Google has expanded its Google Voice for Google Workspace offerings by introducing two new subscription tiers, Google Voice Starter and Google Voice Standard. These plans, which appeared in June, provide small and medium-sized businesses with tiered access to professional telephony features, including auto-attendants and expanded support, while maintaining the existing free version for personal use.
Understanding the New Google Voice Tiers
- Google Voice Starter: Priced at $10 per user, per month, this tier includes 24/7 support, number porting, three-way calling, and support for desk phones and Analog Telephone Adapters (ATAs).
- Google Voice Standard: Priced at $20 per user, per month, this tier builds on the Starter plan by adding advanced call routing, auto-attendants for professional call management, and integration with Google’s Gemini AI tools for voice note transcription.
Comparative Features for Business Users
| Feature | Starter ($10/mo) | Standard ($20/mo) |
|---|---|---|
| Support | 24/7 | 24/7 |
| Hardware Support | Desk phones/ATA | Desk phones/ATA |
| Auto-Attendant | No | Yes |
| Gemini AI Tools | No | Yes |
| Call Routing | Basic | Advanced |
The Premier plan remains the top-tier offering for businesses requiring international support, eDiscovery, and advanced call queuing. These paid tiers are strictly optional; users who do not require business-grade routing or desk phone integration can continue to use the standard, free version of Google Voice for personal communication.
Integration and Market Positioning
Despite the addition of AI-powered features like voice note transcription via Gemini, Google has not yet integrated Rich Communication Services (RCS) into the Voice platform. While RCS has become the standard for Google Messages on Android, its absence in Voice remains a common point of discussion among long-term users who rely on the service for unified messaging across devices.