Feature

Vonage

Packet 8

VoicePulse

MagicJack

VoiceStick

Lingo
(review pending)

Product Type

Hardware

Hardware

Hardware

Hardware / software combo

Software

Software

Hardware

Caller ID number

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Caller ID name

Y

N

Y

N

N

Call Waiting

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

3-way calling

Y

Y

Y

Y - but only for two incoming calls

Y

Y

Y

Call Transfer

Y

in Virtual Office only

N

N

'coming soon'

Y

Call Forwarding

Y

Y

Y

Fixed to a designated number for all calls

Y

Y

Y

Calls forwarded if power fails

Y

N

Y

If call forwarding activated

n/a

Hunt Groups (Call Forward Busy)

Y

N

Y

N

N

Y

Call Forward No Answer

Y

N

Y

N

N

Y

Voicemail

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Voicemail to email

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

24/7 Phone based Customer Support

Y

Y

N

N

simple first level only

Y

Free calls to other subscribers

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Anonymous call blocking

N

N

Y

N

N

Y

Auto redial

Y

N

Y

N

N

Y

Return call speed dial (*69)

Y

Y (in July 04)

Y

N - but feature in the software interface

N

N - but feature in the software interface

Y

Telemarketer tone block

N

N

Y

N

N

Outgoing caller ID block
(one call/all calls)

Y/N

N/Y

Y/Y

N

N

Y/Y

Contact List custom caller ID

N

N

Y

N

N

N

Distinctive Ringing

N

in Virtual Office only

Y

N

N

Y

Do Not Disturb

N

N

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Speed Dial numbers

N

N

99

N - but dial from Contacts list

Y

8

DISA - call into system and out again from any number

N

N

N

N

Y

N

Outgoing fax calls

Y

unofficial

unofficial

?

N

Incoming fax calls

Y

unofficial

unofficial

?

N

(800) numbers

Y

Y (in July 04)

N

?

N

Local area codes in how many states

38

44

40

24

47

Costs

Feature

Vonage

Packet 8

VoicePulse

MagicJack

VoiceStick

Lingo
(review pending)

Cheapest monthly plan

$16.49 includes 500 mins

(Vonage rates have a $1.50 a month hidden surcharge)

$14.99 includes 500 mins of US/Canada calling

$15.89 includes unlimited local and  200 long distance mins

$1.67 (ie $19.95/yr) includes unlimited calling in the US and Canada

$0 includes no minutes, 2c/min for outbound calls to US/ Canada, 1.2c/min for incoming calls

$0 includes no minutes, 2.1c a minute outbound, no inbound service

$14.95 includes 500 minutes within US/Canada/ PR

Unlimited local

$26.49 with unlimited long distance in US/ Canada/ PR

$24.99 with unlimited US/ Canada, France, Italy, Ireland, Spain, UK calling

$15.89 includes 200 long distance mins

$1.67

$19.99 for unlimited US and Canada

$3 'Skype Pro' includes unlimited calling within US and Canada

$16.25 - requires 1 yr prepay ($195) with unlimited US, Canada, and PR

All US unlimited

$26.49 includes Canada and PR too

$24.99 same as above plan

$26.49

$1.67

$19.99 for unlimited US and Canada

$3 Skype Pro

$16.25 same as above plan

Signup Costs

Activation fee and shipping = $30

No extra cost for adapter

Activation fee, no shipping = $30

No extra cost for adapter

Activation fee and shipping = $40

No extra cost for adapter

$20 for adapter, shipping cost varies

Activation fee = $30 but one month free service included

Optional VoiceStick is $35 or software download is free

None

Activation fee and shipping = $45

No extra cost for adapter

Intl call to UK (per min)

4c

3c

5c

2c

1.1c

2.1c

3c

Intl call to Moscow

7c

2c

6c

2c

1c

2.1c

7c

Intl call to Australia

5c

3c

6c

3c

2c

2.1c

5c

Intl call to Canada

same as US

same as US

3c

same as US

1c

2.1c

3c