Internet calling – when we think about it, the second word that immediately comes in our mind is – VoIP. This VoIP is acronym for a transmission technology, ‘Voice Over Internet Protocol’ and it is a way to direct the telephone calls over the Internet to make them much less expensive. This technology is an inexpensive solution for those long-established traditional phone systems. So, now there is no need to depend on a phone company anymore, the calling can be done by using internet browser. VoIP has transfigured private and business communications by decreasing costs and increasing available options for users. There is a requirement of a broadband connection in the form of digital subscriber line (DSL), cable modem, or fiber optic service. The providers of internet calling service convert your voice into a digital signal which is sent via your Internet connection. A user can receive or place phone calls by using PCs, mobile phones, or traditional phone equipment.
The unique features of VoIP include: PC to PC calls if both the users have broadband internet provider, pc to phone calls, free calling, cell phone forwarding, low cost international calls, low cost domestic calls, an internet phone number, multiple phone lines, fax numbers, voicemail. There are many tools which provide this internet calling service; some of them require you to call people with the similar software or service, while others include features which let you to call anybody on their mobile or landline phones. All the Online Internet Calling Tools try to offer competitive features and rates to their subscribers for staying viable in the internet calling service market. Here is a catalog of Internet Calling tools in a descending order; go through the all to get the best at last.
Best Online Tools for Internet Calling
8 ) BroadVoice
This internet calling service has a lot of potential, but it may trouble you with its too many plans and a long catalog of restrictions in terms and conditions. BroadVoice has a 7 different calling plans for customers: 1) Unlimited In-State at $9.95/month, 2) Unlimited USA at $17.95/month, 3) Unlimited USA Plus at $18.95/month, 4) Unlimited World at $19.95/month, 5) Unlimited World Plus at $24.95/month, 6) Unlimited Business at $29.95/month, 7) Internet Video Phone at $34.95/month. All of their unlimited plans have significant restrictions; as well the unlimited world plans don’t embrace the calls to special services numbers or to international mobile phone numbers. There are 18 basic features available with BroadVoice, as well as you can get access to 7 advanced features with 5 premium features with an additional monthly cost. This feature set of BroadVoice is quite impressive, but it doesn’t include many unique features. The service of BroadVoice could be much better if they simplify their plans and remove the significant restrictions. The feature set of the BroadVoice requires a little work on it.
Rating: 2 out of 5
7) Packet8
Get assistance for cutting your monthly phone bills by using Packet8 or 8×8 VoIP Digital Home Phone Service. The most popular plans offered by 8×8 are; Freedom Unlimited for unlimited calls in the United States and Canada at $24.99/month, and Freedom Unlimited Global for unlimited calls to the United States, Canada and top 40 countries at $39.99/month. You can even register for the Freedom Annual plan for receiving significant extra savings by this yearly plan. 8×8 offers 22 popular features including voicemail, caller ID, call forwarding, 3way calling, etc. There is no extra charge for the features. As well, 8×8 provides business services like a hosted iPBX product known as Packet8 Virtual Office which comes with the powerful features, low costs and ease of use that small businesses require.
The activation of Packet8 is free of charge. 8×8 is a useful VoIP service, but there is a need of some improvement. Normally, the 8×8 VoIP Service has the trouble of having a website which appears a lot better than it really is. The price they charge is not enough to justify their offering to the customers. There is a need of improvement in their service to meet up with the money they charge, but until then, you will find nothing unique about the service except their website.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
6) Skype
This is the one of the leading free internet calling service, and it had planned to stay free forever. Skype-to-Skype calling is totally free for both locally and internationally calling. Installation is very easy with only one click to use the Skype software which lets you to make Skype-to-Skype free calling, one-to-one video calling, instant messaging and screen sharing. There is no need to bind with any contracts for using the Skype. Its digitals service gives clear voice quality right away. Skype also provides competitive pay-as-you-go plans starting from 1.9c a minute, for the international calling to non-Skype users. You can also get best rates for internet calling with a 3 or 12-month subscription. Skype even offers free video chatting service along with Internet calling. The conference video calling service for businesses is also available for free with Skype. There is a list of 17 features offered by Skype. The negative aspect with Skype is that you can not use your regular mobile or telephone number, and you can not call to mobiles or landlines for free either. And secondly, it is not a full substitute for your regular telephone as you can not make emergency calls with it.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
5) Net2Phone
Net2Phone is a serviceable VoIP service, but is a one of those VoIP services which are defeated by the lack of usability on their website. They have two different VoiceLine plans to offer their customers: 1) VoiceLine unlimited calling plan for US, Canada & Puerto Rico at $24/month, and 2) VoiceLine Unlimited US & Canada calling plan plus Unlimited world for more than 60 countries at $39/month. You can include additional and international phone numbers in your plan at extra cost. There are no equipment fees, activation fees, switching fees, shipping and handling fees. The customers of Net2Phone are provided with a streamlined catalog of 16 diverse features. All features are pretty ordinary, excepting the Service Interruption Forwarding feature that forwards your calls to VoiceMail or to another number in the event of a power failure. However, the feature set offered by Net2Phone contains almost half the size of features then other VoIP services competitors.
The service of Net2Phone is good, but the website of Net2Phone does not create the best impression because of its confusing & winding paths which you need to take for finding any bit of information. It requires a lot of work to contend with the other VoIP services in this category. If you want to take a chance on Net2Phone, you will get a good service but their shortcomings will disappoint you and you will wish for more.
Rating: 3 out of 5
4) Lingo
This broadband phone service offers both home and business plans. There are 3 US calling plans; 1) America Unlimited for unlimited calls across the U.S. & to Canada at $21.95/month, 2) America 500 for 500 minutes across the U.S. & to Canada with a charge of 4¢/additional minute at $16.95/month, 3) America 250 for 250 minutes across the U.S. & to Canada with a charge of 4¢/additional minute at $9.95/month. The world calling plans include World Unlimited at $23.95/month and World Unlimited Plus Mobile at $56.95/month. All the plans are free of charge for the first month. In addition, Lingo provides options for an additional line, free equipment, and a 30-day money back guarantee. Lingo even permits businesses to keep their existing phone numbers. The residential and business services of Lingo come with more than 20 benefits and features including anonymous call rejection, *69, call waiting, speed dial, etc. Lingo is one of the best internet calling services, but unfortunately the lack of unique features place this service behind their competitors. That’s why the feature set of this service requires a little bit of work.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
3) ViaTalk
This online tool offers domestic and international calling plans for residential and business users. The VT_Unlimited Lite plan offers 2000 Minutes in U.S./Canada at $10.95/month, while the VT_Unlimited Plan offers unlimited Minutes in U.S./Canada at $16.95/month. Another plan VT_BYOD is intended for more technical customers to save even more money with the use of their own phone equipment. Consumers can also upgrade to an international plan by paying an additional fee to cover calls to above 60 countries worldwide. The billing plans offered by ViaTalk are flexible which are ranging from 1 month to 24 month cycles. Every package of ViaTalk comes with around 40 features, including call forwarding, caller ID, call recording etc. As well, the subscribers can check voicemail online or by phone via e-mail or browser. ViaTalk also comes with optional features like business class support, virtual phone number, fax service and toll free service. The business unlimited plan of ViaTalk comes with a free fax line, while the residential unlimited plan comes with two phone lines and a free year of service. Only one shortcoming of this tool is that their website is bit confusing by means of certain things. One enticing offer from ViaTalk is prepaying for 1 year and getting a chance to enjoy ViaTalk for a supplementary year.
Rating: 4 out of 5
2) Vonage
This is one of the VoIP services, which is dedicated to offer their customers with only VoIP options. The service of Vonage is raised well in recent years, which has made it as one of the best VoIP services. Vonage provides four different plans to its customers: Pro, Basic 500 minutes, World and Lite. The prices for these plans are ranging from $9.99 to $34.99 per month at anywhere with a one year agreement. Pro and World plans have unlimited calling in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico, Lite plan has 200 minutes, and 500 Minutes plan has 500 long distance minutes. There is a free calling in 60 countries with the World plan, and in 5 countries with the Pro plan. Each Vonage plan comes with a thirty-day money back guarantee. There are 20+ different features offered by Vonage including call waiting, caller ID with name, call transfer, 3-way calling, simulring, call return, caller ID block, repeat dialing, anonymous call block etc.
It is rapid and easy to sign up and use, as you have to just plug your Vonage adapter into your phone and into your high speed internet connection. The drawback of the Vonage is that every plan comes with all of their features; this is good point for customers having least expensive plan, but it is a bad point for customers who had paid higher. Another downside of this service is the requirement of 1-year agreement, and if they add the month-to-month option then they could be more competitive. The sound quality provided by Vonage is exceptional. Join the Vonage VOIP calling service now and get your 1st month for FREE!
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
1) Phone Power
While talking about VoIP services, Phone Power is really tough to beat. They provide adequate useful features as well as plentiful customer service options to last you a lifetime. They have four different plans to offer their customers: Premium Monthly at $19.95/month, Premium 24 month at $14.95/month, Premium 12 month $16.95/month, and Premium Annual at $16.66/month or $199.95/year. Premium Monthly and Premium Annual are the best plans as there is no need to enter into a contract with these plans, as well with the Premium Annual plan there is an offer of free second year. There is no fee for activation and the equipment is leased for free. All of the plans offer unlimited calling to the US and Canada, as well as 60 free international calling minutes per month.
Phone Power provides their customers with a feature set of 45+ different features – such as call waiting, 3-way conference calling, caller ID, *69, speed dial, and much more – which is pretty hard to beat. The extra features – like global plus add-on (for unlimited calling), Direct International Calling, 411 Directory Assistance, Toll Free Numbers, Operator Dialing, Virtual Numbers, Adding a Line – can be added by paying a little extra. They even have great offers for business setups which include full PBX functionality. The only downside is the cancellation fee which arrives when you wish to escape from one of the contracts of Phone Power. However, if you choose this service once, surely you will prefer to last with it lifetime.
Rating: 5 out of 5
