Vonage

Vonage is a pioneering cloud communications company that introduced residential VoIP home phone service to mainstream consumers in 2001, making internet-based calling a practical and affordable alternative to traditional landline telephone service. Now owned by Ericsson, Vonage has evolved from its consumer VoIP roots into a comprehensive cloud communications platform serving both residential and business customers with voice, messaging, and video capabilities.

Their residential VoIP service connects to existing telephone equipment through an adapter and provides standard home phone features—caller ID, call waiting, voicemail, three-way calling—alongside VoIP advantages like unlimited calling to US and Canada, low international rates, and virtual number options. Vonage's reputation as the company that made VoIP mainstream comes from their early consumer marketing that established the category for millions of households switching from copper-wire landlines.

Vonage's residential pricing is competitive within VoIP, though newer entrants like Ooma have challenged with different pricing models (higher upfront hardware cost, minimal monthly fees vs. Vonage's lower hardware cost and higher monthly subscription). The 30-day money-back guarantee provides a risk-free evaluation period. Comparing total annual cost against Ooma, MagicJack, and Google Voice for your calling patterns identifies the best residential VoIP value.