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Ooma Review
Wednesday, May 22nd
2024 VoIP Service Reviews
Ooma
- $99.99 upfront for $0 U.S. calls
- Multiple smart-home integrations
- Robust International Calling plans
- $149.99 upfront, $29.99 per month LTE blackout-resistant option
Ooma is a company that we at Top Consumer Reviews have been keeping an eye on, and we're happy to report that their continually-improving service has earned its way to the top of our list.
Continuing innovations
With its initial roots in offering plug-in-and-talk 2004 VoIP services, Ooma has expanded and improved its service to include smart home integrations, a good range of plans and offerings, and even home security systems. In short, their experience in the field seems coupled with innovations in their offerings: an unequivocal plus for us.
Best at the basics
Where other providers usually have a (confusing) bundle of subscription and hardware costs, Ooma sets itself apart with its basic plan: a $99.99 upfront cost for their "Ooma Telo" , and free calling in the U.S. (plus taxes and fees). Ooma earns extra points from us for transparency: they provide a tax and fee calculator for their customers based on their area code. While the "Ooma Telo" (their proprietary, basic plan internet to VoIP connecter) doesn't appear to differ greatly from competitors aside from its integrations with Amazon's "Alexa" , the high initial cost may be worth the low monthly bill for customers without international calling needs: in fact, it's one of the reasons why Ooma is our top choice.
Premium and International options
Ooma also offers a "premium" plan for an added $9.99 a month, a "world plan" for $17.99 per month, and a "World Plus Plan" at $26.99 per month. Their premium plan offers suspicious call blocking, enhanced voicemail options, calling to Canada, Puerto Rico, and Mexico, and integration with Nest, Google Voice, Dropbox, Amazon Alexa. In short, you get quite a bit for that $9.99 per month. Their "world plan" lets you call landlines in 60 countries and mobile phones in ten, while their "World Plus Plan'' offers unlimited calls to landlines in 70 countries and cell phones in 40. In short, while their premium and international calls are a bit pricey, they offer a definite value for the price.
Multiple hardware options
In addition to Ooma's smart home integrations, Ooma has a range of hardware options beyond the basic Ooma Telo: the Ooma Telo Air ($129.99) and the Ooma "LTE" ($149.99, with a $29.99 per month cellular access fee). Where the Ooma Telo Air lets you go cordless, placing your connector anywhere in your home, the Ooma "LTE" includes all the features of the Ooma premium plan, with a backup battery for calling during blackouts, and doesn't rely on broadband internet. If you live in an area with severe weather, or somewhere that broadband internet service is inconsistent, the LTE system may be a good choice.
App gets mixed reviews
Ooma's softphone application has received overall mixed reviews, with customers complaining of calls not ringing through the app, and bugs regarding voicemail notifications. However, these mixed reviews are better than the apps of their competitors, so mixed customer reviews may speak to the nature of smartphone apps more generally, as opposed to Ooma in particular.
Attractive deals
While Ooma's initial hardware costs may be pricey, their website advertises partnerships with major home and technology retailers, potentially saving you a nice chunk of change. So, if you're willing to pay the higher upfront cost for an Ooma system, be sure to check for deals. When combined with savings from partnerships with major retailers, an Ooma system just seems more compelling, and as such we recommend that you browse their offerings as our first choice VoIP service.
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The 10 Best VoIP Services
What's the Best VoIP System on the Market Today?
If there's one constant about standard cellular phone providers, it's that the bills add up. Since the early internet folks have been switching to VoIP services to lower their bills, and that still holds true today. Depending on your current cellular plans and needs, switching to a VoIP provider could potentially save you hundreds of dollars.
What is VoIP? VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. It's a fancy way of saying that instead of utilizing cellphone towers and frequencies, a VoIP connects to your home or business internet, and sends that data over the internet.
VoIP Service FAQ
Continued from above...
One of the main advantages that people look for in a VOIP system is cost-effectiveness. VoIP calls are transmitted over the internet, which can result in cost savings compared to traditional phone systems, especially for long-distance and international calls.
Another advantage of VoIP is flexibility. Phone users can make and receive calls from anywhere with internet connectivity, using a variety of devices such as traditional land phones, smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktop computers. This makes VoIP ideal for users who require mobility and need to stay connected on the go.
VoIP also offers a wide range of advanced features such as call forwarding, voicemail, call waiting, caller ID, call routing, conference calling, and more. These features are sometimes included at no extra cost to your system, making VoIP a cost-effective solution for people who like these features.
What should you look for in a Residential VoIP provider? While switching to a VoIP can be a smart and budget-friendly choice, not all VoIP companies are the same. The field is rife with confusing plans, coercive marketing, and scammy business practices.
We've scoured what's there, and found both the best of the best, plus a few general tips for you to keep in mind:
- Hidden fees: Do you pay upfront or monthly? Is your plan contract, pre-pay, or at will? Does the company have a history of scammy policies like cancellation fees? Sometimes, upfront savings are used to hide a coercive customer structure, so watch out.
- Hardware and software: Do they offer you the necessary hardware for free, make you pay upfront, or "lease" it to you? In addition, do they offer a "softphone" (desktop and smartphone application for use with your plan), and does the softphone work? Also, do they protect you from spam and robocalls, and does doing so cost extra?
- Customer service: How easy is it to cancel your subscription? Would they let you do so without fuss, or force you into a series of sales pitches? In addition, are they responsive to technical difficulties, and do they support the easy installation of your product?
- International calling: what are their international calling plans? Do they offer unlimited plans or minutes? Do they let you set up a "virtual number" in a chosen country to receive calls and no cost to your callers? In addition, do they let you call all numbers in their offered countries, or just landlines?
There are a surprising amount of considerations for a VoIP system, but don't let that dissuade you. Top Consumer Reviews has found excellent companies offering top of the line VoIP systems and support, all of which offer significant savings when compared to their cellular competitors. Whatever your preference, from robust blackout-resistant services to extreme budget friendly competitors, with this guide you'll be sure to find a VoIP service that floats your boat.
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