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Google Voice Business Phone System Overview and Prices

Fast Facts:

Google Voice offers three plans, beginning at $10 per user per month

It integrates with Google Workspace apps like Gmail and Google Meet

Users can call and text on computers, cell phones, and desk phones

Google Voice doesn’t support 911 calls

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Table of Contents

What Is Google Voice?

Google voice overview.

• Google Voice Plans

Google Voice launched in 2009 after Google acquired a commercial phone service startup called GrandCentral. Google Voice works anywhere with an internet connection and can be used to send texts, talk on the phone, and forward calls to other devices.

In addition to providing Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) calling services, Google offers dozens of products, including email, video chat, web browsing, digital advertising, and search engine tools. Google also sells a variety of hardware, including cell phones and laptops .

Google Voice Details

Google Voice offers three plans: Starter, Standard, and Premier. The Starter costs $10 per user per month with a limit of 10 users; the Standard costs $20 per user per month with unlimited users; and the Premier costs $30 per user per month with unlimited users. The Starter plan has a limit of 10 domestic locations, while the Standard plan includes unlimited domestic locations. Neither, however, offer international locations. Only the Premier plan offers unlimited domestic locations and international locations.

All three plans include:

• Calls between Google Voice numbers
• Calls to the United States from any Google Voice number
• Calls to Canada from a Canadian or U.S. number
• Cals to most European countries from within Europe
• Unlimited text in the U.S.
• Google Fi compatibility in the U.S. 
• Voicemail transcription
• Google Calendar and Google Meet integration
• Mobile apps
• A web application
• 24/7 support
• Service Level Agreement
• Usage and activity reporting
• Call forwarding

Standard and Premier Google Voice plans give accounts extra numbers for auto attendants and ring groups. If you enroll in automatic licensing through Google Voice, users will be assigned a Voice number automatically and will be charged monthly.

You can upgrade, downgrade, or cancel your Voice account at any time. You can access billing, records, and any other information you need regarding your Voice account right in your Google Workspace. Google Voice is compatible with laptops, mobile devices, and supported desk phones.

What Plans Does Google Voice Offer?

Determining which Google Voice plan tier is the best option for your business will depend on the size of your team and the features you consider to be invaluable. The Premier plan is the only one that allows unlimited international locations. The Starter plan has a limit of 10 users as well as a limit of 10 domestic locations. This plan does not come with any international locations. All three plans also include 24/7 technical support.

Here is a breakdown of what each plan offers:

Google Voice Starter: $10 per user per month

• Up to 10 users 
• Up to 10 domestic locations
• Unlimited calling within the U.S.
• Unlimited text messages in the U.S.
• Voicemail transcripts
• Mobile apps for Android and iOS
• Web application
• 24/7 Tech Support 
• Service Level Agreement (SLA)
• Google Fi compatibility in the U.S.
• Calls to most European countries in Europe

Google Voice Standard: $20 per user per month

• All features of the Google Voice Starter plan 
• On-demand call recording
• Auto attendants
• Desk-phone and ATA support
• eDiscovery for calls, text messages, and voicemail 
• Ring groups

Google Voice Premier: $30 per user per month

• All features of Google Voice Starter and Standard plans 
• Unlimited international locations 
• Automatic call recording
• Advanced reporting to BigQuery

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Google Voice FAQs

Google Voice advertises 24/7 support. Google Voice users can also access a help center, featuring articles to assist with troubleshooting, and a Google Workspace community to connect with other users.

Google Voice integrates with Google Workspace apps, including Calendar, Gmail, Drive, and Hangouts. It’s also compatible with Polycom hardware. Google Voice doesn’t advertise additional integrations on its website, but it can be used with Smith, which offers virtual receptionists and live chat, and may integrate with other services.

Google Voice has a mobile app for iPhone and Android users. It works on computers and cell phones and can be synced across devices. This brings Google Voice features, including spam screening and voicemail transcription, to a mobile device. Users can download the Google Voice app from the Google Play store and Apple App store.

Google Voice offers a variety of security features. Data sent and received through Google Voice is encrypted before it's stored in Google’s data centers, and Google automatically identifies and blocks phishing attempts and spam.

Users can hide caller ID information on outgoing calls and manage some security settings via their Google Account. Users can also download all the data from their Google Account at any time. Google doesn’t use data from Google Voice for advertising purposes.

Business plans from Google Voice can be made HIPAA compliant, but free plans cannot. Users are required to sign a Business Associate Addendum, and other steps may be required. Contact Google for more information.

Google Voice has partnered with Poly to offer a variety of desk phones and headsets that are specifically compatible with the Google Voice system. This means that Poly products work with Google Meet and Chromebook as well. The Poly catalog for Google Voice offers IP desk phones with a “plug-and-play” setup that are available in 2-line, 4-line, and 6-line models. They also sell VoIP adapters that connect your analog to your VoIP service as well as conference phones for meetings. Additionally, you can purchase a variety of compatible headsets and smart speakerphones for conference rooms.

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Explain Google Voice subscriptions

Environment.

• Google Workspace
• Google Voice Starter : Ideal for small businesses and entrepreneurs with up to 10 users.
• Google Voice Standard : Ideal for organizations of any size who need business telephony features such as multi-level auto attendants, ring groups, and desk phones.
• Google Voice Premier : Ideal for multinational businesses and those who need advanced business telephony features such as Advanced reporting (BigQuery), and Automatic call recording.

Except as otherwise noted, the content of this page is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License , and code samples are licensed under the Apache 2.0 License . For details, see the Google Developers Site Policies . Java is a registered trademark of Oracle and/or its affiliates.

Last updated 2023-10-02 UTC.

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The business user’s guide to Google Voice

Google voice can add a whole new layer of power into your professional phone setup — once you figure out how to use it. here's help..

All right, quiz time: In a single sentence, can you tell me exactly what Google Voice does?

It’s a question even the most giddy Google-appreciating geeks struggle to answer succinctly — and for normal, non-tech-obsessed Homo sapiens, the answer typically falls somewhere between “Huh?” and “Wait, is that the same thing as gChat?”

Really, it’s no surprise. Google Voice is one of Google’s most complex, confusing, and poorly promoted services. But it’s also one of its most powerful — if you take the time to figure out exactly what it does and how it can work for you.

And especially if you’re using your phone for any manner of business, it can make a night-and-day difference in your ability to stay as connected and productive as possible, no matter where you’re working or what type of device you’re using at any given moment. Without exaggeration, it’ll completely change the way you think about your modern mobile devices and what a phone number even is.

Consider this your unofficial guide to getting started with Google Voice and then getting the most out of the underappreciated but potential-packed service.

The Google Voice business basics

We’ll start with the basics — and go back to that question I posed at the beginning of this conversation: What exactly is Google Voice?

In its simplest form, Google Voice is a cloud-based service that manages your phone number for you. Instead of being connected to a SIM card and tied specifically to a single physical smartphone, your number lives in a fluffy Google server and is controlled entirely by Google software.

Quirky as it may seem, that arrangement ultimately frees your digits from their traditional shackles and allows you to communicate in all sorts of convenient, efficiency-enhancing ways.

At its core, that empowers you to:

• Make and receive calls using your standard number on any device — phone, tablet, or even desktop computer. No one you’re talking to will know the difference.
• Send and receive regular text messages through the Voice website or apps on any device anytime — even with multiple devices being connected simultaneously.

Together, that means any phone, tablet, or computer where you sign into Google Voice effectively becomes “your phone” — regardless of what type of connection it relies on or if it even has active cellular service.

So, for instance, you could:

• Install the Google Voice app on an old Android phone and then have it ring whenever a call comes into your number, be able to make outgoing calls on it from your number, and be able to send and receive text messages on it with your regular number as long as it’s connected to Wi-Fi.
• Install the Google Voice app onto a Chromebook or Android tablet and communicate with customers and co-workers in all those same ways from there.
• Sign into the Google Voice website on any laptop and handle calls and messages on it as if it were your phone — regardless of whether your actual current smartphone is nearby or even powered on.

Pretty transformative stuff, right? And there’s more: Google Voice also automatically transcribes your voicemails and lets you listen to or read ’em from any device where you’re signed in. It brings Google-caliber spam filtering to your incoming calls, text messages, and voicemails, along with the option to have all of your calls screened for you. And it gives you a robust system of contextual call forwarding — almost like Gmail filters for your phone.

Like I said, this is one seriously powerful but also confoundingly complicated service. Let’s dive in and explore every last piece of the puzzle so you can make sure you’re taking full advantage of everything it has to offer.

Getting started with Google Voice

The first step to getting started with Google Voice is simply signing into the service and setting yourself up with a number. That part of the process is easiest if you begin on a computer.

With individual, non-company-connected Google accounts, you can immediately choose a new Google Voice number in any available area code for free, or you can opt to pay $20 to transfer an existing number into the service . In either scenario, you’ll have to be in the US to be eligible. (Sorry, international pals!)

With company-connected Google Workspace accounts, Voice is available in the US as well as in Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK. Your Workspace administrator will have to activate the service for you, and it costs $10, $20, or $30 per user per month — billed to the company — depending on what tier of service is selected.

Either way, once you’ve got your number set, you’ll find yourself facing the main Google Voice dashboard . That’s where you’ll always be able to see your recent calls and messages, make new calls and messages, and read or listen to voicemails left on your number.

The Google Voice dashboard lets you manage everything related to your calls and messages from any device where you’re signed in. (Click image to enlarge it.)

And as long as you have the website open, any calls coming into your number will actually ring your computer — and you can answer ’em right then and there.

Incoming calls can be answered on any device where you’re signed into Google Voice — including a computer. (Click image to enlarge it.)

We’ll come back to explore some advanced settings in a second. First, we need to shift our focus for a moment and get Google Voice set up on any phones where you want to use it — including the primary phone you rely on for your day-to-day communication.

Setting up phones with Google Voice

Now that we’ve got the core Voice setup finished, this part’s pretty easy:

• If you’re using an Android phone, download and install the Google Voice app from the Play Store .
• If you’re using an iPhone, download and install the Voice app from the App Store .

Either way, open the app up and follow the prompts to sign in using the same Google account you used in your initial setup on your computer.

On Android, you’ll be prompted to connect that device to Google Voice to allow the phone to make and receive calls using your Google Voice number. If your phone has active cellular service with a separate number that’s connected to your carrier, follow the steps to link the two and allow them to work together.

If you’re using an older or secondary phone that doesn’t have active cellular service, just skip that step. You’ll still be able to make and receive calls with your Google Voice number whenever the phone’s connected to Wi-Fi.

On both Android and iOS, you’ll then see the main Google Voice dashboard interface — with tabs for your recent calls, your contacts, your text messages, and your voicemails. The circular green button in the lower-right corner of the screen will allow you to make a new call or start a new message, depending on which tab you’re viewing.

The Google Voice mobile apps effectively transform any smartphone into your Google Voice device.

And on both platforms, you’ll be able to tap the three-line menu icon in the app’s upper-left corner to find the main settings menu.

In a moment we’ll explore the main Voice settings thoroughly from the service’s website, where every last option is available, but for now, take a quick peek at the “Making and receiving calls” (or “Make and receive calls”) and “Incoming calls” areas of the apps’ settings. Those will control exactly how calls to and from your Voice number will be handled on that specific device — if they’ll rely on your carrier-provided cellular minutes, assuming those are available, or if they’ll rely primarily on Wi-Fi and/or mobile data — and also if incoming calls will cause the phone to ring so you’ll be aware of them.

By default, they won’t. So if you want to be able to answer calls to your Google Voice number on this device, you’ll definitely want to adjust that.

If you have any other phones or any tablets you want to add into the mix and allow to access all of the same Google Voice functions, repeat this same process on any of them, using the appropriate Android or iOS app.

Just remember: If you set up all those devices to answer calls, you’re gonna have an awful lot of things ringing every time someone dials your digits. So if you don’t want a bunch of different devices simultaneously demanding your attention with every incoming call, be sure to go into the Google Voice app’s notification settings on each device and make the appropriate adjustments.

Otherwise, we’re ready to move back to your computer to dive in deep to all of the Google Voice settings.

Exploring the Google Voice settings

All right — ready to get into some of Google Voice’s greatest powers?

Back on the Voice desktop website, click the gear-shaped icon in the upper-right corner of the screen. That’ll take you to the full Google Voice settings menu, where you’ll find every available option.

And my goodness, are there a lot of ’em.

The first section of the screen, “Account,” has all of your basic number and device management settings, for anytime you need to make any foundational changes. The only item there you need to think about right now is “Linked numbers.” If you want to set your Google Voice number up to forward to any other existing numbers — an office line, a secondary cell phone, or even a colleague’s phone — click the “New linked number” button and follow the steps to add and confirm the number you need.

Linking a new number to your Google Voice account for forwarding is as simple as adding the number into the Voice website and then confirming it. (Click image to enlarge it.)

Moving on, the second section of the screen, “Messages,” contains a single switch to have any incoming messages forwarded to your email (in the same Google account’s inbox). It’s a simple touch but a useful one, especially if you live in your inbox and want to make sure you don’t miss anything during the day.

The third section, “Calls,” is where the real Google Voice power starts coming into play. Under “Call forwarding,” you’ll be able to flip a switch next to any linked number you added to have all incoming calls on your Google Voice number forward to it all the time.

And directly beneath that, the “Custom call forwarding” section will let you set up contextual filters to forward only specific sorts of calls to different linked numbers. Simply click “Create a rule,” and you’ll be able to choose individual contacts, groups of contacts, or broad categories of contacts like anonymous callers and then tell Google Voice exactly what to do when those people ring you.

Google Voice’s rules are like Gmail filters for your incoming calls. (Click image to enlarge it.)

Back on the main Google Voice settings screen, the “Calls” section has some other options worth your while to consider:

• “Get email alerts for missed calls” will do exactly what you’d expect. It’s a fantastic way to make sure an important call never goes unnoticed.
• “Screen calls” will prompt every incoming caller to state their name and then place them on hold while you hear the recording so you can decide if you want to answer.
• “Incoming call options” will activate the abilities for you to record an incoming call by pressing the number 4 and to transfer an in-progress call to one of your other linked numbers by pressing the * key (though only on individual Google accounts and not within Workspace-associated Google Voice setups, somewhat strangely).

Skip down from there to “Voicemail,” and you’ll find options to record your outgoing voicemail message and manage other voicemail-related preferences.

Under “Payments,” you can connect a payment method to apply credit for international calls, if you’re so inclined. In the US, calls made through Google Voice to other US numbers as well as Canadian numbers are completely free, while calls to other countries vary in their rates .

And last but not least, under “Security,” you’ll probably want to flip the switch next to “Filter spam.” That’ll allow Google’s spam detection systems to stop suspected junk calls, messages, and voicemails from ever bothering you.

Whew! Told ya Google Voice had lots of fascinating layers, didn’t I? Hold the phone, though: We’ve got one more pair of powerful possibilities to explore before we call it a day.

The Google Voice business bonuses

One of Google Voice’s most useful set of features is available only for business accounts — specifically, those using the Google Voice Standard or Premier ($20 or $30 per user per month) tiers of service.

If your organization is on such a plan, you can dial into a couple of advanced business-oriented phone management options:

• You can set up a fully automated, professional-sounding phone menu system that answers calls on one of your Google Voice numbers and directs callers to different places depending on the time of the day and which options they select.
• You can create ring groups that make it easy for multiple people to handle calls coming into the same number — like a single streamlined number for a sales team, for instance. The main number can either ring every associated team member’s phone at the same time so whoever answers first gets the call, or it can ring all of the associated numbers individually in a random order.

Both options can be configured by your Google Workspace administrator in the Google Voice section of the Google Admin console.

Oh, and one more thing: Any Google Voice number can connect directly to a variety of specialty boxes and handsets that effectively allow you to have subscription-free landline-like phones for your desk or home office . You can establish a standalone number through Google Voice for such a line and even have calls from your other Google Voice numbers automatically ring those phones in addition to ringing other devices, so you can easily answer any call anywhere you like.

And now you know, from start to finish, how Google Voice can transform your business and the very way you think about your phones. All that’s left is to create your account, get things set up the way you want, and then enjoy your newly enlightened approach to phone number management.

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Office Technology | How To

How to Use Google Voice for Small Business Communications

Published March 7, 2023

Published Mar 7, 2023

REVIEWED BY: Corey McCraw

WRITTEN BY: Marianne De Guzman

This article is part of a larger series on VoIP .

• 1 Getting Started
• 2 Making Calls
• 3 Sending Text Messages
• 4 Initiating Video Calls
• 5 Checking Voicemail
• 6 Setting Up the Auto-attendant
• 7 Creating Ring Groups
• 8 Viewing Usage Reports
• 9 Best Practices on Using Google Voice
• 10 Bottom Line

Using Google Voice for business is quick and easy as long as you have a stable internet connection and a Google account. It works seamlessly across iOS and Android devices, a web browser, and even a desk phone. Core functionalities include unlimited domestic calls, text messaging, voicemail transcription, and an auto-attendant. In this walk-through, we explain how to use Google Voice and make the most of its features.

Getting Started on Google Voice

To start using Google Voice, you need a Google account. After logging in, open voice.google.com in your web browser. You will be asked whether you want to use Google Voice for personal or business use. Below we provided separate steps to set up Google Voice for both options:

For Personal Use

Step 1: Select the “For personal use” button and choose your preferred device from iOS, Android, or the web. If you want to use your mobile device, we suggest you install the Google Voice app. For this walk-through, we’ll go with the Web option.

Step 2: Enter your city or area code to see which numbers are available, then select the phone number you want to use.

Step 3: Click the “Verify” button to enter your U.S.-based phone number, then select “Send code.” Next, enter the six-digit code sent to your phone via SMS.

Step 4: Tap the “Finish” button to complete the setup. From here, you will be directed to the Google Voice main dashboard.

In our guide on getting a Google Voice number , we provided a step-by-step video tutorial to set up your Google Voice personal account in minutes.

Google Voice requires users to have an existing U.S.-based number to qualify for its services. (Source: Google Voice )

Google Voice only allows calls between U.S. and Canada-based Google Voice phone numbers. It is also available in most countries within mainland Europe, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, U.K., Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, Portugal, Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland. However, Google doesn’t allow countries outside the U.S. to make calls over Google Voice.

For Business Use

Step 1: Select the “For business” button to access the product page.

Step 2: Click the “Get Started” button on the next screen to see the subscription options.

Select a plan from the three pricing tiers: Starter, Standard, and Premier.

Step 3: Register your Google Workspace account to start your Google Voice business plan. If you don’t have one, select the “Sign up” link from the pop-up. For those whose Google Workspace account is managed by an administrator, let them know you want to access Google Voice.

Step 4: After verifying your Google Workspace account, you will reach the information page explaining your chosen plan. Make sure to read everything before clicking the “Get Started” button.

Step 5: Review your payment plan, then click “Checkout.” In the next window, provide your business address and credit card information. Double-check the accuracy of your entry before submitting your payment.

Step 6: Click the “Get Started” button to set up your Google Voice business account. You can now set your business location, add more users, and order phone numbers.

Check out our comprehensive Google Voice review and discover if this platform is a good fit for your small business needs.

Making Calls

Make calls to domestic and international locations using your Google Voice number. Here are two ways to initiate a Google Voice call from your desktop or mobile device:

To make phone calls from your desktop:

Step 2: In the top search bar, enter the name of the saved contact you want to call. If the number isn’t a saved contact, tap the dialpad and enter the number.

On the desktop app, you’ll find the “Calls” tab in the upper left corner of your dashboard. (Source: Chrome Web Store )

To make phone calls from your mobile device:

Step 2: There are two ways to choose who to call:

To discover calling features on Google Voice, go to Settings within the Google Voice app. Here, you can configure your preferences for call forwarding, call screening, missed call notifications, and incoming call options. You can also set up your Wi-Fi or mobile data for making and receiving calls.

Making domestic and international calls is easy using Google Voice’s mobile app (Source: Google Workspace )

Sending Text Messages

Google Voice restricts text messaging to up to seven phone numbers due to carrier limitations and spam protection. You can use it to provide customer support, but it is not intended for bulk messaging. Follow the steps below to start sending SMS:

Step 1: Open the Voice app or navigate to voice.google.com on your desktop.

Step 3: Enter the contact’s name or number in the recipient field.

Step 4: Type your message and hit “Send.”

To attach an image, click the “Image” icon. Note that images should be smaller than 2MB. Anything above 2MB will be sent as a smaller file.

Send unlimited text messages within the U.S. using your Google Voice number. (Source: YouTube )

Initiating Video Calls

Google Voice lacks video functionality for group calls, but it lets you switch calls to a one-to-one video call session. However, this feature is limited to the Google Voice app on mobile devices. Here’s how to do it:

Step 2: Enter a name on the search bar or use the keypad to dial a phone number, and then tap the “Call” button.

Step 3: During the call, you’ll see additional calling features, such as add call, video call, mute, and end call.

Seamlessly switch calls to a 1:1 video call using the Google Voice mobile app (Source: LifeWire )

Checking Voicemail

The steps for checking your voicemail are nearly identical on desktop and mobile devices. To check your voicemail, follow these steps:

Step 2: Choose the voicemail you want to open and select the “Play” button. Below, you’ll find the text transcription of your voicemail.

Step 3: On the upper right, tap the three-dot menu icon ⋮ to access the following features:

• Copy number
• Copy transcript
• Add contact
• Block number
• Mark as spam

Google Voice uses artificial intelligence (AI) to transcribe voicemail into text format. (Source: Google Voice )

Setting Up the Auto-attendant

As a business phone system , Google Voice lets you set up a multi-level auto-attendant to effectively manage incoming calls. This gives callers a menu that can respond to their queries when none of the team can answer the phone. Here’s how to create one:

Step 1: In the Admin console, go to Menu ☰ > Apps > Google Workspace > Google Voice > Auto-attendants.

Step 2: From there, you will see a list of your current auto-attendants. At the top, click “Create.”

Step 3: Give your auto-attendant a name and a description. When done, tap “Create.”

Step 4: Create an initial greeting by adding a welcome message. You can upload an audio recording or use the text-to-speech feature.

Step 5: Click “Done.”

Step 6: In the “Add a prompt for the n key,” enter a message to create a voice command. For example, “Press one for sales.”

Step 7: Click the down arrow next to “Select an action” to choose what happens after the key message plays.

Step 8: Next, customize your business hours. On the left, Click “Edit Business Hours.” You can specify actions for holiday closures and after-hours.

Step 9: After configuring your auto-attendant, click “Preview” on the bottom right, then click “Call.”

Step 10: After testing the auto-attendant, click the “Publish” button to complete the setup.

Google Voice makes setting up an auto-attendant simple and easy with its user-friendly interface. (Source: Google Workspace )

Creating Ring Groups

Google Voice lets you create ring groups or a shared mainline phone number where team members can answer calls from a single Google Voice number. An incoming call will ring all members of the ring group until someone picks up. Or, you could ring members sequentially in random order. Note that members added to a group must have a number assigned or a Voice license.

Step 1: In the Admin console, go to Menu ☰ > Apps > Google Workspace > Google Voice > Ring groups.

Step 2: At the top, click “Create.”

Step 3: Create a display name for your ring group and add a description (optional).

Step 4: In the “Find users” field, enter the names of your ring group members. You can add up to 25 members.

Step 5: Click “Continue.”

Step 6: You will be led to another window to configure call handling. Here, you can set the ring order, attempt duration, and maximum ring duration. You can also tweak the ordering of how all ring group members will be called.

Step 7: Under “Unanswered calls,” choose what happens when a call isn’t answered after 30 seconds.

Step 8: Click “Create Ring Group.”

Step 9: The next window will ask you to assign numbers to your ring group. While this is optional, this serves as a customer-facing number for your business.

Step 10: Select “Finish.”

Google Voice provides three options for your ring group order: round-robin, simultaneous, and fixed order. (Source: Google Voice )

Viewing Usage Reports

Google Workspace administrators can access the audit and investigation page to review user activities in Google Voice. For example, you can view the details of calls and texts, including the cost, duration, and exact call times.

Step 1: In the Admin console, go to Menu ☰ > Reporting > Audit investigation > Voice log events.

Step 2: Select “Add a filter,” then choose an attribute.

Step 3: From the pop-up window, choose an operator and a value, then click “Apply.”

Step 4: You can add several filters for your search. When done, click “Search.”

Here are example attributes to use when searching Voice log event data:

• Call destination
• Call source
• Voicemail recipient
• Phone number
• Service name
• Email address
• New address

Need more help to set up a full-featured voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) solution? Check out our guide on how to set up a VoIP phone system . While at it, improve your team’s VoIP fundamental skills by checking out our guide on the top five VoIP training certifications and courses .

Best Practices on Using Google Voice

While Google Voice is incredibly easy to implement and use, there are a few strategies you can try to optimize Google Voice as a business phone system. Check out some of the best practices below:

• Create a detailed name for your auto-attendant: Be specific when creating a name and description for your auto-attendant. It will help you find a specific auto-attendant if you need to make changes later.
• Assign a Google Voice license to your team: Before using Google Voice for business, be sure to assign licenses to every team member.
• Use a country code: When calling abroad, enter the country code before the phone number. For example, for the United Kingdom, enter +44, followed by the phone number.
• Add a service address: Make sure to add a service address when you are assigned a Google Voice number. Remember, you can’t make calls without a service address.
• Use your carrier minutes: If your internet connection is unstable, Google Voice lets you use the minutes from your phone plan.
• Pin the Google Voice tab in your browser: If you’re using Google Voice on your desktop, pin voice.google.com in your Chrome browser so you can still receive calls even when working on other tabs.
• Link phone numbers: You can link up to six phone numbers to forward calls to if you don’t want to answer using Google Voice.
• Use custom call forwarding: Custom call forwarding lets you route calls from an individual or group of contacts to a specific phone number.
• Use Google Contacts: Manage your contact list at contacts.google.com. Make sure to update your rules for the new number if you change someone’s phone number.

Bottom Line

Using Google Voice for business is easy if you have a Google account and a U.S.-based phone number. It is a great business phone solution for solopreneurs and small business owners with basic communication needs. It integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace apps and comes with a free phone number, a user-friendly interface, and a host of calling features.

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 Personal vs Business: Full Pricing & Feature Comparison

Google Voice is a telephone service that was released in 2009, and has since established itself as one of the most noteworthy business and individual online communication services. It offers two main plans – Google Voice Business vs Personal, and here you can learn about the pros and cons of each, alongside with the main differences in features, prices and purpose.

In this article we cover:

What is Google Voice?

How does google voice work.

• The Two Plans Comparison
• Pricing & Plans Overview
• Features Difference Between Two Options
• Users and Locations Comparison
• Pros & Cons of the Business Plan
• Pros & Cons of the Personal Plan
• Making the Right Choice

Google Voice is a wireless phone service provider, giving its customers from select countries a phone number for local calls, texts, and voicemail. Naturally, it can be synced across the devices of choice: computers or smartphones. It has all the basics covered: spam filters, black list function, call forwarding, back-ups, voicemail transcriptions, alongside extra features available for purchase, such as international calling.

Being a VoIP service, Google Voice uses Voice Over Internet Protocol to transfer calls and messages. It is a tie-free fully virtual calling system that allows you to call from wherever you are. In VoIP, voice is transformed into a digital signal that is passed over the internet, connecting people with other users. All you need is:

• A device: computer, smartphone or tablet;
• Stable internet connection: the Wi-Fi or a data plan.

Google Voice account provides free PC-to-phone calling within the US and Canada and free PC-to-PC audio and video calls worldwide. Depending on the plan, the customer gets a virtual phone number, allowing for a full replacement of a sim card. There are two main options you will be choosing from; read more about them below.

Google Voice Personal vs Business Comparison

Google voice personal.

This type of account is available on Android, iOS, and the web, providing its customers with free limited phone call functionality. Meanwhile it cannot provide you with a virtual number, it includes an integration with mail and calendar, making it best for:

• Individuals who like to have the option of calling others via the internet or a computer for individual convenience reasons;
• Freelancers who need to handle and organize multiple calls from clients on the device of their choice;
• Small businesses that do not have a large volume of calls;
• Solopreneurs who manage their orders and customers on a tight schedule;
• Anyone who enjoys the freedom of calling via the internet and multiple devices rather than being attached to the cell phone and cell service.

What are the main uses for the Personal account

• Economy : Making a free phone call within the US. For example, if you need to talk to some customer support that will leave you hanging for an hour and you do not want to pay for it;
• Scheduling : making a call schedule through integrating it into the calendar: if you want to make a few calls at once;
• Privacy : making sure that your own phone number remains private and unknown;
• Back-up : being able to use any phone or computer, so if you lose your phone and need to make a call from your laptop, you will be able to.
• Travel : when you go from one state to another, your service quality will depend on the internet connection, not cellular service.

Google Voice Business (Google Workspace)

The Google Voice for Business is a paid subscription-based service that provides you with a free phone number (or multiple for an extra fee) and an extensive functionality (voicemail, SMS ability, and other), which is its greatest advantage. The users can communicate on any internet-enabled web-linked phone line, making it an excellent option for companies and the professional Google Voice service.

This option is best for:

• Growing small businesses: manage the small client base and other business communications in an organized way;
• Middle size businesses: have your team members handle the communication with the clients via multiple devices within one system;
• Solopreneurs: handling a large volume of communication in an organized manner (this option also includes text messages);
• Small research projects that require data collection via surveys.

What are the main uses for the Business option?

• Texting and calling: communication with customers or other services;
• Having a custom area code and privacy for your telephone numbers: being able to contact others without revealing your location or having to use your private non-business phone number;
• Keeping records of business calls for documentation and follow-up purposes.
• Organization: being able to have everything in one place and not get lost in the multitude of contacts;
• Answering service for your telephone numbers: having an automated answering option that interacts with callers to prevent loss of clients.

Google Voice Personal vs Business Account: Pricing & Plans

When comparing the two Google Voice plans, it is important to note that the personal plan is absolutely free. It is not meant for large volumes of communication, rather than that, it is more of a feature for individual use. That means you are choosing between Google Voice free vs paid.

The Google Voice for Business option was developed specifically for companies that need to manage a larger volume of calls. It is divided into 3 different tariffs:

* Only calls from the GVoice app will show up as your Google number, dials from your mobile phone touchpad will use your caller ID. All private data shared with Google.

MightyCall Solution

The Google phone system is good, but it has flaws , since unlike MightyCall, it has never been an independent business communication service specializing in virtual calls. MightyCall, however, has originally been focused solely on VoIP phone numbers and telephony (for over 15 years), which is why it offers more features (free on all the plans), such as toll-free/vanity phone numbers, extensions/call flows and HD audio quality.

It also has helpful customer support: daily 8 am to 8 pm EST phone, chat, 1-1 onboarding sessions and web customer support for anyone who needs assistance or wants free help with the set-up, which is why G2 named MightyCall the top VoIP customer support this year.

Features Difference Between Google Voice Personal and Business

The set of available features depends on the option you choose. Take a look at the table comparing the features of these options.

MightyCall clients have access to many features that GVoice is lacking. Choosing MightyCall (over GVoice) allows you to:

• Try toll-free/vanity numbers – included on all the plans;
• Jump on conference calls – MightyCall knows how important to have team calls to ensure everyone stays up-to-date;
• Check out HD audio quality – Google Voice doesn’t support top-notch HD audio for callers and relies on Wi-Fi, sometimes resulting in a faulty connection that will give your company an unprofessional reputation;
• Experience call flows and extensions – since GVoice was not originally developed as a wireless phone service provider, it does not have an option to have structured call flows or organization for telephone numbers;
• Enjoy the hands-down best customer support out there.

Google Voice Business vs Personal: Users and Locations

The difference between Google Voice Personal and Business is also in the number of users and locations. The Personal Plan is exclusively for the United States, meanwhile the Business plan has available telephone numbers in 13 countries/regions for callers:

• Netherlands
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom

*Depends on the subscription type

If you did not find the location you are interested in in the Google Voice list, MightyCall is your choice.

MightyCall provides a choice of 25 countries for international business phone numbers, including all countries from GVoice. You will get a choice from: Argentina, New Zealand, Australia, Philippines, Brazil, Portugal, China, Russia, Egypt, Singapore, France, South Africa, Germany, South Korea, India, Spain, Indonesia, Switzerland, Italy, Thailand, Japan, Turkey, Mexico, United Kingdom, Netherlands, and the United States of America.

Pros & Cons of Google Voice Business

When choosing between Google Voice paid vs free options, it is important to look at the multiple factors to be taken into consideration when choosing your professional communication platform:

• Price – the service is affordable and is within one of the best price offers within virtual phone providers;
• Port your phone number – for an additional $20 USD you can port your own number or use your Google Voice Number for free;
• Simple interface – the service has an amazing at UI;
• Growth – your business will grow once you switch from a sim card to a universal plan;
• G Suite – an integration will be intuitive and easy for companies using Google;
• Call screening – requiring vocal identification from your callers;
• Switch devices – devices can be switched during a call.
• Cannot port landline – if you want to port a landline number, you will have to transfer it to a mobile operator first;
• Privacy concerns – all the information will be stored on Google servers;
• No analytics – this service is yet to offer analytics to its clients;
• Limited features: requires Google Workspace for use, which is an additional purchase, so in a way it is an addition to the GWorkspace rather than an independent service;
• Hard-to-access customer support – the forum is the main means for communication between the customer support team and clients;
• Limited communication channels – only voice and text services offered, no conference calls or additional features.

Pros & Cons of Google Voice Personal

It is important to remind ourselves that this plan is absolutely free for individual use when looking at the pros and cons:

• Variety – this plan gives you an additional option on top of your cell phone;
• Professionalism – having the ability to keep all your calls dubbed on your computer will help you organize your work communication;
• Price – this version is completely free;
• Voicemail transcription – Google AI is a powerful tool that ensures quality in voicemail transcription;
• Calendar – adds your communication on your calendar;
• Flexibility – allows to work from any device or operational system;
• Security – provides you with a tool to protect your number from people you are calling.
• No emergency calls – you will not be able to reach 911;
• Limited locations – the feature only works in the US and with US telephone numbers;
• No virtual number – people will not be able to call you;
• Limited users – only one person can be using it;
• No organization – you will not have access to a put together hub with all the features and all call history;
• Limited communication channels – only voice services offered, no texting, MMS, conference calls or additional features.

Making the Right Choice: Google Voice Business vs Personal

Google Voice is an affordable and functional solution for both business communication and personal use, so depending on your needs, you can make the decision based on comparison. The VoIP solution provides a solid set of basic features for making virtual calls, but it lacks a few options you might need. If you do find yourself missing a few features or if you did not find what you need in the functionality of the phone service, we recommend trying the MightyCall solution .

MightyCall was created and perfected over the years specifically to meet the needs of small and medium companies when it comes to virtual telephony. It is also one of the most affordable options on the market of over 25 countries and is known to provide over-the-top customer support. Try it and see for yourself.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you upgrade google voice from personal to business, can i port my existing google voice number to mightycall, can i use google voice personal for business, mightycall lets you run business communications your way:   simple efficient organized.

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Google Voice for Business: Key Features, Pricing, Pros & Cons

• October 8, 2023

Google Voice deals in phone number, voicemail, and call forwarding services. While primarily aimed at individual consumers, Google Voice also has features that can benefit small businesses.

In this article, we will look at using Google Voice in a business context, including its pricing structure, key features, and pros and cons compared to traditional business phone services. 

Whether you are a freelancer, solo entrepreneur, or small business owner, this overview will help you decide if Google Voice is suitable for your communication needs.

With its low cost and variety of useful features, Google Voice is worth considering as a business phone system.

What is Google Voice?

Google Voice is a telephony service offered by Google that provides call forwarding, voicemail transcription, SMS messaging, and other features for personal phone numbers and business phone systems.

With Google Voice, users can get a free phone number that works with the service and ring multiple phones to receive incoming calls.

For businesses, Google Voice offers call routing, real-time call monitoring, voicemail-to-text transcription, customized greetings, conference calling, and other tools to unify communications and streamline operations.

Google Voice for Business brings together all of a company’s phones, including landlines, mobiles, and VoIP numbers, under one centralized phone system in the cloud.

How Does It Work?

Google Voice utilizes Voice over IP (VoIP) technology to route calls over the internet. When someone calls a Google Voice number, the service identifies the caller by their phone number and finds the linked forwarding numbers to ring simultaneously.

If the call goes to voicemail, Google Voice transcribes the message and sends it to the user via email or text message. Users can also send and receive text messages from their Google Voice number and access voicemails and texts from any device.

For businesses, Google Voice centralizes communication by linking all company numbers to one account.

It allows calls to ring multiple users at once until someone answers. Businesses get dedicated business phone numbers with custom greetings and menus to route calls. Voicemails are transcribed into text for easier access.

With the Google Voice mobile app and web interface, employees can place and receive calls from their business number when away from their desks. The service also provides call logs, reporting, conference calling, auto attendants, and other tools to manage business communication.

Google Voice for Business Pricing and Plans

Google Voice offers several pricing tiers for businesses:

• 1 phone number
• Voicemail transcription
• Call forwarding
• Text messaging
• Basic call screening and blocking

Google Workspace Individual Plan – $10/month:

• All Free plan features
• Custom greetings
• Voicemail recording
• Call routing

Google Workspace Business Standard – $20/user/month:

• Up to 25 phone numbers
• All Individual plan features
• Centralized management
• Ring groups
• Call queues
• Detailed call logs and reporting

Google Workspace Business Plus – $25/user/month:

• Unlimited phone numbers
• All Business Standard features
• Conference calling
• Automatic call recording
• Enhanced security and compliance

There are also larger enterprise plans available for bigger companies. Overall, Google Voice offers a flexible and scalable solution suitable for solopreneurs up to large corporations. Businesses only pay for active users on their plans.

Key Features 

Google Voice provides a robust set of features to help unify business communication and streamline operations. Here are some of the key capabilities:

1. Intelligent Call Routing

• Configure automatic call forwarding, ring groups, call queues, and advanced routing rules.
• Send calls to the right people or departments based on caller ID, time of day, and other criteria.
• Eliminate phone tags and missed calls with smart call directions.

2. Voicemail Transcription

• Google Voice automatically transcribes voicemails and sends them to your inbox.
• Read or search voicemail messages instead of listening to audio recordings.
• Quickly scan for important information within long voicemail transcripts.
• Increase productivity by accessing voicemails as text.

3. Ring Groups

• Set up ring groups to have a single number ring multiple people simultaneously.
• Calls ring all group members at once until someone answers.
• Perfect for departments like sales, support, accounting, etc.
• Ensures callers reach a live person without hold times.

4. Call Queues

• For call centers , create structured call queues to route callers.
• Callers are put on hold and distributed to agents in order.
• Route callers based on agent availability, skills, and priority levels.
• Improve customer satisfaction with call routing.

5. Conference Calling

• Google Voice enables conference calls for up to 10 participants directly in Gmail.
• Hold structured meetings by bringing remote teams together on a call.
• Share ideas and make decisions more efficiently without expensive third-party services.
• Record conference calls for future reference.

Pros and Cons

Google Voice for business offers many benefits but also has some drawbacks to consider:

• Affordable flat-rate pricing
• Unified business phone system in the cloud
• Scales easily as your team grows
• Flexible call management features
• Transcribes voicemails into text
• Works with iOS and Android apps
• No need to port numbers
• Dedicated business phone numbers
• Integrates with Google Workspace and CRM tools
• Requires good internet connection to function
• Limited video call support
• No option for custom-hold music
• Cannot make emergency calls
• Some limitations for toll-free numbers
• Not as full-featured as VoIP providers
• No physical desk phones, hardware rentals
• Lacks E911 services and compliance

Overall, Google Voice offers outstanding value and capabilities for most small businesses.

However, larger enterprises may want richer PBX features, video calling, emergency services, and full E911 compliance.

Google Voice for Business Limitations

While Google Voice provides helpful phone management tools for SMBs, there are some limitations to note:

• No Emergency Calling – Google Voice cannot place emergency calls or access enhanced 911 services. An alternate carrier is required.
• Toll-Free Numbers – Options for toll-free numbers are restricted compared to some other providers.
• Desk Phones – No traditional office desk phones are available. The service relies on mobile apps, softphones, and bridging hardware.
• Local Number Porting – Porting existing local numbers requires users to maintain their old carrier service.
• Music on Hold – Google Voice does not support custom hold music or messaging for callers in queues.
• Video Calling – Native video call support is limited outside of conference calls. Third-party apps can enable video chat.
• Maximum Call Participants – Conference calls max out at 10 participants. For larger groups, another service is needed.
• Call Recording Consent – Google Voice call recording features may not meet two-party consent laws in all regions.
• Compliance Controls – Options for compliance, encryption, and data residency are not as robust as dedicated business VoIP platforms.

While Google Voice excels at unifying communications for SMBs, larger enterprises may want to evaluate more sophisticated PBX systems for full compliance, security, and enterprise integrations.

However, it remains a cost-effective solution for most small business use cases.

How to Set Up Google Voice for Business

Here is an overview of how to get started with Google Voice for your business:

1. Sign Up for Google Workspace

• Navigate to workspace.google.com to create your business Google account.
• Choose your edition depending on the number of users – Individual, Standard, Plus, Enterprise.

2. Add a Google Voice License

• For each user that needs Google Voice, activate the license in your Google Workspace admin console.
• Licenses start at $10/month per user on the Individual plan.

3. Set Up Users

• Add users to your Google Workspace business account via the admin console.
• Download Google Voice apps for iOS or Android.

4. Assign Phone Numbers

• Pick dedicated local, toll-free, or vanity numbers from available listings.
• Link the numbers to specific users or shared departments.

5. Configure Call Settings

• Set up voicemail, call forwarding, ring groups, call queues, menus, and more.
• Customize greetings and settings for each number and user.

6. Make and Receive Calls

• Users can now place and receive calls from their Google Voice business number.
• Manage calls from the mobile apps, Gmail, or Google Voice web portal.

That covers the basics! Start with a small group and add more numbers and features over time as your needs grow.

Alternatives to Google Voice

Google Voice is a solid business phone solution, but not the only option. Here are some alternatives worth considering:

1. RingCentral

• Features: Cloud-based PBX phone system, unlimited calling, auto-attendant, voicemail, call forwarding, SMS, video conferencing, mobile app.
• Pricing: Starts at $19.99 per user/month for Essentials plan. Premium plans from $34.99 per user/month.
• Best for Midsize and large businesses that need a full-featured VoIP phone service.

• Features: VoIP phone service, call center capabilities, unlimited calling, auto attendant, call routing, voicemail, CRM integrations, and video meetings.
• Pricing: Starts at $20 per user/month for Basic plan. Advanced VoIP plans from $30 per user/month.
• Best for: Growing businesses that need advanced call management and unified communications.
• Features: Cloud phone system, call routing, shared inboxes, call monitoring, voicemail, SMS, and integrations.
• Pricing: Starts at $30 per user/month for Essentials plan. Advanced plans from $50 per user/month.
• Best for: Sales and support teams that need customizable call flows.

4. Zoom Phone

• Features: Business phone system, unlimited local and national calling, auto-receptionist, voicemail, call recording, and video meetings.
• Pricing: Starts at $10 per user/month for a basic Zoom Phone license. More advanced plans are available.
• Best for Businesses already using Zoom that wants tight integration with meetings.
• Features: Cloud business phone, AI-powered features, unlimited calling, auto attendant, voicemail transcription, SMS, and CRM integrations.
• Pricing: Starts at $15 per user/month for the Standard plan. Pro plan is $25 per user/month.
• Best for: Modern companies wanting AI phone features.

• Features: Business VoIP phone service, call routing, virtual receptionist, video meetings, voicemail transcription, CRM integrations.
• Pricing: Starts at $19.99 per user/month for the Premium plan. Advanced plans from $29.99 per user/month.
• Best for: Large organizations needing customizable business VoIP with global capabilities.

Google Voice Unifies Your Team

In summary, Google Voice provides an affordable and user-friendly phone system in the cloud that helps unify business communication. Key benefits for SMBs include:

• Single Business Identity – Central phone numbers unite remote and in-office teams.
• Accessibility – Never miss important calls with ring groups, switching, and mobile apps.
• Efficiency – Transcribed voicemails and seamless call routing eliminate phone tags.
• Flexibility – Manage calls from anywhere using mobile, web, and desktop apps.
• Continuity – Change physical offices or providers without changing your phone numbers.
• Affordability – Simple flat-rate pricing without overpaying for unused features.
• Convenience – Easy administration from one online control panel.
• Reliability – Backed by Google’s proven technology infrastructure.

While there are some limitations compared to full-scale PBX platforms, Google Voice hits the sweet spot for cost-conscious SMBs.

It provides a unified business identity and convenient call management without the complexity and overhead of traditional telephony systems.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Ques 1: does google voice work with toll-free numbers.

Ans: Yes, Google Voice supports toll-free numbers in the US and Canada that start with 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877, or 888. You can purchase toll-free numbers or port existing ones.

Ques 2: Can I use my existing business phone number with Google Voice?

Ans: Yes, you can link your current business phone number to Google Voice with the call forwarding feature. This forwards calls from your number to Google Voice.

Ques 3: How many devices can I link to Google Voice?

Ans: You can link up to 6 devices including mobile phones, landlines, tablets, computers, and IP phones. Google Voice will ring all linked devices simultaneously when you get a call.

Ques 4: Can I make international calls with Google Voice? 

Ans: Yes, you can place low-cost international calls to supported countries using Google Voice credits. The rates are usually lower than carrier plans.

Ques 5: Does Google Voice integrate with CRM platforms? 

Ans: Yes, Google Voice integrates with popular CRM systems like Salesforce, Zoho, Freshdesk, and many more using APIs and virtual phone connectors.

Evelyn Brown

Evelyn Brown is a knowledgeable and dedicated reviewer of business communication softwares. When she's not testing the latest platforms or providing in-depth analyses for his readers, you can find her playing guitar and hiking local trails.

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The Reality of Google Voice in 2024: Overview of Features, Costs, and Benefits

According to American Express, 75% of people believe phone calls are the best way to reach a company. Google Voice is what you get when a tech giant tries to meet that need. The question is, does it succeed?

Over the past few years, the call center software market has grown significantly, becoming not only highly sophisticated but also crowded. So, it’s natural for someone just beginning to navigate the space to gravitate toward a name they know.

Today, we look at Google Voice, including its features , costs , and benefits . And most importantly, answer the question – is it worth your money?

KEY TAKEAWY #1

Who is Google Voice for? Designed primarily for small businesses, Google Voice makes kicking off your calling operations simple with affordable pricing, easy onboarding, and basic VoIP features, including calls, video meetings, text messaging, and voicemail.

KEY TAKEAWY #2

What should you look out for? Google Voice lacks several key aspects necessary for growing businesses, including automation, 3rd party integrations, and international numbers. If you aim to expand locally or globally, you best look elsewhere.

KEY TAKEAWY #3

Why consider other solutions? Calling solutions like CloudTalk may be more expensive but offer many more options that will allow you to automate workflows, efficiently evaluate performance, optimize customer experience, and grow your revenue.

First launched in 2009 , Google Voice is one of the oldest VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) calling platforms on the market today. In other words, it allows you to make calls and send messages over the Internet from any compatible smart device.

Like other solutions in the call center software space, it doesn’t require a carrier plan or special hardware to be used. On its page, Google boasts solutions for Startups, SMBs, Enterprises, and other, more specific industries. 

However, considering its easy onboarding , affordable pricing , and limited number of features , it is most well suited to fulfilling the needs of smaller companies with relatively low requirements for inbound (support and service) and outbound (sales) operations. 

So, what do businesses use Google Voice for? Here are the top 6 use cases:

#1  Handling a high volume of calls

#2  SMS texting and CRM

#3  Getting different area codes

#4  Separating privacy from business interactions

#5  Instant messaging and video calls

#6  Redirecting calls to other number

Now, let’s talk about these points in more depth.

Upgrade your phone system today

Handling a High Volume of Calls 

No business can afford missing out on important calls. It results in a loss of customers, and losing customers means losing money. This is where VoIP services, including Google Voice, are an excellent help. 

If you are currently unavailable — on another call or out of office —  a voicemail can easily be redirected to an email address . Google Voice then sends all information about missed calls, as well as email transcriptions of voicemails, to your corresponding team. This may  save you hours of your valuable time .

Businesses use messaging more often than meets the eye. Google Voice allows you to  send and receive SMS to your account . You can do so from Google Voice page, but also directly  from your smartphone  or  laptop apps . Those serve as front-end messaging. 

All the messages are then  saved on the website  and  uploaded in a well-organized format  to Gmail, which makes them easy to search for. 

Various Area Codes

During Google Voice sign up, you can select your new number, including a wide range of area codes. It  doesn’t have to be one that corresponds with your region . You may pick any area you need for your business. For example  212  for New York City or  415  for San Francisco. 

Thanks to area codes, your current customers can call you  directly on your cell phone  or contact you  on the same phone via Google Voice . 

Protect Your Privacy 

A big advantage of many VoIP systems is that they allow you to  hide your personal phone number  from your  business contacts . Thanks to Google Voice number, you can have all calls  automatically forwarded to your personal cell phone  without losing privacy. 

You can easily avoid unwanted people getting access to your personal number, as well as  regulate when you receive business calls . With Google Voice number, you can also choose the time frame in which calls get forwarded. The calls that come  in outside of this time frame, for example after working hours, are  directed to voicemail . 

Instant Messaging and Video Calls

Due to  Google Voice and Google Hangouts integration , Google Voice acquired  instant messaging and video chat capabilities . These services are offered for free in several countries, yet with several restrictions. For example,  calls to a certain number can incur a small fee , such as $0.01 per minute. 

Hangout users are  able to make free video  conference calls  to other Hangouts users. Yet in order for the call to be free, it is  restricted to a maximum of 10 participants . If you have a Google Apps for Work account, the limit rises to 15 people. 

Therefore, if you want a tool  for a bigger audience , you may  consider a more complex VoIP solution  for video conferencing. One that is suitable for mid and larger businesses. For example, check out our  CloudTalk   Conference Call Software . 

Redirecting Calls to Other Numbers

Even if your team is currently small, there is of course a possibility that you will grow much larger. This may happen faster than you expect. Having an ability to distribute your incoming calls is something that may become very important to you down the line. 

Like many VoIP solutions, Google Voice allows you to  redirect calls to several phone numbers . You can therefore share the same phone number on several platforms and let your team share the responsibility of  answering phone calls with their own separate devices . 

Yet, there is one drawback. Setting  this feature can be time consuming . It’s managed through the Google Workspace admin dashboard. Further, an IT admin has to set up linked numbers, as well as verify them with a 6 digit code. 

How Does Google Voice Work?

Understanding how your desired VoIP system works is crucial for making an informed decision. That’s why we will now take an in-depth look at how Google Voice works.

In order to use Google Voice, you’ll need a  device with a stable internet connection , such as a smartphone, tablet, laptop or desk computer. It works through wi-fi and data plan, so you can  connect during commuting . No hardware is necessary, though you may use headphones.

Besides the mentioned features, Google Voice for business can  give you a new number , but also offers a  number porting . 

Integrations

In comparison with other SaaS softwares, the  Google Voice integration palette is not so rich . While CloudTalk integrates with almost  40 industry leading solutions   (HubSpot, Salesforce, Zapier, and more) , Google Voice pairs  mostly with other Google services , like Calendar, Gmail, Drive or the above-mentioned Hangouts. It is also compatible with a Polycom personal computer-based desktop  video conferencing hardware system .

Further, you can also use Smith software, which  offers an option to have live chat or a virtual receptionist .

We should mention that Google Voice also  offers a mobile application  that can be synchronized across devices. Therefore, you and your team can access Google Voice from anywhere you might happen to be. The app is compatible with  both iOS  and  Android operating systems. 

Google Voice: Personal vs. Business Usage

These two  differ tremendously . Google Voice’s personal plan is  completely free , yet you “get what you pay for” . It’s not a fit for a company that has more than 2 people, since the  features are highly limited . 

Acquiring more than one number is a complicated process. Basically, all Google Voice for personal use gives you is a  free phone number  suitable  to call ,  text  and  use voicemail . That’s it. 

In contrast to Google Voice for business, there are  no productivity ,  automation  or  team collaboration features , such as call forwarding, voicemail transcripts to email or area code.

Google Voice: Personal Vs. Business

Maximum Users

Local Number

13 countries/regions

International Numbers

Multiple Numbers

Unlimited Calls

US & Canada only

Call Forwarding

Voicemail Transcripts

Mobile Apps

Verification Required

“Do-Not-Disturb”

Incoming Call ID

Corporate Contacts

Desk Phone Compatible

Auto-Attendants

Ring Groups

Starts at $0

Starts at $6

Porting Fees

$20 in $3 out

Google Voice Business In-Depth Pricing

Meet Video & Voice Conferencing

100 participants

150 participants

500 participants

1000 participants

Max. Meeting Length

US or International Dial-In

Digital Whiteboarding

Noise Cancellation

Meeting Recording

Polling & QA

Moderation Controls

Hand Raising

Breakout Rooms

Attendance Tracking

In-Domain Live Streaming

$6 per user

$12 per user

$18 per user

Per request

Technical Requirements

Google Voice for business is supported by 3 computer operating systems:

• Microsoft Windows

It may be available on other platforms, but its functionality will be limited. 

Supported web browsers are:

• Google Chrome
• Mozilla Firefox
• Microsoft Edge

Availability by regions

Google Voice for Google Workspace is not available in every country. Yet, if you didn’t find yours, you can still contact your administrator for information about further possibilities.

Supported countries: 

• Netherlands
• Sweden  (available for Stockholm, Malmö, and Göteborg numbers)
• Switzerland
• U.S.  (excluding Alaska, Hawaii, the US territories of American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands)

Other Useful Information

Google Voice, of course, has it’s  security features , though these are  not the most advanced . An example would be that the text messages and attachments are always encrypted before being transferred to Google’s data center. 

Google Voice presents  24/7 customer service , yet the type of support you can get  varies based on your subscription plan . You may also gather information in a community hub or knowledge base articles.

Last, a very important piece of information is that Google Voice  doesn’t support emergency calls . You can’t use it to contact 911  (or corresponding emergency numbers based on your region) .

10 Steps to Set up Google Voice

If you get a new Google Voice number for Google Workspace, the set-up requires quite a lot of time and energy. 

Here is how to do it:

 #1  Go to the Google Voice website on your computer and click “Get Started”. 

 #2  Sign in to your Google Workspace account. Without this account, you cannot use Google Voice for business extension. 

If you don’t yet have a Google Workspace account, create one. But keep in mind that the Google Workspace plans are paid. They start at $6 per user. This is an additional cost separate from your Google Voice plan. 

#3  After you’ve signed in, you need to click “Add or upgrade subscription”.

#4  In the left sidebar, click “Google Voice”. Choose from the mentioned Starter, Standard or Premier plans. 

#5  Now click “get started” – “Checkout” – “Place Order”.

#6  At this point, you choose a primary or secondary location. 

#7  Before using Google Voice for business, you need to assign licenses to each member of your team.

#8  Now we’ve gotten to the point when you need to assign area codes and phone numbers to your employees. They can choose to keep their own number or you can provide them with a new one. 

#9  Keep in mind that as we mentioned above, not every plan offers an option to assign a number outside of your home region. Only a Premium plan allows this.

In case you want to keep your old number, you need to port it yourself. Start a port order and fill out the details to start a request. 

#10  Your Google Voice account and number are now ready. You can set up additional features according to your plan. 

Afterwards, you may start using your new VoIP system. 

The Most Significant Google Voice Limitations

Google Voice Limitation

CloudTalk Benefit

Outbound Caller ID limited to Google Voice app only. Inbound calls often get mixed in with personal contacts.

Automatic Outbound Caller ID based on preference. No overlap between personal and business contacts.

Call Quality

Call quality relies completely on Internet connection with no HD support.

Telco providers across 160+ countries support crystal-clear call quality.

Number Optimization

Limited international numbers and no toll-free or mobile numbers.

Offers 160+ international, toll-free, and mobile numbers.

SMS Campaigns

SMS is limited to 1-on-1 conversations.

Outbound SMS Campaigns for sales and promotions.

Limited to Google’s suite of tools

35+ integrations with CRMs, Helpdesks, and more.

Numbers Per User

Limited to 1 number per user.

Unlimited numbers per user.

No workflow automation.

Workflow Automation, Call-Flow Designer, Interactive Voice Response, and more.

The #1 Google Voice Alternative

Let’s be frank. Google Voice can struggle to keep up with companies that grow rapidly. It is built for micro businesses that do not plan to expand. Thankfully, there are plenty of other high-quality Google Voice alternatives on the market.

If you have an ambition to grow big, you may want to search for more complex VoIP systems. In contrast to Google Voice, CloudTalk expands with your company. It allows you to scale your activities by adapting to your business needs. 

Thus, there is no need to waste time and resources on changing solutions each time your business grows out of the old one.

Google Voice for Business Vs. CloudTalk: Cost Comparison

Google Voice

Starter vs. Starter

Click-to-Call

Call Recording

Call Transcription

Call Queuing

• Power Dialer

Call-Flow Designer

• Interactive Voice Response

Workflow Automation

14 countries

160+ countries

limited to Google Apps + Open API

35+ integrations for CRMs, Helpdesks, and more + Open API

14 days free

$25 per user

Standard vs. Essential

$30 per user

Plus vs. Expert

$50 per user

How to Switch from Google Voice to CloudTalk

If you’re convinced that you want to make CloudTalk your go-to calling tool, you can just pick a plan , contact our Sales team , cancel your old subscription (if you used a different tool), and let us take care of the rest. Here’s how the process works:

• Start with Strategy: Schedule a quick, 15-minute strategy call with our team to introduce us to your company and specific use case.
• See It in Action: Attend a product demo, where our experts will showcase the product as a whole, as well as features fit for you specifically.
• Set Up a Profile: Our team will help set up your first profile and prepare you for software onboarding.
• Download the App: Download CloudTalk’s Phone App on your device of choice (Windows, Android, iOS), log in, and start exploring the solution.
• Migrate: During the following few days, CloudTalk will set up profiles for your managers, supervisors, and agents, as well as migrate any existing information you had from your previous tool (contacts, numbers, call center statistics, etc.)
• Satisfaction Guaranteed: Start onboarding your users into CloudTalk with full, 24/7 support from our experts and get calling! 

Alternatively, you can first see CloudTalk for yourself via our free trial . For 14 days, it is completely free. You can use any pricing plan and get to know the system inside and out. Then, after two weeks, you can choose to buy or move on – simple!

u003cstrongu003eIs Google Voice free for a business?u003c/strongu003e

u003cbru003eNo, Google Voice offers a 14-day free trial, but its business pricing plans start at $6 per user, paid annually.

u003cstrongu003eCan I use Google Voice Personal plan for business?u003c/strongu003e

If you’re running a one-person shop, then you can certainly use Google Voice’s Personal Plan for your business. However, if you have multiple employees or want access to some of Google Voice’s advanced features, you’ll have to purchase a Business Plan.

u003cstrongu003eHow do I set up Google Voice for business?u003c/strongu003e

Setting up Google Voice for business is simple. You can sign up for a Google account if you don’t have one already, then visit the Google Voice website or download the app. Follow the prompts to select a phone number and customize your settings to suit your business needs.

u003cstrongu003eDoes Google Voice work internationally?u003c/strongu003e

Yes, Google Voice offers international calling capabilities, allowing users to make calls to various countries at affordable rates. However, it is currently limited to only 13 countries worldwide.

u003cstrongu003eCan I use Google Voice Business plan with a landline?u003c/strongu003e

Google Voice is primarily a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service, but it does offer the option to forward calls to a landline or mobile phone. This feature can be particularly useful for businesses that prefer to use existing phone systems.

u003cstrongu003eHow do I know if someone is calling me from a Google Voice number?u003c/strongu003e

Google Voice calls typically display a caller ID with the caller’s Google Voice number. Additionally, you may notice unique ringing patterns or hear a distinct message when receiving calls from Google Voice numbers.

u003cstrongu003eCan I use Google phone service with my existing phone number?u003c/strongu003e

Yes, Google Voice allows you to port your existing phone number to their service for a one-time fee. This feature enables you to maintain continuity with your current contact information while enjoying the benefits of Google Voice.

u003cstrongu003eIs it possible to change a Google Voice number without paying?u003c/strongu003e

Google Voice typically charges a fee for changing your phone number. However, some exceptions may apply, such as if you’re porting your existing number or encountering technical issues. It’s best to check Google Voice’s current policies for specific details on number changes and associated costs.

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Gemini AI assistant might soon let you play music with voice commands

Google has not provided any details about the roll-out plan for the "music" feature; however, it is expected to roll-out soon on gemini app for android.

Google Gemini app for Android

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Google bard is now gemini: know about ai assistant and its android, ios app, gemini 1.0: what's new with google's latest ai model and how it works, android 15 now available in developers preview: what is new in google's os, gemini 1.5: google announces next-gen ai model with new architecture design, google to replace assistant by gemini on wearable audio accessories: report, generative ai features on apple's ios 18 to run entirely on-device: report, scammer gives online security advice to man on whatsapp; paytm md reacts, apple may employ over 500,000 people in india over the next 3 years, samsung galaxy f15 5g gets a new 8gb ram, 128gb storage variant in india, xiaomi rolls out hyperos update for redmi note 13 5g series smartphones.

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First Published: Apr 22 2024 | 2:49 PM IST

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Upgrade your Voice Subscription

Duet AI is now Gemini for Google Workspace.  Learn more

If you purchased your service from a reseller, go here instead  |  Do I have a reseller?

To get enterprise features, or add international locations, upgrade your Voice subscription. You can upgrade at any time.

What to know before you upgrade

• When you upgrade, everyone with a Voice license gets the same subscription. For example, you can’t upgrade some users to Voice Premier while others keep using Voice Standard.
• Not sure which subscription to upgrade to? Compare features

Sign in using an account with super administrator privileges  (does not end in @gmail.com).

• At the left, click Google Voice .
• On Google Voice Starter or Google Voice Standard , click Switch .

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Google Restructures Company Departments Around Future AI Development

Google is AI

The restructuring revolves around key shifts across four main domains: Models and Research, Responsible AI, Platforms and Devices, and Mission First, and includes marquee brands like Android, Chrome, and Pixel. A central aspect of the overhaul is the consolidation of efforts in AI development, particularly the merger of the Google Brain team and DeepMind researchers into a unified entity named Google DeepMind. This integration is designed to centralize AI model development, facilitating smoother collaboration across teams and innovation.

Furthermore, Google Research is undergoing a strategic refocus, with Google DeepMind spearheading the advancement of advanced AI models, while Google Research concentrates on fundamental areas of computer science. This dual approach seeks to push the boundaries of AI while ensuring responsible development practices, with a keen focus on societal impact.

“Now, to accelerate this progress, we’re going to consolidate the teams that focus on building models across Research and Google DeepMind. All of this work will now sit in Google DeepMind and scale our capacity to deliver capable AI for our users, partners and customers. This will simplify development by concentrating compute-intensive model building in one place and establishing single access points for PAs looking to take these models and build generative AI applications,” Pichai wrote in his letter to the company. “This change also gives Google Research a clear and distinct mandate to continue investing in foundational and applied computer science research in three key areas that tie directly to Google’s mission: computing systems (including quantum), foundational ML and algorithms, and applied science and society.

In parallel, Google is expanding its Responsible AI development by integrating its Responsible AI teams within Google Research into Google DeepMind. This move aims to embed accountability within the core development process, enabling early identification and mitigation of potential issues. Additionally, Google is augmenting its central Trust and Safety team to fortify AI-related safeguards, including standardized launch requirements, enhanced testing protocols, and robust model evaluations.

Another key aspect of the restructuring involves the consolidation of the Devices and Services Platforms and Experiences (DSPA) teams into a new organization called Platforms & Devices. Led by Rick Osterloh, this unified entity aims to leverage AI across hardware and software domains to deliver enhanced products and experiences. Notable additions to this group include Google Research specialists in computational photography and on-device intelligence, further amplifying its capabilities. Accompanying the structural changes are leadership transitions, with Sameer Samat assuming leadership of the Android ecosystem and Hiroshi Lockheimer transitioning to an advisory role while also spearheading Google’s endeavors in Japan.

Google’s comprehensive restructuring is clearly designed to enhance its work while also painting a public picture of rapid AI advancements paired with an ethical foundation. However, it also lets the company keep consolidating amid feature shutdowns and layoffs. In January, Google let go of hundreds of employees from teams, including Google Assistant, as part of a long-term overhaul. It was not a surprise considering the melding of Google Assistant with what was then Bard and is now Gemini. The sunsetting of Google Conversational Actions in favor of Android apps also foreshadowed the reorganization.

Generative AI Stars at Google Cloud Next: Here’s The Most Notable News This Year

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