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 Review by Jeffrey 
member for 10.4 years, 4244 visits, last login: 1 days ago
updated 3.2 years ago
 Long Island
 $3 per month about 4 days "Price, sound quality, size," "still new, not all area codes available, incoming call issues occasionally" "Great value and"
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-- March 4th, 2010 --
I no longer currently use my MJ because of the lack of need. With this said, there is a slight chance I will redeploy it at a second residence where we are not living all year, and consequently, don't have a land line.
-- May 10th, 2008 --
I haven't used hte MJ too much, but what I have used has been great. I basically use the MJ on my laptop when I'm at a friend or relative's house, and/or if I misplaced my cell and can't find it. It's a nice thing to have, but I still couldn't recommend it as a replacement for your main home line.
Initial:
I picked up the MagicJack device in early August just to fool around with. I heard about the device here on BBR, and I decided that I liked the "geek factor" of it, and I'd pick one up.
Ordering was easy. Price was great. $39.99 for the device + 1 yr of service. Subsequent years would be $19.99. Can't get any better than that.
Got the device after 4 days, plugged it right into my Windows XP laptop, and after attaching a $5 phone, I'm making and receiving calls.
Call quality is excellent. Making calls is never a problem. Occasionally, I have had a few people tell me that they received an "all circuits are busy" message, but I don't know where to place blame for that one. It's only happened a few times, and FWIW, it happens on my Vonage line occasionally. A simple redial of the # fixed it on Vonage, as it does on the MagicJack.
I love taking the Magicjack with me places that I bring my laptop, and watch the stares as I make a phone call from my computer. Some of my friends were shocked that this even existed, let alone was possible.
In the end, the device is cool and very functional. A great backup phone device for when my cell is in the car, left at work, or dead of battery charge. Not ready for prime time in terms of a home's only phone line tho.
For people needing a 2nd line, I would recommend it.
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 Review by grrr
member for 11.9 years, 6495 visits, last login: a few hours ago
updated 3.2 years ago
- Scarborough,ON
- Contract price not specified.
- "Inexpensive at $39 to purchase and $19.95/year after first year. It's an extra $10/year for a Canadian area code."
- "Not so many Canadian area codes, mostly in major city centers."
- "Good value."
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February 2008, I've only been running it for a week, but so far so good. I haven't had a land line in 4 years to cut costs and magicJack has made having a land line affordable for me.
My cell phone has been my primary line and still is, because there are no Toronto area codes as of yet, but I won't eat up air time by doing some having a casual conversation, or being put on hold trying to make appointments during the day. I can call people and if they want to get a hold of me they can call my cell and I can call them back on my magicJack line.
I know there are quite a few bugs to be ironed out, but you really can't go wrong for the price.
*Update: February 2010
Going into 3rd year of usage. When I discovered that some Canadian area codes became available in November 2009 at a $10/yr premium on top of $19.95 annual fee, I decided to not renew my US number and I was able to get a 416 number. At this time I couldn't change from a US number to a Canadian number. Canadian numbers are only available on activation of new unit and the newer units have updated circuitry with noise filters, so I decided on getting the newer version.
Back in February 2008 the magicJack software was a bit buggy, ie; dialing of Canadian cell phones needed *74, or something like that... I can't remember, but that and a few other glitches meant that call success rate was about 70%, but the past year has been as reliable as a regular land line for me. So much so that I'm not going to renew my US number and I purchased a new one so that I could get a Toronto number. For Canadian customers the extra $10/year is well worth it. I'm quite happy. I even gave one as a gift to my nephew while he works out in New Brunswick for a few months. He can keep in touch with family and friends with a Toronto number.
I still won't sign up for their multi-year program, because I think they're a bit shady with their business practise, but on a year to year basis I think you can't go wrong for the price.
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Review by mr79109189
member for 10.1 years, 114 visits, last login: 2.6 years ago
updated 3.2 years ago
- Amarillo,Randall,TX
- $3 per month
- (12 month contract)
- "On a single computer, not using much processor it works well."
- "Call quality poor if computer using much processor."
- "Not a good choice for hard wired home network."
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I connected MagicJack through my wired home phone network. I could not find a method to increase line voltage enough to allow it to work well through my wired phones. If used with a multiple handset wireless network it works fine. Would be great if on option was provided to allow it to plug in to existing wired network at home. My house has 5 extensions. I can make them all work but handset volume and quality suffer.
Web-site "Customer support" stinks! There is no way to send an e-mail. The "Live" link cycles you back and forth from page to page but does NOT give you a "live" anything!
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 Review by WeSRT4
member for 12.5 years, 1582 visits, last login: 2 years ago
updated 3.3 years ago
- Mobile,Mobile,AL
- $2 per month
- "Inexpensive! Good call quality."
- "Computer has to be on"
- "Best value out there for VOIP."
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I recently ordered magicJack figuring that I didn't have much to lose. The device is surprisingly simple automatically installing the needed software from the USB device when plugged in. To my amazement call quality is surprisingly good and reliable. I'm not sure how they stay in business by charging so little for service, but the value is simply the best out there. If you want to lower your phone bill, I say, go for it!
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 Review by C_Chipperson
member for 4.3 years, 1630 visits, last login: 1 days ago
updated 3.3 years ago
- Aurora,Arapahoe,CO
- $1 per month
- (12 month contract)
- about 4 days
- "Easy install, free local and long distance, good call quality"
- "Horrible web site, must leave PC on 24/7"
- "Perfect solution if you want to call from home and avoid cell phone charges"
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I saw the infomercial on DirecTV and decided to try it out. Found it on ebay for about 35 bucks including shipping, had it 4 days later. Plugged into my PC, installs software automatically and you choose an area code and prefix. Plug my wireless 4-handset phone in, and was making calls within 2 minutes, my dad couldn't tell any difference when I called him other than it was a different phone number. We don't need a landline for any reason other than to avoid using up cell minutes during the day time, and this is the perfect solution if you don't need to have phone service guaranteed to be working. I tried it on a Pentium4 with 1 GB ram running Vista, call quality was unacceptable. plugged it into my Core 2 Quad and it functions as good as Vonage. the first year of service is free, and its 20 bucks a year after that, or you can purchase 5 years for 60 bucks. if i decide its worth it, I will purchase the 5 year license after the free year is up.
For a 35$ "I'll try it out", This is an excellent value. You really can't go wrong. Don't listen to the negative reviews, they either expect something for nothing or don't have a fast enough pc to give consistent call quality. I have it running upstairs from my wireless router in the basement. No problems.
UPDATE 6/14/09
5 months of rock solid phone service, the only time i've had trouble is when my computer does an automatic reboot (windows updates) and I don't log in again before trying the phone. That is not magicjack's fault though. GREAT SERVICE, ALMOST FREE!!!!!!!!
UPDATE 12/29/09
Well its been almost a year, and I've stopped using MJ for several months now, got the Google Voice app on my cell phone and can make unlimited calls that way so don't want to bog my computer down with the unnecessary MJ software.
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 Review by Jared
member for 6.3 years, 294 visits, last login: 265 days ago
updated 3.4 years ago
- Abbeville,Vermilion,LA
- Contract price not specified.
- about 7 days
- "Excellent pricing, excellent voice quality."
- "Has tendency to have partial static in calls, can't port in numbers."
- "Best VoIP service for the price."
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Pros:
+ Excellent voice quality most of the time.
+ Excellent pricing. ($19.95/year!)
+ Easy to install and setup.
+ Live online support.
+ Quick call connection.
+ 3G connection ability.
+ Portable.
Cons:
- Tendency to have partial static in calls.
- Can't port in numbers.
- Control panel is extremely annoying, especially with ads.
- Must dial area code and phone number, instead of just local phone number.
- Issues with disconnected numbers, inactive numbers.
- No inbound caller ID name.
- Horribly designed website.
- Privacy concerns.
I ordered my MagicJack directly from the MagicJack website on October 24, and it was shipped on October 26. Received it in the mail October 28. MagicJack's website leaves a lot to be desired, however.
When I first set it up, I was using Windows 7 and MagicJack is apparently incompatible with Windows 7, so I had to install a patch to get it to work. As soon as I got it loaded and installed, I went to register. They offered me some additional options, including insurance, which I tried to buy, but for some reason, my card continued to be declined, even with the correct information. I gave up trying to add it and went ahead and activated the phone.
However, the PC that it was finally installed on was my desktop, which runs Windows XP Home. When I plugged it into that computer, everything was fine and it installed in no time. I didn't even have to touch it to get it to work. However, the control panel is extremely annoying and hard to get rid of. (there's a program that hides it, though)
When I first started calling out using MagicJack, I realized that I couldn't call using simply the local phone number. That's fine, I can get used to that. However, when I dialed a number that was not in service (that could be someone else, though..) it simply kept ringing and ringing. It wouldn't tell me, in any way what-so-ever, that the number was disconnected. Additionally, I realized the name wasn't showing on the caller ID on my phones anymore. (though, customer service said it'll be coming soon)
However, as I started reading about MagicJack, I realized that they use the numbers you call to determine ads for certain places. Not sure about this entirely, but it raises red flags in my head. We don't use our MagicJack for misson-critical purposes, so this isn't a big deal.
In all, MagicJack is an awesome replacement for our old POTS service. I'll miss the POTS reliability and call quality, but not the price. I'll update this review if needed in the future.
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 Review by tvtek
member for 9.2 years, 576 visits, last login: 209 days ago
updated 3.5 years ago
- Concord,Contra Costa,CA
- $1 per month
- (12 month contract)
- about 5 days
- "Easy set up"
- "Have to have a PC running at all times"
- "Outstanding price"
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I ordered the Magicjack device because I was getting rid of our POTS line and I figured this would be ok to gamble the 40 dollars on. Once I received the device I went through the setup which included downloading the softphone software and then choosing a phone number. There was several dropouts in the voice outgoing and receiving which was annoying but after having Vonage before nothing unusual to me. I found the ports that Magicjack uses and opened them up on my D-Link router and so far the call quality has improved. My wife has in fact called the Philippines several times using the Magicjack with no issues at all. So for 19.99 a year to renew I think I will stick with it for now. I have had it for 10 months to the date now.
Update 11/16/09: I am now in my second year of using Magic Jack. My wife uses it to call the Philippines at least 2 times a month. While the international rate to the Philippines may not be the best, I sure can't beat the cost for US and calls to Canada.
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 Review by quatra
member for 9.9 years, 2421 visits, last login: 90 days ago
lodged 3.6 years ago
- Matthews,Mecklenburg,NC
- $1 per month
- (12 month contract)
- about 4 days
- "Cheap!"
- "Not 100% reliable"
- "Get it! What have you got to lose?"
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This is a great product. $20/yr I believe they offered you an extra 4 years for $5/year just ridiculously cheap. I did have to hack it to get rid of the popup screen that would interrupt my gaming everytime someone called (but now I don't have easy access to the PC interface but don't really care - it's just a phone to me).
Bad points: Occasionally when calling someone they can't hear me - I have to call back and then it works fine. Also like any other VOIP service it uses your internet connection if you are doing lots of uploading/downloading it can cause voice quality issues.
Good points: Cheap! The last time I had a voip home phone it cost $300/year. The time before that traditional land line ran me well over $500/year. This one is $20/year. Wow. Everyone in my family does have a cell phone but I like being able to call home and I like for my teenage daughter to not use her cell phone  .
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 Review by W8ASA
member for 12.8 years, 4824 visits, last login: a few hours ago
updated 3.6 years ago
- Dayton,Montgomery,OH
- $2 per month
- (12 month contract)
- "Ease of use, $$$ $aving$"
- "None So Far"
- "Pretty Cool!"
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Update 29 Sept 2009: I just returned from two weeks in Italy, and MJ performed
almost flawlessly! One call had some echo, so we just called back and it was
just like a local call, as were the other 50 or so calls we made from my laptop
over there. The Italian hotels don't have great connections, but once I turned off
automatic DNS server detection and went to the 4.XXX ones, my connection speed
increased dramatically.
My son bought me an MJ for Christmas. I installed it in less than ten minutes, including getting the phone number assigned! Wow! That was fast! Voice quality is good with a headset/microphone, and fair with my laptop's builtin speaker and microphone. All the features seem to work fine. I could switch between the headset and laptop microphone easily.
I will use it to replace my Vonage UT Starcom Wi-Fi phone, which has become difficult to use because it doesn't support authentication.
I will probably only use MJ while I'm travelling overseas, and I can't wait to give it a test from Paris.
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Review by brawney
member for 11.2 years, 3138 visits, last login: a few hours ago
lodged 3.6 years ago
- Frederick,Frederick,MD
- $1 per month
- (12 month contract)
- about 1 days
- "Cheap!"
- "Needs computer, software intrusive."
- "Works pretty good considering how cheap it is."
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We use it as a 'spare' phone line. We were able to get a local incoming number. MJ works pretty darn good considering the cost. It is what it is, a really cheap VOIP service. I mean really cheap. So don't expect too much from it.
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