Best hardware VoIP
Pros: no monthly charges (except taxes/fees), good call quality, free long distance in U.S.
Cons: steep hardware cost, advanced features incur monthly fee, international calls not the cheapest
Hardware
Yes
$150 (the Ooma hardware device); use any regular corded or cordless phone; handset required for advanced features
No
Yes; separate device required
No
30 days; 60 days for Premier package
No
Includes unlimited calls in the U.S.
Yes, 5,000 min. outgoing calls per month
$40 (or included in Premier account, *Est. $10 per month)
Yes
Premier account (Est. $10 per month)
Yes
Premier account (Est. $10 per month)
Yes
Premier account (Est. $10 per month)
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Premier account (Est. $10 per month)
Yes
Yes
Yes, with Ooma Mobile
No
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Best free VoIP
Pros: free calls to all phones in U.S. and Canada, integrated with Gmail contacts, free Google Voice number
Cons: variable voice quality, no 911 service
not avail.
Software
No
Computer with built-in or add-on microphone and speaker
No
No
N/A
N/A
N/A
Free unlimited calls within U.S. and Canada
N/A
Yes
Yes, with free Google Voice account
N/A
Yes, with free Google Voice account
Yes, with free Google Voice account
Yes
Yes, with free Google Voice account
No
Yes, with free Google Voice account
Yes, with free Google Voice account
No
No
Yes, but Google Voice app sends calls over carrier network, not VoIP
No
Yes
Video chat
Yes, with free Google Voice account
N/A
N/A
N/A