Google Voice Versus NumberBarn: Which Is Better?

I bet you’ve heard of Google Voice — you know, the online VoIP program from Google that lets you make phone calls from a computer. But how does it compare when you stack it up against other phone alternatives?

Today, we’re going to break down how Google Voice and NumberBarn stack up, look at their pros and cons, and show you when you might opt for one service over the other.

• What is the difference between NumberBarn and Google Voice?
• Comparing NumberBarn Versus Google Voice Features
• Pricing: How much does NumberBarn and Google Voice cost?
• Google Voice Pricing
• Final Verdict

What is the difference between NumberBarn and Google Voice?

If you’re looking for a quick and easy phone number you can get online, both NumberBarn and Google Voice are solid choices.

However, they have some important differences, which will matter depending on what you’re looking for, whether it’s cost savings, lots of features, or even the quality of the calls!

What is NumberBarn?

NumberBarn is primarily a virtual phone number service where you can buy (and sell!) phone numbers online, typically for as low as a few dollars apiece. 

They also offer porting, parking, and call forwarding options, which makes them a great option not just if you need a number, but for when you already have a number you’d like to keep active without paying for a traditional phone line.

What is Google Voice?

Google Voice is a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service that lets you call, text and keep a voicemail online for free, as one of the features inside a free Google account. They also have more advanced features for sale (typically marketed for business use) using “Google Voice for Google Workspace.”

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Comparing NumberBarn Versus Google Voice Features

What’s the difference between NumberBarn and Google Voice’s features?

In terms of standalone features placed side-by-side, the big differences between NumberBarn and Google Voice all stem from the fact that NumberBarn offers phone numbers that are considered “wireline,” or basically “landline,” while Google Voice offers only VoIP (voice over internet protocol), data-dependent telephone numbers.

That means NumberBarn works better as a “true” number with more features, while Google Voice is better for an online convenience factor.

Why? Remember, a telephone number that is dependent on being on the internet (or not) will impact how it works in the world, and therefore, which features it can have (or not)!

“Wired” numbers (like from NumberBarn) are able to be (or generally better at) things like this:

• Not reliant on an internet connection
• More easily transferable (porting) to another carrier
• Personalizable or customizable (i.e., “vanity numbers”)
• 1-800 numbers or toll-free numbers
• Etc.

But there are advantages to completely digital VoIP phone numbers too! 

Since Google Voice is part of Google’s larger suite of programs, a lot of digital features like call recording and voicemail transcriptions come naturally to its ecosystem, especially if you already use it a lot. 

Just remember that other stuff, like transferring your number (“porting”) or personalizing your digits are mostly only possible (or a lot easier) with wireline numbers. (Note: You can port over your Google Voice phone number to a traditional phone carrier, but doing that more or less discontinues its online usage.)

Pricing: How much does NumberBarn and Google Voice cost?

Both have their benefits and challenges but the good news is that both NumberBarn and Google Voice have budget-friendly options and a mix of features (Google Voice is free for personal use actually.)

NumberBarn Pricing

• Call Forwarding Plans: From $6/month
• Number Parking: From $2/month
• Porting: $5 one-time fee
• Text & Call Plans: $6–$19/month (non-contract)

Note: Toll-Free & Vanity numbers (where you choose from available digits) are also available, though prices will vary depending on the popularity of the numbers.

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Google Voice Pricing

Personal Plan: Free 
Google Voice is literally free for the most basic of functions (e.g., online calling, no texting, few features, limited international calling, etc.).

Business Plans (Google Workspace)

• Starter: $10 per user/month
• Standard: $20 per user/month
• Premier: $30 per user/month

Most people assume Google Voice is entirely free, but it’s only free up to a point. For some of the more robust features (most of which are mostly great for business usage), as well even simpler stuff like “HD call quality,” you have to pay monthly. How much? In general, Google Voice costs are roughly akin to adding a new phone line from a traditional phone carrier (e.g., T-Mobile, Verizon, etc.).

Google Business Page

And while a lot of the features are best for scenarios like, say, running a call center and needing to add dozens of telephone lines with recordable call data, some features, like international calling capability, may be sorely missed, depending on what you need the number for.

(Click the link above to learn more about the specifics between plans.)

Final Verdict

✅ Pros and ❌ Cons

NumberBarn

✅ Pros:

• Easy call forwarding
• Great for custom numbers (vanity/toll-free)
• Ideal for parking old numbers you don’t want to lose
• Very affordable compared to directly adding lines via a phone provider

❌ Cons:

• Not a full-fledged phone service provider by itself
• No third-party app integration (like Google)
• Limited texting 
• No call recording

Google Voice

✅ Pros:

• Free for basic features
• Easy call, text, and voicemail on most devices
• Great for remote teams and business collaboration
• Seamless integration with Google Workspace

❌ Cons:

• Dependent on internet connection
• Limited features at the free level
• Limited customization for call routing
• Little to no phone provider features, such as parking

What We Think

At the end of the day, NumberBarn is perfect if you:

• Want to keep an old number active.
• Need a vanity or toll-free number.
• Prefer to forward calls to an existing phone line.

Google Voice is good if you:

• Want a free, easy to set up second number for calling with.
• Are already in the Google ecosystem.
• Need a VoIP phone system for small business use.

We recommend that if you are wheeling and dealing numbers and need more basic features such as call routing, auto attendant menus, parking, transferring, or toll-free options, NumberBarn is kind of a no-brainer, and will only be anywhere from a couple of bucks to $19+ per number, per month for more features.

And Google Voice is great if you want an all-in-one internet tool that works across devices for free and you don’t mind its internet dependence.

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Still have questions? Talk to one of our Support members for free to help get you what you need.