Vonage broadband phone review
If you are thinking about trying a VOIP phone service, you are on the verge of a new level of freedom to pick up the phone and call the world. This is an ideal time to learn your options and choose a provider that will treat you well. To compare Vonage with other providers see my broadband phone comparison.
If you are located in the USA read this review instead.
Click here to sign up for Vonage online
Quality
Like all the VOIP/broadband phone providers in these reviews, Vonage can give you high quality call connections with lots of included features. Vonage has been in the broadband phone business a long time, and they have worked through most of their issues already.
Broadband phone calls should be equal in quality to calls using regular phone lines. But there may be times when the service wavers. You should anticipate a few frustrations with any broadband phone service that you choose. Most people move to VOIP calling to save money and enjoy the extra features. They know this technology is still improving and don't expect perfection.
Features
Vonage is loaded with features, as any broadband phone service should be. The regular service includes personalized voicemail, forwarding, 3-way calling, call waiting, call hunting, and more. For an extra monthly fee you can create a toll free number or an additional local number. Calls to addtional numbers can be directed to your VOIP phone or any other number you select.
Everyone gets a local phone number in the USA as part of the service. Choose a local number in any US area code. Anyone calling from that local area can call you anytime for free.
Like all broadband phone services, you get unlimited free minutes with others using the same service.
Broadband phone services are also portable. Take your broadband phone adapter with you and plug it into high speed Internet connections around the world to make and receive phone calls.
Service plans and pricing
Individual/Family Users
The basic monthly plans comes with unlimited minutes to and from the USA, Canada and Puerto Rico (including Alaska and Hawaii). Unlike other VOIP providers, Vonage quietly charges users a monthly service fee ($0.99), so the real cost is slightly higher than the advertised price.
International Users
Vonage is not meant to be used outside the USA, but there are several global calling plans that let you make unlimited calls to a long list of countries.
(Packet 8 has specific plans for customers living outside the USA.)
Business Users
It's okay to sign up your business or home office for the basic calling plan. If Vonage decides that your calling volume indicates the service is being used for a business, they may require you to pay the higher rate.
A business plan gets you a dedicated fax line. Other than the fax line and "more unlimited" calling. Otherwise, the features appear to be almost the same.
If you want a business phone service with more powerful features (e.g., to replace an office phone system), the see my Packet 8 review.
User experience
Vonage provides a good service and has many satisfied customers. Every broadband phone provider has some bumps in their history, so keep that in mind when reading negative opinions online. At least with more experienced services like Vonage and Packet8 the majority of problems are behind them.
Conclusions
Vonage is a very good VOIP provider, but the price is a bit high for what you get, especially in comparison with other VOIP/broadband phone services.
Rated: 4/5
Click here to sign up for Vonage online
For more options see my VOIP comparison.