Compare Top Rated Residential VoIP Providers of 2023

There are a number of top-tier VoIP providers in the market, and all of them have various pricing tiers, features, promos, and more to garner your business. So picking the right residential VoIP provider for you can be a bit overwhelming, especially when you are faced with VoIP technology jargon and multiple plan options. But VoipReview makes it easy to compare VoIP providers so that you can make the best decision for your residential calling needs.

What questions should I ask myself before comparing residential VoIP providers?

Use the following questions to help clarify your VoIP shopping process:

Do I have high-speed internet?
How much is my current monthly phone bill?
How often do I call long distance?
How often do I make international calls?
What kind of payment and/or contract type am I comfortable with?
Do I have the equipment required for residential VoIP?

Find out how much you can save today on Residential VoIP.

Compare top Residential VoIP providers in the table below

Provider	Plan Features	Rate/min.	Trial Period	Setup Fees	Monthly Fees	Details
VoIPo	VoIPo Home Phone Unlimited Calls to US/Canada Over 45 Features + Free 2nd Line Free international call allowance $15.00/mo. or $6.21/mo. with 2 year contract	$0.00	30 days	Free	^$ 6.21 _/mo. * Residential Month to Month (per user) No contract $15.00 / mo. Annual Contract Prepay (per user) 2-year contract $6.21 / mo. In order to determine the number of users you need for your VoIPo phone system, count the total number of devices you need, including desk phones, softphones, conference phones, and fax machines.	3.6 48 reviews Get Quote!
Ooma Telo	HOME PHONE SERVICE Special: Save on hardware & low monthly rates! No annual contracts, 30-day money back guarantee Unlimited nationwide calling *Not including taxes/fees + One-time hardware cost of $99.99	$0.00	30 days	Free	^$ 19.99 _/mo. * Ooma Office Month to Month (per user) Ooma Office $19.95 /mo. In order to determine the number of users you need for your Ooma Telo phone system, count the total number of devices you need, including desk phones, softphones, conference phones, and fax machines.	4.85 203 reviews Get Quote!
1-VoIP	HOME PHONE SERVICE Unlimited Calling and Free Adapter Included No Contract or Cancellation Fee Over 40 Included Features $8.97 is monthly cost with 1-year prepay	$0.00	-	Free	^$ 8.97 _/mo. *	4.9 4 reviews Get Quote!
Axvoice	Home Phone Service Unlimited USA and Canada calling Free hardware and activation Money back guarantee, 30+ features $6.25/mo. 1-year prepay equals $75.00/year	$0.00	15 days	Free	^$ 6.25 _/mo. * Home Phone USA/Canada US/Canada 200 Pay As You Go Month to Month (per user) No contract $14.99 / mo. Annual Contract Paid Monthly (per user) 1-year postpay $10.99 / mo. Annual Contract Prepay (per user) 1-year prepay $6.25 / mo. Month to Month (per user) No contract $9.99/mo. Annual Contract Prepay (per user) 1-year postpay $5.99/mo. Month to Month (per user) No contract $4.99 / mo. In order to determine the number of users you need for your Axvoice phone system, count the total number of devices you need, including desk phones, softphones, conference phones, and fax machines.	4.15 63 reviews Get Quote!
Community Phone	Modern Landline Service No internet required, works even during power outages. Setup is as easy as connecting a charger to a phone, anyone can do it. Unlimited local and long-distance calling. Device contains a backup battery and is not designed to run without electricity indefinitely.	$0.00	30 days	$99.00	^$ 32.50 _/mo. *	5 7 reviews Get Quote!

*Rates shown do not include E-911 charges, taxes, and surcharges. Most providers offering unlimited calling have restrictions and some rates shown are promotional rates based on term contracts or promotional periods. Be sure to read individual providers terms and conditions before you buy. Rates and features displayed for each provider have been sourced from provider's site and other online sources. While we strive to display current information, be sure to check directly with each provider as their plans, pricing, and features are subject to change.

What is Residential VoIP?

Residential VoIP is an Internet-based voice service for your home.

Residential Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a telephone service that utilizes your home internet connection to route calls. Instead of using the traditional copper wires associated with a Plain Old Telephone System (POTS), VoIP converts your voice into data packets, sends them over the Internet, and reassembles them into high-quality audio on the other end.

With residential VoIP, you can even use your existing telephone to make and receive calls. Ask if your residential provider offers a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD). Then, all you need is an Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA) to connect your phone to the router, Ethernet hub, or switch to start making low-cost calls. Select providers will offer included equipment free of charge or allow you to rent it for a nominal fee.

A big advantage to choosing a residential VoIP system is its ease of use. Most residential providers offer plug-and-play systems that can be setup within minutes. Additionally, these residential service providers offer support in the form of phone, chat, and online knowledgebases so that you have access to all information and multiple troubleshooting options.

How Do I Know If My Internet is VoIP Capable?

Run a speed test to see if your broadband connection is qualified for a residential VoIP service.

The most important factor when it comes to the quality of your residential VoIP is your Internet speed. Your broadband speed is important because it will determine whether or not you are qualified for a VoIP service. A poor broadband connection will result in a low-quality call. With a bad connection, you will be affected by things like jitter, packet loss, and bad voice quality. It is important that you test your broadband connection ahead of time. You can test your connection with our Speed Test to see whether or not your setup is VoIP-capable.

Typically, a broadband connection will show 600 kbps for the upload stream and 5000 kbps on the download stream. It is standard for your upload speed to be less than your download speed. The upload speed is also the limiting factor and determines if you are capable of making VoIP phone calls.

Test your internet speed with our innovative Speed Test. Be sure to use this test while you are hardwired, and not while using a WiFi connection, in order to get a more accurate reading.

Unfortunately, if your connection isn't strong enough, you will need to sign up for a faster internet service before you can begin shopping and comparing VoIP providers.

Do I have the Equipment that Residential VoIP Requires?

Residential VoIP needs an existing Internet connection and a VoIP-capable phone to properly function.

In addition to making sure that you have the proper internet speed, you need to check the equipment your VoIP provider requires. Compare providers based on the equipment they provide and require: you can find these details (which change frequently) on their websites.

The common pieces of equipment that a VoIP service requires includes one of the following:

An ATA
IP Phone
Softphone

A softphone is a type of software provided by the VoIP company that is used to make calls. An ATA enables your current phone to be used with VOIP and is most commonly used when you BYOD (if your provider offers it). An IP phone is a phone that you can directly plug into the internet to make phone calls.

Additionally, some residential VoIP providers offer either free equipment or a BYOD option. Check with your provider for specifics.

Now that you have a basic understanding of Residential VoIP, browse through some of our select providers in the table above. Click on the individual logos of one of the VoIP providers listed above to be redirected to their website, or click the number of reviews in order to read specific reviews about that provider.

How Often Do I Make Long Distance Calls?

The number of long distance calls you make will determine the type of residential VoIP calling plan you choose.

Residential VoIP customers can save on long distance calls due to VoIP's affordable calling rates. Using a residential VoIP service makes long distance calling cheaper because the data doesn't move through as many networks as a standard call.

In fact, most residential VoIP providers offer unlimited long distance minutes with their calling plans. If you do not have frequent calling habits that demand an unlimited plan, some providers charge a low per-minute rate for all calls for both local and long distance calls (normally with a Metered or Pay As You Go plan).

Additionally, select providers offer free on-network calling regardless of location. This helps customers save big on long distance and international calling. Check with your provider to see their long distance calling charges.

How Expensive Are Long Distance Rates with VoIP Calling?

Most VoIP providers include unlimited long distance or charge low per-minute long distance rates.

A normal long distance call moves data (which, in this case, is represented by your voice) across multiple telephone networks. It uses a local switch to access a database that then identifies your long-distance carrier and then uses their service to connect the call.

But with VoIP calls, the only networks that are used are the local networks in each location, as well as the VoIP provider's network and routing equipment in addition to your broadband Internet connection. Cutting out these middle men is one of the reasons that VoIP calls can save so much money on long distance calling. Plus, using your existing Internet connection to place calls is a money-saver, too!

Furthermore, local and long distance calling is often included in your VoIP service plan. Most VoIP providers offer plans that give you unlimited local and long distance calling! However, if you have signed up for a Pay As You Go plan, your calls are likely charged per minute. Still, these per minute charges are at a very low rate.

How Does Residential VoIP Route Long Distance Calls?

Save on residential long distance and international calling by routing your calls via your internet connection.

VoIP uses the Internet to route your calls instead of using a traditional phone network.

The PSTN uses long distance carriers that charge you an exorbitant amount per call for placing long distance and international calls. But with VoIP, your calls are much cheaper because your VoIP provider uses your existing Internet connection to make and receive calls.

The major reason that residential long distance is cheaper with a VoIP provider is because the VoIP network aims to make calls as local as possible, and therefore, cheaper for you. To put it simply, your VoIP provider sends the call (converted it into data packets) over the Internet to the closest geographic network near the intended destination. So, every long distance call you make with VoIP is technically a local call. That's why most VoIP providers include long distance calls with their service for no extra charge.

In addition, most VoIP service providers also provide very cheap international calls. This is because VoIP providers treat international calls the same as residential long distance: by routing the calls to a local network over the Internet. Each provider offers different per-minute rates for calls, and these differ depending on the country. Check with providers for their individual rates.

How Often Do I Make International Calls?

When compared to traditional phone services, residential VoIP providers offer competitive international calling rates.

International calls work similarly to long distance calling with a VoIP service. Instead of calling local-to-local within one country, you call local-to-local between countries. Residential VoIP can save you a lot of money on your international calling bill.

One thing to compare between residential VoIP providers is how they offer international calling. Most providers offer a certain rate per area per country. You can find these international rates listed on the provider websites. Other residential VoIP providers will offer a certain number of minutes free per month to specific countries. And select residential VoIP providers will also offer residential customers a global or international plan, too, with unlimited international calling to select countries (country set depends on provider).

Softphone services are also a great way to save money on international calls.

Usually, VoIP service providers do not charge for you to use their network for internal calls (also referenced as "on-network calling"). So if you and your friends or family use the same VoIP provider/network, then you can make those calls free of charge, regardless of your location.

What Type of International Rates are Available with VoIP?

Residential VoIP plans come with low cost per-minute international calling rates.

International VoIP calls work the same way as long distance VoIP calls: A VoIP call routes the call from a local network to the internet, and (hopefully) to the local network in the country you're calling. For instance, if you are calling India from the United States:

Provider name	Vonage	ITP	Xfinity	AT&T	Cox
Plan name	Vonage World	Global	World Select 300	Worldwide Value Calling	Simply Worldwide
Rate per minute	Included	Included	$0.03	$0.28	$0.14

For countries like France and Australia that possess large Internet networks and large phone networks, VoIP calls can be completed very cheaply – oftentimes, they cost no more than a long distance call.

Calls to countries or areas within another country that don't have extensive Internet or phone networks tend to be more extensive: the VoIP call has to use more expensive networks in order to route the calls correctly.

So, the ultimate question when it comes to making VoIP calls is: do you want to save money? Yes? Then you’ve come to the right place! By switching to a VoIP calling service, you can save up to 75% on phone services.

What Kind of Payment Am I Comfortable With?

Residential VoIP offers pay as you go, metered, month to month, and long term contract payment options.

When it comes to Residential VoIP, it can be difficult to know which payment type you are most comfortable with. Compare these options that most VoIP providers offer:

Pay As You Go
Metered
Month-to-month
Contract

Pay As You Go plans allow you to use only what you pay for. If you use your phone infrequently, this is a good option for you. Add features, extensions and more for additional charges.

Metered plans are very similar to Pay As You Go, in that you pay a per-minute charge for your calls. However, Metered Plans come with all of the call management features that business VoIP providers offer.

Month-to-month plans are more expensive but much more flexible than either Pay As You Go or Metered plans and are offered by top-rated providers like ITP and Vonage. With month-to-month, you will not be tied into a long-term contract, and can cancel anytime. Depending on the provider, cancelation fees may apply. You also receive a full feature set with your month-to-month plan.

Contract plans can be less expensive per month, but you have to pay up front for your service. Oftentimes, you can negotiate for a lower price, free hardware, or more when you sign a long-term contract with a VoIP provider.

The VoIP providers listed in our comparison tables have different plan options, which can be viewed either through the information tool tip or on a provider's details page. However, please make sure you check on the provider's website before you sign up. While we try and give you the most current information, VoIP providers can change their prices or fees at any time.

How Much Do I Pay for My Residential Phone Service?

By switching to VoIP from a traditional phone service, you can save on your monthly phone bill.

After finding out your current broadband connection speed, assess how much you pay each month for your current phone service. This will give you a good basis with which to compare residential VoIP pricing. And when looking at how much you pay for phone service, you should also consider how much you get for what you are paying.

What questions should I ask when comparing VoIP to my traditional residential phone service?

Ask yourself the following questions about your current phone plan:

How much do I pay for residential phone service per month?
Am I tied into a year contract?
What is included with my residential service?
What features does my phone provider offer?
How many minutes do I get a month?
What am I charged for long distance and international calling?

These questions will help to clarify the decision-making process and show you how VoIP can give you more for a fraction of the price of traditional phone service.

How To Decipher VoipReview's Review Plot Graph

Can You Make Free Calls With VoIP?

Certain providers allow their users free on-network calling, and other providers include a set number of minutes.

You can also make VoIP calls for free. Obviously, Skype is the most famous of the free VoIP calling services. But other VoIP services, such as CallCentric, offer free VoIP call programs, too. The only thing you need to do is call on your VoIP network.

It doesn't cost the VoIP provider anything to let them make a call on your VoIP network, so they pass the savings along to you. Pretty convenient, huh?

Have we answered your questions about VoIP calls? If not, please check out our VoIP FAQs, where you will find 5 reasons to switch to VoIP and even a Speed Test that will evaluate the compatibility of VoIP services with your internet.

How to Read Residential VoIP Reviews

Read and compare residential VoIP reviews on VoipReview to find the provider that meets your wants and needs.

Hundreds of home VoIP customers have submitted reviews on their residential VoIP providers, grading their services on sound quality, reliability, customer service, features, and price. The result is a comprehensive comparison of VoIP provider against VoIP provider, from the biggest and the best — like ITP — to the worst.

Above we have provided two different resources for residential VoIP provider comparison. First is VoipReview's unique plot graph, which compares top providers on their total number of reviews and how they are rated. Secondly, we have provided our unique comparison table that allows you to compare residential VoIP providers across monthly fees, setup fees, rates per minute, and more. Please let us know if there's a provider that we don't have (or one we should remove if they have gone out of business). Your voice can make a difference!

Write your own Residential VoIP review

Add your review to VoipReview today!

Do you have a personal experience to share about one of our VoIP providers? Let us know. Your reviews are used to rate these business VoIP providers, and help others make their VoIP selection.

Find the provider you'd like to review with our search function or by using one of our compare tables. Click on the "Review" links on the VoIP provider's page and register your account - after that, add your review!

Please keep in mind that each user gets to add one review per provider.

Previous TopicResidential VoIP Requirements

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