and built-in speech recognition. It’s asmall business VoIP servicethat transcribes real-time meetings and detects customer sentiment during conversations using AI.
With machine learning, Dialpad Ai learns conversational cues and patterns, increasing accuracy over time. Transcripts and sentiment analysis pick up subtle nuances and vocabulary commonly used in your industry and business. Supervisor’s dashboards indicate whether active conversations are positive or negative, allowing managers to jump in quickly and support agents. Also, Dialpad can identify and distinguish between speakers in call transcripts.
When it comes to virtual meetings, Dialpad offers unlimited video meetings in the entry-level plan. However, it only supports a maximum of 10 participants. For hosting larger meetings, consider RingCentral (unlimited meetings with no time limits for up to 200 participants) or 8×8 (up to 500 active meeting participants).
Dialpad Monthly Pricing at a Glance*
- Standard:$23 per user for unlimited calling, messaging, one local number, 10 video meeting participants for five hours, real-time transcriptions, HIPAA compliance, and live speech coaching
- Pro:$35 per user for international SMS, Salesforce and Microsoft Teams integration, and open API
- Enterprise:Quote-based pricing for 100% uptime, unlimited ring groups, single sign-on, priority live agent support, and dial-by-extension
*Annual billing discounts are available for additional savings.
Dialpad Features
- Screen sharing:b让与会者的看看你的屏幕etter visualization and discussion. This virtual meeting feature also works on Dialpad’s mobile app.
- Business text messaging:Use Dialpad’s app to send texts and messages to customers and colleagues. Choose when you’ll be notified and about which messages.
- Call flip:Gain greater flexibility with call flip, which transfers calls from your desktop to a mobile phone, VoIP phone, or other mobile devices without interrupting the conversation.
OurDialpad reviewhas all the essential information you need to know about Dialpad Ai and its robust business phone features.
Vonage: Best for Customizable Plans
What We Like
- Unlimited meetings for up to 100
- IP desk phone compatible
- Base plan has unlimited team messaging
Where It Falls Behind
- Doesn’t offer an annual billing discount
- Add-on features are standard capabilities in other VoIP providers
- Vonage App Center includes only 20-plus third-party integrations
How It Compares to Google Voice
- Unlike Vonage, Google Voice does not require a one-year contract
- Google Voice offers a free plan, which Vonage does not
- Both offer multi-level auto-attendant in higher-tier plans
When looking for a Google Voice alternative, choose Vonage if you’re looking for a customizable plan that gives you the exact features you need. With over 50 voice and unified communications (UC) features, this provider is ideal for budget-conscious users looking for basic calling services and select niche features. Create the best plan for your business by adding extra features based on your communication needs.
Vonage offers 43 UC features and 18 paid add-ons. These features include AI capabilities, marketing tools, and productivity and marketing solutions. Unfortunately, Vonage’s business call recording service is an add-on feature priced at $49.99. This standard feature is included in most VoIP providers’ base plans. Consider RingCentral, which offers two types of recording: automatic and on-demand.
Vonage Monthly Pricing at a Glance*
- Mobile:$19.99 per line for unlimited calls and SMS, unlimited team messaging, and mobile and desktop apps access
- Premium:$29.99 per line for multi-level auto-attendant, unlimited meetings for up to 100 participants, andCRM systemintegrations
- Advanced:$39.99 per line for up to 15 hours of on-demand call recording, call groups, and visual voicemail
*Rates are exclusive of taxes and fees. A minimum one-year contract is required.
Vonage Features
- Vonage Boomerang:Automatically connect your calls from specific numbers to your Vonage phone number. Boomerang contacts are connected to your Vonage number, and all charges are applied to your Vonage account.
- Auto-attendant:Automate call routing to specific employees or departments using Vonage’s virtual phone receptionist.
- Display caller ID (identification):See who’s calling even before you pick up your phone. Employees and agents can better screen calls and focus on priority callers.
Read ourVonage review确定它是你sma的最佳选择ll business.
Ooma: Best for Micro-businesses & Home Offices
What We Like
- Unlimited Calling in U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico
- Offers bulk comma-separated values (CSV) upload for IP phones
- Ooma meeting video conferencing for up to 100 participants
Where It Falls Behind
- Call recording, voicemail transcription, and desktop app access aren't available in the entry-level Ooma Office package
- Limited third-party integrations compared to RingCentral
- Call queueing is locked behind the most expensive Ooma Office package
How It Compares to Google Voice
- Ooma Office integrates with Google Workspace and other popular apps, while Google Voice is limited to other Google apps
- Ooma plans come with a toll-free number with 500 minutes of inbound calls, which Google Voice lacks
- Both providers offer ring groups
Ooma office is the best provider for small business operations thanks to its comprehensive home service plans. Ooma’s Telo device is an analog telephone adapter that allows users to connect its Ooma phone system to existing landline phones. The Ooma Telo White or Telo Air offers free nationwide calling capabilities. Users don’t pay for any phone service—just the device itself. Ooma Telo White is $99.99, while the wireless Air version costs $129.99.
This solution also offers a pay-as-you-go plan, and for companies looking for more significant savings when it comes to long-distance calling, avail of Ooma’s bundled minute and unlimited calling plans. Choose from a 200- or 500-minute international plan starting at $4.99 monthly or its unlimited 60- or 70-country world plan priced at $17.99 and $25.99 monthly, respectively.
While Ooma offers dedicated international calling plans, it doesn’t have vanity or international phone numbers. Businesses interested in establishing a local presence or building brand recognition through phone numbers should consider RingCentral. This provider offers four types of virtual numbers: local, toll-free, vanity, and international numbers.
Ooma Monthly Pricing at a Glance
- Office Essentials:$19.95 per user for 50-plus standard features, virtual receptionist, ring groups, and one toll-free number
- Office Pro:$24.95 per user for call recording, enhanced call blocking, voicemail transcription, and analytics
- Office Pro Plus:$29.95 per user for call queuing, hot desking, find me-follow me, advanced call management, and digital call deflection
Ooma Features
- Call recording:Use this feature to comply with industry regulations, improve customer service, and document client interactions. This is a great resource for resolving customer disputes and staff training.
- Advanced call management:Ooma’s advanced call management features include shared voicemail boxes and virtual receptionist schedules.
- Music on hold:Don’t let your customers wait for agents in silence; holding music keeps customers informed and entertained while on hold. Users can choose from multiple options, including playing text announcements and audio files.
OurOoma reviewdiscusses the VoIP platform’s pros and cons to help you decide if it fits your business communication requirements.
8×8: Best for International Expansion
What We Like
- Enterprise plan comes with advanced moderator controls of audio and video meetings
- Comprehensive interactive meeting tools like live emoji, virtual backgrounds, and breakout rooms
- Base plan has multi-level auto-attendant
Where It Falls Behind
- Does not have a free trial
- Lacks a toll-free minute allowance
- Live streaming is limited to YouTube
How It Compares to Google Voice
- 8×8 has a broad range of CRM and productivity app integrations; Google Voice’s integrations are within the Google Workspace
- 8×8 allows businesses to mix and match plans, while Google Voice does not
- Both providers offer unlimited users
8×8 offers unlimited voice calling to 14 or 48 countries and international numbers, making it ideal for building an international presence. If you don’t need unlimited global calling, 8×8’s rates are competitive, starting at two cents per minute. 8×8 has public switched telephone network (PSTN) services available in 55-plus countries and has phone number support in over 100 countries.
In addition to international calling services, 8×8 is a complete UC solution. This all-in-one voice, video, and chat solution includes call handling features, unlimited internet fax, and single sign-on features on its base plan. Upgrade to the X4 plan and get supervisor analytics, conversational IQ for speech analytics, and call monitoring features, such as call barge, monitor, and whisper.
虽然您可以添加免费或geography-specificdirect inward dial (DID), it doesn’t have a toll-free minute allowance. Gain greater savings by opting for a provider with inclusive toll-free minutes. All RingCentral plans come with toll-free minutes, starting at 100 minutes in its base plan. Get up to 10,000 toll-free minutes when you subscribe to RingCentral’s Ultra plan.
8×8 Monthly Pricing at a Glance*
- X2:$28 per user for unlimited voice calling to 14 countries, multi-level auto-attendant, hot desking, and third-party integrations
- X4:$57 per user for unlimited voice calling to 48 countries, 8×8 Frontdesk, call monitoring, and supervisor analytics
*Save up to 23% with annual billing. The provider allows businesses to mix and match plans.
8×8 Features
- Branded video meetings:Add your company’s logo and create vanity URLs to professionalize your meeting’s background, helping you make a better impression on customers.
- Business hour handling:Base your phone system’s call management rules on your operational schedule and determine where calls are directed during business hours. Direct calls to voicemail or alternate contact numbers when incoming calls are received outside your office schedule.
- Remote desktop:Gain approved and temporary access to a meeting participant’s screen and help sessions flow smoothly. Request for remote desktop control, and once granted, their screen will be shared, and you can remotely control the desktop and demonstrate features.
8×8 is a leading UC platform suited for small and large businesses. If you’re considering using this provider, read our detailed8×8 review.
GoTo Connect: Best for Remote Work Arrangements
What We Like
- Users can designate meeting co-organizers
- Provides unlimited meetings
- Offers auto-attendant recorded greetings
Where It Falls Behind
- Doesn’t offer unlimited texting
- Base plan only comes with one ring group
- Lacks e-fax and voicemail only unlocks in higher-tiered plans
How It Compares to Google Voice
- GoTo Connect offers more virtual phone number options than Google Voice
- GoTo Connect offers up to 1,000 inclusive toll-free minutes, which Google Voice lacks
- Both VoIP providers feature call forwarding across all their plans.
GoTo Connect is great for remote and hybrid work arrangements because, in addition to fully integrated calls and video meetings, it offers extensive compatibility with IP phones. Choose cordless and conference-ready phones from Cisco, Polycom, Plantronics, and Yealink. Establish and sustain a remote arrangement using the cloud and set up your team’s phone system in minutes.
With an extensive list of enterprise phone features like dial plan editors, music on hold, call analytics, and custom greetings, manage customer calls with ease using GoTo Connect. It also has strong international calling capabilities with free international calling to over 50 countries. Users also get 1,000 toll-free minutes that they can use across multiple accounts.
One of GoTo Connect’s biggest drawbacks is its SMS inclusions, which are limited to only 40 to 80 SMS credits, depending on your plan. For SMS and multimedia messaging service (MMS) capabilities, choose Dialpad. It offers SMS, MMS, group messaging, and internal and external messages to SMS.
GoTo Connect Monthly Pricing at a Glance*
- Basic:$32 per user for video meetings with four participants, basic integrations, and 40 SMS credits
- Standard:$43 per user for unlimited users, video meetings for 250 participants, advanced integrations, and 80 SMS credits
- Premium:$54 per user for premium integrations, advanced contact center, and 125 SMS credits
*Save up to 11% with annual billing.
GoTo Connect Features
- Dial plan editor:Create your ideal dial plan using GoTo Connect’s drag-and-drop call flow editor. Easily map out how inbound calls move through the phone system and use this feature to direct calls to specific ring groups and voicemail boxes.
- Call recording:Determine whether you’ll be recording system-wide or call-specific recording. Configure call-specific recordings according to certain phone numbers, lines, ring groups, call queues, or conference bridges.
- Caller hold time report:Find out how long your callers are on hold before their call is answered. With this information, you’re able to plan a more appropriate approach when dealing with customers who have been on the line for a long time.
Familiarize yourself with this VoIP platform’s scalability features through ourGoTo Connect review. Explore our ratings for the provider’s pricing, customer service, and ease of use.
Grasshopper: Best for Unlimited Users & Account Sharing
What We Like
- Offers simultaneous call handling
- Includes instant response
- 赠送的数量porting
Where It Falls Behind
- Doesn’t come with video conferencing capabilities
- Lacks integrations
- No international phone numbers
How It Compares to Google Voice
- Grasshopper’s pricing is flat-rate monthly billing, while Google Voice is per user
- Both providers offer call forwarding
- Grasshopper lets users customize greetings, a feature Google Voice lacks
蚱蜢是一个小型商业友好,cost-effective Google Voice alternative offering flat-rate monthly pricing with unlimited users, allowing team members to share a single account. Most VoIP providers charge per-user rates, but Grasshopper keeps costs with a single account monthly rate that starts at $31. Teams can add more users without increasing monthly costs, and you will access more phone numbers as you upgrade your subscription.
In addition to being budget-friendly, Grasshopper is a straightforward phone system offering essential call management features. All subscriptions come with virtual fax, custom greetings, call transfers, and incoming call control. Its plans only differ in the number of phone numbers, extensions, and users.
While Grasshopper is a simple phone system, teams looking for a more advanced phone system are better off with providers with all-in phone solutions like 8×8. It has third-party integrations and video conferencing, which Grasshopper lacks. Depending on the plan, other features 8×8 provides include HD audio and video conferencing with screen sharing for up to 500 active participants, supervisor analytics, and voicemail hot desking.
Grasshopper Monthly Pricing at a Glance*
- Solo:$31 for one phone number, three extensions, and unlimited users
- Partner:$51 for three phone numbers and six extensions
- Small Business:$89 for five phone numbers and unlimited extensions
*Save over 10% when you opt for annual billing.
Grasshopper Features
- Call forwarding:Redirect incoming calls to an alternate number, which is useful in call centers receiving a high volume of customer inquiries. Configure the scheduling based on your team’s availability.
- Voice studio:Make the right impression and elevate your phone system’s recorded messages with high-quality, professional greetings. Grasshopper has voice actors who can set the right tone for your business. This is an add-on feature priced at $75 per order.
- Q&A extensions:Record questions that the Grasshopper system will ask callers, which is helpful for a company’s lead generation and order-taking efforts. Grasshopper gathers all the answers into one voicemail.
OurGrasshopper reviewwill help you learn more about the business phone system’s capabilities. Its general and niche features earned high scores in our evaluation.
How We Evaluated the Best Google Voice Alternatives
To assess the best alternatives to Google Voice, we considered several UC providers offering affordable VoIP solutions. We compared each provider’s subscription costs, calling capabilities, usability, and customer assistance. Our evaluation also considered our expert opinion on its value for money and popularity.
Learn how we evaluated the best alternatives to Google Voice by clicking on the tabs below:
15% of Overall Score
To determine the affordability of the different alternatives to Google Voice, we considered the costs of each platform’s base and second-tier subscription plans and compared them to the prevailing fee in the market. We awarded more points to those with discounts for annual billing and bulk purchases.
25% of Overall Score
The general features we looked at include capabilities that small businesses would find most useful. This includes unlimited calling within the U.S. and Canada, audio and video conferencing, and a mobile app. Service level agreements were part of the assessment, and we gave higher points to providers with a 99.999% availability guarantee.
20% of Overall Score
Providers need to have specialized features that are comparable or go over and beyond what Google Voice provides. Specialized features we focused on include unmetered international calling, international numbers, and an interactive voice response (IVR) system. Providers with robust integrations earned more points.
10% of Overall Score
Ease of use is based on the expertise required to set up and operate the phone system. Part of the evaluation looked at whether the providers have an intuitive interface.
10% of Overall Score
Our evaluation also considered the variety of customer communication channels. Providers with email, phone, and live chat support ranked higher in this section. We considered the hours these channels are active and operational.
20% of Overall Score
Expert score entails our assessment of the provider’s standout features, value for money, and ease of use. User ratings are part of the review, specifically from reputable third-party review sites, to gauge the platform’s popularity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Google Voice offers a free-to-use personal plan when you sign up for a Google account. Calls and texts to numbers in the U.S. and Canada are free, but you’ll need credits to make international calls. Google Voice also has monthly business phone plans that start at $10 per user.
There are free VoIP phone systems like Ooma, a provider included in this list. Purchasing an Ooma Telo device gives you free home phone services, and all you pay are monthly applicable taxes. Our evaluation shows Phone.com is the best Google Voice alternative because it’s an inexpensive, feature-filled solution offering mix-and-match plans, ideal for small businesses.
Google Voice is a VoIP provider offering free local phone numbers and low-cost monthly plans. It integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace, but it lacks several key features, such as virtual number options and advanced call management tools. Several providers offer similar features and niche capabilities that some small businesses need, like international calling and global SMS.
Bottom Line
Google Voice is an excellent VoIP solution for businesses working within the Google ecosystem looking for an inexpensive virtual phone system. However, Google Voice does have its limitations, such as international calling and texting. Based on our evaluation, Phone.com is the best alternative because it offers pooled minutes, built-in video conferencing capabilities, and all plans come with 50 standard voice features.
Small businesses looking for a scalable platform that won’t break the bank should consider Phone.com as a Google Voice alternative. Head to their website to learn more about how this solution can help expand your communication stack.