As businesses strive to improve their communication solutions, the question of whether Google Voice or Skype is a better business phone solution arises. Comparing Google Voice vs Skype regarding security, privacy considerations, and overall usability is essential to determine which service best suits your needs.
Skype and Google Voice are among the top industry leaders providing voice and video communications services. Both services offer high-quality audio and video calls, as well as messaging. Both have become popular choices for businesses and individuals alike.
In this post, we’ll compare Google Voice and Skype in different ways, so you can determine if either service is suitable for your business phone solution. We’ll also present other options that you might want to consider before making your decision.
Let’s get to it…
What is Skype? 
Skype is a communication service that has revolutionized the way the world communicates. It was founded in 2003 by Estonian entrepreneurs Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis and has since become one of the most popular ways to connect with friends and family worldwide.
The telecommunication application has since grown to become one of the most popular communication services in the world. It’s a great choice for businesses of all sizes, as you can use it to make calls, send messages, share files, and collaborate with colleagues. Skype is a widely available business phone solution that offers users feature-rich platforms and reliable support services.
Since the start of the pandemic, more and more people have been turning to Skype to stay connected with their friends, family, and colleagues. According to a Microsoft executive, Skype saw a 70% increase in usage in the first week of March 2020 alone. Since then, the number of daily users has continued to grow, with some estimates putting the total number of users at around 400 million.
Skype was famous for the following features:
- Voice calls to any Skype user, no matter where they are located
- Video calls allow users to see the person they are talking to
- Instant messaging that allows users to send text messages to other Skype users
- Easily share files with others
- Allows users to share their computer screens
Skype Advantages and Disadvantages
With its many features, Skype has become a popular choice for personal and business use. However, it’s essential to understand the advantages and disadvantages of Skype before you decide to use it.
Advantages
Skype is a free service and can be used to communicate with anyone worldwide. This makes it an excellent choice for small businesses and individuals who need to communicate with people in different parts of the world without incurring expensive long-distance phone bills.
It has simple features that make it easy for anyone to start using it. You can easily add contacts, initiate calls and video chats, and send messages. Skype is available on multiple platforms, including computers, smartphones, and tablets.
Disadvantages
Skype does not have as many features as other communication platforms, such as Slack and Zoom. This can be limiting for businesses that need more advanced features. There are also instances where it suffers from poor connection quality and audio issues. This can make it challenging to have a successful conversation.
In addition, it is supported by ads, which can be annoying and intrusive. This can make using the service less enjoyable and distracting – especially for businesses.
What is Google Voice?
Google Voice is a budget-friendly and comprehensive telephone system that enables users to make calls, deliver texts, and organize voicemails. It offers users an easy way to keep track of their communications without juggling multiple devices or services.
It is designed to allow users to manage their communication needs in one place by providing a single, unified phone number for all their contacts to reach them.
Here are some of the features of Google Voice:
- Create your own personal Google phone number
- Block calls from specific numbers, as well as block text messages from unknown numbers
- Integrates with other Google services
- Call recording, call forwarding, voicemail, and more
Google Voice Advantages and Disadvantages
Google Voice has become a popular communication tool for individuals and businesses alike. Like any technology, using Google Voice has advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages
The most significant advantage of Google Voice is its affordability – plans start with a low cost per month for unlimited domestic calling. Additionally, it’s incredibly user-friendly, with intuitive setup options and automated features such as call forwarding, does not disturb settings, and caller ID blocking.
With Google Voice, users can make and receive calls from any device with them, including smartphones, tablets, and computers. This means that users can stay connected to their contacts even when on the go.
Disadvantages
Google Voice does not always provide the best call quality, as the audio can be distorted, and there can be delays in the call. In addition, Google Voice may not be available in certain regions due to local regulations or a lack of infrastructure.
Another downside is the lack of support. At the same time, there are helpful tutorials on their website and a customer service team available via email or chatbot 24/7. They don’t offer any telephone assistance, which can be inconvenient if you encounter technical issues during setup or use.
Monster VoIP: Best Alternative to Both Skype & Google Voice
Skype and Google Voice are great options for individual users and very small businesses that may only need a solution for a few people. However, if you plan on scaling your business and need a reliable communications solution with 24/7 customer support, you’ll want to consider a professional solution designed for businesses. That’s where Monster VoIP comes in.
Monster VoIP is an all-in-one solution for businesses of all sizes. Our technology is designed to scale on demand to meet the needs of growing businesses without installing new hardware or lags in setup.
Here are a few of the most important features you’ll want in your business that Monster VoIP excels in:
- Call stability: Monster VoIP employs a geo-redundant network. This means your calls are highly stable, the system remains active at all times, and your calls are free of lags or freezing.
- Call security: Using encryption and authentication technologies ensures your calls are only joined by the right people and prying ears can’t access your communications.
- Customer support: 24/7 customer support so you can talk to a real person anytime day or night.
- Integrations: Monster VoIP integrates with more than 50 technologies that you’re already using making the entire communications process seamless for your business.
- Scaling: It’s easy to add new lines – from 1 new line to 500 new lines. Whatever you need, Monster VoIP can scale up or down depending on the demands of your business.
For the majority of businesses, Monster VoIP is a better solution than both Skype and Google Voice. Check out Monster VoIPs plans here to get started.
Comparison: Google Voice vs Skype
When comparing Google Voice vs Skype, it comes down to personal preference. Both platforms offer a variety of features that make it easy to stay in touch with family and friends.
Pricing: Skype is More Affordable
Google Voice is free for personal use, making it an excellent choice for individuals who want to make voice or video calls without spending money. For business users, there is a monthly fee of $10 per user. This fee includes unlimited calls in the US and Canada and low rates for international calls.
On the other hand, Skype has various pricing plans catering to different needs. For individuals, there is a free Basic plan allowing for free voice and video calls to other Skype users. For business users, a Business plan costs $3.59 per user per month. This plan includes unlimited calls within the US and Canada and low rates for international calls.
Overall, when it comes to pricing, Google Voice and Skype both offer affordable options for individuals and businesses. However, Google Voice is a better choice for individuals since it is free for personal use. Skype is a better choice for businesses since it offers more features and is more affordable than Google Voice.
Reliability: Google Voice is More Dependable
Google Voice is a free VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service provided by Google. It provides users with an easy-to-use interface that allows them to make free calls to any phone number in the United States and Canada. Google Voice offers features such as voicemail, call forwarding, and conference calling. The service is reliable and offers good sound quality.
Skype is one of the oldest VoIP services well-known for its reliability. It provides users with various features such as voice and video calling, instant messaging, file sharing, and more. Skype also offers advanced features such as screen sharing and group video calls.
When it comes to reliability, Google Voice is the clear winner. The service is reliable and offers good sound quality. It also offers a range of features, such as call forwarding, voicemail, and conference calling. Skype is reliable, but the service is less reliable than Google Voice and only available in certain countries.
Business Features: Get More With Google Voice
Google Voice offers many features and customization options, allowing you to create virtual numbers, set up voicemail, and more. It also has powerful call forwarding, allowing you to forward calls to different numbers and devices, and you can set up automated responses. It also has many security features, making it an attractive option for businesses.
Skype, on the other hand, offers a more basic set of features. It allows you to make voice and video calls, but its customization options are limited. It also lacks features Google Voice offers, such as automated responses and call forwarding.
Both Google Voice and Skype offer a variety of features that make them suitable for business use. However, regarding features, customization, and pricing, Google Voice offers more control and flexibility, making it the better choice for businesses.
User-Friendliness: Google Voice Offers Ease of Use
Compared to Skype, Google Voice is generally more user-friendly due to its simple interface and intuitive features. The setup process is straightforward; users can easily make calls and send text messages without technical knowledge.
On the other hand, Skype allows users to make free calls to other Skype users and non-Skype numbers for a fee. Skype has many features, including video conferencing, instant messaging, and screen sharing.
However, Google Voice is generally easier to use and has a more intuitive user interface. Therefore, Google Voice may be the better option if you are looking for a straightforward VoIP service.
Tools Integration: Equal Integration
Google Voice has an advantage when it comes to integration with Google’s suite of applications. It also integrates with Google Calendar, so users can easily schedule and join calls and share their availability with other users.
Skype also has its own set of tools that integrate with the application. For example, users can access Skype for Business to collaborate on documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Skype also integrates with Outlook, so users can easily add contacts, join meetings, and check their calendars.
Regarding third-party tools, both applications support a range of integrations. For example, both Google Voice and Skype support integration with CRM and task management tools like Salesforce, Zendesk, and Trello. Additionally, both applications allow users to connect with popular tools, such as Slack, Zoom, and Google Hangouts.
Overall, both Google Voice and Skype offer a range of tools and integrations, making them both great options for communication and collaboration. However, Google Voice has the advantage of integrating with Google’s suite of applications, while Skype has better integration with Outlook and other third-party tools.
Google vs Skype: Conclusion
Considering the advantages and drawbacks of Google Voice and Skype, assessing which business phone solution best meets your requirements is essential.
Google Voice and Skype offer quality voice and video calling services, but each provides unique features for different users. Google Voice is an excellent option for users who need a reliable and easy-to-use solution for making phone calls and sending text messages. Skype is a better option for those who want a full suite of features, including real-time video conferencing, file sharing, and more.
However, taking all these factors into consideration, we would recommend Google Voice as it is less expensive and more reliable for individuals and businesses that require limited calling options. For those who need a more reliable and scalable solution that offers 24/7 customer support, Monster VoIP is the best option.
If you’re interested in learning more about how Monster VoIP can work for you and your business we’d love to talk and tell you a little bit more about this exciting product.
