Dial-Abroad.org - USA and World Phone Services, Comparisons, Reviews
VOIP/Broadband Phone Providers

Packet8
Editor's Choice

Packet8 is the way to go for most people. It's a high quality VOIP phone service at the best price (overall when you look at all the fees the others are charging). I love the global calling plans and super cheap international rates which are available both in and outside the USA.


Phone Power

Phone power is a solid choice. Keep in mind that the real price includes a 99¢ "regulatory recovery fee" on top of the regular monthly fee, and toll free numbers are only available with business plans. You can use this service outside the USA, but it's not recommended.


vonage VOIP

Vonage is one of the original VOIP phone services, so it's wel proven. The cost is a bit higher, and there is a 99¢ "regulartory recovery fee" in addition to the regular monthly fee. The global calling plans are a plus, but there are cheaper ways to get the same thing. You can use Vonage outside the USA, but it's not recommended.


VOIP.com

VOIP.com has been around long enough to prove themselves, and they have the lowest monthly fee in this comparison. But voicemail costs extra, and the 911 service is sub-standard compared with the others. If you can live with these two issues, then you can save a few dollars and still get a solid VOIP provider. You can use this service outside the USA, but it's not recommended.

VOIP/Broadband phone comparison

Following is a comparison of four to VOIP/broadband phone services: Packet 8, PhonePower, Vonage and VOIP.com. All of these services offer clear connections and cheap rates worldwide. Compare the details and read my brief reviews. Then click through to learn more and sign up online.

Service Plans and Costs

 

Rating
5/5
3.5/5
4/5
4/5

Plan 1:
$24.99 Unlimited calling within USA/Canada
$22.95
Unlimited calling within USA/Canada
$24.99 Unlimited calling within USA/Canada
$19.95 Unlimited calling within USA/Canada

Plan 2:
$29.99 Unlimited global calling (to 40 countries)

--
$39.99
Unlimited global calling (to 60 countries)
$199.99/year with unlimited calling within USA/Canada

Plan 3:

$199.99/year with unlimited calling within USA/Canada
-
$49.99
Small business premium plan
--

 

Unless otherwise noted "unlimited" refers to calls to the USA and Canada. Only Packet8 and Vonage offer plans including unlimited international calls. Only Packet8 delivers adapters to international addresses. Phone Power and Vonage each have a 99¢ monthly regulatory recovery fee in addition to the regular fee. VOIP.com charges $4.95/mth for their voicemail feature, but all the other providers have free voicemail.

Local
USA #

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Non-US Local #

Yes
$9.99/mth
Yes
$7.99/mth
No
No

Free Adapter

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Ships Adapter
Free shipping to USA, Int'l shipping
$14.95 shipping to USA only
Paid shipping to USA only
$9.95 shipping to USA only

Adapter Type

Packet8 phones and adapters
ATA phones and adapters
Variety of phones and adapters
Variety of phones and adapters

Int'l
Rates

Australia 3¢
Brazil 8¢
China 1¢
India 5.9¢
Japan 4¢
Mexico 3¢
Philippines 13¢
Russia 2¢
Thailand 4¢
Australia 1.9¢
Brazil 4¢
China 2¢
India 5.9¢
Japan 2.2¢
Mexico 2.2¢
Philippines 12¢
Russia 1.7¢
Thailand 2¢
Australia 5¢
Brazil 6¢
China 1¢
India 17¢
Japan 5¢
Mexico 1¢
Philippines 18¢
Russia 7¢
Thailand 8¢
Australia 2¢
Brazil 4¢
China 2¢
India 8¢
Japan 3¢
Mexico 2¢
Philippines 15¢
Russia 13¢
Thailand 4¢

 

 *Specific city rates are given for Russia (Moscow), Mexico (Mexico City), and Thailand (Bangkok). Packet8 and Vonage both have plans with free international calls to selected countries.
Special Features
 

Toll Fee Number
Yes
Yes (business plans only)
Yes
Yes

Toll Free Rates,
Fees

$4.99/mth
4.5¢/min
$4
4¢/min
$4.99/mth
4.9¢/min
$4.99/mth
4.9¢/min

 

 Packet8 and Vonage : 100 min of free incoming calls per month and additional minutes at 4.5¢/min.

Fax
Receive

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

 

 Faxing is still considered unreliable with VOIP services, with results depending on the type of fax machine and other factors.

Keep Phone
#

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

 

 You may not be able to keep your current phone number depending on where you live and your local phone company. It may take up to 30 days to transfer your number to the VOIP service.

911

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes (private contractor)

e911
Yes
$1.99/mth
Yes
99¢/mth
Yes
$1.50*
No!

 

911/ E911 services may only be available in specific locations. You must register your address, and VOIP providers cannot guarantee they will work. You should have an alternative means to call 911. Check with the providers carefully if this is an important issue for you. E911 means that when you dial 911 the operator will see your exact location displayed on a screen (if you have registered it).

Extra Features Included in the Basic Service
 

Call
Other
Users
Free

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

 

 All these providers offer unlimited free calls worldwide to the VOIP phones of other people using the same service.

Voice
Mail

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
($4.95/mth)

Voicemail To Email
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Call
Forward
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Call
Hunting
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Call
Wait
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Caller
ID

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

3-Way Conf

Yes

Yes
Yes
Yes

Do Not Disturb
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Block
Call ID

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Anon
Call
Block
Yes
No
Yes
Yes

Lots
More!

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Account Management, Billing and Payment
 

Mang Acct Online

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Billing
Auto billing to credit card
Auto billing to credit card
Auto billing to credit card
Auto billing to credit card

Set Up Fee

$29.99
None
$29.99
$29.95

Cancel Policy

30 day guarantee

No refunds

30 day guarantee
30 day guarantee

 
*Be sure to read the cancellation policies (termination fees, etc) and the terms and conditions when signing up.

Sign Up

Reviews
n/a
Important: You are responsible to read each provider's "Terms of Service" and verify any and all details in this VOIP comparison before signing up. fees. Rates, terms, and other details may change, so I cannot guarantee that the information on this page is accurate or current.