Google Voice is a versatile VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service that you can use instead of conventional landline or mobile plans. It's ideal for small businesses and entrepreneurs who prefer not to share their personal contact details with clients but don't need a high-end enterprise VoIP solution.
VoIP services are so popular that they should reach $102.5 billion by 2026, with a growth rate of 3.8%. So, there are other options besides Google Voice. Some may be cheaper or offer extra features. Others may be better for making calls to other countries. Here are my top picks for the best Google Voice alternatives.
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A calling solution that consolidates communication tools into a single application
RingCentral MVP is my top Google Voice alternative because it has plans optimized for small businesses and larger enterprises. It provides a variety of phone number options, cloud PBX (private branch exchange), call management, collaboration tools, voicemail, and greetings.
RingCentral's app is available on mobile, desktop, and the web. With it, you can instantly interact with your team through various mediums like group chats, VoIP, and conferencing. It also offers administrative tools, like call monitoring and analytics, so you can gain insights into your call data and observe the quality and content of calls.
I like that RingCentral MVP supports over 200 integrations, including tools like Slack, for streamlined workflows. Google Voice, however, mainly syncs with Google's own suite of products. To me, RingCentral MVP feels more feature-rich, while Google Voice is a cost-effective option.
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A cloud-based VoIP system that seamlessly integrates with Zoom video conferencing
Zoom Phone provides organizations with a unified communication solution that includes voice calling, video calling, messaging, and collaboration features, all within a single platform. Zoom Phone can also integrate with 1,000+ other apps and can work with existing VoIP hardware.
It doesn't have analytics, but it does offer call-center monitoring features and includes chat and video options. With Zoom Phone, you can also start on a voice call and seamlessly switch to a video meeting.
Zoom Phone gives me a toll-free number, and I can even add more numbers—be it toll-free, local, or international. On the other hand, Google Voice doesn't include any toll-free options. I also appreciate Zoom Phone's extensive integrations. But Google Voice works well if you're already in Google's ecosystem and just need an affordable professional number.
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A cloud-based unified communications platform that grows with your business
Vonage stands out with its user-centric mobile interface and boasts a range of features, such as UC, contact centers, and communication APIs (Application Programming Interfaces).
Vonage's platform seamlessly integrates with third-party CRMs and other software so you can centralize and streamline your communication processes. This can also help you achieve more efficient data sharing, improved customer relationship management, and enhanced workflow automation.
Vonage truly shines when it comes to scalability; it's easier to add more users on Vonage than on Google Voice. I specifically appreciate Vonage's Business Inbox, video conferencing feature, and voicemail-to-email tool. Compared to Google Voice, I've also noticed consistent cost savings when making international calls through Vonage.
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An all-in-one solution that combines voice, video, and chat capabilities
GoTo Connect caters to mid-sized and large businesses with VoIP, video conferencing, and team messaging. It does more than just replace traditional phones; it provides a multi-channel communication platform for team meetings and engaging with customers.
With GoTo Connect, you can easily customize call routes using its Dial Plan Editor and set call schedules with recorded greetings to inform callers of your business hours. Plus, it provides instant customer data on incoming calls and includes convenient features like click-to-call and automatic call logging.
GoTo Connect is especially useful for businesses wanting both VoIP and video conferencing. Its real-time screen sharing feature is notably smoother than what I've seen with Google Voice. If your business often calls internationally, I recommend GoTo Connect. The unlimited calls to 50+ countries could save you a fortune in the long run.
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A virtual phone system designed for small businesses and entrepreneurs
Grasshopper includes the most important features an entrepreneur should look for in a VoIP service. The platform offers a virtual phone system that adds a business number to your personal phone so you can keep your personal and business calls separate. Its voicemail transcription also ensures that you never miss out on important messages.
However, it may not have some of the refined functionalities that growing businesses need, such as integrations or advanced analytics. Still, I'd recommend Grasshopper to entrepreneurs and small businesses looking to leverage the flexibility that VoIP offers at a low cost.
In my experience, Grasshopper offers more flexibility than Google Voice, especially with multiple phone number options, including toll-free, local, and vanity. Google Voice only lets me have a single local phone number, no matter which plan I choose.
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Whether you're looking for a VoIP service for your personal chats, to make remote work easier, or to supercharge your business communications, there's a perfect alternative out there for you. While most come with unique perks, they may not all fit every situation.
Reliability stands as a cornerstone in this industry. In fact, 69.5% of businesses rank reliability first when choosing a provider. So, as you delve into these options, prioritize what matters most to ensure you select a solution that aligns with your needs.
» Need more convincing? Learn how VoIP phone services can transform your business.
Cameron Coward writes for Top10.com and is a former mechanical designer, tech enthusiast, writer and published author. His experience as a tech writer spans 15 years, during which time he has written thousands of articles for a number of leading publications.