Google Voice is free. And for a free product, it's honestly impressive. But "free" comes with fine print, and that fine print gets loud when you actually depend on it.
The good parts
Let's be fair. Google Voice gives you a US number, basic calling, SMS, and voicemail — all for $0. For a casual second number, it works.
Where it falls apart
No international numbers. Want a UK number? A Canadian number? An Australian number? Google Voice is US-only. If you're an expat, a remote worker, or have family abroad, you're stuck.
SMS is unreliable. Short codes (the ones banks and apps use for verification) frequently don't work with Google Voice. That 2FA code from your bank? Good luck.
No real support. When something breaks — and it will — you get a help forum. Not a person. A forum where other frustrated users speculate about solutions.
Call quality is... fine. It works, but WebRTC has come a long way since Google Voice was built. Modern implementations (like Jaambo's) use OPUS codec with echo cancellation and noise suppression that makes Google Voice sound like a tin can.
It's a Google product. Which means it could be sunset at any moment. Google has killed 293 products. Your number could be #294.
What you actually want
A phone number you can rely on. One that works in 40+ countries, receives every verification code, has human support, and uses modern call technology.
That's not a knock on Google Voice. It's a $0 product and you get what you pay for. But if your number matters to you, $5/month is a small price for peace of mind.
See the full comparison or try Jaambo free.