Google Voice vs Microsoft Teams – Full comparison to help you decide

Choosing the right phone system is critical for businesses aiming to maintain seamless communication. Google Voice and Microsoft Teams are two popular choices for organisations of all sizes, offering different benefits, features, and pricing models. In this Google Voice vs Microsoft Teams comparison, we will dive into what each solution has to offer, their costs, key features, integrations, and which might be the best fit for your business needs.

Google Voice vs Microsoft Teams

Category	Google Voice	Microsoft Teams
Overview	VoIP solution focused on straightforward telephony.	Comprehensive communication and collaboration platform.
Ideal for	Small to medium-sized businesses needing basic telephony.	Medium to large businesses needing a unified collaboration suite.
Calling features	Local & international calls, call forwarding, voicemail transcription, basic call management.	Extensive calling features: auto attendants, call queues, call recording, call analytics.
Collaboration tools	Limited; integrates with Google Meet and Google Chat.	Extensive; includes chat, video conferencing, file sharing, task management.
Ecosystem	Best suited for businesses using Google Workspace.	Ideal for Microsoft 365 users; integrates with the full Microsoft ecosystem.
Integrations	Limited third-party integrations.	Broad third-party integrations via Microsoft AppSource.
Pricing (approximate)	– Starter: £8/user/month – Standard: £16/user/month – Premier: £24/user/month	– 365 Business Basic: £4.50/user/month – 365 Business Standard: £9.40/user/month (phone system add-ons required) – 365 E3 + Phone Standard: £28.10/user/month
Add-on costs for calling	N/A	Teams Phone Standard (£6/user/month) or Teams Phone with Calling Plan (£12/user/month) for external calling.
Setup and ease of use	Simple, minimal setup needed.	More complex setup, may require IT support.
Scalability	Scalable within Google Workspace ecosystem.	Highly scalable with enterprise-grade features for large organisations.
Security	Standard encryption, GDPR compliance.	Advanced security features including multi-factor authentication, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO compliance.
Support	Primarily self-service support.	Robust support options, extensive knowledge base, enterprise support plans available.
Voicemail transcription	Included.	Included with Teams Phone add-on.
Analytics and reporting	Limited analytics in higher-tier plans.	Comprehensive call analytics and reporting features.
Customisability	Minimal customisability; straightforward setup for telephony.	Highly customisable with extensive configuration options.
GDPR compliance	Yes.	Yes, with additional compliance certifications.
Offline capabilities	Limited offline features.	Robust offline access for documents and messages (limited for calls).
Primary advantages	Affordable, easy to set up, seamless with Google Workspace.	All-in-one collaboration and telephony, extensive security, and advanced call management.
Limitations	Limited to basic telephony features; fewer integrations.	Higher cost; complex for smaller businesses without IT support.
Recommended for	Smaller teams needing basic, cost-effective telephony.	Organisations needing a fully integrated collaboration and telephony system.

Overview of Google Voice vs Microsoft Teams

Google Voice is a VoIP service that provides a straightforward approach to business telephony, ideal for small to medium-sized businesses looking for an intuitive, cloud-based phone solution. Google Voice integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace, making it particularly appealing for businesses already invested in Google’s ecosystem.

Microsoft Teams is a collaboration platform that integrates messaging, video conferencing, and VoIP calls. As part of the Microsoft 365 suite, Teams is often chosen by organisations that require a robust tool to support not only telephony but also team collaboration and productivity. It’s especially popular in larger companies and those using other Microsoft services.

Features comparison

Calling features

Google Voice offers the basics in VoIP calling, with local and international calls, call forwarding, voicemail transcription, and personalised greetings. Users can make calls from various devices, including desktops, tablets, and mobiles, which allows flexibility for remote or hybrid teams. Google Voice also offers a simple interface, focusing on ease of use, but lacks some advanced features that may be critical for larger organisations.

Microsoft Teams provides comprehensive calling capabilities, with options to set up auto attendants, call queues, call forwarding, and ring groups. The platform supports internal and external calling with call recording, call transfer, and caller ID masking. Additionally, Teams’ call analytics and reporting can provide businesses with insights into usage and call quality, making it highly suitable for organisations that require a more robust calling infrastructure.

Integrations and ecosystem compatibility

Google Voice is fully integrated with Google Workspace, making it the natural choice for businesses already relying on Google’s suite for email, calendar, and document sharing. While Google Voice does offer integration with a handful of third-party applications, its ecosystem is narrower than Microsoft’s. However, it’s easy to set up, and for businesses not needing extensive customisation, it works effectively.

Microsoft Teams, on the other hand, boasts an extensive range of integrations, particularly within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. Teams works seamlessly with tools like Outlook, OneDrive, and SharePoint. Additionally, its integration with hundreds of third-party applications through the Microsoft AppSource store enables Teams to support CRM, project management, and other productivity applications. This makes Teams an attractive choice for companies looking to consolidate their communication and collaboration tools into one central hub.

Collaboration and productivity tools

Google Voice focuses more on telephony than collaboration, so while it integrates with Google Meet and Google Chat, it lacks the deep collaboration features found in Teams. It works well for simple setups but doesn’t have the same productivity tools built-in.

Microsoft Teams is fundamentally a collaboration platform, with its calling functions built atop its chat and video conferencing capabilities. It supports file sharing, screen sharing, meeting scheduling, and whiteboarding, and integrates fully with Microsoft 365’s productivity suite. Teams also offers advanced collaboration features like task assignment and file co-authoring, making it suitable for businesses that need more than just a phone system.

Pricing comparison – Google Voice vs Microsoft Teams

Google Voice pricing

• Starter Plan (£8 per user/month): Designed for small teams, with essential calling features and support for 10 users.
• Standard Plan (£16 per user/month): Adds call routing, desk phone support, and eDiscovery for up to 100 users.
• Premier Plan (£24 per user/month): Unlimited users and advanced reporting and analytics, making it better suited for larger organisations with more complex requirements.

Google Voice’s pricing is attractive for smaller businesses looking for cost-effective communication. However, if your organisation needs advanced collaboration features, Google Voice alone may not cover your needs.

Microsoft Teams pricing

Microsoft Teams requires Microsoft 365 licensing, with various packages:

• Microsoft 365 Business Basic (£4.50 per user/month): Includes Teams, OneDrive, and web versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. This package doesn’t include the phone system but supports internal Teams-to-Teams calling.
• Microsoft 365 Business Standard (£9.40 per user/month): Adds desktop versions of Office applications. The calling feature can be added with the Teams Phone Standard add-on.
• Microsoft 365 E3 with Teams Phone Standard (£28.10 per user/month): This enterprise-grade package includes the full range of Office applications, advanced security features, and the Teams phone system.

To enable external calling, you’ll need either the Teams Phone Standard (£6 per user/month) or Teams Phone with Calling Plan (£12 per user/month) add-ons. This cost structure can add up, but for businesses needing a fully integrated productivity and communication suite, it can be worth the investment.

Pros and cons

Google Voice pros and cons

Pros:

• Simple, intuitive interface suitable for small businesses.
• Cost-effective pricing for straightforward calling needs.
• Seamless integration with Google Workspace.

Cons:

• Limited advanced telephony features compared to Teams.
• Fewer integrations and collaboration tools.
• Not ideal for larger businesses needing extensive call management and reporting.

Microsoft Teams pros and cons

Pros:

• Comprehensive collaboration and communication platform.
• Deep integration with Microsoft 365 and extensive third-party integrations.
• Advanced call management and reporting features.

Cons:

• Higher costs, particularly with calling add-ons.
• Can be complex to set up, especially for small businesses with minimal IT support.
• Requires a Microsoft 365 licence, which may not suit businesses already invested in other ecosystems.

Scalability and support

Google Voice is well-suited to small and medium businesses with basic calling requirements and is very scalable within Google Workspace’s ecosystem. Support is available through Google, but it’s primarily a self-service model, which could present challenges for larger businesses or those requiring more dedicated support.

Microsoft Teams is designed with scalability in mind, suitable for both SMBs and enterprises. Teams offers robust support options through Microsoft’s various support channels and a rich knowledge base. Large organisations benefit from Microsoft’s extensive enterprise support plans, making it ideal for companies with dedicated IT teams.

Security and compliance

Google Voice provides standard security protocols, including encryption and compliance with GDPR requirements. However, its compliance options are less extensive than Microsoft’s.

Microsoft Teams is known for its comprehensive security and compliance features, including data encryption, multi-factor authentication, and compliance with various industry standards like GDPR, HIPAA, and ISO. It’s a more secure option for businesses in highly regulated industries.

Which is right for your business?

The decision between Google Voice vs Microsoft Teams will depend on the specific needs and priorities of your business:

• Google Voice is ideal for smaller businesses or teams within larger organisations that only need basic telephony features and already use Google Workspace. It’s straightforward, cost-effective, and easy to set up but lacks the comprehensive collaboration and call management features of Teams.
• Microsoft Teams is the better choice for businesses seeking an all-in-one solution that combines collaboration, productivity, and telephony. It offers advanced call management, extensive integration options, and an ecosystem built to support organisations of all sizes, making it a worthwhile investment for businesses using or considering Microsoft 365.

Conclusion – Microsoft Teams vs Google Voice

In the Google Voice vs Microsoft Teams debate, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.

Google Voice is a great solution for businesses looking for simplicity and affordability, while Microsoft Teams caters to organisations that need a robust, integrated communication and collaboration platform.

By evaluating your business’s size, current software ecosystem, and budget, you can make an informed choice that supports your communication needs effectively.

FAQ – Google Voice vs Microsoft Teams comparison