Several months ago we reviewed the new VOIP telephone service NetTalk DUO. Now there’s a fairly identical service to choose from. From the makers of MagicJack, introducing the MagicJack PLUS.
MagicJack has been around for many years as the cigarette lighter sized dongle you plug into your computer, then simply connect a landline phone for VOIP telephone service. When MagicJack was first introduced, it seemed revolutionary that anyone could make a call to anywhere with a computer or laptop and an Internet connection. But soon, users realized that MagicJack was not a permanent home or work phone solution, since it required you to leave your laptop on 24/7 in order for the service to work and to receive incoming calls.
Well, that is perhaps the main difference between the original MagicJack and the new MagicJack PLUS. Instead of plugging the MagicJack PLUS into your computer, you simply plug it into your home router or Internet modem, just like the NetTalk DUO. From there, you plug a standard landline into the dongle, again just like NetTalk DUO. Then VOILA! You have a new VOIP home telephone.
So let’s compare NetTalk DUO and MagicJack PLUS:
Both companies require a high speed Internet connection (not satellite) to operate. Both offer premium features, such as Voicemail, Caller ID, Call waiting, Call forwarding and your own phone number. Both services provide incredibly clear call quality and both offer unlimited free calling within the US and Canada. NetTalk DUO costs $69.95 as a one time purchase of the device, which includes the first year of service, with additional years costing $29.95 per year thereafter. MagicJack PLUS is a bit cheaper, costing $49.95 as a one time purchase of the device, which includes the first year of service, with additional years costing $19.95 per year thereafter.
If cost is a factor for you, obviously MagicJack is the cheaper alternative. But if customer service, customer support and quality of service matters to you, NetTalk is the better alternative. I have used both services and I can say unequivocally that NetTalk provides a much better user experience than MagicJack. If you have a problem with MagicJack and wish to speak with a live representative, there is no customer service number for you to call. You’re limited to only signing onto their website and typing your concerns into what they say is a “live chat” box, which often seems like an automated robot responding to keywords in your question. MagicJack also outsources its sales to a 3rd party, so you never seem to be dealing with the company directly. NetTalk provides a dedicated sales telephone line that is run directly by the company, as well as a support line for customer concerns. Both offer an online forum for customers to communicate with the company or other users regarding the product.
The good news is, existing MagicJack customers will be allowed to transfer their existing phone numbers to the new MagicJack PLUS. The bad news is, MagicJack PLUS was supposed to be available in early July, but is delayed. The official company statement is they’re doing further testing on the product to make sure it’s right, but that sounds like industry mumbo-jumbo that MagicJack PLUS is just not yet ready for prime time. At any rate, with either company you can truly kiss your old home phone service goodbye and say hello to a new way of making calls!
FOR MORE INFO ON MagicJack PLUS, CLICK HERE.
FOR MORE INFO ON NetTalk, CLICK HERE.
