Google Voice is the free second number a great many people start with, and it does the basics well: a number, calls, texts and voicemail, tied to your Google account. Neuron is also free to start, and it is built for a business: an agent answers your calls and replies to your texts when you cannot, and unknown numbers arrive with a name. If all you need is a second number that rings, Google Voice is hard to fault. If you want that number answered, Neuron is the one that picks up.
Checked against workspace.google.com on October 13, 2026
What Google Voice does well
A free number that has been around for years
The Basic plan is $0, and paid plans for individuals start at $10 a month. Plenty of people who work for themselves have run their business on it.
It lives inside Google
If you already work in Gmail and Google Calendar, Voice sits alongside them, and team plans on Google Workspace add ring groups, desk phones and call recording.
Unlimited texting in the US
US texting is unlimited on its plans. Google says the service is not intended for bulk messaging, and it limits repeated messages and links.
What Neuron does differently
An agent that answers calls and texts
Google Voice sends a missed call to voicemail, and its Standard plan adds an auto attendant, which is a menu callers choose from. Neuron answers. Your agent talks to the caller in your business name, replies to texts in your tone, and hands you a customer who is ready to book.
Caller ID for texts and calls
On Neuron an unknown US number arrives with a name, what they do and where they are, so you know who you are talking to before you reply.
Made for customer conversations
Polish fixes the typos in a reply you typed one handed, every language works both ways, voicemail arrives written out in the thread, and search finds anything a customer ever sent you.
Side by side
| Neuron | Google Voice | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes. $0 a month with your own local number, 50 texts, and 30 minutes of calls and 100 replies from your agent | Yes. Basic is $0 |
| Paid plans | Pro $9.99 a month, or $6.99 a month billed yearly. Premium $29.99 a month, or $239.99 a year | For individuals, Starter $10 a month and Standard $20 a month. Team plans need Google Workspace |
| Agent that answers | On every plan to try, and unlimited on Premium, for calls, texts and a chat on your website | None. Auto attendants on Standard |
| Texting | Included. 50 texts on the free plan, unlimited on Pro | Unlimited in the US. Not intended for bulk messaging |
| Desk phones and ring groups | No | Yes, on team plans |
| Bring your existing number | Not yet. You start with a new number | Yes |
| Apps | iPhone, Mac, and a web app that runs in any browser, including on Android | iPhone, Android and web |
What we say about Google Voice comes from its own website on the date above, and prices change, so check there before you decide. If we have something wrong, write to info@neuronmessaging.com and we will correct it.
Which one to choose
Choose Google Voice if you want a free second number that simply rings and texts, especially if you already live in Google Workspace, or if you want to bring a number you already have.
Choose Neuron if the number is for a business and you would like it answered when you are working. It is also free to start, and the difference is the agent that picks up, the name on every unknown caller, and the tools for writing back to customers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Google Voice free for business use?
Google Voice has a $0 Basic plan for individuals and paid plans from $10 a month, as of October 13, 2026. Team plans require Google Workspace.
Does Google Voice answer calls for me?
No. It sends missed calls to voicemail, and its Standard plan adds an auto attendant menu. Neuron has an agent that holds a conversation with the caller and texts you a summary.
Can I use Neuron and Google Voice together?
Yes. They are separate numbers, so you can keep a Google Voice number and add a Neuron business line with an agent on it.
