A Google Voice alternative for users outside the US

Google Voice is a well-known way to get a second phone number, but personal Google Voice accounts are only available in the United States. If you live elsewhere, or you need a number in a country other than the US, you need a different route. This guide explains the limits and what to look for in an alternative.

Where Google Voice is available

The free personal version of Google Voice is offered to users in the United States and gives US numbers. Setting it up generally requires a US phone number and a US location, so people abroad usually cannot create an account.

Google Voice for Google Workspace is a paid business add-on available in a limited list of countries, and it is tied to a Workspace subscription. If your country or the country you need is not on that list, or you do not use Workspace, it will not solve the problem.

Rules and country lists can change, so check Google's own help pages for the current situation. For many people abroad, though, the practical answer is to look at providers that issue numbers in many countries.

Who needs an alternative

People living outside the US who want a second number for work or privacy.
Expats and frequent travellers who want to keep a number in another country reachable.
Small businesses that want a local presence in a market where they have no office.
Anyone who needs a UK, Canadian, German, Australian or other non-US number rather than a US one.
Teams that want several people to see incoming messages and calls in one place.

Features to compare

The useful question is not which brand is most famous, but which features you actually use. Google Voice users typically value a second number, texts and calls in a browser or app, and forwarding to an existing phone. A good alternative should cover the same basics and add what Google Voice does not offer in your situation.

Look at country coverage first, because that is the usual blocker. Then check the number types on offer, whether inbound SMS are included, how you make and receive calls, and whether you can keep the number long term.

Countries: numbers in the country you need, not only the US.
Number types: mobile, local (geographic) and toll-free options.
SMS: incoming texts delivered reliably, plus some outgoing SMS.
Calls: an app or browser dialer, standard SIP support and forwarding to any phone.
Eligibility: no requirement to live in the country or hold a local number already.
Continuity and refunds: keep the number as long as you like, with a clear refund policy.

How ZuteSIP works as an alternative

ZuteSIP offers real phone numbers on national networks in 181 countries, including the US. You sign up with just an email, and you do not need to live in the country. Activation usually happens within minutes of payment.

Every plan includes unlimited incoming SMS and calls, 500 outgoing SMS per month and 1,000 outgoing calling minutes per month. Incoming SMS show up in the online dashboard in real time. For calls you can use the browser dialer, any SIP app such as Zoiper, Linphone, MicroSIP, Bria or a PBX like 3CX, Asterisk or FreePBX, or forward calls to any phone.

Plans start from $1.80 per month, billed yearly ($21.60 per year), with the same starting price for any number type in any country. Payment is made in USDT or USDC stablecoins on Tron, BNB Smart Chain, Polygon, Base or Solana; cards are not accepted at the moment.

Setting up your number

Choose the country and number type you need from live inventory.
Create an account with your email address.
Top up your wallet with USDT or USDC and complete the purchase.
Open the dashboard to read incoming SMS, and add the SIP credentials to your preferred app if you want calls on your phone or computer.
Set up call forwarding if you would rather have calls ring an existing number.
Leave auto-renewal on so the number stays yours.
Test the number with the services you care about during the first week, while the refund window is still open.

A note on apps and verification

Many people use a second number to sign in to messaging apps or online accounts. The numbers work with WhatsApp, Telegram, Google and many other services, but each app decides which numbers it accepts. If a number does not work for you and has not been used for any call or SMS, the 7-day money-back guarantee applies.

Included on every plan

Unlimited incoming SMS
Unlimited incoming calls
500 outgoing SMS per month
1,000 outgoing minutes per month
SIP credentials, call forwarding and web dialer
Keep your number as long as you want
7-day money-back guarantee if the number is unused

Numbers from $1.80 per month, billed yearly ($21.60 per year). Pay with USDT or USDC.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use Google Voice outside the US?

Personal Google Voice accounts are only available in the US. Google Voice for Google Workspace is available in a limited number of countries as a paid business add-on.

Can I get a UK or Canadian number like Google Voice?

Yes. ZuteSIP offers real numbers in 181 countries, including the UK and Canada, with incoming SMS, calls, SIP and call forwarding.

Do I need a US phone number to sign up with ZuteSIP?

No. You only need an email address. You do not need an existing phone number or residence in the country you choose.

Can I make and receive calls from a computer?

Yes. You can use the browser dialer or install any SIP app on your computer or phone using the SIP credentials included with every plan.

Is there a free plan?

No. Plans start from $1.80 per month, billed yearly ($21.60 per year). A 7-day money-back guarantee applies if the number has not been used for any call or SMS.

Can my team share one number?

Yes. Incoming SMS appear in the online dashboard, and calls can go to a SIP app, a PBX such as 3CX or FreePBX, or be forwarded to any phone your team uses.

Can I keep the number long term?

Yes. You keep the number for as long as you want, with renewals charged automatically from your wallet.