Google Voice is able to forward voicemails and SMS messages. I’m using Google Voice for forwarding voicemails and SMS messages to my COOKOO watch.In the U.S. ITunes / App Store you can donwload and install the free Google Voice iOS app for iPhone, but you can’t download it, if you’ve got an iTunes account outside the USA. Download the latest version of Google Voice for Mac - Access your Google Voice account right from your iPhone. Read 0 user reviews of Google Voice on MacUpdate. Apr 26, 2020 The new Google Voice desktop app is hopelessly crippled, and even though it finally supports mms messages they have deleted some of the most useful functionality of the Windows GV app such as a History button so all texts, voicemails, and calls can be seen a glance.
Search the world's information, including webpages, images, videos and more. Google has many special features to help you find exactly what you're looking for. VoiceMac – Best Google Voice Desktop Notification App for Mac. VoiceMac is first Google Voice client for Mac. It allows you to send multiple SMS messages, receive messages, voice mailbox as well as call others and receive calls from them. Why Google Recorder is a best-in-class app. Too bad it only works on Pixel phones. Here's what you need to know about Google's game-changing recording and transcription app.
Price from The typical lowest starting price. The lowest price available for your business will depend on your needs. | Our Rating | Core Benefit | ||
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BEST FOR BUSINESS | ||||
5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
With a growing list of digital products and services, Google has been serving the requirements of the average business owner for a while now. However, while the platform does offer a range of helpful features, there are plenty of better options available, particularly when it comes to matters of reliability.
Whatsapp is the best Google Voice replacement, since it is free, popular, works on any smartphone, and offers a broad range of features and abilities. It's not the only alternative solution, though.
This guide details a range of VoIP phone apps and hosted communications solutions that you can use instead of Google Voice, many of which boast a wider range of unique features that can consolidate and automate your business communication needs.
Best Google Voice Alternatives Compared
We've rounded up the top alternative services, listing them along with their per-month starting prices, their star rating, and outlining the key benefit each one can offer your business, whether it's more flexible abilities, more robust support, or better specs.
It's a little counter-intuitive, but one of the biggest reasons to move away from Google Voice is if you find your operation increasingly relying on the service. Once a phone app is integral to your daily business, it's time to find a vendor that puts their service front and center, rather than offering it as an afterthought.
The reviews below will help you decide who to switch to, instead of using Google Voice. You've likely already thought about your main frustrations with Google Voice, which is why you're here, so keep those in mind when reading each review to see which alternative best solves the problems you are looking to overcome.
If it's flexibility and global ease of use you're after, Whatsapp might do the trick. But if you're looking for a more reliable provider who can also boost your business efficiency and professionalism by offering advanced features, you'll want to consider a VoIP provider such as RingCentral. You know your business best, so take a look and decide for yourself.
On this page:
- Best Google Voice Alternatives – Review the top options you could switch to
- Switching from Google Voice – What to keep in mind before you make the jump
The Top 10 Google Voice Alternatives are:
- Whatsapp— A flexible service best for smartphones and popular around the world
- RingCentral— A professional solution that handles video conferencing and integrates with Microsoft and Google
- Phone.com— A well-priced phone service with great support and over 40 PBX functions
- Telzio— A cloud-based, feature-rich service that's paid by the minute and allows unlimited users
- Grasshopper— A productivity-focused alternative to Google Voice that's best for businesses
- Nextiva— A highly rated VoIP provider that's easy to use and easy to scale up
- Skype— A reliable brand name for calls and video meetings of up to 250 users at a time
- Line 2 — A simple service with automated features and unlimited calls within the US and Canada
- OpenPhone — An app that redirects professionals' business numbers to their personal phones
- Phonebooth — An all-around VoIP solution available without long-term contracts
1) Whatsapp
Editor Rating: 5stars
Price (per user/per month): Free
Small businesses or sole traders just starting out will often search for low cost or free options for call management but they do not necessarily want to use Google Voice. As a tool which is growing in popularity, even more so than Google Voice, WhatsApp can be used with any smartphone making it a great solution for mobile businesses.
Once installed on your phone, the app allows you to create messages, send files such as video and documents, and make an audio call to another user of the app all for free, even internationally!
Conclusion
Although the app is not for everyone, it is great for businesses who need access to a call and file sharing feature while on the go. If you are more office based, this might not be for you because the desktop app is far from perfect, and is only on Mac and Windows PC.
2) RingCentral
Editor Rating: 5stars
Price (per user/per month): $19.99
Switching from Google Voice to a VoIP provider is the most impactful communications upgrade your business can make. As a leading provider in VoIP communications, RingCentral helps businesses reach their full potential. The company states that they support in excess of 350,000 businesses with their telephone and communication requirements. Based on cloud technology, Ring Central offers a greater choice of services than a regular VoIP or virtual PBX system.
Ring Central currently offers six different solutions for business customers for a wide range of purposes across your business. Ring Central Office, for example, is the all-in-one phone system that integrates with CRM systems file sharing websites such as Dropbox, collaboration with Microsoft and Google and much more. Ring Central Meetings, on the other hand brings a powerful video conferencing tool to your business. You'll be able to host large meetings and even webinars with some of their options and there's even a free option for smaller teams.
Conclusion
RingCentral is a leading VoIP provider, offering a range of solutions to suit the needs of all types and sizes of businesses. If you're looking to make your business communications a little more professional in any area, RingCentral is a great place to start.
3) Phone.com
Editor Rating: 4stars
Price (per user/per month): From $9.99/Month
Another VoIP service, Phone.com claims to offer some of the best prices when it comes to providing a business phone service. Featuring over 40 PBX functions and first class support, this company is a preferred choice for many small businesses.
Specialists in business phone systems, they help small firms develop and launch their own phone systems. Integrate the system with CRM software and use all of the standard call based features such as forwarding, recording and conferencing as well as text messaging, all of which are hosted on the cloud.
Conclusion
With Phone.com, businesses can tailor their phone plan to suit their specific communication requirements, making it ideal for all types of organizations, but especially the small companies.
4) Telzio
Editor Rating: 4stars
Price: From $1.00/Month (based on usage)
Many of the phone systems that are alternatives to Google Voice are managed on the cloud and Telzio is no different. An extremely affordable solution that is packed with features, this is certainly a rival for Google Voice. Unlike other plans, you don't pay per user; you pay based on how many minutes you use, and can add users to the platform without any added costs.
The costs are really quite low, starting from $0.119 per minute for incoming calls and $0.168 a minute for outbound calls. This is not ideal for everyone so if you don’t like pay as you go, this is not the company for you.
Conclusion
Telzio's uniqueness comes from the pay as you go model, which makes adding users incredibly easy and affordable. If you're in a high turnover business, it could be worth it to try out Telzio for that benefit along. Otherwise, make sure you're prepared to deal with this more price flexible option.
5) Grasshopper
Editor Rating: 4stars
Price (per user/per month): From $29/Month
Grasshoppers systems offer a range of features that improve communications and increase productivity. You can define automated instructions so you can transfer customers to the right people first time. You'll be able to create and customize extensions to redirect to a home office, remote employee, or cell phone anywhere in the world. If you want your business to have a local presence, you can even use toll free or local numbers for your business.
Grasshopper Caller ID is one great function that makes it worth it. Instead of your mobile number displaying to the recipient, your Grasshopper ID will be displayed so customers won’t know that you are calling from your mobile. As Grasshopper uses digital technology for calls and they work with your existing home or office phones, you don’t have to invest in new equipment or devices to make it work.
Conclusion
Grasshoppers’ solutions are another great alternative to Google Voice, which is particularly useful for small businesses. You'll be able to mark professionalism a priority with Grasshopper Caller ID, as well as their other productivity-focused features.
6) Nextiva
Open Google Voice App
Editor Rating: 4.5stars
Price (per user/per month): $19.95
As one of the top rated phone systems on the market today, Nextiva certainly deserves a spot on this list. Like RingCentral, Nextiva are a VoIP provider, and therefore can offer the most noticeable upgrade to your business communications. Choosing to switch from Google Voice to a provider like Nextiva will bring your business to the forefront of the industry's innovations and enable you to take advantage of all the latest features and benefits.
With an incredibly easy-to-use interface, comparable prices with other systems, and built-in scalability for growing companies, this phone system understandably boasts a number of big-name clients, including Taco Bell, Netflix, and DirectBuy.
In addition to ease of use and scalability, Nextiva boasts a wide range of helpful features designed to make your business more successful. In addition to an intuitive call center dashboard and comprehensive mobile app, Nextiva offers next level customer analytics to guide your business. You'll be able to track every stage of a potential customers engagement with your business, helping you see what works and, more importantly, what doesn't.
Conclusion
Is There A Mac App For Google Voice Recorder
If you're looking for more than just a phone system, Nextiva has all the bells and whistles you might need to truly improve your company. With a highly-rated platform chock full of unique, helpful features, you'll improve more than just business communication; you'll improve your business as a whole.
7) Skype
Editor Rating: 4.5stars
Price (per user/per month): Free
One of the older apps, Skype still offers a reliable call management solution. Skype charges per user per month and has a range of features which can be used on mobile devices and desktops. Suitable for business, Skype can coordinate online meetings, calls, video and messaging, supporting up to 250 people at one time.
Integrate with Outlook and schedule meetings and keep your communications secure with enterprise grade security and management of accounts. Skype's free tier ranks among the best free conference call services for small businesses, though larger ones will benefit more from the paid version.
Conclusion
Skype can be used by businesses to not only aid collaboration but also share files and communicate worldwide, ideal for multinational organizations. Paid plans do support larger teams, if necessary.
8) Line 2
Editor Rating: 4.5stars
Price (per user/per month): From $8.30/Month
Line2 provides business numbers which can be integrated with mobile devices. Their simple three step process can have you up and running in no time. Choose your number, configure your account, and connect with customers. It’s that easy. With the business plan, Line2 offers a comprehensive phone solution which offers unlimited texts and unlimited calling in the US and Canada all in a monthly price.
For larger businesses, seamlessly set up group conferencing and add 20 colleagues from a phone, tablet, or computer. Also include an automated message to direct customers to the right team. All of these features can be easily integrated into the system.
Conclusion
Line2 provide a range of great features including automated messages allowing businesses to define after hours settings so you can determine how calls are handled after hours. Sending calls to a pre-recorded message and directing them to on-call customer representatives. These types of features are massively beneficial to businesses of all sizes.
9) OpenPhone
Editor Rating: 4.5stars
Price (per user/per month): From $10/Month
When starting a business, many of us end up running all of our business calls through our personal phones. That can mean extra stress, potentially embarrassing mix-ups, and tricky organization of your voicemail and contacts. OpenPhone is a brand seeking to change all that.
The OpenPhone app makes it easy for professionals and businesses to run a business phone number on their existing cell phones. There's no need for a second sim card or extra data plan with your network provider. With OpenPhone, you can be up and running with your business phone number in 30 seconds.
OpenPhone offers local US, Canadian and toll-free numbers and comes with unlimited talk and text. It offers professional features like business hours, voicemail transcription and more to give you full control over your business phone, from your personal phone.
Conclusion
Want to run business calls without having to spend on new phones, or use your personal number? OpenPhone is a simple app solution that will help you keep things organized without the hassle.
10) Phonebooth
Editor Rating: 4.5stars
Price (per user/per month): $20
For businesses looking for a more advanced solution than WhatsApp, Phonebooth offers its customers an all round VoIP solution. One of the great things about Phonebooth is that you are not tied to long term contracts like some of the other providers. For a small monthly fee, you can access unlimited local and long distance calls which is ideal for businesses who have international reach.
Easily route calls to a landline telephone or mobile selecting a number of your choice. What’s more, Phonebooth users will also receive a free local telephone number they can use to make calls which is great for a business user. Any call that is made to your Phonebooth number is automatically redirected to your chosen telephone number.
Conclusion
Phonebooth offer leading solutions without the need for long term contracts. This makes them perfect for small businesses not looking to tie themselves down with outgoings, instead focusing on tailored VoIP packages to improve communications.
Switching from Google Voice
Although Google Voice has adequately supported numerous businesses for several years, competition is increasing from other firms who can deliver improved features, better quality, and increased reliability.
Here are the key considerations to make when switching.
Your Account
With Google Voice there are two types of account. The first is a light version which includes voicemail and other useful features, such as personalized greetings and transcription. The second is a full Google Voice account, which requires you to either port or create a telephone number. This functionality will allow you to forward calls to numerous phones, distribute text messages from your computer, and a host of other features.
The more advanced account can be slightly more difficult when it comes to switching. If you decide to change your provider you will either need to swap your Google Voice number to a new line or change your telephone number entirely. However, your new provider can take care of this for you once you've gotten everything set up.
Porting your Number
Whether you have ported a number into Google Voice or you have created a number when you signed up, you likely want to continue using this number with your new provider. Before you can do this though, you will have to unlock the number, which is a simple process that is either free or a mere $3 depending on how you set up your number.
Once you have gone through the steps to unlock the number from Google Voice, you can move your number to your new provider. If your new provider requests an account number to complete the porting process, just give them your Google Voice number.
It may take a few days to port your number to the new provider, but you can still use your Google Voice number while you wait.
Final Thoughts
Google Voice is a super useful tool for those looking for a free way to call, but if you have a business with a demanding customer service function, there are plenty of VoIP alternatives that will better serve your requirements. From call forwarding and automated voice recordings through to integration with CRM systems, many of the alternatives to Google Voice are perfect for a growing business, offering the functionality and reliability that the modern day business needs to operate successfully.
Now you've read this far, it's time to take action and find your best VoIP provider. Use our comparison form for a free, no obligation quote.
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