Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Burner VS Google Voice

Compare Burner VS Google Voice and see what are their differences

Burner logo Burner

Disposable phone numbers -- now with MMS photo support

Google Voice logo Google Voice

Google Voice gives you one number for all your phones, voicemail organized in an email format, free...
  • Burner Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-18
  • Google Voice Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-12

Burner features and specs

  • Privacy
    Burner allows users to create temporary phone numbers, protecting their personal number from unwanted calls and messages.
  • Anonymity
    By using a Burner number, users can remain anonymous when communicating with others, which is useful for online dating, classified ads, and business transactions.
  • Easy to Use
    The app's user-friendly interface makes it simple for users to generate, manage, and dispose of temporary phone numbers.
  • Flexibility
    Burner offers flexible subscription plans, including pay-as-you-go options, to cater to different user needs.
  • Text and Call Capabilities
    Users can both send texts and make calls from their Burner numbers, providing full functionality similar to a regular phone number.
  • Integration with Other Apps
    Burner can be integrated with other applications, such as Slack and Evernote, to streamline communication and organizational processes.

Possible disadvantages of Burner

  • Cost
    While there are different subscription plans available, the cost of maintaining multiple Burner numbers over time can add up, potentially making it costly for long-term use.
  • Limited International Coverage
    Burner is primarily available in the United States and Canada, limiting its usability for international users who need temporary numbers in other regions.
  • Temporary Nature
    Because Burner numbers are designed to be temporary, they are not suitable for situations where a long-term commitment to a number is required.
  • Potential for Misuse
    The anonymity provided by Burner can be exploited for malicious purposes, such as harassment or fraudulent activities.
  • Dependence on Internet Connection
    Burner relies on an internet connection for app functionality, which may be problematic in areas with poor network coverage or during outages.
  • Limited Features Compared to Regular Numbers
    While Burner provides essential texting and calling features, it lacks some advanced features that regular phone numbers offer, such as multimedia messaging and voicemail-to-text.

Google Voice features and specs

  • Cost-effective
    Google Voice provides free calling within the United States and Canada, making it an economical choice for personal and business use.
  • Integrations
    Seamlessly integrates with other Google services, such as Google Calendar, Gmail, and Google Contacts, enhancing productivity.
  • Unified Number
    Allows users to consolidate multiple phone numbers into one, simplifying contact management and ensuring you don’t miss important calls.
  • Voicemail Transcription
    Automatically transcribes voicemails to text, making it easier to read and manage messages.
  • Multi-device Support
    Supports multiple devices including smartphones, tablets, and computers, making it accessible from anywhere.
  • Call Screening
    Offers advanced call screening features that allow users to block unwanted calls and filter spam efficiently.
  • Number Portability
    Allows porting of existing phone numbers into Google Voice, which ensures continuity and saves time.

Possible disadvantages of Google Voice

  • Limited International Calling
    While calls within the U.S. and Canada are free, international calls can be expensive compared to other VoIP services.
  • Dependence on Internet
    Requires a stable internet connection for effective functioning, which may be a limitation in areas with poor connectivity.
  • Delayed Updates
    Google Voice doesn’t receive updates as frequently as some other communication platforms, potentially missing out on new features and enhancements.
  • Privacy Concerns
    As with all Google products, there can be privacy concerns regarding data collection and usage.
  • Limited Customer Support
    Customer support options are limited, often requiring users to rely on community forums or help documents instead of direct assistance.
  • Regional Restrictions
    Not available in all countries, which limits its usability for international travelers or businesses with a global presence.
  • No Emergency Services
    Google Voice cannot be used for emergency calls, which can be a critical limitation in urgent situations.

Analysis of Burner

Overall verdict

  • Burner is a good app for anyone looking to maintain privacy while communicating. It has received positive reviews for its ease of use and effectiveness in providing temporary phone numbers. However, some users might find the subscription fees a deterrent, depending on their usage needs.

Why this product is good

  • Burner is popular because it provides users with a temporary phone number, helping protect their privacy. It's useful for people who want to avoid sharing their personal phone numbers when posting ads online, dating, or dealing with business clients without exposing their personal contact information. The service is straightforward, allowing users to generate and manage disposable numbers through an app.

Recommended for

  • Individuals who are concerned about privacy when sharing contact information.
  • People who sell items on online marketplaces and want a contact number separate from their personal phone number.
  • Business professionals who prefer to separate personal and work communications.
  • Anyone using dating apps who wishes to maintain personal privacy.

Analysis of Google Voice

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Google Voice is a reliable and versatile communication tool that is especially beneficial for users who are already entrenched in the Google ecosystem and need a single point of contact that can be managed across multiple devices.

Why this product is good

  • Google Voice is considered good due to its seamless integration with Google's suite of services, offering a free phone number for calls, text messages, and voicemail. It also provides features like call forwarding, voicemail transcription, and spam filtering, which enhance its functionality for personal and professional use.

Recommended for

  • Individuals looking for a free, secondary phone number for privacy or business purposes.
  • Freelancers and small business owners who need a unified communication platform with voicemail transcription.
  • Users who travel frequently and need a flexible solution for making and receiving calls without relying on a single mobile carrier.

Burner videos

Burner App Review for iPhone and Android - Disposable Phone Numbers 2019

More videos:

  • Review - Double Tap and Silencer fat burner review
  • Review - Concord Double Burner Propane Stove Review and Assembly Tips

Google Voice videos

Why I Use Google Voice

More videos:

  • Tutorial - Google Voice Tutorial 2019 - Quick Start
  • Review - Google Voice Review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Burner and Google Voice)
Communication
35 35%
65% 65
VoIP
39 39%
61% 61
Enterprise Communication
27 27%
73% 73
iPhone
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using Burner and Google Voice. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Burner and Google Voice

Burner Reviews

We have no reviews of Burner yet.
Be the first one to post

Google Voice Reviews

10 Best Business VoIP Phone Services for Small Businesses (2020)
Google Voice is a flexible business phone service. However, it has fewer options when compared to a fully virtual phone system. It’s handy for smart phone users and business owners using devices that support Google products.
Source: www.isitwp.com
Compare 5 Best Virtual Phone Number Providers for Your Businesses in 2018
Google voice is a known name in this field which provides call forwarding, dialing and voice-mail services. It was established by Google on March 11, 2009. It provides U.S based telephone number from which the user can choose an arsenal of numbers in their selected locality absolutely free. Almost all calls made from U.S and Canada to each other is free. You can use Google...

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Google Voice seems to be a lot more popular than Burner. While we know about 21 links to Google Voice, we've tracked only 2 mentions of Burner. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Burner mentions (2)

  • Using disposable phone numbers for better security
    There's Burner (https://burnerapp.com) and I'm sure there are at least a handful others around. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Can Telstra receive texts overseas again?
    There are companies that will let you have a virtual mobile number. 160.com.au is one such provider. There are also "burner" apps that will allocate you a mobile number and send the sms through their app. burnerapp.com is an example. I believe both of these providers can be trusted. Source: over 2 years ago

Google Voice mentions (21)

  • Ask HN: I want to use two phones with one SIM
    Set up Google Voice so all calls are forwarded to both phones. https://voice.google.com/about. - Source: Hacker News / 8 months ago
  • Need help with phone bill
    If you can post this you can use https://voice.google.com/about . Call them and tell them , you need to wait to the next pay day to pay your phone bill and be able to accept text messages. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • I’m frustrated with GV, calling issues
    Have you tried connecting via the Google Voice website on a PC to see if you're having the same issues? Source: about 2 years ago
  • What do I do if a cute stranger asks for my number?
    Get yourself a Google voice phone number! Then you can give out that number and have it forward calls to your real number and preserve some anonymity. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Kik is the absolute worst - here's what's better
    You can be completely anonymous by using a google voice number to sign up: https://voice.google.com/about. Source: over 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Burner and Google Voice, you can also consider the following products

Hushed App - Hushed App will allow you to receive a Secondary Phone Number for Private, Long-Distance...

RingCentral - RingCentral is the leading provider of cloud-based communications and collaboration solutions for small business and enterprise companies

Ring4 - Manage business phone line as easily as you manage emails, in the cloud. Ring4 provide you with a business line and video conferencing solution.

Skype - Stay in touch with your family and friends for free on Skype. Download Skype today to chat and call on desktop and mobile.

Textverified - Textverified is a website that is designed as a phone verification service, allowing the user to bypass the phone verifications and receive codes through social media websites and applications.

TextNow - TextNow is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that provides a free phone service to users by using other cellular networks coverage.