Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a technology that allows you to make voice calls using a broadband Internet connection instead of a regular (or analog) phone line. Mobile phones are all well and good, but when you’re at home, you may prefer the comfort and familiarity of a traditional telephone.
However, that doesn’t mean you have to settle for a conventional analog landline from your local phone company.
Increasingly, digital phone lines are replacing classic calling. It’s a trend that started with businesses, and in a nutshell, refers to placing calls over the internet. The two most oft-cited benefits are improved call quality and lower costs. Still, VoIP also offers features that landlines do not, such as voicemail-to-email, call forwarding, caller ID, conference calling, and video calling.
Some VoIP services may only allow you to call other people using the same service, but others may allow you to call anyone who has a telephone number – including local, long-distance, mobile, and international numbers. Also, while some VoIP services only work over your computer or a special VoIP phone, other services allow you to use a traditional phone connected to a VoIP adapter.
How VoIP/Internet Voice Works
VoIP services convert your voice into a digital signal that travels over the Internet.
If you are calling a regular phone number, the signal is converted to a regular telephone signal before it reaches the destination. VoIP can allow you to make a call directly from a computer, a special VoIP phone, or a traditional phone connected to a special adapter. In addition, wireless “hot spots” in locations such as airports, parks, and cafes allow you to connect to the Internet and may enable you to use VoIP service wirelessly.
7 Best VoIP Service For Homes
Ooma
Ooma is, without a doubt, the best VoIP service for homes. It offers a variety of features at an affordable price. For example, with Ooma Telo, you get free calling in the U.S. with no monthly fees or contracts – just taxes and fees are applicable. This makes staying connected with family and friends easy without worrying about long-distance charges or extra costs.
And if you want to dial international numbers, you can call over 60 countries for only $17.99.
If you opt to go premium with Ooma, you can get access to a free second number from any area code in the US. This is perfect for those who want to keep their business and personal life separate or need an extra line for their home office.
The residential VoIP plans include three-way conference calling, call forwarding, and voicemail. It has connected home integrations, international calling, and various security tools. Ooma Telo can run over a Wi-Fi connection or on a mobile network. It comes with a Telo device that plugs into the broadband router and connects the existing landline phones. If there is no Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA), you can port the existing phone number over the Ooma software.
Beyond this, Ooma offers Adaptive Redundancy technology that helps ensure clear call quality even when your internet connection isn’t at its best. This means you don’t have to worry about choppy conversations or garbled words – your calls will stay crystal clear no matter what.
Pros
- Services in over 70 countries
- Virtual receptionist with music on hold
- Offers features like call park and call forwarding
- Only a one-time cost needs to be incurred
Cons
- Limited basic plan features
Vonage
Vonage is one of the best home VoIP service providers that use a simple plug-and-play device to connect to a router. The platform collaborates with Amazon Chime to give you access to video and web conferences. The company has taken a more minimalistic approach to the platform design to get rid of bloated features.
Also, it offers different APIs and modules, meaning you can tailor the platform to your needs.
Vonage’s phone home service offers file sharing, three-way calling, screen sharing, and advanced voicemail tools. It provides unlimited SMS and calls across Puerto Rico, the USA, Canada, and Mexico. This VoIP platform has free mobile apps allowing individuals to take calls on the go. Upgraded services offer unlimited calls to 60 different countries from any landline.
Beyond this, it boasts 50+ communication features, including video collaboration with Vonage meetings. And the quality of the calls is outstanding, thanks to the platform’s HD video and call capabilities.
All in all, the interface of the Vonage app is clean and user-friendly, with all the features listed on the left-hand side of the platform.
Pros
- Highly customizable platform
- Clean, user-friendly app
- Very high-quality HD video and calling technology
Cons
- It can be pricey if you need multiple new features
8×8
8×8 is an impressive VoIP with over 2 million customers worldwide, and its service is supported in over 50 countries. It provides a screen-sharing option and all-in-one communication services on one platform. It is one of the best VoIP services for homes that offer HD voice calling capabilities and is accessible from any device or location.
Beyond this, the platform is easy to use, has a clean UI, and has excellent communication and security features.
That said, 8×8 is available through a desktop app compatible with Windows and Mac; the platform can also be used through a browser. It has a variety of plans available with various features; plus, unlimited members can use the base plan.
Plans include features like integrated voice and backend analytics for measuring success. It offers call recording, screening, and voicemail transcription. 8×8 also has a contact center that is operational with omnichannel customer engagement. Furthermore, it offers unlimited international calling, lower prices, and shorter contracts.
The platform also offers interactive meetings with live emoji reactions and integrations with CRMs such as HubSpot and Salesforce, plus customer support software such as Zendesk.
Pros
- An array of integrations
- Impressive HD audio and video features
- Clean UI and user-friendly interface
Cons
- Might be a bit advanced for some home users
DialPad
DialPad is a tremendous residential VoIP solution, particularly if you need to regularly make international calls. You can call internationally with each of its plans, and there are options for unlimited global calling.
Beyond this, every DialPad plan also offers unlimited local calls, making it an excellent option for families who often call family and friends locally and internationally and are looking to save money.
One of the other standout features that DialPad offers is its instant messaging tools. If you have used Slack, then you will appreciate the Slack-like messaging features within the platform. This is great, particularly if you’re regularly chatting with other family members or friends.
DialPad also works well through your browser, mobile app, and on your desktop, so you have flexibility over how you use it. Besides this, you can also keep your existing phone number or get a new one — just check whether your number can be transferred to VoIP.
Unsurprisingly, you can also make high-quality HD video calls through the platform, as long as you have a wifi or cellular data connection.
Pros
- Unlimited local and international calls are available
- Relatively inexpensive monthly plans with a 14-day free trial
- Excellent instant messaging features
Cons
- No 24/7 support is available on the Standard plan
RingCentral
RingCentral is a cloud-based communication solution that appeals to small and large businesses. Despite targeting business users, RingCentral is also an ideal choice for an ideal VoIP phone for home.
This cloud-hosted system has dedicated mobile and desktop apps for managing virtual faxes and making voice calls. The essential subscription includes unlimited calls around the USA. It offers an advanced messaging interface and calls forwarding features.
Furthermore, you can upgrade to the Standard plan to access team messaging and share documents via chats. It provides multiple extensions and a company directory. You also get integrations with other programs, manage tasks, and send unlimited internet fax.
Pros
- You can record calls for future reference.
- Call routing and number porting are simple through the RingCentral account.
- Call logs make it easy to record all incoming faxes and calls.
- The software offers HD audio and video quality.
Cons
- RingCentral is complex to use and is more expensive compared to other VoIP providers.
- The customer support team takes longer to solve issues.
Nextiva
Nextiva offers unified communication with VoIP, video, and chat, and users can enjoy unlimited audio and video meetings with others. The call features are really impressive, with text messaging, voicemail to email processing, call queuing, and unlimited calls within the USA and Canada.
Nextiva also offers a responsive desktop, Android, and iOS app, meaning users can stay connected wherever they are. Through the app, you can organize conference chats, calls, video calls, screen sharing, and group chats. Being able to use these directly from the app is excellent, particularly if you’re looking for a VoIP that multiple people can use wherever they are — great for keeping in touch with family and friends.
Alongside these call features, Nextiva also boasts features more suited to businesses, such as productivity, customer experience, and CRM tools. Plus, they offer 24/7 customer support, so you can be sure that you can sort out any problem with the platform at any time of day. In addition, all your communications through the platform are private with TLS & SRTP Encryption.
All of these make it a solid option and one of the best VoIP services for homes.
Pros
- Easy-to-use app
- Extensive communication features
- Workflow automation features
Cons
- Only available in the USA
Axvoice
Axvoice is a VoIP phone service for home users and small businesses. It deploys home VoIP using the AXvoice device, which adapts the internet router and the home’s VoIP phones.
The platform prioritizes local and international calling using toll-free numbers. It offers unlimited calling over the Internet for all its plans. And in the case of internet phone services experiencing an outage, you can ensure the phone remains online by setting up a redirection service.
AXvoice offers the cheapest VoIP service for homes with its pay-as-you-go solutions for outgoing calls. The residential plans offer many advanced features that include logs, audio-to-text, call filters, and voicemails that are manageable via email.
Pros
- The AXvoice hardware is free of charge.
- It offers “Bring your own device (BYOD) support” to help set up an unlocked VoIP device.
- You can use the Softphone app on any cell phone and apply VoIP anywhere.
- This tool offers free unlimited calls to other AXvoice numbers.
Cons
- AXvoice does not offer any CRM integration.
- International calling is expensive.
Is there a difference between making a Local Call and a Long Distance Call?
Some VoIP providers offer their services for free, normally only for calls to other subscribers to the service. Your VoIP provider may permit you to select an area code different from the area in which you live. It also means that people who call you may incur long-distance charges depending on their area code and service.
Some VoIP providers charge for a long-distance call to a number outside your calling area, similar to existing, traditional wireline telephone service. Other VoIP providers permit you to call anywhere at a flat rate for a fixed number of minutes.
What are some advantages of VoIP?
Some VoIP services offer features and services that are not available with a traditional phone or are available but only for an additional fee. You may also be able to avoid paying for both a broadband connection and a traditional telephone line.
What are some disadvantages of VoIP?
If you’re considering replacing your traditional telephone service with VoIP, there are some possible differences:
- Some VoIP services don’t work during power outages and the service provider may not offer backup power.
- Not all VoIP services connect directly to emergency services through 9-1-1.
- VoIP providers may or may not offer directory assistance/white page listings.
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