8x8 Express (discontinued) vs. Google Hangouts (Classic) vs. Google Voice

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
8x8 Express (discontinued)
Score 3.0 out of 10
N/A
8x8 Express was a cloud-based phone system that included unlimited calling within the U.S and Canada, HD video conferencing, business SMS and team chat, pre-configured. As of March 2023 8x8 Express is end of sale and no longer available.N/A
Google Hangouts (Classic)
Score 7.8 out of 10
N/A
The classic version of Google Hangouts included messaging, voice, VoIP, and video call capabilities. It was replaced by the Hangouts Chat collaboration tool, and Google continues to support conferencing via the new Hangouts Meet.N/A
Google Voice
Score 7.9 out of 10
N/A
Google Voice is a free IP telephony service that provides users with one phone number that can be forwarded to multiple phones or devices. It includes features such as call forwarding, voicemail translation, text messaging, and voice calls. Fees may apply for international calling.
$10
per month
Pricing
8x8 Express (discontinued)Google Hangouts (Classic)Google Voice
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Starter
$10
per user/per month
Standard
$20
per user/per month
Premier
$30
per user/per month
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
8x8 Express (discontinued)Google Hangouts (Classic)Google Voice
Free Trial
YesNoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
8x8 Express (discontinued)Google Hangouts (Classic)Google Voice
Considered Multiple Products
8x8 Express (discontinued)

No answer on this topic

Google Hangouts (Classic)
Chose Google Hangouts (Classic)
Best part of Google Hangouts is its simplicity, and performance. We never had connection problems, or quality interruptions, something that is more frequent with the other tools listed above.
Chose Google Hangouts (Classic)
Google Hangouts undercuts almost everyone on pricing, and has a solid feature set. In particular, it is enhanced when using with a Google Voice number. In this instance it makes outgoing calls to "real" phones trivially easy. It's great for on-the-fly use, too.

However, when …
Chose Google Hangouts (Classic)
There is a very popular product called "line" and it's very very very popular in Japan, but here Line doesn't have too many users. Plus, lines is okay but it doesn't work with Google Drive and Google Photos and all that. Line is a stand alone, whereas Hangouts is a part of …
Google Voice
Chose Google Voice
The integrations of Google Voice with all our devices are flawless, Android, iOS, Windows, Linux and Mac. Also, the call performance is far superior on wifi as well as on mobile data. With Skype, we had several problems with personal accounts, performance issues, and in …
Chose Google Voice
Google has a larger ecosystem.
Chose Google Voice
I found Google Voice much easier to set up a dedicated number than it was on Skype and cheaper. I had previously set up a dedicated number on Skype and although relatively cheap, I found setup complicated and it never did work seamlessly unlike Google Voice which took all of …
Chose Google Voice
There are no free competitors to Google Voice that are in the same class.
Chose Google Voice
It is cheaper in price and it also has more freedom of use and better functionality.
Chose Google Voice
None of the other small-scale VOIP systems I've tried came anywhere close to Google Voice. It is simple and simply works. Skype, on the other hand, is a bloated and convoluted junkpile of software which only barely operates, hogs resources, and puts advertisements in-app like …
Features
8x8 Express (discontinued)Google Hangouts (Classic)Google Voice
Performance & Compatibility of Online Events Software
Comparison of Performance & Compatibility of Online Events Software features of Product A and Product B
8x8 Express (discontinued)
8.0
6 Ratings
4% below category average
Google Hangouts (Classic)
-
Ratings
Google Voice
-
Ratings
High quality audio8.06 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
High quality video8.03 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
Screen Sharing
Comparison of Screen Sharing features of Product A and Product B
8x8 Express (discontinued)
8.5
2 Ratings
2% above category average
Google Hangouts (Classic)
-
Ratings
Google Voice
-
Ratings
Desktop sharing8.52 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
Online Meetings / Events
Comparison of Online Meetings / Events features of Product A and Product B
8x8 Express (discontinued)
8.7
2 Ratings
4% above category average
Google Hangouts (Classic)
-
Ratings
Google Voice
-
Ratings
Calendar integration9.02 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
Meeting initiation8.02 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
Record meetings / events9.02 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
Online Events Collaboration
Comparison of Online Events Collaboration features of Product A and Product B
8x8 Express (discontinued)
8.5
2 Ratings
4% above category average
Google Hangouts (Classic)
-
Ratings
Google Voice
-
Ratings
Live chat8.52 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
Online Events Security
Comparison of Online Events Security features of Product A and Product B
8x8 Express (discontinued)
9.3
5 Ratings
17% above category average
Google Hangouts (Classic)
-
Ratings
Google Voice
-
Ratings
User authentication9.05 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
Participant roles & permissions9.54 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
Cloud PBX
Comparison of Cloud PBX features of Product A and Product B
8x8 Express (discontinued)
8.0
6 Ratings
4% below category average
Google Hangouts (Classic)
6.3
57 Ratings
24% below category average
Google Voice
5.2
53 Ratings
43% below category average
Hosted PBX7.54 Ratings6.915 Ratings6.025 Ratings
Multi-level Interactive Voice Response (IVR)8.05 Ratings7.725 Ratings3.027 Ratings
Directory of employee names8.66 Ratings3.045 Ratings9.027 Ratings
User templates00 Ratings5.022 Ratings1.419 Ratings
Call reports00 Ratings9.034 Ratings6.846 Ratings
Call Management
Comparison of Call Management features of Product A and Product B
8x8 Express (discontinued)
8.9
6 Ratings
5% above category average
Google Hangouts (Classic)
8.0
66 Ratings
4% below category average
Google Voice
8.4
67 Ratings
1% above category average
Answering rules9.06 Ratings8.033 Ratings8.446 Ratings
Call recording9.05 Ratings7.937 Ratings8.452 Ratings
Call park9.04 Ratings7.018 Ratings6.422 Ratings
Call screening9.34 Ratings9.036 Ratings10.060 Ratings
Message alerts9.25 Ratings8.058 Ratings9.065 Ratings
Business SMS/External Messaging8.54 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
Online Fax8.01 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
Voicemail Transcription9.05 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
Mobile apps
Comparison of Mobile apps features of Product A and Product B
8x8 Express (discontinued)
9.6
3 Ratings
11% above category average
Google Hangouts (Classic)
8.0
85 Ratings
0% below category average
Google Voice
6.9
63 Ratings
15% below category average
Mobile app for iOS9.73 Ratings8.173 Ratings6.645 Ratings
Mobile app for Android9.62 Ratings8.071 Ratings7.251 Ratings
Unified Communications Platform and Collaboration
Comparison of Unified Communications Platform and Collaboration features of Product A and Product B
8x8 Express (discontinued)
7.1
5 Ratings
15% below category average
Google Hangouts (Classic)
-
Ratings
Google Voice
-
Ratings
Centralized communications management8.05 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
Team messaging8.34 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
Team document sharing6.01 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
Call and meeting analytics6.03 Ratings00 Ratings00 Ratings
VoIP system collaboration
Comparison of VoIP system collaboration features of Product A and Product B
8x8 Express (discontinued)
-
Ratings
Google Hangouts (Classic)
8.6
84 Ratings
7% above category average
Google Voice
7.5
44 Ratings
6% below category average
Video conferencing00 Ratings9.079 Ratings6.222 Ratings
Audio conferencing00 Ratings9.079 Ratings7.839 Ratings
Video screen sharing00 Ratings7.148 Ratings8.014 Ratings
Instant messaging00 Ratings9.052 Ratings8.027 Ratings
Best Alternatives
8x8 Express (discontinued)Google Hangouts (Classic)Google Voice
Small Businesses
Broadvoice | GoContact
Broadvoice | GoContact
Score 9.3 out of 10
CloudTalk
CloudTalk
Score 7.5 out of 10
CloudTalk
CloudTalk
Score 7.5 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Cisco Unified Communications Manager (Call Manager)
Cisco Unified Communications Manager (Call Manager)
Score 8.6 out of 10
CloudTalk
CloudTalk
Score 7.5 out of 10
CloudTalk
CloudTalk
Score 7.5 out of 10
Enterprises
Cisco Unified Communications Manager (Call Manager)
Cisco Unified Communications Manager (Call Manager)
Score 8.6 out of 10
Cisco Unified Communications Manager (Call Manager)
Cisco Unified Communications Manager (Call Manager)
Score 8.6 out of 10
Cisco Unified Communications Manager (Call Manager)
Cisco Unified Communications Manager (Call Manager)
Score 8.6 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
8x8 Express (discontinued)Google Hangouts (Classic)Google Voice
Likelihood to Recommend
7.6
(8 ratings)
8.0
(91 ratings)
9.0
(71 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
9.3
(7 ratings)
Usability
-
(0 ratings)
8.0
(7 ratings)
9.0
(9 ratings)
Support Rating
9.1
(2 ratings)
8.0
(36 ratings)
7.0
(35 ratings)
Implementation Rating
-
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(2 ratings)
Contract Terms and Pricing Model
-
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
7.0
(1 ratings)
Professional Services
-
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
7.0
(1 ratings)
User Testimonials
8x8 Express (discontinued)Google Hangouts (Classic)Google Voice
Likelihood to Recommend
Discontinued Products
The 8x8 app is great and very user friendly and straightforward. Team Members can adjust their own setting as needed.
Read full review
Discontinued Products
Had I completed this review a couple years ago, I would have given a rating of 9 or 10 as Hangouts (Classic) is an excellent product. However, now that Google Chat has succeeded Hangouts, I would not recommend that any new users begin using it where other more modern options are available. Android users who want an internet based instant messaging that also supports calling and video calling could benefit from using Hangouts (Classic) as Google Chat requires the user to also have Google Meet installed to make video calls and there is no voice only calling option.
Read full review
Google
I do think Google Voice works well for organizations that do not have a support team meant to provide regular telephone support, and instead do so on an ad hoc basis. I would not recommend it for high-volume call activities, such as SDR motions.
Read full review
Pros
Discontinued Products
  • So easy to use!
  • Voicemail - can be accessed anywhere, includes transcription of the voicemail and an email message with the recording
  • Telephone services without all the fees of a landline service
  • Auto attendant, offering recordings of our messages
Read full review
Discontinued Products
  • Google Hangouts (Classic) is embedded within Gmail's scheduler, so setting up the link is as quick as a click of the button. It's a one-step process.
  • Google Hangouts (Classic) is user-friendly and [has] features to share screens easily.
  • Google Hangouts (Classic) is much easier to use than its competitors.
  • Google Hangouts (Classic) have [a] good connection time and there are few glitches.
Read full review
Google
  • Google Voice has been great for setting up additional phone lines and numbers.
  • The voicemail inbox is a great feature and you can see when messages come in online and listen to the messages from your computer.
  • Google Voice allows us to have multiple phone numbers and lines for specific business purposes.
Read full review
Cons
Discontinued Products
  • We are just starting to use the platform and using limited features at the moment and 8x8 is doing everything we need it to do.
Read full review
Discontinued Products
  • I would like to see improved video support, so that saved videos can be sent back and forth via Hangouts more easily, without having to start a separate meet chat
  • More pronounced notifications of messages would be helpful; pop up notifications are good, but once there is one, additional messages do not pop up
  • Custom muting times would be great, so that if I am in a 90 minute Zoom meeting, I can set it for that time; right now, it is 1 hour or 2 hours. Easy to forget.
Read full review
Google
  • There has not been much innovation since the initial release.
  • It doesn't handle SMS well.
  • It does not natively integrate with CRM without legacy complication
  • It is not supported by Google as it once was
  • Call Recording is non-existent
  • Call-Tree or Virtual Auto-Attendant needs are not available
Read full review
Likelihood to Renew
Discontinued Products
No answers on this topic
Discontinued Products
No answers on this topic
Google
Google Voice has been invaluable for us in our effort to provide exceptional customer service. With Google Voice, we have been able to increase our customer interactions while reducing the wait time to reach a live person on our team. We couldn't be more pleased with the way things have worked out since implementing Google Voice.
Read full review
Usability
Discontinued Products
No answers on this topic
Discontinued Products
The tool is almost self-implemented. It is likely to be available in every pc or mobile device a user or potential user might have, and all you need to do is adding the company's account and you are done. Once you are setted up, you have almost all actual communication methods available in one tool
Read full review
Google
I think it works really well in the arena it operates in, but not so well in areas where an enterprise system would be more appropriate. It's great for quick solutions that just work, but not so much for more complex call management tasks.
Read full review
Support Rating
Discontinued Products
If you get less than 4 phones you fall into the online only customer service. There were a couple of times that I could have used more assistance but figuring it out online was a bit of a hassle.
Read full review
Discontinued Products
Google Hangouts works great and does not require a lot of work to troubleshoot. Everything is simple and easy to use. Google provides all of the tools that one requires to utilize Google Hangouts and any information can be found in the built-in help tools. There is also a forum for users to report issues and typically, Google responds well and will try to work out any issues.
Read full review
Google
They do not offer support unless you have the Business account for Google Voice under G Suite. This is tough, because Google doesn't really have a customer support team for this service, so when it gets shut down for a few hours, we have no choice but to wait it out. But this doesn't happen that often, which is great.
Read full review
Implementation Rating
Discontinued Products
No answers on this topic
Discontinued Products
No answers on this topic
Google
It is a pretty seamless program to transfer to, even for people who either have little experience with these programs or people who were stuck on Skype
Read full review
Alternatives Considered
Discontinued Products
8x8 has a much lower cost that avaya for the same features. 8x8 is a bit more user friendly than some other larger well established brands. It still uses industry standards in terminology and call flows to for anyone with voip experience its a pain free switch to make over.
Read full review
Discontinued Products
Google is the white cotton socks of the conferencing world. It’s a great ad-hoc tool, but not too much more. If you are not looking to spend money or operate completely on WiFi (without data charges), it’s a great free option as well. The benefit of being free and open is also the liability. It doesn’t have a great integration story with other corporate tools, but [it doesn’t have to] if you aren’t looking for that. All in all, it’s as helpful and ubiquitous as a public payphone…without the pay…and with a video capability.
Read full review
Google
The integrations of Google Voice with all our devices are flawless, Android, iOS, Windows, Linux and Mac. Also, the call performance is far superior on wifi as well as on mobile data. With Skype, we had several problems with personal accounts, performance issues, and in general, it felt awkward to use it.
Read full review
Contract Terms and Pricing Model
Discontinued Products
No answers on this topic
Discontinued Products
No answers on this topic
Google
Google Voice should be also be use to those who have difficulty in speaking English. So the contract term will need to be a little strict as Google Voice is used in navigations as the part of GPRS navigation is personal. The private data need to be in control much more securely and safely.
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Professional Services
Discontinued Products
No answers on this topic
Discontinued Products
No answers on this topic
Google
It help to connect with the products that we use as a part. We need to get in touch with our professional world. It is like a tool that helps us to get in touch with everything from A to Z in our professional careers. So we need to be in touch with everything as linearly as the jpb can be done.
Read full review
Return on Investment
Discontinued Products
  • Being able to listen to phone calls when there is a discrepancy
  • Keeping the honest honest by knowing we can listen to calls
  • Easy to communicate internally, been very helpful and time saving
Read full review
Discontinued Products
  • I believe it was part of the google suite that was purchased. It was worth the cost as it was cheaper. I believe it is now free, but also becoming deprecated. It is much better to use Teams, Discord, Telegram, etc. Google does not provide enough support or features to make using hangouts worth it these days.
Read full review
Google
  • Cost for Google Voice is stellar, starting at $10/mo per user.
  • While it doesn't offer a new Audio/Video conferencing solution it does integrate with GSuite so it makes use of Google Calendar and Hangouts/ Google Meet.
  • Gets the employee's to use their company phone numbers more as texting is easy and deployment is simple.
  • The cell phone app is reliable and easy to deploy.
Read full review
ScreenShots

8x8 Express (discontinued) Screenshots

Screenshot of