Top 10 VOIP and Virtual Phone System Providers
Our guide to the Best VOIP Providers Online
Whether you have family members scattered across the globe or a business that handles a high volume of phone calls, cell phones and traditional land lines are far from your most affordable option. VOIP—Voice-over-Internet protocol—providers can save you thousands of dollars a year while giving you additional phone and messaging services, too. If you need to upgrade or augment your home or office phone systems and/or services, check out today's best VOIP providers before making a deal with the phone companies.
Simply put, VOIP means a service that carries your voice over the Internet. There are several free VOIP providers, including Skype, Google Hangout, and Apple's FaceTime, however these services tend to have limited features and will charge for things like a dedicated phone number, international calling, and additional features. These services also tend to be adjuncts to the core operations and service offerings of the companies behind them, which tends to mean they have less vigorous support available and are more susceptible to technical flaws.
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For any business use and even regular home use, a paid VOIP service is well worth the money, offering greater reliability, clarity, consistency, and adaptability. And with the cost still a fraction of traditional and cellular phone services, VOIP can help your business and your household stay on budget while still making all the calls you want!
Advances in VOIP Technology
VOIP services have been around for awhile, but they've come a long way since the early days. There is no longer only a handful of competitors offering essentially the same services. Instead, as security and call quality have improved the number of competitors has grown and prices have generally fallen. There are VOIP providers that offer data analytics and other advanced features for businesses, simple phone service to replace traditional landlines for residential use, and everything in between.
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As the infrastructure supporting a faster Internet and cellular networks capable of carrying more data more quickly and securely has grown, VOIP has gotten better and better, and consumer VOIP options have grown more and more diverse. This makes a reliable guide to today's best VOIP providers even more important, which is why we've updated our guide to reflect the current state of VOIP.
1. VOIP Provider - RingCentral
Suitable for Home Use? Yes
Suitable for Business Use? Yes
Average Cost: 8.29
Setup Fee: None, and no cancellation fee
Special Phones? No, but you will need high speed internet access
How Many Minutes are Included with the Basic Plan? 100
Can This Service be used with my Computer? No
Does the Service Offer Video Calling? No
RingCentral is ideal for anyone looking for web-based fax as well as a range of phone services. Each plan can be easily integrated into large and small scale offices as well as residential or home locations. Their services offer excellent clarity with few if any dropped calls. RingCentral is also ideally priced for consumers that want a simple monthly arrangement without having to worry about hidden fees.
Visit: http://Ringcentral.com (Currently offering a free 30-day trial and 25% off first 6 months of service)
2. VOIP Provider - Nextiva
Suitable for Home Use? Yes
Suitable for Business Use? Yes
Average Cost: 9.95 to 49.95 per month
Setup Fee? Depends on the plan and equipment required
Special Phones? Use your own VOIP devices or purchase directly from company. You will need high speed internet access
How Many Minutes are Included with the Basic Plan? Unlimited minutes for in-state calls only
Can This Service be used With my Computer? No
Does the Service Offer Video Calling? No
Nextiva offers a number of different packages, enabling you to purchase only the services you need at either home or business levels. For people looking for a home phone replacement who rarely call out of state, the 9.95 per month basic package will save a good bit of money compared to a traditional land line. All VOIP packages from Nextiva include call forwarding, nuisance call blocking, caller ID support, and enhanced 911 services.
Visit: http://Nextiva.com
3. VOIP Provider - PhonePower
Suitable for Home Use?Yes
Suitable for Business Use? Yes
Average Cost: 8.33 to 14.95 per month to start
Setup Fee? None, and no cancellation fee
Do I need Special Phones? No, but high speed internet access is required.
How Many Minutes are Included with the Basic Plan? Unlimited local and in-country calls, 60 minutes free per month for international calls.
Can This Service be used with my Computer? No
Does the Service Offer Video Calling? No
PhonePower makes it easy to enjoy free web-based fax services and a wide range of phone services, including voicemail, free call forwarding, call hold, conferencing, caller ID, and nuisance call blocking. When you sign up for VOIP services from PhonePower, you will not need to change your existing number or buy new phones.
Visit: http://Phonepower.com
4. VOIP Provider - ViaTalk
Suitable for Home Use? Yes
Suitable for Business Use? Yes
Average Cost: starts at 15.75 per month. You can buy one year up front and get the second year free
Setup Fee? Depends on package type and equipment requested
Special Phones? Consumer and medium business based plans require phone purchase. You can also select a plan that allows you to use your own equipment. All plans require high speed internet access
How Many Minutes are Included with the Basic Plan? Unlimited based on destination type. Additional fees may apply for calls to cell phones
Can This Service be used with my Computer? No
Does the Service Offer Video Calling? No
ViaTalk is ideal for business owners and consumers that are interested in having a long term contract at a low cost. They are also ideal if you will be making a lot of international calls. All ViaTalk accounts come with web-based fax service, call forwarding, voicemail, and caller ID support. Consumers looking for easy nuisance call blocking, call log, and call routing will find ViaTalk incredibly useful. You can also set your service to create a wakeup call and to access enhanced 911 services.
Visit: http://ViaTalk.com
5. VOIP Provider - Rebtel
Suitable for Home Use? Yes
Suitable for Business Use? Yes
Average Cost: Plans sold in packages of minutes; price per minute varies by country
Setup Fee? None, and no cancellation fee
Special Phones? No—works with any smartphone or landline phone. No Internet required to make calls.
How Many Minutes are Included with the Basic Plan? All plans include a set number of minutes for a set price
Can This Service be used with my Computer? No
Does the Service Offer Video Calling? No
Rebtel is a very different VOIP provider, designed to optimize international calling for people who regularly make calls to a specific country or countries. It can be used with most smartphones (Rebtel apps are available for iPhones and iPads, Android phones and tablets, and Windows phones), and you can also set up a local access number to call international friends and family from any landline phone over Rebtel's network.
Rebtel offers the first phone call for free to every customer, and because you purchase blocks of minutes there are no start up fees or cancellation fees—you only pay for the minutes you want to use. This can make it a great choice if you need to make international calls over a short period of time or if you regularly call family out of the country.
Visit: http://Rebtel.com
6. Virtual Phone System Provider - Freedom Voice
- Target local audiences with numbers in any area code.
- Get a virtual local presence even if you don't have an office in the area.
- Transfer a Number
- Move a toll free or local number to use with Freedom Voice service.
- Get unlimited inbound minutes - no charge for receiving calls.
- Standard service includes an auto attendant, call forwarding, and voicemail
- Also available: 800 numbers and vanity toll free numbers.
- Vanity Number Search - search the national database for a custom toll free number.
- Spell out words customers can relate to your business, e.g. 888-555-BIKE
With Freedom Voice, nationwide toll free 800 numbers are activated instantly. Go with Month-to-month service and no long-term contract to sign.
Visit: http://Freedomvoice.com
7. VOIP Provider - Phone.com
Is the Service Suitable for Home Use? Yes
Is the Service Suitable for Business Use? Yes
Average Cost - 9.88 per month to start
What is the Setup Fee? None, however cancellation fees may apply based on package selected
Do I need Special Phones? No, but high speed internet access and an adapter are required. Adapter is provided at sign up
How Many Minutes are Included with the Basic Plan? Depends on whether you are purchasing a home based or business plan
Can This Service be used with my Computer? No, but you can send text messages to enabled phones
Does the Service Offer Video Calling? No
While Phone.com offers a home based service, they tend to be geared towards small and mid-sized businesses. Some of their business value added services include free call attendant, free call forwarding, caller ID, unified voicemail system, and conference calling. You can run your business from your mobile phone with call forwarding.Home based consumers can also take advantage of an integrated finder that will route calls based on your location, as well as web based fax services. Regardless of the plan you choose, you will also need to sign up for at least one year. Cancellation fees may apply if you try to exit the service early. (Currently offering a 30-day free trial)
Visit: http://Phone.com
8. VOIP Provider - VOIP.com
Suitable for Home Use? Yes
Suitable for Business Use? Yes
Average Cost: 17.95-29.95 per month based on the number of extension needed
Setup Fee? Free
Special Phones? Use your own VOIP devices or purchase directly from company. You will need high speed internet access
How Many Minutes are Included with the Basic Plan? Unlimited minutes for U.S. and Canada
Can This Service be used With my Computer? No
Does the Service Offer Video Calling? No
VOIP.com offers the following features for standard plans: 3-Way-Calling, Anonymous Call Rejection, Business Group CNAMs, Call Forwarding (Basic), Call Logs, Caller ID with Name Support, Direct Inward Dial, Directory Listing, Do Not Disturb (DND), Fax-to-Email, iPhone & Android Mobile Apps, Keep Your Existing Phone #s, Multi-Line Hunt Groups, Music On Hold, Online Call Management, Online Dashboard, Optional Non-Local Number, Softphone, Telemarketer/Block List, and VoiceMail-to-Email.
Visit: http://Voip.com
9. VOIP Provider - Virtual PBX
Is the Service Suitable for Home Use? Yes
Is the Service Suitable for Business Use? Yes
Average Cost: - starts at 19.99 per month, but only costs 199.99 if you pay for the whole year up front.
What is the Setup Fee? Depends on the plan selected. There is a 99.99 termination fee after the first 30 days of contract.
Do I need Special Phones? No, but you need a special adapter, that is included with installation. The adapter will accommodate two standard phones. Additional fees may apply for shipping and replacement of hardware supplied. You also need high speed internet access to use this service
How Many Minutes are Included with the Basic Plan? Unlimited in United States and Canada. Additional fees and packages available for international calling
Can This Service be used with my Computer? No
Does the Service Offer Video Calling? No
Virtual PBX offers a number of standard features including web based fax, call forwarding, caller ID and call waiting. While their contract termination fee is a bit expensive, you will still find a good bit of value on the monthly plan.
This service is ideal for individuals that operate a home office with high call volume, as well as those who need one or more phone lines in the same building. VirtualPBX is currently offering 10% off annual VOIP office plans.
Visit: http://VirtualPBX.com
10. VOIP Provider Name - VOIPwise
Is the Service Suitable for Home Use? yes Is the Service Suitable for Business Use? yesAverage Cost - free depending on destination and phone type. For example, calls from the United States to the United States are free. Calls from one country to another will vary based on pairingsWhat is the Setup Fee? Nothing
Do I need Special Phones? No, but you do need to download special software for your computer. You will also need working headphones and microphone on your computer to use this service, as well as high speed internet access
How Many Minutes are Included with the Basic Plan? Unlimited
Can This Service be used with my Computer? Yes
Does the Service Offer Video Calling? No
Unlike many VOIP providers, you can use VOIPWise with your computer. It is ideal for individuals and businesses looking for a low cost, effective way to combine web based and phone-based services. Features include call forwarding; web based faxing, Caller ID support and enhanced 911 services. If you have a mobile office focusing on a laptop computer, you are sure to appreciate the convenience associated with not having to carry around an extra phone.
Visit: http://VOIPWise.com
