What is Google Voice? TrueNumber vs. Google Voice

Is your phone constantly buzzing, mixing important client calls with spam and personal texts? For over a decade, Google Voice has been the go-to answer for millions seeking a free, simple way to add a second phone line. But in 2025, with so many options available, is it still the best choice?

Many users still ask the fundamental question: what is Google Voice, really?

We’ll give you a crystal-clear understanding of what Google Voice is, its best features, its hidden costs, and its critical limitations. By the end, you’ll know if it’s the right tool for you, or if a more private, modern alternative like TrueNumber is a better fit.

Key Takeaways

What it is: A free, cloud-based virtual phone number from Google that works over the internet.

How it works: It lets you make calls, send texts, and manage voicemails from an app on your phone or computer, keeping your personal number private.

Who it’s for:

• Personal Use: Excellent for freelancers or anyone needing a free second number in the US.
• Business Use: A decent starting point for businesses already using Google Workspace, but lacks key features.

The Catch: The business version requires a paid Google Workspace subscription, and it lacks crucial integrations, team features, and the privacy offered by specialized apps like TrueNumber.

How Does Google Voice Work?

Forget traditional phone lines and SIM cards. Google Voice operates on a technology called VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol).

Think of it like this:

1. You Make a Call: You use the Google Voice app to dial a number.
2. It Becomes Data: The app instantly converts your voice into digital data packets.
3. It Travels the Internet: This data zips over your Wi-Fi or mobile data connection to Google’s massive server network.
4. Google Connects the Call: Google’s system routes the data to the recipient’s phone, where it’s converted back into audio.

The entire process is instantaneous, giving you a flexible phone number that isn’t tied to a single device. You can answer calls on your laptop, then switch to your phone seamlessly.

The Best Features of Google Voice in 2025

Google Voice packs a surprising number of powerful features, especially for a free service.

Core Features (Available on All Plans)

• Free US & Canada Calling: Make unlimited calls to any number in the United States and Canada.
• Text & Picture Messaging (SMS/MMS): Send and receive texts and photos with any US-based number.
• World-Class Voicemail Transcription: This is Google’s superpower. It automatically transcribes your voicemails into text with impressive accuracy, letting you read your messages instead of listening to them.
• Intelligent Spam Filtering: It leverages Google’s powerful AI to automatically detect and filter out most spam and robocalls before your phone even rings.
• Cross-Device Syncing: Start a conversation on your computer and continue it on your phone. Everything is synced across all your devices.
• Call Forwarding & Screening: Forward calls to multiple numbers and hear who is calling before you decide to answer.

Business-Only Features (Requires Google Workspace)

If you pay for the business version, you unlock tools designed for teams:

• Auto-Attendant (Virtual Receptionist): Create a professional menu to greet callers (“Press 1 for Sales…”).
• Ring Groups: Make a single number ring for multiple team members so no important call gets missed.
• Google Ecosystem Integration: Works seamlessly with Google Calendar (to set business hours) and Google Meet (to switch from a call to a video conference).
• Call Recording: Automatically record calls for training or quality assurance (available on the top-tier plan).

Google Voice Pricing: Free vs. The Hidden Costs

This is where many people get confused. The price you pay depends entirely on how you use it.

The Personal Plan = $0 (Completely Free)

For individuals, Google Voice is free. You get a number, all the core features, and no monthly bill. The only catch is you must have an existing US phone number to activate it.

The Business Plans = Subscription Required

To use Google Voice for your business, you can’t just buy it alone. You must also pay for a Google Workspace subscription for every user.

The Bottom Line: While the business plans seem affordable, the mandatory bundling with Google Workspace makes the true cost significantly higher than the advertised price.

How to Set Up Google Voice: A Step-by-Step Guide

Getting started with Google Voice is straightforward. The process differs slightly for personal and business accounts.

Setting Up a Personal Account

1. Go to the Google Voice Website: Navigate to voice.google.com and sign in with your Google account.
2. Choose a Google Voice Number: Search for an available number by city or area code.
3. Verify Your Existing Number: You’ll be prompted to enter a real US mobile or landline number. Google will send a verification code via text or a phone call.
4. Enter the Code: Input the six-digit code to link your number and activate your Google Voice account.
5. Configure Settings: Download the mobile app on your smartphone and explore the settings to set up voicemail greetings, call forwarding rules, and notifications.

Setting Up a Business Account

1. Sign Up for Google Workspace: If you don’t have one, you must first create a Google Workspace account for your business.
2. Navigate to the Admin Console: As an administrator, go to the “Apps” section and add the Google Voice service.
3. Assign Licenses: Purchase and assign Google Voice licenses (Starter, Standard, or Premier) to your users.
4. Assign Numbers: Assign new numbers to your users or begin the process of porting your existing business numbers.
5. Configure Business Settings: From the admin console, you can now set up your auto-attendant, create ring groups, and define business hours.

5 Limitations of Google Voice

Google Voice is a great tool, but it’s not for everyone. Its limitations can be deal-breakers for growing businesses or privacy-conscious users.

❌ It Has ZERO CRM Integrations Google Voice won’t link with business tools like Salesforce or HubSpot. This means you can’t automate tasks and have to do a lot of work manually.

❌ Business Texting is Extremely Basic You can’t use text message templates, schedule texts, or send messages to groups of customers. It’s only good for one-on-one conversations.

❌ Team Collaboration is Weak There is no shared inbox. Everyone on your team gets their own number, so you can’t work together to answer customer calls or texts.

❌ It’s Not Truly Private Your Google Voice number is tied to your personal Google account, which holds a lot of your private data. It’s not an anonymous solution.

❌ Customer Support is Limited If you have a problem with the free version, you’re on your own with only forums to help. Paid support is available, but it can be slow.

Why Should You Switch from Google Voice to TrueNumber

For many modern users, the choice isn’t between Google Voice and a traditional phone line—it’s between Google Voice and a specialized app. TrueNumber is a leading alternative designed specifically for privacy, security, and verification.

Here’s how they stack up:

The Final Analysis:

• Use Google Voice if: You’re a small business already paying for Google Workspace and need a simple, integrated phone system.
• Use TrueNumber if: Your priority is privacy. It is the superior choice for creating an anonymous second number for online dating, social media, Craigslist, or any situation where you need to protect your real identity and reliably verify app accounts.

Is Google Voice Right For You in 2025?

Google Voice remains an incredible tool and a titan in the virtual phone number space.

For freelancers and individuals in the US, its free personal plan is an unbeatable value for separating work and life. For small businesses already inside the Google ecosystem, it’s a logical and cost-effective (if limited) first step into VoIP.

However, the game has changed. If your business needs to integrate with a CRM, handle high-volume texting, or collaborate as a team, Google Voice will quickly become a bottleneck.

And if your goal is true privacy and anonymity in your digital life, the choice is clear. A dedicated service like TrueNumber offers the security, encryption, and guaranteed verification that Google Voice simply cannot provide.

Ultimately, Google Voice is an excellent utility, but it’s no longer the only, or always the best option.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is Google Voice really free?

Yes, the personal plan is free for users in the US. It includes a free number and free calls/texts to the US and Canada. The business version requires a paid Google Workspace subscription.

Can I use Google Voice for my business?

Absolutely. Google offers paid plans for businesses that include features like auto-attendants and ring groups. However, you must be a Google Workspace customer.

Does Google Voice work internationally?

Yes and no. You can make international calls from the US at competitive rates. You can also use the service over WiFi when traveling abroad to call back to the US for free. However, SMS is limited to US numbers, and full account features are not available in all countries.

Can I port my existing number to Google Voice?

Yes, you can port your mobile number to Google Voice. There is a one-time $20 fee for personal accounts.

Is Google Voice secure and private?

It’s as secure as your Google account. However, it is fundamentally linked to your Google identity. For true anonymity, a service like TrueNumber is a better choice.

Can I record calls on Google Voice?

Yes, but only for incoming calls on the personal plan, and you must press “4” to start/stop recording, which announces the action to both parties. Automatic recording is available only on the most expensive ($30/user/month) business plan.