One thing we found that sets Google Voice apart from the rest is its security features - with multi-factor authentication, user permissions on all plans, and the largest number of compliance certificates of all the providers we tested, Google Voice scored top marks with 5 out of 5 in our testing for security. ![]() This is super important, especially for businesses who are concerned about cybersecurity risks. Knowing that the software you're investing in is compliant in all the areas that matter is incredibly valuable, and could make a world of difference to the success of your business in the long-run. The price of Google Voice depends on how you plan to use it. If you're just going for personal use, Google Voice is great, although you will incur a few very small costs for international calls. Rates can range anywhere from $0.01 to $2 per minute, although those higher prices are for countries that most people aren't calling, like the UK. If you're looking for a business phone solution, on the other hand, Google Voice offers three different pricing plans: Starter, Standard, and Premier. The Starter plan is $10 per user, per month and offers Google integrations, free calling in the US and Canada, and up to 10 users. The Standard plan is $20 per user, per month and is for unlimited users, adding features like auto-attendant and desk phone support. The Premier plan is $30 per user, per month and adds analytical tools to the platform. In comparison to other providers, Google Voice is good value for money. Aside from this international calling feature, WeChat launched its mobile wallet - which has 200 million users in China - in South Africa, the same country where it just unveiled a $3.4 million fund for investing in local startups.Its pricing plans are affordable - with most VoIP software plans ranging from $25-30, and come with the basics you need to make international calls, including unlimited calls and texts with all of its plans. For a while it seemed like the company had stopped pushing the app overseas but it has increased its internationalization of late. Tencent doesn’t break out its user numbers for WeChat based on location, but we can assume that the majority of its active users are based in China, where WeChat is the default mobile messaging app used by people of all ages. WeChat did launch an standalone international free calls app back in 2014, but that service hasn’t set the world alight. Skype, of course, pioneered the concept while Line - another popular messaging app in Asia - added its own version nearly two years ago. The service is known for being hugely innovative in China, but it is relatively late to the international calling area. ![]() (Those with the calling feature enabled can look prices up inside the app as explained here.) WeChat, which is owned by Chinese Internet giant Tencent, is gifting its users an initial $0.99 in credit (which it says will allow up to 100 minutes in calls) to get things started, although it hasn’t revealed the cost of calls once that freebie has been eaten up. ‘WeChat Out’ is different from the existing calling options inside WeChat (voice and video) because it allows for calls to actual phone numbers (mobile and landline) rather than just to fellow WeChat users. The service is initially available for users based in the U.S., Hong Kong and India, but it will roll out to others over time. ![]() WeChat, the Uber popular Chinese message app with more than 500 million active users, is taking a leaf out of the Skype playbook after it launched an international telephone calling service.
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