How much is Google Voice text?
Google Voice is a phone and messaging service offered by Google that provides users with a phone number for calling, text messaging, and voicemail. Google Voice works by forwarding calls made to your Google Voice number to your existing cell phone or landline. Text messages sent to your Google Voice number can also be forwarded to your cell phone.
One of the key features of Google Voice is unlimited free text messaging within the United States. Users can send and receive SMS text messages using their Google Voice number to any U.S. or Canadian number for free. Google Voice also provides low-cost international texting.
How Google Voice Texting Works
With Google Voice, texts are sent and received using your Google Voice number, not your regular carrier number. Text messages are handled through the Google Voice app or by logging into your Google Voice account on the web (source).
When someone texts your Google Voice number, you will receive the message in the Google Voice app on your smartphone or tablet. You can respond directly in the app, and the reply will show as coming from your Google Voice number.
Google Voice converts all texts to data, so there are no SMS charges associated with the service. Standard data rates from your carrier may apply depending on your plan (source).
A major benefit of Google Voice texting is keeping your carrier number private. Your Google Voice number acts as an alias, so you can give out that number without revealing your personal cell phone number.
Domestic Texting
Google Voice texts to US numbers are free. As stated on the Google Voice website, “SMS text messaging to US numbers is free” (Google Voice Pricing Guide in 2024). This means you can send unlimited texts to any phone number in the United States, including Puerto Rico, Guam and US Virgin Islands, without incurring any costs. The recipient does not need to have Google Voice installed or an account set up to receive these free texts.
Some key things to note about free domestic texts with Google Voice:
- They can be sent from the Google Voice website, mobile app or by emailing your Google Voice number
- Group texts with up to 100 recipients are also free
- MMS media messages with photos, videos, etc. are free up to a limit
- Texts are delivered over a data connection, not cellular minutes
So if you are texting friends, family or businesses within the US, you can take advantage of Google Voice’s unlimited free domestic texts. It provides a great way to communicate without racking up cellular text charges.
International Texting
Google Voice charges a per-text fee for international texts based on the destination country. According to Google’s support page, texts to Canadian numbers are free, but other international texts are subject to published rates set by Google. The OpenPhone blog notes that Google Voice offers limited international texting capabilities compared to other VoIP services. While there is no unlimited international texting option, Google Voice international text rates start at $0.05 per text message sent.
Group Texting
Google Voice allows free group texting between US numbers. This means you can have group message threads with multiple US-based numbers without incurring any fees. Google Voice makes coordinating with groups fast and easy without having to pay per text (OpenPhone).
However, if you add any international numbers to a group text, Google Voice will charge per international text. Each outgoing text message to an international number costs $0.05 on Google Voice. So if you have a group message with 4 people, 1 being international, you will be charged $0.05 for each message you send to the group. Keep this in mind when texting internationally to avoid unexpected fees (OpenPhone).
MMS with Google Voice
Google Voice does not natively support sending picture messages (MMS). When you try to send a photo through Google Voice, it will be blocked and you will receive an error message. This is a known limitation of the platform.
Google Voice converts any MMS messages received into an email with the photo attachment, which can then be viewed in the Google Voice inbox. However, there is no way to send MMS or photo messages out from Google Voice itself at this time.
Some users have found workarounds by using third-party apps that integrate with Google Voice, such as OpenPhone. However, straight from the Google Voice app or website, MMS capabilities are nonexistent.
Google has indicated this is a technical limitation due to differences between SMS and MMS protocols. MMS requires data connectivity, while Google Voice SMS relies on phone numbers. Some users have expressed frustration over the years that Google Voice still lacks MMS capabilities.
Overall, those who rely on Google Voice for messaging will need to use photo sharing platforms outside of Google Voice, and should not expect to be able to send photo or video messages directly from their Google Voice number.
Texting from PC/Tablet
One convenient feature of Google Voice is the ability to send and receive texts for free from your computer. This can be done in a couple different ways:
You can use the Google Voice website by navigating to voice.google.com and clicking on the “Messages” tab. Here you can compose new messages or reply to existing threads. The website has the full capabilities of the mobile app so you can attach photos, send group texts, etc. Google’s support site has instructions for using the messaging interface on desktop.
There are also Google Voice extensions available for Chrome and Firefox that allow you to manage texts right from your browser. These extensions place a small pop-up icon that gives you quick access to your Google Voice messages.
The main benefit of texting from your computer is convenience – you don’t have to grab your phone to send and receive messages. It also allows you to seamlessly continue conversations when switching devices. Everything remains in sync since it relies on your Google Voice number rather than your mobile device.
Texting Limits
Unlike some other messaging apps, Google Voice does not put a hard limit on the number of texts you can send. As long as you follow Google’s guidelines, you can continue sending texts through Google Voice without worrying about hitting a cap.
Google Voice’s texting service is intended for personal use by individuals. It is not meant to be used as an SMS broadcast platform for mass messaging large groups of people. If Google detects suspicious activity that looks like spam or automated messages, they may throttle or block your account.
According to the Google Voice FAQ, “If you send messages too quickly or frequently, Google may throttle your account. This means that you may be temporarily blocked from sending messages for a period of time.” The exact thresholds that trigger throttling are not publicly disclosed.
To avoid issues, it’s best to manually send messages yourself to real contacts at a reasonable pace. While there is no set limit, high volumes of automated or bulk messages could get flagged. As long as you use Google Voice for personal conversations, you can take advantage of unlimited texts without worrying about caps.
Number Porting
You can port your existing number to Google Voice for a one-time $20 fee. This allows you to keep your current phone number while taking advantage of Google Voice’s features like free SMS texting, voicemail transcriptions, call screening, and more. The number porting process is relatively straightforward.
To start, you’ll need to verify that you own the number you want to port over. You can do this by receiving a text message or automated phone call to the number from Google. Once verified, you can submit the port request in your Google Voice account settings. It usually takes anywhere from a few hours to a few days for the port to fully complete. Your carrier may charge a small fee as well to release the number.
The $20 Google Voice port fee is a one-time cost that lets you keep the number permanently with your Google Voice account. There are no recurring charges or monthly fees to maintain a ported number. Overall, porting to Google Voice can be a cost-effective way to get expanded functionality out of your existing phone number.
Sources:
[Port your Google Voice number](https://support.google.com/voice/answer/1065667?hl=en)
[In regard to the cost to port your personal phone number, is this a one-time or recurring payment?](https://support.google.com/voice/thread/153199236/in-regard-to-the-cost-to-port-your-personal-phone-number-is-this-a-one-time-or-recurring-payment?hl=en)
Conclusion
In summary, Google Voice offers free unlimited texts to any US and Canadian number. International texts cost $0.05 per message sent, while receiving them is free. Group texts are also free and unlimited when sent to US and Canadian numbers. MMS media messages cost $0.25 each to send. There are some limits in place, such as you can only send up to 100 texts per day from your desktop/tablet and 1,000 texts per day from your phone.
Overall, Google Voice provides a very cost-effective solution for text messaging if you primarily text US and Canadian numbers. The ability to send texts for free from multiple devices is also a nice perk. While international texting comes with a small fee, it is still cheaper than most carrier rates. For heavy texters that need unlimited messaging across North America, Google Voice is a great option to consider.
To get started, simply sign up for a free Google Voice number and download the app. Then you can start taking advantage of free unlimited texting through your Google Voice number. With smart features like group messaging, messaging from multiple devices, and cheap international rates, Google Voice texting provides great value.