Google Voice is the budget option for teams already committed to Google Workspace. At $10/user/month, it’s the cheapest business VoIP available—but only if you ignore the Google Workspace subscription you also need.
The limitations are real. No toll-free numbers. No CRM integrations outside Google. No automation. Understanding what Google Voice doesn’t do is as important as knowing what it does.
What is Google Voice for Business?
Google Voice is a cloud-based phone system that provides:
- Business phone numbers (local only)
- VoIP calling
- SMS texting
- Voicemail with transcription
- Call forwarding
- Spam filtering
- Integration with Google Workspace apps
The service runs entirely within Google’s ecosystem. Calls integrate with Google Calendar, contacts sync from Google Contacts, and voicemails appear in Gmail.
Important: Google Voice for Business is an add-on to Google Workspace. You cannot purchase it standalone. If you’re not already paying for Workspace ($6-18/user/month), factor that into total cost.
Pricing Breakdown
Starter Plan - $10/user/month
- Local phone numbers only
- Unlimited calling (US)
- Unlimited SMS
- Voicemail transcription
- Call forwarding
- Google Meet integration
- Spam filtering
- Mobile and web apps
- Limited to 10 users maximum
Best for: Very small teams already on Google Workspace.
Standard Plan - $20/user/month
- Everything in Starter
- Unlimited users
- Ring groups (multiple phones ring simultaneously)
- Auto-attendant (IVR menus)
- Desk phone support
- Ad-hoc call recording
- eDiscovery for calls
Best for: Growing teams needing call routing and recording.
Premier Plan - $30/user/month
- Everything in Standard
- Automatic call recording
- Advanced reporting
- BigQuery export for analytics
Best for: Organizations with compliance requirements needing automatic recording.
True Cost (Including Workspace)
Google Voice requires Google Workspace. Total monthly cost per user:
| Voice Plan | Workspace Starter | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Starter ($10) | $7.20 | $17.20/user |
| Standard ($20) | $7.20 | $27.20/user |
| Premier ($30) | $7.20 | $37.20/user |
That $10/user Voice plan actually costs $17.20/user when you include required Workspace subscription.
Already on Workspace? Then Google Voice is genuinely cheap. Not on Workspace? The math changes significantly.
Critical Limitations
No Toll-Free Numbers
Google Voice provides local numbers only. No 800, 888, or other toll-free options. If customers expect toll-free calling, Google Voice doesn’t work.
Limited to 14 Countries
Google Voice operates only in:
- United States
- Canada
- United Kingdom
- France
- Germany
- Spain
- Italy
- Netherlands
- Belgium
- Denmark
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Portugal
- Ireland
No coverage in Asia, Australia, Latin America, or most of the world.
No CRM Integration
Google Voice doesn’t connect to:
- Salesforce
- HubSpot
- Zendesk
- Pipedrive
- Any CRM outside Google ecosystem
For sales teams, this is a dealbreaker. Every call requires manual CRM logging.
No Automation
- No auto-replies
- No automated follow-up texts
- No triggered responses
- No workflow automation
Everything is manual.
10-User Limit on Starter
The cheapest plan caps at 10 users. Team of 11? You’re paying $20/user instead of $10.
Limited Porting
Number porting has restrictions:
- Can’t port between Google Workspace accounts
- Can’t port EU mobile numbers
- Can’t port numbers outside coverage area
- Can’t port consumer Gmail Voice numbers to business
Support Limitations
No live customer support. Issues require:
- Community forums
- Email ticketing
- Online documentation
No phone support. No live chat.
Strengths
Google ecosystem integration: Seamless with Gmail, Calendar, Contacts, and Meet. Voicemails in inbox. Calendar-based call routing. Contact sync.
Simple interface: Clean, minimal design. Easy to use if you know Google products.
Reliable infrastructure: Google’s global network provides consistent call quality.
Spam filtering: Google’s AI spam detection is excellent. Significantly reduces robocalls.
Voicemail transcription: Accurate transcription included on all plans.
Low entry cost: $10/user/month is cheapest business VoIP available (if already on Workspace).
Who Should Use Google Voice?
Ideal for:
- Small teams (under 10) already on Google Workspace
- Companies committed to Google ecosystem
- Businesses with simple phone needs
- Organizations without CRM requirements
- Teams wanting integrated Google experience
- Budget-conscious startups
Not ideal for:
- Sales teams needing CRM integration
- Businesses requiring toll-free numbers
- Companies with international operations beyond supported countries
- Organizations needing automation
- Teams requiring 24/7 phone support
- Anyone not already on Google Workspace
Google Voice vs Dialpad
| Feature | Google Voice | Dialpad |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $10/user/mo | $15/user/mo |
| Requires subscription | Yes (Workspace) | No |
| True starting cost | ~$17/user/mo | $15/user/mo |
| AI transcription | Basic | Advanced |
| CRM integrations | None | Salesforce, HubSpot |
| Toll-free numbers | No | Yes |
| Video conferencing | Google Meet | Built-in |
| Automation | None | Basic |
Choose Google Voice if: Already on Google Workspace and have simple needs.
Choose Dialpad if: Need CRM integration, toll-free numbers, or advanced AI.
Google Voice vs RingCentral
| Feature | Google Voice | RingCentral |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $10/user/mo | $20/user/mo |
| True cost | ~$17/user/mo | $20/user/mo |
| Video capacity | Google Meet | 100-200 |
| CRM integrations | None | Extensive |
| Toll-free numbers | No | Yes |
| International | 14 countries | 100+ countries |
| Support | Forums only | 24/7 phone |
Choose Google Voice if: Budget is primary concern and Google ecosystem is sufficient.
Choose RingCentral if: Need enterprise features, integrations, or global coverage.
The Workspace Factor
Google Voice only makes sense if you’re already committed to Google Workspace:
Already on Workspace: Google Voice is $10-30/user additional for phone capabilities. Genuine value.
Not on Workspace: You’re paying $17-37/user for phone service that lacks CRM integration, toll-free numbers, and automation. Competitors offer more at similar prices.
The Bottom Line
Google Voice is the right choice for a specific situation: small teams already on Google Workspace who need basic phone capabilities without CRM requirements.
The $10/user price is misleading without Workspace context. The limitations—no toll-free, no CRM, no automation, limited countries—are significant. For sales teams or growing businesses, these gaps create friction that costs more in productivity than saved subscription fees.
For Google-committed teams with simple needs, Voice delivers adequate phone service at minimal additional cost. For everyone else, the limitations outweigh the savings.
Evaluate your CRM and toll-free requirements before choosing. If either matters, look elsewhere.