VOIP comparison table
Compare four of the best VOIP providers using the table below: Packet8, Phone Power, Vonage, and VOIP.com with some summary comments on the right. Click on a provider's name to learn more and sign up securely online.
Service Plans and Costs |
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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) |
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$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 |
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$49.99 Small business premium plan |
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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. |
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Local |
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 |
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¢ |
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*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 |
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Toll Fee Number |
Yes |
Yes (business plans only) |
Yes |
Yes |
Toll Free Rates, |
$4.99/mth |
$4 4¢/min |
$4.99/mth 4.9¢/min |
$4.99/mth 4.9¢/min |
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Packet8 and Vonage : 100 min of free incoming calls per month and additional minutes at 4.5¢/min. | |||
Fax |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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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 |
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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! |
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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). |
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Extra Features Included in the Basic Service |
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Call |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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All these providers offer unlimited free calls worldwide to the VOIP phones of other people using the same service. | |||
Voice |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes ($4.95/mth) |
Voicemail To Email |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Call Forward |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Call |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Call |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Caller |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
3-Way Conf |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Do Not Disturb |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Block |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Anon |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Lots |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Account Management, Billing and Payment |
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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 |
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*Be sure to read the cancellation policies (termination fees, etc) and the terms and conditions when signing up. |
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Sign Up |
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Reviews |
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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. |
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