Vonage or Primus?

BadBBoy · 2006-01-05, 01:41 AM

I am debating whether to switch to Vonage or Primus for VOIP.

Is there a difference between the two, i.e. pricing, service, quality?

Any recommendations?

Thanks.

DOST · 2006-01-05, 03:19 AM

I have been primus customer for about year and I am pretty happy with it so far..there were few issues but they all worked out okay..

hugh · 2006-01-05, 07:56 AM

Badbboy, read this thread and test to find out what Primus would be like.

Goto testyourvoip.com to test your connection for Vonage.

I've had both and IMHO

Primus has the activeX component to handle calls, better VM and DND features.

Vonage has better call quality for me. My Primus was essentially inoperable for 4 of the 5 months I had the service. Primus said it was my ISP, however after the switch, Vonage has worked very well

PhotoJim · 2006-01-05, 10:20 AM

I have both and prefer Primus because it has numbers where I live, but if Vonage did... it'd be hard to decide.

In short, Primus is better if you like a really configurable system. For instance, I can configure Primus so that calls from 416 and 647 forward to my cell phone. Since I have an alternate number in 416, effectively that means I can make that number an alternate to my landline, my cell phone, my office phone, whatever I want.

I also like how I can see, using a Java application, if someone is calling me at home, even when I'm at work or travelling, and divert the call to my work or cell phone without having to set up call forwarding. I've used that feature more than once.

On the other hand, Vonage has a little better sound quality, seems slightly more robust and is a better choice if you call long distance some (but not a lot; Primus is cheaper for unlimited long distance). The basic 500-minute package is great for calling around North America, but local calls count against it. (Incoming don't, though.) For some people this would be much better.

Vonage has more number centres (smaller Canadian centres, many US centres, Mexico City, some UK cities) than Primus does, but some odd gaps (all of Atlantic Canada except Halifax; Saskatchewan; Windsor, ON). Vonage serves Regina and Windsor, which is better for people who live in these cities.

In short... it depends, like with so many other things. There is seldom an unequivocal superior choice.

bel4_20 · 2006-01-11, 06:59 PM

I just got Primus and so far I am very pleased with the voice quality and service....biggest problem?, 20min wait for tech support other then that no issues.

sailor · 2006-02-16, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bel4_20

I just got Primus and so far I am very pleased with the voice quality and service....biggest problem?, 20min wait for tech support other then that no issues.

I have had very bad experience with Primus. Looong waits for customer service, and when finally they picked up, they were rude and not helpful. I ended up returning the equipment without even opening it.
Never tried Vonage, the price seems to be on the high side...

googe · 2006-02-16, 04:13 AM

primus has good features but garbage customer service and very unorganized billing. usually places with poor customer service are tolerable as long as they work, because you dont have to deal with them anyway, but primus manages to randomly screw things up that you havent even touched and then its great fun trying to get it fixed.

also, their free phone promotion is an outright lie. i didnt get mine after about 8 calls telling me "next week".

BorderLine · 2006-02-16, 05:56 PM

Like Googe said, Primus has lots of features. A few I don't even know how to use. I've used Vonage too, and I don't notice a huge difference in call quality or added value.

DOST · 2006-03-20, 01:42 AM

I have been primus customer for year and half and pretty happy with them..I got awsome deal ( I do not if this still valid) but they send me free gateway, free 2 uniden cordless phones..
the serivce has not gone down so far except SHAW outages..

Styvas · 2006-03-20, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by googe

also, their free phone promotion is an outright lie. i didnt get mine after about 8 calls telling me "next week".

99% of customers receive the phone. Unfortunately for googe he was one of the few who has had problems with that. I got my phone as did many others.

It's not even that great a phone. I'd take the AirMiles if they're still offered.

Steve

JBaptista68 · 2006-04-06, 11:23 AM

Primus actual service is good as long as you don't have a problem.

Their customer service group are complete idiots. No follow-up whatsoever. They promised a return phone call 5 times and it never happened.

Beware also if you are trying to port an existing number since they don't appear to be able to get that right. Their incompetence cost me my original local number.

Don't try and escalate to their supervisor group since they just laugh at you and some will even hang up if you try and ask for their manager.

Overalll, not a very professional group but they are the cheapest.

PhotoJim · 2006-04-06, 11:26 AM

I've found Primus to be acceptable when I phone them. I've also found them to be responsive to email (although it does take a couple of days).

DBass · 2006-04-06, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBaptista68

Primus actual service is good as long as you don't have a problem.

Their customer service group are complete idiots. No follow-up whatsoever. They promised a return phone call 5 times and it never happened.

Beware also if you are trying to port an existing number since they don't appear to be able to get that right. Their incompetence cost me my original local number.

Don't try and escalate to their supervisor group since they just laugh at you and some will even hang up if you try and ask for their manager.

Overalll, not a very professional group but they are the cheapest.

I have to agree with this assessment. I've only had Primus for about a week but the service has worked pretty flawlessly. Customer Service is a nightmare though and I can honestly say I've never had a harder time trying to become a customer of a company.

I must admit though the the technical support people do seem to be at least somewhat "on the ball".

intgr8r · 2006-04-08, 02:59 PM

I have both Vonage (SOHO) and Primus (residential).

As for cost, Primus is by far the winner with the lowest rate (residential or business - even compared to all those new guys including cia.com) and the value for service.

No difference in Call Quality as this is mainly dependent on the ISP "connection" at the time you call - I use Bell Sympatico DryLoop.

Both Primus and Vonage Tech support are excellent. As with all cases, the Customer support is "par" - hey, they are only customer support - and in all cases, it all depends on how you "talk" to them - can you read between the lines?

VTECMAN · 2006-04-08, 07:47 PM

I love my primus. Their CS sucks, but their tech support is phenomenal. It all depends on what you want.

2006-01-05, 01:41 AM	#1
BadBBoy Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Calgary Posts: 61	Vonage or Primus? I am debating whether to switch to Vonage or Primus for VOIP. Is there a difference between the two, i.e. pricing, service, quality? Any recommendations? Thanks.

2006-01-05, 03:19 AM	#2
DOST Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 22	primus I have been primus customer for about year and I am pretty happy with it so far..there were few issues but they all worked out okay..

2006-02-16, 05:56 PM	#8
BorderLine Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 14	Both aren't bad Like Googe said, Primus has lots of features. A few I don't even know how to use. I've used Vonage too, and I don't notice a huge difference in call quality or added value. Last edited by hugh; 2006-03-20 at 04:14 PM.

2006-03-20, 01:42 AM	#9
DOST Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 22	primus I have been primus customer for year and half and pretty happy with them..I got awsome deal ( I do not if this still valid) but they send me free gateway, free 2 uniden cordless phones.. the serivce has not gone down so far except SHAW outages..

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2006-01-05, 07:56 AM	#3
hugh Digital Home Founder Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Toronto Posts: 39,001	Badbboy, read this thread and test to find out what Primus would be like. Goto testyourvoip.com to test your connection for Vonage. I've had both and IMHO Primus has the activeX component to handle calls, better VM and DND features. Vonage has better call quality for me. My Primus was essentially inoperable for 4 of the 5 months I had the service. Primus said it was my ISP, however after the switch, Vonage has worked very well

2006-01-05, 10:20 AM	#4
PhotoJim Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Regina, SK; Access Comm DCT6412+2000+1000 + Digital Voice; Primus TBB; Vonage Posts: 395	I have both and prefer Primus because it has numbers where I live, but if Vonage did... it'd be hard to decide. In short, Primus is better if you like a really configurable system. For instance, I can configure Primus so that calls from 416 and 647 forward to my cell phone. Since I have an alternate number in 416, effectively that means I can make that number an alternate to my landline, my cell phone, my office phone, whatever I want. I also like how I can see, using a Java application, if someone is calling me at home, even when I'm at work or travelling, and divert the call to my work or cell phone without having to set up call forwarding. I've used that feature more than once. On the other hand, Vonage has a little better sound quality, seems slightly more robust and is a better choice if you call long distance some (but not a lot; Primus is cheaper for unlimited long distance). The basic 500-minute package is great for calling around North America, but local calls count against it. (Incoming don't, though.) For some people this would be much better. Vonage has more number centres (smaller Canadian centres, many US centres, Mexico City, some UK cities) than Primus does, but some odd gaps (all of Atlantic Canada except Halifax; Saskatchewan; Windsor, ON). Vonage serves Regina and Windsor, which is better for people who live in these cities. In short... it depends, like with so many other things. There is seldom an unequivocal superior choice.

2006-01-11, 06:59 PM	#5
bel4_20 Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 26	I just got Primus and so far I am very pleased with the voice quality and service....biggest problem?, 20min wait for tech support other then that no issues.

2006-02-16, 04:13 AM	#7
googe Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Vancouver Posts: 331	primus has good features but garbage customer service and very unorganized billing. usually places with poor customer service are tolerable as long as they work, because you dont have to deal with them anyway, but primus manages to randomly screw things up that you havent even touched and then its great fun trying to get it fixed. also, their free phone promotion is an outright lie. i didnt get mine after about 8 calls telling me "next week".

2006-04-06, 11:23 AM	#11
JBaptista68 Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 1	Primus actual service is good as long as you don't have a problem. Their customer service group are complete idiots. No follow-up whatsoever. They promised a return phone call 5 times and it never happened. Beware also if you are trying to port an existing number since they don't appear to be able to get that right. Their incompetence cost me my original local number. Don't try and escalate to their supervisor group since they just laugh at you and some will even hang up if you try and ask for their manager. Overalll, not a very professional group but they are the cheapest.

2006-04-06, 11:26 AM	#12
PhotoJim Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Regina, SK; Access Comm DCT6412+2000+1000 + Digital Voice; Primus TBB; Vonage Posts: 395	I've found Primus to be acceptable when I phone them. I've also found them to be responsive to email (although it does take a couple of days).

2006-04-08, 02:59 PM	#14
intgr8r Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 12	I have both Vonage (SOHO) and Primus (residential). As for cost, Primus is by far the winner with the lowest rate (residential or business - even compared to all those new guys including cia.com) and the value for service. No difference in Call Quality as this is mainly dependent on the ISP "connection" at the time you call - I use Bell Sympatico DryLoop. Both Primus and Vonage Tech support are excellent. As with all cases, the Customer support is "par" - hey, they are only customer support - and in all cases, it all depends on how you "talk" to them - can you read between the lines?

2006-04-08, 07:47 PM	#15
VTECMAN Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 11	I love my primus. Their CS sucks, but their tech support is phenomenal. It all depends on what you want.