The Best Internet Phone for Long Distance Calls

Yahoo Voice allows users to get a phone number for their computer to receive and make calls. Area codes in your area may be chosen for your number depending upon availability. Yahoo Voice gives you free PC-to-PC calls through Yahoo Messenger, while calls to mobile phones and landlines costs 1.9 cents a minute. You can choose to prepay or auto-renew minutes as you go along, but if you tend to talk a lot, Yahoo Voice probably isn't the most cost-effective service for you.

Vonage is an Internet phone service with several different options depending on what you need from your home phone. The U.S. and Canada Unlimited service costs $14.99 a month and features unlimited local and long distance in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. It also comes with unlimited readable voicemail transcripts sent through text, email with Vonage Visual Voicemail, caller ID, call waiting, anonymous call block and 3-way calling.

With Magic Jack, you can make free local and long distance calls. You also get caller ID service, call waiting and voicemail. Magic Jack works by plugging into the USB port on your computer and installing the software with the included CD. From there you can access Magic Jack anytime your computer is on and you have access to the Internet connection in your home. Magic Jack costs $39.95 plus shipping and handling, with an additional year for $19.95.

Skype is an Internet phone you use directly from your computer or even your mobile phone or device. Skype offers free video calling around the world, as well as free Skype calls to other Skype members around the world. Calling a land line, however, warrants a pay-per-minute charge of 2.3 cents and an unlimited monthly plan for U.S. and Canada starting at $2.99. Other features include caller ID, conference calls, voicemail, SMS, call forwarding and instant messaging.