Best Google Voice Alternatives in 2026
Google Voice is a solid free second number — but it lacks caller ID control, AI calling, call recording, and STIR/SHAKEN attestation on outbound calls. If you’ve outgrown a free personal number and need professional business calling, here are the best alternatives.
Short answer
Short answer: Google Voice is the right answer for a free second number if you live in Google Workspace and just need basic calling — but for a real business it’s missing AI calling, caller ID control, call recording, and verified STIR/SHAKEN attestation on outbound calls. VeraDial at $9.99/mo per line covers the gaps Google Voice never built: AI agents that make calls on your behalf, verified outbound identity, recording, and SMS.
Common Pain Points
Why people switch from Google Voice
No caller ID control
Google Voice locks you to the number it assigns. You can’t choose what the recipient sees or present different numbers to different contacts.
No AI features
Google Voice has no AI calling, no transcription on outbound calls, and no smart features beyond basic voicemail transcription.
Google account required
You need a Google account and a US phone number to get started. If you’re not in the Google ecosystem, it’s a hard dependency.
Limited for business use
No call recording on the personal plan, limited number selection, and no verification — your calls may show as unknown or unverified.
Best for / Not for
When a Google Voice alternative is the right fit — and when it is not
Best for
- Anyone who needs AI calling, verified caller ID, or call recording
- Business operators who can’t afford "Spam Likely" answer rates
- Workflows that benefit from STIR/SHAKEN A-level attestation
- Phone work outside the Google Workspace ecosystem
Not for
- Free second numbers strictly for personal use
- Users deeply embedded in Google Workspace whose needs end at basic calling and texting
- People with no need for verified caller ID, AI features, or call recording
- Buyers whose hard constraint is $0/mo personal usage
Evaluation Criteria
What to look for in a Google Voice alternative
Call quality & verification
Does the provider use dedicated VoIP infrastructure? Do calls carry STIR/SHAKEN attestation so they display as verified and don’t get flagged as spam?
AI & automation
Can the platform make calls on your behalf, or does it only transcribe after the fact? AI that acts is fundamentally different from AI that listens.
Caller ID control
Can you choose what number the recipient sees? For business calling, presenting the right number to the right contact builds trust and professionalism.
Pricing transparency
Watch for per-seat pricing that adds up, required add-ons for basic features like call recording, and long-term contracts. Know the total cost before committing.
Top Picks
The 6 best Google Voice alternatives
VeraDial
Our PickAI-powered business calling with verified caller ID and call recording.
Best for: Solopreneurs, freelancers, and small business owners who need AI to make calls on their behalf with a verified business identity.
Strengths
- AI agent makes outbound calls for you with full transcripts
- Verified caller ID — register an existing number as your outbound ID (B-level attestation) or use a VeraDial number with A-level attestation
- STIR/SHAKEN A-level attestation on VeraDial numbers; B-level attestation when you verify an existing outbound caller ID
- Call recording on any call, plus voicemail transcription
Limitations
- No shared team numbers or built-in CRM
- No video conferencing or team messaging
OpenPhone
Modern team phone system with shared numbers and built-in CRM.
Best for: Small teams that need shared numbers, a built-in CRM, and collaborative inboxes.
Strengths
- Shared phone numbers across team members
- Built-in CRM with contact management
- AI call summaries and transcription
- Clean, modern interface
Limitations
- Per-seat pricing adds up quickly for teams
- No AI agent calling — AI only summarises, doesn’t make calls
- No caller ID control
Grasshopper
Virtual phone system that forwards calls to your personal phone.
Best for: Solopreneurs who want a basic business number layered on top of their personal phone.
Strengths
- Simple setup — runs on your existing phone
- Custom greetings and auto-attendant
- Multiple extensions on higher plans
- Well-known brand, long track record
Limitations
- Call forwarding, not dedicated VoIP — uses your personal carrier
- No AI features of any kind
- No call recording on basic plans
- Feels dated compared to modern alternatives
TextNow
Free calling and texting app supported by ads.
Best for: Budget-conscious users who want a free second number and don’t mind ads.
Strengths
- Free tier with calling and texting
- Available on iOS, Android, and web
- Wi-Fi calling included
Limitations
- Ad-supported — ads in the app experience
- No business features, no AI, no call recording
- Numbers can be recycled if inactive
- Not suitable for professional use
Sideline
Second phone number app for separating personal and business calls.
Best for: Individuals who want a simple second line without advanced features.
Strengths
- Simple, focused second number experience
- Business texting and voicemail
- Affordable at $9.99/mo
Limitations
- No AI features or call recording
- No caller ID control
- Limited feature set compared to modern alternatives
- No STIR/SHAKEN attestation marketing
Hushed
Privacy-focused temporary and long-term phone numbers.
Best for: Privacy-conscious users who need temporary or disposable numbers.
Strengths
- Strong privacy focus with temporary numbers
- Very affordable entry price
- Numbers from multiple countries
Limitations
- Not designed for professional business use
- No AI features or call recording
- Limited calling minutes on cheaper plans
- No caller ID control or verification
Quick Recommendations
Which Google Voice alternative is right for you?
Solo professional who needs AI calling and verified identity
VeraDial
AI agents make calls for you, STIR/SHAKEN verified, and caller ID control — all for $9.99/mo.
Small team sharing a business number
OpenPhone
Shared numbers, built-in CRM, and team inbox make it ideal for collaborative calling.
Budget-conscious personal use
TextNow
Free tier covers basic calling and texting if you don’t mind ads.
Simple business number on your personal phone
Grasshopper
Call forwarding model is simple to set up and requires no app switching.
FAQ
Google Voice alternatives, answered
What’s the best Google Voice alternative for business?
VeraDial at $9.99/mo per line. It covers the three things Google Voice doesn’t — AI calling (the AI places outbound calls on your behalf and delivers a transcript), STIR/SHAKEN A-level verified caller ID (so outbound calls land as verified rather than "Spam Likely"), and call recording on every call. Plus voicemail transcription, business SMS, and a Call Map of where your customers actually are. 7-day free trial, no contract.
Why does Google Voice sometimes get marked as Spam Likely?
Google Voice doesn’t consistently sign outbound calls with strong STIR/SHAKEN attestation, and shared Google Voice number pools have varying reputation. When a receiving carrier can’t confidently verify the caller, it leans on reputation signals — which often results in filtering. A business phone with A-level attestation (where the provider has verified the customer AND the right to use that specific number) materially reduces this.
Can I port a Google Voice number to another service?
Yes, with some friction. Google supports porting out a Google Voice number for a one-time $3 fee, but the process requires unlinking the number from your Google account first and following Google’s specific porting flow. VeraDial accepts ported US and Canadian numbers; the port typically takes 7–10 business days from the time you initiate the request. During the port window, calls continue ringing on Google Voice until the cutover completes.
Is there a free alternative to Google Voice with AI?
Not realistically. Free phone services either sustain themselves with ads (TextNow) or rely on shared infrastructure with reputation issues. AI calling — where an AI actually places conversations on your behalf — has a real per-minute cost (compute + telephony) that no provider absorbs in a free tier. The cheapest AI calling option in the category is VeraDial at $9.99/mo per line with 100 included credits and a 7-day free trial.
Does Google Voice have STIR/SHAKEN attestation?
Google’s Voice product has implemented partial STIR/SHAKEN support, but Google does not publicly market a specific attestation level (A, B, or C) for outbound consumer calls. Without an explicit A-level commitment, the call experience varies — some outbound calls display normally, others get filtered. If you’re calling people who don’t have you saved, a provider that explicitly states A-level attestation (like VeraDial) is the more predictable choice for answer rates.
Try the #1 Pick
AI calling that gets results.
VeraDial gives you AI agents that make calls, verified caller ID, call recording, and transcription — starting at $9.99/mo with a 7-day free trial.
Hear Vera in action.
Play a short sample call, follow the transcript, and move into a personalized live demo when you're ready.
Information based on publicly available data as of May 2026. Pricing and features may change. We recommend verifying current details on each provider's website.