Last Updated on July 29, 2025 by BusinAssist Editorial Team
With technological innovation growing, there is an ever-increasing demand for communication in the marketplace. With the flexible working business model, most entrepreneurs are moving away from the traditional office setup, and the need for reliable and portable phones is paramount.
Many organizations have found Google Voice to be a viable option, as it can be used anywhere and at any time. Since the free option is limited to the U.S., UK entrepreneurs often turn to a Google Voice Alternative UK like the BusinAssist UK virtual mobile number.
This article will highlight everything you need to know about Google Voice and the best Google Voice Alternative UK options to choose from.
Key Takeaways
- Flexible and mobile communication is essential for UK businesses adapting to remote work.
- Google Voice has limited usability in the UK, especially for personal use and carrier support.
- VoIP providers like BusinAssist, Chalkboard, and RingCentral UK offer strong alternatives.
- Choose a solution based on features, scalability, budget, and support quality.
What is Google Voice?
Google Voice is a telephone service like Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) provided by Google. Users can use Google Voice numbers to make and receive calls and texts. Apart from Google Voice number, you can use your existing phone number and landline phone.
It comes with features such as texting, voicemail transcription, greeting personalisation, and call forwarding.
Google Voice is accessible for free in the US and Canada. In the UK, Google Voice is accessible as a paid service for businesses. In the US, it is free to access phone numbers and make calls; in the UK, it is a paid-for service, limiting users’ access to it.
Why does Google Voice fall short in the UK?
Google Voice has limited features and support in the UK. It is available in the UK as a paid service for businesses. Google Workspace users are the only ones who can access Google Voice and its features are practically designed for companies.
Telecommunication rules: The UK has its own telecommunications regulations, which Google Voice has not yet met to operate in the UK. Additionally, the infrastructure for extending Google Voice to several countries is complex, making it easily accessible in the US and Canada.
No personal number: In the US, Google Voice users can get a free number which is not available in the UK. Users in the UK cannot sign up for a personal Google Voice number unless they are part of Google Workspace.
Accessible for Workspace users only: Google Voice is only available for Workspace users and it is a paid service. Only those with business accounts can access Google Voice. The features are oriented toward business use, not personal purposes.
Text message limitation: Google Voice cannot send texts to many UK numbers. This will affect receiving verification codes and general texting.
Lack of integration with UK carriers: Google Voice has deep integration with US carriers (porting numbers, call forwarding, voicemail). In the UK, there’s no such integration, reducing its convenience.
Infrastructure constraints: Voice services often depend on local telecom regulations and infrastructure. Google may have opted not to fully expand Voice in the UK due to compliance costs, licensing, or lower demand.
What are Google Voice alternatives?
1. BusinAssist
A global service provider that offers telephony solutions in the UK, from UK virtual mobile numbers to UK VoIP landline services. The service is great for businesses that require flexibility and effectiveness in their operations.
The VoIP services offer features like call transfer, call recording, voicemail to email, and many more.
2. Chalkboard
This is a UK-centric communication solution mainly designed for small businesses. It offers features such as call queuing, call forwarding, and conference calls. It also integrates with software such as CRM, enhancing customer service and sales.
3. RingCentral UK
RingCentral offers a Cloud-based business phone system with UK numbers. It includes team messaging, video meetings, voicemail, and auto-attendants. It is pricier for individuals, but it is the best for SMBs and larger teams.
4. Vonage
Vonage is a UK VoIP phone service that features call forwarding, voicemail, and extensions.
It focuses on UK home and business users, offering international call plans. This is not ideal for temporary numbers.
5. Icon Offices
Icon Offices offers exclusive deals on VoIP services, including a UK virtual mobile number and a UK VoIP landline. The virtual mobile number allows users to make and receive calls through a mobile app without a SIM card.
The app offers various features like call divert, free voicemail-to-email delivery, free recording, and more. Their numbers are provided by Hutchison 3, the largest mobile network in the UK and globally guaranteeing users peace of mind.
6. BT Cloud Voice
A leading UK telecommunications provider offers a cloud-based phone system featuring call recording, conference calling, forwarding, voicemail-to-email, and three-way calling. However, one BT Cloud Voice license does not support multiple active calls.
7. Hushed
This offers disposable and long-term UK and international numbers. It’s great for privacy or a second UK number and works via an app with no extra hardware. However, it is not ideal for ongoing business communication unless you upgrade.
How to choose the right alternative?
With various alternatives to Google Voice in the market, businesses and individuals need to choose a service that meets their needs. To choose the right one, you will have to check several factors such as:
Pro Tip: Choosing the Right Google Voice Alternative
Don’t just go with the most popular option, match the VoIP service to your business size, communication goals, budget, and security needs. The right provider should scale with your operations, offer UK-based reliability, and protect your sensitive data at every stage.
The size of your business: If you have a large business, it’s essential to choose a service that meets your team’s needs and is reliable enough to handle the daily operations.
Specific communication needs: Businesses have different communication needs. One company might operate a call center while others may use communication for marketing and inquiry purposes. Choose a service with infrastructure that can handle the complexity of your work.
Budget: Communication solutions are not of the same price. Depending on your budget, you can select a package that suits you.
Reliability: Business communications should be reliable. It is essential to ensure that the service provider you choose has reliable connectivity and a network within the UK.
Security: Businesses usually handle sensitive information and communication between them and their clients or partners should be secure. The service should be secured at all stages from transmission to storage to prevent unauthorised access.
Why BusinAssist is the best alternative to Google Voice?
BusinAssist offers communication services for all types of businesses and stands out as a top Google Voice Alternative UK. Our UK VoIP solutions can be tailored to meet the needs of both small and large enterprises.
The VoIP solutions are also affordable for every business’s budget. BusinAssist VoIP telephony service ensures companies and individuals receive and make calls from anywhere in the world using either a UK or Irish number. You can also transfer your existing number to us to ensure connectivity with your old number.
The packages include various free features. You can access the service through the app, which is free and has an instant setup. The packages also come with free unlimited incoming calls and calls to other BusinAssist VoIP users.
For more information on VoIP services, contact us at [email protected].
FAQs
Q: Can I use my VoIP phone anywhere?
Ans: You can use your VoIP phone anywhere as long as there is a stable internet connection. A VoIP phone uses a reliable internet connection to make and receive calls.
Q: Can I transfer my phone number to VoIP?
Ans: You can transfer your phone number to VoIP. The transfer, known as porting allows you to keep your current number while switching to a new provider.
Q: Is VoIP reliable for business?
Ans: VoIP is reliable due to high internet speed
Q: Is there an alternative to Google Voice?
Ans: Other alternatives to Google Voice include RingCentral, Openphone, JustCall, MightyCall, VirtualPBX, Skype, AirCall, and many more. With BusinAssist being a top Google Voice Alternative UK for businesses seeking reliable and flexible VoIP solutions.
Q: Is Google Voice supported in the UK?
Ans: No, the consumer version of Google Voice (the free version) is not supported in the UK. However, a paid, business version of Google Voice is available in the UK for Google Workspace customers.
Q: Is Google Voice a VoIP service?
Ans: Yes, Google Voice is a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service. It allows users to make and receive calls using the internet rather than traditional landlines or mobile phone networks.
Read Also:
- What is Call Forwarding? A Complete Guide to How It Works
- What Is a Virtual Business Phone Number & How Does It Work?
- UK Phone Number Format: A Complete Guide for Businesses
- 0207 Numbers and 0203: A Detailed Guide and Difference
- The Process of Porting Landline Numbers to VoIP: What Every UK Business Should Know
- Understanding Your Rights: What to Do If Your Employer Doesn’t Issue a P45
- Can HMRC Access Your Bank Account? What Every Taxpayer Should Know
- Do I Have to Pay Tax on Money Transferred from Overseas to the UK? Everything You Need to Know
- How to Fill Out a Stock Transfer Form J30: A Step-by-Step Guide
Joy is a content writer at BusinAssist with 6+ years of experience in content marketing and social media strategy. She specialises in company formation and virtual operations, guiding entrepreneurs through global markets with clarity, drawing on her marketing and PR background. Business Assist with BusinAssist – your business success partner.