In today’s technology-rich world, new services are replacing traditional services. Gone are the days when everyone had a landline. Instead, people are opting for voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP), which is a proven technology that allows users all the benefits of a traditional landline with so much more.
One popular VoIP service is Ooma. Ooma uses a high-speed internet connection to make and receive phone calls. Customers using the home version of Ooma must first buy an Ooma Telo device for $99.99 to connect their standard landline phone to their internet connection. Once connected, customers can enjoy a brand new phone system that comes with voice mail, call forwarding, call blocking and other features tailored to the user’s needs. In addition to a multitude of features, VoIP phone services are generally far less expensive than traditional landlines. We looked at the differences between the Premier and Basic editions to help you choose the right version for you. If you need a more business-focused version, we suggest looking at our review of Ooma Office.
Featured Partners
1
RingCentral
$20 per user, per month (paid annually)
Yes
Yes
2
Zoom Phone
Starts at $10 per user, per month
Yes
Yes
3
Nextiva
$18.95 per user, per month
Yes
Yes
Ooma Basic vs. Ooma Premier: At a Glance
Ooma’s home service offers two plans: basic and premier. Both offer an easy out-of-the-box setup with auto-configuration technology to get the system up and running quickly. Both plans offer all the standard features such as unlimited nationwide calling, call waiting, call logs, voice mail access, Bluetooth capabilities, cheap international calling and 911 calling. Both plans offer a high-quality audio connection. This is because Ooma uses its own Ooma PureVoice HD technology to ensure fewer dropped calls and top-quality acoustic performance.
For $9.99 a month, the Premier plan includes more than 20 upgraded features that enhance the user’s privacy, security and mobility.
Ooma Basic
Price
Free
Features
Unlimited nationwide calling and high-quality audio
Great for
Replacing a traditional landline
Free
Unlimited nationwide calling and high-quality audio
Replacing a traditional landline
While Ooma’s basic service is free, customers must still purchase the Ooma Telo device for $99 to set up the service. If customers purchase the Ooma Telo from the Ooma website, it comes with free shipping and a 30-day free return. Users must also pay monthly taxes. The exact amount varies depending on the state the customer resides in but will likely be less than $10 a month.
The basic service includes all the standard features a landline provides such as caller ID, free nationwide calling, call waiting and 911 calling. It also includes additional features like voice mail, Bluetooth capabilities, Amazon Alexa integration for hands-free calling and low-cost international calling. Customers can transfer their current number to Ooma for a $39.99 transfer fee.
- Free service
- Easy installation
- Unlimited nationwide calling
- Consistent, high-quality sound
- Must purchase Ooma Telo for $99
- Requires high-speed internet
- Does not include call blocking, transcription, forwarding or call waiting
Ooma Premier
Price
$9.99 per month
Features
Top-notch privacy features
Great for
Businesses
$9.99 per month
Top-notch privacy features
Businesses
Customers who want a more robust phone service can upgrade to Ooma Premier plan for $9.99 a month. The Premier plan includes a slew of upgraded features such as call blocking, custom options to transcribe, forward, monitor or block voice mails, call forwarding, a second number, enhanced call waiting, three-way conference calls and the ability to connect Ooma’s Telo with other smart home devices.
- More features, such as enhanced caller ID, transcription and 3-way conference calls
- Unlimited nationwide calling, plus Canada and Puerto Rico
- Ooma mobile app
- Do Not Disturb and call blocking
- Costs more than Ooma Basic
- Also requires high-speed internet
- No softphone
How Ooma Basic vs. Premier Stack Up
| Ooma Basic | Ooma Premier | |
|---|---|---|
|
Price Before Taxes and Fees
|
Free
|
$9.99 a month
|
|
Free U.S. Calling
|
✓
|
✓
|
|
Free Calling to Canada and Puerto Rico
|
—
|
✓
|
|
Online Account Management With My Ooma
|
✓
|
✓
|
|
Call Blocking
|
—
|
✓
|
|
Three-Way Conference Call
|
—
|
✓
|
|
Call Forwarding
|
—
|
✓
|
|
Enhanced Caller ID
|
—
|
✓
|
One area where Ooma Premier shines in comparison to Ooma Basic is privacy. The Premier plan offers users multiple ways to block unwanted callers. Detected spam calls are blocked automatically. Users can create a customized deny list of phone numbers to block, block any anonymous caller and select from a pre-configured community list to ensure telemarketers, headhunters and robocalls are always blocked.
These features are designed to eliminate any unwanted phone calls. Users can also set up an enhanced caller ID, which allows them to see the caller’s name even if they are not a contact or select an option where they only receive calls from known contacts.
Ooma Premier users can also integrate with smart home technologies like Amazon Echo, Apple iOS, Android Wear, Philips Hue, LIFX, Belkin Wemo, Dropbox and Google. For example, once connected, when the Nest Learning Thermostat detects that no one is at home, your calls can automatically be forwarded to a cell phone or mobile app according to the call forwarding preferences. When Nest detects that someone has returned home, call forwarding will be disabled so that calls will once again ring to home phones. Alternatively, after Ooma and Philips Hue smart lights are connected, lights in the home can be programmed to change color during an incoming phone call or when someone leaves a voicemail.
The Premier plan also comes with enhanced voice mail options. For people on the go, Ooma alerts them via text message or email that someone has left a voicemail with Voicemail Alerts and Voicemail-to-Email Forwarding. With Voicemail Monitoring, you can listen to the voicemail as it is being recorded and decide if you want to pick it up or not. You can also turn on the Do Not Disturb option to forward all incoming calls directly to voicemail to avoid the distinctive nature of a ringing phone.
Bottom Line
Both the Ooma Basic and Premier plans offer an impressive standard telephone experience with high-quality sound for little to no money. Those looking for a basic, low-cost VoIP company to replace their landline will be more than happy with the Ooma Basic plan. Those with more privacy concerns or who want more out of their phone system will gravitate towards Ooma Premier. Every Ooma system includes a free two-month trial of the Premier plan. This is an excellent way to test the plan to see if all the bells and whistles are worth the extra monthly service fee.
Get Started With The Leading Cloud Phone System
