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4.7

Overall Score

Author: Kaitlyn Short

LAST UPDATED: May 24th, 2023

magicJack offers VoIP phone service through a phone jack adaptor. This little device gives each customer access to high-quality phone calls and conference calls, with the convenience of it all connected to your cell phone. MagicJack can replace your home phone or be used as a replacement for a business phone service.

Keep reading for pros and cons, plus MagicJack reviews from real users. 

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The Good

  • Trial Period
  • Service Options
  • magicJack App
  • Setup
  • Low Prices
  • Free Unlimited Calls to the United States and Canada

Trial Period

magicJack differs from a number of other mainstream VoIP providers because it charges a single price for the device and then offers free service for the first twelve months. After the intro phase, users are free to either continue using the VoIP adapter and renew their service for a low annual price or discontinue and pay nothing aside from the device's original cost. Customers also get a 30-day free trial with their initial purchase. If after the 30 days you decide you don't want it then you can return the device without charge.

Service Options

There are two service options you can choose from magicJackHOME or magicJack for Business.

magicJackHOME The magicJackHOME device will cost $49.99 and your initial purchase includes one free year of unlimited local and long distance calling to the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. This option includes the following:

  • caller ID
  • voicemail
  • call forwarding
  • call waiting
  • 411
  • conference calling 
  • calls can be forwarded to your cell phone using the magicApp

magicJack for Business The business plan starts at $75.00 a year per phone line and comes with a free desk phone. With an expansive list of features, some of the main ones include:

  • 3-way calling 
  • auto attendant
  • call transfer and call waiting
  • caller ID and caller ID blocking
  • conference bridge
  • E911 service
  • online call logs 
  • unlimited VoIP service to outgoing calls within the United States and Canada

magicJack PlusmagicJack Plus is a system that gives customer the flexibility to not have to keep their computers on to make calls, which saves consumers money by allowing them to use less electricity.

To install magicJack Plus, all you have to do is first plug it into your computer so you can register it for a magicJack Plus account and a telephone number. Then hook the magicJack plus into the device port to begin making calls.

MagicJack Plus also offers a few free features, such as free long distance and local calls within the United States, free incoming international calls, free call waiting and voicemail services, and a long list of phone numbers available to choose from.

The magicJack Plus solves a lot of the previous problems that were associated with the original magicJack and many of the customers report a better user experience with magicJack Plus, including better call quality. It is important, however, to note that the call quality will largely be impacted by your internet connection.

magicJack App

The magicJack App for iOS and Android is free and allows users to make calls from app-to-app or app-to-jack. With a companion device, incoming calls will appear on home phones, business phones and in the app. When logged into your magicJack account you can easily take your calls on the go and effortlessly switch between your standard phone and mobile devices. Number porting is available, so, with any plan, you can use your existing phone number or generate a new MagicJack number. The magicJack app can be downloaded on an iPhone, Android, or virtually any cell phone with internet capabilities.

Setup

There are two ways to install magicJack with a landline phone set: 

  • VoIP Phone Setup
  • VoIP Computer Setup

MagicJack offers a relatively seamless installation process. You can either set up your magicJack phone device to your computer or to your router.

To connect your cordless phone to your router:

  1. Plug your provided Ethernet cord into the port labeled “INTERNET.”
  2. Plug your phone into the port labeled “PHONE” on your magicJack.
  3. Connect the provided power adapter to your magicJack USB port.
  4. Plug your magicJack into a power outlet.
  5. Select, "click here to register."
  6. Follow the on screen registration process provided.

To connect your cordless phone to your computer:

  1. Plug your phone into the port labeled “PHONE” on your magicJack. [OPTIONAL]
  2. Connect the provided USB port extension to your magicJack.
  3. Plug your magicJack into a USB port on your computer.
  4. Press "start magicJack."
  5. Select, "click here to register."
  6. Follow the on screen registration process provided.

Low Prices

After the free period is over, customers can choose to either renew or cancel. To continue using the MagicJack VoIP service there are two renew options; $39.00 for one year or $89.00 for three years. Customers may also use prepaid credits to place international calls starting at $10.00. If you are making a Jack-to-Jack or App-to-App international call, it is completely free. The cost is fairly inexpensive — magicJack's prices are well below most of the other VOIP service providers we have reviewed.

Free Unlimited Calls to the United States and Canada

A major benefit of magicJack service is that users anywhere in the world can make free unlimited calls to anywhere in the United States and Canada. Users can also make free calls between any two magicJack devices.

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The Bad

  • Customer Service

Customer Service

One of the biggest complaints about magicJack's platform is the lack of person-to-person customer service. In answer to a lack of customer service or tech support for customers, they have a new paid magicJack Concierge service, which includes phone-based customer support and discounted device replacement.

Customers have the option to pay a fee of $11.99 per year, to talk with a customer service representative over a live chat on the magicJack website, or refer to a list of Frequently Asked Questions. This may create additional confusion for users who don't have tech experience or who have unique situations and their question isn't answered on the FAQ page.

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The Bottom Line

magicJack offers a low-cost VoIP service for home and business use. This can be attributed to the ease of access with their simple VoIP adapter. While it may not be ideal to attach an adapter to every single phone within a large corporation, it is perfect for residential VoIP locations and small business owners. This is definitely a VoIP provider worth looking into. 

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Star Rating

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3.0

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47 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

30%

4 grade

15%

3 grade

13%

2 grade

6%

1 grade

36%

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Steve Holyoke, MA

Have had this MagicJack for over 1 year now. The set up was simple, a lot of complaints are about bad connections I have my own router/modem, and that is where the magicJack is plugged into. It works perfect not one dropped call or bad connection. There is a import fee ( 19.99 it was no big deal) plus a small charge for 911 but after reading everything call magicJack before you fill anything online and avoid the fee. For 40 bucks per year to have a home phone you just cant beat it compared to the 60 a month yep 700 a year from the cable company, that is a serious chunk of change saved. And I thank magicjack as my rampage against cable started with them, then I got a over the aiir antenna for the tv. Springfield Mass picked up 53 stations. Because of majicjack my cable went down from 216 a nonth, 2,592 bucks a year to 960 buckes a year, total savings was 1632 bucks a year, Now thats a savings, yep now 80 bucks per month is the cable bill, THANK YOU MAJICJACK!! I recommend this product.

3 years ago

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Brittney Mac Gregor Louisville, KY

I haven't used magic jack in several years, but I bought it and tried it out when it first was introduced on infomercials. I haven't had a landline in my house, like ever. When I moved from my parents house to my own place, I could only afford a prepaid cell. Later when magic jack was offered, I was able to have a mock landline for a very affordable price of $20 at the time. The service actually performed well too, but did depend on my isp, which was decent. I also used magic jack for my business line and for my fax. I highly recommend Magic Jack.

3 years ago

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Ivan C. Turner Richmond, VA

I use my magicjack number on my resume. It saves me from receiving endless calls at the most inopportune times. It goes to voicemail which sends the VM as an attachment email. Also, I give the MJ number to those I don't want to have my cell. If they leave a message, I can choose to call them back. It's worked for me since 2009 with the original MJ ever marketed. I don't know why, but I just updated to the 2020 Magicjack Home that came with a added year of service. For my purposes it's great and worth it. Only thing mucked up is the international calling. Connection quality was poor and I had trouble reaching my party. For that 4 stars. In 10 years, I've called customer service 3. My issue was always solved.

4 years ago

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TOG112 Fayetteville, AR

I have been a MagicJack user for about 10 yrs. My MagicJack has replaced my landline and I do not have a cell yet. The biggest attraction is the price. Over the years MagicJack service has improved so that now I rate it reasonably good. Installation of the MagicJack is easy and straight-forward. There are many complaints about the MagicJack customer service. I have found the customer service to be satisfactory if you are patient. The price is so cheap ($2.50/month) I feel that this level service is reasonable. When my present contract ends, I may go to a cell, but the MagicJack has put an end to overpriced landline service.

5 years ago

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Steven Mount Vernon, WA

Love MJ. Great price, I have used them for 10 years now. In the early days, sometimes there were dropped calls, but the product and service has improved vastly. I upgrade to a direct module, which bypasses the computer and hooks directly into ones modem. This has improved reliability and no dropped calls. My first module died and they replaced it for free. Also they have software, one can load onto their cell phone or iPod touch, and can have phone service anywhere one has a wifi connection, and also allows one unlimited text. The price can't be beat, and there customer service has proved top notch. Voice mail too. Which one can listen on phone or pc.

5 years ago

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Dan (BigD) Melvindale, MI

I have had MagicJack since 2008 and my bill is paid until 2020. They used to have a great plan and deal for 5 yrs of service, but in the last couple yrs they only offer a three plan which is a good deal. The 5 yr deal was better but the 3 is ok.. for the 12 yrs of time I paid for it cost me less than $275.oo. The phone works great depending on how you have it set up. I really can not complain in any way about the MagicJack or the service. Any problems i did have were resolved in a timely matter. Their customer service worked for me.

6 years ago

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Jeremy Summa Inverness, FL

I got magic jack because I had a lot of gaming friends from Canada and magic jack offered unlimited calling. It is very clear for being voip. The cost is very good for the service. I did end up finding the calling limit but I was on the phone 24/7. The setup is about as easy as they could make it. I highly recommend it

1 year ago

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Jewelleah Kempers Los Angeles, CA

I first tried the voip calling service offered by Magic jack about a year after the company released its little black call box connector and i believe it was the first internet based phone service of its kind. This product worked independently of any existing phone company and was a trendsetter for the voip industry. It was a good outside option in the early days because of all the money you saved on long distance calling and my opinion is that this option has opened the door for other similar independent calling features that only got better as time has gone by.

2 years ago Edited September 23, 2022

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DavidBixler Pensacola, FL

Have used magic jack 7.5 years. During those years have had to replace device 2 times. The 1st time it costs $6.95. That was shipping and handling. The last 2nd time was $17 after s/h bill was $30. With those 2 issues to me it is still a good deal. Total cost per $43. If you reboot your router once a month and every few months the device your problems are few. It is worth to try it if you live on retirement $$$$.

4 years ago

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Susan Wheatland Fort Myers, FL

I was a Magic Jack customer for 6 years. This year I bought twice the amount of European minutes. But I actually received less than half of what I bought. After filling out numerous forms to actually talk to someone, then eventually tracking someone through sales, Spending 2 hours and 32 minutes waiting,, I was told sorry. We can’t track that,,,, we will have a supervisor call. He did,, the next day but still refusing to address the issue. His words were ,,,, going forward,,, keep a record of what the recording says of how many minutes you have left. NOT GOOD ENOUGH. And of course no recourse. Terrible customer service. And we cannot do anything about it.

4 years ago

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Leroy Oliver Clermont, FL

I've had a MagicJack for 6-7 years. It has worked flawlessly throughout. We have had no problem while using it either in Michigan or when I transport it to Florida in the winter time. I really like getting notices in my email that I have messages. I can then play them back on my computer using iTunes.

6 years ago

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mark walther Houston, TX

I've been a MJ user for many years. I was paying $58 plus for my land line and AT&T gave my number to someone else and still charged me $8 a month for porting my number for over two years. Finally found out my customers kept getting some Spanish speaking people and would not give me back the number I had been paying for years. I already paid for AT&T for internet so the 5 year plan on MJ was great. I renewed it again for five years a couple of years ago but now they keep demanding I have to renew again or lose my number. MJ was great until the founder died. Now customer service demands a $1 for a chat and $46 a month to chat after that at "mymagicjack.com". The company has no clue anymore and I still have three more years to go on the plan I already paid for. There is no customer service anymore. Whoever the kids are running this company now have ruined a good service. I guess I'll have to lose my number again, and just use cell. I still have to pay AT&T $60 plus a month for internet with no phone. It was good while it lasted...Kind of like our government....

2 years ago

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A. Perdew Fullerton, CA

If you have ATT Uverse, a word of caution. Once I ported my phone number to MagicJack I could not get my landline (desk phone) to work with MJ. The MJ works great on my iphone and my desktop computer, but it is useless on my home phone. When I ported my phone number to MJ, ATT cancelled my home phone (landline) service. No way can I get MJ to work with my home phone. I thought that was the beauty of MJ. ATT has figured out how to get you on this. I call ATT they want to come to my home to do a NEW install on the home phone for a minimum of $99. Beware if you have ATT. MJ should advise potential customers what will happen if they have ATT or other phone companies that do this. I do get the calls that would have gone to my old landline number on my MJ app on my iphone. So all is not lost, just a major annoyance as my cell service is my home is not strong.

4 years ago

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Jude Lb Houston, TX

I renewed 3 years ago and was going to let it just go away, since I hadn't used it for at least the last year or so. Didn't realize they had me set up for auto renew, not to mention that they no longer had my correct billing address, so charge shouldn't have gone through. Tried to have them cancel and refund as soon as charge went through, but they refused. Tried to dispute with my bank, but it was over turned, so these crooks get to keep money that they aren't earning. I don't even have the equipment to use it if I wanted to. They say they told me it would be auto renewed, but the only thing I read in the emails was that I needed to login and renew, which I wasn't going to do. So now I'm stuck with having to pay for another year I'm not using. I hope this company goes out of business soon.

2 years ago

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Daniel L North Wilkesboro, NC

I've had a Magic Jack Plus for several years now and have saved a load of money . I've never had problems that I couldn't fix myself . I would recommend it to anyone .

2 years ago

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Lee Geiger Collingswood, NJ

I was a long time MJ user. I do not know why I stayed so long except for the CHEAP SERVICE. The sound quality is HORRIBLE with lots of back ground noise and it is very hard to hear or be heard. When contacting customer service, it is advisable to first take a tranquilizer because you will want to strangle them by the time you are done. I spent over 2 hrs. in chat rooms with incompetent imbeciles who obviously know little to nothing about the product or how to fix it if there is a problem. In the end I was so upset with the customer service that I opted to pay the money and go back to VERIZON for my telephone service (land line). Dealing with these idiots at MJ is simply not worth me getting upset like this. In the long run the savings is not worth the poor customer service and call quality. Treat yourself to something better.

3 years ago

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Ivan Diablo Toronto, ON

cheap price but cheap customer service and if u r a mac user, u can for about service n support - i even shelled for the high end "concierge" tech support - waste of money ------ best advice is to; "Never ever pay MJ in advance" .........gave myself that advice and the best advice i ever got re MJ

3 years ago

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Jerry G Pagosa Springs, CO

MagicJack said they are keeping my money and that I am screwed, Ha Ha!. (despite unusable service) Never ever pay MJ in advance. The overwhelming echoes and endless static prevent you from hearing a thing or thinking clearly when trying to talk to someone on the phone. MagicJack said they are keeping my money and that I am screwed, Ha Ha!. They said I can cancel after a year, even though I can make no phone calls. And defiant, they won't even talk to me about the problem unless I jump thru several hoops and provide a blood and DNA sample to prove I am a customer, despite providing my account number. Once MJ has your money, MJ couldn't care less that you have an unusable service. Treating customers fair is inconceivable to MJ. All that matters is their Gestapo Law in Section 30, item 299438885774 of their penal code they'll quote to you that says MJ has the right to screw over any and all customers any time they wish. It is of no concern to MJ that customers can not make a phone call. Don't even start phone service with them

3 years ago

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Diane Pfundstein Mocksville, NC

r: I have been trying to get technical support for a problem with my magicJack and I’ve been on hold for well over 30 minutes each time I’ve even waited 60 minutes but the solution they have asked me to go through several times is not working and my number is not working. I hesitate to get on for technical support again when I have to wait so long and have not gotten results each time ..they say I’m fine ..but the number does not work! I had one for years at my other home ..it worked had no problems with set up but reception wasn’t the best for the person on the other side they said I was constantly breaking up.

4 years ago

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BusinessManager Spring Hope, NC

AVOID using MagicJack for businesses A former employee set up a MagicJack phone, which he used until he left the company. He set it up using his COMPANY email address and paid via COMPANY credit card. Our company is NOT able to cancel this phone number. (We didn’t want a refund. We just wanted to cancel / end this phone number, and MagicJack refused.) They reported that he – former employee -- must cancel it, even though it was a company line set up for company use by a company employee. Very frustrating, and so illogical. After much time on the phone with customer service -- and never able to cancel the line -- I finally learned on my own (by searching the website) how to forward the phone line. Customer Service was nice / pleasant, but unhelpful. She wouldn't even inform me how to forward the calls. It was strange. I suggest avoiding Magic Jack.

4 years ago

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Jim G Cumming, GA

Good pricing structure so about 7 years ago set it up as home phone. Quality of Service was not good for depending on a home phone so went to Vonage. They were too expensive so went to Phone.com and that service has been terrific.

4 years ago

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John Burnside Colorado Springs, CO

Tried out their service a few years ago before I went entirely cellular and it just was not reliable on my system. Couldn't always make calls and setup was finicky. Maybe they improved over time but I have found better technology today.

5 years ago

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Chuck Willoughby, OH

Have not had any other VOIP provider. Had MG for 7 years. Very few problems. Sometimes voice quality or internet static is an issue, but certainly worth keeping our landline phone #. MG never goes down on their end.

5 years ago

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Bob Cardone Norcross, GA

Tried Magic Jack for 4 months and gave up. Had dropped calls from the very beginning, occurring 4-5 minutes into the call. After dozens of contacts to tech support, they finally admitted it was a know issue with units with a serial number starting with A 119. They kept telling me "The vendor is working on it". This went on for months. They refused to replace the unit, and told me that if I wanted to , I could purchase another one, and if I was lucky, it would have a different serial number. If not, I was screwed again. I I finally got fed up, after reading similar complaints on their Facebook page, and purchased an OOMA. Much better unit, reliable, great customer service and no problems with dropped calls.

5 years ago

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J B Sandy, UT

magicJack was one of the first VOIPs I discovered back when you needed an actual jack to plug them into. There's a reason they have lasted so long. Good prices, and quality connection.

2 years ago Edited January 21, 2022

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Teresa Throop Salt Lake City, UT

Magic Jack has been good for us because of the price and quality. There are a few inconveniences with this service but overall the price is great for the quality you get. A dropped call here and there is not a big deal. It doesn't happen often enough to get too worried about.

5 years ago

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Christiane Rioux Montreal, QC

There is no customers service no one is there to help you if you have a problem good luck!! They cut my phone by mistake, billing errors they want you to pay membership again and again even after you pay for 1 year they cut you off after 6 months!! After 5 years of use each year there is problem with them!! They annoye you with their renewal automated message and you have to call them to stop their message!! It's cheap and you get what you pay for: worst customers service of all...

2 years ago

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Jesse Rice Biloxi, MS

When I was stationed in Iraq magicJack made it possible for me to communicate to my wife and family at home. Its a wonderful product.

4 years ago

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Garn L. Arnold Alpine, UT

I loved the price but I didn't love the product. But because they price was almost nothing, we kept the product. Particularly since most the time we just use our cellphones. The sound quality wasn't good. Half the time it went down on our side so I had to restart it.

6 years ago

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Larisa Bazhinova Portland, OR

It is the worse customer service in Magic Jack company. Om my screen shows That expires 06/28/2023, which is true. But my phone is disconected . No manager to talk, no accepting prove for payment. Only people with robot voices and same answers on the phone.

2 years ago

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Love America Palm Desert, CA

When it works it works but their customer support is non existing. I have had an issue for almost 4 month . No live support the chat reboot and this all I can do for you we will move it to higher up and now they will return an email or anyupte but you get sales email all the time to buy more. A company without support is not worth it.

2 years ago

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Vi999 Mississauga, ON

waste, nightmare, frustration don't even think about it - run they are closing the service in 2021 the WORST VOIP provider. If you want to save money you will waste much more, get frustrated, mad, and regret that you got involved with magicJack. RUN

3 years ago

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Keith * Starlift* Albany, NY

The product is good, but customer service is poor. They sent me a brand new item, but when their tech support confirmed it was defective, they refused to help unless I paid to replace it...

3 years ago

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Vic West Palm Beach, FL

MagicJack is OK when it works. But problems are not resolved. Customer service is devastating. Customer service is maddening, torturous, and devastating. You will never hear yes, or we will fix it. No matter what you ask, the answer is always NO. If it stopped working, you lost the service and your money. AVOID, AVOID, AVOID, AVOID.

5 years ago

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James Schulz Sun City, AZ

Very disappointed. Recommended by friend, but I can't say much good beyond price. Frequently the called person can't hear me. Contact is a disaster--chat person had no idea of how of correct problems. Saw multiple complaints on web site about being unable to hear. No response when asked when they would get it repaired.

5 years ago

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Grant Lofgreen Provo, UT

Absolute best phone service I've had. Unbelievable well priced, works very well. Home integration and set up was painless.

5 years ago

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Starski Cene Vienna, VA

Early adopter, things may have changed. Pros: Cost Online voicemails Cons: Use to have to plug the unit into your computer (which would slow down if your computer slowed down) Version 1 of the magic jack plus (that did not require a computer) died within a few weeks of receiving Dealing with customer service was the WORST Ended up canceling the service because of cellphones but also their customer service

6 years ago

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Dustin Tate West Jordan, UT

Their customer service is the worst and they will autorenew and keep charging you and make it impossible for you to reach somebody to request a refund. They've turned into a total scam.

3 years ago

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Rev Bruce Crabtree Martinsburg, WV

It works if nothing goes wrong or if you do not need to talk to the billing dept or other costumer service, you only get costumer DIS-service. If there was a zero option for satisfaction, I would give Zero.

4 years ago

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JF Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

super value and nearly always on! don't think we are missing calls because we get so many unwanted ones!

5 years ago

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Clem Giddlehopper Milford, CT

constantly breaking up, no obvious solution. Rebooted router, cycled power on magic jack plus device, changes ethernet cable, changed phone, changed phone connection.

4 years ago

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Spencer Morris (Logan) Riverton, UT

Had magic jack for years--- cheap option for exactly what ya need-- been great

5 years ago

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Charles Lendman Cordova, TN

Had it for a year, works great low cost no issues!

4 years ago

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shan james Tarpon Springs, FL

The majic jack go device is the worst very cheaply made comes apart when taking it out of USB and customer service is horrible

5 years ago

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Gaylord White Atlanta, GA

It works for me and has for the 6 months I have had it

5 years ago

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AD Glendale, AZ

works like a charm. I use it for 7 years. Love it.

6 years ago

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Tony's Babygirl Staton MO

Is ok..didn't get much signal or clear service.

1 year ago