Q: What is the difference between VOIPo and magicJack
Unlike a regular VoIP service, the original magicJack requires you to have your computer turned on and logged in to make or receive calls. The service also requires you to get a new phone number and can not port your old number. Calling is free in the US and Canada and between magicJack subscribers, but as Skype, users must purchase minutes for international calls, and prices magicJack can be difficult to interpret.
During our tests of the original magicJack, call quality was significantly compressed, what we sound like we were far away or in a room very echoey. We also had problems with the thunder of the program when we tried to multi-task on our computer, and had concerns about letting magicJack prevent our computer to "sleep" to save energy.
Some of these concerns were addressed by magicJack PLUS. At $ 69.95 plus shipping and handling, the magicJack PLUS is much more expensive than the original model. The new version still charging for international calls, but users can now connect directly to the router and the wall, eliminating the need for a computer. Most users can now port their existing phone number. With these changes, MagicJack is certainly a closer competitor to the regular VoIP service, especially for people looking for something to supplement their phone service at home rather than replace it. However, for customers planning to completely replace their home phone service with VoIP, we always recommend a service like Vonage, VOIPo or Phone Power on magicJack. Here's why:
Call Quality
In our tests, all the more 'traditional' services VoIP outperformed magicJack in call quality usually providing clear calls that we found almost indistinguishable from traditional landline calls. In fact, since many fixed telephony providers are already using VoIP for long distance calls or overseas, many of the calls we do with regular phone companies have exactly the same call quality as Vonage, VOIPo, or another VoIP provider. We found that significantly compressed magicJack calls, loans, a cold echoey sound.
Customer Service
Our top performing providers offer VoIP phone based troubleshooting and customer service, usually in addition to Email help and live chat. We found the customer service to magicJack difficult to navigate and have been frustrated by the lack of telephone support. The chat agent we spoke seemed to be operating off of a strict script, a little absurd, or having only a loose grip of the service. For users who need any kind of support, magicJack is likely to be very frustrating, while other VoIP providers offer strong technical support, detailed and personalized.
Connectivity
The quality and feasibility of a magicJack service is very dependent on your technical system, including the precise speed of your connection, how actively you plan to use Internet on your computer, the age of your PC, and a number of other factors. a problem we never had with our other VoIP networks linked to the way our active use of the Internet has been, nor will they crash when presented with older home networks.
cost
Although magicJack certainly looks cheaper on paper, there may be a number of additional costs. If you have the original magicJack and want phone service all the time, factor in extra electricity costs for the operation of your computer all day, keeping in mind that the device will not work along with various energy-saving measures such as turning "sleeping" computer. with the higher initial cost of magicJack pLUS, the price tag for the magicJack service is very close to the cost of, say, two years VOIPo service with many features and cheaper international calls. In the first year, you will spend a few more dollars for your magicJack PLUS service for VOIPo and miss 60 free international minutes per month, the service to the customers with high quality, and a number of functions call, including the blocking number, conference call, Do not disturb, and E911. You pay per minute for international calls with magicJack, and the rates are very similar to those offered by other VoIP providers.
To offset the costs, the magicJack also displays advertising on your computer, which can be irritating and difficult to remove. Other VoIP service will not do. The company also charges tax on the service in addition to the annual service fee and the cost of equipment, so "catalog price" will be slightly less than the customers actually pay for the service.
For these reasons, we suggest you check other VoIP options. You can go to our VoIP compare the page to make your own comparisons and find a good VoIP option for you.