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Google Voice can be a good starting point when you need a business number. As you add employees, though, you may want your office and crew to share calls and texts without having to ask who last spoke with a customer. Or you may just need help answering calls while you’re on a job.
This guide compares eight Google Voice alternatives, with pricing, features, and limitations to help you find one that fits how you and your team work. It also covers ways to handle missed calls and keep your number if you switch providers.
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Quick answer: What are the best Google Voice alternatives?
The best Google Voice alternative depends on who answers your calls, which features you need, and your budget. Quo works for small teams that need to share calls and texts. Grasshopper works well for solo contractors who want a separate business line. Line2 is the lowest-priced option for solo owners who only need a second line. RingCentral suits larger teams that also need video meetings and team messaging. Housecall Pro fits home service businesses that want customer calls and texts connected to their scheduling, dispatching, and invoicing in one platform.
Table of contents
How these Google Voice alternatives were chosen
Contractors and home service professionals need a phone system that works whether they’re in the office, driving between jobs, or working at a customer’s home. We focused on phone services that fit the way home service teams work, from a solo owner taking calls between jobs to an office sharing a number with field techs.
We looked for:
- Multiple users: Allows more than one employee to answer incoming business calls.
- Shared phone numbers: Lets office staff and field technicians use the same business number.
- Business texting: Supports sending and receiving customer text messages.
- Call routing: Directs calls to specific employees or departments based on business hours or availability.
- Mobile access: Works on smartphones so technicians can communicate while in the field.
- Number transfers: Lets businesses keep their existing phone numbers when switching providers.
- Transparent pricing: Clearly explains monthly costs, included features, and additional fees.
- Contract terms: Identifies whether monthly plans are available or longer commitments are required.
- Field service suitability: Supports businesses with employees who spend most of their time away from a desk.
The eight services are listed in no particular order. Use the provider links to confirm current pricing and which features come with each plan.
If you also want your phone line tied to scheduling, estimates, and invoices, Housecall Pro is an AI-powered field service management platform that includes business phone and call answering tools. A separate section below covers Voice and CSR AI, including how they help you manage calls and keep customer information and job records organized.
Google Voice alternatives at a glance
Use this table to compare starting prices, shared numbers, texting, and call routing. Google Voice is included as a reference.
| Tool | Best for | Pricing | Shared number | Texting included | Call routing | Contract |
| Google Voice | Solo owners and businesses using Google Workspace | Standalone: Starter $10/month; Standard $20/month. Workspace add-ons: Starter $10, Standard $20, Premier $30/user/month | Ring groups on Standard and Premier | Yes, unlimited U.S. SMS | Call forwarding; automated attendants and ring groups on Standard+ | Monthly billing |
| Quo (formerly OpenPhone) | Small teams sharing calls and texts | From $15/user/month, billed annually | Yes | Yes; registration and messaging fees apply | Basic forwarding; advanced routing on Business+ | Monthly or annual |
| Grasshopper | Solo contractors and small teams | From $14/month, billed annually | Yes, Solo Plus and Small Business | Yes; registration and messaging fees apply | Call forwarding, extensions, and business-hour schedules | Monthly or annual |
| Dialpad | Teams needing AI call transcription and summaries | From $15/user/month | Yes, through shared lines | Yes, subject to availability and registration | Auto attendant and call routing | Monthly or annual |
| RingCentral | Businesses needing calling, video, and team messaging | From $20/user/month, billed annually | Shared lines; call queues are a paid add-on | Yes; Core includes 25 SMS/user/month | Auto attendant;call queues cost extra | Monthly or annual |
| Nextiva | Growing teams needing calls, texts, and routing | From $15/user/month, billed annually | Shared team inboxes (1 on Core, 3 on Engage) | Yes (100 texts/user on Core) | Skills-based routing on Core; more shared inboxes on higher plans | Monthly or annual |
| Ooma Office | Businesses using desk phones and mobile devices | From $19.95/user/month | Yes, through ring groups | Pro and Pro Plus only | Virtual receptionist and ring groups | No contract required |
| Zoom Phone | Teams already using Zoom | US & CA Unlimited starts at $16/user/month | Shared line features available | Yes, domestic SMS/MMS | Auto receptionist and call queues | Monthly or annual |
| Line2 | Solo owners needing a second business line | From $7.99/month, billed annually | Not published | Unlimited texting | Call blocking and voicemail transcription | Annual |
8 Google Voice alternatives for small businesses
Here’s a closer look at what each Google Voice alternative offers and where you may need a higher plan or an add-on. They’re listed in no particular order.
Quo (formerly OpenPhone): best for small teams sharing calls and texts
Quo, formerly OpenPhone, lets small teams share a business number for calls and texts. Office staff and techs can see past conversations and reply from a shared inbox, so they can pick up where a coworker left off.
Plans start at $15 per user per month with annual billing. The $23 Business plan adds advanced call forwarding, phone menus, and connections to customer relationship management (CRM) tools, including HubSpot and Salesforce.
Quo also includes Sona, an AI phone agent that answers calls, collects customer information, and handles basic questions when your team is busy. The included allowance covers about 10 AI-handled calls per month, so budget for extra usage if you expect to rely on it regularly.
Grasshopper: best for solo contractors and small teams
Grasshopper gives solo contractors and small teams a business number they can use on their existing phones. You can keep work and personal calls separate, forward calls, set a custom greeting, and use voicemail and business texting through its mobile and desktop apps.
Plans start at $14 per month with annual billing for True Solo, which includes one user, one phone number, and one extension.
Solo Plus costs $25 per month and supports unlimited users, one number, and three extensions, while Small Business costs $55 per month and includes four numbers and unlimited extensions.
Grasshopper can be a good fit if you mostly need calls, texts, and extensions for your team. It doesn’t include video meetings or a full CRM system, and business texting requires registration and extra fees.
Dialpad: best for teams needing AI call transcription and summaries
Dialpad brings calling, messaging, video meetings, and AI tools into one business phone service. It may work for a busy home service office that wants a record of customer conversations to refer back to.
Its AI transcription and summaries capture conversations and identify follow-up tasks. That can help your office check what a customer asked for or confirm appointment details without listening to the whole call again.
Dialpad also offers call routing, voicemail, and integrations with other business apps. Employees can use it in the office or check calls and messages between jobs.
Dialpad’s Connect plans start at $15 per user per month (Standard) and $25 per user per month (Pro), with custom pricing for Enterprise and its AI agents. Confirm which AI features and integrations come with each plan.
RingCentral: best for businesses needing calling, video, and team messaging
RingCentral RingEX combines business calls and texts with video meetings and team messaging. It may be useful if you have several office locations or departments and need to direct calls to the right team.
The Core plan starts at $20 per user per month with annual billing or $30 per user per month with monthly billing, and includes business calling, call management, and video meetings.
The Advanced plan starts at $25 per user per month with annual billing and adds CRM integrations and support for multiple locations.
RingCentral also offers an AI Customer Engagement Bundle with AIR, its AI receptionist, at a custom price. Check SMS allowances and AI service costs when comparing plans, since those can change your monthly bill.
Nextiva: best for growing teams needing calls, texts, and routing
Nextiva combines business calls, texts, video meetings, and call routing. Your office staff and field crew can use the same service to stay in touch with customers throughout the day.
The Core plan starts at $15 per user per month with annual billing and includes business SMS, call routing, team chat, and a mobile app.
Its Engage plan starts at $25 per user per month and adds live chat, 500 texts per user, a toll-free number with 2,000 inbound minutes, and three shared team inboxes.
Nextiva’s AI receptionist, XBert, can answer questions and handle customer requests when your team is busy. It’s sold separately, so include that cost in your budget if you need automated answering.
Ooma Office: best for businesses using desk phones and mobile devices
Ooma Office supports desk phones and mobile devices, which can work well if your office uses desk phones and your techs answer calls on the go. It includes unlimited calling within the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, plus a virtual receptionist and call routing.
Its Essentials plan starts at $19.95 per user per month and includes a mobile app, ring groups, and digital fax.
Pro costs $24.95 per user per month and adds business texting, call recording, and video meetings.
Pro Plus costs $29.95 per user per month and includes call queues, CRM integrations, team chat, and higher texting limits. Ooma doesn’t require long-term contracts, but the entry-level Essentials plan doesn’t include business texting.
Zoom Phone: best for teams already using Zoom
Zoom Phone may be a convenient option if your team already uses Zoom for meetings. Employees can make and receive calls on different devices, send business texts, and manage calls through the same service.
Its US & CA Unlimited plan starts at $16 per user per month and includes unlimited calling within the United States and Canada.
The Pro Plus plan costs $20.50 per user per month, while the Business plan costs $24.50 per user per month with annual billing and adds more communication and team features.
Zoom Phone also includes call recording, voicemail management, automated receptionists, and call queues. Before signing up, check that your plan covers the calling regions and features you need, especially if you make international calls.
Line2: best for solo owners needing a second business line
Line2 gives solo contractors a separate business number on their existing smartphone or computer. You can take work calls and reply to customers without carrying another phone.
Plans start at $7.99 per month with annual billing, which may appeal to independent plumbers, electricians, and other pros keeping a close eye on monthly expenses.
Line2 includes unlimited calling and texting in the U.S. and Canada, call blocking, and voicemail transcription. Unlimited plans are subject to overage terms.
Line2 may cover your needs if you work solo and mainly want a dedicated number for calls and texts. If several employees need to manage calls or share customer conversations, confirm that it supports the way you want your team to work. Check any required software integrations, too.
What to do if your real problem is missed calls
If you’re considering a Google Voice alternative because calls keep going unanswered, start by figuring out where you need coverage. Switching providers can help you route calls, but you’ll still need a way to answer when everyone’s busy.
Check your call history for patterns, then choose an approach that fits:
- Calls come in while you’re on jobs: Forward them to an office employee or coworker who’s available to answer. If everyone’s in the field, forwarding alone may leave you with the same problem.
- You want a person to answer: A live answering service can take messages and collect customer details during the hours you need coverage. Ask whether it can also book appointments and how it handles urgent requests.
- You need help during busy periods or after hours: An AI answering service can answer common questions, collect caller information, and handle booking requests. Check how it uses your availability and when it passes a call to your team.
For example, Housecall Pro’s CSR AI can answer calls day or night and book jobs using your availability and service preferences. That gives callers a way to schedule while you’re working, with appointments added directly to your Housecall Pro calendar.
Before changing phone services, check whether your current setup supports the answering option you want. You may be able to get the coverage you need without switching providers.
Read more: How AI booking and dispatch works for home service companies
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How to switch from Google Voice without losing your number
You can usually keep your Google Voice number when you switch providers by transferring it, a process called number porting. Allow a few business days, and ask your new provider how long your transfer is likely to take.
Follow these steps to transfer your Google Voice number:
- Check number eligibility. Contact your new phone provider to confirm that your current Google Voice number can be transferred. Ask about any fees or required account information.
- Request the transfer. Have your new provider initiate the number transfer and provide the requested account details. Don’t cancel Google Voice yet.
- Keep Google Voice active. Continue using your existing service until the new provider confirms the transfer is complete.
- Test calls and texts. Make test calls and send texts to verify your number works correctly on the new service.
- Cancel your old service. Once everything works, cancel any Google Voice subscription you no longer need.
Pro tip: If you expect a service interruption, let customers know how to reach you during the switch. Check that your number is listed correctly on your website and Google Business Profile.
How Housecall Pro helps you answer calls and manage jobs
A phone service helps most when a call can turn into a booked job without extra steps. With Housecall Pro, you can manage customer calls and the work they bring in from the same account.
- Manage business calls: Voice lets you make and receive calls while keeping your personal number private. Call menus, queues, and routing help customers reach the right person.
- Get help answering and booking: CSR AI can answer calls day or night and book jobs using your availability and service preferences. You can customize scripts, hours, and booking rules.
- Keep the job moving: Use scheduling and dispatching to assign work, then send estimates, invoices, and payment reminders as the job progresses.
Housecall Pro may be a good fit if you want call handling connected to your customer records and daily schedule. Check plan and add-on pricing for the tools you need.
Ready to put these tools to work? Try Housecall Pro free for 14 days.
Google Voice alternatives FAQs
Is Google Voice free for business?
Google Voice offers a free version for personal use, but its business phone plans require a paid subscription. According to Google’s official pricing, standalone Starter costs $10 per month, and Standard costs $20 per month, each for one user. Businesses can also purchase Google Workspace add-on plans, with Starter at $10, Standard at $20, and Premier at $30 per user per month. These add-on plans require a separate paid Google Workspace subscription.
Can I keep my Google Voice number if I switch?
Yes, you can generally keep your Google Voice number when switching providers through a process called number porting. First, confirm that your new provider accepts the number. On a personal Google Voice account, unlock the number in Google Voice; Google charges $3 unless you originally ported the number in. On a Google Workspace business plan, your admin gets the port-out PIN from the Admin console instead.
What’s the best Google Voice alternative for a small home service business?
The best Google Voice alternative for a small home service business depends on its size and communication needs. Line2 and Grasshopper offer basic business phone services for solo contractors, while Quo supports shared calls and texts for growing teams. Businesses needing call routing, video meetings, and team messaging should also consider RingCentral, Nextiva, and Zoom Phone.
How much does a business phone system cost for a small home service team?
Based on the starting prices in this guide, a four-person team would pay about $60 per month on Quo or Nextiva Core ($15 per user), $64 on Zoom Phone US & CA Unlimited ($16 per user), $79.80 on Ooma Essentials ($19.95 per user), and $80 on RingCentral Core ($20 per user, billed annually). Grasshopper’s Solo Plus plan costs $25 per month for unlimited users and one number, so it can cost less for a team that shares one line. These are starting rates, and annual billing may be required for the lowest price. Taxes, registration charges, add-ons, and AI answering can raise the total.
Does Google Voice work for business texting?
Yes, Google Voice supports business texting through its paid plans, allowing U.S. users to send and receive messages with customers. However, Google limits texting to interactive conversations and may block bulk messages or repeated texts sent to multiple recipients. Carriers may require business texting registration, and some phone providers charge a one-time registration fee.
Why do business phone services charge a texting registration fee?
Phone carriers now require businesses to register before they text customers from a business number, so they can confirm who is sending messages and why. Even solo owners without a business tax ID still have to complete a sole proprietor registration. Providers pass that cost on in different ways, which is why the table above lists registration and messaging fees for Quo and Grasshopper. Ask any provider what it charges and how long approval takes before you count on texting customers.
What can't Google Voice do?
Google Voice doesn’t provide the same features across every plan. For example, the Starter plan doesn’t include ring groups or automated attendants, which are available on higher-tier business plans. Google Voice also isn’t designed for bulk texting or managing field service tasks such as scheduling technicians, creating estimates, or collecting customer payments.
Is there a free alternative to Google Voice?
Free alternatives to Google Voice exist, but most business phone services require a paid subscription for features such as shared numbers, call routing, and business texting. Among the eight services in this guide, the lowest published starting prices are Line2 at $7.99 per month, Grasshopper at $14 per month, and Quo and Nextiva at $15 per user per month, all with annual billing. Some providers offer free trials, letting contractors test features before buying. For ongoing business use, compare monthly costs and included services rather than choosing a provider based on price alone.
How long does it take to move a number from Google Voice?
Your new provider will give you an estimated completion date. Plan for a few business days, and keep Google Voice active until the provider confirms the port is complete. Test incoming calls and text messages before canceling your old service.
