Two prominent names in the VoIP industry are Google Voice and Dialpad, each offering unique features and pricing structures aimed at meeting the diverse needs of businesses. This analysis will provide a detailed comparison of Google Voice vs Dialpad for features and costs, offering insights to help businesses choose the right solution.
Overview of Google Voice vs Dialpad
Google Voice is a VoIP service integrated with Google’s ecosystem, providing users with a single phone number to use across multiple devices. It is designed primarily for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), offering basic calling, texting, and voicemail services alongside integration with other Google Workspace products.
Dialpad is a more comprehensive VoIP and Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) provider, catering to businesses of all sizes. It focuses on advanced communication tools, artificial intelligence (AI) features, and seamless integration with a variety of third-party software solutions. Dialpad’s versatility appeals to both SMEs and large enterprises.
| Category | Google Voice | Dialpad |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | Basic VoIP service integrated with Google Workspace. | Comprehensive VoIP and UCaaS solution with AI and advanced tools. |
| Best for | Small to medium-sized businesses already using Google Workspace. | Businesses of all sizes, especially those needing advanced features. |
| Call Management | Basic features: call forwarding, voicemail transcription, call blocking. | Advanced features: intelligent call routing, call analytics, AI-powered transcription. |
| Collaboration Tools | Integrates with Google Workspace (Gmail, Google Calendar, etc.). | Includes voice, video, messaging in one platform; integrations with Microsoft 365, Slack, and more. |
| AI and Automation | Voicemail transcription and spam filtering only. | Real-time call transcription, automated summaries, AI insights during calls. |
| Software Integrations | Limited to Google Workspace integration. | Integrates with CRM tools (Salesforce, HubSpot), Microsoft 365, Zendesk, Slack. |
| Call Transcription | Yes, voicemail transcription only. | Yes, real-time transcription of calls and voicemails via AI. |
| Video Conferencing | No video conferencing option. | Included in all plans with high-quality video calls and screen sharing. |
| Team Messaging | No direct team messaging features. | Integrated team messaging with file sharing and real-time collaboration. |
| Customer Support | Limited support with Google Workspace subscription. | 24/7 support, with premium support available on higher plans. |
| Pricing (Per User/Month) | Starter: £8.28, Standard: £13.80, Premier: £20.00 | Standard: £12, Pro: £20, Enterprise: Custom pricing. |
| Unlimited Domestic Calls | Standard and Premier plans only. | Included in all plans. |
| International Calling | Available only on Premier plan. | Available with additional cost. |
| CRM Integrations | No direct CRM integrations. | Includes integrations with Salesforce, HubSpot, and others. |
| Mobile App | Yes, Google Voice mobile app. | Yes, Dialpad mobile app with full functionality. |
| Free Trial | No free trial, included with Google Workspace. | Yes, 14-day free trial. |
| Security and Compliance | Basic security features, integrates with Google Workspace’s security. | Advanced security features, including HIPAA compliance and customisable options. |
| Scalability | Limited scalability; best suited for smaller teams. | Highly scalable with enterprise-level features. |
| AI-Powered Insights | None. | AI-driven call coaching and post-call summaries. |
Feature comparison
When choosing between Google Voice vs Dialpad, it’s important to assess the key features offered by each provider.
1. Call management and functionality
- Google Voice offers basic VoIP functionality, including call forwarding, voicemail transcription, and call blocking. Its core appeal lies in its simplicity and integration with Google Workspace. Users can make and receive calls via mobile devices, desktop apps, or web browsers, and it supports text messaging. However, Google Voice lacks more advanced features like call analytics and sophisticated call routing.
- Dialpad, on the other hand, offers a more advanced suite of call management features. These include intelligent call routing, advanced call analytics, and real-time transcription powered by AI. Dialpad also offers video conferencing, team messaging, and integration with customer relationship management (CRM) tools like Salesforce. For businesses needing comprehensive call management and collaboration tools, Dialpad provides greater functionality.
2. Collaboration tools
- Google Voice is tightly integrated with Google Workspace, allowing seamless collaboration with other Google tools like Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Meet. This makes it an ideal choice for businesses that are already heavily reliant on the Google ecosystem. However, its collaboration features are somewhat limited compared to more feature-rich UCaaS platforms.
- Dialpad excels in collaboration with its all-in-one communication platform, combining voice calls, video meetings, and messaging in one interface. It integrates with a wide range of business tools, including Microsoft 365, Slack, and Zendesk. Dialpad’s team messaging feature also allows for better real-time collaboration and file sharing, making it a stronger option for businesses that require multiple communication channels in one platform.
3. AI and automation features
- Google Voice is relatively basic in terms of AI functionality. It offers voicemail transcription and some spam call filtering but does not provide any AI-driven insights or automation tools for businesses.
- Dialpad places a significant emphasis on AI. Its AI-powered voice intelligence tools can transcribe calls in real-time, provide automated call summaries, and even offer insights during sales or support calls, helping businesses improve efficiency. This is a notable advantage for companies looking to leverage technology for customer service and sales performance improvements.
4. Integration with other software
- Google Voice integrates natively with Google Workspace, but its integration with non-Google products is limited. For businesses heavily invested in Google Workspace, this can be a significant advantage, but it may not be ideal for companies using a more diverse range of software solutions.
- Dialpad offers more extensive third-party integrations, including popular CRM platforms (Salesforce, HubSpot), productivity tools (Microsoft 365, Slack), and customer support software (Zendesk). For businesses that rely on multiple software platforms, Dialpad provides greater flexibility and a more connected workflow.
Google Voice vs Dialpad pricing comparison
Cost is a critical factor for businesses of all sizes when choosing a VoIP solution. Here’s a breakdown of the pricing structures for Google Voice and Dialpad.
Google Voice pricing
Google Voice offers three pricing tiers, all of which require a Google Workspace subscription:
- Starter: £8.28 per user per month – Supports up to 10 users with access to Google Voice’s basic features, such as call forwarding, voicemail transcription, and Google Workspace integration.
- Standard: £13.80 per user per month – Includes unlimited domestic calls, multi-level auto attendants, desk phone support, and call transfer options.
- Premier: £20 per user per month – Offers unlimited domestic and international calling, advanced reporting, and support for more complex business setups.
Dialpad pricing
Dialpad also provides multiple pricing plans designed to cater to different business needs:
- Standard: £12 per user per month – Includes unlimited calling in the UK and US, AI-powered call and voicemail transcription, video conferencing, SMS messaging, and integrations with popular software.
- Pro: £20 per user per month – Adds features such as CRM integrations, advanced reporting, custom analytics, and support for multiple offices.
- Enterprise: Custom pricing – Tailored to large organisations with specific needs, including advanced security features, dedicated account management, and customisable integrations.
Choosing the right solution
The decision between Google Voice vs Dialpad ultimately comes down to the size and communication needs of your business. Below are a few scenarios to consider:
- For small businesses or startups: If your business is small, with straightforward communication needs, and you already use Google Workspace, Google Voice is an affordable and efficient option. Its integration with Google tools makes it easy to manage calls, emails, and calendars in one place, keeping costs low and functionality streamlined.
- For growing businesses or larger teams: As your business expands, requiring more advanced features like AI-powered call analytics, multi-level call routing, or third-party integrations, Dialpad offers better scalability. It’s ideal for companies that need more than just basic call management, especially if collaboration across teams or offices is essential.
- For technology-driven businesses: If your business prioritises AI and automation to improve customer service, sales calls, or internal communication, Dialpad’s AI features, such as real-time transcription and call summaries, can give your business a competitive edge.
Final thoughts
Both Google Voice and Dialpad offer valuable solutions for UK businesses, but their strengths lie in different areas. Google Voice is a cost-effective option for businesses embedded in the Google ecosystem with relatively simple communication needs. Dialpad, with its wider range of features and AI capabilities, is a better choice for companies seeking more advanced functionality, better collaboration tools, and the ability to scale their communication systems as they grow.
Choosing the right VoIP solution depends on your business’s current and future needs. If you prioritise simplicity, Google Voice could be your best bet. But if you’re looking for a robust, feature-rich platform with powerful AI capabilities and broader integrations, Dialpad may be the more suitable option.
FAQ
Google Voice is a simple VoIP service with Google Workspace integration, ideal for small businesses. Dialpad offers a more feature-rich UCaaS platform with advanced tools like AI-powered transcription, team messaging, and better third-party integrations, making it suitable for larger and growing businesses.
Dialpad provides superior collaboration tools, offering voice, video conferencing, and messaging in one platform. Google Voice integrates with Google Workspace but lacks multi-channel communication. Dialpad’s platform is more robust for businesses needing seamless collaboration across teams and locations.
Dialpad includes AI-powered features such as real-time transcription, automated call summaries, and AI-driven insights during calls. Google Voice only offers voicemail transcription and spam call filtering, with no AI-enhanced capabilities like Dialpad.
Dialpad integrates with popular CRM tools like Salesforce and HubSpot, enhancing workflow automation. Google Voice lacks native CRM integrations and is more limited to Google Workspace, making it less suitable for businesses using third-party CRM platforms.
Google Voice is generally cheaper, starting at £8.28 per user. Dialpad’s pricing starts at £12 per user, but it includes more advanced features like video conferencing, AI tools, and CRM integrations, offering better value for larger or more complex business needs.
Google Voice offers international calling only with its Premier plan. Dialpad provides international calling as an add-on with its Pro and Enterprise plans. For businesses making regular international calls, Dialpad offers more flexibility, though both services include domestic calls in higher-tier plans.
Google Voice is easier to set up, especially for businesses already using Google Workspace. Dialpad has more complex features and integrations, which may require more time to implement but offers greater customisation and scalability for businesses with diverse communication needs.
Both Google Voice and Dialpad offer mobile apps. However, Dialpad’s mobile app provides a full suite of features, including calls, messaging, and video conferencing, while Google Voice offers more basic functionality, mainly for calls and text messaging. Dialpad’s app is more versatile for mobile users.
Dialpad offers 24/7 customer support with higher-tier plans and custom options for Enterprise clients. Google Voice provides limited support through Google Workspace, and the level of service depends on the specific Google plan. For businesses needing comprehensive support, Dialpad is the stronger choice.
Dialpad is better suited for larger businesses with its advanced features, scalability, and customisation options. Google Voice works well for smaller businesses but lacks the more sophisticated tools and integrations needed for large, complex operations. Dialpad’s Enterprise plan is particularly useful for scaling.