Types of SoftPhone: What are they, how do they work?

In today’s article we will tell you all about SoftPhone 📱: what they are, what advantages they have, how to use them and our special recommendations for their optimization. 🤓 Read this article and start calling for free from anywhere in the world now!

 

SoftPhone what is it?

It is a software program that allows you to make and receive calls using a computer or tablet, instead of a regular phone.

It is often used in conjunction with VoIP services, allowing you to make calls over the Internet to anyone with a phone number, whether landline or mobile.

They can also be used without VoIP, by using the traditional telephone network to make and receive calls. However, this can be more expensive than using VoIP.

There are many different softphones available, and many telephone operators offer free softphones to their customers. This can be useful if you travel frequently or if you simply want to save money on your phone calls.

 

What is a SIP softphone?

SIP is a protocol that defines how to send and receive data over the Internet. SIP is designed so that voice, video and data messages can be sent easily and quickly. SIP calls are cheaper and easier to set up than traditional calls.

Softphone SIP is a software program that allows you to make and receive phone calls using a computer with an Internet connection.

It is an ideal solution for those who want to make calls from anywhere, as it does not require any extra hardware. It is usually very easy to set up and use, making it ideal for those who do not have much experience in the world of telephony.

In general, a SIP softphone offers a variety of advanced features, such as call recording, conference calling or call routing. However, it is important to note that this type of softphone is usually only compatible with SIP protocols.

 

softphone sip

 

What is a VoIP SoftPhone?

VoIP softphone is a term that refers to a type of phone program that allows users to make and receive calls using a data connection, such as an Internet connection.

VoIP softphones can be downloaded and installed on computers and mobile devices, and offer a variety of features and functions, such as call recording, phonebook access and call waiting.

Some VoIP service providers offer free VoIP softphones to their customers, while others charge an additional fee for the use of the software.

 

VoIP phone what is it?

It is a phone that uses the internet to receive and make calls or video calls to any softphone, landline or cell phone.

Any device with an internet connection and microphone can become a VoIP phone: cell phones, landlines, tablets and computers.

NOTE: You can read more about this type of phones in the article -> WHAT IS A VOIP PHONE, HOW IT WORKS?

 

What is an IP Phone?

It is the telephone device that facilitates making phone calls over the Internet. It is also known as SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) phone or HardPhone.

 

What is a HardPhone?

It is a type of SIP phone, although in this case it is a physical phone. HardPhone is another term for IP phones.

 

What are the advantages of installing a SoftPhone?

  • SAVINGS:
    • There is no need to have physical equipment solely for telephone communication.
    • The rates are usually very economical, being VoIP (communication over the Internet).
  • FLEXIBILITY:
    • It allows communication without physical or geographical limits, you can take the fixed or office extension anywhere without limits. The calls will cost the same wherever you are.
  • INSTALLATION:
    • No need to worry about compatibility with different existing computer or mobile operating systems. It can be integrated with various computer applications easily (by downloading an application from the App Store / Play Store).
  • FUNCTIONALITY:
    • To the software, you can add all kinds of functionalities, in addition to the basic ones such as receiving, making or transferring calls.

 

What types of SoftPhone are there?

There are multiple options for both Windows and Mac computers and smartphones, whether Android or iOS.

We can speak then of two types of softphone in general, whether they are used for professional or personal entrono:

SoftPhone App for mobile devices

By downloading this type of softphone on our Android or IOS smartphone, we will be able to start using the PBX extension on the mobile. This will favor the mobility of the telephone line and facilitate communication from anywhere in the world where there is an internet connection.

With the app installed on the mobile device, push notifications can be activated and it will be possible to talk for free with other users of the same PBX.

SoftPhone App for Computer

There is the option to use this type of communication on Windows and Mac computers with applications such as WebRTC. This computer application works from any web browser with html5 support. It allows functionalities such as call transfer and its configuration is very simple.

 

softphone types

 

How does SoftPhone work?

To know how softphone works, we must first indicate that it uses the Internet to transmit data. In this case, the type of data is audio divided into segments called packets. These packets are converted into binary code through a codec for digital transmission.

These codes are sent between mobile devices, computers or tablets, and decoded by these devices. Connection systems (such as modems or routers) prioritize voice packets based on bandwidth over other less relevant information.

For its configuration, only the following information needs to be known:

  • server’s name and IP,
  • Port number,
  • internal number or extension,
  • a password.

 

What do I need to use a SoftPhone?

There are not many items you need to use this communication system. Here’s what you’ll need to get started with this simple mode of telecommunications:

  • INTERNET CONNECTION:
    Since they work with IP telephony over the internet network, so it is necessary to have WiFi, 4G, ADSL or other type of connection.
  • VOIP CARRIER:
    It is essential to have a VoIP operator that provides the line and phone number.
  • SMARTPHONE:
    To have the functionalities of a voip softphone, it is necessary to have the corresponding app installed on the Smartphone. Note that you can also use sip softphones from your computer, laptop or tablet.

 

Which are the most recommended SoftPhone App for Android?

Among those we find available for Android, we can recommend the following:

  • Zoiper:

It is a program capable of making calls, using VoIP technology, from one computer or phone to another that has the Zoiper softphone installed. It also allows you to make calls to conventional phones.

You can download it at the following link -> DOWN DOWNLOAD Zoiper FOR ANDROID.

We show you how to install it, configure it and how Zoiper softphone works in the following link -> INSTALL AND CONFIGURE SOFTPHONE Zoiper ON ANDROID.

  • Acrobits:

It is a softphone app able to turn your mobile into an IP phone and manage calls from a virtual PBX through it.

You can download it at the following link -> DOWN DOWNLOAD Acrobits FOR ANDROID.

We teach you how to install it, configure it and how Acrobits softphone works in the following link -> INSTALL AND CONFIGURE SOFTPHONE Acrobits ON ANDROID.

  • CSipSimple:

It is a totally free application that allows users to call any national, international and mobile numbers.

You can download it at the following link -> DOWN CSipSimple DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID.

We teach you how to install it, configure it and how CSipSimple softphone works in the following link -&> INSTALL AND CONFIGURE SOFTPHONE CSipSimple ON ANDROID.

  • Media5-fone:

It allows you to receive and make calls from Android and iOS devices (iPhones and iPads) to any phone (landline and mobile) national and international through your SIP account.

You can download it at the following link -> DOWN DOWNLOAD Media5-Fone FOR ANDROID.

We teach you how to install it, configure it and how Media5-Fone softphone works in the following link -&> INSTALL AND CONFIGURE SOFTPHONE Media5-Fone ON ANDROID.

 

Which are the most recommended SoftPhone Apps for iOS?

There are a wide variety of apps for iOS, but from our experience, we especially recommend installing the following:

  • Acrobits:

This application turns your mobile into an IP phone from where it will be possible to manage calls from a virtual PBX. It also has a version for Android.

You can download it at the following link -> DOWN Acrobits DOWNLOAD FOR iOS.

We show you how to install it, configure it and how Acrobits softphone works in the following link -> INSTALL AND CONFIGURE SOFTPHONE Acrobits ON iOS.

 

how softphone works

 

Which are the most recommended SoftPhone Apps for Computer?

Of all the IP phone apps for computer, for their efficiency, we can recommend the following:

  • Jitsi:

Recommended for all those companies that want to have a free softphone with professional features without having to pay license fees. It can be installed in computers with any operating system: Windows, Ubuntu, Mac, RPM, Linux, Debian, etc.

You can download it at the following link -> DOWN Jitsi on PC.

We show you how to install it, configure it and how Jitsi works in the following link -> INSTALL AND CONFIGURE Jitsi

  • WebRTC:

Allows you to make and receive calls through any PC or tablet web browser with html5 support. WebRTC technology integrates with a company’s virtual PBX and facilitates easy remote connection.

You can download it at the following link -> DOWN WebRTC on PC or tablet.

We show you how to install it, configure it and how WebRTC works in the following link -> INSTALL AND CONFIGURE WebRTC

 

softphone what is it

 

 

What is the difference between a SoftPhone and an IP Phone?

These two terms are often confused with each other, as both are used for VoIP communication. Although it must be recognized that both terms have several points in common, IP Phones and softphones also have many differences between them:

  • COMMUNICATION TYPE:
    • IP PHONE:

It is a physical device similar to a standard telephone. However, among other things they differ from analog terminals in the fact that they can also be connected to a VoIP network (or to an IP PBX or Cloud PBX, for example).

Calls are made over the network. It should be noted that nowadays it is also possible to adapt a standard telephone to convert it into an IP telephone set using an adapter.

    • Softphone:

It is a software program that can be downloaded and installed on a device.

With a softphone, incoming and outgoing calls are carried through the software.

  • FUNCTIONALITIES:
    • IP Phone:

It has fewer features than SoftPhone, among which:

      • call forwarding, voice communications identifier and caller information feature
  • Softphone:

It has multimedia functionalities that an IP Phone cannot have, including, depending on the software, the following:

      • make multi-user conferences, get call statistics and even make video calls, to name a few options.
  • MOBILITY:
    • IP PHONE:

It needs to be hooked to the mains and a specific IP.

    • Softphone:

As it does not require specific hardware, it can be used from anywhere in the world.

  • AUDIO QUALITY: the two perform communications through the internet network, and to a large extent, the quality of the calls will depend on the bandwidth of the network, however, some premises that can favor or worsen the quality of communication must be taken into account:
    • IP Phone:

The use of the Internet to the terminal is exclusive, therefore, the risk of oscillation is much lower, therefore usually with better sound quality for connections.

    • Softphone:

When establishing communications with the application installed on a device, this program must share the network with the other “pages” that were open. And if this happens, the call could have cuts, chirps and failures.

  • COST: there is no difference. If we compare traditional telephony and PBX, both the IP phone and the softphone are much cheaper. Particularly, the calls that are established through the Cloud PBX, are free of charge.

 

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We hope you found today’s article interesting and that it will help you to improve your company’s resources. If you want to continue learning about this type of telephony, take a look at this section of our BLOG!

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Por: Nati CaballeroPublicado el: 16 de agosto de 2022