What Is magicJack for Business?
The magicJack for Business arm of the magicJack brand is aimed at companies seeking a straightforward, low-cost communication solution. A pioneering VoIP brand launched in the mid-2000s by Dan Borislow, the company originally marketed its services to families and small businesses. Eventually, magicJack developed a spin-off product solely for professionals.
Overall, magicJack for Business’ features include everything necessary for a simple but professional phone system, including:
- Unlimited calling throughout the United States and Canada
- Toll-free numbers
- Auto attendant
- Call waiting, queue and transfer
- Music on hold
- Call blocking
- Three-way calling
- Caller ID and Caller ID blocking
- Conference bridge
- Do not disturb
- Enhanced call forwarding
- Extension dialing
- E911 service
- Online call logs
- Virtual fax
- Voice mail
These items are accessible as part of a single pricing plan, costing $15.99 per month. Following sign-up, you can then download the company’s desktop or mobile apps. Alternatively, you can set up magicJack for Business to work with your accompanying VoIP hardware.
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How magicJack Works
As a VoIP service, magicJack for Business relies on an existing internet connection to make and receive calls. You may port an existing phone number or pick a new number for your business. It offers VoIP equipment for sale, or you download and use the free app for your desktop or mobile devices. As of now, you must get a compatible Yealink device provided directly by magicJack to use a desk phone with its service.
Is magicJack Right for Me?
The magicJack service is a professional solution for businesses that want a standard phone system and affordable VoIP hardware and software. Whether it is the best option for your company depends on a few key factors.
magicJack Is Best For:
- Individuals and small businesses who want a cost-effective phone system
- Those who want an easy-to-use VoIP service
- Anyone who needs to separate their personal and business communication
magicJack Is Not Recommended For:
- Extensive integrations or an all-in-one communication system
- Anyone who wants to use their preexisting VoIP desk phones
- Anyone operating outside the United States
Though magicJack for Business is convenient for very small teams with tight budgets, a medium to enterprise-level business with a desire for collaboration tools, extensive third-party integrations and a wider range of features may want to look elsewhere.
What Sets magicJack for Business Apart
By offering a straightforward list of service features through a singular pricing plan, magicJack for Business sets itself apart from competitors. There are no upgrades, but a few add-ons. As such, when you sign up for magicJack, you have a firm idea of what you are buying.
Also worth noting is that magicJack, unlike other competing VoIP service providers, is almost entirely focused on phone communications. It does provide limited audio conferencing tools through three-way calling and the conference bridge feature. However, video conferencing and chat tools are missing. As such, magicJack for Business stands out by almost exclusively focusing on phones rather than aiming to be an “all-in-one” communication service.
magicJack for Business Features
As a fairly straightforward VoIP provider, magicJack for Business offers a small list of features available for operating a professional contact system. We break down the available items in the following sections.
Ease of Use
The magicJack for Business service is very easy to use. We tested both the mobile and desktop versions of the app; after logging in, we were able to very quickly place and receive calls via smartphone and laptop. There were no additional steps to take or level of expertise required. It is as simple as dialing whichever number you wish to call.
Hardware
The magicJack for Business service offers VoIP hardware and accessories through its website. It is also possible to get a desktop phone as part of your service plan. It offers equipment at a lower fee than its competitors, with phones costing between $55 and $200. However, magicJack’s selection is limited to several types of phones, and it exclusively provides hardware from Yealink.
Software
The magicJack for Business software is available through its apps and compatible VoIP phones. Once you sign up for the service, you may then download the desktop app through the website or the mobile app through the Google and App stores. Once you get the apps on your device, enter your login information to begin using the service.
Call Quality
We tested the call quality on both desktop and mobile devices. Calls made from a laptop were clear enough to be understood by the recipient, though the audio was not as pristine as the calls made using a smartphone. When calling from a smartphone, we found that the quality was excellent; this was true whether on or off speakerphone.
Uptime
The magicJack for Business service offers customers a 99.99% uptime guarantee. We could not find any specific metrics related to why magicJack promised this level of service, but the brand encourages reaching out in the event of an issue. From our testing and research, we found that steady uptime relied on having a secure internet connection.
Security
The company’s security methods and guarantees are not particularly stringent. Each customer has a password-secured account. The Privacy Policy page for magicJack for Business notes that it cannot control or enforce security measures related to devices outside of its scope and ownership; however, customers are encouraged to contact support if they suspect their account has been compromised. Customers should also avoid sharing login information unnecessarily.
Although the Administrator role can be given to a single designated individual at sign-up, most account details cannot be altered online. Instead, important changes can only be made by calling customer support at 888-652-4976.
Third-Party Integrations
The magicJack for Business VoIP lacks the third-party integrations offered by most leading competitors. It outright lacks many of the modern collaboration tools that businesses commonly expect to come with their VoIP services. If you would like to use popular apps such as HubSpot, Slack or Salesforce, you need to look elsewhere.
magicJack Pricing and Plans
magicJack for Business Pricing Plan
Unlike most VoIP services, magicJack for Business has a single payment plan that costs $15.99 per month per line; it may be possible to pay even less if you can qualify for a discount. Overall, the service plan works for startups or individuals who want a low-cost professional phone system with a specific focus on calls and texting. It is a good starting point for communication, but not so much for collaboration.
Customer Service and Support
The magicJack for Business customer support team is available 24/7 by email, live chat or phone. There is also a knowledge section with a series of articles to answer common questions about using the service. We sought help through both the live chat and by phone and found our questions were answered quickly and efficiently.
Get Started With The Leading Cloud Phone System
Additional Features Worth Noting
The magicJack for Business service provides Enhanced 911 (E911) to customers. This feature lets the 911 emergency-calling system automatically associate your number with a physical address. By correctly associating your business number with a specific location, it allows them to send emergency personnel to the correct location.
magicJack for Business Alternatives and How They Compare
magicJack for Business vs. Google Voice
Google Voice and magicJack for Business are similarly priced, though Voice also has a freeware version of its service. Though it does not include a toll-free number with its plan, toll-free numbers are available as a $5 per month add-on. By comparison, Voice makes no effort to provide a toll-free option. Though integrations are limited with Voice as the options are strictly Google products, magicJack does not offer any kind of integrations.
After comparing both services, we think that Google Voice is the better option as it does include more features for a comparable price to magicJack. It is also better for small businesses operating internationally; magicJack for Business primarily services American companies.
magicJack for Business vs. Zoom Phone
Zoom Phone is another cloud phone service with pricing similar to magicJack for Business. However, Zoom’s most expensive monthly plan offers far more features than magicJack. For instance, by paying about $5 more for Zoom Phone, customers get unlimited domestic calling in one of 40 countries, a toll-free number and call monitoring features. Through Zoom Meetings, customers also have the option to convert a phone call into a video conference.
Zoom Phone is the better option for small businesses that not only want an affordable and flexible phone service but also desire more collaborative options.
magicJack for Business vs. Grasshopper
It is very close, but Grasshopper manages to edge out magicJack for Business. Though magicJack is more affordable, Grasshopper customers can make both unlimited calls and texts as well as get a toll-free number with their plan. In fact, Grasshopper lets you choose a toll-free, local or vanity number in addition to the option to port an existing phone number.
While magicJack for Business requires an internet connection to receive calls, Grasshopper uses both VoIP and Wi-Fi as well as cellphone reception to let you make or receive calls. For companies on a tight budget, magicJack for Business could be a good choice,, especially those seeking low-cost equipment. However, Grasshopper has more features and does not require hardware.
Featured Partners
1
RingCentral
$20 per user, per month (paid annually)
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2
Zoom Phone
Starts at $10 per user, per month
Yes
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3
Nextiva
$18.95 per user, per month
Yes
Yes
Our Expert Opinion
Overall, we found the magicJack for Business VoIP service easy to set up and use. The process could have been faster if allowed to set up the account online, but magicJack requires anyone not ordering hardware with their service to call the sales team to create an account. This might be a security measure, as there is information on the dashboard that the administrator cannot change except through a call to customer service.
The desktop is very simple, holding basic information and the barest tools available for making and receiving calls. Texting does not seem to be available on the desktop app, but it is possible through mobile software. When compared to competitors such as Grasshopper or more UCaaS-friendly options such as RingCentral and Dialpad, magicJack for Business is extremely rudimentary.
If you are a business owner in need of a very budget-friendly VoIP service offering affordable hardware, magicJack for Business is worth considering. However, we do think that there are similarly priced options available that can offer more across multiple plans that allow for scaling.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much does magicJack for Business cost per month?
The cost of magicJack for Business is $15.99 per month per line.
Does magicJack work without Wi-Fi?
As a VoIP service, magicJack requires an internet connection.
Can I use magicJack without a landline?
As magicJack for Business uses VoIP technology, you do not need a landline. Download the app for your smart devices or use it with a compatible VoIP phone.
Is magicJack better than Ooma?
Ooma Office offers a more robust unified communications system. With its lack of integrations or team communication capabilities, magicJack is a good option for small teams with simple needs. Read our Ooma vs. magicJack review to learn more.
