Ribbit Mobile is a VOIP and voicemail service that links landline and mobile phones to the internet. This allows its users to manage their phone calls and voicemails online. The service offers some great features including voicemail transcripts, call forwarding, Skype integration, and the ability to make calls directly from a computer.
I use Google Voice to manage all of my business calls and think it is an independent contractor’s best friend. But I am always willing to try a new service that might make managing my business calls easier. I recently received an invite to try Ribbit’s Pro service so I linked two of my phones, made a few calls, and tested some transcriptions.
So How does Ribbit Mobile stand up to Google Voice?
Do you get your own phone number?
Google Voice – Yes. You can pick a local number from available numbers.
Ribbit Mobile – Yes. However, you might not be able to get a local number.
Can you forward your calls to other numbers?
Google Voice – Yes
Ribbit Mobile – Yes
Ribbit can also forward voice calls to Skype numbers, Google Talk, and MSN Messenger. This is a really nice feature that can help to reduce the cost of your phone bill. Unfortunately in my tests, by the time Ribbit was able to forward incoming calls to Skype the call was already in my voicemail.
Google Voice can do something similar with Gizmo5 but Google has bought Gizmo5 and is not currently accepting new registrations.
Can you manage incoming calls based on who the caller is?
Google Voice – Yes. Google Voice lets you manage your incoming calls with person-by-person message rules allowing you to send certain callers to voicemail and hear a particular greeting.
Ribbit Mobile – No
Does it have an iPhone or Android App?
Google Voice – Google Voice has an Android and Blackberry app and a web-based version for the iPhone, Palm, and Windows phones.
Ribbit Mobile – Ribbit does have an iPhone app.
Does it have a desktop app?
Google Voice – No. But you are able to make outbound calls through the desktop. It works by connecting your phone to the number you are calling.
Ribbit Mobile – Yes. You can place and receive calls on Ribbit’s web-based phone.
The web-based phone on the Ribbit page will actually ring. You can use your computers speakers or a headset to answer the call from the Ribbit page.
Ribbit also has a number of apps that allow you to send text messages, view your messages, and start conference calls with up to 5 people directly from your computer.
Can you merge your contacts?
Google Voice – No but Google Voice integrates with your phone’s native address book or Google Contacts.
Ribbit Mobile – Existing contacts can be imported through Plaxo.
Ribbit also lets you integrate your social network contacts. Ribbit can authorize with Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Flickr, and show you updates on those networks from the person who just called.
Does it transcribe your voicemail?
Google Voice – Yes
Ribbit Mobile – Yes
Can you setup office hours?
Google Voice – Yes
Ribbit Mobile – No
Can you specify the caller id?
Google Voice will display your Google Voice number when placing outbound calls.
Ribbit Mobile – You can choose which outbound caller ID you want shown if you have more than one phone that’s been forwarded into Ribbit.
Can you send text messages?
Google Voice – Yes, through your mobile phone app or the desktop.
Ribbit Mobile – Yes, through a web-based app.
How much does it cost?
Google Voice – Free
Ribbit Mobile – Free during the beta period. You can Reserve your account to try out the service. After the beta period, it will cost between $10 and $30 per month.
Google Voice will probably remain the go-to service for those who already use GMail and Google Apps. However, Ribbit does have some great features including the ability to easily forward calls to Skype and the ability to integrate your social network contacts. Be sure to check out all of their great features.
For now, I am sticking with Google Voice so I can have the ability to set up office hours. How do you manage your phone calls? Do you use Google Voice, Ribbit Mobile, or some other service?
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DO NOT USE THIS APP! I’ve had this on my Verizon phone for about 6 months now. I am not one to look at the call history on my bill, I just pay it! So I was shocked to see over 40 minutes going to the Ribbit voicemail number in less than a week. I do not call the voicemail number, when I get the text and/or email for what the voicemail says, I just delete the text/vmail and move on. I MAYBE actually call the 206-453-1140 number once a month. And the times and minutes used are at random, they do not match up to when I’m making a call or receiving one. I emailed their support about it and this is their response “When you activate with Ribbit, your mobile phone is call forwarded from your carrier to Ribbit. When your calls are sent to Ribbit voicemail your carrier charges you air time minutes. Below is an explanation of how Ribbit call forwarding works.” and also this reply” Yes. In the scenario pictured below, the caller dials your mobile, is forwarded onto Ribbit, and you answer the call on one of your Ribbit connected phones and talk for 10 minutes. The mobile carrier is keeping the call established on their network, so this counts as 10 minutes against your mobile plan” Basically not helping at all. So comparing my call records online and my call history on my phone, Ribbit has been taking minutes from my plan even when I call someone in my Friends and Family, which is supposed to be unlimited to those 13 people (10 Friends and the 3 family lines I have). If you have this app, just look at the detailed call history on your bill. You will have random call times to the Ribbit vmail number that does not coincide with any calls that you made/received, and yet you’re being billed for them! I enjoyed the text/emails of what my vmail said but not at the expense of my already expensive minutes! Ribbit CANCELLED!
Thanks for the Warning Suzie. Something you should watch out for if you use Ribbit.