I looked at a number of alert features to create this comparison chart of providers offering free and paid incoming caller alerts for your PC.

Call alerts are important if you live in rural areas or simply can’t afford access to faster connection speeds. In that case, you may want to consider using these alert services to avoid the cost of a second phone line while having the power to decide when and how to answer phone messages. One feature many users of these services like is the caller ID features: you can see who's calling without having to answer to the phone.

To support you in finding the right service, I list and have provided reviews for four core services from the major players in PC answering software services. This also includes free call services which might fit the bill, but lack a number of the important enhancements of paid plans that could make your life even easier by turning one phone line into two.

If you're looking for a free service, I highly recommend trying Callwave.com's free 30-day trial.

Have the power to decide when and how to answer phone messages. To decide on the right Internet call manager for you, you'll need to know which services are available, how much each feature costs, and which features each provider has. That's where I might be able to help.

They each offer basic features (like Caller ID alerts and Internet answering machines) and some offer more robust call alert capabilities. Most of the companies also have different levels of products, so you can find one to fit your budget and needs.