A Google Voice alternative for people outside the US

Updated 2026-09-30 · By the SMS Conecta team (SMSConecta Inc.)

Short answer: Personal Google Voice accounts are restricted to the United States, so most people abroad simply cannot sign up. The practical workaround is a provider issuing numbers across many countries. SMS Conecta offers genuine numbers in 181 countries, including the US, with email-only sign-up, unlimited incoming SMS and calls, a browser dialer, SIP support and call forwarding.

Google Voice is a well-known way to pick up a second phone number, but personal Google Voice accounts only work within the United States. If you live elsewhere, or need a number in a country other than the US, you need a different route. This guide covers the limitations and what to look for in an alternative.

Where Google Voice actually works

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

Google Voice for Google Workspace is a paid business add-on available in a limited set of countries, tied to a Workspace subscription. If your country, or the one you need, isn't on that list, or you don't use Workspace, this won't solve the problem.

Rules and country lists shift over time, so check Google's own help pages for the current situation. For many people abroad though, the practical answer is looking at providers issuing numbers across many countries.

Who needs an alternative

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

Features worth comparing

The useful question isn't which brand is best known, but which features you actually use. Google Voice users typically value a second number, texts and calls through a browser or app, and forwarding to an existing phone. A solid alternative should cover the same basics and add whatever Google Voice can't offer in your situation.

Check country coverage first, since that is the usual blocker. Then look at the number types on offer, whether inbound SMS is included, how you make and take calls, and whether you can keep the number long-term.

Feature	What to look for
Countries	numbers in the country you actually need, not just 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 already hold a local number.
Continuity and guarantees	keep the number as long as you want, with a free replacement if it doesn't work out and a clear refund policy.

How SMS Conecta works as an alternative

SMS Conecta offers genuine phone numbers on national networks across 181 countries, including the US. You sign up with just an email, and there is no 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 live in the online dashboard. 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 runs through USDT or USDC stablecoins on Tron, BNB Smart Chain, Polygon, Base or Solana; cards aren't accepted at the moment.

Setting up your number

Choose the country and number type you need from live inventory.
Create an account using 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'd rather have calls ring an existing number.
Leave auto-renewal on so the number stays yours.
Test the number against the services you care about during the first week, while the replacement and refund window is still open.

A note on apps and verification

Many people use a second number to log into messaging apps or online accounts. The numbers work with WhatsApp, Telegram, Google and thousands of other services, and if one ever rejects yours, the 7-day replacement guarantee hands you a new number free. If the number has seen no calls or SMS at all, the 7-day money-back guarantee applies too.

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
Works with WhatsApp, Facebook, Google, Telegram and thousands more
7-day replacement guarantee — free new number if it doesn't work for you
7-day money-back guarantee if the number is unused

Numbers start at $1.80 per month, billed yearly ($21.60 per year). Settle up with USDT or USDC.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use Google Voice outside the US?

Personal Google Voice accounts only work inside 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. SMS Conecta offers genuine 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 SMS Conecta?

No. You only need an email address. There's no requirement for an existing phone number or residence in the country you pick.

Can I make and receive calls from a computer?

Yes. 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). Every number carries a 7-day replacement guarantee, and a 7-day money-back guarantee applies if it has seen no calls or SMS.

Can my team share one number?

Yes. Incoming SMS show up in the online dashboard, and calls can route to a SIP app, a PBX such as 3CX or FreePBX, or forward to any phone your team uses.

Can I keep the number long-term?

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