Software Alternatives & Startups

Google Voice VS Substack

Compare Google Voice VS Substack and see what are their differences

Google Voice

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

Rating
0 reviews
Substack

With Substack, anyone can start a publication that combines a personal website, blog, and email newsletter or podcast. It's quick and simple.

Rating
0 reviews
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Substack should be more popular than Google Voice. It has been mentioned 113 times since March 2021.

social mentions
21 vs 113
VoIP popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Google Voice
Substack
Website voice.google.com substack.com
Company — Startup from the United States
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Google Voice 7 features
Substack 6 features
  • 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

  • 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.
  • Ease of Use
    Substack offers a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for writers to publish and monetize their newsletters.
  • Built-in Monetization
    Writers can easily charge readers for subscriptions, allowing for straightforward monetization.
  • Direct Audience Connection
    Substack allows writers to build a direct relationship with their audience via email, which can lead to a more engaged readership.
  • Discovery and Community
    Features like staff picks and recommendations help writers get discovered by new readers.
  • No Upfront Costs
    Substack does not charge upfront fees; instead, it takes a percentage of subscription revenues, making it easier to start.
  • Content Ownership
    Writers retain full ownership of their content, giving them more control over their work.

Possible disadvantages

  • Revenue Share
    Substack takes a 10% cut of subscription revenues, which can add up for writers with a large subscriber base.
  • Limited Customization
    The platform has limited customization options compared to building a custom website or using more flexible CMS options.
  • Dependency on Platform
    Relying on Substack means depending on its policies and infrastructure, which could pose risks if the platform changes its terms or features.
  • Competition
    As more writers join Substack, it can become challenging to stand out amidst the growing competition.
  • Email Deliverability
    Writers may face issues with email deliverability, as some newsletters may end up in spam folders.
  • Payment Processing Fees
    Besides Substack's fee, payment processors like Stripe also take a percentage, further reducing net earnings for writers.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Google Voice
Substack

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.

Overall verdict

  • Substack is a good choice for writers seeking autonomy and a straightforward way to monetize their content. However, it may not be the best fit for those who prefer working within the framework of a larger publication or those unfamiliar with the challenges of building and maintaining a subscriber base.

Why this product is good

  • Substack is a platform that allows writers, journalists, and content creators to publish and monetize their newsletters. It is praised for its ease of use, built-in subscription system, and direct-to-consumer model which enables writers to retain control over their audience and content. The platform has attracted both independent writers and established journalists seeking the freedom to monetize their work without traditional media constraints.

Recommended for

  • Independent writers and journalists
  • Content creators looking to monetize their work
  • Individuals seeking a direct relationship with their audience
  • Those who appreciate simplicity in publishing

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Google Voice 3 videos + Add
Substack 5 videos + Add

Why I Use Google Voice

More videos

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

Monetizing Podcasts and Newsletters - Chris Best of Substack and Jonathan Gill of Backtracks

More videos

  • - E1016 Substack CEO Chris Best empowers writers via email newsletter platform, raised $15M from a16z
  • - Why EVERYONE should be on Substack | What it is, How it Works, $$$
  • - Beehiiv vs Substack (2024) - Which is Better?
  • - My Experience with SUBSTACK: An Honest Review of Substack

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Google Voice
Substack
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
CMS
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Google Voice and Substack. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Google Voice no reviews yet
Substack no reviews yet

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Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Google Voice 21 mentions
Substack 113 mentions
  • 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 / about 2 years 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: over 3 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: over 3 years ago

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  • How to Get Substack Newsletter Data: Posts, Comments and Subscriber Counts
    a profile link: https://substack.com/@noahpinion. - Source: dev.to / about 2 hours ago
  • Ask HN: What are you working on? (November 2026)
    A free comedy newsletter that has nothing to do with technology yet mentions it from time to time. https://substack.com/@yelluwcomedy. - Source: Hacker News / 3 days ago
  • UK Defence Startups Are Being Denied Banking Services Under ESG Rules
    Books have already been written on this, some as early as 1945 (That Hideous Strength, C.S. Lewis). Otherwise I can recommend basically everything by Curtis Yarvin and Kevin Dolan (https://substack.com/@exitgroup,... - Source: Hacker News / 23 days ago

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Alternatives to Google Voice and Substack

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