Can I use Google Voice to call for free?
What is Google Voice?
Google Voice is a free calling and voicemail service from Google that provides users with a phone number for calling, text messaging, and voicemail. With Google Voice, users can make and receive calls on any device using their Google Voice number. The service also offers features like call screening, voicemail transcription, call blocking, and more.
According to the Google Voice product page, Google Voice works by forwarding calls made to a user’s Google Voice number to any phone of their choosing. Users can configure which phones ring when their Google Voice number is called. Google Voice is available on iOS, Android, and the web, allowing users to manage phone calls from anywhere.
While Google Voice started out as a consumer product, Google has expanded it over the years into a more robust phone solution for business users as well. The Google Voice for business offers features like multi-level auto attendants, call routing, ring groups, and analytics reporting.
Making calls with Google Voice
One of the key features of Google Voice is the ability to make free calls within the United States and Canada using your Google Voice number. When you sign up for Google Voice, you are provided with a free phone number that can be used to place calls. This allows you to call any number in the US and Canada at no cost.
To make calls with Google Voice, you can use either the Google Voice website or mobile app. When placing a call, your Google Voice number will appear on the receiving caller ID rather than your personal cell phone number. The call is routed through Google’s servers, allowing it to be delivered for free.
Some key things to know about making calls with Google Voice:
- You can only make free calls to numbers within the US and Canada.
- International calls are charged based on location and minutes used.
- Call quality depends on your internet connection strength if calling from the app.
- From the website you can call US numbers for free or international numbers for a fee.
Overall, having a Google Voice number allows you to make unlimited calls within the US and Canada at no cost. It provides an easy way to separate your personal and work calls and manage everything from one place.
Receiving calls with Google Voice
One of the best features of Google Voice is that incoming calls to your Google Voice number are completely free. You can receive calls on your Google Voice number whether you are in the U.S. or internationally without incurring any costs.
When someone calls your Google Voice number, the call will ring on all of your linked devices and numbers simultaneously. This allows you to answer on whichever device is most convenient. For example, if someone calls your Google Voice number, it could ring on your mobile phone, landline, and computer at the same time.
You can also configure Google Voice to screen your calls. When call screening is enabled, callers will be prompted to state their name before the call rings through to you. This allows you to avoid unwanted calls. Additionally, Google Voice will transcribe voicemail messages and send them to your inbox so you can quickly scan messages without needing to listen to voicemails.
In summary, receiving calls on Google Voice is free and provides helpful features like multi-device ringing, call screening, and voicemail transcripts.
International calling with Google Voice
One of the key features of Google Voice is the ability to make international calls. International calls from Google Voice to landlines and mobile phones in over 100 countries are charged per-minute rates (Google Voice Rates). The international calling rates vary by country, but are generally lower than those charged by traditional carriers.
For example, calls to landlines in the UK are charged at $0.02 per minute, while calls to mobile phones are $0.10 per minute. Calling rates to Canada and Mexico are $0.01 per minute to landlines and $0.07 per minute to mobiles (Google Voice Rates). International calls to some destinations like Cuba and North Korea are currently unsupported.
One limitation is that Google Voice currently only allows outgoing international calls – you cannot use it to receive incoming calls when abroad. However, the low per minute rates available make Google Voice a very affordable option for making international calls from the US.
Call quality using Google Voice
Google Voice uses Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology to make and receive calls, so call quality depends heavily on the strength of your internet connection. Compared to regular phone calls placed over a cellular network, Google Voice calls may sound more compressed or experience lag, echoes, or background noise.
Call quality can vary depending on whether you are using the mobile app, browser extension, or website. The mobile app often provides better quality thanks to optimization for mobile internet connections. Call quality also depends on the device, headphones, mic, and internet speeds of the person you are speaking with.
According to user reviews on Reddit and GetApp, call quality using Google Voice is passable but noticeably lower compared to traditional phone calls. One Redditor said “I’ve noticed that when using Google Voice the voice quality on calls is significantly inferior to when I’m using my normal number.”
Some users report better call quality when both parties are using Google Voice. But overall, Google Voice offers call functionality as a secondary benefit, not primarily for superior voice calls.
Using the Google Voice mobile app
The Google Voice mobile app allows you to make and receive calls, send texts, listen to voicemail, and manage your Google Voice account from your mobile device. You can download the free Google Voice app for iOS or Android.
One of the main features of the Google Voice mobile app is the ability to make outgoing calls over Wi-Fi or your phone’s cellular data connection. When you tap on the dialer icon in the app and enter a phone number, the app will connect the call through your Google Voice number rather than your regular cell phone number. The person you are calling will see your Google Voice number in their caller ID display.
The call quality when using the Google Voice mobile app is dependent on the strength of your Wi-Fi or cellular data connection. Call quality can vary, but is often comparable to making a regular cell network call. The Google Voice app provides an alternative way to make calls without using your cell plan’s voice minutes.
Google Voice Voicemail
One of the key features of Google Voice is its free voicemail service. When someone calls your Google Voice number and you don’t answer, they can leave a voicemail message. Google Voice will automatically transcribe the voicemail and send you a text message with the transcription. You can also listen to the actual audio recording of the voicemail in the Google Voice app or by dialing your voicemail number (1).
Google Voice voicemail has several advantages over traditional carrier voicemail. First, the transcription lets you quickly skim voicemails to decide which are important instead of listening to each one. Second, you can access your Google Voice voicemails from any device rather than just your mobile phone. Finally, Google Voice provides unlimited free voicemail storage, while carriers typically limit storage. Overall, Google Voice voicemail is an excellent feature for getting more utility and flexibility from your voicemails.
Porting your phone number to Google Voice
You can port an existing mobile or landline phone number to Google Voice for a one-time fee of $20. This allows you to keep your existing phone number and forward calls and texts to it through Google Voice. Porting a number to Google Voice does not cancel your existing phone plan – you’ll need to do that separately after the port completes. The porting process typically takes 1-7 business days to complete.
Here are some key things to know about porting your number to Google Voice:
- The $20 porting fee is a one-time cost, there are no recurring charges to keep your number with Google Voice [1]
- You cannot port a Google Voice number to another service – only existing mobile/landline numbers can be ported in [2]
- Porting to Google Voice will terminate any special promotions or discounts from your existing carrier
- You’ll need to unlock your mobile number from your current carrier before you can port it to Google Voice
Overall, porting a number to Google Voice can provide more flexibility and features like free calling, voicemail transcription, call screening, and more. Just keep in mind the limitations and that it is a one-way transfer.
Limitations of Google Voice
While Google Voice offers many useful features for free, there are some limitations to be aware of:
Emergency Calling – Google Voice does not support 911 or other emergency calling services. It is not meant to replace your primary phone number.1
Number Porting – There are restrictions on porting certain types of phone numbers into Google Voice, such as landlines or toll-free numbers. Only mobile numbers can be reliably ported.2
Inbound Faxes – While you can send faxes from Google Voice, inbound faxes are not supported. Any faxes sent to your Google Voice number will fail to be received.3
These limitations are important to understand if you plan to use Google Voice as your main phone service. While useful as a secondary line, it lacks some key features of a true phone replacement.
Alternatives to Google Voice
There are many alternatives to Google Voice that offer similar features and functionality for making and receiving calls, voicemail, texting, and more.
One popular alternative is Ringblaze which provides unlimited minutes and SMS, call recording and visual voicemail like Google Voice. However, Ringblaze also offers mobile apps, group messaging, and integrates with CRMs like Salesforce and Zoho.
Other well-known VOIP services like Vonage and Skype also allow for VoIP calling and offer their own apps. Vonage offers unlimited calling in the US and Canada plus texting. Skype also provides low cost international calling along with their texting and video chat features.
For business users, Nextiva is a robust cloud PBX system with VoIP calling, call routing features, CRM integrations, live chat and more. Nextiva competes directly with Google Voice for businesses with advanced call management needs.
Overall, while Google Voice has many useful features, there are excellent alternatives that offer similar or expanded functionality for personal and business use cases.