NetTalk is a telecommunications company that offers a variety of VoIP services and products. Founded in 2008, NetTalk launched its products onto the market for the first time at the end of 2009. Those who sign up with this provider automatically receive 6 months of free service as well as free local and long-distance calling. There are a number of NetTalk DUO devices that can be purchased online as well as in retail stores that include Target, Sears, Walmart, and others.
Our Net Talk Review
What is NetTalk?
NetTalk offers cloud-based VoIP home phone services with a basic call plan that is priced at $39.95 per year with add-on options that allow subscribers to call a number of different countries around the world without having to pay international rates. No contracts are required for this service, and there are no monthly bills. Only a home phone, high-speed internet connection, and NetTalk DUO are required to use this VoIP home phone service. NetTalk users can choose to keep their existing phone number or get a new one. There is also the NetTalk mobile app, which allows those who have it to send messages to each other from anywhere in the world at no cost whatsoever.
Unlike most other providers they do not currently offer separate business service.
Service Plans
NetTalk offers a variety of calling plans, so you will want to take the time to look through some of them before deciding which one will be able to satisfy all of your needs.
The Basic Call Plan is costs $39.95/year or as low as $3.33 each month. This plan offers free calling to the U.S. and Canada as well as free calling to others who have a NetTalk DUO. A phone number is included in this plan and you will get access to live chat and customer call back support. You will also get all of the standard features, including call waiting, caller ID, 3-way calling, 411, e-911, and more.
There is the enhanced call plan, which makes it possible to place calls to Mexico and Puerto Rico for just $6.67 per month. This add-on includes calls to the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. You will get free calling to Puerto Rico with both landline and mobile devices as well as free calling to Mexico (landline only). All of the free and standard features from the basic call plan apply to this one.
The International 60+ Country Add-On is available for $130 per year or as low as $10.83 per month. This add-on includes calls to 60 different countries and all standard features from the basic call plan apply. This add-on will provide you with a very low international calling flat rate that you can use to save money when calling friends and family who live overseas. If you frequently make international calls, it is highly recommended that you take the time to look into what this particular add-on has to offer.
You will also be able to get the Pay As You Go: Low-Cost International plan. This is a good option for those who aren’t really interested in an enhanced plan, as it provides customers with competitive international per minute rates for the countries you plan on calling. You will have the option to call any country in the world. NetTalk has some of the lowest international rates that you will find, even for VoIP providers. These low rates enable customers with friends and family overseas to keep in touch with them without having to spend a ridiculous amount of money to do so.
How much money will you save with NetTalk?
The amount of money that you save by signing up with NetTalk will depend on the plan you select. The Basic Plan, for instance, is available for only $39.95 per year. This provider’s basic plan includes free calling to the U.S. and Canada as well as other people with NetTalk DUO. You can opt for the enhanced call plan, which allows you to make calls to U.S., Mexico, Canada, Puerto Rico, and Mexico for $6.67 per month. When you consider how much other providers charge, you will most likely save at least $40-$50 each month.
Service Features
When you are setting up your NetTalk account online, you will be asked a few questions about the E-911 feature, which is the emergency response system that keep your home address as well as your phone number on file so first responders will be able to identify exactly where you are quickly if you ever need their help. This has become a standard feature with NetTalk and is available with their basic plan.
When you sign up with NetTalk you will get a number of different features at no extra charge, including E-911, call waiting, voicemail, three-way calling, and call history logs. You will also be able to manage your account online at anytime by simply signing into the NetTalk website with your login information. This online account manager will provide you with a very simple and straightforward user interface for making any necessary changes to your account and checking certain information from time to time. Once you are logged in you will be able to update your 911 information as well as see account billing and call history. You can also set up call settings, including call forwarding and call blocking.
NetTalk’s CONNECT Messaging app allows you to send and receive messages through a secure messaging service with built-in VPN. Messaging others who also use this app is completely free, so you won’t have to pay anything extra. There is absolutely no limit when it comes to the number of messages that can be sent between CONNECT Messaging app users. As long as you have this app, you will be able to send and receive messages anywhere in the world.
Some of the more popular features that are associated with NetTalk’s CONNECT app include sharing photos with friends and family, share locations, send messages with your DUO phone number, lock conversations with a pin number, delay your messages 10, 20, 30 seconds, emergency keywords notification, native emoji support, and block messages from unwanted users.
Customer Service
While NetTalk does not offer a toll-free number that you can call with your questions and concerns, there is a live chat feature that will allow you to speak with a representative. There are also a number of sections on the customer support section of this provider’s website that can provide you with information about everything from setting up your NetTalk DUO to tracking your orders and even performing a speed test. You will also find that there are numerous short help videos to assist you with getting a number of different problems resolved without having to go to the trouble of speaking with a customer service representative online.
Service/device setup process
If you are seriously interested in taking advantage of the VoIP services that NetTalk has to offer, you will be happy to know that the process is quick and simple. The first thing you will need to do is purchase the NetTalk DUO on their official website. After you receive your DUO in the mail, you will need to go on their website to activate it. This activation process is extremely basic and straightforward, so it shouldn’t take you much time at all to complete.
You will be required to register your new DUO online. If you have received a replacement DUO, you will not activate it online but rather call technical support by using the live chat support feature. A representative will transfer your existing NetTalk account onto your replacement DUO.
The first step that you will have to follow after taking your new DUO out of the box is to plug it into your router or computer directly. If you need help with setting up your DUO with your router or computer, there is a DUO Setup page on NetTalk’s website that you can follow. If you are using NetTalk DUO Wi-Fi, you will need to connect the DUO Wi-Fi to your high-speed internet router.
Simply plug your NetTalk DUO into your home phone and wait for the light to turn green and your phone to ring once. After you have done all of these things you will be ready to start making calls through this provider’s VoIP service.
NetTalk vs. magicJack vs. Vonage vs BasicTalk
When it really comes down to it there’s not much that separates NetTalk, magicJack and BasicTalk besides price. Each of them offers unlimited local and long distance calling for a very low cost. They are no frills home phone services with bare bones customer service. A BasicTalk phone line is the most expensive of the three coming in at $9.99 per month. Next up in NetTalk at around $7 per month. And the winner in affordability is magicJack at $39 per year or a 3-year plan for just $90.
Vonage stands out as different from these providers in that their service is much more like you would expect from your old landline provider. The downside is they cost more than the 3 no frills providers listed above. The upside is better network reliability and better customer service.
NetTalk Alternatives
Some excellent NetTalk budget alternatives include magicJack, BasicTalk and even Vonage if you want to spend a little bit more money!
What We like
- Allows you to use traditional phones to make calls: With NetTalk you can use a normal home phone to make internet-based calls.
- Flat per-year charge: There is a flat per-year charge for all calls that are made within the United States.
- A variety of useful features: There are lots of useful features that NetTalk offers, including three-way calling, voicemail, call-waiting, and many others.
- Simple to use: This VoIP service is extremely easy to use, and most users don’t have any problems figuring out how to set it up and use it.
What We Don’t Like
- Certain routers not supported: One of the drawbacks associated with NetTalk is that not all internet routers are supported, so you might have to purchase a new one if the one you currently have isn’t compatible.
- International rates vary: If you make a lot of international calls, it’s important to keep in mind that the rates vary greatly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a computer to use NetTalk’s service?
No, the only things you need to use NetTalk’s phone services is a high-speed internet connection, router, the NetTalk DUO, and a telephone. All you have to do is plug the DUO into your router and home phone and you are ready to go. You do have the option of using a computer to make calls with this service if you so choose.
How well does this service actually work?
Setting up your NetTalk service is simple and once you’re up and running it works quite well. The sound quality of calls made through this service is always clear and reliable.
Is there more than just one plan to choose from?
NetTalk offers a number of different calling plans, including the Basic Call Plan, which is available for $39.95 and offers free calling to the U.S. and Canada as well as other NetTalk DUO users. There are two different add-ons that you can purchase to make calls to other countries for an additional amount each month. There is also the pay-as-you-go plan with per minute rates.
How much do international calls cost?
All calls made to others who have a NetTalk DUO anywhere in the world are free, but there are two different add-on plans available for international calling. One of these add-ons is $6.67 per month offers free calling to the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. The other add-on costs $130 per year and offers free international calling to over 60 different countries.
Final Thoughts on NetTalk
All in all, NetTalk is an excellent VoIP provider and a great option for those who want a home phone service that doesn’t cost a lot of money and is easy to use. This service will definitely save you money, especially if you are accustomed to using a traditional home phone service that costs five times as much. The flat yearly cost of this service is extremely competitive and you will never have to worry about receiving monthly bills ever again. If you have been looking for a new home phone service provider, NetTalk definitely has a lot to offer with regards to their features, hardware, and top notch service.
![magicJack Review: A Quick Look At This Phone [Updated for 2023]](https://www.youreviewit.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/magicJack-Review-300x275.jpg)
