6 Best Google Voice Alternatives for 2018

Google Voice gives a free number for making and receiving calls with your computer or mobile phone. It’s simple and works well for establishing your business with a free phone number. If you’ve outgrown its basic features, we’re taking a close look at the cost and capabilities of different providers to identify the best alternative.

Top 6 Google Voice Alternatives 2018

How We Evaluated Google Voice Alternatives

A growing business that has taken advantage of Google Voice’s free virtual service will need to consider alternatives as they get more employees and higher call volumes. When considering which providers are the best alternative, we evaluated services that had no setup fees, a low monthly cost, more available features than Google Voice and a mobile app.

Therefore, we evaluated these providers on the following:

• Pricing and service plans: The monthly costs and service plans should be low, so it doesn’t break the bank compared to Google Voice’s free service
• Calling handling and management: This includes features like an auto attendant and dial-by-name directory that greets your callers
• Extensions and call routing: This allows you to set up multiple extensions for employees and forward incoming calls to other team members or departments
• Multiline management: This function allows you to separate your biz and personal calls as well as route calls to other extensions; we made sure that all of our options had the ability to separate personal and biz calls easily with your own phone
• Additional features: Many of these top alternatives have features not available to Google Voice, such as integrated faxing; we made sure that all alternatives had at least the same features as Google Voice, if not more

We recommend Grasshopper as the best alternative to Google Voice. It provides the same simplicity and ease of use as Google Voice and offers advanced features that can support multiple employees, modest pricing with no equipment to set up, an intuitive mobile app and excellent customer support. It’s the best choice for a solopreneur and growing business that needs extensions and other capabilities to appear more professional.

Visit Grasshopper

Best Overall Google Voice Alternative: Grasshopper

Grasshopper is a virtual phone system that allows you to switch between your personal and your business numbers on the same phone easily. While the starting cost of $25 per month is a bit more costly than Google Voice and some of the other alternatives, it provides a more complete phone system with a comprehensive list of features. If you need a simple yet robust alternative to Google Voice with features like an auto attendant, Grasshopper is a great next step up.

Grasshopper Pricing

Grasshopper provides simple, hassle-free pricing with no per user, per month fees. There are three plans — Solo, Partner and  Small Business — that range between $29 and $89 per month with a $25 setup fee. Each plan allows for a certain number of forwarding extensions, and all provide access to all the features of the service.

Specific Grasshopper pricing plans include the following:

• Solo: $29 per month for one number and three extensions
• Partner: $49 per month for three numbers and six extensions
• Small Business: $89 per month for five numbers and unlimited extensions.

Grasshopper Features

Grasshopper has some unique features that are available through both the online web interface and the mobile app. These include unlimited calling, inbound faxing and voicemail transcriptions to name a few. You can port your existing phone number or select a new local or toll-free number to use. Unlike Google Voice, you can even choose a vanity phone number to brand yourself and your business and an auto attendant.

Some of the standout features of Grasshopper include:

Call Handling and Routing

With Grasshopper, you have complete control over how calls are routed. You can choose your forwarding numbers, define the ringing order and how many rings before switching to the next number or voicemail. You can also set up call forwarding times, such as 24/7 or from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays or just on weekends. You also have options to handle calls that you receive. You can answer the call, send them directly to voicemail or use the call screening feature.

Automated Attendant

One of the features that make Grasshopper the best alternative to Google Voice is the automated attendant. It’s an automated system that uses a prerecorded message to greet your callers and forwards calls to your configured extensions. It’s a flexible system that allows for customization with your own greetings and the ability to add employees or departments as extensions.

Voicemail to Email/Text

Much like Google Voice, Grasshopper will automatically transcribe all voice messages that are left on your number. Transcripts are sent to you as a readable text message with email notification. Along with the transcription, you’ll also receive the voice message as an audio file attachment so you can read and review messages without having to log into the web portal.

Mobile App

Grasshopper’s mobile app is where the service truly shines. Available for all Apple and Android devices, it allows you to make and receive calls from your business line, check voice messages and review your inbound faxes and call history. Additionally, you can change call forwarding options and even sign faxed documents using the mobile fax signature feature. It gives you complete control over your account and is why Grasshopper is our best softphone provider.

Additional Features

Grasshopper offers an integrated fax service. You can receive faxes with your number, which are then converted into PDF documents. It offers a dial-by-name directory for callers to search your employees by name, and a call-blasting feature that rings all your connected phone number simultaneously.

Grasshopper Setup & Ease of Use

Grasshopper is a virtual phone service, so there’s no equipment or desk phones needed to use the system. The service works with your mobile or home phone and setting up call forwarding is incredibly easy. Through both the online portal and the mobile app, you have complete control over how calls are routed and the mobile app provides a natural experience that’s no different from using your phone to send text messages or make calls.

What Grasshopper Is Missing

Grasshopper doesn’t provide an extensive list of features like RingCentral or Vonage and other competitors. Call recording, integrations with customer relationship management software (CRMs) are just a few of the features that are missing with this service. It also doesn’t support desk phones. Therefore, if your business grows to where you have an office and need physical phones, you’ll have to switch to a different service provider.

What Users Think About Grasshopper

Grasshopper’s quick and easy setup is a favorite among solopreneurs and business owners that have used the service. Some have expressed satisfaction with the free vanity phone number options, how intuitive the mobile app experience is and the 24/7 customer support. To get a better overview of users’ experience with Grasshopper, check out our user reviews of Grasshopper.

Where to Find Grasshopper

You can get started with Grasshopper by visiting its website. The signup process takes just a few minutes, and there are no contracts to use the system. You can cancel at any time if you need to switch services, and it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. Get started with Grasshopper by using the button below.

Visit Grasshopper

Best Free Alternative to Google Voice for Multiple Lines: OnSIP

OnSIP is a cloud-based voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) service that requires no equipment to install and can be customized in a wide variety of ways. Unlike Google Voice, it allows up to 100 users to make and receive voice and video calls on the same account for free and provides a paid tier for more traditional calling. If you’re looking for a free alternative with business phone features and supports a large team, you can’t go wrong with OnSIP.

OnSIP Pricing

OnSIP is available in four pricing plans: Free, Pay-As-You-Go, Metered and Unlimited. The Pay-As-You-Go plan carries a per-minute cost of 0.029 cents with no monthly fees. The Metered plan costs $8.95 per user per month with the same per minute costs and the Unlimited plan costs $24.95 per user per month.

OnSIP Tiered Features

OnSIP’s free plan is surprisingly full of features that surpass Google Voice and rival other VoIP providers. While the plan is only limited to internet calls, it includes unlimited calling for up to 100 users, unlimited extensions, integration with Zendesk help desk software, video conferencing for up to 100 users and business hour rules.

The free tier also provides a web call app that allows you to place a button on your website and blog. With this button, customers can call you over the internet. If you aren’t limited by making calls only over the internet, this plan would be an ideal fit for you and your business.

Pay-As-You-Go

The Pay-As-You-Go plan has no set monthly fee. However, unlike the Free tier, this plan provides full external calling with a phone number. Calls on your number cost 2.9 cents a minute, and you have access to all the features of the free plan including an auto attendant, dial-by-name directory, call recording for one user and five voicemail boxes. Features such as a conference bridge or call recording for additional users can be added for a fee.

There is a $49.95 monthly minimum in additional feature add-on fees to use this plan, but no minimum user requirements. While this plan supports unlimited users and grants you the ability to make and receive outbound calls, the Metered or the Unlimited plan might be a better choice.

Metered User

The Metered user plan costs $8.95 per month per user with a five-user minimum. This plan allows for inbound and outbound calls with a phone number at 2.9 cents per minute and contains all the same features of the previous tiers as well as on-hold music and call parking.

If you have more than five users and require access to features like call parking and voicemail, this would be the best plan for you. If your call volumes are low, this can be an affordable plan that includes most of OnSIP’s features.

Unlimited

The Unlimited plan costs $24.95 per user, per month with a five-user minimum. It gives you unlimited calling with a virtual phone number and includes all the features in the Metered User plan. Unlike previous plans, call recording is included and conference calling can be added for an additional fee.

There are many useful features that make this a competitive option. If you’re looking for a VoIP system with the same calling features as the more well-known providers, then this will be a good choice for you.

OnSIP Setup & Ease of Use

OnSIP’s setup rivals Google Voice in its simplicity. You can start the setup with just an email address. Enter your company name and be immediately granted an account for making and receiving calls over the internet. The dashboard provides information about your most recent calls. You can access voicemail messages and place calls with just the click of a button.

What OnSIP Is Missing

The lack of outbound calling with the free tier is perhaps the only factor keeping OnSIP from being the top recommended alternative to Google Voice. It also doesn’t include conference calling, which must be added for an additional fee, and there isn’t a native mobile app available that allows you to manage calls and your account on the go.

What Users Think About OnSIP

Those who use OnSIP are happy with the call quality of the system and how easy it is to use for keeping communication between team members with no cost. Others using the service were unhappy with the à la carte pricing for features, which are commonly standard with VoIP providers and raised the monthly cost beyond the package prices.

Where to Find OnSIP

Getting started with OnSIP is easy. It provides a 30-day free trial of all apps and features, regardless of the plan selected, and you sign up online or by contacting its sales team. Start your free trial by using the button below.

Visit OnSIP

Best VoIP Alternative to Google Voice for Advanced Features: Nextiva

Nextiva is a VoIP provider that offers a complete business phone solution for small businesses. It provides a great balance between price, features and customer support, making it our top recommended VoIP phone system. If your business has grown to where you need a more completely integrated business phone system with volume discounts for your users, you can’t go wrong with Nextiva.

Nextiva Pricing

Nextiva’s service is offered in three simple pricing plans. The costs for Office Pro, Office Pro Plus and Office Enterprise range from $34.95 to $44.95 per user, per month. All plans include features like voicemail transcription, call forwarding and volume discounts are available for businesses with more users.

Nextiva Tiered Features

Office Pro

The Office Pro is Nextiva’s starter package and costs $34.95 per user, per month for up to four users. With the volume discount, this price can go as low as $21.95 per month, per user if you have 100 users or more. This plan includes unlimited calling minutes, advanced call management, voicemail transcription and faxing.

While the price of this starter plan seems high, especially compared to Google Voice free platform, it does provide a more comprehensive set of features and can grow as your company does. Compared to OnSIP’s plans, this doesn’t have minimum user requirements or fees for additional features, making it the best choice for any business that’s ready to graduate from Google Voice’s free virtual phone system.

Office Pro Plus

The Office Pro Plus starts at $37.95 per month, per user if you have one to four users. It includes all the features from the Office Pro along with access to the softphone mobile app, one professionally recorded greeting for your auto attendant, conference bridges and peer-to-peer communication tools.

Just like the Office Pro, there are no user minimums or additional fees for features. This plan is a good choice if your business has grown from a single person startup into a small or medium-sized business. If you’re looking for a central system to connect your workforce, this would be a good choice for you.

Office Enterprise

The Office Enterprise is the most featured plan offered by Nextiva. It starts at $44.95 per user, per month for up to four users. The volume discount brings the price down to $31.95 if your business has more than 100 users and this plan includes all features from the Office Pro Plus plan and provides access to call recording, call analytics tools and access to Nextiva’s CRM that has a built-in database for managing your caller and contact information.

This plan is best for larger businesses that can take advantage of the CRM, call analytics and management tools that are provided with this feature. The Office Enterprise certainly wouldn’t be suited for a one-person business as the wide array of advanced features could prove to be too much to manage.

Nextiva Setup & Ease of Use

Nextiva’s setup isn’t quite as quick and easy as other providers. You can request to be contacted by a sales representative through the website, which is a stark difference from providers like Grasshopper or OnSIP, which grant you access to your account in a few minutes. Once setup is completed, the user interface is intuitive and all the functions you’ll need to manage are easy to find.

What Nextiva Is Missing

The lack of clarity on Nextiva’s pricing is a drawback of this provider. The advertised price on the website isn’t what you’ll pay if you’re a solopreneur or a business with a handful of employees. Also missing is the mobile app with the starter plan. Compared to Grasshopper, which allows you to use the app regardless of the plan you select, Nextiva does fall a little behind in that regard.

What Users Think About Nextiva

Businesses that use Nextiva are extremely satisfied with the customer support and the overall quality of the system. Some users have expressed confusion as the service does have more features than Google Voice, but that is to be expected as Nextiva is a more complete VoIP system. For a more detailed review of what users think about Nextiva, check out our Nextiva reviews page.

Where to Find Nextiva

You can review all Nextiva’s plans and pricing details from its website and can schedule a demo of the platform or contact its sales team for a quote that meets your specific business needs. It provides a 30-day free trial so that you can use the system for a month with no commitment, and you can get started by using the button below.

Visit Nextiva

Best Google Voice Alternative for Conference Calling: RingCentral

RingCentral is a VoIP phone provider that boasts robust conference calling capabilities. Its business phone system has leading conference calling capabilities and supports up to 200 participants in video or audio conference calls. It offers a 15-day free trial. If your business has grown to where you need a strong conference calling alternative to Google Voice, RingCentral is a great choice.

RingCentral Pricing

RingCentral is offered in four pricing plans — Essentials, Standard, Premium and Ultimate — which are priced on a per user monthly basis. Plans range from $24.99 to $54.99, and all include calling, conference features and the mobile app with the ability to try any of the plans on a 15-day free trial.

RingCentral Tiered Features

Essentials

The Essentials is RingCentral’s starter package and the lowest-priced option. The cost is $34.99 per month for one user and $24.99 per month per user for up to 10 users. This plan includes the use of the softphone app for unlimited calling within the United States and Canada and short message service (SMS), supports up to four people in an audio or video conference call and 100 toll-free minutes, which is a small amount when compared to the other plans.

This plan also includes integrations with Microsoft, Google and Dropbox storage, which is a feature you won’t find with Google Voice. While this plan doesn’t offer features like call recording and voicemail transcription, it’s still a good choice if you have a small, remote team as it’ll allow them to stay connected through your business phone system.

Standard

The Standard platform starts at $39.99 per month. This plan, along with the Premium and Ultimate plans, provides volume discounts that lower the price as your teams get larger. For one user, the Standard plan costs $39.99 per month while teams with more than 1,000 users pay $24.99 per month per user with additional pricing tiers in between for midsized teams.

This plan still only support four users in conference calls. Along with all of the features of the Essentials package, this includes a multilevel auto attendant, reports, call logs and up to 1,000 toll-free minutes. This option is best suited for a small to medium-sized business looking for a professional yet cost-effective alternative to support a growing team.

Premium

The Premium plan is RingCentral’s most popular plan. Starting at $49.99 per month for one user, the volume discounts can bring the price down to $34.99 per month if you have enough users in your business. Unlike the previous plans, this supports up to 100 users in audio and video conferences and has automatic call recording and voicemail transcription along with all the features of the Standard plan.

The Premium plan is definitely the most comprehensive package. However, as with Nextiva’s most popular package, the features and offerings of this plan are designed to serve medium- to large-sized businesses that can take advantage of all the calling, conferencing and administrative features. If you’re switching from Google Voice and looking for a phone system that is just as simple, Grasshopper might be a better fit.

Ultimate

The Ultimate is RingCentral’s most expensive tier. For one user, the cost is $64.99 per month. The volume discount does bring the cost down to $44.95 per month, per user for businesses with more than 1,000 users. The features are the same as the Premium plan but with 10,000 toll-free minutes and support for up to 200 people in an audio/video conference.

The cost for this plan can be a hard pill to swallow, especially if you’re switching from Google Voice’s free platform. The additional toll-free minutes and conference calling capabilities would be the best reason to select this plan. However, it’s best suited for large remote teams or companies with a calling center that needs to be able to collaborate easily with team members and service customers.

RingCentral Setup & Ease Of Use

RingCentral’s setup is pretty straightforward. The process takes only a few minutes and once complete, you’ll have access to one of the most robust online portals of any virtual or VoIP phone provider. The interface can be a bit challenging to use at times and, if you’re a single member company, you might find all the features and functions a bit too much. The mobile app is different as it’s incredibly easy to use, and you can manage your entire account from the app.

What RingCentral Is Missing

The more affordable tiers — Essentials and Standard — don’t offer call recording and voicemail-to-text transcription. These features come standard with Google Voice, and most other providers also offer this feature with its starter plans. Therefore, this is a big miss for RingCentral.

What Users Think About RingCentral

Business owners have been pleased with the range of features that RingCentral offers and the overall functionality of the service. They were disappointed with the long customer support phone queues and lack of response via email for support as well. For a more detailed summary of user’s experiences with RingCentral, check out our user reviews of RingCentral.

Where to Find RingCentral

RingCentral’s sign-up process is pretty simple. You can get started with the free trial or jump right in with the plan of your choice by visiting the website. You can contact the sales team if you have any questions, and they’ll be happy to help. Start your 15-day free trial by using the button below.

Visit RingCentral

Best Google Voice Alternative for International Calling: 8×8

8×8 is a VoIP phone system that provides a complete set of phone system features. Unlimited calling, an auto attendant and call recording are just a few of the standard features you’ll get with this provider, but what sets them apart is the ability to make unlimited calls to anywhere from 14 to 42 countries. This is undoubtedly the best choice if you need a strong international calling alternative to Google Voice.

8×8 Pricing

8×8 provides three fairly straightforward pricing tiers. The X2, X5 and X8 are $25, $35 and $55 per user, per month, respectively. All plans include the auto attendant, audio/video conferencing, unlimited faxing, integrations with Salesforce and unlimited calling to a number of countries based on the plan selected.

8×8 Tiered Features

X2

The X2 is 8×8’s starter package. This plan costs $25 per user, per month and provides all standard calling features like auto attendant, voicemail, call queuing and unlimited calling for 14 different countries. You’ll get 1GB of media storage, an unlimited number of phone lines and the ability to hold audio/video conferences with up to five participants.

This is a great option for the cost-conscious business owner that’s switching from Google Voice’s free platform. You’ll have unlimited international calling, as opposed to Google’s per minute rates, and a wealth of other features that will give you a more complete phone system.

X5

The X5 package costs $35 per month. It includes everything in the X2 package with an additional 4GB of media storage, conference calling for up to 25 participants, and you can make unlimited calls to a total of 32 countries with this package. Unlike the X2, call recording is available with this tier, but it’s only available with an additional fee of $10 per user, per month.

If you’re growing internationally and looking for a well-rounded phone system to support your international clients, this is a good choice. The addition of the operator switchboard will help your growing business display a more professional appearance when you receive calls from around the world.

X8

The X8 is 8×8’s most expensive package and costs $55 per user, per month. Much less than RingCentral’s top tier, it includes all of the features in the X5 package, with support for up to 50 participants in an audio/video conference, and you can make calls to a total of 46 countries. Unlike the previous packages, with the X8, you’ll also have access to a virtual office supervisor and contact center features, which will come in handy if you anticipate getting a lot of calls.

Like the top tiers of all the other VoIP providers, this is best suited for more established businesses, especially those with an international reach that can take advantage of the contact center features this plan has to offer. If you need a simple international calling solution, the X2 plan might be a better fit.

8×8 Setup & Ease of Use

8X8’s setup, much like Nextiva isn’t very straightforward and simple. Rather than signing up directly, you’ll need to contact a representative for a quote. Once you’re set up, every aspect of your account can be managed from the online portal. The look and feel of the interface leave much to be desired, but the system is still quite easy to manage. Configuring employee extensions, assigning phone numbers and you automated attendant can be done quickly.

What 8×8 Is Missing

8×8 doesn’t provide volume discounts like the other VoIP providers we reviewed. So, there won’t be any saving with the phone system as your business grows and you add additional users. Another item that might be a disappointment is the customer service. 8×8 offers round-the-clock support. However, there will be times when your support representative will be in another country.

What Users Think About 8×8

Business owners have found 8×8 to be a great service for making calls to international customers and keeping in touch with global vendors. Other users are satisfied with the 24/7 support and a few expressed disappointment with the lack of volume discounts offered. For a more comprehensive summary of what users think about 8×8, check out our user reviews of 8×8.

Where to Find 8×8

You can sign up for 8×8 by using the form on its website to request a quote, or you can contact its sales team through the toll-free number. They’ll be happy to answer any questions and get you up and running quickly. Get started with 8×8 by using the button below.

Visit 8x8

Best Google Voice Alternative for Vanity Numbers: Phone.com

Phone.com is another virtual phone service that provides a comprehensive set of business phone features. You’ll get the standard features like an auto attendant and voicemail transcription, and unlike Google Voice, they offer toll-free local vanity numbers and variable pricing plans. If you’re upgrading from Google Voice and need a vanity phone number, Phone.com is our best vanity phone number provider and a great choice.

Phone.com Pricing

Phone.com’s pricing is broken down into three plans: Base, Pro and Plus. Each plan allows you to choose between an unlimited calling option and a per-minute option. For unlimited calling, the Base plan costs $22.99, the Plus costs $24.99 and the Pro costs $39.99 per user, per month.

Further details about Phone.com’s pricing includes:

• Base: $12.99 per month for 300 calling minutes and $22.99 for unlimited
• Plus: $19.99 per month for 500 calling minutes and $24.99 for unlimited
• Pro: $39.99 per month for 1,000 calling minutes and $27.99 for unlimited

Phone.com Features

Whether you’re a solopreneur or a business owner with remote employees, you’ll find that Phone.com gives the same functionality as more robust business systems. Unlike Google Voice, with Phone.com, you’ll get many advanced phone features like an auto attendant, on-hold music and more.

Phone.com’s specific features include:

Automated Attendant

Like other VoIP and virtual phone providers, Phone.com gives you an automated attendant that greets your callers with a prerecorded message and forwards their calls to your extensions. You can configure different greetings for different times of the day and the system also provides a dial-by-name directory so your callers can search for employees by name.

Call Handling & Routing

Phone.com gives you a great amount of control of your incoming and outgoing calls. You can configure your call forwarding numbers, set up call forwarding times and even use the call screening features to have callers announce themselves. There’s no limit to the number of extensions you can configure, and you can have one, two, or three incoming phone numbers or vanity numbers based on the plan you select.

Voicemail to Email/Text

Phone.com sends email and text notifications for every new voicemail message you receive. For an additional cost of $1.50 per month, you can have your voice messages transcribed into readable text and forwarded to yourself, partners or employees automatically. Phone.com also gives you the choice of having your messages transcribed by a real person. Human transcription costs just 25 cents per message, and the first four transcriptions are free.

Mobile App

Phone.com also provides a pretty intuitive mobile app. With the app, you can send and receive text messages, make calls using your number and review your messages. Just like Google Voice’s app, making calls with Phone.com’s mobile app uses your cellphone’s connection and doesn’t eat into your Phone.com plan’s minutes if you’re on the per-minute option.

Additional Features

Some other features available with Phone.com are call recording, which stores calls for up to 13 months, the ability to customize your on-hold music with options from their large library of music. Faxing is also supported, and you can also send and receive faxes with your account. Any faxes you receive are saved as a PDF document.

Setup & Ease of Use

Phone.com guides you through all the steps of the setup like importing your contacts from Gmail or Outlook. This is great if you aren’t tech-savvy. Once complete, managing users, extensions and configuration options with the online portal are simple. You can have the system call you to record your own greetings, and there’s even a function to enter text to be read to your callers on the auto attendant.

What Phone.com Is Missing

One of the drawbacks of Phone.com is the additional fees for certain features. Voicemail transcription, which is offered by default with Google Voice, requires an additional fee with Phone.com. The lack of after-hours customer support is another downside to this service provider.

What Users Think About Phone.com

The flexibility of Phone.com’s plans and the ability to choose between per-minute and unlimited has made this an affordable option for business owners. Those who voiced complaints about the company were unhappy with the lack of 24/7 customer service and the long wait times on the phone with support. For a more in-depth review of business feedback, see our user reviews of Phone.com.

Where to Find Phone.com

Phone.com’s signup is refreshingly simple, and you can get started through its website. The process takes only a few moments and, if you have any questions, you can contact its sales team or use the chat window available on the site to engage a sales representative. Get started with Phone.com by using the button below.

Visit Phone.com

The Bottom Line

If you’re a solopreneur looking to minimize costs in any way possible, Google Voice isn’t a bad way to establish a business line. However, if you want to ensure a professional appearance, you’ll the need features, functionality and support that are beyond what Google Voice has to offer. There are many VoIP and virtual phone systems with affordable alternatives to choose from, however, our recommendation is Grasshopper.

Grasshopper gives you the majority of features that you’ll find with the larger VoIP providers and allows you to appear more professional with the addition of an auto attendant and a free toll-free number. If you’re looking for an affordable alternative to Google Voice that doesn’t charge for additional users and offers a 30-day money back guarantee, Grasshopper is for you. Get started with Grasshopper by using the button below.

Visit Grasshopper