The best VoIP services for home use in 2026

Home VoIP gets less coverage than business VoIP, but for households still paying $25-50/month for a landline (or just wanting a second number that is not tied to a cellphone), the options are genuinely good. The category is small and the choices are clear.

Ooma Telo: free after hardware

Ooma Telo is a home VoIP device that costs $99 upfront and then $0/month for basic service - just monthly FCC and 911 fees (around $5/month depending on your state). For users replacing a $30/month landline, payback is about three months.

What you get: unlimited US calls, voicemail, caller ID, and basic call management. Call quality in our testing on a stable home connection matched landline quality. The device plugs into your router and your existing landline phone. Setup takes about 15 minutes.

What you give up: no advanced features (call recording, mobile app, virtual receptionist) unless you pay $14.99/month for Ooma Premier. For most households who just want a home phone, the free tier is enough.

MagicJack: cheapest annually

MagicJack costs $35/year for the service plus around $40-50 for the device. Total first-year cost: roughly $75-85, then $35/year after. For light users who make occasional home calls, this is the lowest ongoing cost available.

Call quality has historically been the most criticized aspect. In our testing on a strong internet connection, quality was acceptable for most calls but noticeably worse than Ooma during longer conversations. International calling rates are competitive.

Google Voice: free for personal use

Google Voice (the consumer free version, not the business product) gives you a US phone number, free US calling, voicemail with transcription, and call forwarding - all at no cost. The catch: it works only through the Google Voice app or web interface, not with a physical phone handset.

For users who want a second number for personal use (selling on Facebook Marketplace, separating work and personal, dating apps), Google Voice is the simplest and cheapest path.

When a home VoIP makes sense vs. dropping the landline entirely

Many households still keep a landline for: 911 calls, no-cellphone elderly relatives at home, alarm system connectivity, or simply habit. VoIP handles the first two well. For alarm systems, check with your alarm provider before switching - some require traditional copper landlines.

For households where everyone uses cellphones for primary communication and the landline rings only with telemarketers, simply canceling the landline is often the right answer. Verify your important contacts have your cell number first.

Setting up home VoIP

Most home VoIP services use the same internet connection you already have. The device plugs into your router via Ethernet. Some, like Ooma, also support wireless setup.

You can port your existing home phone number to most services. Number porting takes 2-4 weeks and may have a one-time fee ($25-40). During porting, both services run in parallel so you do not lose calls.

911 service works on most home VoIP, but you must register your physical address with the service - the system does not detect your location automatically the way a wireless cellphone does. Confirm 911 is registered correctly before you need it.