Google Voice vs Line2 (2026): which should you pick?

Pick Google Voice if

• Fits if your team already pays for Google Workspace and lives in Gmail
• Works for a free second US number for a side business

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you don't pay for Google Workspace, since every team plan needs it
• Not for you if you're outside the US and want the free or single-user plans
• Tight if you want every call recorded automatically, which needs Premier at $30 a person
• Watch out: the free version needs an existing mobile number and has no call recording, desk phones or 911
• Watch out: unlimited texting is US only on every plan, and the Starter add-on stops at 10 users

Pick Line2 if

• Fits if you want a second number on your phone for work or privacy, without carrying a second handset
• Works for people who need to pick an area code or move a number they already have

Look elsewhere if

• Not for you if you need a team phone system, as the site sends business users to eVoice
• Skip it if you call outside the US and Canada, as service covers those two countries only
• Watch out: business texting in the US needs carrier registration
• Tight if you want to try it free, since there's only a 30-day money-back guarantee

Google Voice

• Team plans are add-ons to a paid Google Workspace plan billed separately; the Starter add-on stops at 10 users.
• The free and single-user plans are US only; team plans offer local numbers in 14 countries, and unlimited texting is US only on every plan.
• The free version needs an existing phone number to verify the account and has no call recording, desk phones or 911 support.
• Auto attendants need Standard, ring groups need the Workspace Standard add-on, and automatic call recording needs Premier.

Line2

• Line2 now presents itself as a privacy second line; the site sends business users to eVoice, so team features such as queues and call routing are not listed.
• Service covers the US and Canada only.
• Business texting in the US needs carrier registration, and the site links 10DLC and toll-free SMS registration pages.
• The pricing page lists a single plan and no team or multi-user tier.

Google Voice

One number on every device

A single number rings on Android, iPhone and iPad apps, on the web and in Gmail, and on supported desk phones from the paid plans up.

Voicemail transcription and spam blocking

Voicemails are transcribed to text on every plan, and Google AI filters spam calls. Voicemails and texts can arrive in Gmail.

Gemini call notes

From Standard up, Gemini records and transcribes a call and writes notes from it. The notes are available in English.

Auto attendants and ring groups

Standard adds multi-level auto attendants; the Workspace Standard and Premier add-ons add ring groups, call queues and call delegation.

Admin console and eDiscovery

Workspace admins assign and port numbers, set up devices and handle billing; Vault brings calls, voicemails and texts into eDiscovery.

SIP Link

On Standard and Premier, numbers from another carrier can be connected to Google Voice through certified session border controllers.

Line2

Second number on your own phone

Calls and texts run over Wi-Fi or mobile data in an app, so the number sits beside your main line without a second handset.

Choose your area code

Pick a US or Canada number in the area code you want, or move a number you already have over to Line2.

Unlimited calls and texts

Calls and SMS/MMS inside the US and Canada are unlimited, subject to overages described in the terms of service.

Voicemail transcription

Voicemails arrive as text, and the number has its own caller ID display and its own contact list separate from your main one.

Call blocking

Block telemarketers, spam callers and other numbers you do not want reaching the Line2 number.

Phone, tablet and desktop apps

Apps for iOS, Android and desktop, with the account also reachable from a desktop browser, so texts and calls stay in sync.

Google Voice

• Google Voice$0

  Personal use with a Gmail account, US only. Unlimited US calls and texts and voicemail transcripts; no call recording or 911 support.

• Voice Starter (Standalone)$10

  per month

  One user, US only. Adds call recording, three-way calling and transfers, desk phones, 911 support and 24/7 Voice support.

• Voice Standard (Standalone)$20

  per month

  One user, US only. Adds auto attendants and Gemini call notes. Advertised at $10 a month for the first 6 months.

• Voice Starter (Workspace add-on)$10

  per user / month, plus a paid Google Workspace plan

  Up to 10 users, local numbers in 14 countries, corporate directory contacts and Calendar-based do not disturb.

• Voice Standard (Workspace add-on)$20

  per user / month, plus a paid Google Workspace plan

  Unlimited users, auto attendants, ring groups with call queues, call delegation, Gemini call notes, eDiscovery and SIP Link.

• Voice Premier (Workspace add-on)$30

  per user / month, plus a paid Google Workspace plan

  Adds international billing locations, numbers outside the home country, automatic call recording and BigQuery reporting.

Line2

• Line2 Unlimited$7.99

  per month, billed yearly ($9.99 billed monthly)

  Unlimited talk and text in the US and Canada, a number in the area code you choose, voicemail transcription and call blocking. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Google Voice

• Other savings

  Voice Standard at half price for 6 months

  The single-user Voice Standard plan is $10 a month for the first 6 months of a subscription, then $20 a month.

Line2

• Annual discount

  Save 20% with yearly billing

  Line2 shows $7.99 a month billed yearly against $9.99 a month billed monthly, which it labels as a 20% saving.