Google Voice vs Sideline (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 Sideline if

• Fits if you want a second number for selling things or dating without giving out your own
• Works for one person who wants calls to run over the carrier, not wifi

Look elsewhere if

• Not for you if you need a team phone system, since no multi-user plan is shown
• Skip it if you want a stated price from the vendor, as the site shows none
• Pricey if you pay monthly: $14.49 against $129.99 for the year
• Watch out: the App Store lists plans with no billing period, and a Google Play review mentions $9.99
• Watch out: there is no free plan or trial

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.

Sideline

• Only iOS and Android apps are listed; the site pages read for this entry show no team or multi-user plan.
• The App Store shows several in-app purchases without a billing period, so the plan names are the only guide to monthly or yearly.
• The vendor's own site states no price; amounts come from the App Store listing for the US.
• A user review on Google Play mentions $9.99 a month, which differs from the App Store figures.

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.

Sideline

Second number

Pick a number in the area code you want, or port in a number you already have, and use it beside your main line.

Carrier network calls

Calls use the carrier's cellular network instead of VoIP, so the line works without Wi-Fi, according to the site.

Unlimited messaging

SMS, MMS and group messages are unlimited, with an auto-reply that can send a text back after a missed call or message.

Separate voicemail

Record a greeting for the Sideline number so callers reach its own voicemail instead of your personal one.

Spam labeling

The app suggests names for unknown callers and texters and labels suspected spam, telemarketers and fraud.

No ID to sign up

The Google Play listing says an account does not need a government-issued ID and is verified in another way.

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.

Sideline

• Monthly plan$14.49

  as labeled in the App Store; billing period not shown

  In-app purchase listed as Sideline - Monthly plan. The listing also shows Sideline Pro - Monthly at $14.99 and Voicemail to Text at $2.99.

• Yearly plan$129.99

  as labeled in the App Store; billing period not shown

  In-app purchase listed as Sideline - Yearly Plan. The same listing shows older or smaller purchases, from $0.99 to $99.00.

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.

Sideline

No public discounts listed.