Voicemail Services

These Internet-based voicemail services allow you to take control of your incoming phone calls. They can give any small business a professional telephone presence, and allow you to better manage your callers and time. Some of these voicemail services also include the ability to send and receive faxes, but that is not a requirement to be included in this list.

AirComUSA [KEVIN'S PICK]

AirComUSA's Virtual Office Professional plan offers voicemail service via a toll-free number, and users get a second toll-free number to use for faxes (Faxes are converted to email) plus a virtual office number. (Or, choose from 25-plus local area codes.) Advertising co-op capable, cardless calling card, call forwarding and screening features and pager and email notification. Conference call and recording features also available. Online voicemail retrieval is free; calling in to check it costs 10 cents per minute. Monthly fee of $19.95 includes two hours of system time. $8.95 and $14.95 options also available. $10 setup fee. Free 30-day trial.
     Go to AirComUSA
Rated by 37 people. Reliability: 6.2. Cost: 6.2. Features: 6. Satisfaction: 6.1. (Each out of 7.)
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[Verified 12/16/2011]

MaxEmail [KEVIN'S PICK]

MaxEmail voicemail users can choose from two standard plans. The Lite plan costs $24 per year and includes a non-local number for use with voicemail and fax, with 100 messages or incoming fax pages included and 5 cents for extra pages/messages. The Plus plan ($9.95 a month, $24 billed quarterly or $84 per year) lets users choose a local area code or a toll-free number. Local number option includes 250 incoming pages/messages and 100 outgoing faxes per month. (Toll-free includes 100 outgoing faxes but all incoming faxes or voicemails are 10 cents.) Extras are 5 cents each with local number, 10 cents for toll-free. Both MaxEmail voice plans have a $10 setup fee. Faxes are delivered to email (or multiple email addresses) as PDFs and voicemail messages can be retrieved via email (.WAV files) and phone. Messages archived for 30 days; one year with upgrade adding $1.95 to $2.95 per month. "Corporate" plans are tailored to fax use, but include voicemail services. 30-day free trial offered.
     Go to MaxEmail
Rated by 46 people. Reliability: 5.7. Cost: 5.3. Features: 4.5. Satisfaction: 5.8. (Each out of 7.)
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[Verified 12/16/2011]

RingCentral Voice [KEVIN'S PICK]

RingCentral lets users choose from four voicemail plans. RingCentral Mobile plans can be used with existing phone or mobile devices, while RingCentral Office plans include ready-to-use IP phones. The mobile Pro option is $9.99 per month if paid annually ($14.99 month-to-month), with 10 virtual PBX extensions and 300 monthly minutes included; extra minutes are 4.9 cents. The mobile ProPlus plan is $24.99 per month if paid annually ($29.99 if month-to-month) and includes unlimited extensions and 1,000 minutes with extra minutes billed at 4.4 cents each. The ProUnlimited one-line system is $39.99 per month for 10 extensions and unlimited local or long distance minutes and 1,000 toll-free minutes ($49.99 month-to-month). The Office four-line system is $24.99 per month per user for unlimited extensions and 1,000 toll-free minutes (local and long distance are free). The one-line system is $22.99 per month per user, including 1,000 toll-free minutes. Voicemail retrieved via phone and/or (for free) delivered to email. Features include hold music or message of choice, integration with Microsoft Windows Outlook, virtual calling card, auto attendant, dial-by-name directory ($4.99 extra) and instant access to call logs. For up to $4.99 additional, DigitalLine VoIP service, "RingMe," allows click-to-call from Web. True 800 numbers are available for a one-time $15 fee. Internet-based fax included on all plans. Free trial on all plans. Limited-time offer: free rollover. No setup fees.
     Go to RingCentral
Rated by less than 3 people. Have you used this service? Rate it!
[Verified 12/16/2011]

Kall8

With a Kall8 Mailbox, users can receive voicemail, faxes or both. Prices start at $2 per month for toll-free numbers (Local numbers, true 800 numbers and desirable "repeater" numbers are $5 per month). Pay-as-you-go, with all calls on the local-number plan billed at 5.9 cents per minute while toll-free plan calls are 6.9 cents per minute. (Offshore and international per-minute rates are higher.) Setup fee is equal to one month's charge. Record personal greeting, adjust call length, specify file format and size/quality of messages, caller ID display and other customizable features. Conference calls accommodate up to 25 participants. Also: call blocking, custom call forwarding and call notification emails. New users can transfer toll-free number from current provider to Kall8 service. Number also functions as a "virtual calling card" in U.S., Canada and nearly 20 other countries for 6.9 cents per minute.
     Go to Kall8
Rated by 6 people. Reliability: 4.8. Cost: 6. Features: 5. Satisfaction: 5.2. (Each out of 7.)
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[Verified 12/16/2011]

Google Voice (was GrandCentral)

Google Voice, (the new version of GrandCentral.com, which was acquired by Google in summer 2007), is a free service that recently emerged from beta testing mode and is open to anyone. Google Voice has features such as transcripts, SMS, international calling and conference calling. The service is currently rolling out by invitation-only, although former GrandCentral users are entitled to an account. Users get one phone number that rings to all (or some, or none) of their phones, depending on who is calling. Messages are filtered into a voicemail box that can be accessed by phone on online, and notifications can be sent to email or via SMS. Calls can be screened and recorded (where legal), and users can listen to messages as they're being recorded and choose to take the call partway into it. Unwanted callers can be blocked. Other options include personal greetings, ringback tones, transcribed voicemail, and the ability to switch phones in the middle of a call. Also, "visual voicemail" feature works with MP3-enabled mobile devices. Or, play voicemail in Gmail. Service can be used for an existing phone number, but the user may not be able to use some of the advanced features, such as call screening and recording Voicemail. If you want to change your number later, there is a $10 fee.
     Go to Google Voice
Rated by 5 people. Reliability: 6.6. Cost: 7. Features: 5.8. Satisfaction: 6.2. (Each out of 7.)
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[Verified 12/16/2011]

Phone.com Virtual Office

Phone.com's Virtual Office plans start at $9.88 a month and includes voicemail, call forwarding and other automated, flexible call-handling features. The Virtual Office 300 plan is $14.88 per month, or $9.88 if paid annually. It includes 300 minutes, one phone number and unlimited extensions. The Virtual Office 600 plan, allowing 600 minutes and two phone numbers, is $24.88 per month ($19.88 if paid annually). Additional minutes are 4.9 cents. For higher-volume business users, there are Virtual Office 1000 and 2500 plans costing $39.88 and $74.88 per month, respectively, with discounts for annual payment plans. Existing numbers can typically be transferred. True 800 numbers are available for a $35 setup fee. Voicemail may be checked via phone, email, or Web. Voicemail transcription service available at 25 cents each. Professional recording services also available.
     Go to Phone.com Virtual Office
Rated by less than 3 people. Have you used this service? Rate it!
[Verified 12/16/2011]

FreedomVoice

FreedomVoice Systems offers toll-free numbers and auto-attendant voicemail service. The FreedomStart plan is $9.95 per month for five voicemail boxes and 100 minutes (additional minutes 5.9 cents).FreedomEdge is $39.95 per month for 25 extensions and 1,000 minutes (4.9 cents additional). FreedomSuite is $79.95 for 100 voicemail boxes, 2,500 minutes (3.9 cents for additional). Features include call-forwarding, customizable hold music, voicemail-to-email, Web access to messages, Internet faxing, and company directory. Free 15-day trial. No activation fee. True 800 numbers, vanity numbers, and local area numbers are available for an additional charge. Existing toll-free numbers can often be transferred for a $30 fee. On-demand teleconferencing is free for one year.
     Go to FreedomVoice
Rated by less than 3 people. Have you used this service? Rate it!
[Verified 12/16/2011]

Onebox

The Onebox virtual phone system provides an automated attendant service with features such as professionally recorded custom greeting, faxing, and conferencing. For $49.95 per month, you get four extensions and 2,000 minutes. (Additional extensions are $11.99; additional minutes are 4.9 cents). The $79.95 plan provides 10 extensions (extras $9.95) and 3,000 minutes (extras 3.9 cents). A $99.95 plan includes 5,000 pages and 20 extensions (additional extensions $7.95; extra minutes 2.9 cents each.) Additional extensions come with 100 extra minutes. No setup fee. Also offers live Onebox Receptionist services with plans priced at $169.95 or $399.95 per month. New voicemail management "apps" for iPhone, BlackBerry, and Android. 30-day trial (or 1,000 minutes, whichever comes first.)
     Go to Onebox
Rated by less than 3 people. Have you used this service? Rate it!
[Verified 12/16/2011]

eVoice

The eVoice service includes professional recorded greeting, auto attendant, advanced call routing, voicemail-to-email service, call screening and hold music. The $12.95-per-month plan includes 300 minutes (extras are 5.9 cents). The $19.95-per-month plan includes 500 minutes (extras are 4.9 cents). The $29.95-per-month plan comes with 1,000 minutes (extra minutes 3.9 cents). Both local and toll-free numbers available. iPhone, Android, and Blackberry apps. Vanity numbers available for $30 setup fee. Free six-month trial automatically converts to $12.95 plan when 1,000 minutes or 60 voicemails are reached. Free 30-day trial on other plans.
     Go to eVoice
Rated by less than 3 people. Have you used this service? Rate it!
[Verified 12/16/2011]

OneSuite

OneSuite offers a variety of telecom services, and customers can mix-and-match what they need, including a local or toll-free number for faxing and voice calls as well as call- and fax-forwarding. Plans start at $1 per month for OneSuite Fax Basic, which allows unlimited inbound fax-to-email services. OneSuite Fax Plus is $2.95 per month for the ability to both send and receive faxes, with an additional per-minute charge (as low at 1.8 cents but the typical cost listed is 2.5 cents) for sending faxes. To add toll free service is another $2.95 per month, plus 3.5 cents per minute to send. Other optional services include prepaid long distance, and VoIP from a PC or ATA or IP phone. To add "SuiteAdvantage," with voicemail, pay an additional $2.95 per month: incoming calls are included in the price and customers download SoftPhone software to receive calls via PC from all types of phones for 1.8 cents per minute and up. For call (and fax) forwarding, add on OneSuite Forwarding for $2.95 per month plus 1.8 cents per minute and up for local numbers, 3.5 cents and up for toll free. Rates for international calls vary. Extra numbers are $1.95 to $2.95 each, depending on the plan. No setup charges, but must deposit $10 or $30 (depending on the plan), which will be applied toward usage. Free one-month trial.
     Go to OneSuite
Rated by less than 3 people. Have you used this service? Rate it!
[Verified 12/16/2011]

Phone People

With Phone People all plans are month-to-month. 200 Minute Plan is $9.99 per month for five extensions (extra minutes 5.9 cents). 600 Minute Plan is $19.99 per month for 10 extensions (extra minutes 4.9 cents). 1500 Minute Plan is $29.99 per month for 25 extensions (extra minutes 3.9 cents). 3,000 Minute Plan is $49.99 for 100 extensions (extra minutes 2.9 cents). The Unlimited Plan is $99.99 per month for 100 extensions and no limit on minutes. On the 200-minute plan, notification of voicemail sent to email is $3 per month per inbox. (The service is included on the other plans.) The top three plans also include free call accounting software. No setup fees. True 800 numbers available for a $29 one-time additional fee. It's usually possible to transfer an existing number for a fee. Voicemail to text is optional at $9.99 per month per extension. Seven-day free trial.
     Go to Phone People
Rated by less than 3 people. Have you used this service? Rate it!
[Verified 12/16/2011]

Phonebooth

Phonebooth.com is an Internet "cloud"-based phone system with both free and premium, paid options. Phonebooth Free includes one phone number and can accommodate up to 50 users but has a 200-minute monthly cap. Phonebooth OnDemand, $20 per month per user, includes two numbers ($1 per month each for more) and unlimited minutes and has more features, such as call logs, international and toll-free calling ability, conferencing, and port-in numbers, along with 24/7 support for HD-quality desk and conference phones. (Free plan is self-service only.) Both plans include auto-attendant and voicemail (sent to email or accessed by calling in.)
     Go to Phonebooth
Rated by less than 3 people. Have you used this service? Rate it!
[Verified 12/16/2011]

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