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Google Voice: Business phone system and plans Stay connected and save time with an easy-to-use business phone solution that fits organisations of any size.

Work from anywhere

Your Voice line works on mobile devices, laptops and supported deskphones so that you can stay connected at work, home or on the go.

Voice can be customised to fit your day-to-day workflow. Number assignment, porting and billing are neatly consolidated in the familiar Google Workspace Admin console.

Voice uses Google AI to help save you time by blocking spam calls and transcribing voicemails to text automatically. Integrations with Google Meet and Calendar help keep the focus on what's important.

Voice can be deployed instantly – and globally – from anywhere, with less administrative work. This feature includes easy setup of multi-level auto attendants and ring groups (also known as hunt groups).

Works with Voice

Expand your reach with sip link.

SIP Link allows customers to connect PSTN services from any operator to Google Voice through certified session border controllers (SBCs).

Compatible hardware

Trusted by organisations of many sizes, Polycom® devices and certified headsets provide reliable solutions for business communication.

Google Workspace

Receive valuable meeting context from Google Meet Manage your work-life balance with Google Calendar

Get more done with Voice and Google Workspace

Easy for users.

Built for Google Workspace, Voice has a familiar look and user-friendly feel that fits easily into their workflow.

Easier for IT

Make it simple for your IT team to stay on top of their work with Voice, an integral part of the Google Workspace family.

Smart for business

Manage costs for your business with three licence editions that help you streamline operations with Voice and Google Workspace.

Choose the right business phone plan for you.

*Offer available to new Google Voice customers located in Europe, the Middle East and Africa in countries where Google Voice is available to purchase ( see here ), if they are purchasing either the Standard or Premier SKU. This offer is available to redeem and applies: (i) to direct and resold customers; (ii) to Fees only and not to Calling Rates or Taxes (as such terms are defined in the "Google Telephony Services" section of the Google Workspace Service Specific Terms ) or any other costs; and (iii) for the duration of customers’ Google Telephony Agreement (defined in "Google Telephony Services" section of the Google Workspace Service Specific Terms ) as it applies to Google Voice, unless and until notified of changes to the Fees in accordance with the Google Telephony Agreement.

2 Refer to the Voice rate card for a complete list of calling rates for your Voice number.

Voice is for Google Workspace customers only

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Our sales team now uses Google Voice to call and text customers from their smartphones, tablets and the web. And because it's considerably more affordable to operate than our legacy VoIP systems, we continue to steadily expand our usage of Google Voice.

Nerina Martinez, Senior Director of Technology at Iron Mountain

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Google Voice Review 2023

Data as of 12/19/22. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

We are committed to sharing unbiased reviews. Some of the links on our site are from our partners who compensate us. Read our editorial guidelines and advertising disclosure .

Google Voice is a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) solution that can be used as a business phone service to protect your personal information and streamline company communication.

As a small-business owner, communication is a huge part of your day-to-day. When creating contact information for your business, you have a few options, and VoIP is one of them. Google Voice has proven to be a reliable VoIP since 2009, but it may or may not be a good fit for your small business. We’ll take a look at Google Voice capabilities, limitations, and alternatives for small-business owners.  

What is Google Voice?

Google voice key features, google voice drawbacks.

• Competitor pricing
• The Takeaway

Google Voice FAQ

Google Voice was created in 2009 as a way to make and receive phone calls and text messages with an alternate phone number. Small-business owners use Google Voice as a way to route phone calls and messages to their personal phone number without disclosing their personal information to the public. Businesses can also use Google Voice for multiple employees, allowing more than one person to answer business calls. 

Compare Google Voice plans and pricing

Google Voice offers a variety of capabilities to both individuals and businesses:

Alternate phone number for call forwarding —This is the most basic function of Google Voice, and it’s free to individuals. Using an alternate phone number for your business is great for protecting your personal information and keeping work separate from your personal life. 

Free calls within the US and Canada —All Google Voice plans feature free inbound and outbound domestic calling.

Free unlimited domestic texting —Receive texts to your alternate phone number through your Google Voice app. 

Transcribed voicemails —High-quality AI transcribes your incoming voicemails so you can read them like a message when you don’t have time to listen.

Custom voicemail box —Set up a unique voicemail greeting for your business in the Google Voice app. 

Do Not Disturb —When you are done with work for the day, or simply need a break, Google Voice’s Do Not Disturb feature will send all incoming calls and messages to voicemail.

Auto-block spam calls —Google Voice identifies spam messages and calls and will automatically block these numbers.

Added features for business plans —Paid plans include additional features, like ring groups, automated phone menus, and desk phone support.

With so many great features, what are the drawbacks of Google Voice? As a small-business owner, if you plan on using this VoIP service internationally, fees are likely to add up quickly.

Also, you will need to pay a monthly fee of $10, $20, or $30 per month for services across your business. Here are some other common complaints:

• Pricey international calls — International calls placed within the US charge international rates ranging anywhere from $0.01 to $2.71 per minute, which can add up quickly.
• Limited customer support — Inquiries and complaints with Google Voice support must be filed online, and they can take 10 business days for a response.
• Incoming calls do not include caller ID — Unless you have saved a contact in Google Contacts, all incoming calls will be listed as a phone number with no picture attached, making it hard to identify callers.
• No virtual assistant — Unlike other VoIP solutions, Google Voice does not offer a virtual assistant to manage calls.
• Weak security — Google Voice phone numbers are typically susceptible to being purchased and sold online, making it more common to receive spam calls or have your number used incorrectly. 
• No desktop app — This is a big drawback to Google Voice for many users. To receive calls and messages while on your computer, you must have a Google Voice tab open and logged in on Google Chrome.
• Clunky texting functionality —SMS is no longer supported directly to your phone, and it must be received in the Google Voice app or forwarded to your email. MMS (multimedia messages) are also often low quality.

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Compare Google Voice to other VoIP providers

For a full-service business phone solution that also provides reliable services for your growing business, RingCentral is a great option.

The takeaway

If you’re a small-business owner looking for a free alternative phone number, Google Voice is a reliable VoIP for basic call forwarding and messaging. For businesses with multiple employees who need VoIP services, Google Voice also offers paid monthly plans with added features like ring groups, automated phone menus, and desk phone support. However, there are some drawbacks, like the lack of a desktop app, clunky texting features, and limited customer support. If you find yourself looking for more in a VoIP, alternatives like Phone.com and Grasshopper are a great place to start.

Want to learn more about phone systems and VoIP for small businesses?

Related content

• VoIP Phone Systems Explained: What to Know about Voice over Internet Protocol
• What Is a VoIP Number & How Does VoIP Work
• Nextiva Business VoIP Review 2023
• The 5 Best Business VoIP Providers in 2023

While Google Voice can be a great free resource for small-business owners, some common complaints from Google Voice users include poor customer support, limited text functionality, and no desktop app.

Google Voice is free for individuals but requires a monthly plan of $10, $20, or $30 when used for your business.

Is there anything better than Google Voice?

If you’re looking for a free business phone number for simple call forwarding, Google Voice is probably the best option out there. If your small business is expanding, there are several more robust VoIP options like RingCentral, Phone.com, and Grasshopper that would better fit your needs.

Methodology

We examined a variety of factors to be able to accurately compare Google Voice to its other VoIP competitors, including pricing, available features, add-on features, customer service reviews, user experience with the website and apps, user types, and many other factors. Then we compared what we found to our up-to-date research on other VoIP service providers in order to see where Google Voice stands.

To learn more about our other top picks, be sure to check out our overview on the 13 Best Business VoIP Providers !

At Business.org, our research is meant to offer general product and service recommendations. We don't guarantee that our suggestions will work best for each individual or business, so consider your unique needs when choosing products and services.

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Disclaimer: The information featured in this article is based on our best estimates of pricing, package details, contract stipulations, and service available at the time of writing. All information is subject to change. Pricing will vary based on various factors, including, but not limited to, the customer’s location, package chosen, added features and equipment, the purchaser’s credit score, etc. For the most accurate information, please ask your customer service representative. Clarify all fees and contract details before signing a contract or finalizing your purchase.

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Google Voice for Business: Everything You Need to Know

As an affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Are you tired of juggling multiple phone lines for your business? It’s time to simplify your phone system with Google Voice for Business. This cloud-based communication solution is designed to provide an affordable, easy-to-use, and scalable phone system for small businesses.

In this blog, we will explore the key features of Google Voice for Business that can help streamline your business communication. From local phone numbers to SMS texting, and auto-attendant to ring groups, Google Voice has everything you need to stay connected with your customers and team members.

We will also discuss the reasons why Google Voice is a great choice for your business and the potential drawbacks you should be aware of before making the switch. So, let’s dive in and learn how Google Voice can revolutionize your business communication!

Table of Contents

Introduction.

Utilizing a phone system for businesses can be a daunting task, especially for smaller operations. Fortunately, with Google Voice for Business, managing your communications has never been simpler.

This cloud-based phone system offers features such as call forwarding and voicemail transcription, all while integrating easily with other Google tools like Gmail and Google Calendar. Additionally, Google Voice allows you to use a single phone number for all your business needs, making location or device irrelevant.

Best of all, the service is affordable and easy to set up, making it an ideal option for small businesses or entrepreneurs looking to streamline their communication processes.

What is Google Voice for Business?

Google Voice for Business is a cloud-based phone system that can transform the way your business communicates. With this platform, you can streamline all your communication channels in one place, eliminating the need for multiple phone numbers or devices.

Google Voice offers features such as voicemail transcription, call forwarding, and customizable greetings that enhance your professional image and save time. By integrating with other G Suite apps like Gmail and Calendar, managing your business communications has never been easier.

Overall, Google Voice for Business is an affordable and comprehensive solution that simplifies your phone system while providing advanced features for efficient communication.

How is it different from Google Voice?

Google Voice for Business differs from regular Google Voice in various ways. It is tailored to meet the unique communication needs of businesses, providing advanced features like call forwarding, voicemail transcription, and customized greetings.

Additionally, it enables you to use your business phone number with multiple devices and users, making it easier to manage calls and messages from one platform. The integration with other Google apps such as Gmail and Google Calendar further simplifies communication and scheduling tasks.

Overall, Google Voice for Business is a cost-effective solution that can streamline your business’s phone system while improving efficiency and productivity.

Key Features of Google Voice for Business

Google Voice for Business comes with a range of features that can help simplify your business’s phone system. With one phone number for unlimited users across all devices, you’ll never miss a call again.

Call screening and blocking allow you to filter out unwanted calls easily, while voicemail transcription makes it simple to read and respond to messages. Conference calling and integration with Google Workspace apps like Gmail and Calendar make scheduling meetings a breeze.

Altogether, Google Voice for Business offers an affordable solution for small businesses looking to streamline their communication systems.

Core Features

Google Voice for Business offers a wealth of core features that can help streamline your communication.

One of the key features is call forwarding, which allows you to easily redirect calls to your mobile or landline phone. This is especially useful if you’re not always in the office but still need to be reachable on your cell phone or business line.

Additionally, Google Voice transcribes voicemails into text messages, making it easier to manage and respond to messages.

Another important feature is free conference calling, which allows you to easily create conference calls with multiple participants. You can also screen calls before answering and block unwanted calls, giving you greater control over who contacts you.

Overall, these core features make Google Voice for Business an excellent choice for entrepreneurs and small business owners looking for a cost-effective solution that simplifies their phone system.

Ring Groups: Administrator Perspective

Managing incoming calls in a business can be challenging, especially when multiple team members are involved. Ring groups in Google Voice for Business solve this problem by allowing administrators to direct incoming calls to a group of people instead of just one person.

As an administrator, you can customize and manage ring groups, adding or removing members as needed. You can also create different ring group configurations for different departments or teams, improving efficiency and ensuring that calls are answered promptly.

Overall, the ring group feature is a valuable tool for streamlining communication within a business.

Auto Attendant

Auto Attendant is a feature that can greatly benefit small businesses by streamlining their call-handling process. Acting as a virtual front desk phone or receptionist, it greets callers and provides them with simple menu options to direct them to the right department or employee.

This frees up valuable time for employees and can improve the customer experience by reducing wait times and ensuring that calls are routed to the appropriate person.

Utilizing Auto Attendant can also improve the professionalism of a business, creating a positive first impression for potential clients or partners.

Local Phone Number

Establishing a local presence is crucial for businesses looking to expand their reach and connect with customers in different regions. With Google Voice, businesses can easily obtain a local phone number that can be used to make and receive calls and texts from anywhere.

This feature not only helps businesses project a professional image but also allows them to manage their communications more effectively by centralizing all incoming calls on one platform.

Furthermore, the voicemail transcription option makes it easier for business owners to manage their messages efficiently, regardless of where they are physically located.

SMS Texting

In today’s fast-paced world, SMS texting is quickly becoming a popular choice for businesses to communicate with their customers.

Google Voice for Business offers this feature, allowing businesses to send and receive texts from their local phone number. This feature is especially useful when it comes to appointment reminders or quick updates.

Additionally, businesses can customize their SMS greetings and set up automatic replies, making communication more efficient. With Google Voice, keeping personal and business texts separate is also made easy by using different numbers for each.

Overall, Google Voice’s SMS texting feature is a convenient and practical tool for small businesses looking to streamline their communication system.

Google AI for Auto Attendant, Voicemail, and Spam Identification

Google Voice for Business offers a range of AI-powered features that can help businesses manage their communication system with ease. One such feature is Auto Attendant, which uses Google’s advanced AI technology to handle incoming calls and direct them to the right department or person.

With custom greetings and prompts, you can create a professional image for your business and make it easy for callers to get the assistance they need. The voicemail transcription feature is another great addition that converts voicemails into readable text messages, making it easier to manage and respond to messages promptly.

Additionally, Google Voice’s built-in spam filter ensures unwanted calls are identified and blocked, ensuring your phone system remains free from unnecessary interruptions.

Voice Calling

With Google Voice, businesses can make free voice calls within the US and Canada, which helps save on communication costs. Additionally, international calling is low-cost, making it suitable for companies with global clients.

Users can also have google voice users customize their voicemail greetings and receive transcripts of their voicemails via email or text messages. Call screening, forwarding, and blocking features are available to manage business calls efficiently.

The service integrates with other Google Workspace apps like Gmail and Calendar to offer a seamless experience across multiple devices.

Accessible Across Multiple Devices

Maintaining seamless connectivity with your business phone system is essential to ensure timely communication and efficient operations.

With Google Voice for Business, accessing your phone system across multiple devices has never been easier. Whether you’re working from the office , at home, or on the go, Google Voice enables you to stay connected with your team and clients from anywhere.

By setting up call forwarding and voicemail notifications, you can receive important calls even when you’re away from the office. Moreover, voicemails can be transcribed into text messages for easy access and quick response, further improving communication efficiency.

With Google Voice for Business, you can enjoy uninterrupted connectivity while staying on top of your game.

Reasons to Choose Google Voice for Business

Introducing Google Voice for Business into your workflow can significantly simplify your business phone system.

Firstly, it allows you to have a dedicated business phone number that can be accessed on any mobile device anywhere, making it easier for customers to reach you.

Secondly, the service is affordable or even free depending on the features you require, which is a great advantage for small businesses looking for a simple yet effective phone system solution .

Additionally, the advanced call routing options and voicemail transcription offered by Google Voice make managing business calls more efficient.

Finally, integrations with other Google tools like Gmail and Calendar make it a seamless addition to your workflow.

Free Calls to the US

With Google Voice for Business, you can make free calls to any phone number within the United States. This feature is particularly beneficial for businesses that frequently make domestic calls, as it can result in significant cost savings.

In addition, Google Voice offers affordable international calling rates, making it a convenient option for businesses with global clients or partners. With easy call forwarding and voicemail transcription, professionals on-the-go can stay connected to their business phone system without worrying about missing important calls.

The integration with other Google apps, such as Gmail and Google Calendar, makes it an even more seamless addition to your workflow.

Split Responsibility for Incoming Calls

Assigning different phone numbers to team members can be a challenging task for businesses, but with Google Voice for Business, you can split responsibility for incoming calls with ease.

This feature ensures that every call is answered promptly, reducing the risk of missed opportunities and improving customer satisfaction. Furthermore, Google Voice offers a range of call routing options, including simultaneous ringing and scheduled forwarding, ensuring that your customers can reach you at all times.

Using Google Voice for business can also save you money on expensive phone system equipment and maintenance costs, making it an affordable and convenient option for growing businesses.

Free Number Porting

For businesses looking to switch to Google Voice, the service’s free number porting feature can be a game-changer. This feature ensures that you can keep your existing phone number and avoid any lost business that may result from changing numbers.

In addition, Google Voice offers a range of features such as voicemail transcriptions and call screening that can help businesses manage their calls more efficiently, all while saving money on their phone bills.

Plus, with easy integration with other G Suite tools, managing all aspects of your business communication in one place has never been easier.

Workspace App Integrations

Google Voice for Business integrates seamlessly with other Google Workspace apps, making it easy to manage all aspects of business communication in one place. The integration allows for quick and easy access to voicemails, call logs, and messages from Gmail and Google Calendar.

Additionally, scheduling calls and meetings with clients or team members has never been easier. With Google Voice’s integration with Google Meet, you can schedule and join video conferences directly from the app.

This integration saves time and streamlines communication within a business, making it the perfect solution for businesses looking to simplify their phone system.

Potential Drawbacks of Google Voice for Business

While Google Voice for Business offers many advantages and business features, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider.

One issue is the limited customer support options available for businesses. This may be a concern for those who require more assistance when setting up or troubleshooting their phone system.

Additionally, Google Voice may not integrate with all business software, which could limit its functionality and compatibility with other tools.

Finally, while Google Voice is affordable and ideal for small to medium-sized businesses, it may not be able to accommodate high volumes of calls or complex call-handling needs.

One Google Voice Phone Number Per User

For businesses with multiple employees, the limitation of one Google Voice phone number per user can be a significant issue.

It makes it challenging to have a company-wide phone number as each employee would need to set up their own individual Google Voice account and forward calls to a main line. This can create confusion and could make it difficult to manage incoming calls efficiently.

In addition, if an employee leaves the company, their own Google Voice number and phone number must be reassigned, or the business will lose access to that phone number entirely.

No Desktop App

Businesses that rely heavily on desktop computers may find Google Voice for Business lacking.

Unlike some other phone systems, Google Voice for Business does not offer a dedicated desktop app, which can be inconvenient for users who prefer to manage their calls, voice mail, and messages from a desktop interface. Instead, users must access Google Voice through a web browser or mobile app.

While this limitation may make it more difficult to integrate with other business software or tools, Google Voice does offer features such as call forwarding and voicemail transcription that can streamline communication for businesses.

Limited Third-Party Integrations

Google Voice for Business has some limitations when it comes to integrating with third-party apps and tools.

While it does offer some integrations with popular business software like Slack and Trello, there are fewer options compared to other business phone systems. This can make it challenging for businesses that rely heavily on specific tools or need to use multiple apps to run their operations.

It’s important to carefully consider your company’s needs and the integrations you require before choosing a phone system , as this limitation could impact your business hours and the team’s productivity and efficiency.

No Team Collaboration Features

Google Voice for Business is primarily designed for individual users and lacks advanced collaboration features, like team collaboration capabilities.

This means that users cannot share a single phone number or voice mailbox, making it difficult to manage multiple employees or departments. In addition, the app lacks the ability to transfer calls between team members or hold virtual meetings.

While Google Voice can be integrated with other communication tools like Hangouts and Meet, businesses looking for more advanced collaboration features may need to consider other options.

Lack of Automations

While Google Voice may be a suitable option for smaller businesses or those with less complex needs, it does lack advanced reporting and the ability to automate certain tasks like call routing and voicemail transcription. This can be a significant drawback for growing businesses that require more advanced automation.

However, Google Voice still offers all the basic features, such as call forwarding and voicemail, making it an affordable option for businesses with simpler needs. Ultimately, the decision to use Google Voice will depend on your specific needs and priorities.

No Room for Growing Businesses

As your business grows, your phone system needs to grow with it. Unfortunately, Google Voice for Business may not be able to keep up with the demands of a rapidly expanding company.

The service has limited call routing and advanced features like voicemail transcription and call recording that growing businesses may require. While Google Voice can be a cost-effective and easy-to-use solution for small businesses, it may not be suitable for larger companies with more complex needs.

Ultimately, the decision to use Google Voice will depend on your specific business requirements and priorities.

Texting Unavailable Outside the US

When it comes to communication, texting has become a ubiquitous part of modern business practices.

However, Google Voice for Business does have one major limitation when it comes to texting: it is only available for unlimited calling only for US phone numbers . This means that if your business requires frequent international communication, you may need to consider a different phone system solution.

While the Google Voice plan does offer affordable international calling rates, it’s important to evaluate all of the features and limitations before making a decision that works best for your business needs.

More Difficult to Catch Up

Managing missed calls or messages with Google Voice for Business may not be as straightforward as with other phone systems.

The interface can be less intuitive, making it harder to keep track of your calls and manage your communications. Additionally, there may be limitations on the number of users or voice numbers or phone lines that can access a single Google Voice account.

Despite these potential drawbacks, many small businesses find that the cost savings and flexibility of Google Voice outweigh any management challenges.

In conclusion, Google Voice for Business is an excellent solution for simplifying your business phone system. It offers a wide range of features that can make communication easier and more efficient for you and your team.

However, it’s important to understand the potential drawbacks as well, such as limited third-party integrations and no team collaboration features. Overall, if you’re looking for a cost-effective and easy-to-use business phone system, Google Voice is definitely worth considering.

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Office Technology | How To

How to Get a Free Google Voice Number in 4 Simple Steps

Published April 23, 2024

Published Apr 23, 2024

REVIEWED BY: Corey McCraw

WRITTEN BY: Marianne De Guzman

This article is part of a larger series on VoIP .

• 1 Create a Google Account
• 2 Select a Google Voice Plan
• 3 Choose a Google Voice Number
• 4 Set Up Your Google Voice Number
• 5 Plans & Pricing
• 6 Pros & Cons
• 7 Key Features
• 9 Bottom Line

Getting a Google Voice number takes four simple steps, starting with activating the service. To do so, you need a Google account or a Google Workspace subscription. Pick your phone number based on your desired area code and verify it using your United States phone number. Use the web version or download the app to set up your number. Read on for the step-by-step process of how to get a Google Voice number and its capabilities as a voice-over-internet protocol (VoIP) provider.

Step 1: Create a Google Account

To get a Google Voice number, you need an active Google account. If you already have one, skip this step and proceed to Step 2. Otherwise, go to the Google Account sign-in page and click Create Account . Fill out the form fields with basic information like full name and birthday. Then, pick a Gmail address from the options provided or customize your own.

Getting a Google Voice number begins with an active Google account. (Source: Google )

Note that Google allows the option to use a non-Gmail address. If you opt to use a pre-existing email, you will receive a verification message in your inbox confirming that it is your account being linked to a Google account.

Choose a strong password and complete the security settings. Adding a phone number and recovery email address is optional for security purposes. Once you have read and accepted Google’s privacy and terms, your Google account is now created.

Step 2: Select a Google Voice Plan

After logging into your Google account, proceed to the Google Voice webpage . There are two account types to choose from—personal or business use.

For Personal Use

Choose personal use if you simply need a free Google Voice number. Then, select your preferred device (Android, iOS, or Web). If you want to use your phone to sign up, click Android or iOS to download the Google Voice app. If you opt for the “Web” option, enter your credentials and agree to the terms of service to continue.

Google Voice is available for personal and business use. (Source: Google Voice )

For Business Use

Signing up “For business” requires admin permission under a Google Workspace account. If you don’t have one, purchase a Workspace account and choose any plan ranging from $6.48 to $21.60 per user monthly. Voice is only offered as an add-on for Workspace users.

For admins, proceed to Google Voice and click For business . On the product page, select a plan from the three pricing options, ranging from $10 to $30. Once you have selected a plan, you will be prompted to set up your company address for billing and provide your payment details.

After settling the fee, you will be directed to the Google Voice dashboard to start assigning licenses to new users. Indicate their name, location, and email address. An email will be sent to your Workspace users to join.

Companies with distributed teams overseas should note that Google Voice operates in select territories. When setting up the location of a Google Voice user, make sure that it is included in the list of supported countries .

Step 3: Choose a Google Voice Number

Selecting a Google Voice number begins with searching for available numbers by city or area code. Available numbers will be displayed, and if none of the numbers shown works for you, select show more to see additional options. Click Select once you find your desired phone number.

For business subscribers, Google Voice offers a pool of local numbers, depending on the domestic countries you listed upon signup. Search by city or area code and then assign business phone numbers to each user added to the account.

Based on your city location or area code provided, select a number from the list of available numbers provided. (Source: YouTube )

The next page will display your selected phone number. For verification purposes, link your existing phone number. Make sure to use a mobile or landline number based in the United States. Note that Google Voice doesn’t allow VoIP numbers to verify an account.

Once you’ve entered a number, Google Voice will send the six-digit verification code via text message. For landlines, you will receive a call from Google along with the code. After receiving the code, enter it in the space provided, and click Verify to complete your account setup.

A US-based non-VoIP number is required to verify your new Google Voice number. (Source: YouTube )

Select Claim to get the number, and a confirmation prompt will inform you that your existing number has been added and successfully linked to your Google Voice account. Click Finish to complete the process.

Step 4: Set Up Your Google Voice Number

Once you’ve completed steps one to three, your Google Voice number is available for use on the web and mobile devices. We recommend setting up Google Voice on your mobile phone to maximize its mobility as a VoIP phone service .

Google Voice works on desktops or laptops, mobile devices, and compatible desk phones. (Source: Google Voice )

Once you have a Google Voice number, you can now use it to make domestic and international calls, texts, and voicemail. Our guide on how to use Google Voice provides step-by-step instructions on how to maximize its business phone capabilities, including making calls, sending texts, and creating ring groups.

Google Voice Plans & Pricing

Now that you know how to get a Google phone number, it’s time to decide on the right plan for your needs. Google Voice offers two account types: personal and business use. The personal plan is free of charge and includes a free virtual phone number and basic phone capabilities. The business plan, on the other hand, is a paid subscription with access to professional phone features, with all calls billed centrally to the organization.

To understand which features are available for specific plans, consult our pricing table below.

Pros & Cons of Google Voice

Google Voice is one of the best business phone systems , thanks to its low-cost access to virtual phone numbers. If you’re still undecided if it’s the right phone solution for your company, here’s a quick overview of the key advantages and disadvantages of Google Voice:

Key Features of Google Voice

For business-level functionality, Google Voice offers a range of features that streamline calls and messages, such as spam filters, ring groups, and auto-attendants. Here are some Google Voice features to consider when deciding whether it’s the right platform for your business:

Multidevice Access

Google Voice works across multiple devices, including desktops, smartphones, and tablets. This allows users to combine personal and business phones into a single device connected through cellular data or Wi-Fi.

Google Voice Standard and Premier have desk phone support for businesses transitioning from a legacy phone system to a VoIP-enabled Google Voice. Supported desk phone models include:

• Poly EDGE B10, B20, and B30
• Poly OBi 300 and 302
• Poly VVX OBi Edition 150, 250, 350, and 450
• Poly ATA 400 and 402

Spam Filter

Google Voice’s spam filter blocks unwanted calls and messages by using algorithms to route blocked or known spam numbers directly to your spam folder. Like email spam, check your Google Voice spam folder occasionally to see if any callers were misrouted. For blocked numbers, the caller will get a “Number not in service” message when they call.

Multilevel Auto-attendant

Google Voice’s automated attendant is available with Standard and Premier subscriptions. This routing feature uses menus to guide callers to navigate options toward the correct extension, reducing misrouted calls.

Expanding its text-to-speech technology, administrators can create custom greetings and announcements to play to callers. Simply enter the message and choose the voice type, language, and message speed. You can also upload your own audio to welcome callers.

Ring Groups

Ring groups enable multiple people to answer calls from the same Google Voice number—allowing an entire team to take action on an incoming call. Three options are available for handling incoming calls to a ring group: ring all team members simultaneously, randomly, or in a fixed order.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can i port my existing phone number to google voice.

Yes. Google Voice allows companies to port up to 1,000 numbers (50 in Canada) from an existing service provider. However, porting is prohibited for toll-free numbers, European Union (EU)-based numbers, numbers in Google Workspace domains, and numbers associated with a Gmail consumer account. When porting a number to Google Voice, prepare the recent billing statement and PIN.

How many Google Voice numbers can I have?

The quantity of Google Voice numbers is dependent on your subscription plan. For businesses, the basic Starter plan starts at $10 and includes a maximum of 10 domestic numbers. The higher-tiered plans, Standard and Premier, offer unlimited virtual numbers paid monthly at $20 and $30 per user, respectively.

Can I use Google Voice for conference calls?

No. Google Voice canceled its conference call merging feature back in 2018.

Bottom Line

Learning how to get a Google number is the easiest and most budget-friendly way to acquire a phone line for your business. It offers all the essential features to manage calls and streamline customer communications. For more information, our in-depth Google Voice review offers everything you need to know about its VoIP phone service, including its plans, key features, and our expert opinion.

Visit Google Voice

About the Author

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Marianne De Guzman

Marianne is a staff writer covering business phone systems, unified communications, and contact center platforms. She started her career as a freelance content writer, producing hundreds of content for global clients. From there, she built her expertise in writing about software as a service (SaaS) content.

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Google Voice vs Vonage: Price and Features Comparison

Our content is funded in part by commercial partnerships, at no extra cost to you and without impact to our editorial impartiality. Click to Learn More

We’ve put plenty of VoIP providers through their paces, and our research found that Vonage is the best overall , when compared to Google Voice. Vonage has a better range of business features and customer support options than Google Voice and is far more scalable . Plus, multiple training features make Vonage great for retail, healthcare, and professional services teams.

Google Voice rated highly for VoIP security out of the providers we tested, and has a low entry cost , which makes it a good option for small teams handling sensitive data. It’s not very scalable, however, so it’s only really an option for smaller teams who plan to stay small.

Be sure to use our dedicated VoIP price comparison tool to find out if Vonage is the best deal for your team specifically.

In this guide, you’ll find:

Google Voice vs Vonage: Key Differences

• Google Voice vs Vonage Pricing Plans
• Google Voice vs Vonage: What Are They Best For?
• How did we compare Vonage to Google Voice?
• Verdict: Vonage is Better Than Google Voice

Use our comparison tool to find out which provider suits your business's needs

Before you buy Google Voice, it’s important to note that Google Voice is exclusively available to existing Google Workspace customers .

Google Workspace packages start from $6 per user, per month for a business starter plan, which includes video meetings with Google Meet, cloud storage, and management controls for your organization.

On top of this, there’s a Business Standard plan ( $12 per user, per month ) with 2TB of storage, a Business Plus plan ( $18 per user, per month ) with high-level security features, and an Enterprise Plan (Bespoke) for larger businesses.

On our latest round of VoIP software testing, our research team awarded Vonage a 4.3/5 – the third highest out of any provider we tested – whilst Google Voice achieved an overall score of 3.4/5 .

We did find that Google Voice excelled when it came to security (5/5), whereas Vonage only scored 3/5 – so when it comes to Vonage vs Google Voice in the context of security, Google Voice wins.

Vonage really stood out, however, when it came to useful features (4.4/5) and scalability (4.5) where Google Voice performed noticeably poorly in these areas, achieving only 2.6/5 for features and 2.9/5 for scalability. This is one of the reasons Google Voice will only really suit smaller teams, whereas Vonage has wider applications with a broader range of companies.

Unlike Google Voice, teams of all shapes and sizes will find Vonage a useful piece of kit. It has more capacity for external connections and better customer support options for when you get stuck – and with downtime being a disaster for so many businesses, this gives it another edge over Google Voice.

Google Voice

As mentioned previously, Google Voice is only available to existing Google WorkSpace customers , whereas Vonage requires no pre-existing accounts .

Whilst Vonage has one of the most expensive starting plans, Google Voice has the cheapest starting plan out of all the providers we tested and is excellent value for money – you get quite a decent set of features for the price, and you won’t find a cheaper product that still achieves the same purpose.

Google Workspace plans start from $6 per user, per month for a business starter package. This plus each Google Voice plan is still cheaper than Vonage’s comparable plans as well as many alternatives to Vonage . However, the Business Standard plan ( $12 per user, per month ) and the Business Plus plan ( $18 per user, per month ) make it more expensive than Vonage’s plans. But if you opt for the cheapest workspace plan or you already use Google Workspace, it’ll be cheaper.

As mentioned above, Google Voice stands out when it comes to VoIP security (which we’ll go into in more detail later on in this article). Its compliance certificate list is vast (as is Vonage’s) and there are even handy features like password rules and multi-factor authentication to ensure that data is secure down to the endpoints on your network, which is absent from Vonage.

Who is Google Voice Best for?

Healthcare providers are likely to be speaking and communicating with colleagues and patients a lot, meaning Google’s WorkSpace applications like Gmail and file-sharing capabilities will come in handy. Google Voice is a good choice for healthcare teams, simply because it’s one of the best for security, and healthcare teams have to handle sensitive data and comply with high standards for data collection.

For the same reasons, small Professional Services teams handling sensitive data will find Google Voice a good option, because the safety of client data will be of utmost importance to businesses. Of course, it’s not the only secure VoIP solution out there though, and there are plenty of alternatives to Google Voice that also have strong security features.

Google Voice is also well-suited to small teams that make a lot of international calls, as it’s easy to use, with good rates — see our guide on how to make international calls with Google Voice for more info.

The best way to know which provider is best suited to your needs is to compare providers and quotes using our VoIP comparison tool , as different VoIP software is better suited (and priced) for some industries and teams than others.

As well as having good customer support options in general (3.4/5) – much better than Google Voice (3.1/5) – Vonage is great for onboarding. In fact, it provided the best onboarding experience out of any of the providers we tested .

The same goes for staff training (more on this just below) – meaning Vonage will genuinely help your workforce, whereas Google Voice doesn’t have many tools that can help with that.

A lot of businesses may worry when investing in software as to whether it can grow with them, especially in times of economic uncertainty where it’s hard to tell whether you’ll exceed or miss your growth targets for the next few years. Vonage performed really well when assessed for its capacity to scale (4.5/5), coming second only to RingCentral , and putting it in stark contrast to Google Voice (2.9/5).

Who is Vonage Best for?

Retail teams deal with a higher-than-average number of inbound calls when compared to other industries, so Vonage’s wealth of features for dealing with incoming customer calls will be incredibly useful.

Upskilling employees is also very important for retail businesses, which often have lower-skilled workforces, some of which will be young or working part-time. This means things like call transcripts and recordings and other features that can be utilized for training purposes are important, and this is one of the key areas where Google Voice falls down, yet Vonage does well.

For the same reasons, any Customer Service teams, or customer-focused businesses will also benefit from Vonage’s package.

Although Vonage is not as good as Google Voice for security, it still performed sufficiently with a score of 3/5, and is a better choice on balance for healthcare teams because it has a bunch more useful features that would aid teams in that sector and is more suited to larger numbers of staff.

To get the clearest idea of which VoIP provider best suits your needs, use our bespoke price quote matching tool .

Google Voice vs Vonage Pricing and Plans

Google Voice vs Vonage is actually an easy comparison to make in terms of costs, because both have three pricing plans. Overall, Google Voice’s plans are cheaper than Vonage plans (if you opt for Google’s cheapest Workspace plan, which is $6 per user, per month on top and required to use Google  Voice) –  but you get a lot more features included with Vonage.

Google Voice pricing

On all of Google’s Voice plans, calls to the US from other countries are free, and there’s free calling to Canada from the US, as well as unlimited domestic minutes. However, international call rates apply when you’re phoning out from the US.

• Starter ($10 per user, per month): Google’s first plan is only for very small businesses, with a maximum of 10 users and 10 domestic locations, but you’ll still get 24/7 support and a phone line to contact. You’ll also be able to set up voicemails, and there’s a spam prevention service, as well as some reporting tools.
• Standard ($20 per user, per month):  The Standard plan offers everything on the starter plan but the limits on users and locations are removed. There are customizable greetings, multi-level auto attendant/virtual receptionist, and desk phone support capabilities too.
• Premier ($30 per user, per month): This plan isn’t all that different from Google’s second plan, but it’s what you’ll need if you want advanced reporting tools and localized, toll-free numbers (providing you have a presence in a location).

Again, all the above prices are what you’ll pay in addition to the required baseline cost of buying Google Workspace which starts at $6 per user, per month. Therefore, the minimum cost would be $16 per user, per month .

Vonage pricing

On all of Vonage’s plans, you’ll have unlimited domestic minutes (both inbound and outbound), and there’s no limit to how many users you can have using the software either.

A wealth of integrations is available on all plans too, with everything from CRM systems to Microsoft Dynamics, Zoho projects, HubSpot, and Zendesk (Vonage’s Contact Center for Zendesk is pictured below). The uptime guarantee of 99.999% on all plans is actually slightly higher than Google’s (99.90%) but in reality, this is negligible.

• Mobile (US) ($19.99 per user, per month): Vonage’s first plan includes a large collection of inbound communication features like spam prevention, customizable hold music, company hours, localized + toll-free numbers, as well as external video and conference calling. You’ll be able to record calls, create transcripts and use analytics and reporting tools. There are CRM and Helpdesk integrations too.
• Premium (US) ($29.99 per user, per month): Vonage’s second paid plan has a virtual receptionist option and a customizable greeting feature, as well as custom call routing.
• Advanced (US): $39.99 per user, per month): This is the first US plan that ring groups are available on, although they’re available in Australia and the UK on the previous plan. Aside from that, there’s not all that much difference between this plan and the prior one.

Best for Business Features: Vonage

Vonage scored 4.4/5 for features, the same as RingCentral, which was the software we rated most highly out of all the packages offered by providers we’ve compared . Google Voice, on the other hand, only scored 2.6/5 for features – simply put, it just doesn’t have as many functions that are useful for businesses.

With Vonage, in the US, you’ll have a ton of features, including customizable hold music, voicemail-to-text, voicemail, company hours, localized and toll-free numbers, ring groups, and also the ability to set caller IDs. There are in-conversation features like call forwarding and flipping available on all plans.

Vonage also has many extra features that come at an additional cost, such as SMS/chat, E-fax, and a Call whisper function that allows another user to ‘sit in’ on a call.

Google Voice does have some valuable features like voicemails, customizable greetings, spam prevention, call forwarding, and ring groups – but Vonage offers all of these and more.

Best for Security Features: Google Voice

Google Voice scored 5/5 for security – the joint best score with 8×8 and much better than other VoIP providers we tested . With Google Voice, you’ll be able to activate multi-factor authentication on your accounts and set password rules for staff.

These are really crucial for ensuring that no user creates a weak point in your network, especially considering the average cost of a data breach is now $4.24 million .

There are user permissions you can set with Google Voice that can stop users from accessing certain aspects of your system, which are equally as important.

Included in all of Google’s plans are the same compliance certifications, multi-factor authentication, password rules, and TLS/RTP encryption to ensure no one is eavesdropping on your calls.

Vonage scored a commendable but less impressive 3/5, losing marks for not including advanced password rules or multi-factor authentication.

Vonage’s Compliance certificates, on the other hand, are vast and, just like Google Voice, it’s secured with TLS/RTP encryption.

Best for Customer Support: Vonage

Neither Google Voice nor Vonage scored particularly highly for customer support. Vonage scored 3.4/5 whilst Google Voice scored 3.1/5.

Both providers have a user forum and knowledge base, as well as a phone line (of course). Whilst Google has 24/7 live support, Vonage has live chat and email support whilst Google Voice does not, so Vonage takes the cake here.

Vonage also provides onboarding support (for an additional cost), but Google Voice doesn’t offer this. Both providers offer stronger help and support options than MagicJack, however.

Check out our MagicJack vs Vonage guide to see how the two providers compare in full.

Use our comparison tool to find out the provider that's perfect for you

Best for Scalability: Vonage

Google Voice isn’t really built for big teams – they can use it, but the bigger your team, the more features you’re going to need – and Google Voice doesn’t have many when compared to providers like Vonage.

Our Scalability scoring assesses a product’s ability to scale with business growth, in multiple use cases. The scores are arrived at based on the presence and function of features like user limits, call queues, call barges, call whispers, and local numbers, as well as the overall capability of management, collaboration, software integrations, and security.

Google Voice only scored a 2.9/5, making it the joint-least scalable product we tested, and therefore one of the least suitable for businesses that are forecast to grow rapidly. Vonage, on the other hand, scored an impressive 4.5/5 – so if scalability is what you’re looking for, there’s one clear winner here.

Best for Customer Satisfaction: Google Voice

Customer opinions regarding the trustworthiness of these two vendors have been compiled by our research team, and Google Voice actually comes out on top in this case.

Overall, the team awarded Google Voice a 4.4/5 based on customer opinions, slightly higher than Vonage’s 4/5.  Interestingly, both of these telephone systems scored higher than our top-rated providers RingCentral and 8×8 (both 3.5/5) – which illustrates that they’re both good scores for customer satisfaction, though perhaps stemming from lower expectations.

Only NUACOM (4.6/5) scored higher than Google Voice on our last round of testing, so although it might not have as many features as Vonage, customers using the platform definitely enjoy it.

How Did We Compare Vonage to Google Voice?

Here at Tech.co, we’re lucky enough to have a dedicated internal team that conducts extensive research and testing on all of the products we write about, from VoIP software to project management tools.

They create research frameworks with highly specific criteria in order to put products through their paces. After the data is collected, they collaborate with our team of expert writers to produce our reviews.

Our one rule is this: if we don’t have the research, we can’t write about it. That’s the only way to ensure that we’re providing you and other readers with accurate information.

Our VoIP Software Research

When we looked at business telephone systems, our research team identified 6 overarching criteria upon which to assess specific providers. These were:

• Pricing –  how affordable are the phone systems, and are they good value for money?
• External Connections – how compatible is the phone system with existing infrastructure or systems, as well as other popular software often used with such systems?
• Features –  how many features do the product have, and how do they function?
• Customer Support –  what avenues for contacting support are there, and how do they work?
• Security –  how secure are the phone systems, and what security features do they offer?
• Customer Score – how do real-world customers rate the phone systems?
• Scalability –  how easy was this product to scale up/how easily can it grow with a business?

There are often subcategories or excellent in a certain feature category that we use to arrive at overall scores for a certain criterion.

Verdict: Vonage is better than Google Voice

Overall, Vonage performed better than Google Voice when we tested both products, thanks to superior business features and better customer support.

The business features are so varied that it allows Vonage to be applied to a wide variety of businesses in a number of different sectors, but the excellent training features mean it’s particularly good for retail and healthcare teams when compared to other VoIP providers .

Google Voice does, however, have better security options than Vonage – as well as all the other VoIP software we tested. Google Voice is also low cost – but when we take it down to the software versus the software, it’s not as good as Vonage’s offering.

Google Voice vs Vonage FAQs

How much do calls cost on google voice, how can i call internationally for free, what is the cheapest way to call internationally, which app is best for international calling.

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HIPAA Compliance with Google Workspace and Cloud Identity

Ensuring that our customers' data is safe, secure and always available to them is one of our top priorities. For customers who are subject to the requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Google Workspace and Cloud Identity can support HIPAA compliance.

Under HIPAA, certain information about a person’s health or health care services is classified as Protected Health Information (PHI). Google Workspace and Cloud Identity customers who are subject to HIPAA and wish to use Google Workspace or Cloud Identity with PHI must sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) with Google.

Google Workspace and Cloud Identity customers are responsible for determining whether they are subject to HIPAA requirements and whether they use or intend to use Google services in connection with PHI. Customers who have not signed a BAA with Google must not use Google services in connection with PHI.

Administrators must review and accept a BAA before using Google services with PHI. See what Google Workspace products can be used for HIPAA compliance in the HIPAA Included Functionality .

We have published our Google Workspace and Cloud Identity HIPAA Implementation Guide to help customers understand how to organize data on Google services when handling PHI. This guide is intended for employees in organizations who are responsible for HIPAA implementation and compliance with Google Workspace and Cloud Identity.

Frequently asked questions

Third-party applications including add-ons are not included in the Included Functionality covered by the BAA. Consider checking our HIPAA Implementation Guide for further information.

When sharing PHI in or outside the Google Workspace domain, customers should follow their organizational policies on handling PHI. Customers can choose the corresponding sharing method in or outside of Google Workspace to comply with those policies and consistent with the domain-wide settings of Google Workspace. The HIPAA Implementation Guide provides guidance on limiting access to PHI within a Google Workspace domain, such as sharing with specific recipients as opposed to anybody with the link.

Google continues to evaluate the scope of the Included Functionality and may include additional products in the future. Please note, neither the Cloud Data Processing Addendum (CDPA) nor the Google Workspace BAA terms extend to Additional Google Services . Google continues to evaluate methods to provide additional controls related to Additional Google Services and may introduce those as part of the functionality of the Services at any time.

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