Several unique terms and phrases describe the features of services we review on this site, some easier to grasp than others. This list briefly defines terms relevant to Ringtone Download Services.

Ratings

Ease of Use

We graded ringtone services on how easy it is to enter the website, find a desired ringtone and download it to a cell phone.

Feature Set

The best ringtone sites incorporate many practical features that aid in finding and downloading a ringtone like a search box, audio preview and more.

Selection

The overall number of ringtones and other application downloads the service offers and how well they are organized.

Cell Phone Compatibility

A good ringtone download service offers tones that many cell phone services and cell phones support.

Service Plans

A quality ringtone site offers a number of different plans that will fit your individual needs at a competitive price.

Sound Quality

Ringtones come in a number of different audio formats, some are better than others. We reviewed the clarity of the sound, how well it represents the original song and so forth.

Help/Support

The service should provide accessible help and support that can easily get you answers to questions and resolve any problems you have.

Features

Album Name

The service provides the name of the album on which the song is found.

Album Picture

The ringtone download service offers a picture of the album cover in conjunction with other information about the ringtone.

Artist Name

The service provides the name of the artist that performed the song.

Audio Preview

You are able to listen to a clip of or the entire ringtone before you download it to make certain you want to add it to your collection.

Browse without a Membership

These services allow you to browse the entire site without requiring you to sign up for a membership.

Cell Phone Picture ID

In case you don't know the model number of your cell phone, some sites provide pictures of every model for which their service provides downloads.

Other Downloads

This site is not limited to ringtone downloads-you'll also find wallpapers, games, applications and more for your cell phone.

Requires Text Messaging

When you purchase a song, the download is sent to you in the form of a text message. If you don't have text messaging, you won't be able to receive the download.

Search Box

The website has a box in which you can type names, titles or other search terms and it will find anything on the site that matches those keywords. This is a great way to search for a particular song or artist.

Song Title

The service provides the name of the original song.

Search Categories

Alphabetical Listing

You can click on a letter of the alphabet and the site will direct you to a list of every ringtone they offer whose name begins with that letter.

Ringer Types

Monophonic

The site offers ringtones in monophonic format. Monophonic ringtones are synthesized renditions of songs playing only one note at a time.

Polyphonic

The site offers ringtones in polyphonic format, which are synthesized renditions of songs playing more than one note at a time.

Real/Tru Tones

The site offers real ringtones and music tones. These ringtones are actual recordings with vocal accompaniments-similar to what you would hear on the original CD.

Sound Effects

The site offers sound effect ringtones. These ringtones include everyday sounds like dogs barking, doorbells, cars and more.

Voice Tones

The site offers voice ringtones. These are not songs but are comedic sayings or popular phrases like Jeff Foxworthy's "..you might be a redneck," Steve Harvey's "you ain't gonna believe who's on the phone" and more.

Help/Support

Phone Support

The service offers a phone number so you can contact customer support with any questions.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions-the service provides a webpage with the answers to common questions. This is a good place to start if you have an inquiry.

User Forum

The ringtone download service provides an area for people to post messages and discuss cell phone downloads and other related topics.

Email Address

The service provides an email address so you can contact customer support via email.

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