Gone are the days when businesses used phone systems for just making and receiving calls. Today, the phone service market has grown extraordinarily and provides organizations the flexibility to connect with their customers in any way they like.

Google Voice – An Introduction

Google Voice is one of the most used cloud-based phone services that offers an amazing set of features. It is a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) phone system, which was founded by Google in 2009. This service comes with features like text & voice messaging, call forwarding, and voicemail. Moreover, customers with Google accounts also have a call termination facility.

Originally, Google Voice provides pretty standard services for individuals and small businesses such as unlimited calls and messages to any US number, voice recording, and receiving international calls. But what actually makes Google Voice stand out than the rest is its integration with the other G Suite apps. As Voice is also a part of Google ecosystem, you can easily integrate with other apps from Google Workspace and use them for your day-to-day business affairs. For instance, you can schedule calls using Calendar and manage virtual meetings through Google Meet. It is completely free for individuals, but when it comes to businesses, Google Voice offers several pricing plans.

Why to Look for Google Voice Alternatives?

Where Google Voice delivers quite amazing features, it also comes with some limitations that might make you look for Google Voice alternatives. It won’t be wrong to say that Voice is suitable for individuals and small-sized businesses, but when your business is growing, you will face some disadvantages from Voice like:

• More suitable for small businesses, startups, and freelancers.
• It relies majorly on WiFi; therefore, the call quality isn’t very impressive.
• Not impressive customer support service as in the case of many other competitors.
• Multimedia messaging can be quite complicated at times.
• Doesn’t offer vanity or toll-free numbers.
• Users outside the US won’t be able to sign up.
• Lack of some advanced features like IVR and Auto-attend.

Top 12 Google Voice Alternatives (Both Free & Paid)

If you want to avoid these limitations, you should give a try to some Google voice alternatives that can bring the same or even more superior range of features and consolidate your business communication needs. In this list, we have enlisted the top 12 free and paid tools that can be used as an alternative to Google Voice for business which are free and paid.

1) WhatsApp

If you’re looking for Google voice alternatives free options, then no other tool can beat WhatsApp. It is one of the famous and best apps in the world, which is widely known for its user-friendly features. In addition to being easy-to-use, it provides secure international business solutions for the users. With its broad range of features and capabilities, you can use this smartphone (as supported by Android, iOS, and KaiOS). They also have a business version of the app as well.

Pros 

• Robust and secure messaging service
• Provides group chat facility
• Can easily share business documents
• Allows you to make unlimited free call on the app

Cons

• Limited features as compared to others paid apps
• Only suitable for small businesses
• Contact number is required to use

2) Skype

Skype is another popular call management app that allows free online calls of up to 50 people at a time. It is one of the great Google voice alternatives for business that provides video chats and voice calls between mobile phones, tablets, and computers. And If you want to send SMS, call someone on a mobile cellular number, or landline, you’ll have to get a Skype number. For these services, you can either purchase Skype credits for using services or avail any of the monthly plans that start at $8.39 per month.

Pros 

• Comes with a screen sharing feature
• Video conferencing and instant messaging is available
• Cost-effective and simple to use
• Impressive service

Cons

• Copying text with bugs
• PC might overload during calls
• Mobile app for Android is glitchy
• Inefficient customer support

3) Sideline

In our list of best Google Voice alternatives, the next name is Sideline. Instead of relying on internet connection, it uses your carrier network for making calls and sending messages. And due to the same reason, Sideline offers exceptional quality and call reliability as compared to VoIP alternatives. Sideline doesn’t only stop here; it also offers unlimited texts, group messaging, voice, and all other standard features. Its Standard plan will cost you $9.99 per month, whereas if you want more than one phone number, you can opt Pro plan that will cost $9.99 per line per month.

Pros 

• It is quite affordable option for businesses
• Auto Reply facility

Cons

• No video chat facility available
• It doesn’t show notifications at times
• Only suitable for small-sized businesses

4) Grasshopper

Grasshopper is a business phone service, which allows users to forward calls to others, select custom greetings, and enjoy the facility of virtual phone numbers. It is an effective phone service that helps businesses improve their productivity and communications. It’s pricing range starts at US $29 and goes up to $89 per month.

Pros 

• Professional phone number allotted
• It sends you audio and transcript
• recording of voicemails
• Easy to use

Cons

• Not free
• Not any unique and analytics features available
• Poor call quality

5) Phone.com

If you want to get simple yet effective Google voice alternatives, then Phone.com is here to serve you. It is a VoIP service provider that can make your phone system easy and fast. Coming with a great support and various PBX features, it is a favorite option for small-sized organizations. Furthermore, it will also enable you to add a number to your mobile account to block calls easily. It comes with different pricing plans that starts at 12.99$ per month.

Pros 

• Provides incoming call notifications
• It allows you to manage your call with messages, music, greetings, and voices
• Unique caller Id can be set on it

Cons

• User-interface is a bit difficult to navigate
• Its app is buggy and slow in use at times

6) OpenPhone

OpenPhone is another cheap Google voice alternative that allows the businesses to operate their business number through their mobile phones, without the need to have any other sim card for business. In addition to providing ease, it also offers a set of features that will help your team to manage business calls in an efficient manner. Using this app, you can add your business number on different websites like Facebook, Google, etc; without getting any wrong or spam calls. It comes with a free trial version, and its pricing starts at $10 per month.

Pros 

• You can use your personal mobile to manage business phone calls and texts
• You can maintain a check call history, text messages, and transcribed voicemail
• Can be used on mobile phones and desktops

Cons

• Only one account per number is allowed
• You need an active data connection to use this app

7) Line2

If you’re one of those on the go individuals that want to use mobile numbers for business use, then Line2 might be the best option for you. You can run it on any internet-connected mobile device. All you have to do is to get the app, select your number, and configure your account. Line2 also comes with a business plan that offers unlimited calling and texts in the US and Canada. Its pricing packages start at 14.99$ per month.

Pros 

• It can work on a tablet, mobile, smartwatch, and even a laptop.
• Inbound and outbound routing features
• You can manage your business team’s needs

Cons

•  Sometimes, it becomes slow in use

8) RingCentral

RingCentral is a cloud-based communications solution for businesses that provide features with packages that are suitable for every type of business. It helps you to get a better quality phone, all-in-one video conferencing, team messaging, and much more. This tool is yet another best alternative to Google Voice for business, as it also offers integration with popular software applications, including Google and Microsoft. The pricing starts at 29.99$ per month, but if you opt for an annual subscription, you’ll get huge discounts.

Pros 

• Provides the facility of call forwarding
• It offers web conferencing and that too at HD quality video
• Up to 100 members are allowed in an online meeting
• Allow file sharing

Cons

• There is no direct Linux support
• Greeting message for conference calls cannot be customized

9) Ooma

Ooma is one of the oldest VoIP services that was launched back in 2004. It still offers very advanced features, and that is why it is still very popular among the businesses. However, the level of features depends upon the plan you choose. You can get a desktop app, call recording, and virtual receptionist facility for attending and transferring calls. What makes this service even more special is its Multi Ring feature. Through this feature, you can have multiple devices ring every time you get a call. Its Office Pro (basic) plan comes at $24.95, while you can get Enterprise and Call Center plans at $34.99 and $79.99 per month.

Pros 

• Allows unlimited calling in US, Canada, and several other countries
• Provides 24/7 customer support
• Very easy to install
• Offers free smartphone app with incorporated SMS/MMS messaging

Cons

• Most features comes with premier service
• It works properly on high speed networks

10) Telzio

If your business call volume is low, Telzio can be a great phone service for you. Telzio is suitable for small businesses that just started and have tight budgets. It cost only 0.119$ for inbound calls per minute, and for outgoing calls, it cost 0.168$ per minute. Other than that, it also offers flexible phone options for remote business needs.

Pros 

• Comes at competitive price for low call volume businesses
• Show live call data
• Easily transfer your calls

Cons

• Might be expensive for high volume calls
• No fixed-term contracts
• A call can be disconnected, upon transferring data to WiFi

11) Nextiva

If you are looking for most efficient yet affordable Google voice alternatives for business, then Nextiva is the right option for you. It is another VoIP service that provides features like call monitoring, call recording, as well as, allows inbound and outbound calls. It is a paid tool that ranges from $20 to $55 per month.

Pros 

• Build-in scalability and easy-to-use interface
• Helps to find out information about the customers
• Offer several collaboration tools
• Provides different features, like call routing, call recording , call monitoring, etc.

Cons

• Expensive service provider for small businesses
• Mobile app crash mostly
• Auto-attend feature doesn’t work properly

12) OnSIP

OnSIP is a web-based video and voice messaging provider that can also be used as an alternative to Google voice for businesses. With business phone system features like auto attendant, extension dialing, etc. can greatly help you improve your business image. Other than that, various remote office abilities help your employees scattered across the globe to manage phone calls as they are in the office. However, It is a paid service and its pricing starts at 18.95$ per month.

Pros 

• Provides virtual receptionist and extension dialing features
• Test call service includes using a mobile app or desktop
• Allows video calling

Cons

• Only specific international calling allowed
• Mobile app is still underdevelopment

The Bottom Line

Google voice is undoubtedly a great tool for small businesses and startups, but it’s even better to consider some Google Voice alternatives that can serve your business in a more comprehensive way. Here, we have provided the 10 best alternatives to Google Voice for business that offers many standard and advanced features. All you need to do is to check your preferences and pick the one that best suits your requirements.