When it comes to selecting a communication solution for your business, choosing between Google Voice and Vonage can be challenging, especially given the variety of features and pricing options available. Both platforms offer cloud-based voice solutions designed to help businesses streamline their communication, but which one is the better fit for your company? In this article, we’ll analyse the key features and pricing models of Google Voice vs Vonage to help UK businesses make an informed decision.
Overview of Google Voice vs Vonage
Google Voice is part of Google’s suite of cloud-based tools and integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace. It is primarily a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) solution that allows businesses to make and receive calls, send texts, and use voicemail over the internet. Google Voice is favoured by small businesses and startups looking for an affordable, lightweight phone solution that integrates with existing Google tools.
Vonage, on the other hand, is a more established player in the business communications market. With a broader range of services, Vonage offers a robust unified communications platform suitable for businesses of all sizes. Its product offerings extend beyond VoIP to include video conferencing, SMS, contact centre solutions, and team collaboration tools, making it a more comprehensive solution for growing businesses with diverse communication needs.
| Feature | Google Voice | Vonage |
|---|---|---|
| Call handling and routing | Basic call forwarding, voicemail transcription, call screening. No IVR or advanced routing options. | Advanced call routing, IVR, call queues, call groups. Customisable call handling features. |
| Integration capabilities | Native integration with Google Workspace (Gmail, Calendar, Meet). Limited third-party integration. | Wide range of integrations with CRMs (Salesforce, Zoho, Microsoft Dynamics), and other business tools. |
| Team collaboration | Collaboration tools through Google Workspace (Google Chat, Google Meet). No built-in team messaging. | Built-in collaboration tools, including video conferencing, messaging, and file sharing. |
| Mobile app functionality | Basic call management, voicemail, and text messaging. Limited features on mobile app. | Feature-rich mobile app with call forwarding, call recording, virtual numbers, and messaging. |
| International calling | Affordable within the US and UK, but more expensive for international calling outside North America. | Competitive international calling rates. Often includes unlimited international calling in business plans. |
| Call recording | Not available in basic plans. | Available in Advanced plan and higher tiers. |
| Voicemail transcription | Included in all plans. | Included in Advanced plan and higher tiers. |
| Video conferencing | Available via Google Meet. | Built-in video conferencing with team messaging. |
| Customer support | Online help resources and standard Google Workspace support. | 24/7 customer support with dedicated account management for larger plans. |
| Pricing (per user per month) | – Starter: £8 (basic features, 10 users max) – Standard: £16 (multi-level auto-attendant, desk phone support) – Premier: £24 (advanced reporting, international offices support) | – Mobile: £10 (unlimited calls, mobile only) – Premium: £15 (CRM integration, team messaging, desktop and mobile) – Advanced: £20 (call recording, visual voicemail, on-demand reporting) |
| Best for | Small businesses and startups using Google Workspace, with limited international calling needs. | Growing businesses or enterprises needing advanced call handling, CRM integration, and international communication. |
| Strengths | Seamless integration with Google tools, affordable for smaller teams, simple to use. | Robust feature set, strong international calling options, excellent CRM and tool integration. |
| Weaknesses | Limited third-party integrations, lacks advanced call handling and collaboration features. | Higher cost for smaller teams, more complex to set up and manage. |
Feature comparison
1. Call handling and routing
- Google Voice: Offers basic call handling features, including call forwarding, screening, and voicemail transcription. It integrates with Google Calendar, allowing users to set customised call rules based on working hours. However, it lacks advanced call routing options such as IVR (Interactive Voice Response) menus or multi-level call queuing, making it more suitable for smaller teams.
- Vonage: Provides advanced call handling features, including customisable IVR, call groups, simultaneous ringing, and call queues. Businesses can create complex call routing setups to ensure calls reach the right person or department efficiently, making Vonage ideal for larger teams or customer service-based businesses.
2. Integration capabilities
- Google Voice: Integrates natively with Google Workspace, allowing seamless access to Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Meet. However, beyond the Google ecosystem, its integration options are relatively limited. It lacks integrations with popular third-party CRMs like Salesforce or HubSpot, which could be a drawback for businesses requiring in-depth CRM integration.
- Vonage: Offers a wide range of integrations with business-critical tools, including CRM platforms such as Salesforce, Zoho CRM, and Microsoft Dynamics 365. This makes Vonage a more appealing choice for businesses looking for deeper, multi-functional integrations that can enhance productivity and customer engagement.
3. Team collaboration features
- Google Voice: Team collaboration is handled through Google Workspace tools like Google Chat and Google Meet, which are included in most Google Workspace plans. While Google Voice doesn’t have standalone collaboration features, its integration with these tools provides a cost-effective solution for businesses already embedded in the Google ecosystem.
- Vonage: Vonage offers built-in collaboration tools, including video conferencing, messaging, and file sharing, via its unified communications platform. These features allow businesses to handle team collaboration within the same interface, without relying on external apps. For teams that need a centralised communication hub, Vonage’s extensive collaboration options can be a significant advantage.
4. Mobile app functionality
- Google Voice: The Google Voice mobile app offers basic features such as call management, voicemail, and text messaging, with synchronisation across devices. While it is intuitive and easy to use, its functionality is quite limited compared to full-fledged mobile UC (unified communications) apps.
- Vonage: Vonage’s mobile app is more feature-rich, offering access to not just voice calls and texts, but also video conferencing, team messaging, and file sharing. The app supports more advanced features like call forwarding, call recording, and virtual numbers, making it a better option for mobile-first teams or remote workers.
5. International calling
- Google Voice: Provides affordable international calling rates, though its service is primarily geared towards the US. The Google Voice international calling plans can become expensive for businesses with heavy international calling needs, especially for those calling outside of North America.
- Vonage: Vonage has a strong reputation for international calling, with lower rates and better coverage for calls made to various countries. Vonage’s business plans often include unlimited international calling to certain regions, which can be highly beneficial for businesses with significant global communication needs.
Google Voice vs Vonage cost comparison
1. Google Voice pricing
Google Voice offers three pricing tiers:
- Starter: £8 per user per month – Includes support for up to 10 users, voicemail transcription, and free calls within the UK and US. Limited to basic features and lacks advanced call handling options.
- Standard: £16 per user per month – Adds multi-level auto-attendants, desk phone support, and call forwarding options. Ideal for small to medium-sized businesses with more complex needs.
- Premier: £24 per user per month – Includes advanced reporting and support for international locations. Best suited for businesses with global offices and heavier communication requirements.
Google Voice pricing is simple, but it is primarily designed for smaller teams. Larger businesses requiring advanced collaboration and call handling features may find its higher tiers restrictive compared to other VoIP solutions.
2. Vonage pricing
Vonage Business offers more flexible pricing, with a variety of customisable plans:
- Mobile: £10 per user per month – Provides a mobile-only plan that includes unlimited calls and SMS, making it suitable for businesses with mobile-first teams.
- Premium: £15 per user per month – Includes unlimited calling, SMS, team messaging, and access to CRM integrations. This plan is ideal for most businesses that require desktop and mobile functionality with robust CRM tools.
- Advanced: £20 per user per month – Adds advanced features like call recording, visual voicemail, and on-demand reporting. Suitable for larger businesses that need extensive call monitoring and compliance features.
Vonage’s pricing is competitive and more flexible, with plans tailored for businesses of various sizes. The additional international calling benefits also make Vonage attractive for businesses with overseas operations.
Pros and cons summary
Google Voice
Pros:
- Seamless integration with Google Workspace
- Affordable for small businesses
- Simple and intuitive interface
Cons:
- Limited third-party integrations
- Basic call handling and collaboration features
- Higher costs for international calling outside North America
Vonage
Pros:
- Extensive integration options with popular CRM platforms
- Advanced call routing and handling features
- Strong international calling capabilities
- Comprehensive mobile app with advanced functionality
Cons:
- Slightly more expensive for smaller teams
- Learning curve for complex features
Which solution is best for your business?
When deciding between Google Voice vs Vonage, the best choice depends on the size of your business and its specific communication needs:
- For smaller businesses or startups heavily using Google Workspace and seeking a straightforward, cost-effective VoIP solution, Google Voice is a solid option. Its basic features and seamless integration with Google’s ecosystem make it ideal for businesses that prioritise simplicity and low-cost communication tools.
- For growing businesses or larger organisations with more complex communication requirements, Vonage is the better choice. Its advanced call handling, extensive integrations, and comprehensive collaboration features make it suitable for companies needing robust communication infrastructure and international reach.
Ultimately, both platforms offer solid value, but Vonage stands out for businesses with a more extensive range of communication needs, while Google Voice is the go-to for teams that prefer simplicity and a tight integration with Google Workspace tools.
FAQ
Google Voice is ideal for small businesses, especially those using Google Workspace, due to its affordability and simplicity. Vonage, while more expensive, offers advanced features suited to larger businesses or those with more complex communication needs.
Vonage offers a wider range of third-party integrations, including popular CRMs like Salesforce and Zoho. Google Voice mainly integrates within the Google ecosystem, such as Gmail and Google Calendar, but lacks broader third-party integration support.
Vonage provides better international calling rates, with some plans offering unlimited international calls to specific regions. Google Voice, while affordable for US and UK calls, can be more expensive for calls outside of North America.
Google Voice is generally more affordable, with plans starting at £8 per user per month. Vonage’s pricing starts at £10 per user per month, but it offers more comprehensive features and flexibility, which may justify the higher cost for larger businesses.
Vonage supports advanced call routing, including IVR, call queues, and multi-level menus. Google Voice offers basic call forwarding and screening, but lacks the more complex call routing options that Vonage provides.
Vonage’s mobile app is more feature-rich, offering call forwarding, call recording, messaging, and video conferencing. Google Voice’s mobile app covers basic calling, texting, and voicemail but lacks the advanced functionality of Vonage’s app.
Vonage includes video conferencing as part of its unified communications platform. Google Voice does not have built-in video conferencing but relies on integration with Google Meet for this feature, which is part of Google Workspace.
Vonage provides 24/7 customer support, with dedicated account management for larger plans. Google Voice offers standard Google Workspace support, primarily through online help resources, which may not be as responsive or comprehensive as Vonage’s customer support.
Call recording is available in Vonage’s Advanced plan and higher tiers. Google Voice does not include call recording in its standard plans, making it less suitable for businesses needing call monitoring and compliance features.
Google Voice is generally easier to set up, especially for businesses already using Google Workspace. Vonage offers more advanced features, which can make initial setup more complex, but the platform’s additional capabilities may be worth the extra effort for larger businesses.