Vonage vs Skype vs MagicJack

[Mad Hatter]

So let's hear it people... Which is the better service? I use two out of the three, and I know just about the ins and outs of all... but I want to hear for you about you think is the best.

I'm for Skype and MagicJack

[dk]

For... phone calls? Or messaging? lol.

I don't make long distance phone calls more than a few times a year, so my vote is MSN Messenger.

[Alana]

i use scype we got all the family back home set up with web cams and shit so scype to scype video chat is free.

[dk]

i use scype we got all the family back home set up with web cams and shit so scype to scype video chat is free.
That's mainly what we use skype for as well. For some reason, it seems like the video is always more fluid on skype than on messenger.

[badkitty]

i have vonage and i love it. i can take it everywhere (except Korea) and I can pick what area code and change it when i want to. There is a portable phone but i haven't used that yet.

[DougP]

Skype FTMFW!! They even have it on PSP!:D

[Carl]

I like skype, but not for the phone service. For phone service I use Hyperdog Digital. They are actually a standard SIP service provider (Vonage is SIP as well, but they lock it up so you can only use their approved devices) and I can use whatever I want on it. Right now I have a regular phone I bought at the PX hooked up to a Zoom 5801 ATA I got off Amazon for $50 and that is logged in to my Hyperdog account. Like badkitty, I can take my phone anywhere with me and have the same phone number, but I usually just leave it at home. I have a softphone (X-Lite) on my laptop set up for my Hypderdog account I use to make and receive calls while I'm away. I pay $15 a month for 500 minutes of outgoing calls and unlimited incoming calls (I have a local number for my mom to call) with no contract. For $20 a month (or $25 a month with no contract), I can get unlimited both ways. I can also call other VoIP services for free (except for Vonage because they started blocking connections from other SIP servers).

For 1-800 numbers, I use Gizmo. I can have 4 VoIP lines on my ATA so my primary one is my Hyperdog account, but 1-800 numbers go through my Gizmo account on the second line.

[Courtney]

we use vonage. We have for years now! Even back in the states we used it. Love it and never had a problem with it!

[I Am Luna]

Skype. I'm in S.Korea and video chatting with the wife and kid back home. Skype is simple and easy.
Whats everyone's skype?

We should set-up a conference one of these boring days....

[dk]

We should set-up a conference one of these boring days....
Do I have to put my shirt on?

[Mad Hatter]

I use SKype when my family is around a computer, because it allows for the web cam and it's free.

On the other hand, not everyone in my family have computers. But everyone does have a phone. So I looked into the Vonage and Skype. But that was all I needed... another monthly bill. That's why I went to MagicJack. There was a young lady over here (www.soldiersconnectworld.com) that was able to sell me one. It's only 19.95 A YEAR!!! Take that Vonage! It plugs into your computer, you pick your number, call waiting, call forwarding, caller ID, 911 service, and I can call as much as I want... This thing is pretty cool. NO MORE PHONE BILL!

[Pandora]

i have vonage and i love it. i can take it everywhere (except Korea) and I can pick what area code and change it when i want to. There is a portable phone but i haven't used that yet.
I had Vonage at Osan(off-base) and it worked fine. Like many others, I have had my Vonage number/account for years, and never had a problem. I don't even call back to the states that often, but I like having the luxury of being able to calll when I want and for however long I'd like...and I don't mind paying for it.

I had heard MagicJack is poor sound quality(and also about Skype) ...is that true?

[NewGuy08]

I like skype because it is cheap. When I first got here i was using the calling cards at the Spot on Foster and that really added up$$$$.

[badkitty]

I had Vonage at Osan(off-base) and it worked fine. Like many others, I have had my Vonage number/account for years, and never had a problem. I don't even call back to the states that often, but I like having the luxury of being able to calll when I want and for however long I'd like...and I don't mind paying for it.

I had heard MagicJack is poor sound quality(and also about Skype) ...is that true?

When i was in Kunsan (06-07) vonage was fine for on base but now, you cannot use vonage on base in S. Korea. I checked with my friends that are in Osan and Kunsan and it's offical.

[I Am Luna]

Do I have to put my shirt on?
Depends...do I have to wear pants? :w00t:

[dk]

Depends...do I have to wear pants? :w00t:
Nope! :thumbup:

[Mad Hatter]

My parents said that they can hear like I was right next to them with the MagicJack.

Why can't you use your Vonage in S. Korea...? It only needs an based Bandwidth internet connection. How fast is your internet on/off base, which the case my be?

[Pandora]

Why can't you use your Vonage in S. Korea...? It only needs an based Bandwidth internet connection. How fast is your internet on/off base, which the case my be?

She's talking about on-base. The base cable provider is trying to create a monopoly by blocking all VOIP's except for the one they offer(which costs more than all of the providers we've mentioned in this thread).

[badkitty]

She's talking about on-base. The base cable provider is trying to create a monopoly by blocking all VOIP's except for the one they offer(which costs more than all of the providers we've mentioned in this thread).

From the prices that they were showing us before i left it was CRAZY!!! I thought SSRT was bad. But again, anything partnered with AAFES will rob you blind.

[Zim the Invader]

She's talking about on-base. The base cable provider is trying to create a monopoly by blocking all VOIP's except for the one they offer(which costs more than all of the providers we've mentioned in this thread).

I use Yahoo Voice from Yahoo Messenger. I pick my area code from a list of those available (sometimes it takes some reasearch to find the are you want'. But after that, I only put $10 in the account, it's good for a year, incoming is free and has a message inbox, out going calls to the US cost a penny a minute, and computer to computer is free worldwide. I love it. Sometimes the quality is a little iffy, but for a penny a minute... who cares.

[tommyboy180]

I know I am comming into this late...

All of those providers have nothing on Broadvoice. Broadvoice is less than 20 a month and you have world wide calling capablility.
So if you have family in the states, Japan, Russhia, Cuba, and anywhere you can call them for unlimited minutes.
Broadvoice, it really kickes Vonage's ass.
Besides if you live on base Vonage has a compatablility with mediatti.

[Zim the Invader]

I know I am comming into this late...

All of those providers have nothing on Broadvoice. Broadvoice is less than 20 a month and you have world wide calling capablility.
So if you have family in the states, Japan, Russhia, Cuba, and anywhere you can call them for unlimited minutes.
Broadvoice, it really kickes Vonage's ass.
Besides if you live on base Vonage has a compatablility with mediatti.

Are you sure? It's my experiance that Mediatti isn't compatable with anything. For example: service, speed, quality of product... lol

But it might be worth looking into.

[bikeguy74]

I use magic jack. Set up only take 5 mins total, it's super easy to use crystal clear sound and cheap!

[Patrick]

I have a MagicJack too, works great. Don't expect much in the way of customer service though from what I hear. Compare that to the price of phone cards I used shell out 20 bones a piece for, and it was worth the risk. I don't have any complaints.