Many residential and business phone customers have made the switch from traditional landlines to VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phone plans. These Internet phone services provide many consumers with the advantage of reduced monthly phone bills, and some also offer add-on perks such as second lines, fax numbers and affordable or free international calling.
Magic Jack and Vonage are two well-known Internet phone services. I became familiar with both after moving overseas years ago. At the time, Vonage was at the forefront of VoIP phone plans, offering frequent international travelers and expatriates an affordable way to both make and receive calls to and from their home country.
Later, MagicJack showed up as a less expensive and even more portable alternative. VoIP also became popular with domestic customers who were seeking alternatives to traditional landlines.
Although other broadband phone services are available, Vonage and Magic Jack were and remain particularly popular within my immediate circle of friends and acquaintances. I've used both and can recommend them in different circumstances. Here's a quick overview of their basic services and features.
Vonage
Vonage offers limited and unlimited monthly calling plans for both residential and business customers. Free international calling to certain countries is included in some of the plans; international calling to additional destinations can be purchased separately.
The unlimited plan I used for a number of years cost me a little over $30 monthly and included free calls to Canada, the UK, and a number of countries in South America and Europe.
Vonage subscribers receive their Internet phone service through a regular phone which is connected to a Vonage device or adapter. Different models of adapters are available depending on whether the customer prefers to utilize a direct Internet connection, access the Internet via a router, or set up a network with a combined router/adapter.
A USB soft phone with microphone and headset can also be purchased to access Vonage via a computer.
Magic Jack
Magic Jack is marketed primarily for consumer rather than business use. My initial purchase of the Magic Jack device was $39.95 and included one year of phone service. The service must be renewed annually at a cost of $19.95. The device itself, which is quite small and plugs into a computer USB port, acts as an interface between the computer and a conventional telephone handset.
International calls are billed separately, or customers can utilize MagicTalk, a new spin-off from Magic Jack which offers free PC-based international calls to other MagicJack or MagicTalk numbers, as well as free calls from computers, iPads and smartphones.
Using Magic Jack and Vonage Overseas
Both the Vonage and Magic Jack devices can be moved and used from state to state or country to country, providing VoIP phone service is not blocked in the destination country. No matter where the device is connected, domestic local and long distance calls can made without charge and received as they would be normally – by dialing the area code and seven-digit phone number.
Calls can also be made for free to other US-based VoIP numbers which are being used internationally. International calls through Vonage may or may not be included in the calling plan; Magic Jack users incur separate charges for international calls.
Comparing Vonage and Magic Jack
There are a number of issues to consider when deciding between Vonage and Magic Jack:
- Convenience – The computer must be turned on in order to make and receive Magic Jack phone calls. This may be a drawback for customers who intend to use VoIP as their exclusive phone line. A Vonage connection, however, will be viable even when a home computer is not in use, providing there is no power outage and the adapter is connected to an Internet source. I've experienced more occasions when my MagicJack device must be rebooted, although I occasionally had to reboot my Vonage adapter as well.
- Price – If your needs are simple, and you have a reliable high speed Internet connection, it's hard to pass up the low annual fee of Magic Jack. In my case, Vonage was approaching $400 a year compared to roughly $20 for MagicJack. It's worth noting, however, that significant savings can be found with Vonage by referring new customers or taking advantage of special offers.
- Quality – I experience similar voice quality with both Vonage and Magic Jack over the same Internet connection. However, the call quality of Magic Jack was compromised when connected to a computer receiving wireless Internet compared to a computer receiving direct Internet. Both Vonage and MagicJack were compromised when high Internet bandwidth was being consumed by various computers in my home network.
- Features – Both services allow you to select a phone number based on your preferred area code with 911 emergency support. Beyond that, Vonage offers far more features than Magic Jack. Options such as call forwarding, second lines, fax numbers, visual voice mail, 3-way calling, and more are included in monthly plans or available at extra charge. Magic Jack doesn't necessarily disappoint, however; they have free caller ID and free voice mail with messages forwarded as audio files to your email.
- Customer Service – I find it easier to navigate Vonage's website than Magic Jack's, and Vonage offers a greater number of account and connection settings which can be manipulated online. Both have online customer service and support staff who work to resolve technical or other problems, but it can be frustrating to resolve technical issues if you are abroad and lose the ability to call from your VoIP phone.
Bottom Line - Is Vonage or Magic Jack Better?
As someone overseas with limited need to make international calls, I ultimately found Magic Jack a practical way to go. For a low annual rate, and without incurring long distance fees, I can place and receive calls to and from the US. Magic Jack might also be favored by someone who travels frequently either domestically or internationally, or is looking for an alternative for domestic long distance calls from home.
Vonage, however, may be preferred by US residential customers looking to completely replace their landline, or by those who have international calling or business needs. Vonage's variety of features and calling plans makes it practical and affordable on many fronts. And, for the customer who simply can't believe that Magic Jack can deliver for such a low price, Vonage remains competitive with other Internet phone companies.
Whichever VoIP service you decide, remember that a reliable high speed Internet connection is key. There may be rare times when Vonage or Magic Jack servers go down, but I have found that in most cases a voice quality issue or connection problem originated with my IP and not the Internet phone service itself.
Christine Benlafquih - Christine (Amina) Benlafquih is a Morocco-based writer. She covers varied topics including religion, food, health and culture.
