Best VoIP Phones for Seniors

SeniorLiving.org Rating 4.8

Ease of use	Equipment	Service & Response	Features & Tech	Pricing
average	above average	excellent	excellent	excellent

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Ooma Telo Air

Overview

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’ll still have to pay taxes and purchase the equipment needed to make the service work. 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.

» Related Resource: Eight helpful tips to building a budget on a fixed income

Ooma Telo offers a more traditional paid plan if you want all the bells and whistles. Paid plans come with features like spam blocking, free international calling, and a forwarding number if your internet goes out.

» You Might Like: Best identity theft protection for seniors in 2024

One thing we love about Ooma is that you can purchase a retro phone from the company to look like the landline phone you’ve always used. Some VoIP providers, like Grasshopper, don’t have any options to purchase a device. So this is a huge plus if you’re on the hunt for a home phone. Even better: You can choose a dedicated phone that calls only specific numbers. This is a great idea if your loved one has dementia or memory loss. You don’t have to worry about who they’re calling; you’ll always know they can reach a person in their trusted circle of friends and family.

Pricing

It’s hard to beat $0 per month premiums. But we have to acknowledge, even if you choose the free plan, Ooma Telo is not completely free. You’ll still need to pay any applicable taxes and fees, which can vary based on your location. Additionally, you’ll need to purchase an Ooma Telo adapter, with hard-wired devices starting at $89.99.

The Ooma Basic Plan has no monthly premium, but you will have to pay taxes and fees, as well as additional charges that you may incur. For example, free subscribers pay per minute for international calls (starting as low as $0.14 per minute). Alternatively, you can upgrade to the Ooma Premier Service Plan for $9.99 per month. This gives you free international calling to Canada and Mexico. It 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 FBI estimates that seniors lose over $3 billion to scams and fraud, so this protection is crucial.2

» Useful Resource: Common scams that target seniors

If your home internet is not very strong or it frequently goes out, consider the Oome Telo LTE device ($129.99). This service costs $19.99 per month, but it provides you with an always-on LTE internet connection and a backup battery for power outages. This is a great option for seniors in rural areas who may not have access to reliable internet connections.

Equipment

Some VoIPs, such as Vonage and Ooma Telo, are hardware-based; you just plug in the adapter to your internet router and plug 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.

With Ooma Telo, you’ll need a physical device, but you may not have to worry about wires. The company offers variations of its standard adapter at three price points: Ooma Telo ($99.99),  Ooma Telo Air ($109.99), and Ooma Telo LTE ($129.99).

The basic Ooma Telo adapter plugs directly into your router. The setup is extremely simple. You just head to the company website, register the device using the activation code printed on the bottom, choose a phone number (you can pick any area code in the United States), input contact and billing information, and then plug the device into your router. Then, you could 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.

» For Phone Shoppers: cell phones for seniors: a buyer’s guide

However, the process gets a little more complex if you don’t want to mess with hard-wired 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. The process may vary a little based on your home internet setup and provider. Lastly, the Ooma Telo LTE serves as a backup or replacement for your home internet. This equipment comes with a little extra prep work because you’ll need to make sure that Ooma Telo offers LTE coverage in your area. Fortunately, you can easily check this information on Ooma’s website, and the company offers LTE coverage in all 50 states.

Features

The free Ooma Telo plan comes with the basics, such as free nationwide calling, pay-per-minute international calling, one free phone number (or 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 call a dedicated number only)
• Caller ID
• Address-based 911 service
• Free mobile app for unlimited outbound calls

SeniorLiving.org Rating 4.7

Ease of use	Equipment	Service & Response	Features & Tech	Pricing
average	above average	excellent	excellent	above average

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Vonage device box

Overview

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 for most of the day. You’ll always be able to find someone who can help you, which is excellent for seniors who aren’t as 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 calls all across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.

Pro Tip:

Pro Tip: When signing up for a VoIP plan, make sure you know if the company provides support for 911 services, especially if this will be your only means of communication.

Vonage is a popular VoIP for its easy, plug-and-play style. Keep in mind that the 911 services work slightly differently than a landline, so you’ll need to fill out a form to make sure your correct address is on file. Vonage costs $9.99 per month for one line, but you can upgrade to a higher-tier plan to access even more features.

Pricing

While Vonage doesn’t have a free plan like Ooma Telo or Google Voice, it does offer affordable plans starting at $9.99 per month (plus taxes and fees). We like that Vonage keeps its plans and pricing pretty simple. If you just want to make calls within North America, you pick the North America plan ($9.99 per month). If you want 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 across the globe. Oh, and you can still make international calls on the North America plan. You’ll just pay rates starting at $0.04 per minute. This is much cheaper than the international calling rates at Ooma Telo.

» Related Reading: Senior travel and vacations

One thing we really like about Vonage is that you don’t have to pay anything for the adapter. You don’t even have to pay for shipping! You can get the Vonage adapter sent straight to your door without paying 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 to be very similar to Ooma Telo and Voiply. After registering the device online, you just plug it into your router. From there, you can choose to 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 that Vonage doesn’t skimp on the extra features. From extension apps for using Vonage VoIP on your smartphone to the ability to check your voicemails by phone or email, there are tons of 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 there are things you’re missing out on. In this situation, there really can be too much of a good thing.

» Related Reading: Best smartphones for seniors in 2024

That said, Vonage does offer a lot of 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

SeniorLiving.org Rating 4.4

Ease of use	Equipment	Service & Response	Features & Tech	Pricing
above average	above average	above average	average	below average

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Grasshopper VoIP

Overview

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. This is a great option if you want a home phone that can easily transfer calls to your cell phone.

FYI:

FYI: Are you looking for fast internet that can support multiple VoIP lines? Check out our guide on the best internet for seniors in 2024.

This is a software-based service, so it is quick and easy to download and get started, but you’ll have to bring your own computer or cell phone to use it. Plans start at $15 per month for an annual subscription or $19 if you prefer to pay month to month. Either way, Grasshopper gives you plenty of features, such as call forwarding, automatic responses, texting, and virtual fax.

The only thing we don’t like about Grasshopper is that it doesn’t support calls to 911 or emergency services. This is a pretty 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 who either have a medical alert system that can contact emergency responders quickly or those who have an existing landline or mobile phone plan that allows 911 calls.

» Related Reading: Best senior phone plans

While 911 is useful in emergencies, we highly recommend a medical alert system for added protection. Our team has tested dozens of systems over the years, and we’ve found that they make the perfect supplement to a cell phone or VoIP. During an emergency, you can press a button to connect with a trained operator 24/7. The operator will already have your health and contact information on file, so they can send as quickly as possible.

» For Your Safety: Best medical alert systems of 2024

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 $15 per month if you pay for a year of service in advance, or $19 per month for a monthly plan. Solo Plus costs substantially more — $25 per month with an annual plan or $32 per month for a monthly plan — but it comes with some great features. You can also get a 14-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 just download the app, pay the subscription fee, and get started. However, this also means that you need to have your internet and at least one phone line already established. Unlike Ooma Telo, Grasshopper doesn’t sell any type of phone or non-VoIP phone plans. And, since Grasshopper doesn’t allow 911 calls through its service, it’s best to already have a landline or mobile phone plan in place anyway.

» You Might Like: Best senior unlimited cell phone plans

Features

Grasshopper packs a lot of great features into its plans. One thing we like is 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 that 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. This is a great feature for seniors with hearing loss.

» Related Resource: Best cell phones for seniors with hearing loss in 2024

Once again, the lack of 911 calling was a major disappointment, but otherwise, we were really happy with all that Grasshopper offers. 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

SeniorLiving.org Rating 4.3

Ease of use	Equipment	Service & Response	Features & Tech	Pricing
above average	average	above average	average	above average

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Voiply

Overview

Voiply is incredibly easy to use, which is 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 to go. With Voiply mobile app, it’s even easier to make and receive calls using your Voiply number on the go.

» Also Check Out: Social distancing: apps for seniors (tech-savvy or not)

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 upfront, bringing the monthly cost down to $7.46.

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. Keep in mind it may take extra time to port your number (that is, bring your current number with you). It can be a bit faster to get a new number from Voiply.

Pricing

On paper, Voiply is one of the most affordable VoIP services around. Like Vonage, you don’t have to pay for the adapter. Plus, Voiply plans start as low as $7.46 per month if you opt for an annual subscription. Whether you bring your old number with you or you get a new number, you won’t be charged anything extra. 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 you want to get one through Voiply, you’ll need to pay at least $84.95. Naturally, you can always look for landlines or mobile phones elsewhere, and 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 $84.95. Alternatively, you can get the AT&T Bundle. The bundle comes with a wired base phone and two cordless phones that can be put in different rooms of your home. The AT&T Bundle starts at $99.95. We weren’t super impressed with Voiply’s landline offerings, as you can find much more affordable landline phones or mobile phones elsewhere.

» Learn About: AT&T phone plans for seniors

Features

Like Vonage, Voiply includes a lot of 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 essentially retain ownership of your phone number and only use it when you need it. 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.

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

SeniorLiving.org Rating 4.3

Ease of use	Equipment	Service & Response	Features & Tech	Pricing
excellent	average	average	average	excellent

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Google Voice

Overview

Google Voice is a great choice if you want to make 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. What’s great about Google Voice is it’s 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.

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, as well as 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 the pertinent information. All you have to do is check your email. This is also a great feature for those with hearing loss.

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 to get started. 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 itself is definitely free, you’ll still need to pay for a phone service to get registered and home internet to actually make VoIP calls.

» For Your Consideration: Cheap internet for seniors

However, you can 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 ultra-fast 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). That is something you can’t do 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. This makes Google Voice great for seniors who already have all the equipment and plans required to make calls and use the internet, but specifically want to use a VoIP service. For example, if you have great 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 simply don’t work when setting up your Google Voice account. For example, you can’t use another VoIP number or a phone number from outside the U.S. or Canada to set up Google Voice. Since the process is largely 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

Google Voice is like a free version of Grasshopper as it doesn’t require an adapter, you can make calls via an app, and (unfortunately), you can’t make calls to 911. This is one of the biggest downsides of using Google Voice. However, since Google Voice requires you to have 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