Today I’m going to show off a product that I’ll describe as “sounds too good to be true”. In the world of gadgets, many products do indeed turn out to be just that. But not MagicJack.

MagicJack is a small (matchbox size) USB adapter with a nifty clear cover (lets you see the “magic chip” inside). There are two things that make MagicJack special in my opinion:
It only costs $39.95 for the device and one year of unlimited domestic US phone calls, and the device has a real phone jack built right in.

The best part of the device itself, is that it has the VOIP adapter AND software inside the device. You don’t need a CD and you don’t need to download drivers before you can use it. Just plug it in, and let it install. One feature that really makes this product suitable for business travelers is that no software is actually installed onto your PC; this means that it’s perfectly safe to run on your work laptop which is often locked down or audited for user installed programs.

The setup was finished in around 2 minutes, I selected a (local) number and was immediately able to make a call. During the installation I was able to enter my home address for 911. If you plan to use the device on the road, don’t enter an address, or 911 calls made from your hotel room will send the fire department to your house. Thankfully Magicjack anticipated that you won’t always be using it at home, so you can enter more than one 911 address, and can simply select the right one for the location you are at.
You can make a call using a connected landline phone, or a headset hooked up to your PC. If you have a compatible Bluetooth headphone (one that shows up as a headset on your PC) then you can even use that. In my case, my first test call was with my Plantronics Voyager 855 headset. Calls are incredibly clear, certainly better than what I’m used to through Skype, and on par with my Vonage line. The next test calls were made through my home cordless phones and once again, quality was just fine.
I then decided to have a little fun and plugged the MagicJack into my notebook, and connected to my wireless broadband service (Sprint). Amazingly it worked just fine, though there was a slight delay in the call it wasn’t that bad (MagicJack > laptop > Sprint Phone > EVDO). Technology is a sweet thing.
The best part about VOIP is that it will work pretty much anywhere you have access to the Internet. So, like most other VOIP services you can bring your Magicjack along with you wherever your trips take you. To use a VOIP service abroad you’ll need a speedy connection and an ISP that doesn’t block the services. Some ISP’s that are owned by the phone company don’t like the idea of you making cheap phone calls, so they make block VOIP in their county. Because your voice “packets” are broken into little chunks on their way to the US you may not get the same quality of phone call as back home.
Extra features
MagicJack comes with a full assortment of features; voicemail, Directory assistance (FREE!), CallerID, International calling, a do not disturb function, call waiting and call forwarding. Features are configured through the MagicJack website.
Voicemail works as it should – incoming calls are diverted to voicemail when you are unavailable or when you reject it though the application. Voicemail messages are displayed in the MagicJack application, on your taskbar and arrive as an email message with .wav attachment. The .wav file is a very common format which means you should be able to retrieve and listen to the message through your PDA or mobile phone which is great if you receive it when abroad.
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MagicJack even has an Outlook plug-in, which makes calling your contacts extremely easy; you simply select a contact within Outlook, pick business, mobile or home and click dial.

When you purchase a MagicJack, it comes prepaid for domestic calling within the United States. International calls are not included and have to be paid for separately (using a major credit card you add $5 or $10 to your account). The international rates are extremely competitive, certainly cheaper than most landline and VOIP providers. For many countries it’s even cheaper than Skype! A full list of countries and the calling rates can be found here.
CallerID on the MagicJack device is great; you get full call logs through the program AND callerID on any phone hooked up to the phone port (if it supports CallerID of course). Only the caller number is shown.
There are some similar products out there, I’ve picked 2 that are well known; Skype and the Vonage Vphone.
| Vonage | Skype | MagicJack | |
| Own Incoming number? | Yes | Yes(1) | Yes |
| Voicemail included? | Yes | No(2) | Yes |
| Caller ID? | Softphone(6) | Softphone(6) | Yes |
| Price per year(3) | $219.87 | $46 | $39.95 |
| International call USA > UK | $0.04(4) | $0.021 | $0.02 |
| Landline hookup?(7) | Yes | No | Yes |
| Minutes included | 500 | Unlimited domestic US (5) | Unlimited domestic US |
When you purchase the MagicJack you can pick a one year ($39.95), or 2 year ($59.90) plan. After that prepaid period, you can renew the subscription for just $19.95 a year.

Normally when I review something I try and find some pros and some cons; but in the case of MagicJack I really only can find pros; there is simply nothing to complain about. It works exactly as advertised, the call quality is great, the hardware is well designed and all the included services functioned every time I used them. But what impressed me most is the price; $39.95 makes this product even cheaper than Skype (when configured with similar services), and that is just in the first year; after the initial year you only pay $19.95 for a full year of service, which brings it under half what Skype charge for their Pro and SkypeIn service (which is what you need for unlimited US calls and an incoming number).
MagicJack offer a full 30 day trial, and don’t charge anything up front till the trial is over. If you are on the road a lot (or just want a second line for back home) I highly recommend heading over to their site and ordering a MagicJack.
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33 Responses
Nitin Rao
March 13th, 2008 at 3:29 am
1This sounds like a amazing little must have for anyone who travels extensively
mike
April 13th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
2Hello all
I have been using magicjack for a few weeks already, here are my thoughs,
magicjack works fines if you have a fast internet connection, those 3 package deal from your IPS for 100.00 will give your magicjack usb decide a hard time when it comes to audio quality and calls connection . .
installing magicjack on a sp1 vista machine will not work, you need to have a vista version without any SP, once you install magicjack, then you could upgrade to vista s1.
If you need futher hel or tip, feel free to visit my unofficial magicjack forum at http://www.magicjacksupport.tk
John
May 20th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
3magic jack seems to work as advertised, HOWEVER, I have spoke to 20 different people using it. 16 of the 20 had a very hard time hearing me. I went back to the magicjack website for online help. there’s a big smiley face you click to get help. supposedly……
it brings you to an automatic update, that didn’t fix the problem, neither did any of the websites suggestions on the subject.
I still cannot get their so called live tech help. and a contact phone number for them is a joke because it doesn’t exist….
Dominic
May 20th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
4Magicjack is clear and simple, a great gadget to have. But the single reason why I am sending it back is because I can’t use a regular international phone card that you buy at the corner store. Magicjack want’s to corner you into using their international service which cost twice as much. My parents are always calling international and it took me one year to teach them how to use the phone cards, so to try to teach them voip would be imposssible. Breaks my heart to send it back but can’t afford to spent 20 cents a minute to call back home.
BUYER BEWARE!!
May 31st, 2008 at 2:46 pm
5THIS MAY BE A REALLY GREAT PRODUCT BUT THERE ARE A FEW THINGS YOU SHOULD BE AWARE OF. WHEN I ORDERED THIS GREAT PRODUCT FROM AN INFOMERCIAL, THEY ADVERTISED 19.99 PER YEAR AND FREE 30 DAY TRIAL AND NEVER QUOTED SHIPPING CHARGES. I ORDERED 2, BY PHONE MAY 16TH. I RETURNED BOTH MAY 27TH DURING MY FREE 30 DAY TRIAL AND RECEIVED MY CREDIT CARD STATEMENT TODAY MAY 31ST, WITH CHARGES DATED MAY 20TH FOR 133.70. ALSO THE NUMBER FOR MAGICJACK 561-594-2140 ON THE CREDIT CARD STATEMENT IS A RECORDING AND ADVISES YOU TO GO TO THEIR WEB SITE SO YOU CAN CHAT WITH BILLING. THEY GIVE ANOTHER TELEPHONE NUMBER TO CALL THAT DOES’NT WORK 281-404-1551. SO BUYER BEWARE UNLESS YOU DONT HAVE THIS BILLING RETURN ISSUE GOOD LUCK. ALSO WHEN I CHATED WITH KENNY I ASKED FOR A MANAGER ESCALATION SO I COULD GET AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY MY CARD WAS CHARGED SO SOON AND THE MANAGER WOULD NOT DIRECTLY ANSWER MY QUESTIONS, AND NOW I AM DISPUTING THE CHARGES WITH MY CREDIT CARD COMPANY.
Pravin L. Kadakia
June 27th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
6How can I use in India????
Jag
July 14th, 2008 at 11:50 pm
7I have MagicJack and want to configure with Sennheiser PC165 Headset, which has USB connector.
When i am connecting to the desktop USB, its not working, even though i am can here song & also allowing me to record.
Can anybody help me.
hymlog
July 28th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
8Magicjack works fine.. if you have XP up to date. IF you have IE up to date.
If you are useing DSL High speed.
Seems the First thing said about Magicjack …IS IT DON’T Work!
Try keeping your PC updated.. Magicjack works fine..!!
bugmanjay
July 31st, 2008 at 4:17 pm
9I travel internationally and have used MJ for just over a year. I have stayed in two hotels where MJ would not work on their internet connection. I doubt it was intentional but there seemed to be a block on USB plugins. Skype worked throught the computer in both locations. At one location I spent about an hour on Chat with MJ and they could not help and kept trying reinstall, etc., and that had nothing to do with it. It worked fine at the next stop. On the plus side I have gotten by with MJ on dial-up or very slow DSL in several locations.
dr. kang
August 8th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
10Magic RipOff: I’ve never had a single call go through. I thought it might be my broadband connection, but everywhere I have tried it it is the same. I have never had a clear call where I can hear/talk: it is always choppy. Their MagicFix is not magical and the live support loops back into a FAQ so there is NO SUPPORT. DO NOT BUY THIS DEVICE!
Matt
August 14th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
11I only get choppy calls when I am downloading something else at the same time….
DeAngelo
August 18th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
12This for matt!.. its not a rip off whatever I myself own a magic jack and it works great no complaints! calm your nerves you probobly need a new computer or its the area where u live
DeAngelo
August 18th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
13my mistake matt msg is for dr kang
Consdoria Renee Cook
August 25th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
14I canceled this program and my account is now overdrawn. i would like a refund for the 46.70 that your company took from my account and the 27.00 fee i am being charged. I would like this done immediately. I have tried to call you and the line is always busy or i get a recording. I need to talk to a live person. my phone number 443-225-9476.
Consdoria is an idiot
August 27th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
15So dumb, she doesn’t even realize this isn’t the MJ website – gawd, it must be hell dealing with the average moronic customer…
Mike McClain
September 14th, 2008 at 6:15 am
16If you’re DoD or Military stationed APO AE, AA, AP, then I’ve got to tell you, GET MAGICJACK! For less than a 3 hour phone card to call the states, you can put this in your computer and within a few minutes be calling your family or business folks in the states for nothing! If you get a phone number in your immediate family’s area code, they can call you for nothing!
Is is perfect…no, it’s VOIP…but 95% of my calls are as clear as landlines. I don’t care if there’s a minor delay…it works well and the price is right.
If you’re overseas…this is a sweetie!
BUBBA121212
January 2nd, 2009 at 12:59 pm
17It’s nice to see some common sense users of this product for a change. The only issue with this device is IGNORANCE. After reading hundreds of I love it and I hate it posts, I’ve come to a few conclusions.
1: Never buy ANY free 30day trial on ANYTHING!!! Get MJ from QVC, Circuit City etc… Then you have a hassle free return. ALL 30 DAY FREE TRIAL AND GIVE US YOU’RE CREDIT CARD NUMBER Company’s will set on your money and give you the runaround, duh. Your and every other sucker’s money is letting them make interest off it. They ALL will bite you in the azz with the fine print. DON’T DO IT!
2: For the people that think that thing that comes out after you press the button on the front of the computer is an automated cup holder, you’re too stupid to use this product. Hell, they probably have trouble operating a light switch and flushing the toilet. If you are a 1 on the (1 – 10) Tech Savvy Scale, save us the drudge of reading your negative post and don’t even think about getting this product. It’s way, way, way over your head. Go play with the light switch or something. MJ is a startup company running on a shoestring. It’s $40 dollars! It’s $40 dollars! It’s $40 dollars! It’s $40 dollars! It’s $40 dollars! What do you expect them to do, send a tech to your house? Come on people get real. If you can’t make it work then return it to Circuit City or QVC etc… Oh, you did the 30day free trial thing? DUH… you deserve the hassle. Just don’t bore us with your post.
3: Paranoid people get up in the morning; check the weather etc… on Internet. Hello! Your ISP tracked what you did and the Weather web cookie and all the other cookies did they’re thing. Picked up your Cell phone and made a call, Hello! Your phone service tracked and logged your call, they also knew you were home because of the built in tracking system. Got in your car and stopped at intersection, got your picture taken by traffic cam. Somebody knows where you were at the time of day. Stopped to get gas, restaurant, shopping swiped your credit card, God only knows how many people got this information on what you bought. Went to work and your employer tracked every keystroke, oh and don’t forget to smile for the candid camera. I looked your name up in the White pages and Goggled Earth your address, WOW! You got a really nice house dude. Maybe I’ll pay you a visit and spy on you. You think MJ gives a rip about the above information? They just want to know local information so they can push you the latest add special from the local pizza place. Unless you live in a cave, get a life because this is your life, you’re just too stupid to recognize it and all the bitching in the world is not going to change it. Install this on an old Pc, stick in the closet, plug in a wireless phone and forget about it. Now it’s out of site and out of mind. Just like all the above listed things you ignore every day.
4: This DOSE NOT and SHOULD NOT replace you’re your phone system. Analyze what it can and cannot do for you. If it makes business sense then get it. If not, DON’T slam this product because it doesn’t meet your needs. This device saves me and millions of people like me lots of money.
5: Read 1 – 4.
Linda
January 5th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
18I got this in the mail today it did not install real easy but that was my fault i think its pretty neat and worth $40 bucks i spend that eating out twice.I got it for the kids to use to save on my cell bill.They love it so far I would tell all my friends about it if it would save them money.It is a little choppy but my net is crappy so thats something I can deal with I give it 4 stars and hope they continue to improve…willisville,Illinois
henry
February 6th, 2009 at 11:34 pm
19MAGICJACK IS SCAM AND FRAUD!!!
—————————
I was incorrectly impressed by the device until I stumbled upon the fine prints.
One fine day, the company disabled my connection (after 3 months of service). They have the worst customer service I have seen. I chatted on their website with multiple reps, and finally they told me the only way to get help is to call a particular phone number. And as expected, there is no one there to pick up. About a weeks of trying, I got hold of someone and he bluntly told me that I have excessively used it. I asked what it is supposed to be unlimited talk. He DENIED and referred me to clause 6 of TOS. I asked how do you define “execessive”, he did not answer. I have used couple hours a day for 3 months and they think it is EXCESSIVE. They are not ready to enable my connection, but now asking me to pay 1cent/min (!!!). This is insane and a BIG TRAP!
Here is the clause:
————–
6. Proper Use
…
If magicJack sees excessive use or systematic or intentional misuse, it reserves the right, in our sole discretion, to terminate your use of the magicJackTM device and/or Software immediately, and you will not be entitled to get a refund of any licensing fee or any other fee you may have paid to us.
————
STAY AWAY from this TRAP!!! They seem like BIG SCAM to me!
They advertise it as unlimited plan, but TOS has mention about excessive use. This are mutually exclusive terms and they are cheating on people.
Do you agree with me? Can I sue them? Who can help me here?
MAGICJACK INDIA DISTRIBUTOR
March 8th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
20MagicJack available in INDIA – FREE US/Canada calls – INR3499 (colaba)
Original Magic Jack imported from Canada. DO NOT buy fakes that will corrupt your computer and will not get you a USA number!! HURRY LIMITED SUPPLIES!! All our customers will get the dealer password which allows you to register directly with magicjack USA and assign you your very own unique local USA number. tel 9930801428 (serious enq. ONLY PLEASE!!!). Rs 3499 per unit.
LeeBLee
March 30th, 2009 at 11:23 pm
21Hi folks
I have had this product now for a few weeks. I have read the problems people have been reporting and being a IT consultant and having used this prduct I am of the conclusion lots of the reports made about choppy service or no connection is probably low spec machine or unsuitable internet speed. I have been running for 2 weeks and found it works great. This is a $40 product and amazing value for what your getting. I have notice some issues with inbound phone calls and lack of connectivity and I can only assume this is a capacity issue at the telephone switch. Hopefully in time these issues will be resolved with increased capacity. I think this is a great product. Go get one it will pay for itsefl
Leslie
March 31st, 2009 at 6:46 pm
22scottc:
Using your Sprint broadband wireless, did you incur any charges for “voice connection”? I know our bill always says there is a charge of X cents per minute if used for voice purposes. Let me know.
kapasi
May 10th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
23MagicJack available in INDIA – FREE USA/Canada calls – INR3500
Original Magic Jack imported from USA. DO NOT buy fakes that will corrupt your computer and will not get you a USA number!! HURRY LIMITED SUPPLIES!!
All our customers will get the dealer password which allows you to register directly with magicjack USA and assign you your very own unique local USA number. tel 9833760690 (serious enq. ONLY PLEASE!!!). Rs 3500 per unit. THIS PRICE IS INCLUSIVE OF FREE SHIPPING ANYWHERE IN INDIA
Usman
June 1st, 2009 at 4:55 am
24this device in not working with EVDO of 1Mbps package what should i do?
Nik
June 2nd, 2009 at 7:28 am
25Just bought the magicmojita at http://www.magicmojita.com and wanted to know if anyone has tried it as a callerid fix as they claim.. Any reviews?
raj
June 15th, 2009 at 6:32 am
26Bot it from ths guy mohammad in Hyderabad and its RUBBISH ! Cheap imitation and he is crook!!
J.R.
August 30th, 2009 at 11:31 am
27Hi………do you have bad quality VOICE when making a phone call? first try picking up the phone (turn ON / start a call) THEN end that call…… then make the CALL AGAIN. Sometimes your Computer or Magicjack goes to a “sleep” like condition, then you will have bad voice quality. This process works for me, even having a 768 mbps internet connection and a Pentium 3 with 256 MB of ram laptop (and that`s and old laptop)……..
And for $20 a year you can use it anywhere in the world to call to USA & Canada…………………..caller ID, Voice message, 911, etc, etc……………that`s 2 weeks of service for a regular land line……… only bad point : FAX use.. some people says it works for them (i havent tried it).
iLya
September 15th, 2009 at 1:29 am
28http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2340417,00.asp
Jignesh
September 24th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
29Hello – Please HELP – I had it mailed to me from USA and the India customs at Post office are not releasing it!!! They are asking for this letter and that letter just to collect bribe I feel!!! PLEASE HELP ME
karen
September 26th, 2009 at 10:14 pm
30I bought my magicjack a few months ago when taking a trip to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. I have had 2 issues with it. First, I cannot get it to run on my laptop, which is about 6 months old, running Vista SP2, with 3 Gig of Ram. 2nd, I was using the hotel’s wireless internet service, which was very slow. Most of my calls were so choppy, I had to hang up. a few nights I was able to get thru with better service. I am going back for 3 months in the winter, staying at a condo. I will get my own internet service & hopefully have better luck. I ended up installing it on my husband’s laptop, which is also running vista with SP2. I have tried many things with my laptop including taking it over to my friends at the geek squad. no one was able to figure it out. It just keeps saying it’s updating. If you can get it to load, & you have a decent internet connection, it’s really not a bad deal for the $$$
James
October 15th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
31I’ve been using it since July, never had a single issue out of it (except charter’s internet being slow as hell when it rains)
tuono
October 28th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
32I’VE USING ALMOST TWO WEEKS, WORKING GOOD,ONE THINKS WRONG, NO TELEPHONE FOR RECH IF YOU NEED SOME INFORMATION LIKE SERVCE OVER SEA.
Shirley
July 7th, 2010 at 9:25 am
33Hasn’t anyone noticed that the positive reviews come directly after a negative ones? MagicJack representatives write the positive reviews…no one else.
I’ve never seen a MagicJack device, considered buying one or have even heard of one until they miraculously got a hold of my Debit Card account number and have charged me $70…for nothing. Scam, scam, scam.
(And watch, following this *should be* a positive review…)
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