# Google Voice 29 Hacker News commenters recommended Google Voice and 29 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 11 of 13 months; owners who said how long report a median of 15 years (4 owners). **Verdict:** People recommend it for a free number that works for SMS two-factor codes, forwarding and voicemail transcription. Critics say many services reject its numbers as VOIP. ## Why people recommend it - Works for SMS two-factor codes (4 comments): "My workaround is I use SMS 2 factor for banking and use my Google Voice number." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46724301)) "I've had almost no problems using my GV number for 2FA." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47147788)) "I currently use Google Voice for almost all SMS 2FA" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47596415)) - Free number for texts and calls (4 comments): "If you just need to receive an SMS but don't actually need a cellular network, Google Voice is free." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49852333)) "If you use a site that actually requires a number, give them a Google Voice number." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49175908)) "You can do that with Google Voice for free and much lower rates." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46485690)) - Convenient, worry-free and works everywhere (2 comments): "Very convenient and worry free." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49182593)) "It works well on all platforms." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47790606)) - Easy number porting in and out (2 comments): "I had imported my phone number I'd had since I was 16 into voice" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46387439)) "in/out porting with google is super quick and works great" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46387580)) ## What people warn about - Services reject Google Voice numbers (6 comments): "I've seen Google Voice numbers blocked" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47493241)) "Google Voice or other VOIP provider numbers are often rejected for 2FA or account validation" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49966670)) "I’ve had sites reject my Google Voice number and require my actual cell phone number." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50147591)) - Requires ID or a real phone number (3 comments): "Google Voice is requiring ID verification now, and porting your phone number out is difficult as they charge an unlock fee" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47156911)) "Needing to verify your Google Voice with a real phone number (even for existing old accounts) is pretty annoying" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50106365)) "It's still associated with a credit card and your google account requires another phone number to create." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46280453)) - Stagnant, weak UX and bugs (4 comments): "Google Voice has just obviously stagnated over the years with almost zero new features" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50166644)) "Google Voice has been a pretty terrible UX and quality overall for years" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46625476)) "Google voice still can't deal with webp or heic despite such images showing up in the image picker" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46243117)) - Outages and hard porting out (3 comments): "Google Voice is requiring ID verification now, and porting your phone number out is difficult as they charge an unlock fee" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47156911)) "Removing Takeout access and preventing port-out during a mistaken suspension seems hard to justify." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48648427)) "Unfortunately GV has been having a ~week outage of outgoing MMS group messages." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46623476)) ## Alternatives hackers recommend - [jmp.chat](https://hackerapproved.com/p/jmp-chat.md): 10 recommend - [JMP](https://hackerapproved.com/p/jmp.md): 5 recommend - [Ooma landline](https://hackerapproved.com/p/ooma.md): 5 recommend ## Where to get it - [Visit the official site](https://workspace.google.com/products/voice/) ## Cite as Hacker Approved, "Google Voice", https://hackerapproved.com/p/google-voice/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).