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Google Voice vs. Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)

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    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    Google Voice

    Score8 out of 10
    N/AGoogle 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

    Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)

    Score6.5 out of 10
    N/ASkype for Business was an online messaging and conferencing tool, now superseded by Microsoft Teams.N/A
    Pricing
    Google VoiceSkype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    Editions & Modules
    Starter
    $10
    per user/per month
    Standard
    $20
    per user/per month
    Premier
    $30
    per user/per month
    No answers on this topic
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    Google VoiceSkype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    Free Trial
    NoNo
    Free/Freemium Version
    NoNo
    Premium Consulting/Integration Services
    NoNo
    Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
    Additional Details——
    More Pricing Information
    Community Pulse
    Google VoiceSkype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    Considered Both Products
    Google
    Chose Google Voice
    It is more affordable than Skype for Business was. It is also more user-friendly as we have an older employee base.
    Incentivized
    Chose Google Voice
    I see Skype for Business as a heavier, enterprise solution needing more backend admin support and training than Google Voice. Google Voice is just plain easy to use.
    Incentivized
    Chose Google Voice
    I chose Google Voice for their seamless integration. Calls and text bundle and email alerts. While Skype had great quality calls a long time ago, I noticed their support team is horrible with many bugs and crashes. The call logs on Skype were not registering and sometimes it …
    Incentivized
    Chose Google Voice
    Google Voice performs similar communication activities compared to many other business service tools. However, one often must integrate other Google apps in order to fully experience the benefits that other platforms experience locally. Voice does have the benefit of merging …
    Incentivized
    Chose Google Voice
    I haven't really used anything else that gives you a whole local phone number, so I can't speak to that, but there are other solutions like Skype or Zoom that can also do calling. These are nicer in a lot of ways but, again, are different tools designed for different purposes.
    Incentivized
    Discontinued Products
    No answer on this topic
    Key User Insights
    Would buy again
    95%
    Would buy again
    41 Answers
    80%
    Would buy again
    85 Answers
    Delivers good value for the price
    98%
    Delivers good value for the price
    41 Answers
    94%
    Delivers good value for the price
    80 Answers
    Happy with the feature set
    91%
    Happy with the feature set
    39 Answers
    92%
    Happy with the feature set
    98 Answers
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    93%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    27 Answers
    94%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    46 Answers
    Implementation went as expected
    97%
    Implementation went as expected
    35 Answers
    93%
    Implementation went as expected
    56 Answers
    Features
    Google VoiceSkype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    Cloud PBX
    Comparison of Cloud PBX features of Google Voice and Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    Feature
    Google Voice
    5.3
    53 Ratings
    40% below category average
    Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    -
    Ratings
    Hosted PBX6.025 Ratings00 Ratings
    Multi-level Interactive Voice Response (IVR)3.027 Ratings00 Ratings
    User templates1.419 Ratings00 Ratings
    Call reports7.046 Ratings00 Ratings
    Directory of employee names9.027 Ratings00 Ratings
    Call Management
    Comparison of Call Management features of Google Voice and Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    Feature
    Google Voice
    8.4
    67 Ratings
    2% above category average
    Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    -
    Ratings
    Answering rules8.546 Ratings00 Ratings
    Call recording8.152 Ratings00 Ratings
    Call park6.422 Ratings00 Ratings
    Call screening10.060 Ratings00 Ratings
    Message alerts9.065 Ratings00 Ratings
    VoIP system collaboration
    Comparison of VoIP system collaboration features of Google Voice and Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    Feature
    Google Voice
    7.5
    44 Ratings
    6% below category average
    Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    7.8
    1 Ratings
    6% above category average
    Video conferencing6.022 Ratings7.01 Ratings
    Audio conferencing8.039 Ratings8.01 Ratings
    Video screen sharing8.014 Ratings8.01 Ratings
    Instant messaging8.027 Ratings8.01 Ratings
    Mobile apps
    Comparison of Mobile apps features of Google Voice and Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    Feature
    Google Voice
    7.2
    63 Ratings
    9% below category average
    Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    -
    Ratings
    Mobile app for iOS6.945 Ratings00 Ratings
    Mobile app for Android7.551 Ratings00 Ratings
    Performance & Compatibility of Online Events Software
    Comparison of Performance & Compatibility of Online Events Software features of Google Voice and Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    Feature
    Google Voice
    -
    Ratings
    Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    8.0
    195 Ratings
    1% above category average
    High quality audio00 Ratings9.1191 Ratings
    High quality video00 Ratings9.0185 Ratings
    Low bandwidth requirements00 Ratings5.0181 Ratings
    Mobile support00 Ratings9.0146 Ratings
    Screen Sharing
    Comparison of Screen Sharing features of Google Voice and Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    Feature
    Google Voice
    -
    Ratings
    Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    7.0
    191 Ratings
    13% below category average
    Desktop sharing00 Ratings9.0191 Ratings
    Whiteboards00 Ratings5.0120 Ratings
    Online Meetings / Events
    Comparison of Online Meetings / Events features of Google Voice and Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    Feature
    Google Voice
    -
    Ratings
    Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    9.3
    188 Ratings
    13% above category average
    Calendar integration00 Ratings10.0174 Ratings
    Meeting initiation00 Ratings9.5182 Ratings
    Integrates with social media00 Ratings8.182 Ratings
    Record meetings / events00 Ratings9.0143 Ratings
    Slideshows00 Ratings10.0115 Ratings
    Online Events Collaboration
    Comparison of Online Events Collaboration features of Google Voice and Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    Feature
    Google Voice
    -
    Ratings
    Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    7.5
    173 Ratings
    8% below category average
    Live chat00 Ratings8.5171 Ratings
    Audience polling00 Ratings7.094 Ratings
    Q&A00 Ratings7.094 Ratings
    Online Events Security
    Comparison of Online Events Security features of Google Voice and Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    Feature
    Google Voice
    -
    Ratings
    Skype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    6.8
    156 Ratings
    17% below category average
    User authentication00 Ratings9.0142 Ratings
    Participant roles & permissions00 Ratings8.5148 Ratings
    Confidential attendee list00 Ratings3.0109 Ratings
    Best Alternatives
    Google VoiceSkype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    Small Businesses
    CallFire
    Score9.7 out of 10
    ClickMeeting
    Score9.5 out of 10
    Medium-sized Companies
    Fuze
    Score8.2 out of 10
    JioMeet
    Score9.8 out of 10
    Enterprises
    Cisco Unified Communications Manager (Call Manager)
    Score8.3 out of 10
    Webex Meetings
    Score8.7 out of 10
    All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
    User Ratings
    Google VoiceSkype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    Likelihood to Recommend
    7.5
    (73 ratings)
    8.4
    (198 ratings)
    Likelihood to Renew
    9.3
    (7 ratings)
    9.0
    (7 ratings)
    Usability
    8.0
    (11 ratings)
    9.0
    (14 ratings)
    Support Rating
    7.0
    (35 ratings)
    8.5
    (40 ratings)
    Implementation Rating
    10.0
    (2 ratings)
    7.0
    (2 ratings)
    Contract Terms and Pricing Model
    7.0
    (1 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Professional Services
    7.0
    (1 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    Google VoiceSkype for Business / Lync (discontinued)
    Likelihood to Recommend
    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.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Discontinued Products
    Skype for Business, now part of Microsoft Teams is a remote/virtual team collaboration tool must have...especially if you already use Microsoft tools. Of course, since it now part of an MS 365 subscription, it really doesn't make sense to use anything else. It is easy to use and just works. I'm not sure how anyone who works with digital files/documents and needs to work with other people doing similar work can be effective without such a tool. Of course, there are a number of alternatives like Zoom or Webex, but why pay or use another separate tool if you don't need to. :-)
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Pros
    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.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Discontinued Products
    • Instant messaging to anyone who we know only by name/email. Even if they're offline, they get the message in missed convos and a notification automatically goes to them via Outlook mail. All conversations are saved and accessible via Outlook.
    • Video and voice calls are a norm in the WFH scenario, and an average employee has around 4-5 calls a day. Skype gives notifications for upcoming meetings, allows easy scheduling via outlook calendar, and its audio/video quality [is] reasonably good compared to the amount of data it consumes.
    • Status availabilities - in the WFH scenario, you could be off for lunch, out of office, busy, sharing screens - and might not want to be disturbed. Skype allows you to do that, and in case you're off, ensures that you know that you have missed messages.
    • Screen sharing - we have to share screens at least once or twice a day with a coworker when working on some issues/features, and Skype easily lets us do that. One of the best things about Skype is that the screen can be shared without being on a video/voice call - which is of immense advantage because oftentimes, you could prefer sharing the screen, while it [is] too noisy to talk.
    Read full review
    Cons
    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
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Discontinued Products
    • Connection issues can be hard to diagnose when they come up(as some knowledge of server information may be needed to reestablish as the connection troubleshooting options on the sky are not as user-friendly as the rest of the platform.
    • Some issues setting up camera/sound could use more info on troubleshooting options with playback sound, video, etc.
    • Statuses sometimes are unreliable and do not display correctly .
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Likelihood to Renew
    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.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Discontinued Products
    The software is simple to install and configure. It is rather simple to explain for correct use. It is possible to profile users for the different functions offered. It is integrated quite completely with Outlook and with Active Directory security. It performs all communication functions well with one or more interlocutors and the possibility of granting control of your computer is convenient.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Usability
    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.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Discontinued Products
    Very easy to use. Even though Microsoft Teams has a lot of features and integrations, as a user I feel completely comfortable on finding what I need, getting information about the app extensions and using them. It's a very comprehensive tool, intuitive design and does not make me feel tired to be using it. I am glad with the current experience.
    Read full review
    Support Rating
    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.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Discontinued Products
    I have only had to reach out to the Support team at Skype for Business once with an issue, and I was pleasantly surprised and encouraged by the quickness and thoroughness of their response. The wait time was short and my question was dealt with politely and clearly, so I would say the support team has it together.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Implementation Rating
    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
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Discontinued Products
    Skpe for business is utilized company wide in regards to my company. Everyone not only uses it, but uses it often. It is an effective way of communicating. It also integrates very nicely with outlook and all conversation history is pushed to a folder within the outlook system. We also have it so that if someone misses a message, they are sent an email reminder saying that there is a message that went unread.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Alternatives Considered
    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.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Discontinued Products
    For the below reason I will always choose this app over its competitors: Better audio and video quality, Little to no disconnections or freezing when on a call/video conference Integrates well with mailbox/ calendar/ one drive, and SharePoint is easy to use
    Read full review
    Contract Terms and Pricing Model
    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.
    Read full review
    Discontinued Products
    No answers on this topic
    Professional Services
    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
    Discontinued Products
    No answers on this topic
    Return on Investment
    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.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Discontinued Products
    • Skype for Business has enabled a migration in part away from fixed line telephony and introduced the user to mobile working with a headset which cannot be overstated as being a game changer.
    • Being able to schedule Skype for Business meetings through Outlook has meant meetings with colleagues without a meeting room has been a great enabler.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    ScreenShots