Google Voice has emerged as a competitive VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) solution for businesses, particularly those that already use Google Workspace. As a cloud-based phone system, Google Voice offers businesses an easy-to-use communication tool with seamless integration into the broader Google ecosystem. This review provides an overview of Google Voice products, pricing, and pros and cons for UK businesses.
Overview of Google Voice products
Google Voice offers three primary tiers of service for businesses, each tailored to meet different communication needs. These plans allow businesses to scale their communications as they grow, with each product offering unique features suited to various types of companies.
Features | Google Voice Starter | Google Voice Standard | Google Voice Premier |
---|---|---|---|
Monthly Price (per user) | £8.20 | £16.40 | £24.60 |
Google Workspace Required | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Maximum Users | Up to 10 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Domestic Calling | Yes | Yes | Yes |
International Calling | No | No | Yes |
Voicemail Transcription | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Multi-level Auto Attendant | No | Yes | Yes |
Advanced Reporting | No | Yes | Yes |
AI-Powered Spam Filtering | Yes | Yes | Yes |
International Location Support | No | No | Yes |
Google Voice Starter
This is the entry-level plan, best suited for small businesses or startups with up to 10 users.
Key features:
- Domestic calls within the UK and US
- Integration with Google Workspace tools like Gmail, Calendar, and Meet
- Voicemail transcription
- Google AI-powered spam call filtering
Google Voice Standard
The Standard plan is designed for growing businesses with more advanced needs.
Key features:
- Everything included in the Starter plan
- Unlimited users
- Advanced reporting tools and analytics
- Ring groups to distribute calls across team members
- Multi-level auto-attendant (IVR) for call routing
Google Voice Premier
The Premier plan is aimed at larger businesses or organisations with a global presence.
Key features:
- Everything in the Standard plan
- International location support
- Advanced reporting for global communications
- Support for more complex integrations and workflow automation
Google Voice pricing
The pricing for Google Voice is quite competitive compared to other VoIP providers, especially for businesses already using Google Workspace. As of 2024, these are the prices:
- Google Voice Starter: £8.20 per user per month
- Google Voice Standard: £16.40 per user per month
- Google Voice Premier: £24.60 per user per month
Please note that to use Google Voice, a Google Workspace subscription is required, which is an additional cost ranging from £4.60 to £15 per user per month, depending on the plan.
Pros of Google Voice for businesses
- Seamless integration with Google Workspace: For businesses using Google Workspace (Gmail, Calendar, Meet), Google Voice offers a fully integrated communication solution. This creates a streamlined workflow where calls, emails, and meetings can be managed from a single platform.
- Affordable pricing: Compared to other VoIP providers, Google Voice offers competitive pricing, especially when considering the extensive features available in its standard and premier plans. The option to scale the system as the business grows makes it cost-effective.
- Ease of use: As with other Google products, Google Voice is user-friendly, making it ideal for businesses that want to avoid complex phone systems. The intuitive interface requires minimal training, and setup is straightforward.
- International reach: For businesses operating across multiple locations, especially with the Premier plan, Google Voice’s international support makes it easy to manage communication on a global scale without additional complications.
- Spam filtering: Google’s powerful AI-driven spam filtering is a significant benefit for businesses that receive a high volume of inbound calls. This feature helps ensure that team members are only dealing with relevant and legitimate communications.
Cons of Google Voice for businesses
- Requires Google Workspace: Google Voice cannot be used independently—it requires a Google Workspace subscription. For businesses that aren’t already using Google Workspace, this could represent an additional cost and effort to implement.
- Limited advanced VoIP features: Compared to more established VoIP providers like RingCentral or 8×8, Google Voice lacks some advanced features such as call monitoring and in-depth CRM integrations. Larger businesses may find these limitations problematic if they require a more feature-rich system.
- Geographic restrictions: While the Premier plan supports international operations, Google Voice’s geographic coverage is limited compared to other VoIP providers, particularly in terms of number availability outside of the US and UK.
- No video conferencing included: Unlike some VoIP competitors that offer video conferencing as part of their plans, Google Voice does not include this feature. Businesses relying heavily on video calls will need to separately utilise Google Meet or other conferencing tools.
- Customer support limitations: Google Voice’s customer support, while adequate for basic issues, may not offer the personalised assistance that some businesses require. Companies with complex telecommunication needs might find the support structure insufficient.
Conclusion – Google Voice pricing review
Google Voice offers an affordable and user-friendly VoIP solution, particularly beneficial for small to medium-sized businesses already using Google Workspace. It provides excellent integration with other Google products, streamlined communication tools, and competitive pricing. However, businesses seeking more advanced features or without Google Workspace may want to explore other VoIP options.
For UK businesses considering VoIP solutions, Google Voice is a solid option, but it’s important to weigh its limitations in terms of features and international reach against its benefits in affordability and ease of use.
Alternatives
- Google Voice vs Dialpad
- Google Voice vs Microsoft Teams
- Google Voice vs Nextiva
- Google Voice vs RingCentral
- Google Voice vs Skype
- Google Voice vs Vonage
- Google Voice vs Zoom
FAQ – Google Voice pricing review
Google Voice Starter costs £8.20 per user per month. It is the entry-level plan, ideal for small businesses with up to 10 users, offering essential VoIP features like voicemail transcription, domestic calling, and Google Workspace integration.
Yes, Google Voice Standard allows unlimited users for £16.40 per user per month. It includes additional features like advanced reporting, multi-level auto-attendant (IVR), and ring groups, making it suitable for growing businesses needing more robust communication tools.
Google Voice Premier costs £24.60 per user per month. It is designed for larger businesses or those with international operations, offering advanced features like international location support, complex integrations, and enhanced reporting capabilities.
Yes, Google Workspace is required for all Google Voice plans. Pricing for Google Workspace starts at £4.60 per user per month, and it provides integrated access to other Google tools such as Gmail, Calendar, and Google Meet.
Only the Google Voice Premier plan includes international calling. For businesses needing to communicate globally, the Premier plan is the best option, offering international location support and competitive international calling rates.
No, Google Voice requires a subscription. All three Google Voice plans—Starter, Standard, and Premier—have monthly user fees. Additionally, a Google Workspace subscription is mandatory, making it a complete, integrated communication solution for businesses.
Google Voice does not offer specific volume discounts. The pricing is fixed per user per month, regardless of the number of users, but businesses can choose the most appropriate plan (Starter, Standard, or Premier) based on their user numbers and communication needs.
Google Voice Premier includes advanced features like international location support, enhanced reporting, multi-level auto-attendant, and Google Workspace integration. It is designed for businesses with international or complex communication needs and costs £24.60 per user per month.
Yes, international and premium-rate numbers incur additional charges. While domestic calls within the UK and US are generally included in the plan’s pricing, businesses making international or special-rate calls may face extra charges based on Google Voice’s specific rate card.
Google Voice offers competitive pricing, especially for businesses using Google Workspace. Its rates are generally lower than many other VoIP providers, but some advanced features, like call monitoring and CRM integration, may not be as robust as those offered by competitors like RingCentral or 8×8.