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Dialpad and Google Voice are decent VoIP providers.
Dialpad and Google Voice are decent VoIP providers. With either platform, you can make and receive calls, send texts, manage voicemails, and use your number on multiple devices.
But, Dialpad is one of the most expensive phone service providers.
The Standard plan, for instance, starts at $15 per month. While that seems reasonable, you won’t get an extension unless you’re on the Enterprise tier, which is part of a custom package.
Plus, you need to buy at least three seats in the Pro plan. At $25 per seat, this translates to $75 per user per month.
Google Voice, on the other hand, doesn’t offer toll-free vanity numbers. It’s not even HIPAA compliant by default. And, to get automatic call recording, you must subscribe to the Premier plan at $30.
That’s why we’re adding iPlum to the Dialpad vs Google Voice comparison.
Besides being more affordable than Dialpad and Google, iPlum also boasts 50+ features to help businesses meet the demands of modern-day communication.
So how do the three phone systems compare?
Let’s find out.
Table of Contents
1. Dialpad vs. Google Voice vs. iPlum—A Side-by-side Feature Comparison
2. Dialpad vs. Google Voice vs. iPlum—What Do Users Say?
3. Dialpad vs. Google Voice vs. iPlum—Pricing
4. Dialpad vs. Google Voice vs. iPlum Pricing—Which Offers More Value?
5. Dialpad vs. Google Voice vs. iPlum—Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
6. Why Choose iPlum Over Dialpad and Google Voice?
Dialpad vs. Google Voice vs. iPlum—A Side-by-side Feature Comparison
Diapad, Google Voice, and iPlum are, to a large extent, business phone systems. However, how they handle various functionalities varies.
In the section below, we’ll review the three platforms side by side so you can see what you get with business texting and calling.
Here’s a comparison table to get us started.
1. Regulatory Compliance
A HIPAA-compliant phone system is good. However, this doesn’t mean incurring heavy costs for this functionality.
Here's what you get with Dialpad, Google Voice, and iPlum on this one.
Google Voice
Google Voice doesn’t provide HIPAA compliance in its standard offering.
You must purchase Google Workspace and configure Voice for HIPAA. Only then is a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) available.
Besides increasing overall costs, the setup also introduces extra administrative work. It also complicates the process for smaller practices that simply want a HIPAA-compliant second phone number.
Dialpad
Dialpad does provide HIPAA compliance and will sign a Business Associate Agreement.
However, the compliance option starts at $15 per user each month in the Standard tier. And if you're in Pro plan, you'll need to pay $75 per user per month, thanks to a minimum requirement of three seats at $25 each.
So, while Dialpad is compliant-ready, deployment can quickly become expensive.
iPlum
iPlum provides HIPAA-compliant texting and calling right out of the box. In addition, every account has access to a BAA, secure texting, and audit-ready archiving.
While iPlum's HIPAA compliance plan starts at $14.99, there isn't a minimum requirement like Dialpad. Plus, the platform doesn't treat the feature as an add-on, unlike Google Voice.
That way, you can ensure compliant communication at a predictable monthly cost.
2. Auto-Attendant and Extensions
There’s more to a business phone system than a dial tone.
Auto attendants and extensions allow you to create a lasting impression on first-time callers, reduce missed calls, and run your front desk with the efficiency of larger enterprises.
Here’s how Diapad, Google Voice, and iPlum compare.
Google Voice
Google Voice has a multi-level auto-attendant. However, this feature is only available in the Standard and Premier plans, which cost $20 and $30 per user, respectively.
So, for a business seeking a simple, low-cost second line with automated call handling, Google Voice becomes less appealing because its lower plans do not include this essential function.
Dialpad
Dialpad includes multi-level auto-attendant features in its Standard plan.
However, extensions are a different matter. Those are only available in the Enterprise plan, and pricing is custom.
Custom pricing typically involves negotiations, larger commitments, and costs that can rack up for businesses operating on a small budget.
iPlum
iPlum provides a full-featured phone tree with auto-attendant and unlimited extensions, even on the Standard plan at $8.99 per month.
With iPlum, businesses can set up professional greetings, create extensions for staff, and route calls without enterprise-level pricing.
And, there's quite a lot that you can do with iPlum’s phone tree.
If you’re a small clinic, you can direct patients to billing, scheduling, or urgent care lines. A small law office can assign extensions to attorneys and support staff.
Contractors, on the other hand, can separate personal calls from business inquiries— all at a fraction of Google Voice or Dialpad’s cost.
3. Secure Texting and Messaging
Not every business phone system can provide secure SMS and MMS, especially for regulated industries.
That said, let’s look at how each of the three platforms handles secure messaging and other texting features for business.
Google Voice
Google Voice provides standard SMS and MMS for U.S. customers. And because messages flow over standard carrier routes, they’re not encrypted for compliance.
Sure, the service works for casual business messaging inside the U.S.
However, doctors, therapists, or financial advisers and other professionals in the same category cannot use Google Voice texting for regulated communication.
Furthermore, its SMS isn’t designed for international clients, which limits usage for companies that deal with global customers.
Dialpad
Dialpad offers business SMS with integrations into workflows. It gives companies some measure of professionalism when sending and receiving client messages.
However, there is a 250 inbound and outbound SMS limit, and you’ll need to pay pay-per-text for every additional outbound message.
In addition, international SMS isn’t available unless you’re on the Pro plan or higher. Thus, costs can become costly as communication scales.
Moreover, Dialpad, like Google Voice, doesn’t provide HIPAA-secure texting for clients.
iPlum
iPlum boasts secure texting with encrypted channels, making it suitable for HIPAA-regulated industries.
The platform allows patients or clients to reply using app-less links through a free iPlum account, creating true bidirectional secure communication.
iPlum goes a step further with text archiving, scheduling, group messaging, broadcast messages, signatures, and templates.
Meanwhile, features like text-to-email, pinning conversations, and marking messages unread bring structure to high-volume communication.
What’s more, iPlum enables users to send secure text with multimedia attachments, maintaining compliance while using modern formats.
Simply, the platform treats texting as a professional communication channel rather than a basic add-on.
4. Multiple Lines and Shared Numbers
There are several reasons to choose a business phone system that offers a shared number and allows for multiple lines in one device.
A growing practice, for instance, may want separate lines for departments, or staff may need to share one number to handle calls consistently.
Here’s what you get with Dialpad, Google Voice, and iPlum in this area.
Google Voice
Google Voice ties one number to one user account. That means each staff member needs a separate subscription if you require multiple lines.
While that’s sufficient for individuals or very small businesses, scaling can be expensive and inefficient.
Furthermore, Google Voice’s lack of true number sharing makes it harder for groups to manage client communication together.
Dialpad
Dialpad operates on a per-user license model. Therefore, each user pays a fee, and every new line comes at a cost.
Just like Google Voice, this structure scales poorly when you need many lines but don’t want to incur high overhead.
And, even though Dialpad offers extensions and routing, the per-user charges make adding lines an ongoing financial strain, especially if you’ve already overstretched your budget.
iPlum
iPlum allows you to add multiple lines on the same phone and share one number with multiple team members.
All you need to do is add and configure the additional iPlum lines in your primary account to receive their calls in the same app by using the call forwarding feature on those additional lines.
The setup allows you to use iPlum's calling and texting features, such as business hours, voicemail transcriptions, and texting without the expensive per-seat costs.
The functionality enables businesses to appear unified under one identity while avoiding unnecessary per-seat costs.
5. International Calling and Numbers
If you’re expanding into new regions or are an international business, you need a phone system that allows you to communicate with customers abroad easily.
Here’s how Google Voice, Dialpad, and iPlum compare when it comes to local and international numbers.
Google Voice
Google Voice calling is primarily available in the United States and Canada. Although the service also offers limited coverage to a handful of European countries.
If your operations involve cross-border communication, the lack of broader availability may force you to use a Google Voice alternative that has an extensive, global reach.
It is also important to note that Google Voice doesn’t offer toll-free numbers, and local numbers are available as an add-on.
Dialpad
Dialpad takes a broader approach with international calling, unlike Google Voice. It provides numbers across the Americas, EMEA, LATAM, and APAC.
But like most of Dialpad’s features, international numbers come at a relatively higher cost compared to competitors like iPlum. The service, however, offers toll-free numbers, unlike Google Voice.
iPlum
iPlum offers U.S., Canada, and toll-free vanity numbers. In addition, the service's international availability spans more than 200 countries and 23 languages, which is significantly broader than Dialpad and Google Voice.
With an iPlum, a U.S.-based consultant can connect with clients in Europe, while a Canadian clinic can provide toll-free access to international patients.
Furthermore, 800 toll-free vanity numbers in the U.S. and Canada let businesses set up easy-to-remember phone lines. Plus, customers can dial in at no cost, making it simple for them to reach your business.
6. Voicemail and Transcription
Voicemail ensures you don’t lose important calls and that clients can get a professional response when you’re away.
Transcription, on the other hand, allows you to read messages quickly and decide on the next steps without listening to the audio recordings.
Here’s how iPlum, Dialpad, and Google Voice compare for this feature.
Google Voice
Google Voice provides voicemail transcription in all plans. However, customization is limited compared to competitors like iPlum.
Furthermore, Google Voice’s voicemail greetings are basic, and the service doesn’t support robust routing or out-of-office handling.
As a result, Google Voice voicemail may suffice for casual use but may not match the expectations of regulated industries or professional service providers.
Dialpad
Dialpad offers AI-powered voicemail transcription complete with meeting notes. The platform’s functionality is more advanced than Google Voice.
Although the system is powerful in larger deployments, user reviews point to a feature that’s for smaller businesses looking for reliable voicemail and transcription.
In addition, Dialpad ties this functionality to its high-tier plans, so there’s the cost factor.
iPlum
iPlum offers voicemail transcription on the Professional and Premium plans. The service, unlike Google Voice and Dialpad, thrives on flexibility.
With iPlum, transcriptions come as an audio file by email and also appear in the app as well as the web portal.
Moreover, admins can toggle transcription, choose the ringing time (15 or 20 seconds), and turn on voicemail-to-email alerts.
To top it all off, you can set custom greetings and create an out-of-office message using text-to-speech or your own audio.
7. Reliability and Dual-Mode Calling
Call reliability is one of the most important considerations for any business phone system. Therefore, a dependable service must provide backup options so communication continues even when the internet service is weak or unavailable.
Here’s what you get with Dialpad, Google Voice, and iPlum.
Google Voice
Google Voice depends on an internet connection. It routes calls through Wi-Fi or mobile data. So, when the connection drops, the call quality declines or the line disconnects altogether.
For professionals in areas with inconsistent internet coverage, this limitation can disrupt daily operations.
Dialpad
Dialpad, like Google Voice, depends on the internet to deliver voice service.
And, according to users, it delivers clear audio when the connection is strong, but performance declines if Wi-Fi or mobile data weakens.
The fact that Dialpad doesn’t provide a built-in cellular fallback means that businesses working in remote areas or dealing with variable internet quality may face reliability issues.
iPlum
iPlum comes with SmartConnect™ dual-mode calling, which routes calls through Wi-Fi or mobile data when available.
The feature also allows you to switch to the cellular voice network when the internet connection is weak. That way, you can be sure of consistent call quality and fewer interruptions, regardless of location.
For example, contractors working on-site or healthcare providers operating in areas with spotty internet can rely on iPlum’s dual-mode for uninterrupted connection.
Dialpad vs. Google Voice vs. iPlum—What Do Users Say?
Stats show that 98% of consumers always or regularly read online reviews before making a buying decision.
The figures are no different for business phone systems. Below is what users say about Dialpad, Google Voice, and iPlum.
Dialpad Reviews
Dialpad user reviews often point to problems with support, billing, and reliability, although some users appreciate its ease of use.
❌ Support fails to resolve issues
“Absolutely horrible experience with Dialpad… as soon as I had any technical issue, it got passed from team member to team member.” – James N., Capterra
❌ Hidden fees frustrate budgets
“Unexpected charges and hidden fees… frustrating for budget‑conscious businesses.” – Albert D., Capterra
❌ Connection issues disrupt calls
“Sometimes my phone calls stop working for a short time. This is a big problem.” – Roberto C., G2
✔ Easy to use
“Very simple to use.” – Hafsa T., Capterra
Google Voice Reviews
Google Voice feedback often highlights spam calls, limited features, and a lack of emergency support, with positives around free U.S. and Canada calling.
❌ Frequent spam calls
“Within a few days of getting a Google Voice … I was getting 2 to 4 spam calls/voicemails a week, which was extremely annoying.” – Kristina M., Capterra
❌ Inaccurate transcription
“I found Google's voicemail transcription a bit clunky, with several distracting punctuation errors and name misspellings.” – Fredric G., G2
❌ Limited emergency support
“Google Voice does not support E911 emergency service calling.” – Mellisa F., Trustpilot
✔ Free calls to the U.S. and Canada
“Within a few days … calls and texts … super helpful.” – Michaela B., Capterra
iPlum Reviews
iPlum reviews revolve around stellar call quality, affordability, HIPAA-compliant texting, and customer support.
✔ Reliable call quality
“iPlum works exactly as described. The call quality is crystal clear, and I’ve never had a dropped call.” – Daniel P., Trustpilot
✔ Great for small businesses
“Affordable and packed with features that make it easy to manage business calls and texts.” – Maria S., Trustpilot
✔ HIPAA-compliant texting
“As a healthcare provider, secure texting with patients is essential. iPlum makes this simple and affordable.” – Dr. Kevin L., Trustpilot
✔ Excellent customer support
“Every time I contacted support, they replied quickly and solved my issue on the same day.” – Anna W., Trustpilot
✔ Easy setup
“Installation and setup took just a few minutes. Everything worked right away.” – Olivia T., Trustpilot
⚠️ iPlum does not currently support video conferencing, but development of this feature is underway.
Dialpad vs. Google Voice vs. iPlum—Pricing
With that out of the way, let’s see how the three platforms compare when it comes to pricing.
How Much Does Dialpad Cost?
Dialpad pricing starts at $15 per user per month and scales up depending on the plan:
Standard – $15 per user per month
The plan comes with unlimited calling in the U.S. and Canada, voicemail, call forwarding, HD voice, and custom call routing.
Pro – $25 per user per month (minimum 3 seats)
The package includes everything in Standard, plus ring groups, access hold queues, call recording, and integrations.
Enterprise – Custom pricing (minimum 100 seats)
The plan includes everything in Pro plus unlimited ring groups, extensions, exec-assistant pairings, platinum support options, and advanced security.
How Much Does Google Voice Cost?
Google Voice has three paid plans ranging from $10 to $30 per user per month.
Starter – $10 per user per month
The plan comes with calling within the U.S. and Canada, voicemail transcription, and unlimited SMS within the U.S. It is limited to 10 users and domestic locations only.
Standard – $20 per user per month
Includes everything in Starter, plus multi-level auto attendant, ring groups, and desk phone support.
Premier – $30 per user per month
You get everything in Standard, and international locations, as well as ad-hoc call recording.
How Much Does iPlum Cost?
Plum costs $8.99 to $19.99 per user per month, depending on your plan, as follows
Standard Plan – $8.99 per user per month
The plan comes with mobile app calling and texting in the U.S. and Canada, voicemail, auto-replies, business hours, and a phone tree.
Professional – $14.99 per user per month
This plan adds onto the Standard plan, with features like web-based calling and texting, secure, encrypted texting, and voicemail transcription.
You also get group and broadcast messaging, text archiving, and HIPAA compliance with a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) for healthcare.
Premium – $19.99 per user per month
The plan includes everything in the Professional plan, in addition to call recording and compliance features for finance, insurance, legal, sales, and support sectors.
How to Port Your Number to iPlum
You can transfer your Google Voice or Dialpad number in a few steps, as detailed in the video below.
Dialpad vs. Google Voice vs. iPlum Pricing—Which Offers More Value?
Dialpad starts at $15 per user, but Pro requires three seats, which increases the monthly cost to $75. Google Voice pricing, on the other hand, starts at $10.
However, essential features like auto-attendant and call recording increase costs to $20–$30.
iPlum, by comparison, delivers auto replies, spam blocking, auto-attendant, and secure texting for just $8.99. That’s 40% cheaper than Dialpad’s Standard tier and 55–70% less than Google Voice’s higher plans.
Over 12 months, one user pays $108 on iPlum vs. $240 on Google Voice Standard or $900 on Dialpad Pro.
iPlum offers more features for 60–80% less spend compared to Google Voice and Dialpad’s equivalent plans.
Dialpad vs. Google Voice vs. iPlum—Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
In which countries is Google Voice available?
Google Voice operates primarily in the US and Canada.
However, it is available in select countries, including the U.K., Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Italy, Ireland, Germany, France, Belgium, and Denmark.
What is the disadvantage of Dialpad?
Dialpad depends entirely on internet connectivity, which can cause dropped or poor-quality calls when the bandwidth is weak. It is also expensive compared to most competitors.
Is the iPlum app free?
iPlum isn’t free. Still, its plans—starting around $9/month—offer more features and better value than many VoIP competitors.
Why Choose iPlum Over Dialpad and Google Voice?
Dialpad and Google Voice have their strengths when it comes to business calling and texting.
However, Dialpad’s pricey per-seat structure and Google Voice’s basic functionality can prompt users to seek alternatives.
iPlum is a solid alternative to Google Voice and Dialpad, offering enterprise-grade features without the associated costs.
For less than $20 per month, you get HIPAA-compliant texting, call recording, auto-attendant with unlimited extensions, dual-mode calling, and a host of other features.
Create your account below to experience the difference with iPlum.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational purposes and may not reflect the most current features or capabilities of the products or companies mentioned. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please refer to the official sources of each company.
