Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Google Voice VS Line2

Compare Google Voice VS Line2 and see what are their differences

Google Voice logo Google Voice

Google Voice gives you one number for all your phones, voicemail organized in an email format, free...

Line2 logo Line2

Line2 adds a second phone number or complete cloud business phone system to smartphones & computers that's robust yet affordable. Buy online or get a custom quote.
  • Google Voice Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-12
  • Line2 Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-12-16

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 donโ€™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 doesnโ€™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.

Line2 features and specs

  • Multiple Numbers on One Device
    Line2 allows users to have multiple phone numbers on a single device, which is ideal for managing personal and professional calls separately.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    Line2 is available on both iOS and Android devices, as well as desktop computers, ensuring flexibility and accessibility.
  • Affordable Pricing
    The service offers competitive pricing plans compared to traditional phone services and other VoIP providers.
  • Advanced Call Features
    Line2 provides advanced calling features like call forwarding, voicemail transcription, and auto-attendant, which are beneficial for business users.
  • Wi-Fi/Cellular Integration
    Users can make and receive calls over both Wi-Fi and cellular networks, ensuring reliable communication even in areas with weak cellular coverage.

Possible disadvantages of Line2

  • Quality of Service
    Call quality can sometimes be inconsistent, especially when relying on poor Wi-Fi connections.
  • Subscription Costs
    While generally affordable, the costs can add up for users requiring multiple lines and additional features.
  • Support Availability
    Some users report that customer support can be slow to respond or resolve issues, which can be frustrating during urgent situations.
  • Feature Limitations
    Certain advanced features that might be available with other VoIP providers or traditional phone services may not be available with Line2.
  • International Calling Rates
    International calling rates may not be as competitive as those offered by other VoIP services, potentially leading to higher costs for frequent international callers.

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.

Analysis of Line2

Overall verdict

  • Line2 is a reliable and versatile service that is generally well-regarded by users looking for an affordable alternative to a second phone line. Its feature set is comprehensive, and it offers competitive pricing, making it a good choice for many users needing such a service.

Why this product is good

  • Line2 is a VoIP service offering a second phone line for your mobile device or desktop. It is useful for people needing a separate line for business or personal use. Line2 provides unlimited calling and texting across North America, and it offers features like voicemail transcription, call forwarding, and group messaging, which can enhance communication efficiency.

Recommended for

  • Small business owners who need a separate work line.
  • Freelancers and consultants managing multiple clients.
  • Individuals who want to maintain separate personal and public contact numbers.
  • Remote teams looking for affordable communication solutions.

Google Voice videos

Why I Use Google Voice

More videos:

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

Line2 videos

Line2 Review: My Favorite Small Business Tool Right Now

More videos:

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Google Voice and Line2)
Communication
66 66%
34% 34
VoIP
60 60%
40% 40
Enterprise Communication
60 60%
40% 40
Group Chat & Notifications

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Google Voice and Line2

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. Itโ€™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...

Line2 Reviews

Top 10 VoIP providers in 2022
Line2 is a cloud-based business phone service that allows participants to call and text from any device using an app. Line2โ€™s VoIP service is clearly intended for small enterprises, and its limited feature set means that it is unlikely to be ideal for organizations with a significant number of employees. If all you need is a dependable, user-friendly platform to keep your...
Source: voip.review
11 Affordable Virtual PBX / Cloud Phone Systems For Small Businesses
Line2 is an app that works as your business phone system across all mobile carriers as well as Wi-Fi. Line2 service runs in the cloud and on any internet connected device. Add multiple lines and scale your business. Need Line2 for your growing team? Easily add, remove, re-assign, and manage additional lines at any time as your business evolves. Each one comes loaded with the...

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Google Voice seems to be a lot more popular than Line2. While we know about 21 links to Google Voice, we've tracked only 2 mentions of Line2. 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.

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 / 12 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: about 2 years ago
  • Iโ€™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: over 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: over 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: almost 3 years ago
View more

Line2 mentions (2)

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Google Voice and Line2, you can also consider the following products

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

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

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

Dialpad - Switch is a cloud-based phone system built for Google Apps users.

Grasshopper - Grasshopper enables entrepreneurs to build a virtual office that connects callers to employees, wherever they are.

JustCall - The Cloud Phone System of choice for modern sales and support teams. We help end clueless conversations by adding context to every call.