Choosing the right phone system is a significant decision for any UK business. Google Voice and Skype are two popular communication tools, offering unique features, competitive pricing, and a range of options for businesses of all sizes. This Google Voice vs Skype comparison will take you through both platforms’ features, costs, and suitability for businesses to help you make an informed choice.
Google Voice vs Skype
| Feature | Google Voice | Skype |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | A VoIP service integrated with Google Workspace, offering calling, messaging, and voicemail for businesses. | A VoIP and video conferencing tool from Microsoft, offering voice calls, video calls, messaging, and collaboration features. |
| Calling and Messaging | – Voice calls and SMS messaging within the Google ecosystem – Supports HD voice quality – Unified platform for calls and texts | – Voice calls, SMS messaging (limitations may apply), and group chats – Supports HD voice quality – Suitable for both personal and business communications |
| Video Conferencing | – Does not support video calls within Google Voice – Requires Google Meet for video conferencing | – Supports video calls with up to 100 participants – Includes screen sharing and call recording features |
| Voicemail and Transcription | – Offers voicemail with transcription in multiple languages – Transcriptions accessible via email or app | – Provides voicemail without transcription – Users can listen to voicemails within the app |
| Call Forwarding | – Supports call forwarding to multiple devices – Allows customization of call routing to ensure important calls are not missed | – Enables call forwarding to mobiles or landlines – Useful for remote employees or those frequently away from their desks |
| Integrations | – Integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace apps like Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Contacts – Limited third-party integrations | – Integrates with Microsoft Office Suite and OneDrive – Supports third-party integrations with apps like Slack and Trello – Enhances flexibility and collaboration |
| Device Compatibility | – Available on iOS, Android, and web browsers – Syncs across devices using Google account | – Available on iOS, Android, Windows, MacOS, Linux, and web browsers – Compatible with smart TVs and devices – Offers broad accessibility across different platforms |
| Security and Compliance | – Provides encryption and two-factor authentication (2FA) – GDPR compliant as part of Google Workspace – Strong focus on data security and privacy | – Offers encryption for calls and messages – Complies with GDPR – Lacks end-to-end encryption for all communications, which may be a concern for businesses with strict security requirements |
| Customer Support | – 24/7 support for Google Workspace customers via email and chat – Limited support for free-tier users | – Support through online help centre, forums, and live chat – Enhanced support options for Microsoft 365 subscribers |
| Pricing – Plans and Costs | – Starter Plan: £8 per user/month – Standard Plan: £15 per user/month – Premier Plan: £23 per user/month – Unlimited calling within UK and US included in plans | – Pay-as-you-go: Rates starting around 2.4p per minute for UK calls – Subscription Plans: – £2.40/month for 100 minutes (UK calls) – Unlimited Europe/World plans from £10/month |
| International Calling | – Unlimited calls to the US included – Competitive international rates apply for other countries – International calling not included in base price | – International calling available via pay-as-you-go or subscription plans – Unlimited World Plan covers 63 countries for a flat monthly fee – Cost-effective for frequent international communication |
| Pros | – Seamless integration with Google Workspace – High-quality voice calls and voicemail transcription – Scalable plans for businesses of various sizes – User-friendly interface | – Versatile communication options (voice, video, messaging) – Cost-effective pay-as-you-go and subscription plans – Integrations with Microsoft and third-party apps – Wide device compatibility |
| Cons | – Limited to Google Workspace users for business plans – Does not include video calling within Google Voice – Fewer third-party integrations compared to Skype | – Voicemail lacks transcription feature – May not meet strict security needs for all businesses – Skype for Business merged into Microsoft Teams, which may cause confusion for some users |
Overview of Google Voice vs Skype
Google Voice is a VoIP service from Google that offers call management, messaging, and voicemail features within the Google ecosystem. Initially aimed at personal use, it has expanded to include business solutions through Google Workspace, making it a suitable choice for small to medium-sized enterprises.
Skype, one of the pioneers in internet-based calling, is a Microsoft product that provides VoIP calls, video conferencing, messaging, and collaboration features. While Skype is widely recognised for personal use, Skype for Business (integrated into Microsoft Teams) caters to the needs of businesses, although the standalone Skype service is still available and used by many organisations.
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Features comparison
Calling and messaging
- Google Voice: Offers seamless calling and messaging capabilities with support for SMS, voicemail transcription, and integration with Google Workspace. It enables businesses to make and receive calls directly from their Google account, manage messages, and check voicemails within a unified platform. Google Voice also provides a user-friendly interface and supports HD voice quality.
- Skype: Skype offers VoIP calls, messaging, and video calling, making it versatile for communication needs. Unlike Google Voice, Skype includes screen sharing and group video calls (for up to 100 participants), which can be advantageous for businesses with collaborative work needs. Skype allows UK businesses to call landlines and mobile phones globally, though at a cost per minute or with subscription plans.
Integrations and compatibility
- Google Voice: Deeply integrated with Google Workspace, Google Voice is ideal for companies already using Google’s ecosystem, as it connects with Google Calendar, Gmail, and Google Contacts. However, it lacks extensive third-party integrations compared to Skype. Google Voice is available on mobile devices (iOS and Android) and desktops, ensuring connectivity across platforms.
- Skype: Integrates well with Microsoft Office Suite, OneDrive, and other Microsoft services, making it appealing for companies within the Microsoft ecosystem. Unlike Google Voice, Skype offers some integrations with third-party tools such as Slack and Trello, enhancing its flexibility. Skype is compatible with various devices, including desktops, mobiles, and even certain smart TVs.
Voicemail and call forwarding
- Google Voice: Provides voicemail transcription (available in multiple languages) and supports custom voicemail greetings, making it suitable for professional business use. It also includes a call forwarding feature, enabling businesses to direct calls to multiple devices, ensuring important calls are not missed.
- Skype: Offers voicemail, though without the transcription feature found in Google Voice. It does provide robust call forwarding options and lets users forward calls to mobile or landline numbers, which can be useful for businesses where employees may work remotely or across different locations.
Security and compliance
- Google Voice: Ensures strong security with encryption and two-factor authentication (2FA), as it is part of the Google Workspace. The service is GDPR compliant, making it suitable for UK businesses concerned about data security and privacy regulations.
- Skype: Skype provides encryption for voice calls and messages but does not offer end-to-end encryption for all communication forms, which may be a consideration for businesses with stringent security needs. Microsoft does have strong data security measures in place, and Skype complies with GDPR.
Customer support
- Google Voice: Google provides 24/7 support for Google Workspace customers, but support for Voice alone may be more limited for free-tier users. Google’s support is typically available through email and chat for premium customers.
- Skype: Skype offers support through an online help centre, forums, and live chat. However, Skype’s support for free-tier users can be slower, while businesses using Skype as part of Microsoft Teams or Office 365 benefit from more comprehensive support options.
Pricing comparison – Google Voice vs Skype
Google Voice pricing
Google Voice pricing is divided into three tiers for business users as part of Google Workspace:
- Starter Plan – £8 per user/month: Suitable for small teams, including basic features such as call forwarding, voicemail transcription, and call management.
- Standard Plan – £15 per user/month: Adds features like auto-attendant and desk phone support, ideal for businesses with a larger workforce.
- Premier Plan – £23 per user/month: Includes advanced reporting, supports more locations, and is better suited for larger organisations with complex needs.
Google Voice does not offer a pay-as-you-go option, meaning businesses must commit to a monthly fee, although it covers unlimited calling within the UK and US.
Skype pricing
Skype offers two main options for UK businesses:
- Pay-as-you-go: Businesses can pay per minute for calls to mobiles and landlines, with rates starting around 2.4p per minute for UK calls.
- Subscription Plans:
- UK-based plans start at £2.40 per month for 100 minutes of calls to UK mobiles and landlines.
- Unlimited Europe and Unlimited World plans are also available, starting at around £10 per month, making them cost-effective for businesses with international calling needs.
Skype’s pricing model may appeal to businesses with sporadic calling needs, given the pay-as-you-go flexibility, while subscription options are more economical for high-volume callers.
Pros and cons
Google Voice
Pros:
- Seamless integration with Google Workspace
- High-quality voice and voicemail transcription
- Scalable plans suitable for small to large businesses
- Simple user interface
Cons:
- Limited third-party integrations
- Lacks advanced collaborative features (e.g., video calls with large participant numbers)
- Restricted to Google Workspace users for business plans
Skype
Pros:
- Versatile communication options (voice, video, messaging)
- Cost-effective pay-as-you-go and subscription plans
- Integrates with Microsoft Office and some third-party apps
- Flexible device compatibility, including smart TVs
Cons:
- Limited advanced business features compared to Google Voice
- Voicemail lacks transcription
- May not meet strict security needs for all businesses
Suitability for businesses
- Google Voice: Best for small to medium-sized businesses within the Google Workspace ecosystem seeking a reliable, straightforward VoIP system with call management and basic voicemail capabilities. It’s also ideal for businesses prioritising call quality and scalability over extensive third-party integrations.
- Skype: Suitable for businesses needing flexible communication options, including video conferencing and international calling. It is an excellent choice for smaller businesses or those in the Microsoft ecosystem. However, larger companies or those requiring high-end features might prefer alternatives like Microsoft Teams.
Final verdict – Google Voice vs Skype
When deciding between Google Voice vs Skype, businesses should consider their existing digital ecosystem, communication needs, and budget:
- Choose Google Voice if your business operates within Google Workspace and requires a robust, straightforward phone system with strong call management, voicemail transcription, and scalability.
- Choose Skype if your business values versatile communication options (especially video calls), needs pay-as-you-go pricing flexibility, or operates within the Microsoft ecosystem. Skype’s global calling plans are also beneficial for companies frequently contacting international clients.
Both platforms have distinct advantages and limitations, making your business’s unique needs the key factor in deciding the right business phone system.
FAQ – Google Voice vs Skype comparison
Yes, Google Voice offers calling and messaging through Google Workspace, making it a good fit for small to medium UK businesses. However, its integration is limited to Google apps, so companies not using Google Workspace might find it less convenient than Skype.
No, Skype provides voicemail but lacks a transcription feature. Google Voice offers voicemail transcription in multiple languages, which can be convenient for businesses that need quick text access to voicemail content.
Both Google Voice and Skype offer high-definition call quality. Google Voice benefits from its direct Google infrastructure integration, while Skype’s quality is reliable, especially in environments with strong internet connectivity.
No, Google Voice does not support video calling. To use video conferencing within Google, businesses can access Google Meet. Skype, on the other hand, includes video calling with up to 100 participants, making it a better choice for collaborative meetings.
Skype integrates natively with Microsoft Office Suite, OneDrive, and Teams. Google Voice integrates only with Google Workspace, so businesses using Microsoft tools will find Skype offers smoother compatibility and broader integration options.
Skype generally offers cheaper international rates and flexible subscription plans, such as Unlimited World. Google Voice offers affordable rates but primarily includes unlimited calling to the US, which may limit its cost-effectiveness for international business calls.
Yes, Skype provides call forwarding to mobiles or landlines, similar to Google Voice. This feature is helpful for remote or on-the-go employees, ensuring they don’t miss calls even when away from their primary device.
Both Google Voice and Skype have solid security measures, including GDPR compliance. Google Voice benefits from Google Workspace’s advanced security, including two-factor authentication, while Skype encrypts messages and calls but lacks end-to-end encryption across all features.
Google Voice offers straightforward, fixed monthly plans starting at £8. Skype is often cheaper for occasional callers due to its pay-as-you-go model but offers competitive subscription options for high-volume users. Skype’s flexibility may benefit businesses needing varied calling frequency.
Skype is generally better for collaboration, with built-in video calling, screen sharing, and integrations with tools like Microsoft Teams. Google Voice focuses on voice calls and basic messaging within the Google ecosystem, while Skype offers a broader range of collaboration features.