Google Voice Review: Reliable VoIP With Just the Essentials | PCMag
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3.0 Average this.$refs.template.innerHTML, onCreate: (instance) => this.tippyInstance = instance, onShow: (instance) => { this.escapeHandler = (e) => { if (e.key === 'Escape') instance.hide(); }; window.addEventListener('keydown', this.escapeHandler); }, onHide: (instance) => { if (this.escapeHandler) { window.removeEventListener('keydown', this.escapeHandler); this.escapeHandler = null; } }, onMount: (instance) => { const closeBtn = instance.popper.querySelector('[data-tooltip-close]'); if (closeBtn) closeBtn.addEventListener('click', () => instance.hide()); }, }; }, }"> What Our Ratings Mean 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies. The Bottom Line Google Voice is a dependable VoIP service that works best for individuals and Workspace-based businesses that need straightforward calling features rather than advanced communications tools. Starts at Free Starts Free See It PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing.
Pros & Cons Free personal version is easy to use and configure Workspace plans support a wealth of integrations Reliable calling performance Can be expensive for some businesses No AI-based call sentiment summaries or skill-based routing Limited desk phone support Google Voice Specs Name Value tr:nth-of-type(n+6)]:hidden" :class="{ '[&>tr:nth-of-type(n+6)]:!table-row': open }"> Voicemail Transcription Software Phone SMS Messaging Automatic Call-Back Call Monitoring Voicemail to Email Electronic Fax E911 Service SIP Phone Support Toll-Free Option Video Conferencing More Specs
Google Voice is a dependable VoIP service with plans that target individuals and Google Workspace-based companies. I like that the former are highly affordable (or even free) and provide unlimited domestic calling to the US and Canada, but they are somewhat light on features. The Workspace plans, which cost extra on top of existing subscriptions, unlock a more advanced set of features, including auto attendants, call routing, and ring groups, along with a few AI perks, such as call summaries. That said, they still lack some of the tools you get with top competitors and don't support many desk phones. Google Voice could be a worthy option if you need just the absolute basics as a sole proprietor or if your organization is fully entrenched in the Google ecosystem, but Intermedia Unite and RingCentral RingEX remain our Editors' Choice winners for most businesses because they have a few more higher-end capabilities and will likely end up being mo