Table of Contents
Introduction
When it comes to customer support, having multiple touchpoints for your customers is quite important. Whether it be through live chat, email, text, or call, all these channels bring their advantages and disadvantages.
Every business has some kind of calling service for this purpose. If we trace it back, the first method of calling service for businesses was landline phones. Although it provided good service, landline phones had certain limitations –
- They were costly
- Required a lot of hardware
- Calls could only be answered from the location where the phone was placed, which was typically the office
Over time, as technology became an integral part of our daily lives, new and improved methods of communication emerged. One such advancement was the introduction of VoIP or Voice over Internet Protocol.
VoIP enables calls to be made over the Internet, requires fewer hardware components and offers cost-effective solutions. It provides a more convenient and economical option for businesses and individuals alike.
One of the go-to VoIP providers for small to medium businesses is Google Voice, but companies often wonder if it’s actually worth the money weighing in all the different aspects like features, customer support, integrations etc. or Should they be looking for a Google voice alternative?
Why should you look for a Google Voice Alternative?
Here are some reasons why you should be looking for a Google Voice alternative:
- Google Voice is a basic offering. It doesn’t offer any support or personalization to users.
- There are no distinct features and various alternatives offer more functionalities at the same cost.
- Google tends to sunset products, which can prove to be risky for businesses that are relying on its VoIP services.
- Google Voice offers no integrations
- Customer support is a big problem, with high response times and limited support channels available this can have a negative impact on your business communication
Top Google Voice Alternatives for Small Businesses
This is an overall comparison of the top Google Voice Alternatives available for small businesses. Check out the section below for a detailed analysis:
#1: Emitrr
About:
Emitrr, a leading customer interaction and engagement platform, serves as an excellent alternative to Google Voice. It enables businesses to establish connections with their customers through various communication channels, employing an omnichannel approach. Among the solutions offered by Emitrr is a robust VoIP phone system.
Features:
- Business text messaging
- Bot reply
- Automated assistant for missed calls
- Webchat to text
- Call forwarding
- Call hold
- Call transfer
- Call metrics
- Voicemail to text transcription
- Access to voicemail recordings
All features can be viewed under one dashboard, thereby ensuring operational efficiency.
Pros:
- Excellent customer support
- Ease of use
- Affordable and customizable pricing
Support:
- Phone
- Chat
- Live representative
- FAQs
- Knowledge base
What makes Emitrr different?
- Users can track conversions from phone calls
- Emitrr allows the automation of workflows thereby improving productivity
- Emitrr’s phone system offers 99.9% uptime and round-the-clock support
- You can easily add new teams, numbers, and locations
- The phone system offers advanced features such as advanced call routing, call queues, call trees, etc.
- The automated missed-call-to-text capability ensures that you never miss a call
- You can use Emitrr’s cloud phone system on any desktop or app, you don’t need a phone.
- Emitrr integrates with 1000+ local business software, making it easy for you to smoothly run operations
- You can also sync with your team members using call extensions
#2: OpenPhone
About:
OpenPhone is a Google voice alternative that is a cloud-based VoIP service system. It allows you to add work phone numbers to your exciting devices.
Features:
- Calling and Messaging (US & Canada)
- Calling and Messaging (International)
- Included Phone Numbers
- Additional Phone Numbers
- Port Phone numbers from other carriers
Pros:
- Affordable pricing
- Good customer support
Cons:
- Issues with call quality
- Lack of integrations with CRMs
Support:
- Knowledge base
- Helpdesk
#3: RingCentral
About:
RingCentral is a cloud-based VoIP solution. This google voice alternative has categorized its services into Message, Video, and Phone. RingCentral can be termed as a giant in the VoIP industry, it is especially a good option for established businesses.
Features:
- Call Center Management
- Call forwarding
- Call Routing
- Reporting
- Automated Attendant
- Text Messaging for Messages
- Two-way audio
- Video for the Video category
Pros:
- A diverse range of features
- Mobile-friendly
Cons:
- 24*7 Support lacking in essentials package
- Inefficient customer service
Support:
- Phone Support
- Email/Help Desk
- Chat
- FAQs/Forum
- Knowledge Base
- 24/7 Live representative
#4: Nextiva
About:
Nextiva is a Google voice alternative that terms its VoIP phone service as made for modern work. Its target audience is both small and established businesses and enterprises. It is a fully cloud-based VoIP service. It provides services for both business communication and contact centers.
Features:
- Call reporting
- Performance monitoring
- Trend analysis
- Performance gamification
- Call recording and sharing
- Customizable reports
Pros:
- Unlimited voice and video calling
- Great support
Cons:
- Complicated user experience
Support:
- Forum
- Phone support
#5: Ooma
About:
Ooma is yet another VoIP service that caters to both small businesses and enterprises. This google voice alternative is an award-winning VoIP service provider and has been termed as the best Google Voice Competitors by many articles out there.
Features:
- Phone Calls
- Video Calls
- Screen Sharing
- Conference Calls
- Desk to Desk calls
- On Hold Music
- Browser Extensions
Pros:
- Virtual Assistant even at the most basic plan level
- Cost-effective
Cons:
- Essential VoIP features are only available at higher package levels
- Overpaying for services that are currently of no use
Support:
- Email/Help Desk
- FAQs/Forum
- Phone Support
- 24/7 (Live Rep)
- Chat
#6: Telzio
About:
Telzio distinguishes itself from its competitors by providing the advantage of an unlimited number of users on its platform. Moreover, Telzio stands out for its extensive range of features and capabilities.
Features:
- Call queue
- Call recording
- Text messaging
- Call forwarding
- Live reporting and monitoring
- Call analytics
- Internal extension-to-extension calling
Pros:
- Ease of use
- Good customer support
Cons:
- Average voicemail translation
Support:
- Email/Help Desk
- Chat
- Knowledge Base
- 24/7 (Live Rep)
- Phone Support
#7: Ringblaze
About:
Ringblaze is a Google Voice alternative that offers a pretty simple VoIP solution. It is simple in the VoIP features it offers and how a team would be able to use it.
Features:
- Call logging
- Call recording
- Call transfer
- ‘Click-to-call’ widget
Pros:
- Good customer support
- Ease of use
Cons:
- Limited features
- Better alternatives available
Support:
- Email/Help Desk
- Chat
- Knowledge Base
#8: Phone.com
About:
Phone.com is one of the cheapest Google Voice alternatives. It is a good option for businesses with small teams that do not need to handle a huge volume of calls.
Features:
- Call forwarding
- Call recording
- Call transfer
- On-hold music
- IVR
- Business text messaging
- Auto attendant
Pros:
- Multiple call routing options
Cons:
- Average customer experience
- Poor customer support
Support:
- Knowledge Base
- Email/Help Desk
- FAQs/Forum
- Chat
- Phone Support
- 24/7 (Live Rep)
#9: Ringover
About:
Ringover is a phone system ideal for small businesses that allows integration with your CRM, offers calling to 110 countries, and encompasses features over and above calling to help enhance your team’s productivity and customer experience.
Features:
- Call Conferencing
- Call Monitoring
- Call Recording
- Call Routing
- IVR/Voice Recognition
- Online Voice Transmission
- Voicemail Transcription
Pros:
- Easy user-interface
- Integration capabilities
Cons:
- Inconsistent call quality
- Challenges with integrations
Support:
- Email/Help Desk
- FAQs/Forum
- Knowledge Base
- Phone Support
- Chat
#10: Dialpad
About:
Dialpad is another cloud-based VoIP platform that allows you to make and receive calls. It is a good platform especially to improve the productivity of your team.
Features:
- Call Conferencing
- Call Monitoring
- Call Recording
- Call Routing
- Call Screening
- Contact Management
- IVR/Voice Recognition
Pros:
- Good call quality
Cons:
- Long hold times
Support:
- Email/Help Desk
- FAQs/Forum
- Knowledge Base
- Phone Support
- 24/7 (Live Rep)
- Chat
#11: Line2Pro
About:
This cloud-based phone system offers calling and texting capabilities and is easy to set up.
Features:
- Audio/Video Conferencing
- Call Recording
- Call Routing
- Chat/Messaging
- IVR/Voice Recognition
Pros:
- Good call quality
- Cost-effective
Cons:
- Service downtimes
- Delays in sending messages
Support:
- Email/Help Desk
- Chat
- Phone Support
- 24/7 (Live rep)
#12: Talkroute
About:
Talkroute is a virtual phone system that allows you to make and receive phone calls through a browser, desktop, or mobile phone.
Features:
- Call Recording
- Call Routing
- Mobile Access
- Reporting & Statistics
- Third-Party Integrations
- Voice Mail
Pros:
- Good call quality
- Ease of use
Cons:
- Poor customer service
- Confusing setup
Support:
- Chat
- Email/Help Desk
- FAQs/Forum
- Knowledge Base
- Phone Support
#13: Vonage
About:
Vonage Business Communications offers voice solutions to customers across 35 countries through unified communications features and business integrations.
Features:
- Call Center Management
- Call Logging
- Call Monitoring
- Call Recording
- Call Routing
- Call Scripting
- Call Transfer
- Automatic call distribution
- Chat/Messaging
- Computer Telephony Integration
- IVR/Voice Recognition
- Queue Management
- Reporting/Analytics
Pros:
- Good user interface
- Seamless integrations
Cons:
- Inconsistent customer service
Support:
- Phone Support
- FAQs/Forum
- 24/7 (Live rep)
- Email/Help Desk
- Chat
#14: DialedIn CCaaS
About:
DialedIn CCaaS is a virtual phone system designed for small businesses that allows users to communicate and engage with customers, while also improving team productivity.
Features:
- Agent Interface
- Auto-Dialer
- Automated Routing
- Chatbot
- Collaboration Tools
- Computer Telephony Integration
- IVR/Voice Recognition
- Quality Management
- Queue Management
- Reporting/Analytics
- Workforce Management
Pros:
- Cost-effective
- Good customer service
Cons:
- Inconsistent call quality
- Occasional technical glitches/bugs
Support:
- Email/Help Desk
- FAQs/Forum
- Knowledge Base
- Phone Support
- Chat
#15: JustCall
About:
Justcall is a Google voice alternative which is a cloud phone system built for small and medium businesses. Its services can be broken down into 3: An outbound call center for sales, a Contact center for support, and a Business Phone system.
Features:
- Automated text messaging
- Call forwarding
- Call whispering
- Voicemail by email
- Call distribution
- Call monitoring
- Conference calling
Pros:
- Good configuration of end-user devices
- Ease of use
Cons:
- Issues with the call transfer system
- Poor customer support
Support:
- Email/Help Desk
- Knowledge Base
- FAQs/Forum
- Chat
- 24/7 (Live Rep)
#16: PhoneBurner
About:
Phone Burner is a VoIP dialer software that caters to result-driven businesses. It allows call center agents to engage with customers just through a pair of headsets and a strong internet connection.
Features:
- Power dialer
- Call recording
- Call scripting
- Call monitoring
- Call routing
- Automatic call distribution
- Call transfer
Pros:
- Time-saving
- Good customer service
Cons:
- Lagging issues
Support:
- Chat
- Email/Help Desk
- Knowledge Base
- FAQs/Forum
- Phone Support
#17: Sideline
About:
Sideline is a Google voice alternative that provides 2 numbers for you to use on a single device: personal and business. If you want to mute a particular line for a while, you will be able to do so. It is important to note that Sideline is not particularly a VoIP solution, it is mainly your phone’s second phone number.
Features:
- Unlimited calls and texts
- Auto reply
- Separate voicemail
- 2nd number
- Advanced number ID
Pros:
- Ease of use
- Second phone number
Cons:
- Inefficiency in blocking numbers
- Poor customer service
Support:
- 24/7 (Live Rep)
- Email/Help Desk
- Knowledge Base
- Chat
- FAQs/Forum
#18: TextGrid
About:
TextGrid is a Google Voice alternative that offers communication solutions that are not only efficient and scalable but also cost-effective. Its Voice API feature helps manage global voice calls, all while integrating automated programming.
Features:
- SMS API
- Number lookup API
- Voice API
- MMS API
- Phone Numbers
- Email API
Support:
- Phone
- Chat
Google Voice Alternatives For Small Businesses: A comparison
Key highlights:
- Emitrr is the only Google Voice alternative that has been rated 5/5 for customer service
- Emitrr is rated the highest (4.5/5.0) for value for money among all the Google Voice alternatives
- Phone.com, Sideline, and Line2Pro are the lowest-rated Google Voice alternatives across all parameters
- Line2Pro, Sideline, Dialpad, Phone.com, Ringblaze, and OpenPhone have the cheapest starting price packages but their ratings vary across different parameters.
Top Google Voice Alternatives : Free Version
If you are a young and upcoming business and do not want to pay for a VoIP service just yet here are the top Google Voice Alternatives that offer a free version. Check out the section below for a detailed analysis.
#1: Microsoft Teams
About:
Microsoft Teams is a cloud-based communication and collaboration tool that allows you to make and receive VoIP calls. It offers features like call management, call screening, call recording, call queues, and voicemail. It’s a good Google Voice alternative if you’re looking for a tool for personal use.
Features:
- Access Controls/Permissions
- Alerts/Notifications
- Call Conferencing
- Call Routing
- Contact Management
- Online Voice Transmission
Pros:
- Effective communication
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Expensive integration
- Difficult to navigate in the case of large teams
Support:
- Email/Help Desk
- FAQs/Forum
- Knowledge Base
- 24/7 (Live Rep)
- Chat
#2: Freshdesk Contact Center
About:
Freshdesk Contact Center is a platform that offers call recording and call management features and is great for individuals and small-sized teams.
Features:
- Collaboration Tools
- Computer Telephony Integration
- IVR/Voice Recognition
- Queue Management
- Reporting/Analytics
Pros:
- Good customer support
- Cost-effective
Cons:
- Difficult integration
- Issues with call reliability
Support:
- Knowledge Base
- Chat
- Email/Help Desk
- Phone Support
- FAQs/Forum
- 24/7 (Live rep)
#3: Grasshopper
About:
Grasshopper is a virtual phone system that allows users to easily place and receive calls. If you’re a team wanting to operate on a budget or use it for personal use, it’s a great Google Voice alternative.
Features:
- Cloud, SaaS, Web-Based
- Desktop – Mac
- Desktop – Windows
- On-Premise – Windows
- On-Premise – Linux
- Mobile – Android
- Mobile – iPhone
Pros:
- Easy to set up
- Instance response capabilities
Cons:
- Lack of third-party app integrations
- Tough navigation
Support:
- Email/Help Desk
- FAQs/Forum
- Knowledge Base
- Phone Support
- 24/7 (Live Rep)
- Chat
#4: CallHippo
About:
CallHippo is a phone system that allows businesses to easily communicate with their customers through features such as seamless integrations and extensive call reporting.
Features:
- Call Tracking Metrics
- Caller ID
- CRM
- Call Recording
- Call Routing
- IVR/Voice Recognition
Pros:
- Diverse features
Cons:
- Inefficient support features
- Issues with call quality
Support:
- Email/Help Desk
- FAQs/Forum
- Knowledge Base
- Phone Support
- 24/7 (Live Rep)
- Chat
#5: TextNow
About:
TextNow is a Google Voice alternative that offers easy communication between individuals and businesses. It offers free wireless service and allows users to create a free phone number.
Features:
- Group texting and notifications
- VoIP
- International calling
- Second phone number
Pros:
- Cost-effective
Cons:
- Doesn’t offer integrations
- Too many ads
Support:
- FAQs
- Chat support
#6: Zoom Call
About:
Zoom Phone is a could phone system that allows seamless business communication and collaboration and is suitable for businesses of all sizes. These features make Zoom Phone a great Google Voice alternative.
Features:
- Access Controls/Permissions
- Alerts/Notifications
- Call Conferencing
- Call Monitoring
- IVR/Voice Recognition
- Online Voice Transmission
- SIP Trunking
- Unified Communications
- Voicemail Transcription
- Call Recording
- Call Routing
- Call Screening
- Contact Management
Pros:
- Good audio and video quality
- Secure and scalable
Cons:
- Poor customer service
- Limited integration capabilities
Support:
- Email/Help Desk
- FAQs/Forum
- Knowledge Base
- Phone Support
- 24/7 (Live Rep)
- Chat
Google Voice Alternatives that offer free version: A comparison
Top Google Voice Alternatives For Personal Use
VoIP is no longer limited to business communication individuals use it for personal calls all the time here are the top Google Voice Alternatives for personal use. Check out the section below for a detailed analysis.
Sources: TrustRadius, Capterra, SoftwareSuggest, GetApp, SourceForge, G2
#1: Skype
About:
Skype is perhaps known the best for its video conferencing feature, so much so that ‘skype’ is used by people around the world as a substitute for video calling.
Features:
- HD audio and video calling
- Smart messaging
- Screen sharing
- Call recording
- International calling
Pros:
- Good call quality
- End-to-end encryption
Cons
- Limited features
- Lagging and freezing issues
Support:
- FAQs/Forum
- Knowledge Base
- Chat
#2: WhatsApp Business
About:
WhatsApp is a customer communication and engagement platform that offers both audio and video calling and texting features to users.
Features:
- Auto-Responders
- Canned Responses
- File Sharing
- Mobile Access
- Real-time Consumer-facing Chat
- Third-Party Integrations
Pros:
- Ease of use
Cons:
- Poor customer support
- Issues with call quality
Support:
- Email/Help Desk
- FAQs/Forum
- Chat
#3: FaceTime
About:
If you have been using Google Voice for personal work, then Facetime is a great alternative to consider. Facetime is an audio and video calling software that is developed by Apple.Inc. It is inexpensive, is compatible with apple devices, and is quite efficient.
Features:
- Group calls
- Audio calling
- Screen sharing
Pros:
- Efficient software
Cons:
- Not ideal for work purposes
- Compatible with only Apple devices
- Absence of standard chat features
Support:
- Live chat
- Call center
- Forum
- FAQs
#4: Facebook Messenger
About:
Facebook Messenger is a popular messaging app developed by Meta and is available in 111 languages. It also allows you to make and receive voice and video calls with other Facebook users. It is an ideal Google Voice alternative for personal use.
Features:
- SMS/MMS messages
- File sharing
- Audio calls
- Video calls
Pros:
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Not ideal for secure text messaging
Support:
- Help Center
- Chat
- Live chat
- Social media
- Call
#5: Signal
About:
Signal is an instant messaging service that allows users to make and receive phone calls, send and receive messages, and is compatible with MAC, Windows, Desktop, and Microsoft.
Features:
- Text messaging
- Voice calls
- Video calls
- File sharing
- Voice notes
- Group messaging
Pros:
- Intuitive interface
Cons:
- Frequent glitches
Support:
- FAQs
- Community
#6: Telegram
About:
Telegram is a great Google voice alternative that allows you to make and receive voice calls, send and receive messages, and join and engage in groups of your interests. It is a great tool for personal use.
Features:
- Alerts/Notifications
- Audio Calls
- Discussions/Forums
- File Sharing
- Real-Time Chat
- Search/Filter
- Video Conferencing
Pros:
- Diverse features
Cons:
- Difficulty in recovering account
Support:
- Chat
Google Voice Alternatives for personal use: A Comparison
What does the Reddit Community say about Google Voice Alternatives?
Google Voice is quite basic and many other platforms offer way more functionalities than what Google Voice does. In addition to the list that we have curated for you for different use cases, you can also check out these popular Reddit threads. These threads will give you insights into what all Google Voice alternatives would work best depending on your use case.
What does the Quora community say about Google Voice Alternatives?
Quora is another interesting platform if you want to get real-time insights about Google Voice alternatives. Here are some resources you can consider on Quora:
Conclusion
You might need a VoIP solution as a support system for your business, for sales, or even for marketing purposes. For the latter situation, it would be best if you look into a service that provides all the VoIP features along with business texting, a solution for missed calls, automation, etc to name a few. Also, after choosing your ideal VoIP service, make sure you understand how to port your Google Voice number to the chosen provider.
All in all, having a VoIP solution for your business is going to prove more beneficial to you than a traditional landline system, so don’t hesitate to do your research and finalize one of these google voice alternatives today!
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