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VoIP Softphones are software applications which, in combination with a speaker/microphone or a headset, can be used to make phone calls over the Internet without a physical phone.

All these phones use Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology, suggesting considerable cost savings for users who conduct voice communications and multimedia sessions over an Internet Protocol network.

Introduction to softphones

VoIP is a technology rich in jargon, technical terms and acronyms. For this reason, let’s embark by defining a few of the most common terms used to describe different softphones.

Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is the most common communications protocol used for IP-based multimedia communication sessions, such as voice and movie calls. The SIP protocol is also used for movie conferencing, instant messaging and media distribution. SIP is a protocol standard governed by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF).

SIP phones

Softphones also referred to as SIP Phones or VoIP Phones. There are two types of SIP Phones. The very first is a physical handset, purpose built for making calls over the Internet. The 2nd type is the type of software described in this article. These permit people to use their computer in combination with a headset to make phone calls.

Different protocols can be used to process and transfer data using VoIP technology. The VoIP softphone you select must support protocols that your VoIP service provider uses.

Most softphones use the SIP protocol. Other protocols include Asterisk’s proprietary protocol IAX, Cisco’s proprietary SCCP protocol as well as H.323 and MGCP.

Inter-Asterisk eXchange (IAX) is a communications protocol (like SIP) used with the Asterisk private branch exchange software. Some softphones use this protocol to carry VoIP communication sessions inbetween servers and softphone devices.

SIP trunking

SIP trunks provide the connection inbetween a private branch exchange (PBX – a telephone system that serves a particular business), and the public telephone network. In doing so, SIP trunking substitutes the need for legacy phone lines. Users install an IP-PBX server which eliminates the need for traditional phone lines and carrier agreements. SIP trunking enables connection inbetween remote network knots.

Most softphones support common telephone features such as:

• Call forwarding
• Call conferencing
• Hold capabilities
• Call transferring
• Voicemail
• Welcoming capabilities
• Text, IM, and movie capabilities
• Echo cancellation to improve sound quality
• Contact list/address book

Free Softphones

Linux softphones

Twinkle

This Linux-based softphone treats voice calls and instant messaging. Voice calls can be connected to other IP phones. Used in a network, it can also be used to route calls and messages.

• 3-way conferencing calling
• Secure voice communication by ZRTP/SRTP
• Support for eight audio codecs and two audio drivers
• Instant messaging
• Available in Czech, Dutch, English, French, German, Swedish
• Thirty-three different standards supported

To view the total and comprehensive list of features, refer to the Twinkle About page.

Version 1.Four.Two supports integration with Diamond Worldwide Communication Service for making worldwide calls to regular phones and cell phones, and to send and receive SMS messages.

SFLPhone

This Linux-based softphone is developed by the Canadian company Savoir-Faire Linux. The softphone is designed to connect to the Asterisk open source PABX. Is is available under the GNU GPL license, version Three.

• Multi-line and multi-accounts
• Unlimited number of calls
• Call recording
• Support for PulseAudio sound server for sound mixing
• Includes Gnome, KDE and CLI clients
• Conference calling
• Signalling and voice encryption (TLS, SRTP)

For a total list of SFLPhone features, visit the SFLPhone features page.

Empathy

This softphone is classified as a unified communications client that is the default talk client for the Gnome and Fedora Linux desktops. It provides support for text, voice, movie talk and file transfer using different protocols.

Empathy uses Telepathy for protocol support. Because Empathy is the default talk client in Gnome, it becomes lighter for other Gnome applications to use Telepathy collaboration functionality.

• Voice and movie call using SIP, XMPP and Google Talk
• XMPP (Jabber and Google Talk)
• MSN, IRC, Salut, AIM, ICQ, Groupwise, Gadu Gadu, QQ, Facebook and Yahoo
• Some IRC support

Voice and movie support can use different protocols like SIP, XMPP, Google Talk and MSN.

• File transfer capability (XMPP)
• Voice and movie calls using SIP, XMPP and Google Talk
• Automatic reconnection via Network Manager
• Support for collaborative apps (“tubes”)

For a total list of features and download instructions, visit the wiki.gnome.org page.

Windows softphones

Firefly

Apart from voice calls, this softphone offers features such as conference calling, call transfer, Instant Messaging and more.

• PCs running Windows 2000/XP/Vista/Win7
• Pentium processor II 400
• 20 MB of free disk space
• Broadband Internet connection for best results
• Headset with speaker and microphone, or a USB handset

• Permits calls to landlines and mobile phones
• Haul and drop contact list and contact groups
• Call log including instant messages
• Built-in audio wizard for effortless audio configuration
• Numerous call management
• Support for conference calls

Visit the Freshtel Firefly page for a detailed list of features and a download function.

Minipax

This softphone is compatible with Windows XP Vista, Windows seven and 8. It is designed for use by Internet VoIP service providers who require customised SIP software.

• Support for SIP tunneling (overcomes firewall blockages)
• Call recording
• Address book
• Balance display
• Support for G719, G723.1 and GSM G711 audio codecs
• USB handset and headset support

For a total list of technical features and download instructions, visit the Minipax download page.

Mizu Softphone

This softphone uses the standard SIP protocol and is designed with an intuitive interface for use on the Windows operating system. You can connect to any SIP server on the Internet or on your local area network.

• Numerous profile registrations and SIP server registrations
• Instant messaging and SMS
• Conference calling for up to thirty parties
• File transfer and file sharing over VoIP
• Local and remote Voicemail
• Nine audio codecs and six movie codecs
• VoIP tunneling and encryption

For a utter list of technical specifications and download, visit the Mizutech website.

Phoner and PhonerLite

This is a German-made softphone for the Windows platform. It provides voice calls to landline numbers and to cellular networks.

The main difference inbetween Phoner and PhonerLite is their graphical user interfaces.

Preconditions for using this softphone include a total duplex sound card, a microphone and speakers or a headset. A user account with a SIP VoIP service provider is also required. This softphone can work with most VoIP providers and can also be integrated with the Asterisk PBX software.

Ir relies on a Microsoft Windows API which provides computer telephony integration and enables PCs running Microsoft Windows to use telephone services.

• Echo cancellation
• Call initiating, disconnect, redial, forwarding and hold
• Available in German, English, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian and Arabic

Macintosh softphones

iSoftphone

This softphone will integrate with your Mac OS address book, importing all your contacts and making them effortless to find. It also has a few more advanced call-handling features, such as call transferring, recording and echo cancellation.

• High quality audio and movie calls supported by industry standard codecs.
• Users who have enabled movie may switch inbetween movie and voice on request.
• Integrated with the Mac OSX address book to make calls and manage contacts.
• Instant messaging.
• SMS messaging if supported by server configuration.
• Intuitive call management.

Classic users may upgrade to Pro to enable movie, and app users may purchase an In-app to enable movie.

A Call Panel provides quick access to all management functionality such as echo cancellation, call recording/transfer and more.

Multiplatform softphones

Ekiga

Formerly known as GnomeMeeting, the Ekiga softphone is an open source voice, movie and instant messenger client. It support movie up to DVD size and quality and HD sound.

• Free audio and movie calls on the Internet
• Free instant messenger communication on the Internet
• Audio and movie calls to landlines and mobile phones
• HD sound and movie quality with high framework rate using state of the art codec and framework size
• SMS messaging to mobile phones if supported by service provider
• Address book support

ZoiPer

This softphone carries VoIP phone applications over 3G or Wi-Fi. It provides voice calls, movie, fax, and instant messaging.

• Windows, Macintosh, Linux, iOS and Android mobile devices

It is a standalone VoIP phone application not associated with a VoIP service provider. Clients need to subscribe to a SIP or IAX service provider to use the application.

For more information, visit the ZoiPer website.

X-Lite

CounterPath’s X-Lite helps you seamlessly transition from a traditional phone environment into the world of Voice over IP. This softphone can be downloaded for free at Counterpath.com/xlite.

This softphone offers free basic calling and three-way conferencing and instant messaging.

To use this softphone, you need a SIP enabled PBX or access to an Internet service provider.

• Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Ten, Mac OSX Ten.9

A paid version called Brea4 offers extra functionality and is available for purchase at the Counterpath.com website.

Adore softphone

This softphone is available for Windows and, as an application, for the iPhone and Android mobile devices. The different versions are labelled with the name Communicator. It provides PC-to-phone, phone-to-PC, and PC-to-PC services.

The mobile application works with a 3G or Wi-Fi connection.

Using this softphone, users can communicate over the Internet on any desktop computer, notebook, PDA, stand-alone IP phone, mobile phone, and even a conventional landline.

The different applications are compatible with most Internet Telephone Services Providers (ITSPs).

It provides voice and movie calls and instant messaging. To get commenced, Adore provides a testing account.

For a utter list of features, visit the Adore Softphone webpage.

3CX softphone

This softphone is supplied by 3CX Innovative Communications and offers an intuitive interface with a dial pad and buttons.

• An account with a VoIP provider or a SIP server / VoIP PBX
• An Internet connection or a mobile service

The company also offers VoIP clients for iOS and Android mobile phones.

The 3CX platform also includes Fax, Voicemail to email, Web conferencing and instant messaging. With the integrated 3CX clients, users can access the unified communications features without any need to download extra software.

A PDF product brochure can be downloaded here.

Express Talk

The free version of this software is only available for non-commercial use.

Voice calls can be made to any other computer that has a softphone installed. An account with a VoIP service provider will add the extra functionality of calling landline numbers.

Up to six telephone lines can be configured with the softphone linked to a VoiP provider or an office PBX.

• Voice and movie calls inbetween computers
• PC to landline phone via a VoIP SIP gateway provider
• Contact list with quick dial configuration
• Compatible with USB phones, headsets, mics, webcam and a USB movie phone

Download links are listed here.

Jitsi

This is an audio/movie and talk communicator supplied as a software solution. The product was formerly known as SIP Communicator. It is an open source program supplied under the LGPL license conditions.

• XMPP/Jabber, AIM/ICQ, Windows Live, and Yahoo Messenger

Visit the jitsi.org website for information about development issues.

Blink

This softphone can be integrated with services suggested by SIP providers and used on a LAN with Bonjour.

• Studio audio quality using the Opus codec
• HD movie using H.264 codec
• Encryption using ZRTP
• Talk sessions with MSRP
• File transfer

Total feature list, download instructions, and inquires available on the Blink webpage.

YakaPhone

The software for this softphone can be built in a few ordinary steps. Instructions are listed on the YakaPhone website. A download link is on the same page.

• Linux, Windows and Mac operating systems

• Call records, noise reduction and echo cancellation.
• Integrated PhoneBook.
• Audio device detection.
• DMTF touch tones.

Mobile applications

Gidday

This softphone app is available for Android devices and the Apple iPhone.

Visit the SipCity webpage for more information and installation instructions.

Viber

This is a free mobile application the can be used to make both free and paid phone calls.

• Calls to other Viber users are free
• Calls to landlines or mobile users not using this app are charged at a cheap rate, presently advertised as 1.Trio cents/minute. To make such calls, users need to sign up for the Viber Out service

The Viber application is available for Android, Apple iOS, Blackberry and Windows Phone.

Browser Applications

Mozilla VoIP

This is a built-in softphone for Mozilla Thunderbird and Firefox. It can be used with any SIP service provider.

• One-click call feature to dial a phone number directly from the web page our are browsing
• Movie support

• One-click call feature to dial a phone number directly from the mail message your are viewing
• Call contacts listed in the Thunderbird address book
• Send SMS messages to contacts

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