Selecting a new phone system is a major decision for any business, impacting everything from internal communication to customer service. With Google Voice and RingCentral among the top VoIP options on the market, businesses must weigh each platform’s features, pricing, and scalability to make the right choice. This comprehensive comparison will break down the pros and cons, features, and costs of Google Voice vs RingCentral to help businesses determine which solution best aligns with their needs.
Google Voice vs RingCentral
| Category | Google Voice | RingCentral |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Focus | Basic VoIP service with Google Workspace integration; ideal for small businesses and startups | Comprehensive VoIP and UCaaS solution; suitable for small to enterprise-level businesses |
| Target Users | Small businesses, startups, Google Workspace users | Small to large businesses, especially those needing advanced communication capabilities |
| Call Management | Basic (call forwarding, voicemail, caller ID) | Advanced (multi-level IVR, call queues, call routing, call analytics) |
| Messaging | SMS messaging within the US only | SMS, team messaging, group chat globally |
| Video Conferencing | Not included (requires Google Meet for video calls) | Integrated HD video conferencing with up to 200 participants (varies by plan) |
| Voicemail Transcription | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile App | Available (basic functionality) | Available (includes robust mobile features and settings) |
| Desktop App | No dedicated desktop app | Available for Windows and Mac |
| Integrations | Google Workspace | Extensive integrations (Microsoft Teams, Salesforce, Slack, Google Workspace, and more) |
| File Sharing | Limited (dependent on Google Workspace) | Integrated with messaging and video conferencing tools |
| Analytics and Reporting | Basic call metrics | Advanced analytics, live reporting, and custom dashboards |
| Customisation Options | Limited to basic call settings | Extensive customisation (call flows, IVR, auto-attendant settings) |
| Scalability | Suited for small teams with limited growth | Highly scalable for medium to large businesses |
| Setup and Usability | Simple setup, especially for Google Workspace users | Setup is straightforward, but may require onboarding for advanced features |
| Security Features | Basic security (depends on Google Workspace security) | Advanced (end-to-end encryption, SSO, multi-factor authentication, HIPAA compliance) |
| Customer Support | Online documentation and community support; limited direct support | 24/7 support with phone, chat, and email options |
| Network Reliability | Dependent on Google Cloud’s infrastructure | High reliability, with 99.999% uptime guarantee for premium plans |
| Price (Entry-level) | £8 per user/month | £10 per user/month (Essentials plan) |
| Price (Mid-tier) | £16 per user/month | £20 per user/month (Standard plan) |
| Price (High-tier/Enterprise) | Custom pricing available | £25 per user/month (Premium plan) |
| Pros | Affordable, easy integration with Google Workspace, straightforward interface | Feature-rich, extensive integrations, scalable, strong customer support |
| Cons | Limited features for international users, no built-in video conferencing, basic customisation | Higher cost, may be complex for very small businesses with limited needs |
| Ideal For | Small teams, startups, budget-conscious users with basic needs | Growing businesses, remote teams, customer service departments needing advanced features |
Overview of Google Voice vs RingCentral
Google Voice is a streamlined VoIP system integrated with the Google Workspace suite, making it an attractive choice for businesses already using Google’s tools. It offers basic call management features and is straightforward to use, making it well-suited for small to medium businesses looking for an easy, budget-friendly option.
RingCentral, on the other hand, is a robust, enterprise-level communications platform that supports a broad range of features. Its extensive capabilities include advanced call handling, messaging, video conferencing, and third-party app integrations, making it ideal for growing businesses or those requiring more advanced functionality.
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Key features comparison
Both platforms offer a core set of VoIP features, but they vary significantly in scope and functionality.
| Feature | Google Voice | RingCentral |
|---|---|---|
| Call Management | Basic call handling (voicemail, call forwarding) | Advanced call routing, queuing, and IVR |
| Messaging | Integrated SMS in the US only | SMS, team messaging, and group chat globally |
| Video Conferencing | Not included | Built-in HD video conferencing |
| Integrations | Limited to Google Workspace | Integrates with Google Workspace, Microsoft Teams, Salesforce, and more |
| Mobile App | Available | Available with enhanced mobile features |
| Customisation | Limited | Extensive call flow and IVR customisation options |
| Analytics | Basic reporting | Advanced analytics and reporting |
| Scalability | Suitable for smaller teams | Highly scalable for medium to large enterprises |
Call management and routing
- Google Voice offers basic call management, including call forwarding, call screening, and voicemail. It’s simple to set up but lacks advanced features like call routing or queuing, which may limit its effectiveness for businesses handling high call volumes.
- RingCentral provides an advanced set of call handling features, including multi-level IVR, call queues, and custom call routing. Businesses can create complex workflows to manage calls efficiently, making it a better fit for customer service-driven organisations or larger teams.
Messaging and collaboration
- Google Voice includes SMS messaging for US numbers, but messaging features are limited for international users, making it a better fit for businesses primarily operating within the US.
- RingCentral offers robust messaging options, including SMS, team messaging, and group chat. This provides a centralised space for team collaboration, which can be particularly beneficial for businesses with distributed teams.
Video conferencing
- Google Voice does not include video conferencing capabilities, but businesses using Google Workspace can access Google Meet separately.
- RingCentral comes with integrated video conferencing, supporting HD video for up to 200 participants depending on the plan. This added feature may be essential for businesses looking to consolidate video and phone communications in a single platform.
Integrations and app ecosystem
- Google Voice integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace but has limited compatibility with other software.
- RingCentral offers a much broader range of integrations, including Salesforce, Slack, Microsoft Teams, and various CRM tools. This can be a deciding factor for businesses that need a system capable of syncing with existing apps.
Cost comparison – Google Voice vs RingCentral
Pricing is an important factor in any business decision. Google Voice is generally more affordable, while RingCentral provides more features at a higher price point.
| Plan | Google Voice | RingCentral |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level | £8 per user per month | £10 per user per month (Essentials) |
| Mid-tier | £16 per user per month | £20 per user per month (Standard) |
| Enterprise | Custom pricing (based on needs) | £25 per user per month (Premium) |
- Google Voice plans start at £8 per user per month for the Starter plan, which includes basic call management and voicemail. The £16 per month Standard plan adds additional features like multi-level auto-attendant. However, it lacks certain high-level capabilities that may be essential for larger organisations.
- RingCentral offers several tiers, starting at £10 per user per month with its Essentials plan, which includes unlimited calling, SMS, and integrations with platforms like Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. The Premium plan, priced at £25 per user per month, is ideal for businesses needing CRM integration, analytics, and advanced call management.
While Google Voice is the more budget-friendly choice, RingCentral’s additional features and flexibility can justify the higher price point for businesses with more complex requirements.
Customer support and reliability
Both platforms provide customer support, but RingCentral has a slight edge in terms of service level and response times.
- Google Voice relies heavily on online documentation and community forums. While Google Workspace users can access support, direct assistance for Google Voice-specific issues may be limited.
- RingCentral offers 24/7 customer support with phone, chat, and email options. Their customer service is generally rated highly, which can be invaluable for businesses that rely on fast, reliable support for communication issues.
Pros and cons
Google Voice
Pros:
- Cost-effective for small businesses and startups
- Easy integration with Google Workspace
- Simple interface for easy setup and use
Cons:
- Limited features, particularly for international users
- No built-in video conferencing
- Lacks advanced call handling and analytics
RingCentral
Pros:
- Extensive feature set, including video conferencing and team messaging
- Wide range of integrations with business software
- Strong customer support and scalability
Cons:
- Higher cost per user
- May be too complex for small teams with basic needs
Final verdict – Which platform is right for your business?
- Choose Google Voice if: Your business is already using Google Workspace, operates primarily within the US, and needs an affordable, straightforward phone system for a smaller team. Google Voice’s basic functionality and low price point make it an excellent choice for startups or small businesses prioritising cost savings.
- Choose RingCentral if: Your business requires advanced call management features, integrates with multiple business applications, or values robust customer support. For larger companies, customer service departments, or businesses with remote teams, RingCentral’s features, scalability, and reliability offer more value in the long run.
Conclusion – Google Voice vs RingCentral
For UK businesses, the decision between Google Voice vs RingCentral depends largely on the complexity of your communication needs and budget.
Google Voice is well-suited to smaller businesses with basic needs, while RingCentral provides a comprehensive, feature-rich solution that can scale as your business grows.
FAQ – Google Voice vs RingCentral comparison
Google Voice is ideal for small teams, especially those already using Google Workspace. It offers essential VoIP features at an affordable price. RingCentral is more feature-rich but may feel overwhelming for small teams with simple needs due to its extensive customisation options and higher pricing.
Yes, RingCentral includes integrated HD video conferencing with all plans, supporting up to 200 participants on higher tiers. Google Voice does not include video but can work alongside Google Meet if your business already uses Google Workspace.
Google Voice provides basic call handling suitable for smaller teams but lacks advanced call routing and queuing features. RingCentral, with multi-level IVR and call queues, is better suited for managing high call volumes, making it ideal for customer service teams or larger operations.
Google Voice is more affordable, with plans starting at £8 per user per month, ideal for budget-conscious businesses. RingCentral starts at £10 per user but includes additional features like team messaging, video conferencing, and integrations, which may justify the cost for larger teams.
Both offer customer support, but RingCentral provides 24/7 phone, chat, and email support. Google Voice relies more on Google Workspace support, community forums, and online documentation, which may be limiting if dedicated customer service is a priority for your business.
Yes, Google Voice is easy to set up, especially for Google Workspace users. It integrates seamlessly with Workspace apps and requires minimal configuration. RingCentral, while straightforward, may require more time for setup and onboarding if using advanced call handling or integrations.
RingCentral provides advanced security, including end-to-end encryption, SSO, and multi-factor authentication. Google Voice’s security depends heavily on Google Workspace settings, offering basic protections but not as many options as RingCentral, especially for industries with strict data security needs.
Yes, RingCentral integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace, as well as other popular tools like Microsoft Teams, Salesforce, and Slack. Google Voice integrates primarily with Google Workspace, which limits its compatibility with other third-party software applications.
RingCentral offers advanced analytics with custom dashboards and live reporting, ideal for businesses needing detailed call and team performance data. Google Voice provides basic call metrics, which may be sufficient for small teams but lacks the depth offered by RingCentral’s analytics.
Yes, RingCentral is suitable for international businesses, offering global SMS and extensive country coverage. Google Voice, however, has limited international features and is best suited for US-based businesses, particularly regarding SMS capabilities and customer support.