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Google Voice for business: cost, setup, and when to switch

Google Voice is a cheap way to get a business number, and I still run part of my business on it. What it really costs, how to set it up, and the point where a team outgrows it.

Shanin Drucquer

Shanin DrucquerQuo user since 2025 · Updated October 2026

Short answer

Google Voice for business costs $10/user plus a Google Workspace plan, about $17 a user all-in. The free version works for one person to start, but teams outgrow it fast.

$0

Free personal plan, US only, for one person

$10/user

Voice Starter, plus Google Workspace

$17/user

All-in, if you don’t already pay for Workspace

10

Most users on Starter

Have these ready

  • A Google Workspace account, or a plan to start one
  • Who should answer calls, and on which number
  • Your current number, if you’re keeping it
  • Business hours and a voicemail greeting

  1. Step 1 of 6 · 3 min

    Pick free or Workspace

    Free Google Voice gives one person a US number on top of an existing mobile number. For a team, a business number you control, or features like ring groups, you need Google Voice for Workspace.

    Free Google Voice is tied to one person’s Google account. That becomes a problem the moment someone else needs the line.

  2. Step 2 of 6 · 10 min

    Set up Google Workspace

    Voice business plans run inside Google Workspace. If you don’t have it, Business Starter is $7/user and gives you business email on your own domain too.

  3. Step 3 of 6 · 5 min

    Add Voice licenses

    In the Google Admin console, add a Google Voice subscription and assign a license to each person who takes calls. Starter covers up to 10 users; Standard adds ring groups and an auto attendant.

  4. Step 4 of 6 · 5 min

    Pick or port your number

    Choose a new number for each user, or port your existing business number in. Keep your old service active until the port completes.

    Watch out

    Ports can stall. A port I tried with a different provider dragged on for months and never went through, and customers couldn’t reach us. Don’t cancel the old line early.

  5. Step 5 of 6 · 5 min

    Set up who answers

    Set business hours, a voicemail greeting, and forwarding. On Standard, create a ring group so a call to the main number rings everyone who’s free.

  6. Step 6 of 6 · 2 min

    Install the app

    Everyone installs Google Voice on their phone and laptop and signs in with their Workspace account. Calls and texts then show the business number, not their personal one.

What it costs, and how Quo compares

The Voice price looks low until you add Workspace. If you already pay for Workspace for email, Google Voice Starter is a cheap add. If you don’t, Quo Starter at $15/user costs less than Voice plus Workspace and includes shared texting.

TeamGoogle Voice + WorkspaceVoice only (already on Workspace)Quo Starter
1 user$17/mo$10/mo$15/mo
3 users$51/mo$30/mo$45/mo
5 users$85/mo$50/mo$75/mo

Billed yearly, checked October 2026. Google Voice Starter caps at 10 users; Standard is $20/user.

Can you use free Google Voice for a business?

You can get started on it, and plenty of owners do. But the free version is meant for personal use, it needs an existing US mobile number, and the number belongs to one person’s Google account.

That last part bites when you hire. Calls can’t be shared, there’s no ring group, and if that person leaves, the number goes with their account.

When a team outgrows Google Voice

Google Voice handles calls and texts well. These are the signs you need more:

  • Several people need to see and answer the same customer texts
  • You want to know who’s answering, how fast, and what’s getting missed
  • Calls after hours should get answered, not go to voicemail
  • Customers text you more than they call

Why I’m moving to Quo

We still run part of the business on Google Voice to save money, but we’re moving everything to Quo. Shared numbers let the whole crew work one customer inbox, I can see who’s responding and how fast, and its AI agent answers calls we’d otherwise miss.

My port to Quo finished at the low end of the timeline they gave me, and support during the switch was excellent.

“Reliable phones are the foundation of a service business. The difference is worth it.”
Shanin Drucquer, Iconic Landscaping

Common questions

How much does Google Voice for business cost?

$10/user on Starter, $20/user on Standard, and $30/user on Premier, billed yearly, plus a Google Workspace plan from $7/user.

Is Google Voice free for business?

The personal version is free, but it’s meant for personal use, needs an existing US mobile number, and belongs to one person’s Google account. Business features need a paid Voice plan with Google Workspace.

Can I text customers from Google Voice?

Yes, unlimited texting to US numbers is included on the paid plans. For a team that shares customer texts, a tool with shared inboxes like Quo works better.

Can I keep my existing number?

Yes, you can port it into Google Voice. Keep your old service running until the port is finished, since ports can stall.

What’s a good Google Voice alternative?

Quo, from $15/user, is what I’m moving to. It adds shared numbers for a team, reporting on who’s answering, and an AI agent that answers missed calls, with no Workspace subscription needed.

How many users can Google Voice Starter have?

Up to 10. Larger teams need Standard or Premier.

Sources: Google Voice for Workspace, Google Workspace pricing, Quo pricing.

Outgrowing Google Voice? Try Quo

Start Quo’s 7-day trial, port your number when you’re ready, and keep Google Voice running until it’s done. Sign up through my referral link and you get a $20 Visa gift card.

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