vB Easy Archive - Skype vs MagicJack

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Skype vs MagicJack
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Posted by: Dave32

I have both services (30 day trial with MagicJack).

I wanted to get opinions of others who have tried both Skype and MagicJack.

I think the MagicJack has a little clearer voice quality, I have not tweaked MagicJack (not sure if you can make adjustments on router to improve quality)

Two advantages of MagicJack:

Cost, after 1st year $ 20 per year, Skype is $60/year for Skype in and Skype Out

MagicJack is not considered Peer to Peer traffic, I am in Canada and Peer to Peer traffic is throttled by ISP's.

It would be helpful to receive some other feedback on others experience with Skype and MagicJack

Posted by: lmcjipo

I have used both MagicJack and Skype.

I've had issues with both. For me, I find MagicJack to be better even though when I first got it, there were problems calling Rogers/Fido cellphones (you can do a search and find people mentioning this problem).

When I first got my MagicJack, I immediately cancelled my "unlimited Canada/US" Skype plan but kept using Skype for pay per use and/or Skype to Skype calling.

I now rarely use MagicJack because I have other options for calling the US/Canada.

I've also heard of spyware being installed by MagicJack software. I'm not sure if this is true or not.

I find the quality of both to be acceptable with MagicJack having a slight edge just because I'm using an actual phone as opposed to the cheap computer headset that I use for Skype.

Posted by: CA

Skype now has a HD codec, so if you get a cheep HD headset it sounds great.

Posted by: BigCC

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave32

I have both services (30 day trial with MagicJack).

MagicJack is not considered Peer to Peer traffic, I am in Canada and Peer to Peer traffic is throttled by ISP's.

If you are in Canada, Combine TELUS $7 "one number unlimited" with " Magic Number " will be the ultimate solution for you home phoe + cellphone + long distance service.

Posted by: ozlo13

I only have experience with Skype, and it's generally hit or miss. The audio quality is usually fine when I'm not sucking down too much bandwidth from bittorrent. My calls occasionally disconnect for no apparent reason, however, which is the main problem I have with it.

Posted by: Tofs

I've used both before. I give Skype slight advantage over MagicJack in call quality but MJ is cheaper for those heavy users.

I gave up on MJ as you always need a computer to use it and because I'm also using OneSuite VoIP service and find it more convenient. I just use Skype as a back up now and for those free Skype to Skype calls and Toll Free calls.

Posted by: pcphonesoft

PCPhoneSoft announced the release of its new Skype dual mode calling software plugin "SkyjackPlugin" for magicJack users.

To place Skype calls just dial * before the number you want to call. Speed dial numbers are available for dialing other Skype users. Regular magicJack calls are placed as normal. For incoming calls, just answer the phone when it rings.

Users of the magicJack can now enjoy the added benefits of Skype including video calling, conference calling and free Skype to Skype user calls worldwide.

Users of the magicJack can check it out and try it free at http://www.pcphonesoft.com

Posted by: lepooner38

I have used both Skype and Majicjack and have since discontinued the SKYPE service. I am very happy with Majicjack, but the software is like an octopus. It has tentacles throughout the operating system and does not remove everything on an UNINSTALL. For that reason, I loaded on an old PIII machine and it works fine (not my everyday machine).

Posted by: 5STar

I have both and I find MJ to be utterly useless.

MJ is fine with inbound sound quality but the outgoing voice is real crap. I find as well, the traffic with MJ is lighter in the early mornings and the later on the day the call quality deteriorates significantly.

I went to a mj unofficial forum and have tweaked and tweaked my computer, router and mj but the call quality is still crap. You have to turn off ure av, be plugged in directly to ure modem and have no other applications running for this to work?? Too much work for such crappy quality.

What i had to do was force my comp to use different proxy servers in the usa. what a pain that is!

FWIW, skype is the better alternative, although i still have issues with call quality, its bearable unlike MJ. As well, MJ's cs is utterly useless, if u have the patience to literally waste hours of ure time to reboot, fix some cosmetic issues then "im" them. There is no phone support.

I have done everything I could think of as well as other people's input and found I wasted my money with MJ.

For those who got MJ "working" let me know what ure setup is, I would love to know.

Posted by: CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5STar

I have both and I find MJ to be utterly useless.

MJ is fine with inbound sound quality but the outgoing voice is real crap. I find as well, the traffic with MJ is lighter in the early mornings and the later on the day the call quality deteriorates significantly.

I went to a mj unofficial forum and have tweaked and tweaked my computer, router and mj but the call quality is still crap. You have to turn off ure av, be plugged in directly to ure modem and have no other applications running for this to work?? Too much work for such crappy quality.

What i had to do was force my comp to use different proxy servers in the usa. what a pain that is!

FWIW, skype is the better alternative, although i still have issues with call quality, its bearable unlike MJ. As well, MJ's cs is utterly useless, if u have the patience to literally waste hours of ure time to reboot, fix some cosmetic issues then "im" them. There is no phone support.

I have done everything I could think of as well as other people's input and found I wasted my money with MJ.

For those who got MJ "working" let me know what ure setup is, I would love to know.

Can you post a speed test?

Posted by: Latina239

I have had both ...and to be honest MJ never really worked for me....the calls that i was able to make were very short and sounded horrible as for skype? i no longer have it but i did have it set up on one of those linksys skype cordless phones and it worked great...used it for about 2 years with very little issues

Posted by: fantastic fck

Have both but I cancelled Skype waste of money.
in the beginning, I swear I must have called and swear at the MJ people every day. the service sucked, the call quality was bad, but then they teamed up with sprint and now its really good.
It does not cut me off in the middle of a call any more, and I guess they fixed all their bugs and crash issues.
I got it when it came out first and thats the worst time to buy any item because you go through the growing pains, but I do not know what I would do without my MJ.
The worst part about this is you cannot send faxes.
I cannot wait until they give us unlimited international calling.
which I feel they will take off with first like they have done with this service.
Mj is ok!!! no I cannot complain no more, I have 2 jacks using only one but I must say its a blessing, I call all over canada and the US. For 20 dollars for the year!!!!
If you have too get a MJ now is the time!

Posted by: mharris127

I looked into MagicJack, but they didn't have any 231 area code phone numbers -- a deal breaker!

Posted by: Dave32

I recently cancelled the Skype service, I have Google Voice and will use it as primary LD.

I am in Canada, has anyone used MagicJack with a VPN, I wonder if this would improve service?

Dave

Posted by: lepooner38

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5STar

What i had to do was force my comp to use different proxy servers in the usa. what a pain that is!

The use of proxy servers could be the reason for your poor service. It depends on the delays those servers were causing the connection. Latency is a BIG problem with free servers

Posted by: 5STar

Quote:

Originally Posted by CA

Can you post a speed test?

sure:

lepooner38: yes it definitely is the proxy servers

Posted by: CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5STar

sure:

lepooner38: yes it definitely is the proxy servers

I knew there was more to the story, Skype's QoS is great on cable especially using the new HD codec and a HD headset. Landline QoS can't touch it!

Posted by: 5STar

Quote:

Originally Posted by CA

I knew there was more to the story, Skype's QoS is great on cable especially using the new HD codec and a HD headset. Landline QoS can't touch it!

I dont understand? what has this got to do with mj and poor connections?

Posted by: CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5STar

I dont understand? what has this got to do with mj and poor connections?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave32

I have both services (30 day trial with MagicJack).

I wanted to get opinions of others who have tried both Skype and MagicJack.

I think the MagicJack has a little clearer voice quality, I have not tweaked MagicJack (not sure if you can make adjustments on router to improve quality)

Two advantages of MagicJack:

Cost, after 1st year $ 20 per year, Skype is $60/year for Skype in and Skype Out

MagicJack is not considered Peer to Peer traffic, I am in Canada and Peer to Peer traffic is throttled by ISP's.

It would be helpful to receive some other feedback on others experience with Skype and MagicJack

............................

Posted by: Dave32

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5STar

I dont understand? what has this got to do with mj and poor connections?

Hi,

I use a paid proxy/VPN solution.

My question revolves around this:

My MJ number is a Chicago number, used Chicago since some ISP/phone carriers use Chicago as a base for carrier hotel.

My though is the following, provided my VPN supplier has a good connection in US, would I not eliminate a number of hops plus in my case cut down on Bell Internet hops?

Posted by: 5STar

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave32

how is this working? because ive read this on the unofficial mj forum and many people are going the vpn way...it sounds confusing though.

in my tests that ive done, the best connection is somewhere in flint, mi. that being said, i know that the mj servers all over the usa are completely saturated.

so it wouldnt even matter the number of hops. its the mj servers being overloaded.

Posted by: monkeyboy

For service that is to be based at home (or other stable site), MJ is probably a bit better and certainly cheaper, but of course you need to have a 24/7 PC.

Skype is far better at mobile voice... you hop on anywhere you have an Internet connection. And because it runs on many mobile devices, you don't need a PC/laptop. It runs well on smartphones and is therefore great when traveling out of the country... just find a WiFi connection and call using your smartphone. Simply kills those expensive foreign and int'l roaming SIMs.

Posted by: willmatt

For additional discussion on MagicJack go to:

http://www.dslreports.com/

Use this link to DSL Reports forum about MagicJack:

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/magicjack

I learned about HowardForums through a discussion on the above website.

Posted by: 5STar

Ive been using google voice to make calls. Although it still calls my mj number ive had alot less people complain about the quality of my calls.

try that?