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VOIP services

Voice over internet protocol (VOIP) services can take the place of your landline telephone. Instead of placing calls via the traditional telephone network, VOIP services route calls over the internet. As a result, VOIP services are often much cheaper than using a landline phone, especially for making international calls.

See also:

What to look for

FAQs

Jargon explained

VOIP services comparison chart for 2023

Rank 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 999
Vonage
phone.com
Skype
Ring central
Lingo
Phone Power
8x8
Via Talk
BroadVoice
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Excellent
Five stars means excellent
Very good
Four stars means very good
Good
Three stars means good
Average
Two stars means average /
Poor
One star means poor
Vonage has been awarded best buy Product image of vonage Product image of phone.com Product image of skype Product image of ring central Product image of lingo Product image of phone power Product image of 8x8 Product image of via talk Product image of broadvoice Product image of ---
Lowest price
per month
 
 
 
Ratings
Overall
vonage has a rating of five  overall phone.com has a rating of five  overall skype has a rating of five  overall ring central has a rating of four  overall lingo has a rating of four  overall phone power has a rating of five  overall 8x8 has a rating of four  overall via talk has a rating of four  overall broadvoice has a rating of four  overall --- has a rating of four  overall
Setup
vonage has a rating of five for setup phone.com has a rating of five for setup skype has a rating of five for setup ring central has a rating of five for setup lingo has a rating of four for setup phone power has a rating of five for setup 8x8 has a rating of four for setup via talk has a rating of four for setup broadvoice has a rating of four for setup --- has a rating of four for setup
Calling plans
vonage has a rating of five for calling plans phone.com has a rating of four for calling plans skype has a rating of four for calling plans ring central has a rating of five for calling plans lingo has a rating of five for calling plans phone power has a rating of four for calling plans 8x8 has a rating of five for calling plans via talk has a rating of four for calling plans broadvoice has a rating of four for calling plans --- has a rating of four for calling plans
Calling features
vonage has a rating of five for calling features phone.com has a rating of four for calling features skype has a rating of five for calling features ring central has a rating of four for calling features lingo has a rating of four for calling features phone power has a rating of five for calling features 8x8 has a rating of three for calling features via talk has a rating of four for calling features broadvoice has a rating of four for calling features --- has a rating of three for calling features
Ease of use
vonage has a rating of four for ease of use phone.com has a rating of five for ease of use skype has a rating of four for ease of use ring central has a rating of four for ease of use lingo has a rating of five for ease of use phone power has a rating of five for ease of use 8x8 has a rating of five for ease of use via talk has a rating of four for ease of use broadvoice has a rating of four for ease of use --- has a rating of four for ease of use
Help & support
vonage has a rating of four for help & support phone.com has a rating of five for help & support skype has a rating of four for help & support ring central has a rating of five for help & support lingo has a rating of five for help & support phone power has a rating of five for help & support 8x8 has a rating of four for help & support via talk has a rating of five for help & support broadvoice has a rating of three for help & support --- has a rating of four for help & support
Package
Monthly fee
$9.99 $9.98 $2.99 $24.99 $21.95 $14.95 $24.99 $15.75 $9.99 $14.95
Set-up fee
$29.99 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $29.95 $15.00 $29.99 $29.95 $29.95 $32.95
Cancellation fee
$39.99 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $39.95 $99.00 $59.00 $49.95 $39.95 $39.95
Free phone adapter
vonage includes a free phone adapter phone.com includes a free phone adapter skype includes a free phone adapter ring central includes a free phone adapter lingo includes a free phone adapter phone power includes a free phone adapter 8x8 includes a free phone adapter via talk includes a free phone adapter broadvoice includes a free phone adapter --- includes a free phone adapter
Unlimited minutes
vonage includes unlimited minutes phone.com does not include unlimited minutes skype includes unlimited minutes ring central includes unlimited minutes lingo includes unlimited minutes phone power does not include unlimited minutes 8x8 includes unlimited minutes via talk includes unlimited minutes broadvoice includes unlimited minutes --- includes unlimited minutes
Calls
VOIP network
vonage includes calls to voip network phone.com does not include calls to voip network skype includes calls to voip network ring central includes calls to voip network lingo includes calls to voip network phone power includes calls to voip network 8x8 includes calls to voip network via talk includes calls to voip network broadvoice includes calls to voip network --- includes calls to voip network
US
vonage includes calls to us phone.com does not include calls to us skype includes calls to us ring central does not include calls to us lingo includes calls to us phone power includes calls to us 8x8 includes calls to us via talk includes calls to us broadvoice includes calls to us --- includes calls to us
Canada
vonage includes calls to canada phone.com includes calls to canada skype includes calls to canada ring central includes calls to canada lingo includes calls to canada phone power includes calls to canada 8x8 includes calls to canada via talk does not include calls to canada broadvoice includes calls to canada --- includes calls to canada
Puerto Rico
vonage includes calls to puerto rico phone.com includes calls to puerto rico skype includes calls to puerto rico ring central does not include calls to puerto rico lingo includes calls to puerto rico phone power does not include calls to puerto rico 8x8 includes calls to puerto rico via talk does not include calls to puerto rico broadvoice includes calls to puerto rico --- includes calls to puerto rico
International
vonage includes calls to international phone.com includes calls to international skype includes calls to international ring central includes calls to international lingo includes calls to international phone power includes calls to international 8x8 includes calls to international via talk does not include calls to international broadvoice includes calls to international --- does not include calls to international
Residential calls
vonage offers residential calls phone.com offers residential calls skype offers residential calls ring central offers residential calls lingo offers residential calls phone power offers residential calls 8x8 offers residential calls via talk offers residential calls broadvoice offers residential calls --- offers residential calls
Business plans
vonage offers business plans phone.com offers business plans skype offers business plans ring central offers business plans lingo offers business plans phone power offers business plans 8x8 offers business plans via talk offers business plans broadvoice offers business plans --- offers business plans
Call features
Caller ID
vonage includes caller id phone.com includes caller id skype includes caller id ring central includes caller id lingo does not include caller id phone power includes caller id 8x8 does not include caller id via talk does not include caller id broadvoice does not include caller id --- does not include caller id
Call waiting
vonage includes call waiting phone.com includes call waiting skype does not include call waiting ring central includes call waiting lingo includes call waiting phone power includes call waiting 8x8 includes call waiting via talk includes call waiting broadvoice includes call waiting --- includes call waiting
Call forwarding
vonage includes call forwarding phone.com includes call forwarding skype includes call forwarding ring central includes call forwarding lingo includes call forwarding phone power includes call forwarding 8x8 includes call forwarding via talk includes call forwarding broadvoice includes call forwarding --- includes call forwarding
Call return (*69)
vonage includes call return (*69) phone.com includes call return (*69) skype does not include call return (*69) ring central includes call return (*69) lingo includes call return (*69) phone power includes call return (*69) 8x8 does not include call return (*69) via talk includes call return (*69) broadvoice includes call return (*69) --- includes call return (*69)
Call blocking / blacklisting (*67)
vonage includes call blocking / blacklisting (*67) phone.com includes call blocking / blacklisting (*67) skype does not include call blocking / blacklisting (*67) ring central includes call blocking / blacklisting (*67) lingo includes call blocking / blacklisting (*67) phone power includes call blocking / blacklisting (*67) 8x8 includes call blocking / blacklisting (*67) via talk includes call blocking / blacklisting (*67) broadvoice includes call blocking / blacklisting (*67) --- includes call blocking / blacklisting (*67)
Do not disturb (*78)
vonage includes do not disturb (*78) phone.com includes do not disturb (*78) skype does not include do not disturb (*78) ring central includes do not disturb (*78) lingo includes do not disturb (*78) phone power includes do not disturb (*78) 8x8 includes do not disturb (*78) via talk includes do not disturb (*78) broadvoice includes do not disturb (*78) --- includes do not disturb (*78)
Three way calling
vonage includes three way calling phone.com includes three way calling skype includes three way calling ring central includes three way calling lingo includes three way calling phone power includes three way calling 8x8 includes three way calling via talk includes three way calling broadvoice includes three way calling --- includes three way calling
Find me / simultaneous ring
vonage includes find me / simultaneous ring phone.com does not include find me / simultaneous ring skype does not include find me / simultaneous ring ring central includes find me / simultaneous ring lingo does not include find me / simultaneous ring phone power includes find me / simultaneous ring 8x8 includes find me / simultaneous ring via talk includes find me / simultaneous ring broadvoice includes find me / simultaneous ring --- does not include find me / simultaneous ring
Speed dials
vonage includes speed dials phone.com includes speed dials skype includes speed dials ring central includes speed dials lingo includes speed dials phone power includes speed dials 8x8 does not include speed dials via talk does not include speed dials broadvoice includes speed dials --- includes speed dials
Voicemail
vonage includes voicemail phone.com includes voicemail skype includes voicemail ring central includes voicemail lingo includes voicemail phone power includes voicemail 8x8 includes voicemail via talk includes voicemail broadvoice includes voicemail --- includes voicemail
Extras
Two lines
vonage offers two lines phone.com offers two lines skype does not offer two lines ring central offers two lines lingo offers two lines phone power offers two lines 8x8 offers two lines via talk offers two lines broadvoice offers two lines --- offers two lines
Softphone
vonage offers softphone phone.com does not offer softphone skype offers softphone ring central offers softphone lingo offers softphone phone power offers softphone 8x8 offers softphone via talk offers softphone broadvoice offers softphone --- offers softphone
Keep existing landline number
vonage offers keep existing landline number phone.com offers keep existing landline number skype offers keep existing landline number ring central offers keep existing landline number lingo offers keep existing landline number phone power offers keep existing landline number 8x8 offers keep existing landline number via talk offers keep existing landline number broadvoice offers keep existing landline number --- offers keep existing landline number
411 directory assistance
vonage offers 411 directory assistance phone.com does not offer 411 directory assistance skype does not offer 411 directory assistance ring central offers 411 directory assistance lingo does not offer 411 directory assistance phone power offers 411 directory assistance 8x8 does not offer 411 directory assistance via talk offers 411 directory assistance broadvoice offers 411 directory assistance --- does not offer 411 directory assistance
Features
Online account management
vonage includes online account management phone.com includes online account management skype includes online account management ring central includes online account management lingo includes online account management phone power includes online account management 8x8 includes online account management via talk includes online account management broadvoice includes online account management --- includes online account management
Directory assistance
vonage includes directory assistance phone.com includes directory assistance skype does not include directory assistance ring central includes directory assistance lingo includes directory assistance phone power includes directory assistance 8x8 includes directory assistance via talk includes directory assistance broadvoice includes directory assistance --- includes directory assistance
Virtual phone number
vonage includes a virtual phone number phone.com includes a virtual phone number skype includes a virtual phone number ring central includes a virtual phone number lingo does not include a virtual phone number phone power includes a virtual phone number 8x8 includes a virtual phone number via talk includes a virtual phone number broadvoice includes a virtual phone number --- includes a virtual phone number
Help & support
Telephone support
vonage includes telephone support phone.com includes telephone support skype does not include telephone support ring central includes telephone support lingo includes telephone support phone power includes telephone support 8x8 includes telephone support via talk includes telephone support broadvoice includes telephone support --- includes telephone support
Email support
vonage includes email support phone.com includes email support skype includes email support ring central includes email support lingo includes email support phone power includes email support 8x8 does not include email support via talk includes email support broadvoice includes email support --- does not include email support
Live chat
vonage includes live chat phone.com includes live chat skype includes live chat ring central includes live chat lingo includes live chat phone power includes live chat 8x8 includes live chat via talk includes live chat broadvoice includes live chat --- includes live chat
Knowledge base
vonage includes knowledge base phone.com includes knowledge base skype includes knowledge base ring central includes knowledge base lingo includes knowledge base phone power includes knowledge base 8x8 includes knowledge base via talk includes knowledge base broadvoice includes knowledge base --- includes knowledge base
FAQs
vonage includes faqs phone.com includes faqs skype includes faqs ring central includes faqs lingo includes faqs phone power includes faqs 8x8 includes faqs via talk includes faqs broadvoice includes faqs --- includes faqs

VOIP services explained

VOIP services work by converting your voice into digital signals which are sent over the internet. At the other end, they’re converted back into the sound of your voice, so you can talk to the person you’re contacting.

Although they work over the internet, most VOIP services don’t require the person you’re calling to be using a VOIP service. You can call ordinary telephones too – and you’ll be allocated a number so they can call you.

There are two main types of VOIP service:

  • Software VOIP services. To use these, you have to install and run VOIP software on your computer. You can still place calls to normal telephones, but you have to use a headset or microphone and speakers to talk. For people to call you, your computer must be on and the software running.
  • Hardware VOIP services. Using a hardware-based VOIP service is much more like using a normal telephone. Typically, you’ll get a telephone handset which connects to the internet via a wired or wireless connection. You dial numbers as normal, and calls are automatically routed over the internet.

You need a broadband internet connection to use both types of VOIP service. You’ll also probably be required to open an account with the VOIP service provider and pay for calls using a credit card.

Getting started with VOIP services

VOIP services give you nearly all the features of a standard telephone, plus more versatility. For instance, with VOIP software you can often see the person you’re calling using a webcam, or hold a call with three or more people on it. What’s more, you’re not tied to one location – your number can follow you wherever you go, as long as there’s an internet connection there.

And – of course – the biggest benefit is the saving you can make. With vastly reduced international call costs (because you don’t have to pay the phone company to connect you), you’ll clean up if you call abroad regularly.


What to look for in voip services

To find the right VOIP service, consider these key areas.

Call costs

One of the main justifications for switching to VOIP from a traditional landline phone is the saving you can make on the cost of calls.

Carefully check what your VOIP service charges for calls. In particular, check how much it will cost to call the numbers you phone most. VOIP services are not cheapest in all circumstances, especially when it comes to placing local calls.

Monthly charges and inclusive minutes

Like mobile phone tariffs, many VOIP services charge a monthly subscription fee. In return, you’ll receive an allowance of calls to use each month. Check what sort of calls these minutes apply to – if you pick carefully, you might not have to pay anything over the regular charge.

However, if you don’t use the phone so often, opt for a pay as you go service. You don’t want to be paying a monthly fee for occasional use.

Do people you know use it?

Many VOIP services – especially software VOIP services – allow you to place calls for free to people who use the same service. If you only call one or two people regularly, it’s a good idea to both sign up for the same VOIP service. You can talk for hours, and pay nothing!

Telephone number availability

Most VOIP services allow you to choose what sort of telephone number you want. You don’t have to settle for a number with the dialing code for your local area, or even your country. You can get a London number even if you’re in Los Angeles.

It’s worth considering your choice of number carefully. When people call you from a normal telephone, it will affect how much they pay. So if all your family lives in Australia and they call you regularly, why not set up an Australian number?

Reliability and backup

It’s important to remember that because VOIP services don’t work in the same way as an ordinary landline, they may not be as reliable. If your broadband connection fails or you have a power cut, you won’t be able to make calls.

If your telephone is vital to you, consider what you’d use as a backup in these types of circumstances. Many people keep their landline telephone too, just in case.

Ease of use

If you’re new to VOIP, it can be a tricky concept to grasp. For instance, the idea that you can have a phone number different to the country you’re actually in seems counter-intuitive at first!

It’s therefore important to choose a VOIP service you’re comfortable using. In general, hardware-based services which give you an actual handset are easiest to use. However, they may mean having to sacrifice a little flexibility.

Help and support

VOIP services are generally reliable. However, if you do depend on them to make and receive calls, you’ll want to be able to get help quickly if something goes wrong. Look for a service with telephone support (so you can get hold of someone quickly).

If you’ll be using VOIP only to make certain types of calls, or alongside your main telephone, you’ll probably be able to manage with a lower level of support. This, of course, tends to be cheaper.


FAQs


Jargon explained

Like all new technologies, it’s no surprise that VOIP comes with a fair amount of jargon. Here’s how to translate the most important terms.

Call divert

Allows you to divert your calls to another number. Call divert is most commonly used if you want to send calls to your mobile while you’re out and about, or to another landline phone – for instance, if you’re working at a desk in someone else’s office.

Call diversion is also handy if your internet connection ever goes down. As a backup, you can divert calls to your mobile or normal landline. However, remember that there’s usually a cost for using call divert features.

Conference calling

Enables you to hold telephone calls between more than two people. Many VOIP services include conference calling features that can accommodate ten, 20 or 30 people. Conference calling is really useful for holding meetings or discussions between a group of people.

Find me

Have your telephone number follow you around. You can set up many VOIP services to forward calls to a number of different telephone numbers in succession – so even if you’re not online with your VOIP service, calls should find you eventually.

Latency

Used to describe the delay between data being sent and received on the internet. If latency is high, you may notice a delay on calls placed over your VOIP service.

Network calls

Calls placed between two people using the same VOIP service (or ‘network’). Many VOIP services allow you to make network calls for free – so it’s a good idea to encourage people you call regularly to use the same network as you.

Number porting

The process of moving your telephone number from one provider to another. You may be able to port your number from your landline to a VOIP service, or between VOIP services.

Phone adapter

A box which allows a standard telephone handset to access your VOIP service. Many VOIP services will supply a phone adapter for free. They let you place calls over VOIP using exactly the same telephone you were using before.

Softphone

A piece of software running on your computer through which you can access your VOIP service. If you use a softphone, you’ll need a microphone and speakers, or a headset to talk to the people you call. Some VOIP services are only available through a softphone.


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