When selecting the right phone system, both Google Voice and Zoom offer distinctive advantages, with feature sets designed to support varied business needs. In this comparison, we’ll break down the key aspects of Google Voice vs Zoom, including their features, pricing, integrations, and performance, to help you make an informed decision for your business.
Google Voice vs Zoom
| Category | Google Voice | Zoom Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Core Service | VoIP solution with basic telephony and SMS | Unified communications with voice, video, SMS, and collaboration |
| Primary Use | Voice calls, voicemail, SMS | Voice, video conferencing, messaging, and collaboration |
| Calling Features | Call transfer, call forwarding, and SMS | Call routing, auto-attendant, call queues, SMS, MMS |
| Video Capabilities | Accessible through Google Meet (separate app) | Integrated video calls within the Zoom platform |
| Messaging | SMS, integrates with Google Chat | SMS, MMS, and persistent team messaging (Zoom Chat) |
| Collaboration Tools | Integrates with Google Workspace (Calendar, Drive, etc.) | Zoom Meetings, Zoom Chat, screen sharing, and file sharing |
| Integrations | Google Workspace tools (Calendar, Gmail) | Wide range, including Salesforce, Microsoft Teams, Slack, Zendesk |
| Accessibility | Desktop, mobile, and web apps; separate app for video | Single app for voice, video, messaging on desktop, mobile, and web |
| Global Calling Options | Limited to Premier Plan, with selected international calling | Pro Global Select Plan offers extensive international calling |
| Remote Work Support | Multi-device access; ideal for Google Workspace environments | Unified access on mobile, desktop; extensive remote work features |
| User Interface | Simple and intuitive, minimalistic | Robust, feature-rich; all-in-one interface |
| Pricing (UK) | Starter: £8/mo; Standard: £14/mo; Premier: £24/mo | Metered: £8.50/mo; Unlimited: £14/mo; Pro Global Select: £17/mo |
| Video Conferencing Add-On | Free with Google Meet (standalone) | Requires Zoom Meetings licence (£11.99/mo) for video conferencing |
| Customer Support | Help centre, ticketed support for Google Workspace users | 24/7 support for Zoom Phone users |
| Performance | Reliable voice quality; Google Meet for video quality | High-quality voice and video, even on lower bandwidth |
| Target Audience | Small businesses, remote teams, Google Workspace users | Customer-facing teams, larger organisations, businesses needing video |
| Pros | Cost-effective, integrates with Google Workspace, easy to use | Comprehensive UC, global calling, strong video integration |
| Cons | Separate app for video, fewer advanced call management features | Higher cost for full UC, requires additional licences for video |
Overview of Google Voice vs Zoom
Google Voice, part of the Google Workspace suite, is a VoIP solution offering straightforward telephony services integrated with Google’s productivity tools. It appeals to businesses already embedded in Google’s ecosystem, delivering seamless collaboration through tools such as Google Meet, Drive, and Calendar.
Originally known for its video conferencing platform, Zoom has expanded to offer a unified communications platform through Zoom Phone. Zoom Phone integrates video, voice, messaging, and conferencing into one interface, providing businesses with an all-in-one solution for communication and collaboration.
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Feature comparison
Voice calling
- Google Voice: Google Voice supports voice calls, voicemail, and SMS services. Users can choose UK-specific numbers or port existing numbers, ensuring flexibility for businesses with established contacts. Voice is particularly useful for smaller teams or those who rely primarily on voice communications and want seamless integration with Google Workspace.
- Zoom: Zoom Phone supports global voice calling, SMS, and MMS within the app. It also offers intelligent call routing, auto-attendant functionality, and call queue management, making it ideal for customer-facing teams. Zoom’s strong focus on voice and video makes it a comprehensive solution for businesses needing a mix of audio and visual communication.
Video and conferencing capabilities
- Google Voice: While Google Voice itself doesn’t support video, it pairs easily with Google Meet, allowing users to schedule and join video calls. However, the two tools work as separate applications, which may require users to switch between interfaces.
- Zoom: Zoom Phone is part of the broader Zoom platform, allowing users to transition effortlessly between phone and video calls. Zoom’s video capabilities are highly robust, supporting high-quality video conferencing, screen sharing, and interactive webinars. This is an ideal choice for businesses where video meetings are as essential as voice calls.
Messaging and collaboration
- Google Voice: Google Voice supports basic SMS messaging, which integrates with Google Chat for an expanded messaging experience. However, SMS features may not cover multimedia messages (MMS), limiting communication flexibility.
- Zoom: Zoom Phone provides a more advanced messaging service, supporting SMS and MMS. It also includes Zoom Chat, a persistent team messaging tool that connects team members with chat channels, file sharing, and even task management integrations for seamless collaboration.
Integrations and compatibility
- Google Voice: Google Voice integrates natively with Google Workspace apps like Calendar and Gmail, providing cohesive workflow management for businesses using these tools. Its integration with Google’s ecosystem simplifies contact management, scheduling, and file access.
- Zoom: Zoom Phone integrates with a wide array of business software, including Salesforce, Microsoft Teams, Slack, and other productivity tools. Its versatility in integrating with different ecosystems makes Zoom ideal for businesses that rely on varied software and need flexibility.
Mobility and remote work
- Google Voice: Google Voice is accessible via desktop, mobile apps, and web browsers, making it easy for users to take calls on the go. However, without a unified app for voice and video, users may need to manage multiple apps for a full experience.
- Zoom: Zoom offers a more comprehensive remote working solution, combining voice, video, and messaging into one mobile and desktop app. This integration enables seamless remote work, allowing employees to stay connected through various communication channels without switching platforms.
Cost comparison – Google Voice vs Zoom
Google Voice pricing
Google Voice offers three business pricing plans within Google Workspace:
- Starter Plan: £8 per user/month – includes basic calling and SMS, available in select regions.
- Standard Plan: £14 per user/month – adds features like call transfer, call handling, and a multi-level auto-attendant.
- Premier Plan: £24 per user/month – includes advanced international calling options and advanced analytics, ideal for larger organisations with global connections.
Each plan requires a Google Workspace subscription, which starts at £4.60 per user/month, potentially adding to the overall cost. While Google Voice is competitively priced, businesses will find more value if they already subscribe to Google Workspace.
Zoom Phone pricing
Zoom Phone offers three pricing tiers in the UK:
- Metered Plan: £8.50 per user/month – basic phone service with a pay-as-you-go structure for outbound calls.
- Unlimited Plan: £14 per user/month – includes unlimited domestic calling and a selection of international calling options.
- Pro Global Select Plan: £17 per user/month – offers unlimited domestic and international calling, along with advanced call handling features.
Zoom Phone users may also need a Zoom Meetings licence if they wish to use Zoom’s full video conferencing features, which starts at £11.99 per user/month. For businesses seeking an all-in-one solution, these plans offer flexibility for scaling up as needed.
Pros and cons
Google Voice Pros:
- Seamless integration with Google Workspace
- User-friendly, intuitive interface
- Ideal for businesses heavily invested in Google tools
- Cost-effective for small businesses or remote teams
Google Voice Cons:
- Limited advanced calling features compared to competitors
- Video requires separate access to Google Meet
- Less suited for organisations requiring extensive customer support tools
Zoom Phone Pros:
- Unified platform for voice, video, and messaging
- Strong integration with various business tools
- Comprehensive global calling plans
- Ideal for customer-facing businesses needing video capabilities
Zoom Phone Cons:
- Higher overall cost, especially when combined with Zoom Meetings
- Some advanced features may require additional licences
Performance and customer support
Google Voice: Google Voice generally delivers reliable voice quality with minimal latency, particularly in regions with strong internet connectivity. Google offers support through its help centre, ticketed support for Workspace subscribers, and community forums. However, support may be slower compared to platforms with dedicated customer service options.
Zoom: Known for its consistent video and audio quality, Zoom provides excellent performance even under varying bandwidth conditions. It also offers 24/7 support for Zoom Phone users, making it suitable for businesses that prioritise customer service and real-time assistance.
Verdict – Which is best for your business?
Both Google Voice and Zoom Phone cater to different needs and priorities:
- Choose Google Voice if your business is already embedded in Google Workspace and needs a straightforward, cost-effective phone solution without extensive video capabilities. Google Voice is particularly suitable for small to medium-sized teams or remote setups where simplicity and ease of use are paramount.
- Choose Zoom Phone if your business relies heavily on video conferencing, requires advanced calling features, or needs a comprehensive unified communications platform. Zoom is ideal for customer-facing organisations or larger teams requiring high-quality video integration alongside voice services. It’s a versatile choice that scales well as your business grows and communication needs evolve.
Ultimately, the choice between Google Voice vs Zoom Phone depends on your specific business requirements, budget, and existing tool integrations. Both platforms offer valuable features and strong support for businesses aiming to optimise communication in today’s hybrid working environment.
FAQ – Google Voice vs Zoom Phone
Google Voice is often better for small businesses, especially if they’re already using Google Workspace. It provides basic telephony and SMS at an affordable rate. Zoom Phone, though, offers more advanced calling and video features, which may be overkill for small operations needing only straightforward communication.
Yes, both support remote teams effectively. Google Voice allows users to take calls on various devices, while Zoom Phone combines voice, video, and messaging in one app, making it convenient for teams needing seamless communication across different locations.
Zoom Phone has video integrated into its platform, allowing users to switch easily between voice and video. Google Voice requires users to use Google Meet for video, which means managing multiple apps for a combined voice and video experience.
Zoom Phone’s Pro Global Select Plan includes extensive international calling options, ideal for businesses with global clients. Google Voice’s Premier Plan also offers international calls but is somewhat limited in coverage, making Zoom a better choice for international communication.
Google Voice has more cost-effective plans for basic voice needs, especially when bundled with Google Workspace. However, Zoom Phone’s higher plans offer comprehensive features, so businesses needing advanced communications may find it worth the extra cost compared to Google Voice.
Zoom Phone integrates with numerous platforms like Salesforce, Slack, and Microsoft Teams, making it more versatile for businesses with varied software needs. Google Voice integrates natively with Google Workspace, ideal for teams already using Gmail, Calendar, and Drive.
Google Voice is simple, with a straightforward interface suited for small teams or those needing basic features. Zoom Phone has a richer feature set, which could require more learning but offers a seamless experience for businesses needing voice, video, and messaging all-in-one.
Both support SMS, but only Zoom Phone supports MMS, providing richer communication options. Google Voice’s SMS integration works well within Google Chat, though it doesn’t cover multimedia messaging, which may limit its use for businesses requiring image-based communication.
Zoom Phone excels at video, supporting high-quality conferencing, screen sharing, and webinars all within the same app. Google Voice users must switch to Google Meet for video, making it less integrated for companies relying heavily on video communication.
Zoom Phone offers 24/7 customer support for its users, ensuring real-time assistance when needed. Google Voice offers support through Google Workspace’s help centre and ticketing, which may mean slower response times compared to Zoom’s dedicated support system.