Comparing Google Voice vs Skype

Google Voice and Skype are two of the most popular voice chat services in use today. They both offer free services that allow you to call a friend or family member from a computer, tablet, or mobile phone. Each has paid upgrade options that provide additional features and higher quality calls as well.

If you’re debating between Skype vs Google Voice, it’s likely because they are two of the most well-known VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) services on the market. And, with so many features available, it may be hard to narrow your decision down to one service or the other.

Below, we’ll outline some of the key reasons users choose them both in an effort to give you a helpful guide for choosing which one is better suited for your needs.

Google Voice Overview

Google Voice is a free downloadable app from Google that allows you to make and receive both domestic and international calls from your computer, tablet, or mobile phone. In the U.S., Google Voice provides cheap rates for calling landlines and cell phones. It also offers low-cost international rates.

One unique feature of Google Voice is Voicemail Transcription. If you miss a call or are unavailable to answer, Google Voice automatically transcribes your voicemail messages and sends them as an email text message to your Gmail account. You can then read the transcript of your voicemails via email or text on your computer or mobile phone.

For non-business members, you can have a free number as long as you have a Gmail account. Business users are recommended to get a Google Workspace account (formerly G-Suite), and these accounts begin at $6 per user, per month.

Google Voice Key Features

Google Voice offers many features to members based on which plan they choose. The Free Plan (intended for non-business users) has the following features:

• Free domestic calls to landlines and cell phones within the U.S.
• Low-cost international rates from the U.S., Asia, Europe, South America, Australia, and New Zealand
• Voicemail Transcription (to text)
• Send text messages via computer or mobile phone (standard SMS fee may apply)

Paid Plans have the following features:

• 10 to unlimited users depending on the plan
• Free calling to the U.S. from any country
• Unlimited U.S. text messaging
• Google Fi Compatible
• Android and IOS App
• 24/7 Support
• Multi-level auto attendant (available on standard and premier plans)
• Call-forwarding
• Desk phone support (available on standard and premier plans)
• Ring Groups (available on standard and premier plans)

Pricing

Google Voice offers three different pricing plans, which give users the freedom to choose a plan that suits their needs. The free plan gives users a lot of features that are great for someone just looking to use it for personal use.

1. Starter Plan - $10 per user
2. Standard Plan - $20 per user
3. Premier Plan - $30 per user

Ease of Use

Signing up for a Google Voice account is very straightforward. You can sign up on the Google Voice website and click create a new account.

Google Voice also has an app that makes calling and texting even easier. You can download the app on Android or IOS phones and use it wherever you go!

Who is Google Voice For?

Google Voice is perfect for people who like to stay organized and always on top of things. Because Google voice sends you a text version of your voicemail, you never have to worry about missing important calls again! Google voice is perfect for independent business owners or for personal use.

Skype Overview

Skype is a free VoIP program that allows people to make phone calls using voice-over internet protocol technology. Its primary function enables users to make free or cheap international calls from their computer, tablet, or mobile phone.

However, if you also have a Skype phone number connected to your account, you can use it as an alternative phone line. You can choose to have calls ring through your preferred device or another one that suits your needs at the time.

For example, you can choose to have all calls forwarded through your smartphone while at home, but when you leave the house, the calls will instead ring through your office phone.

Skype previously offered a paid business service, but as of July 2021 Skype for Business was retired because of Microsoft’s plans to transfer all of these paid accounts to Microsoft Teams. However, a paid version of Skype for personal use is still available.

Skype Key Features

Premium personal use features include:

• Call phones at low rates
• Get a local number
• SMS messaging from Skype
• Send files
• Skype translator
• Conversation Search
• Share button
• Integrates with Outlook

Pricing Plans

While the Skype software is free to use, if you choose to take advantage of the paid features mentioned above pricing begins at $3.59 per month for mobile devices and landlines with unlimited minutes to Guam, Puerto Rico, and anywhere within the United States. Calls around the world start at 2.8 cents per minute, and require the purchase of Skype credits beginning at $5 for 165 minutes.

Ease of Use

Using Skype is simple since it doesn't require any additional hardware or external equipment. You just need a computer, a cell phone/a tablet with the Skype program installed, and an internet connection.

Skype is very straightforward and has an intuitive user interface. All of the buttons and menus are clearly labeled, allowing you to have a relatively seamless experience using the program.

Who is Skype For?

Skype is for anyone who wants to save money on international phone calls and/or needs a one-number solution for personal use. It can be a great meeting place to interact with multiple users at once, as well as a way for you to stay in touch with your contacts.

For quick reference, here’s a comparison table that may help you decide between Google Voice and Skype:

	Google Voice	Skype
Price	Starts at $10/user/month	Starts at $3.59/user/month
Mobile App	Yes	Yes
Voicemail	Yes	Yes
Voicemail Transcription	Yes	No
Unlimited U.S. Calls and Texts	Yes	Yes
Video Conferencing	Yes - Integrates with Google Meet	Yes
Customer Support 24/7	Yes	Yes
Call Recording	No	Yes
Mobile phone numbers for team members	No, but can forward calls to personal mobile number	No, but can forward calls to personal mobile number or a landline

Why Ring4 is a Better Alternative

When it comes down to choosing between Ring4, Skype, and Google Voice, the choice comes down to your business needs. While Google Voice and Skype offer great features for personal use and perhaps even independent contractors, the costs can add up when attempting to use either software for business use.

For Google Voice for business, you will need a Google Workspace account. And again, with Skype for Business no longer being available to new users, you’ll need to upgrade to Microsoft Teams and purchase a Microsoft 365 Business Voice account to get a phone number.

Ring4 on the other hand gives you many if not all of the same features of Google Voice and Skype combined for one low flat rate. No extra subscriptions or complicated rules either. Ring4 allows you to stay in touch with everyone on your team with their Admin Console feature. If you have people working remotely, Ring4 makes it easy to keep in touch with them all at once as well. This can be an excellent tool for ensuring that your business is running smoothly day to day.

Ring4 is also great if you have remote customer support or a call center that requires a robust system that is not currently available with other VoIP service providers. Learn more about what Ring4 can do for your business, and sign up for a free account today.

FAQ's

1. Which is better, Google Voice or Skype?

If you are looking at the price primarily, Skype is more affordable at just $3.59 per user per month, whereas Google Voice is priced at $10 per user per month. Google Voice is perfect for people who like to stay organized and always on top of things, whereas Skype is for anyone who wants to save money on international phone calls and/or needs a one-number solution for personal use.

When it comes down to choosing between Skype, and Google Voice, or something else, it depends on your business needs. While Google Voice and Skype offer great features for personal use, the costs can add up when attempting to use either software for business use. Ring4 on the other hand gives you many if not all of the same features of Google Voice and Skype combined for one low flat rate, as low as $8 per number per month, when billed annually.