VoIP : Ratings of Sources

Our AssessmentYou'll find all of PCMag.com's VoIP reviews here, though there are not many reviews from the past year. This site still shows reviews from previous years that have been supplemented by more recent reports that are not quite as favorable. Each product is thoroughly tested and rated on a scale of 1 to 5, and the best are named an Editors' Choice. The latest Internet telephony products to receive this award are netTALK Duo, 8x8 Virtual Office Pro and Google Voice.

Our AssessmentCNET throws Skype into the ring with Google's new Voice Calls from Gmail feature. Three expert testers score each contender on features, apps and interface, device compatibility and cost. Google wins every category, and the prizefight -- for U.S. users. Skype is still the better international option.

Our AssessmentThis PC World article probes several popular VoIP services that offer "unlimited" calls to reveal hidden caps. Vonage defines "normal use" as less than 5,000 minutes per line per month (over 83 hours), while Ooma's cap is 3,000 minutes per month (since raised to 5,000). The review includes a link to some recommended alternatives, including Skype. In separate reviews, magicJack and Comcast get accolades.

Our AssessmentThis overview of long-distance calling options reports on tests of Skype and magicJack, but comparison to Vonage and the original Ooma Hub is strictly based on features. Call quality on Skype is judged "spotty," and connections prove problematic using magicJack -- sometimes even requiring rebooting the computer. Vonage is judged a better choice.

Our AssessmentThis comparison chart, updated weekly, is based on user-written ratings and reviews of 15 VoIP providers. Each service gets ratings on six separate factors: website, call quality, technical support, ease of installation, reliability and overall value. However, there are only a handful of recent reviews for each VoIP provider. Four providers get Gold awards based on owners' reviews over the past six months. The larger site includes reviews of many more VoIP services, plus a chart that organizes them into those reported by happy users (Smooth Ride), those who are not completely pleased (Mixed) and those who are largely displeased (Unhappy Campers). Most services also have discussion forums here.

Our AssessmentMossberg states that the magicJack works "pretty much as advertised," finding it easy to set up and use. He is also impressed with customer support but is disappointed in the extra fees for services such as vanity phone numbers.

Our AssessmentMark Hachman reports some snafus when he tries to call people from Gmail, including one call that refused to connect and mixed results for sound quality. For now, he says, the feature "remains a curiosity" with limited value.

Our AssessmentRick Broida, who writes The Cheapskate blog for CNET, says he's just about ready to ditch Vonage in favor of a then new VoIP solution, the Ooma Telo. He says Telo's call quality seems better in his initial test, and he likes the idea of no more monthly bill (except a nominal one for 911 and other fees). More than 50 user comments are posted.

Our AssessmentThis article is from 2009, but there are recent posts among the more than 200 users who comment on it. The review compares three of the most popular Internet phone services -- Vonage, magicJack and Skype. It considers in detail all the relevant factors: cost, call quality and features, plus privacy and customer service. Based on tests, the review concludes that all three services can provide excellent call quality -- but not consistently. Vonage is the overall winner, with Skype recommended if you only want inexpensive international calls. More than 100 users add comments. Elsewhere on the site, a March 2009 review covers Ooma.

Our AssessmentOwners review quite a few VoIP-related devices here, including the Ooma Telo, the magicJack and others. Of these, the Ooma Telo receives an impressive rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars following over 2,200 customer reviewers.

Our AssessmentThis site publishes user-written reviews and ratings, with listings that can be sorted by the average rating. Only a few providers have accumulated reviews from enough users to make their overall ratings useful. Several lesser known VoIP services get higher average ratings than better known providers.

Our AssessmentSeven VoIP providers get full reviews and ratings here, though the emphasis is on features; no testing is documented. All the reviews are basically positive, but Vonage, VoIP, Phone Power and Phone.com receive full marks.