If you are looking to get a VoIP telephone line then you have a pretty big decision ahead of you. With rapid advancements in VoIP technology there are some striking differences in both costs and features among the top VoIP providers and you need to be sure that you get one that matches with your needs and budget.
If you are looking to get VoIP service from one of the top providers available we recommend that you check out the list that we have provided below. The list below includes VoIP providers that are rated very highly per our research. It is my no means considered exhaustive and it may be in your best interest to also consider other VoIP providers that are not discussed here. If you are interested in more information on any of the companies we have written about below you can click on they hyperlink at the beginning of the writeup and it will take you to the full review.
Vonage: Vonage is one of the largest VoIP providers in the United States and is a pioneer company within the industry. Vonage is known for providing high voice quality and above average customer service (when compared to its competitors). Vonage comes with more features that most smaller VoIP provider but also costs a little bit more. In regards to large VoIP providers Vonage prices are extremely affordable. One great thing about Vonage is that it can be used with a traditional phone or directly through your computer with a softphone application. If you are serious about getting VoIP but want an extremely reliable service then Vonage may be for you.
Magic Jack: magicJack is an interesting VoIP service and is quite different than most others. Magic Jack comes as a very small USB device that you hook into your computer on one end and then into your phone on the other end. With Magic Jack you pay $19.95 per year for unlimited long and long distance calling. Magic Jack has run into some service and customer support issues as of late but honestly what can you expect for less than $1.70 per month. You get what you pay for and with Magic Jack it may not be perfect all of the time at such a cheap price.
Comcast Digital Voice: Although not technically a VoIP service Comcast Digital Voice is essentially the same. The only difference is that it runs on a dedicated server and is not transmitted over the public Internet. Comcast is one of the largest cable and Internet providers in the United States and is now consuming a huge portion of the land line telephone market. Comcast is known for providing reliable service but not for providing great customer service. With Comcast Digital Voice you will get a better deal that what you get with a traditional landline but it is also slightly more expensive than VoIP services such as Vonage. Comcast Digital Voice is a great choice for those that already subscribe to another Comcast service because it can quickly and easily be added to your account.
Time Warner Digital Phone: Time Warner Digital Phone is just like Comcast service in that it is not technically a VoIP service but is essentially the same thing. The only difference is that it is ran on a private dedicated Time Warner server. Time Warner Digital Phone is known for providing extremely high voice quality and extremely reliable service. Time Warner Digital Phone is slightly more expensive than both Vonage and Comcast services. There are equivalent alternatives that cost less than this service but it is still a cheap alternative to a regular landline.
Skype: Skype is one of the most widely known VoIP providers in the world. Skype is run exclusively through a software application and is not meant to be wired through a regular telephone. Skype not only provides VoIP services but is a standard chat service similar to Yahoo Messenger or AIM. With Skype you can make mostly free calls to other computers and calls to land lines and mobile phones for a fee. With Skype you can either get a monthly plan or you can purchase a set number of minutes at a time. Skype is an excellent service and one that we recommend to anyone who wants to get the cheapest deal out there but doesn't mind not having their calls not ring through a traditional phone.
Lingo: Lingo is an up and coming VoIP service provider that is slowly growing and capturing part of the VoIP market. Lingo, like most VoIP providers provides fairly decent voice quality and excellent prices. The reliability of Lingo may not be quite as good as that of some of the other service providers but they make up for it by offering their service at a lower price. From time to time Lingo offers extremely low introductory prices for new customers and usually their rates are slightly below Vonage rates.
Qwest: Qwest is another one of the big VoIP providers and provides it's service at an excellent low price. Qwest is known for having a reliable VoIP network and providing great voice quality. If you are looking for VoIP service from a large, trusted, and well known name then Qwest is a good option to consider. With Qwest there are options to bundle VoIP along with other services and in return realize substantial monthly savings.
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