magicJack

• 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 Plus — magicJack 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.

View Verified magicJack Reviews

• 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.