Twilio Vs. Google Voice – A Detailed Comparison

It is crucial to communicate effectively within the organization to achieve your business goals. 

Good communication between your employees can foster healthy working relationships and increase your organization’s overall efficiency. As most companies struggle to ensure a constant communication flow, choosing the right communication software is vital, but it can get confusing.

In this article, we will have a detailed comparison of Twilio Vs Google Voice, and then it is up to you to decide which is best suited for your business. 

Let’s get started. 

Google Voice

Google Voice is a telephone service that enables its users to make calls, send text messages, customize their voicemails, read voicemail transcripts, and much more. It is available for Google Account users across the U.S and for Google Workspace (formerly known as G Suite until October 2020) users across Canada, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, France, Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands, and the UK. 

The service is maintained in a web-based application, similar to Gmail, or in an Android or iOS application. One Google Voice API helps you connect with multiple android phones, tablets, and Android wear watches. 

To conclude the winner between Twilio Vs Google Voice, let’s discuss the pros and cons.

Pros of Google Voice: 

There are various pros to using Google Voice. Let’s discuss each of them:

• Free Number  

Google Voice offers a free virtual number. Any incoming calls on this number will be redirected to your phone device. You can also route this number to several other devices, and an incoming call will make all the devices ring simultaneously. 

• Free Calls and SMS

Google Voice offers free calls and SMS with the U.S and Canada. The users can make unlimited calls lasting up to three hours in individual lengths.

• Blocking Calls 

Google voice offers a feature of blocking unwanted calls. You can also block calls that are identified as telemarketers by the app. 

• Switching Phones

Google Voice enables you to answer the incoming calls on any of the configured devices. You can also switch between the phones during a call. 

• Voice-mail Transcripts

Google Voice enables you to read your voicemail messages online when you don’t have the time to listen to each of them. You can also forward or download your voicemails. 

Cons of Google Voice:

There are various cons to using Google Voice. Let’s discuss each of them:

• Relies Heavily on Wi-Fi 

Google Voice needs an internet connection to function. If your connection is erratic, it can decrease the audio quality and cause a lot of disturbance during calls. 

• User Support

The user support and customer service of Google Voice are average and nothing exceptional. In the case of issues, Google Voice Help Community is the only resource you’ll have access to. 

• Privacy 

All your communication information, such as calls, call logs, voicemails, etc. will be stored on Google servers. Although the conversations and messages may be end-to-end encrypted, your data may not be strictly private. 

• Toll-free and Vanity Numbers

Google Voice does not support calling toll-free and vanity numbers. 

• Call Flows

Calls flows and extensions can be beneficial for your business. However, setting up a call flow in Google Voice is not possible. 

• Business Contacts 

All your contacts are saved into your general Google account. This can cause confusion as there is no way to separate your personal and business contacts.  

Twilio

Twilio offers various phone services that enable its users to make and receive phone calls, text messages, and much more. It allows programmers to easily integrate multiple communication methods and use existing web development skills and codes to solve communication problems.

To conclude the winner between Twilio Vs Google Voice, let’s discuss the pros and cons.

Pros of Twilio

There are various pros to using Twilio. Let’s discuss each of them:

• Convenient   

The Twilio Programmable Voice is exceptionally convenient to use. It is easy to set up, and there are various tutorials available to ease the onboarding process for the users further.

• Conference Calls

Twilio enables its users to create audio conferencing calls with up to 250 participants. This is a significant win for Twilio in the debate of Twilio Vs Google Voice as the latter only allows a total of 4 participants (you and three others.)

• Speech Recognition 

Twilio can convert speech during calls into text transcripts. This helps interpret and understand the intent of the message better.  

• Call Recording

Twilio enables you to record, store, and transcribe the calls.  

• Local Phone Numbers

Twilio helps you acquire local, national, and toll-free phone numbers using one API in more than 100 countries. 

• Call Within Browser and Applications

Twilio enables you to make phone calls within any web interface or mobile app.

Cons of Twilio: 

There are various cons to using Twilio. Let’s discuss each of them:

• User Support

Although the user support is available via emails, it can take a lot of time to get a response from Twilio’s end. It can range from anywhere about 1 to 3 days. 

• Pricing

Most users complain that the pricing of Twilio is higher than the platforms already existing in the market. The price per SMS is relatively high. This is a win for Google Voice in the debate of Twilio Vs Google Voice as it offers free SMS over Wi-Fi. 

• Developer-first Platform 

Twilio is a true-technology platform and is positioned to be a developer-first platform. Despite its initiatives to be more user friendly, it still is a bit intimidating to non-developers.

Twilio Vs Google Voice – Comparison Chart

After looking at the basic features of Twilio and Google Voice and their respective pros and cons, let’s look at the comparison chart of Twilio Vs Google Voice.

Conclusion – Twilio Vs Google Voice

Unlike Google Voice that provides services to its end-users, Twilio itself isn’t a tool for end-users.

Twilio enables software developers to build a platform to solve business problems or create products that serve end-users. Contrary to this, Google Voice is a call management software and phone system that allows you to send texts, voicemails, and calls at a click. 

Therefore, in the debate of Twilio Vs Google Voice, you can decide the winner as per your needs and requirements. If you wish to cater to end-users and provide prompt business communication solutions, we suggest you opt for Google Voice. However, if you want to develop a communication software that ultimately serves your end-users, then Twilio is the way!

Here are the quick links to know Twilio and Google Voice business cost:

Twilio business cost

Google Voice business cost

Idea Usher Solutions

Hope you liked our blog post on Twilio Vs Google Voice.

If you wish to streamline your business communications, Idea Usher is the way! 

We offer a range of services such as:

1. Digital Marketing
2. Project Management
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And much more!

We understand that each client is unique, and so are their requirements. Therefore, your needs are our priority. Our dedicated and consistent team is always ready to help you and offer solutions to all your problems.

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