If you’ve stumbled onto this page, you’re likely looking for an alternative to Google Voice. Perhaps one of the VoIP services you’re considering is Ooma. Which service of the two is better? Or should you choose another one entirely? We’re breaking it all down for you below. Let’s dive into Ooma vs. Google Voice.
Ooma vs. Google Voice
Ooma is a terrific alternative to Google Voice and is competitive for several reasons. Ooma offers features like HD voice calling, a virtual receptionist with the base plan, music on hold, and toll-free numbers. On the other hand, both Ooma and Google Voice offer several useful features that will come in handy for your business's phone needs. To get a better handle on which one of the two is better for your business, Ooma or Google Voice, we’ll need to do a side by side comparison.
Ooma Features
Ooma is designed to be a stand-alone VoIP service that can work without a landline. The Ooma Office Base Station is a physical device with an Ethernet port that connects to your router.
It does not use a landline, but is used in conjunction with the user's existing home phone service or VoIP providers.
Ooma includes many stand-alone features such as:
- HD voice calls
- Compatibility with desk phones
- Music on hold
- Toll-free numbers
- Voicemail to email
- Virtual receptionists
- Multiple extensions, and
- Ring groups directories
Google Voice Features
For small businesses, Google Voice's features are often seen as a great fit. With many in-demand features, including voicemail transcription and automated call routing, Google Voice may be an excellent option to consider for your business's phone system needs.
Unlike Ooma, you won't need any hardware to use Google Voice. All that the user requires is a computer, smartphone, or tablet with an Internet connection. When it comes down to it, Ooma is competitive with many of the available Google Voice services.
To make the best choice for your business's phone system needs, you will need to look at all of the options and choose what is most important for your organization. And, that usually comes down to price for most companies.
Google Voice vs Ooma Pricing
Google Voice Price
Personal Google accounts can use Google Voice for free. However, if you want to use it with a business account, then it will cost at least an additional $10 per month for each user on top of the existing fees paid for a Google Workspace account.
Google Voice offers three different service plans for consumers:
Starter Plan: The starter plan includes ten users and ten domestic locations for $10 per month, per user.
Standard Plan: the Google Voice standard plan, which costs $16 per month, per user, is ideal for larger domestic businesses. It includes all of the Starter Plan features along with auto attendants, compatibility with desk-phone, and more.
Premier Plan: The premium plan costs $30 per month, per user and has all the features of the starter and standard plans, but with an unlimited number of international locations.
Ooma Price
Ooma offers several different plans for personal use, small to medium businesses, and large enterprises. These plans are intended to allow you to grow with your business needs and budget.
Many of the features of the Small Business plans compare closely to Google Voice. However, they are more expensive, and require hardware and installation setup time.
Ooma offers two small business plans:
Office: The Office plan is $19.95 per month, per user
Office Pro: At $24.95 per month, per user, the Office Pro plan has all the features of the Office plan as well as video conferencing, a desktop app, voicemail transcription, and more.
You'll also want to consider when budgeting for the Ooma plans, you'll have to purchase phones for each line ranging from $59.99 to $399.99.
For quick reference, here’s a comparison table that may help you decide between Ooma and Google Voice:
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Ooma
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Google Voice
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Price
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Starts a $19.95/user/month
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Starts at $10/user/month
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Mobile App
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Yes
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Yes
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Voicemail
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Yes
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Yes
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Voicemail Transcription
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Yes
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Yes
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Unlimited U.S. Calls and Texts
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Yes
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Yes
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Video Conferencing
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Only with Enterprise Plan
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Yes - Integrates with Google Meet
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Customer Support 24/7
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Yes
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Yes
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Call Recording
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Only with Enterprise Plan
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Yes
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Mobile phone numbers for team members
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No, but can forward calls to personal mobile number
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No, but can forward calls to personal mobile number
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A Better Option Than Both Ooma and Google Voice
You’re already evaluating other tools, so we thought we’d throw another option into the mix. Enter Ring4, the better alternative than Ooma and Google Voice combined. Just a few of the reasons users choose Ring4 over other VoIP services is that it’s quick to set up, and all the features mentioned in the comparison table above (and more!) are included starting at just $8 per month, per line.
The best part? You don’t need fancy equipment, additional sim cards, landlines or data plans. Ring4 works from your cell phone. Yep, you read that correctly - you don’t even need a second cell phone.
There’s also no contracts to sign. You’re billed annually, and there are no hidden fees. While there are additional services you can add to your account, you get all the basic features for one low cost. And because there’s no equipment or hardware, if you can grow and scale your team with the push of a button!
Imagine for a moment being able to take business calls from anywhere in the world as long as you’re connected to WiFi. Whether you’re on vacation or just away from the office, you can meet your clients’ needs.
If that wasn’t enough to convince you to give Ring4 a try, consider this. With Ring4, you can port your existing number at no charge, and set up your business phone number in less than 30 seconds. You can’t even order your favorite drink at the local coffee shop that fast! And, call, text, and video conferencing is all handled in the cloud.
Want to learn more about Ring4, and what it can do for your business? Click here to learn how it works.
FAQ's
1. What small business plans does Ooma offer?
Ooma offers two small business plans:
- Office: The Office plan is $19.95 per month, per user
- Office Pro: At $24.95 per month, per user, the Office Pro plan has all the features of the Office plan as well as video conferencing, a desktop app, voicemail transcription, and more.
2. How much does Google Voice cost?
Personal Google accounts can use Google Voice for free. However, if you want to use it with a business account, then it will cost at least an additional $10 per month for each user on top of the existing fees paid for a Google Workspace account.