Which Popular VoIP Service Suits You?

With the newest addition to the VoIP lineup for consumers, FringOut, there are more options than ever for reliable, cheap calls to international numbers. One of the three I've chosen is exclusive to the US, but it's Google Voice and they do plan to roll out internationally at some stage, so it's worth throwing them in so you can either cross your fingers and hope or be content with the service that is actually available to you. The three services I'm comparing today include Skype, Google Voice, and FringOut.

1. Skype has been around the longest and is still in many ways the best at what it does. To use Skype, you'll need to install the desktop program, which functions both as a calling system and an instant messenger. Calling another person on Skype on their PC is completely free and always will be; so is video chatting with a single person. Video chatting with multiple people was recently introduced and has received rave reviews; unfortunately, Skype does plan to charge for this eventually. Skype has excellent voice quality and shares much of its data via open source. Its business offering, however, is somewhat weak, and Skype does not make a huge amount of money from charging people to call others. Their rates are still very low and they offer subscriptions which provide an easy way to make sure you have enough minutes over the course of each month. Skype is also available on virtually all smartphones, and you can also use a Skype To Go number which you call from your mobile to connect you with Skype rates.
2. Google Voice is a US-only service that formerly was not actually VoIP. It's changed quite a lot, however, and is now available through Gmail, on your smartphone, and on your PC. It acts virtually the same way as Skype but does not require any desktop software; it will also ring any or all of your normal phones if your Google Voice number is called, which is very handy for those who would like to switch over completely and enjoy the cost savings. Now that Google Voice apps have finally been accepted for the iPhone, it certainly looks like a winner from here, but it can't quite match Skype's voice or video quality yet. Its touted email transcription feature is also amazingly unreliable; you'll still have to listen to your voicemails unfortunately.
3. Fring formerly was an application for smartphones that combined a number of popular communications services into one. It used these services to offer free calls, video chats, and instant messages to a variety of networks, like MSN, Yahoo, and AIM. Now, however, FringOut brings the service into the wider world of VoIP applications. By using Fring Out, you're calling people who aren't on Fring from one US cent per minute. In this way, it's ridiculously similar to Skype; you can use their computer services for nothing, but if you like it that much, you can keep using it for more. As such, I question whether or not it will be heavily profitable, but it's undoubtedly a good idea, especially since Skype no longer offers their service through Fring. FringOut is not available for desktops, which they tout as an advantage, and can only be used over your Nokia mobile phone, but they are working on availability for more devices in the near future.

Each of these services look very similar, and for the consumer, it can be difficult to choose. At present, it looks like Google Voice is the best option. It's more easily available on every type of phone, still has very low prices, and most people have a Google account that already links in with the service easily. It's just a shame that the winner isn't available internationally; those who wish to use a VoIP service over their mobile phone in the UK are probably best off with Skype, which works on every phone to a high quality standard.

Meghan Burton is a professional copywriter. She recommends Octavia IT Services for IT support London and VoIP phone systems.