close
The price comparison tools on this website require you to disable Adblock for full functionality. Please consider disabling your ad blocker on our website in order to best take advantage of our tools.
Home > All Providers Reviews > Magicjack

magicJack Reviews

magicJack is an extremely cheap VoIP provider that works by using your existing Internet connection to make and receive calls. magicJack provides a plug-and-play device (like a USB drive) that you can connect to your computer or high-speed modem to start making local and long-distance calls. You can use magicJack for as little as $19.95/year per line. 

With the newest magicJack Plus system, you don't have to have your computer on at all times in order to receive a call.

Is magicJack worth it? 

We recommend that anyone interested in buying a magicJack read the user reviews here first.

 

Users Average Rating

Providers Comparison

Note: The graphs above only measure the user ratings displayed over the last five years.
Write your own review

Worst customer service

user_review
4
Average: 4 (1 vote)
2
Average: 2 (1 vote)
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
3
Average: 3 (1 vote)
4
Average: 4 (1 vote)
2.8
Average: 2.8 (1 vote)

I dialed a local number to use a phonecard for international calls, was told there would be a charge. But you'll never going to find out how much is the charge. All you can see is you prepaid balance going down fast. Here is the end of my chat with 'the highest level of support you can chat with'.
Loren:(who is the supervisor)
But as what the previous agent informed you, we do not have a list for a specific rates on the number you were trying to call. The rate may vary depending on the number you're trying to call. Prior to being connected to a Pre Paid call, a brief message will inform your of your Pre Paid balance in terms of minutes based on the number you are calling.
Steven Sun: I am not asking yoou for the rate. I am asking for how much was I charged? Can you see the record?
Loren: Okay. Let me try to check. May I have your magicJack phone number?
Steven Sun: Your website clearly said free all domestic calls. My# is 614-xxx-xxxx
Loren: Thank you.
Steven Sun: May I have a copy of my record?
Loren:
Phone Number: (614) xxx-xxxx
IPP/PM Balance: $10.72
IPP/PM Used: $9.28
Steven Sun: Where is details? Is this a state secret?
Loren: Please check our Terms of Service at www.magicjack.com/tos under Section 4. What Is Free and What is Not: "We may require prepaid purchase and/or we may charge you for calls to conference lines, platforms and certain non-ILEC area calls, or any call wherein we incur a cost from another carrier. We may provide for a fee, premium prepaid services, which may be powered by YMAX Communications Corp. (YMAX), and may include some inbound, international, conference, platform and outbound calls that receive a recording and certain calls to non-ILEC areas, and the rates for those services will be governed by listed price lists or tariffs."
Steven Sun: Where it says you not telling customer charge details?
Loren: Customer Contract
To view the Terms of Service (TOS) click here or visit http://www.magicjack.com/tos/.
Steven Sun: Get me your supervisor.
Loren: Yes, you are now chatting to one that is why you were transferred to me.
Steven Sun: I want to talk to your manager.
Loren: This is the highest level of support you can chat with.

Ok for most domestic user
Will not tell you the details of what is been charged. If you use a phone card for international calls, they will charge you extra on top of what phone card charge.
No

LIMITED CALLING - BE AWARE!!!

user_review
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
2
Average: 2 (1 vote)
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
3
Average: 3 (1 vote)
1.6
Average: 1.6 (1 vote)

MJ has legaleeze verbiage in its agreement that allows them to charge prepaid MOU's . This appears to be a more recent effort on their part to cover cost and protect profits. HOWEVER, it reduces the service offered to you and I. This is NOT stated to your the purchaser up front.
Once purchased and using the device you do not learn about this until you dial into an ILEC and get blocked = MJ wants $$'s

Ok for calling RBOC exchanges. LOOK OUT CALLING Independent Telco areas.
MJ is blocking on ILEC exchanges and requiring customer to purchase prepaid MOU's. They are trying to cover 'inter exchange costs' on the termination side of the call (the person your calling is in an Independent Local Exchange Carriers - usually more rural than the Regional Bell Operating Companies service. These ILEC's are allowed to charge other carriers for originating or terminating calls on their local telco lines. MJ gets around the origination cost by using the internet connection vs. land line and avoids the cost of origination. When they terminate a call to your phone #, that comes through your internet connection and avoids ILEC termination cost.
No

Canadians beware

user_review
2
Average: 2 (1 vote)
2
Average: 2 (1 vote)
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
2
Average: 2 (1 vote)
1.6
Average: 1.6 (1 vote)

First off their .ca site is not really .ca. Order off this web site and your item is shipped from darkest USofA by their postal service. Good luck? They add shipping (w/o mentioning this on their web site) so the $69 deal is $89. Then it gets held up at customs and you have to pay duty. The 30 day free trial starts when you order the thing, not when you receive it. By the time I got mine the 30 days were almost gone! So much for the 'free' trial. When I complained on-line to the 'customer service' line they said too bad that's the deal... if you don't like the terms send it back but it has to get here before the 30 days are up.. HUH??? Physically impossible unless I buy a airline ticket to deepest FLA.
The thing is about the same as Skype except more expensive. If Skype could provide Canadian area codes Skype would be a no-brainer.

Canadian area codes available
Misleading web site. 30 day 'trial offer' isn't
No

Don't Do It!!!!

user_review
2
Average: 2 (1 vote)
2
Average: 2 (1 vote)
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
1.4
Average: 1.4 (1 vote)

They advertise that you can UPGRADE, but nowhere during the upgrade process do they tell you that you LOSE what you have already paid for. I had 10 months left on my existing service when I upgraded the device - I lost all of that. Their excuse is "when you chose that"... there was never any place to "choose" anything. I am disputing charges on my credit card for last 4 months and cancelling the upgrade. Horrible Horrible Horrible customer service (probably doesn't help that English is VERY obviously not their primary language)

Don't need a home phone
Ripoff - very user un-friendly - do not tell you you can't transfer your existing credit when you upgrade. No phone # to call customer service. HORRIBLE customer service
No

Ummm....not sure if I like it yet...

user_review
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)

Well, I just received this in the mail today. It did come very quickly after ordering--I did choose to pay an extra amount to get it here faster. I have been trying to get registered to get a phone number for over an hour now. At first the website did not come up at all. Now it keeps saying that they have sent a password to my email immediately but haven't received one yet. So I can't really rate this product yet cuz I CAN'T USE IT YET!!!!!

Can't find any pros yet
Can't even get a password to login to a new account or get a phone number
No

MJ Works for Us

user_review
4
Average: 4 (1 vote)
5
Average: 5 (1 vote)
2
Average: 2 (1 vote)
4
Average: 4 (1 vote)
5
Average: 5 (1 vote)
4
Average: 4 (1 vote)

We have used MJ for over five years ... started with the USB plug in version and have upgraded to the MJ+. The original MJ used by five years ago had issues but have noticed over the years that a software upgrade happened now and then. We switched to MJ+ so that we didn't have to keep computer on all the time. We're happy with the MJ and know at first we were frustrated but now everything is working fine. We have only a 1 Meg Internet connection with Frontier but no problems with calls.

Cheap and works well for us. We use 5.8 GHz phones in the house and it does the job for us.
Chat only with CS ... but have had little interaction with CS. Older MJ requires computer on all the time but MJ+ does not.
Yes

WARNING: FRAUD

user_review
2
Average: 2 (1 vote)
5
Average: 5 (1 vote)
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
3
Average: 3 (1 vote)
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
2.4
Average: 2.4 (1 vote)

I decided to give MagicJack (MJ) a try and got on their website to chat to a sales person. The sales person explained the fees and outlined the charges as: $69.95 for the MJ Plus device, $7.95 for shipping and handling, and $3.74 for regulatory fees, and $20.01 for keeping my current phone number for a total of 101.65 to which I agreed and gave him my bank card info to complete the transaction. Instantly I got an approval in my e-mail with those charges. So far so good. So then after getting off line with them I decided to check my bank to make sure the charges went through and that's when the fun began.
I found they had charged my account for $249! So I got back on their chat website and spoke to a different customer service rep who then explained that the additional charges were for $99.75 for the 5 year plan, $44 for some sort of warranty, and $4.79 for more regulatory fees. I explained that the other rep and I never even discussed the 5 year plan nor the warranty and that I wanted those removed. She I had requested those charges?! So I asked her to remove the charges she refused saying the bank machine they have doesn't allow them to refund and credit peoples accounts, I told her she was wrong that all businesses can do that, after going around and around and getting nowhere I asked to speak to her supervisor. The supervisor said the same thing. So with the supervisor holding on line I contacted my bank, the banker said that all businesses can credit back wrongful charges, so after a asking the MJ supervisor a bunch of questions and not getting a satisfactory answer the banker transferred me to the fraud department. After more questions from the fraud department to the MJ supervisor the bank fraud expert concluded it was indeed fraud and they would reimburse my money to my account, void my card and reissue a new one and investigate MJ for fraud.
So after 4 hours of headaches and then waiting 7 days for my new card to arrive it got resolved but not by MJ.
In summary, stay far far away from MagicJack. And from what I've read from other reviewers it seems MJ likes to commit fraud...so be forewarned.

Cheap low cost adequate no frills phone service.
FRAUD, FRAUD, FRAUD, mediocre sound quality, cannot use a fax machine, cuts off conversations and have to redial the person, have to every so often unplug the unit and wait 30 seconds and plug it back in to reset it, customer service is bad, and did I mention fraud?
No

Thrilled 67 year old grandma

user_review
5
Average: 5 (1 vote)
5
Average: 5 (1 vote)
5
Average: 5 (1 vote)
5
Average: 5 (1 vote)
5
Average: 5 (1 vote)
5
Average: 5 (1 vote)

Magicjack is really a Magic to me. For a 67 years old grandma, who is now in Naples, Italy - I find it very easy to use. I love it!!!! Just like calling in the U.S. I called up my children and grandchildren in California, Florida and Virginia - all of them said I sound like I'm still in California. I called up my mom, brother and sister in Hawaii, they all sound like I'm calling/still in San Diego, California. They dialed my number talked to them for hours, just like I have never left the US.
I loaned it to my officemate and his family - they all said, they loved using it. I recommended it to all my officemates and friends.
I'm so glad and thrilled I bought MagicJack. Saves me loads of $$$$$. I bought the 5 year plan and international plan. MAGICJACK IS WORTH EVERY PENNY I PAID FOR IT!!!!!!!! THANK YOU MAGICJACK.!!!!!!!!!

Outstanding device!!!!!
None.
Yes

MajicJack product

user_review
5
Average: 5 (1 vote)
5
Average: 5 (1 vote)
5
Average: 5 (1 vote)
5
Average: 5 (1 vote)
5
Average: 5 (1 vote)
5
Average: 5 (1 vote)

I am a very satisfied MajicJack customer, I keep buying the product for my business, friends and family, they are all glad and spreading the word.

I had a litle of trouble at the beginning when it first came to the market, but I got a better quality phone a 5 ghz and it works very good. I've been using MajiJack for more than 2 years now. I have a business and have a lot of clients, also I do a lot of faxing and everything is with a MajiJack. I bought some for myself, and also for my family in Mexico. They are so happy with the product, because they can call their families all the time, everywhere in the US and Canada without any interruption, no hidden charges they call like if they were in the US like a local call. Sometimes the problem is the PC we use, if it's not fast enough. I have purchased 11 MajicJacks 6 of them are the ones you connect to the Router, the first thing I do is install in the computer, get the number I want and then take it off, connect it to the router, connect the phone cord, connect to the electricity, wait a few seconds and it's ready to use. In my opinion, it is a very good product and it is very cheap compared with the other products on the market. I will be leaving for vacations to Spain, Italy and France next week and I will take one of my MajicJacks to call from there. I will leave a feedback when I come back. Regarding the years to add, you get a code and use it to add the years to the same number. you can even keep the current landline number if you want to keep the same number. the agents in the Chat line will walk you through. I am very satisfied with the product, sorry it didn't work for other people.
If you use the one that connects to the computer, you have to keep the computer on at all times, or it will turn off.
Yes

Cool Better Than CenturyLink

user_review
4
Average: 4 (1 vote)
5
Average: 5 (1 vote)
2
Average: 2 (1 vote)
5
Average: 5 (1 vote)
5
Average: 5 (1 vote)
4.2
Average: 4.2 (1 vote)

Have been using MagicJack for a couple of years. Used Vonage before. As a cheap VOIP it is just teriffic, better and cheaper than Vonage. Suppliments my Cell phone service/

Cheap and works great
Yes

Pages

magicJack

-
United States
2002Year Founded
27%Recommend
307User Reviews

Overall Rating

2.35
3.5
51%
43%
50%
33%
70%

Service Locations

    VoIP app

    The Skinny

    magicJack Revealed

    What is magicJack?

    A magicJack is a small device that allows you to make Internet phone calls for cheap prices.

    As of 2016, magicJack Express costs $39.95 plus shipping and handling. You get 3 months of free unlimited calling to the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. Additional years cost $35.

    How does magicJack work?

    One of magicJack's top selling points is its ease of installation.

    1. Plug your phone into the magicJack
    2. Plug the magicJack into your computer
    3. Start making calls

    Is there a special magicJack phone?

    Nope! The magicJack device is what's known in the industry as an analog telephone adapter (ATA). You won't need a special phone in order to use magicJack.

    What do you think of magicJack?

    Many users have had a variety of issues with magicJack (as evidenced by the reviews). However, here are a couple of advantages of magicJack:

    1. Lowest Monthly Rates

    Setting aside the fact that the first 6 months of phone service with magicJack are absolutely free, monthly rates are available for as little as $3.00 per month. Prices like that are extremely hard to complain about, and even some of our most scathing magicJack reviews still rate magicJack with 5 stars in the price category.

    2. Cheap Equipment

    Any way you slice it, $39.95 is a great price to pay for the complete setup of a VoIP phone service that uses your existing phones. Other VoIP companies require specialized IP phones that can cost over $100, and an ATA adapter alone is often more than $50.

    Even if the device runs into a problem and needs to be replaced, the low cost takes most of the sting out of a new purchase. In fact, with the money you'll save with magicJack's low monthly rate, the device practically pays for itself.

    3. Easy to Use

    MagicJack is designed for people who have never heard of VoIP in the first place, and want a simple plug-and-play device that works right away. That's exactly what magicJack offers, and the new magicJack PLUS offers even more options. The old device required a constant connection to a computer to work, but the new one only needs to do so once to register. After that, just plug it into the wall and feel free to shut the computer off. The video below outlines how to use magicJack without a computer.

    Previously the magicJack software was been reported by some as very difficult to remove. MagicJack software now comes with an easier to access uninstall option, so this point is no longer valid.

    MagicJack Customer Service

    Unfortunately, magicJack does not have a customer service hotline. That means that the only way to resolve a service issue is through a high-traffic chat room, which occasionally has a slow response time as a result. Fortunately, the device is easy to install, so you'll likely never need the support. If you run into trouble, our best advice is to be patient with the chat, and see if the issue lies with your router configuration or Internet speed in the meantime.

    If everything checks out and the chat system seems frustrating, just try doing something else for a while and wait for the chat system to get back to you. You can watch one of the many fan-made YouTube videos for magicJack support, try one of the links below to see if your issue is answered there, or even take care of checking your email while you wait. Sometimes, the best option is to simply wait a few hours for the peak traffic to die down, so that the support team has more time to dedicate to your needs. Either way, spending an hour or two researching and fixing any issues with the magicJack adapter is definitely worth the amount of money that you're saving with .

    Third-party magicJack Support

    There are also some helpful blogs out there on the web that cover how to use magicJack if you still encounter trouble.

    Overall Analysis

    In the end, and despite the issues that customers raise about magicJack service, we feel that magicJack offers a very low priced Residential VoIP service, especially for someone new to VoIP. However, there are a lot of negative customer reviews you should take into consideration. The extremely low monthly rate for unlimited phone calls is impossible to ignore, and the ease of installation further makes the case that magicJack's barebones VoIP service is one of the best in the industry.!

    Don't take our word for it. We've got over 100 magicJack reviews for real magicJack customers. See what magicJack users have to say.

    If you have used magicJack, here's you should do: Write a review. We could use your voice on our website.

    Have something to say? Leave a comment about magicJack.

    Have you used magicJack's service? Write a review. You can help other prospective customers make a good decision.

    Recent Reviews

    BryteCall Logo
    5
    BryteCall

    My Firm, the Spead Tax Group, PLLC, starting using BryteCall as our VOIP Provider during January of 2024, Jon Sharvit is their Accounts Executive...

    February 1st, 2024 - speadtax
    ViaTalk Logo
    5
    ViaTalk

    I honestly can't understand all these bad reviews. I've had Viatalk for close to a year and I am very satisfied with the quality of the service. No...

    January 27th, 2024 - skywarner

    Most Recent Blog Posts

    Call Screening: Everything You Need to Know
    Call Screening: Everything You Need to Know

    Call screening has been a boon in the world of telecommunication, significantly impacting how businesses and individuals manage their incoming calls. But what exactly is call screening, and why is it...

    Sep 22, 2023
    What is a Service Level Agreement (SLA)?

    A Service Level Agreement (SLA) stands as a testament to a provider's commitment to maintain a certain standard of service for its customers. But what exactly does it entail? And why are SLAs so...

    Aug 25, 2023