vonage VOIP 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.
Sign up for Vonage online - click here
Quality
Like all the 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 a 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
For $24.99 per month get unlimited minutes to and from the USA, Canada and Puerto Rico (including Alaska and Hawaii). Unlike other broadband phone providers, Vonage charges users a monthly service fee ($1.50) and a 3 percent federal tax, so the real cost is closer to $27. The rate seems high compared with other plans in my broadband phone comparison.
For $14.99 Vonage gives you 500 minutes to the USA, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Again, the real cost is closer to $17.00. This plan gives you access to Vonage's low international rates and allows you to call other users for free.
International Users
The plans above all work anywhere in the world if you are plugged into a high speed Internet connection, but Vonage only ships adapters to addresses in the USA. If you are looking for a service that is more friendly to users outside the USA, see my reviews of Packet 8 and iConnectHere.
Business Users
You can sign up for the plan above. If Vonage decides your calling volume is too high, they may require you to upgrade to the business plan below.
For $49.99 you can get a business plan with unlimited calls to and from the USA, Canada and Puerto Rico. The plan includes a dedicated fax line, but that won't be available outside the USA.
For $39.99 Vonage offers a "basic" business plan with 1500 minutes to the USA, Canada and Puerto Rico and a dedicated fax line (in the USA only).
If you want a budget business phone service to use outside the USA, you should also read my iConnectHere review. Or if you want more business features, 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 broadband phone service provider. I think the price is a bit high, especially when you consider the extra fees in the fine print. If you're looking for similar features at a lower price, see my comparison. Use the link below to learn more and sign up. You get a 30 day trial period with a money back guarantee, so read the conditions carefully and save all of the original packaging just in case.
Rated: 4/5
Sign up for Vonage online - click here
For more options see my VOIP comparison.