When magicJack first burst onto the scene, consumers were blown away by the ability to make phone calls over the internet. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology has been around since the mid 1990s. However, magicJack offered a simple way to make basic VoIP calls.
Fast forward to the present day, and businesses like yours are moving away from traditional landlines and PBX systems. It can be tempting to find VoIP shortcuts with solutions like magicJack.
For growing, flexible, and agile companies, however, there may be far better options available. We’ll cover 10 magicJack alternatives that could significantly enhance communication for your business.
What is magicJack?
magicJack is a solution that enables consumers to make and receive VoIP phone calls. The company launched in 2007. The first iteration was a humble USB device that allowed you to make internet-based phone calls (hence, the name).
The product line evolved to Ethernet port devices that used cable and DSL networks to turn phone jacks into digital phone lines.
Today, magicJack is a software-based VoIP calling solution. Users can make calls with the magicJack app on their cell phones. It offers unlimited calling within the US and Canada and relatively low-cost international rates.
magicJack users can keep their existing phone numbers. They can also call other users for free regardless of their geographic location.
Why might you need a magicJack alternative?
magicJack is an affordable VoIP service that’s focused on general consumers. Solopreneurs and small businesses might be able to get away with using the service. Many organizations, though, could find the app’s capabilities underwhelming and inadequate.
So, let’s examine some of the reasons why you may wish to consider a magicJack alternative:
magicJack is a basic phone service
A Statista survey found that nearly half of consumers use email to reach small businesses. Nearly one third of respondents communicate with brands on their websites and through text messages. These numbers could very well be higher for larger companies.
Sure, magicJack is fine for basic phone calls, but you won’t be able to use it for any other form of communication like sending SMS business texts or live chat messages.
An AI-powered unified communications platform like RingCentral RingEX, meanwhile, has all your channels covered. Plus, it comes with hundreds of native app integrations. So, you can connect popular apps like Salesforce to your business communications.
magicJack isn’t scalable
The magicJack app is relatively affordable, if not basic. Each license is assigned to one home phone or business phone number. If you need to add another line, you’ll need to add another subscription. Scaling from a startup to an SMB can get quite tricky, as you’ll have to add another phone number every time you hire a new team member.
Most businesses prefer to use internal extensions, shared numbers, and call forwarding. These features enable you to let several agents handle calls from the same set of business numbers.
Internal calls with a business VoIP solution also work like a traditional private branch exchange (PBX). It’s like a switchboard for internal calls that doesn’t tie up your external phone lines.
Using magicJack means you’ll be constantly adding phone lines to scale with growth and ensure your team isn’t tying up lines that customers use.
Also, remember that you can only make calls while connected to high-speed internet. You won’t be able to make and receive calls over mobile phone networks like you would with business VoIP solutions.
The magicJack app does come with some expected features—voicemail, call waiting, call transference, and caller ID. Features like an auto attendant to route callers, though, will cost you extra ($10 per month).
Lastly, if you have offices or team members operating outside of the US and Canada—you’re out of luck! You won’t be able to port international phone numbers or have a local number presence. Kiss your number equity goodbye unless you only operate in magicJack’s territory.
magicJack only offers annual plans
The only magicJack plan on offer is relatively affordable. It’s $43 for a one-year plan or $109 for a three-year plan. However, this means you’re locked in for a minimum of a year. You’ll also need to pay monthly fees for added capabilities.
Speaking of having to ride out one or three years, if magicJack doesn’t have the features or functionality you’re going to need down the road, like an AI assistant, you’ll have to find a new provider. Why start using something in the beginning when it’s lacking the capabilities you know you’ll need eventually?
Key features to look for in a magicJack alternative
If you’ve made it this far, you’ve probably concluded, like most people, that magicJack simply won’t do for your business. Your customers expect more. So does your team.
Here are some features to look out for when hunting alternatives to magicJack:
Advanced calling features
You want a business phone platform that comes with advanced calling features that improve the way you manage calls.
Here are a few features to demand from magicJack alternatives:
- Interactive virtual response (IVR): An auto attendant that greets and routes calls based on voice command, getting them to the right department efficiently.
- Advanced call routing: Manage call flows with complex menu trees and automatic call distribution (ACD) with customizable ring rules.
- Call queue management: Route calls based on priority according to set criteria and minimize average wait times.
- AI capabilities: An intelligent virtual assistant that takes call notes, provides voicemail transcription, writes prompts, interacts with callers, and other features.
- Call analytics: Monitor KPIs and gather insights to improve call quality and the customer experience.
- Mobile app: Make and receive calls from your computer or smartphone—either Android or iOS.
Unified communications
You want more than phone calls and basic features. Your team communicates on multiple channels, and so do your customers. A unified communications solution covers all of your needs, from messaging to video calls, video conferencing, and even online fax.
Reach people on multiple channels from anywhere and on your preferred devices. Send SMS texts to clients while working remotely and then start a video conversation with them straight from the same app.
Platforms like RingCentral RingEX come fully equipped to send and receive business faxes. Send these on from your computer or mobile devices. You’ll be able to do whatever work you need to do regardless of where you are.
Flexible plans
Business VoIP and unified communications solutions come in all shapes and sizes with packages to fit every budget. Most service providers offer plans priced per user, per month, so you only pay for what you need. You can also save money by opting for annual plans.
Adding users, feature upgrades, and add-ons is as simple as a few clicks for most platforms. Solutions like RingCentral even offer fully integrated contact centers that can be deployed in minutes to hours.
The top 10 magicJack alternatives for your business
Businesses are flocking to magicJack alternatives with greater capabilities. The global unified communications market was valued at over $136 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 17.4% between 2023 and 2030.
The virtual business phone galaxy is full of SaaS and cloud-based options. We’ve saved you loads of time by putting together a top 10 list of the best magicJack alternatives today.
1. RingCentral RingEX
RingCentral opened in Belmont, CA in 1999 and now operates in 22 offices spread across 14 countries. We lead the way in communication and collaboration, delivering cutting-edge, reliable, and budget-friendly communication solutions for businesses of all sizes.
RingCentral RingEX is an AI-powered unified communications platform that handles all of your collaboration needs. You’ll be able to make business calls like you can with magicJack, but you’ll also be able to do a lot more.
Let’s start with the cloud phone system applications. You can port your numbers and keep your existing number equity. Add telephone numbers for any US state or international region you operate in to have a local number presence.
Other RingCentral RingEX phone features include:
- Call Flip to seamlessly switch devices during a call
- IVR auto attendant with customizable menu trees
- Vanity and toll-free numbers
- Caller ID, call screening, and call blocking
- Shared lines and extensions
- Call delegation
- Visual voicemail with the option to send transcriptions in an email
- Business SMS text messaging with group SMS/MMS and SMS integrations
- Automatic call recording and transcriptions
- Call analytics and reporting dashboard
- Live webinar hosting
- Embedded calling with Microsoft Teams
Communicate face-to-face with callers in HD video and audio with RingCentral Video. During meetings, you can collaborate with live note-taking and digital whiteboarding.
You can split into a breakout room or start team huddles straight from a chat. AI automatically transcribes everything said in a meeting so anyone can catch up with any discussions they’ve missed out on.
What sets RingCentral apart is RingSense AI. Our virtual personal assistant does much more than transcribe video meetings and voicemails.
RingSense AI can also handle and streamline post-call work in a call center. It summarizes additional items and key updates with smart notes. Conversation intelligence analyzes call metrics, such as caller sentiment, engagement, talk time, and risks.
There’s also a generative AI search to help you find what you need right in the middle of a conversation.
Our AI writer suggests quick, efficient replies that polish up your messages in real time. You’ll always come across as clear and succinct when chatting with teammates and customers.
Need to translate messages into Chinese, French, English, Spanish, or German? Let RingSense AI take care of everything for you.
RingCentral also comes with a full analytics suite to monitor and manage call quality.
We also have you covered for data privacy and robust security features, such as Single Sign-On, to centralize authentication and keep your data secure.
Did you know that the average cost of a data breach is $4.88 million? So, you don’t want your customers’ data getting in the wrong hands.
Admins can easily manage user permissions and control access. Every phone call and message you send is protected by end-to-end encryption. You’ll also never have to worry about losing service due to outages. We provide a 99.999% SLA uptime in 46 countries.
What about connecting with the many business tools you already use? RingCentral comes with more than 300 pre-built integrations for popular CRMs and other solutions.
Some integrations you’ll find in our app marketplace include:
- Zendesk
- Salesforce
- HubSpot
- Asana
- Trello
- Zapier
- Zoho CRM
- Microsoft Dynamics 365
- Workato Automation
We almost forgot to mention that we also offer a fully integrated, AI-powered contact center solution in the shape of RingCentral RingCX. Deploy it and connect it with your unified communications to do everything from a central hub.
2. Vonage
Vonage is headquartered in New Jersey and serves over 100,000 businesses worldwide. Its business phone solution lets you keep your business identity across all of your devices.
You can call, text, chat, and host meetings with the mobile or desktop app, and initiate HD video meetings with a few clicks.
Features:
- Call Announce lets team members know who’s calling
- Call management capabilities with call forwarding, queue management, and call park
- Call Flip and Follow Me allow users to ring different devices in a set order
- International and toll-free phone numbers
- Receptionist console (US and UK only)
- Virtual voicemail
- Virtual receptionist to answer and route calls
3. Dialpad
Dialpad is a business collaboration platform. It does video meetings, team messaging, phone calls, and SMS texting. It gives your team a single app for their communication needs with team members and customers.
The basic package comes with unlimited calling and real-time analytics and reporting.
Features:
- Call management with smart routing, call transfer, and an auto attendant to handle incoming callers
- Local number porting allows you to keep your number equity where you operate
- Integrations for Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, and popular CRMs,
- Dialpad AI uses speech recognition to transcribe calls in real time, provide live coaching, make predictions, and generate content based on learned patterns
4. Nextiva
Nextiva offers a professional phone system for small businesses. It provides core capabilities to manage call volumes with limited resources. The Core package has all the basics for phone calls and other messaging types.
Features:
- Auto attendant to route incoming customer support and sales calls to the right team members
- Voicemail with transcriptions and the ability to reply to callers with SMS text messages
- Mobile and desktop apps
- Ability to integrate with Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics, Oracle Sales Cloud, and others
- Live website chat to help struggling site visitors or nudge prospects. You can also use AI chatbots to personalize shopping experiences.
5. Ooma
Ooma provides VoIP services for business and residential customers. It comes with many capabilities that are expected from magicJack alternatives. Along with basic calling, text messaging, and video, the platform comes with 50+ “essential” features.
Features:
- Incoming call management with ring groups for sales and customer service
- Multi-Device Ring reaches your office phone, mobile app, and external devices simultaneously
- A virtual receptionist with customizable menus to route and message callers, offering limited automated customer service when out of normal business hours
- Unlimited calling in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico (Ooma Office users)
6. JustCall
JustCall is a cloud-based phone system for businesses that includes some AI capabilities. You can text and email with JustCall’s core business phone system. JustCall enables you to make and receive phone calls in over 70 countries.
Features:
- Access to international and custom business phone numbers
- Number porting that allows you to keep your existing lines
- AI that transcribes conversations and takes notes during calls
- An agent-assist feature that monitors interactions and steps in with suggestions to smooth things over
- Customizable multi-level IVR lets you design complex call routing and deflect lower-level calls with self-service options
- App integrations for Agile CRM, Dropbox, Freshdesk, and other tools
7. Grasshopper
Grasshopper offers virtual phone solutions for consumers and small businesses. The basic Grasshopper packages are suited to those who want VoIP calling features at affordable prices.
Keep in mind that Grasshopper doesn’t offer any video capabilities. You’ll need a platform like RingCentral if you need AI-powered video meetings with transcripts, summaries, recordings, and other video features.
Features:
- Ability to make and receive calls on your work phone number from your personal devices
- Business SMS texts allow you to send customers appointment reminders and confirmations
- Instant response lets you automatically respond to callers to let clients know you’re busy
- Virtual faxes can be sent and viewed. There’s also the ability to have fax PDFs sent to your email address.
- Basic reporting on call usage and activity
8. Google Voice
Google Voice is a virtual business phone system from the tech giants of the same name.
Features:
- Affordable international calling rates for numbers outside of your region
- Unlimited business SMS texts for US phone numbers
- Ring groups allow the best available agent or representative to take customer calls
- Advanced reporting and analytics with BigQuery (Premier plan only)
- Native Google Calendar and Google Meet integrations so you can use all tools from the same app
9. OpenPhone
OpenPhone is a small business VoIP phone system that features a softphone app for desktops and cell phones.
All OpenPhone plans come with unlimited calling and text messaging in the US and Canada. However, like other basic systems on this list, there are no capabilities for video meetings or video conferencing.
Features:
- Multiple numbers for one device for a local presence in different regions
- The ability to set up North American toll-free numbers for receiving calls
- Auto attendant with customizable menus for when out of hours or when teammates are away on vacation
- Business SMS/MMS with automated messages that can be scheduled ahead of time as part of drip campaigns or texting workflows
- Call forwarding to external numbers for when you don’t have access to the local network
10. CallHippo
CallHippo is a virtual phone system for businesses that handle outbound and inbound calls. The platform’s Global Connect feature helps your sales reps know the best time to call customers in their time zone.
Features:
- A power dialer automatically dials from an uploaded number list, improving efficiency for outreach and prospecting
- Call queue management tool that helps you handle peak call volumes more efficiently and allows you to maintain your average wait times and keep customers informed of any delays
- Smart call forwarding based on set criteria, such as the time of day
- Conference calls can be started and joined with a few clicks
Choose the best alternative to magicJack
Modern businesses like yours are ready to ditch the old for the new. There are plenty of options available on the VoIP telephony market. Some might be cheaper than others, but budget shouldn’t be the only deciding factor.
You want a magicJack alternative that does more. Growing companies need a solution that’s flexible and ready to scale with growth.
Today, customers expect a consistent experience across multiple channels. They don’t always want to reach you on the phone. A unified communications solution enables your team to handle all communication from one space.
We’re also firmly in the age of AI. Why would you sign up for a business phone system that doesn’t have intelligent features that save you time and help you work smarter?
What about all the apps you already use? You want a solution that plays nice with your existing tools through native integrations and customizable APIs.
Let’s double-check that list. What platform has advanced features, unified communications, AI capabilities, and tons of integration?
RingCentral RingEX checks all the boxes and offers flexible pricing plans to fit any budget for businesses of all sizes.
Get in touch with RingCentral today to find out how our platform can improve your business communications.
magicJack alternative FAQs
How does magicJack work?
The original version of magicJack plugged into a USB slot, turning a computer into a telephone. It then used the computer’s internet connection to make and receive calls. But this meant that users had to keep their computer on at all times if they wanted to make and receive calls at any time.
In 2011, magicJack introduced magicJack Plus, which eliminated the need for users to have their computer switched on 24/7 as it had an Ethernet connection that allowed people to plug it straight into their router or cable modem.
magicJack has further evolved over time, making the necessary devices smaller and smaller and ultimately introducing a software-based system, but the premise still remains the same.
magicJack calls are conducted by Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), which enables users to make phone calls over the web. Like other VoIP tools, a virtual phone call with magicJack will seem no different than a traditional phone call.
Can I transfer my number from magicJack to another provider?
You can transfer your magicJack number to another provider. Any number porting is normally handled by your new provider. You’ll need your magicJack account number before beginning the process. You can find the number on the my.magicjack.com portal.
Contact your new VoIP provider’s support team to initiate the number transfer process. RingCentral can port any toll-free numbers you have as long as this doesn’t violate your current provider agreements. Project ports enable you to transfer over 100 numbers from the same carrier to our platform.
Originally published Sep 01, 2024, updated Nov 21, 2024
