stuman-
From what one reads both are about as reliable as the other. There haven't been any reported outages for either service since somewhere in September of last year.
You would obviously notice a major price drop, to about half. I believe the unlimited plan with Vonage is about $27 ($24.95 plus fees/taxes) whereas (if you don't mind pre-paying $199) you get Sunrocket for $13.28 per month, a little less than half of Vonage's cost.
Here is the link for the $199 for 15 months deal, which brings the price to $13.28 per month:
https://www.sunrocket.com/sign_up/signup.do?tcd=YAH98ks
Ok, so half the price. What else?
Well, for starters, you get more with Sunrocket in terms of features and other stuffs.
SR throws in a free extra number. It is a virtual number. This can be an ANYWHERE number (set it up in any area code SR serves and you can have family in another state call that number as a local call) or it can be just another local # for a family member (use with distinctive ring) or as a fax number. Vonage charges almost $7 extra for this number, it is free with SR.
I will repost what I had in another thread when a SR vs. Vonage comparison was asked for:
The money advantage SR has over Vonage is not just in basic service cost.
If you choose sunrocket's economical Unlimited US and Canada for $199 for 15 month plan the monthly cost works out to $13.28. There are no taxes or fees added to that base price. If you choose to cancel for any reason you receive a prorated refund. vonage's rate is $24.95 plus additional fees of $3.15 for a total of $28.10, almost $15.00 more.
More about money: SR includes $3 "allowance" in international phone calls, vonage does not. If you happen to place international calls your savings with SR over vonage become greater.
More about money: SR includes 2 free 411 calls per month, thereafter it is $0.75 per call. vonage charges $0.99 per 411 call starting from the first one. A savings of at least $2 per month if you use the 2 free 411 calls with SR.
More about money: SR includes a "Signature line" with the basic service free of charge. You get a second phone number to use as you please. It could be the number for a family member, you could use it as a fax number or you could assign it as an ANYWHERE number (set up this number in an area code you have friends, family or clients and allow them to call you dialing a local number.) vonage charges $4.95 plus $1.50 phone number charge per month for that signature line. SRs signature line comes with its own voicemail box, vonage's signature line is just another incoming line without voicemail box. Want to change the signature number from one area code to the next as your family moves or your needs change? SR does it for free, vonage charges $9.99 plus tax.
More about money: With SR you get a free 2-phone set (Uniden) which is a cordless speakerphone system. Value is about $70. The phone system is yours to keep, whether you decide to keep the service or not. vonage does not yet give phones away.
More about money: SR has no activation fees, no shipping cost, no setup fees and no cancellation fees. In contrast vonage has a $29.99 activation fee, a $39.99 cancellation fee, $9.99 shipping
Features: SR has a feature advantage.
Vonage has a couple of features I wish SR had:
1. Busy Redialing - You get a busy signal, hit #5 and your phone will ring you back once the busy number has been reached by the system.
2. Forwarded numbers can be rung simulataneously. SR has sequential forwarding, so if someone calls your home number and the phone rings a set number of times it then rings on the next number listed (say, your cell) then the next number. A lot of rings go by before you may become aware that someone is trying to reach you. With Simulring you can have a few numbers ring simultaneously.
SR has features Vonage does not:
1. Free signature number included (can be an anywhere number)
2. voice message screener (virtual answering machine) with the ability to intercept calls as messages are being left
3. signature number has its own voicemail box
4. Outgoing Caller ID with NAME
5. Voicemail notification to cell, email, IM, pager, SMS
6. Do Not Disturb
7. Selective Forwarding - forward calls from select group (VIP, friends, family)
8. Speed Dials programmable into any phone using the Contact List
9. True E-911. vonage is trying to switch to E-911 but currently offers a third-party 911 service.