Best VoIP Phones for Seniors

Ooma Telo

Ooma Telo offers very affordable VoIP solutions without sacrificing quality. You can set up a plan with no monthly premium, but don’t get too excited. It’s not completely free. You still have to purchase the equipment upfront and pay monthly taxes and fees to make the service work. Ooma Telo offers a more traditional paid plan if you want all the bells and whistles. Paid plans include features like spam blocking, free international calling, and a forwarding number if your internet goes out.

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One thing we love about Ooma is that you can purchase a retro phone from the company that looks like the landline phone you’ve always used. Some VoIP providers, like Grasshopper, don’t have any options for buying a device. So it is a huge plus if you’re searching for a home phone. Even better: You can choose a dedicated phone that calls only specific numbers. That is a great idea if your loved one is among the 42 percent of older Americans who struggle with dementia or memory loss.2

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Pricing

It’s hard to beat $0 per month premiums. But we must acknowledge that even if you choose the free plan, Ooma Telo is not completely free. You’ll still need to pay applicable taxes and fees, which vary based on location. Additionally, you’ll need to purchase an Ooma Telo adapter; their hardwired devices start at $99.99.

You can estimate your monthly taxes and fees on Ooma’s website, and we found that most zip codes have fees between $7 and $8 per month. Still, compared to more well-known providers like Vonage, Ooma Telo is one of the most cost-effective VoIP services for seniors on a fixed income. That said, if you want a VoIP that is 100 percent free, Google Voice is the better option.

Free subscribers pay per minute for international calls (starting as low as $0.01 per minute). You can also upgrade to the Ooma Premier Service Plan for $9.99 monthly. It gives you free international calling to Canada and Mexico.

Ooma Premier also has extra features like a free second line and spam call blocking, which we’re big fans of, as they can help reduce the risk of identity theft. The FDIC estimates that seniors lose over $27 billion per year to scams and fraud, so this protection is crucial.3

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If your home internet is weak or frequently goes out, consider the Ooma Telo LTE device ($129.99). This service costs $19.99 monthly, but provides an always-on LTE internet connection and a backup battery for power outages. It is a great option for seniors in rural areas who lack access to reliable internet connections.

Equipment

Some VoIPs, such as Vonage and Ooma Telo, are hardware-based; you just plug the adapter into your internet router and your phone into the adapter. Other VoIPs, such as Google Voice or Grasshopper, are software-based; you download the software to your computer or cell phone to use their service. While software-based means fewer cords and devices to keep up with, it may not be the best fit for seniors who are apprehensive about more advanced tech.

You’ll need a physical device with Ooma Telo, but you may not have to worry about wires. The company offers variations of its standard adapter: Ooma Telo ($99.99), Ooma Telo Air ($129.99), and Ooma Telo LTE ($129.99).

The basic Ooma Telo adapter plugs directly into your router. You just head to the company website and register the device using the activation code printed on the bottom. Then, you’ll choose a phone number (you can pick any area code in the United States), enter your contact and billing information, and then plug the device into your router.
Afterward, you can plug your landline into the phone cable port on the Ooma Telo device and turn the device on. The whole process takes about 15 minutes! We love an easy setup process.

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However, the process gets more complex if you don’t want to mess with hardwired devices. The Ooma Telo Air connects to your home internet via Wi-Fi (no wires). So, you’ll need to know how to connect a new device to your home network to make this work.

Lastly, the Ooma Telo LTE can be a backup or replacement for your home internet. This equipment comes with extra prep work because you’ll need to ensure that Ooma Telo offers LTE coverage in your area. Fortunately, you can check this information on Ooma’s website, and the company offers LTE coverage in all 50 states.

Features

The free Ooma Telo plan includes the basics, such as free nationwide calling, pay-per-minute international calling, one free phone number (or you can keep your old number for a fee), and voicemail. If you upgrade to the Premier or LTE plans, you can get even more from the service, including:

• Spam call blocking
• Call forwarding
• Three-way conference calls
• A second phone number
• Free mobile minutes
• Free calling to Canada and Mexico
• Private device (choose a specific phone that will only call a dedicated number)
• Caller ID
• Address-based 911 service
• Free mobile app for unlimited outbound calls

Vonage device box

Vonage gives you some of the best customer support for home VoIPs, with options to call, chat, or view its support page. Online chat is available 24/7, while phone support is available most of the day. You’ll always be able to find someone who can help you, which is excellent for seniors who aren’t tech-savvy. It’s also great to know that if a problem arises, a tech support specialist is always accessible.

Like Voiply, Vonage is an advanced VoIP that uses a plug-and-play device. Once you’ve plugged it into your modem, router, or a computer connected to either, you can start making and receiving calls within minutes. You can also use three-way calling, unlimited texting, and make calls all across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. Remember that the 911 services work slightly differently from a landline, so you must fill out a form to ensure your correct address is on file.

Pricing

While Vonage doesn’t have a free plan like Ooma Telo or Google Voice, it offers affordable plans starting at $9.99 monthly (plus taxes and fees). We like that Vonage keeps its plans and pricing pretty simple. If you only want to make calls within North America, pick the North American plan ($9.99 monthly). To make calls internationally, you can upgrade to the World Prime plan ($14.99 per month).

Both plans offer the same essential features, but the latter allows you to make unlimited calls throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and 60 other countries globally.

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One thing we like about Vonage is that you don’t have to pay anything for the adapter. You don’t even have to pay for shipping! Vonage can send the adapter straight to your door, and they won’t charge anything beyond the monthly premium, taxes, and a one-time $9.99 activation fee.

Equipment

The Vonage Box is the standard device that allows you to connect to your home internet and use the VoIP service. We found the setup process very similar to Ooma Telo and Voiply. After registering the device online, you just plug it into your router.

From there, you can transfer your existing number or pick a new number. The setup process is pretty simple. If you run into any snags, you can rest easy knowing that tech support is just a phone call (or online chat) away.

Features

We like how Vonage doesn’t skimp on the extra features. From extension apps for using Vonage VoIP on your smartphone to checking your voicemails by phone or email, there are many ways to get more out of the service.

However, this might be a drawback for seniors who just want a simple, easy-to-use VoIP service. You may have to read through several Vonage how-to guides to understand everything at your disposal. Even then, it can feel like you’re missing out on some things.

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That said, Vonage does offer several useful features for seniors. One we particularly liked was the multiring feature. Even if you’re nowhere near your landline, your cell phone can ring as well, and you can answer the call through the Vonage app. We would have liked to see video call integration, but this feature is now only available to businesses via Vonage Meetings. In any case, some other useful features include:

• Vonage mobile app
• Toll-free number
• Traditional voicemail
• Do Not Disturb setting
• Three-way conference calls
• Voicemail via email
• Vonage Boomerang (helps avoid missed calls)
• Simultaneous rings on up to five devices
• Call forwarding
• Spam blocking and call filtering
• Automated call return (no need to dial numbers for missed calls)
• Caller ID
• Virtual numbers available in up to 22 countries

Grasshopper VoIP

Grasshopper is an app-based VoIP service that made our list because it’s easy to download and start making calls on your home computer. Once you’ve downloaded the software, you can use it over Wi-Fi (home internet) or download an app to your phone if you want to add a number to your cell phone plan. It is a great option if you want a home phone that can transfer calls to your cell phone.

The only thing we don’t like about Grasshopper is that it doesn’t support calls to 911 or emergency services. It’s a big drawback, especially if you don’t have a medical alert system or backup phone. For this reason, we only recommend Grasshopper’s VoIP service to seniors with an existing landline or mobile phone plan that allows 911 calls. While 911 is useful in emergencies, we highly recommend a medical alert system for added protection.

Expert Insights

From Taylor Shuman, Senior Tech Expert

I’ve tested dozens of medical alert systems over the years, and I’ve found that these systems are essential for staying protected as you age in place. They provide quick and reliable support in an emergency, and they’ll alert your loved ones to any incidents right away. Check out our guide to the best medical alert systems to learn more about our hands-on experience.

Pricing

Grasshopper doesn’t have the cheapest premiums (that honor goes to Google Voice), but it still offers competitively priced VoIP solutions. You don’t need to pay for any costly equipment, and individuals have two plan options: True Solo and Solo Plus.

True Solo costs $14 per month if you pay for a year of service in advance or $18 per month for a monthly plan. Solo Plus costs substantially more — $25 per month with an annual plan or $32 monthly for a monthly plan — but it includes some great features. You can also get a seven-day free trial to see if you like either Grasshopper plan before committing to the service.

True Solo is specifically designed for one person and one person only. You’re paying for one user to have one phone number, with calls that can be forwarded to one additional number. If you upgrade to Solo Plus, you can have an unlimited number of users on your account, one phone number, and call forwarding to up to three additional numbers. It’s important to note that you can add more than one primary number to either plan, but it will cost $10 per month per number.

Equipment

We loved that Grasshopper doesn’t require you to pay for or install any new devices. You can download the app, pay the subscription fee, and begin. However, this also means you must have your internet and at least one phone line already established.

Unlike Ooma Telo, Grasshopper doesn’t sell phones or non-VoIP phone plans. Since Grasshopper doesn’t allow 911 calls through its service, it’s best to have a landline or mobile phone plan already in place.

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Features

Grasshopper packs a lot of great features into its plans. We like that you don’t have to pay more to get all of the best perks. The only benefit of upgrading to the Solo Plus plan is adding users and forwarding calls to more phone numbers — two things most seniors probably won’t need.

One thing you can get with Grasshopper, Voiply, or Google Voice that you can’t get with providers like Ooma Telo is voicemail transcription. You can choose to listen to your voicemails or have them transcribed so that you can read them instead. It is a wonderful feature for seniors with hearing loss.

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Once again, the lack of 911 calling was a major disappointment, but otherwise, we were really happy with all that Grasshopper offered. Some of our favorite features include:

• 24/7 tech support via phone, email, chat, or social media
• Mobile and desktop applications
• Call forwarding
• Virtual fax
• Voicemail
• Custom prerecorded greetings
• Instant response text when you miss a call
• Call screening

Voiply

Voiply is incredibly easy to use — that’s why we chose it for our list. Like Ooma Telo, Voiply uses a hardware adapter that plugs into your router. Simply plug your phone into the adapter, and you’re ready. With the Voiply mobile app, it’s even easier to make and receive calls using your Voiply number on the go.

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We love Voiply’s effortless plug-and-play style adapter. Like Ooma Telo, you just plug it into your internet router, plug your phone into the adapter, and you’re ready to go. Remember, porting your number may take extra time (that is, bringing your current number with you). It’s faster to get a new number from Voiply.

Pricing

Voiply is a VoIP created for both residential and business use. Some other VoIPs can be used as home services, even though they are intended to be used by businesses (like Grasshopper).

Voiply has a very inexpensive residential package at just $8.95 per month, making it even cheaper than Vonage. You can pay monthly or receive a discount when you pay for a full year up front, bringing the monthly cost down to $7.46.

On paper, Voiply is one of the most affordable VoIP services. Like Vonage, you don’t have to pay for the adapter. Plus, Voiply plans start at $7.46 monthly if you opt for an annual subscription. Whether you bring your old number or get a new one, you won’t pay extra costs. It can take up to 10 days to port your old number to the Voiply service.

The only pain point for some seniors is the potential cost of a phone. If you don’t have a landline and want to get one through Voiply, you’ll pay at least $119.99. Naturally, you can look for landlines or mobile phones elsewhere, often at much lower prices. However, if you want to get everything done at the same time and ensure your landline is compatible with Voiply’s service, you might be surprised by the upfront cost.

Equipment

When you sign up for Voiply, they’ll send you the Voiply plug-and-play adapter, which you can plug directly into your modem, router, or connected computer. The setup process is fast and easy. If you’re using a cell phone, you can start making and receiving calls on the go as soon as you download the Voiply mobile app and sign in to your account.

If you choose one of Voiply’s costlier bundles, you can get the Voiply adapter plus a wireless landline with a built-in base speaker and answering machine. This VTech Bundle starts at $119.99.

Alternatively, you can get the AT&T Bundle or the Panasonic Bundle. The AT&T bundle comes with a wired base phone and two cordless phones that go in different rooms of your home. It starts at $159.99. The Panasonic Bundle comes with three cordless phones and one base unit, and it starts at $119.95. We weren’t super impressed with Voiply’s landline offerings, as you can find much more affordable landline phones or mobile phones elsewhere.

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Features

Like Vonage, Voiply includes many extra features with its affordable plans, including simultaneous ringing on more than one device. One cool feature we couldn’t find with any other provider was phone number parking. For just $2 per month, you can retain ownership of your phone number and only use it when required.

For example, if you need a number to register for a service but don’t want to pay a lot to maintain it, you can use Voiply’s number parking service. We also loved that, unlike Grasshopper or Google Voice, Voiply does allow 911 calls. Not only does it allow them, but it also offers enhanced 911 support, so your home location will automatically be shared with emergency responders.

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In addition to the features already mentioned, here are some of our favorite perks offered by Voiply:

• Spam call blocker
• Unlimited calls to the U.S. and Canada
• Mobile and desktop apps
• Voicemail transcriptions
• Caller ID
• Online fax service
• 24/7 tech support
• Three-way conference calls
• Call forwarding
• Personalized voicemail greetings
• Simultaneous ringing on multiple devices

Google Voice

Google Voice is a fantastic choice for making calls through your internet browser rather than through an app, hardware, or dedicated software. We love that you don’t need to download anything; just go to the Google Voice webpage, verify with an existing phone number, and then make your call.

Google Voice is free, like most of Google’s apps. And unlike Ooma Tela, which still charges taxes and fees on its “free” plan, Google Voice is 100 percent free! The only exception is if you want to make international calls, in which case per-minute rates will apply.

Pricing

Google Voice is completely free for everyone. The only fees are those associated with your internet and phone plan (or if you plan to make international calls). Since Google Voice requires you to register using an existing U.S. or Canadian phone number, you’ll need a landline or mobile plan.

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If your phone plan includes data or internet, you can call with Google Voice over that connection. Otherwise, you’ll need a separate home internet plan. So, while Google Voice is free, you’ll still need to pay for a phone service to get registered and home internet to make VoIP calls.

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You can, however, bundle your phone and VoIP together if you live in an area that supports Google Fiber Phone. In addition to a landline phone, you get VoIP to make and receive calls through Google Fiber’s ultrafast internet. The service starts at $10 per month.

If you live in an area that supports it, Google Fiber Phone also lets you make emergency calls to 911 (linked to your home address). You can’t do that with the free version of Google Voice.

Equipment

Since Google Voice calls are made through your browser or the app, there’s no equipment you’ll need to buy — as long as you already have a computer or internet-ready phone. It makes Google Voice great for seniors with all the equipment and plans required to make calls and use the internet, who specifically want to use a VoIP service.

If you have solid home internet but lackluster mobile service where you live, you might want to use Google Voice to enjoy clearer calls over the internet.

One issue we ran into is that some phone numbers don’t work when setting up your Google Voice account. For example, you can’t use another VoIP or phone number from outside the U.S. or Canada to set up Google Voice.

Since the process is mostly automated and Google Voice doesn’t have 24/7 tech support, you might find the setup process a little frustrating, especially if Google Voice doesn’t recognize the validity of your phone number.

Features

You can use Google Voice in your internet browser or download the app onto your phone. Remember, you’ll need some sort of internet service (either home internet or wireless data) to use it, plus an existing phone number (landline or mobile).

With Google Voice, you can also read your voicemails as an email, so there is no need to listen to long, boring voicemails or play them repeatedly to get pertinent information. All you have to do is check your email. It is a great feature for those with hearing loss.

Google Voice is like a free version of Grasshopper. It doesn’t require an adapter, and you can make calls via an app. Unfortunately, you can’t make calls to 911.

It is one of the most disappointing downsides of using Google Voice. However, since Google Voice requires a separate phone number for verification purposes, you can still make 911 calls through your other number.

Despite the lack of 911 support with the free version, Google Voice offers a couple of solid features for seniors, including:

• Google Fiber Phone (depending on your location)
• Voicemail transcriptions
• Phone number porting
• Calls and texts via browser or application