eVoice Review

Pros:

• 300 included minutes (our Market Standard is 150 minutes)
• Free to add another phone line
• Free to port existing number into the service
• 24/7 customer support
• Mobile apps available for iPhone, Android, and Blackberry

Cons:

• Only two extensions included
• Internet fax service not available

Conclusion:

If you don't need more than two extensions or Internet fax service, eVoice's basic plan gives you a good value and a lot of monthly minutes. This plan costs $9.95 per month for 300 minutes and two extensions. They offer a 30 day free trial to test their service before you buy. They offer Find Me/Follow Me (which sets forwarding rules) and an auto attendant (which is a custom menu that directs calls), as well as voicemail alerts via email. You can get voicemail-to-text transcription for an additional fee. You can store an unlimited number of voicemails for up to 30 days, but upgrading to eVoice Plus will give you unlimited storage. eVoice does not offer Internet fax service, which does not meet our Market Standard. eVoice offers good phone and email support 24/7.

Pricing

The basic plan offered by eVoice costs $9.95 per month and includes two extensions and 300 minutes. The per-minute cost is 3 cents, which is cheap for a virtual PBX service. However, they do not offer an annual prepayment discount. Their highest level plan includes 1000 minutes.

Phone Numbers

eVoice provides a local or toll-free number with their service, which meets our Market Standard. 800 numbers and vanity numbers are only available with the higher level plans, and vanity numbers also require a $30 setup fee. They do not have international numbers, but you can port your existing number into their system for free.

Online Interface

eVoice has an online interface and a setup wizard to help get you started. The online interface gives users the ability to manage and control their account. They have comprehensive call logs and they let you make a blocked call list. You cannot record your calls with eVoice. You can make an online address book but cannot import contacts from Outlook. They also do not allow you to set specific call handling rules.

Voicemail

With eVoice, you can store voicemails online for up to 30 days. You also have the option to upgrade to eVoice Plus and receive one year of online storage. You can receive voicemails via email or download them to your computer, and they offer text transcriptions of voicemails, which costs $7.95 per user for 40 messages. Additional messages cost 25 cents each.

Call Handling

eVoice offers Find Me/Follow Me call handling, which is a feature that forwards incoming calls to all of your different phone numbers until you are reached. One of the main functions of a PBX system is to set rules on how calls are handled when your number is dialed. While on a call with eVoice, you cannot block a caller, transfer the caller to voicemail, place the call on hold or start recording the call using just the keypad. They offer call screening, but they do not offer a Do Not Disturb option, which makes your phone appear to be turned off to callers. You can set up a custom menu that lets callers decide where they need to be routed, but you cannot define how long someone waits in a queue before the system reroutes the call. You can use your PBX system to make phone calls when you're outside of the U.S. Audio quality is average and relatively clear.

Conference Calling, Internet Faxing, and Mobile Apps

eVoice lets you make conference calls and they are billed by the number of minutes each caller uses. eVoice offers moderator features and provides a reference guide for conference call moderator shortcuts. They do not offer an Internet fax service, which does not meet our Market Standard for virtual PBX services. They have mobile applications available for iPhone, Android, and Blackberry.

Customer Support

eVoice provides average quality customer support that is available 24/7. They have searchable FAQs as well as tutorials, but do not have forums where customers can go to ask questions.

eVoice News

Monday, May 3, 2010

eVoice Now Offers "Radically Better Phone Number"

Earlier this month, j2 Global Communications Inc. upgraded its virtual phone system provider in order to provide a “radically better phone number.”

eVoice now has robust new features, functionality and lower pricing. New and upgraded features include:

• The ability to set up toll-free or local phone numbers quickly and easily. Businesses can project a "local presence" in any number of markets while also offering toll-free services to customers and prospects. Users can choose to keep their existing numbers while still using eVoice’s full suite of features and services. Multiple extensions can be added to any phone number, making it easy to navigate to specific people or departments.
• New plans, starting as low as$12.95/mo. All plans include a choice of toll-free or local number; auto attendant, call routing (forwarding, transfer, screening); enhanced voicemail, voicemail-to-text, customized professional greeting, conference calling, online account administration and call history, custom hold music and more. Additionally, all plans allow existing numbers to be transferred to eVoice, which means that businesses don’t have to give up a familiar phone number to get the benefits of eVoice.
• A "virtual receptionist" and customized greeting option for every user and need. Users can choose an automated greeting, record and upload their own greeting or choose professional voice talent provided by eVoice.
• "Find me/Follow me" features that route calls to multiple phones, which can ring in sequence or simultaneously at the user’s discretion. With this feature, users can be sure that they will never again miss an important call.
• Voicemails delivered as audio files and text transcriptions via email or text message, so users can instantly listen to or read a transcription of their message from any phone, computer or other mobile device. Users can also search, store or forward transcriptions of messages via email.
• A dedicated commitment to providing superior levels of 24/7 live customer service and support. eVoice’s 24/7 live phone support provides quick responses to technical issues, delivered by trained eVoice representatives. 24/7 email support is also available.

Read eVoice's Full Review