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In the last few years, it has become more and more popular for small businesses to have a Google Voice number where they can receive calls from customers. It’s an easy way for people to find them, therefore providing value-added services like voicemail transcription or voice messages being sent straight to email.
As the time for 2021 gets closer, it is important to know which software solution will be better for small business. The “sideline vs smartline” is a question that many people are asking.
Sideline and Google Voice have comparable features, although Sideline cannot be used to make calls from a desktop computer, while Google Voice may be used on any device. Furthermore, although both solutions give a business phone number, Sideline goes a step further by enabling you to send customized text messages, and its Team subscription, at $9.99, is the more affordable alternative for organizations seeking for more sophisticated services.
- Side note: SMS-based marketing is better for small teams utilizing mobile devices.
- Google Voice: For solopreneurs or small businesses that wish to route business calls to any device, Google Voice is a better option.
At a Glance: Sideline vs. Google Voice
Takeaway: Sideline specializes in customized text message marketing and provides team-sharing solutions so that anybody with a mobile device may answer incoming calls. It’s a cost-effective way to add a second phone number without sacrificing capabilities. Google Voice, on the other hand, provides a free plan for solopreneurs as well as premium packages that include a service level agreement (SLA), and users may receive calls from any internet-connected device. For businesses that need a business phone system, both carriers offer advanced plans with an auto-attendant.
How Did We Compare Sideline with Google Voice?
Also Sideline and Google Voice are highly regarded virtual phone systems, which means you’ll need an existing phone line to relay calls to, but they both provide basic call handling features. As a result, we analyzed several business use cases as well as cost to decide which was the superior choice. We also examined for scalability by comparing the cost and functionality of adding two or more team members.
For our assessment, we utilized the following criteria:
- Features of standard voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP)
- The pricing of tiered packages and the availability of free plans
- Options for customer service and response times
- Applicability of mobile and web-based apps
- Phone characteristics that are unique or sophisticated
- Collaboration tools and integrations come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
- On both free and premium subscriptions, call management tools are available.
Although Google Voice’s free plan is ideal for solopreneurs, small businesses looking for a second phone number will discover that Sideline is a superior alternative at a lesser cost. Sideline, on the other hand, isn’t a suitable match if your staff utilizes desktop or laptop devices to make and receive calls.
When Should You Use Sideline?
Virtual phone number providers Sideline and Google Voice are also available. Sideline, on the other hand, concentrates on one-of-a-kind text messaging capabilities. Text messages may be customized with personalized signatures or logos, which aren’t accessible with Google Voice. Furthermore, for just $9.99 per number, each month, you may get a team phone number that you can share with an infinite number of coworkers. In contrast, Google Voice plans range from $10 to $30 per user per month, making Sideline the more affordable alternative for businesses looking to connect numerous individuals.
Advantages and disadvantages of being on the sidelines
Pricing on the outskirts
- Sideline Standard: $9.99 per month for one phone number, voicemail, voicemail transcription, plus an iOS and Android mobile app*
- Sideline Pro: $9.99 a month for one phone number, plus premium support, broadcast texting, and an iOS-only mobile app until June 30, 2021.
- Sideline Team Number: The Standard plan is $9.99 per month and allows you to add an unlimited number of team members, allowing incoming calls to ring on all phones*.
- Sideline Enterprise: $9.99 per month for one phone number, an admin control panel, and an auto-attendant with the purchase of two lines.
*Payment plans of six and twelve months are available for $8.33 per month if paid in advance.
Why Are Small, Mobile Teams Better Off Using Sideline?
- Unlike Google Voice, which costs a per-user fee, Sideline allows you to create a single phone number and invite people by email at no extra cost. When a text or phone call comes in, it will ring on all of the employees’ devices at the same time.
- For business-related text interactions, only Sideline allows you to set up automatic answers when you miss a call, add a personalized signature to messages, and incorporate your logo.
- Sideline offers a shared inbox and maintains track of which team members sent text messages or called, giving total transparency, while Google Voice simply gives call history for individual lines.
Take a look at Sideline.
When Should You Use Google Voice?
Google Voice, like Sideline, provides limitless texting and calling, but it is not restricted to mobile phones. Google Voice, on the other hand, works on desktops, laptops, and any other internet-connected device. Google Voice, unlike Sideline, offers a free option for solitary entrepreneurs. You can also record incoming calls and link your phone system with Google apps like Google Workspace, email, and calendar. Paid options start at $10 a month per user, but you’ll have to pay an extra $20 for an auto-attendant, which is roughly the same price as a Sideline subscription.
Pros and Cons of Google Voice
Pricing for Google Voice
- Free Google Voice: Sign up for a free phone number, voicemail, and unlimited texting and calling in the United States and Canada using your Google email address.
- Starter: $10 per month per user for integrations, a service level agreement, voicemail transcripts, and use and activity statistics.
- Standard: $20 per month per user for a multilayer auto-attendant, ring groups, and desk phone integration.
- Premier: $30 per month per user for access to BigQuery data as well as the ability to connect overseas staff to your phone system.
Why Is Google Voice a Better Option for Small Businesses and Solopreneurs?
- International calling options: Unless you have the Enterprise plan with the worldwide add-on function, you won’t be able to call international lines using Sideline. Google Voice, on the other hand, has inexpensive per-minute prices throughout the board, and the Premier plan accommodates workers working in worldwide locations.
- Google Voice is a fantastic companion product for Google Workspace customers since it allows you to make a call directly from Gmail and link it to your Google Calendar. Sideline, on the other hand, does not interface with any tools.
- Multilayer virtual receptionist: You may build up a multilevel automated receptionist and ring groups on the Standard plan to handle incoming calls and send them to the relevant team members. You must install a line for the auto-attendant using Sideline, and that line cannot be utilized for outbound calls.
Check out our entire evaluation to see whether Google Voice is perfect for your company.
Go to Google Voice to learn more.
Alternatives to Google Voice and Sideline
Small, mobile teams may use Sideline and Google Voice to add a company phone number. Both firms, on the other hand, use your Wi-Fi or cellular data to make and receive calls. As a result, neither virtual service can fully replace a traditional phone system. Consider one of the numerous Google Voice competitors on the market with more extensive call management tools if your staff is anticipated to operate mostly from an office or is fast increasing.
If you’re on a tight budget, take a look at our selection of the best six inexpensive VoIP services.
Most Commonly Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are there any free trials for Google Voice or Sideline?
Yes. Sideline provides a seven-day free trial for the Standard and Pro plans, as well as a 30-day free trial for the Enterprise plan, although the trial requires a credit card. The free Google Voice service, on the other hand, does not need a credit card and may be used for as long as you desire. There are no free trials available for the premium Google Voice services.
Wi-Fi or cellular data are used by virtual phone services.
Yes. Users using Google Voice and Sideline may choose whether to utilize cellular data or an internet connection. Sideline is a cellular-first virtual service with the option to allow Wi-Fi calling in your settings, while Google Voice is a VoIP-only company. You can utilize your cellular data by turning off Wi-Fi calling.
Is it possible to replace an existing phone system with Google Voice or Sideline?
No. Google Voice and Sideline are virtual number providers, which means they use your current mobile phone number to route all calls and messages. A standalone VoIP provider, such as RingCentral or Grasshopper, is required to replace a business phone system.
Conclusion
Google Voice and Sideline are fantastic solutions for small teams looking to add a second line. For $9.99 per month, Sideline’s Standard plan enables an unlimited number of team members to share the same line, comparable to sharing a phone line in an office but at a considerably cheaper cost. Sideline isn’t suitable for huge call volumes since it doesn’t operate on PCs. Google, on the other hand, works on any device, and higher-tier plans also function on Polycom phones and softphones, making it a stronger call management alternative.
Overall, Sideline is a good choice for small businesses searching for a low-cost way to connect their employees. The Google Voice free plan is the greatest option for a lone company owner. Sideline is somewhat less expensive than Google Voice for auto-attendants. Consider the devices that your staff use and if you need international calling capabilities before selecting a phone system.
The “openphone vs google voice” is a question that has been asked for a while. With the release of Google Voice, it’s hard to decide which app will be better for small businesses in 2021.
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