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 > Nettalk

netTALK Reviews

netTALK is a residential VoIP service company founded in 2008 and based in Miami, Florida. The provider offers big savings on local and long distance calling with their residential VoIP service plans. Their products are easy-to-use products, so much so that they believe you can "Fire Your Phone Company." And they offer the unique feature of being able to make VoIP calls without a computer via their DUO phone adapter.

Local and long-distance calls are free from within the US and Canada and DUO-to-DUO calls are free worldwide. International rates are competitive, and prepaid credits can be purchased to make international calls for the basic plan.​

 

Users Average Rating

Providers Comparison

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

Can you rate lower than 1 star? - NetTalk

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

I signed up with NetTALK because the features were similar to Magic Jack. The
porting price was a flat $19.95 (same as Magic Jack, but MJ also charges an
annual $10 to keep your number and requires $30 if you want them to release
it). I paid the $19.95 and the porting process was started. I waited and
waited and waited. "Customer Service" told me to be patient. Then the phone
stopped working all together The "customer service" told me it was because
the porting was not completed. I continued to wait, but started to receive
emails telling me to renew my account for $39 (turns out it's closer to $49
with taxes and fees they add) or I was in in danger of losing my phone
number. So, I paid the $48.94 and the very next day I get an email saying "we
are sorry, we are unable to port your number, we will refund you the $19.95
as a courtesy". (Forget the fact they've captured my phone number and I don't
have a working phone.

I got on their "help chat" and requested a refund for the $49 since they were
unable to port the number. I was told that was for renewing and that was not
refundable. After a lot of protesting I was told someone would call me by 6
PM to discuss my issue. They did call about 6:30, but just said the fee was
not refundable. Again, after protesting, they said it would be referred to
their "dispute department" and I'd hear from them regarding their decision.
Of course, I've never heard back from them.

I ended up calling American Express and disputing the charges.

Let my experience be a lesson to you, avoid this company at all costs.

Sounds like a good program, if it would work.
Nothing works and there is NO customer service.
No

Stay away from NetTalk, unless you don't care about losing your phone number!

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

Very upset with NetTalk. Beware...when you move your number to NetTalk you
might not be able to "port" the number back to another company. I am being
"held hostage" by NetTalk to keep my local number that I like and all my
contacts have. I have tried to port my number to Comcast and NetTalk told me
they couldn't do it. I was in the phone business for 8 years and know this
should be no problem. So, I have to pay NetTalk $50 every year to keep my
number.

I had problems with the NetTalk Duo and always having to reboot my
modem/router. The only saving grace is that I have my calls forwarded by
NetTalk directly to my cell phone. The quality on my calls has been good and
that has been reliable.
That has saved me, though my spouse is a little pissed that all our home
calls come through my cell phone.
I am a "hostage" until NetTalk lets me port my number.

Price good, if you make a lot of long distance calls and don't have a cell phone and plan.
NetTalk won't let me port/give me my number back to transfer it to another company. I am forced to pay them every year to keep my number, even though I don't their service.
No

netTALK should be renamed NoTALK

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

Very good price but HORRIBLE product and even worse customer service.
Enrolled with NetTalk just over a year ago based on a referral from a IT
professional friend. Received the DUO quickly and was an easy install and
requested my old land line number be ported over to the DUO. The porting
process was supposed to take a few days, but in fact tool several months.
The porting process never fully completed, so my DUO ended up with the
original registration number AND my ported number. Someone could call me at
either number, but when I called out it was a crap shoot as to which number
would show on the caller id. Called tech support and left information for a
call back, which never occurred. Eventually submitted a trouble ticket
online which took forever for any action to be taken. Then it took numerous
back and forth debates with the techs to finally get them to understand the
problem and accept they had an issue. Finally resolved after almost two
months of back and forth messaging.

Now, once again having technical issues. System worked pretty much without
issue other than one time it just fell offline and I had to "reboot" the DUO
to get back going. About 2 months ago it dropped offline again (flashing
green light, get dial tone but can't make or receive calls). No changes to
my home network, service provider or hardware at all during the whole time
with NetTalk. This time I can't get it to come back to life with the
"reboot". Once again, quite the ordeal with customer support - slow
response, no personal communication, just replies on their on-line trouble
ticket system. Their solution is to start making changes to my router setup,
which makes no sense when it worked for months in it's current configuration.
I've had enough with NetTalk and moving to another service provider.

Additionally, I am a custom home audio/video, automation and networking
business owner and had referred several clients to NetTalk. Big mistake, as
all have had issues. I set in on one of my client's tech support
troubleshooting calls a few months ago and the tech wanted to remote connect
into their computer to check/change the network & DUO settings. They only
have Mac computers, and the tech said, "do you have a windows computer, we
cannot connect remotely to a Mac." When we said we did not, their honest to
god response was, "Sorry we cannot help you until you get a windows computer,
please call us back when you get one so we can troubleshoot further." They
have been without home phone service for 4 months and still no resolution
even when they borrowed my windows laptop so they could "troubleshoot
further". Talked to the client today and they are switching providers as
well.

Only good thing is the price.
Like they say, you get what you pay for. Bad unreliable product and extremely poor customer support - slow response, almost impossible to speak to someone and when you do it is an India tech support group that is just reading from scripts. They have no clue about their product or how to troubleshoot.
No

Stay Away from Nettalk

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

Stay away from Nettalk. Really bad service. For months now I informed them that I cannot dial 1800 numbers on the nettalk service. They still have not done anything about. Will cut my losses and just move to another provider.

cheap
Really bad service. Stay away from Nettalk. Right now no one can dial to any Canadian Nettalk subscriber. You get a message "this number has been disconnected". No one can call me so my nettalk service is basically useless. But I learned that its not a technical problem, its a dispute Nettalk has with its service provider, Iristel. Fully avoidable. If it turns out to be a legal issue, then I don't see it being resolved soon. I wish that the CRTC would step in.
No

General Product Evaluation

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

I have been using this device for the past 5 years. My use is simple... basic telephone service for the least amount possible.
My old land-line vendor charged me in the $80/mo area for, what I consider, basic service. They include (I did not have a choice) 30 min of long distance (included intra-LATA).
My issue was usage. All I really needed was a phone that I could use as needed. I did my research, compared it and the nearest competitor (which, I think is a few dollars a year cheaper but the reviews at that time complained about support) and choose NetTalk.
Occasionally, my cable company decides to do maintenance (at any time) or their local hub gets knocked out by weather and when cable service is restored my DUO comes back with a flashing red or green light. In the beginning I got on line and looked through the FAQ and found that all I had to do (just like a computer) is go through a power down/restart. Much like the CTL-ALT-DEL. And, viola, the much welcomed single ring telling me the device is back on line. I could go on but you get the drift. And for those that need a more verbose power down/restart for the DUO... after your ISP has finished, unplug the power and disconnect the cable to your router... wait a few seconds... connect the power and then the cable to the router. You should see a red, then flashing green and finally solid green and then... wait for it... the single ring. If this doesn't get you back on line, do the above and before reconnecting, recycle your network equipment (router and cable company device).
Once, I did talk to a support person and found him to be patient and helpful. Understand, I only have called once in the past 5 years.
I like the device enough to buy 2 more when they were offered as a promo prior to the introduction of the next gen of the product. Now, I have one for home phone use and another for my all-in-one home network printer. I have faxed many times without issue.
If I had to complain, I would say that sometimes connection is bad. The fix is hang up and redial. You have to remember, this is VoIP (voice over IP) and heavy network traffic can be a villain. Maybe if the vendor made available a more sophisticated device.... oh, but then it would cost more... never mind (just being sarcastic).
I'm sure all these other folks have valid concerns or issues with their devices... fortunately for me, since someone in my family kissed the Blarney Stone, I haven't had any issues.
This device has its limits. If you must live on the "bleeding edge", go buy Cisco (or another commercial grade product) and pay for the move advanced technology.
I hope this helps

price is very reasonable compared to the "standard" land-line (+$80/mo v ~$50/yr). Voice messages go to my email. next best thing to having a cell phone (I have both). installation was so easy.. basically "plug n play". No computer needed Very portable as long as you have internet access
They used to allow you to change phone numbers at no charge, but I think there is a charge now They advertise that you can keep or port your existing number but I found that I could not (I think it has something to do with the Telco not releasing the number - competition)... I didn't care.. so I live in one community and my prefix is for another
Yes

Not as advertised - NetTalk

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)

If they won't honor the coupon they send me up front, what else are they not telling me, or won't stand behind? They tried to force me down a path that was more expensive and that I didn't want to take. What can I say except I didn't bite but they DO.

On paper looks like a reasonable deal
Signed up for newsletter. They sent me a 25% off coupone, but then would not honor it when I went to try to buy the product at their website. Customer service gave me the runaround (for an hour)
No

nettalk customer at one time

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)

1.absolutely very bad customer service.don't exist at all! If you run in any problem with your unit or service. Forget it. Kiss your money goodbye.They will not entertain you at all like you are communicating to a rock.
2. They know what they're doing.They even ignored my state's atty general's very minimal intervention.Not even an FTC complaint mattered.
3.Most of all they suck!
4.Patronize your own local business when it comes to buying any electronic device.You can always return or request a refund if the device quits working.
5.Sorry nettalk.Go do your business somewhere else and don't rip people's money (and their safety due to unreliable telephone voip device).

Nothing good to say.
Bad service. bad gadget.bad everything!
No

NETALK IS UNRELIABLE AND UNPREDICTABLE

user_review
3
Average: 3 (1 vote)
4
Average: 4 (1 vote)
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
4
Average: 4 (1 vote)
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
2.6
Average: 2.6 (1 vote)

As I mention above I have no Pros for this device. The negatives are buying a device you expect to work, and when it doesn't the advertised customer service is all but unavailable ( it took me four weeks to get a response from NeTALK). It is a good idea, just poorly executed when NeTALK's excuse for nonperformance or functionality is that the problem is either your phone or your internet connection.
The warning I got from their customer service department is that their device may or may not work with any given telephone or internect provider. Based on that I would not invest the time or money as the frustration level is not worth the price of admission.
The problems with the unit is that once a call is dialed it may not go through, it just goes to dead air space. Sometimes it will go to a fast busy signal other times it will ring once and a recording will answer saying the number is not available right now. I validate the above three scenarios to be 0 by making the same calls from a landline and they go through immediately with no problem.
I conclude with the old adages of "Buyer beware" and "You get what you pay for". AVOID NETALK DEVICES.

If a product doesn't work as advertised, is problematic and unreliable, then how can there be any Pros. If the advertised customer service is unreachable after repeated phone calls and emails and opened tickets, how can there be any Pros. If the customer service department says the product is fine, but it is either my internet connection or my telephone, how can there be any Pros.
The caveat from the NetTALK supervisor I ultimately spoke to is they can't be sure that their device will or won't work with any given telephone handset, and that it may or may not work with any given ISP (based on the ISP's routers or other electronics). The biggest Con is the unknown unreliability factor of their product. NeTALK's customer service outs are many -they don't really have solutions for their product when it doesn't work.
No

OK when it works but if you have a problem you are on your own

user_review
4
Average: 4 (1 vote)
5
Average: 5 (1 vote)
1
Average: 1 (1 vote)
3
Average: 3 (1 vote)
2
Average: 2 (1 vote)
3
Average: 3 (1 vote)

I have had Netalk for a year and a half now and I really wanted to like this product. When it works it works great, sound is clear and it is very cheap. Unfortunately when you have a problem you are on your own as the customer service is almost unreachable. I had 3 issues since I got Netalk. It took 2 and 3 weeks to fix the first 2 and I am not out of the last one. Dont even try to call the online help desk as when you call there is a voice message telling you to use the online chat. When you try to use the online chat you are put in a queue with 80 or 100 people waiting ahead of you. On this online chat you get stuck for hours with no response until they close the chat. You can also open a ticket and if you are lucky you may receive a response within 4 or 5 days. Bottom line you cannot rely on a Netalk phone. I am extremely frustrated. At the moment my Netalk phone is unusable as everytime I try to call any phone # I get a voice message saying that I dont have enough credit while my account had been prepaid until March 2015. I have opened tickets, tried the online chat but no response yet.

Very cheap
Unreachable customer services. Not reliable. No support
No

DISAPPOINTED!! The only reason I gave them one star is because I couldn't go lower!

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)

I was absolutely delighted with Net Talk when I first subscribed 3 years ago - everything was perfect, Customer Service was friendly and very helpful, voice quality was good, God was in his heaven and all was right with the world. Then just a few months ago, all of a sudden it seems, I noticed that I wasn't getting dial tone sometimes and had to re-power, and I never knew when that would happen. Consequently, I was surprised to find phone messages in my email. People began complaining about echo during conversations, as well as time lapses. I called the Customer Service number in my manual, only to find it was no longer working - same with Tech Support. All that was available seemed to be to make out a service ticket, which I did, explaining the problem. Three weeks later I received a reply stating that according to their agent, the problem had been solved. I wrote back explaining that not only had it not been solved, it was now worse. That was two weeks ago and I haven't heard from them on that one. Don't know what's going on with Net Talk - maybe the were bought out by idiots, or maybe they're going belly-up. But here's one person's advice to anyone considering subscribing to Net Talk......DON'T DO IT!!!!!! RUN AWAY!!!!

Inexpensive, no computer hookup required
Customer Service non-existent, voice quality mostly poor, lots of echoing, have to re-power several times a day.
No

Pages

netTALK

Miami , FL
United States
2008Year Founded
14%Recommend
35User Reviews

Overall Rating

1.65
2.49
37%
31%
42%
27%
49%

Service Locations

  • United States
VoIP app

The Skinny

An early entry in the Voice over Internet Protocol space, netTALK is a phone service that lets users make VoIP phone calls using their existing router. netTalk makes VoIP service easy by providing their simple to use devices: netTALK DUO Wi-Fi, netTALK DUO, and netTALK DUO II. No computer needed, no contracts, and no monthly bills.

the rub

The Rub

Purchasing the netTALK DUO at $49.95 gives you the device and one year of free service. There is a 30-day money back guarantee and early termination fees may apply for cancellation after the 30-day period. neTALK’s mission statement states that superior customer service is provided to all customers.

Basic:

There is an annual flat charge of $39.95 (plus taxes) for the basic call plan, which equates to as low as $3.33 per month. It comes with free calling to the U.S. and Canada, free calling DUO-to-DUO, an included phone number, and features like voicemail, call waiting, caller ID, 3-way calling, 411, E911, and more.

Enhanced Add-Ons:

Add Mexico and Puerto Rico for an annual fee of $80

Add International for calls to another 60 commonly called countries for an annual fee of $130

Add International pay as you go to pay only per minute calling rates to international locations

All call plans have the same standard features:

  • Free 411
  • E-911 service
  • Voicemail to email
  • Caller ID
  • Three-way calling
  • Call waiting
  • Call forwarding
  • Live tech support
bottom line image

Bottom Line

Features of the netTALK DUO

The netTALK DUO’s best feature is the patent pending technology that connects into the router when the computer is off, letting you make calls when you need to. You can also plug the DUO into any USB port on your computer to use the Internet connection if you don’t have access to the router.

The DUO is portable and allows you to take your phone number with you when you are on the go.

The DUO supports faxing as long as your fax supports VoIP.

The DUO comes with a free phone number on purchase, but netTALK also offers a number porting service so that you may keep your current phone number.

If you are looking for basic calling and a versatile, portable phone service for a flat fee, netTALK meets those needs. It allows users to avoid using a traditional phone system, and instead uses your existing handset and router to connect calls over your Internet connection. Unfortunately, select routers are not applicable with the service, which can be a drawback. No computer needed to place VoIP calls. 

comment image

Our Two Cents

netTALK reviews have very high ratings and searching “netTALK reviews”, or even “net talk review,” pulls up four-star reviews by commendable sources. PCMag, PCWorld, Laptop Magazine, and the New York Times have reviewed netTALK and found it to be a worthwhile competitor to the MagicJack.

However, more than one netTALK review by users mentions that the customer service was not what they expected when they encountered issues. A call placed to the company to get more accurate shipping quotes went unanswered due to the fact that the customer service operates on EST hours. Furthermore, a number of users have also mentioned that incoming calls are troublesome, calls frequently drop, and voice quality isn't the best.

In general, netTALK reviews discuss the ease of setup and installation, the cost-saving benefits of using the DUO, and the ability to try out it out during the first 30-days worry free. Feel free to leave reviews about your own experience with netTALK.

Recent Reviews

Jivetel Communications Logo
5
Jivetel Communications

I totally agree with the other reviewer (there's only one other review at this time). I've been using Jivetel for our office for about 8 years now,...

April 16th, 2024 - RobGreenfield
iTalkBB Logo
1
iTalkBB

I signed up for a TV streaming box from iTalkBB a few months ago, which was fine at first. But they recently contacted me out of nowhere and told me...

April 15th, 2024 - Nownow Miao

Read All

Most Recent Blog Posts

Everything You Need to Know About TCPA Compliance

In today's digital age, communication between businesses and consumers has become more prevalent and convenient than ever before. However, with this increased communication comes the need for...

Mar 15, 2024
How Does Outbound IVR Work?
How Does Outbound IVR Work?

Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems have become an integral part of modern communication strategies for businesses across various industries. While inbound IVR is widely known for its role in...

Mar 15, 2024

Read All